DISCLOSURE / FILE
Department of War Project SIGN incident summary file covering Unidentified Flying Objects case #101, the 18 February 1948 Norcatur, Kansas sky explosion, with witness statements, correspondence, and Dr. Lincoln LaPaz's meteoritic assessment.
38_143685_box_Incident_Summaries_101-172
Department of War Project SIGN incident summary file covering Unidentified Flying Objects case #101, the 18 February 1948 Norcatur, Kansas sky explosion, with witness statements, correspondence, and Dr. Lincoln LaPaz's meteoritic assessment.
This Department of War file, classified SECRET on release and stamped RESTRICTED internally, contains the standardized "Check-List - Unidentified Flying Objects" for Incident #101: a 5:01 PM sighting on 18 February 1948 near Norcatur, Kansas, logged by editor M. H. Trebbiel and seen across Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska. Witness Leland Sammons described a roughly 10-foot funnel-shaped object that hovered six feet from him with "fire belching out of it," while Kenneth Hays reported what he took to be a rocket. The file preserves two speculative letters from Norman G. Markham of Pueblo, Colorado proposing that the object was a craft from the Moon, and an 11 April 1948 reply from Dr. Lincoln LaPaz, Director of the Institute of Meteoritics at the University of New Mexico, who judged the event a genuine but unrecovered meteorite fall while conceding the situation "cries aloud for thorough investigation."
One big explosion - "afterwards a lot of little explosions"p.3
The thing was about 10' long, shaped something like a funnel. There was a pipe sticking out the back of it, and once as it wobbled around, the pipe was sticking right at my belly.p.5
I submit there is a likelihood that on June 24, 1947, something like a space-ship came here from the moon and upon February 18, 1948, returned to the moon.p.12
While I still cling to the meteoritic hypothesis, it is clear that which ever alternative is the right one, the situation cries aloud for thorough investigation.p.14
He stated that in about a minute and a half, there was a terrific explosion followed by a heavy rumbling noise like thunder and that the smoke cloud was growing larger all the time.p.15
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DECLASSIFIED Authority: AND 917033 [envelope cover - label partially legible] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Postal Squadron 4/0 [REDACTED] Grove [ILLEGIBLE] Subjects Flying Saucer CONTENTS + CORRESPONDENCE [REDACTED] 4-27-48 SECRET
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DECLASSIFIED Authority: AND 917033 [envelope cover - label partially legible] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] Postal Squadron 4/0 [REDACTED] Grove [ILLEGIBLE] Subjects Flying Saucer CONTENTS + CORRESPONDENCE [REDACTED] 4-27-48 SECRET
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RESTRICTED CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS 1. Date 18 February 1948 Incident # 101 2. Time 5:01 P.M. 3. Location Norcatur, Knsas 4. Name of observer M. H. Trebbiel account (taken from newspaper) 5. Occupation of observer Editor 6. Address of observer Norton, Kansas 7. Place of observation Norcatur, Kansas 8. Number of objects One 9. Distance of object from observer N/S 10. Time in sight N/S 11. Altitude 30 - 35 miles above earth 12. Speed N/S 13. Direction of flight N/S 14. Tactics N/S 15. Sound One big explosion - "afterwards a lot of little explosions" 16. Size N/S 17. Color Bluish-white smoke smudge [REDACTED] 18. Shape Mushroom 19. Odor detected N/S 20. Apparent construction Meteor 21. Exhaust trails [REDACTED] Bluish-white smoke smudge 22. Weather conditions N/S 23. Effect on clouds N/S 24. Sketches or photographs Photo of vapor trail left in sky by explosion 25. Manner of disappearance Disintegration 26. Remarks: Oscar Monnig, of the Texas Observers, Amateur Astronomy, 1010 Morningside Drive, Ft. Worth, offers "tangible proof that the fireball RESTRICTED
RESTRICTED of February 18 over northern Kansas was just that, inasmuch as meteorites have been recovered from it." There were found, beginning April 24, first several smaller fragments up to one of 4 1/2 pounds. Then a disturbed spot in a clover field led to the digging up of a piece of some 109 pounds embedded about two feet in the soil. The stone is what is termed as an "achondrite", a technical name for an unusual type of stony meteorite. It is reported to be of a type which will deteriorate rapidly. A photograph of the trail of the meteor, made by amateur photographer Duane W. Wray of Norton, shows the vapor trail left in the sky by the explosion of a meteor which was seen in Oklahoma, New Mexico, Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska. It was made at Wray's home, nine miles north of Norton, just four minutes after the meteor exploded. A smudge of blue- white smoke remained in the sky for an hour February 18th. This photo- graph is in file under Incident #101. Further remarks are contained in supplement. RESTRICTED 101a
EXHIBIT B Statement taken from Leland Sammons My name is Leland Sammons, and I live on a farm 14 miles west of Stockton and 1 mile north, off US 24. On February 18 at about 5 P.M., I was standing near my hog-pen about 100' east of my house, when I heard the pheasants raising a disturbance and the chickens all rushed to the chicken-house. I looked around toward the house to see what was causing it and saw something hovering just above the house. I ran towardthe house, and it then lowered over the north end of the house and settled toward the ground. I was then very near it, approximately 6' when it stopped about level with my eyes, and just wobbled around for an instant, fire belching out of it and sucking back in. The thing was about 10' long, shaped something like a funnel. There was a pipe sticking out the back of it, and once as it wobbled around, the pipe was sticking right at my belly. Suddenly there was a streak of fire about three inches, then increased as if a fuse might have lighted, and it took off in a north-westerly direction very fast, gaining altitude as it went. My wife heard it leave and ran out where I stood, and we both looked up and it was soon out of the way. Suddenly there was a great cloud of smoke in the sky, not more than 40 seconds after it left my yard, and in a few seconds or more, we heard an explosion. I then stepped away from my house to where it had been, and it was five steps. Yes, it was hot, I could feel the hear from it. Had I not been washing my car prior to the occurrence, wetting the ground, there would have been a bare spot in the yard where the thing started up because there was a great rush of fire from it when it left. It must have been quite high when it exploded. - - - - - - - - Kenneth Hays, son of Floyd Hays, 14 miles east of Norton on US 36, at the Jct. of K-60, south side of Highway. At about 5 to 5:30 P.M., not sure of time, was riding his horse in a pasture, when he heard something queer in the sky. Looking up to the south-west, he saw what appeared to him to be a rocket, moving at high speed. He stopped, got off his horse and watched it, then jumped off the horse. He then remounted, watched its course, almost on a level but losing altitude a little, and it then exploded with a big cloud of smoke, apparently over Norton, from where he was south of Prairie View. He then turned and rode home, not knowing the sound and jar of the explosion reached him. Mrs. Hays was home in the house, when she heard and felt something like a truck might have struck the house. She ran out of the house and then saw the big cloud of smoke. A very large part of the north central part of the smoke cloud drifted directly over their house, and went on east over Phillipsburg. - - - - - - - - Ralph New, postmaster at Norcatur, stated that at about 4:50 P.M. he was standing just inside the front window of the postoffice in Norcatur, when he observed a blinding flash as if someone had taken a flashlight picture. He could locate no one with a camera, but noticed several men walking to the center of the street and looking up. He then walked out to where they were and looking up, saw a high cloud of smoke in the sky almost directly overhead
(COPY)
323 W. Tenth St.,
Pueblo, Colorado
February 20, 1948
Office of the Chief of Staff
U. S. Army
Washington, D. C.
Subject: Explosion in the sky near Norcatur, Kns.
4:00 p.m. (MST) February 18, 1948
Purpose: To call attention to some peculiarities
in connection, whether coincidental or not
According to an AP bulletin appearing in the Pueblo CHIEFTAIN
for February 18, 1948, some object was seen moving eastward
across the sky on the late afternoon of February 18th, and
when this thing reached a position approximate to Norcatur,
Kansas, exploded, or disrupted, or disappeared. The ex-
plosion is said to have been terrific.
Directions given as to the progress of this appearance
indicate that it moved from west to east.
Information contained in the dispatch under a Denver dateline
indicate that while many would call this object a bolide -
i.e., exploding meteor - the astronomers of Chamberlin
Observatory (Denver) did not so assess it; it is stated
in the dispatch that these officials could offer no explanation
of it.
A sketch-diagram of the earth and moon's orbit reveals a pe-
culiarity in connection with the appearance, which may be
significant.
If a line is stricken at right-angles across the meridional
position of the site of explosion at the hour of 4:00, at
angle four o'clock (local time) and this line be considered
the west-to-east course of the object, then it will be seen
that if this line is continued outward into space toward the
orbit of the moon it will intersect the lunar orbit at a
place near to where the moon would be at from 80 to one hundred
hours after the explosion took place.
New moon occurred at 9 D 10 H 2 M February; First Quarter
at 17D 6H N. February. The moon moves approximately
12.5 degrees per day along its orbit.It is held by rocketry experts (example, WILLY LEY - see his ROCKETS, p. 192, diagram and note in connection there- with) that it would take about 100 hours for a rocket-craft to negotiate the distance from Earth to Moon. Prior to its explosion over Norcatur, this object of Feb. 18th was variously reported as a "falling plane", a "jet plane", and a "ball of fire". It is said by some to have left a trail of smoke behind it. It is the suggestion of this writer that the Army collect and assimilate reports on this object, with a view to determining where it was seen as an object trailing smoke and where as a ball of fire. If this thing is a rocket of some kind headed for the moon, it might first have been seen as a streak of smoke, then later as a ball of fire, and lastly as a tremendous ex- plosion when it at last reached sufficient speed and eleva- tion for take-off. The writer has in mind the various and unexplained reports on "flying saucers", and bases this speculation upon a few, consideration of various oddments of reports whose significance might be of space-craft from other worlds of space. The so-called "meteoric procession" which crossed Toronto in February 1913, consisted of a number of groups of illuminated bodies traveling in groups of three and moving in "rigid formation", all pursuing a course across the same streak of the earth's face. If a line is projected backward along the line of flight it will be seen that this line "comes out" at the position of the moon at the time. The 1913 phenomenon occurred in the mid-period of a series of reports on dirigible objects of appearance like zeppelins which were seen over England and whose appearance terminated - or reports on the appearances stopped - just prior to the inferior conjunction of Venus of April 24, 1913. The writer begs to call attention to the fact that the times prior to and just after inferior conjunction of Venus are prolific in reports of strange things seen in the sky. Also that lights have been reported on the moon from time to time, back for at least a century. If in the future of military experiment the moon is selected as a base for the launching of rockets (which has been suggested by some writers), it may be well to look first 2
into reports like this one on the explosion over Norcatur
and the direction of the object involved.
There is a possibility, however remote this may seem, that
the moon is either inhabited or in use by other than human
beings.
'ours,
/s/ NORMAN GARRETT MARKHAM
It may do not harm to
watch the moon for
possible arrival of
this thing in the quarter
at 80 to 100 hours after
"its departure".
NGM
3(COPY)
FILE REF: - SIGGS-M-1 March 14, 1948
From: Norman G. Markham
MAIN HOTEL, Pueblo, Colo
To: Chief Signal Officer
U. S. Army, Washington, D.C.
Subject: Norcatur, Kans., sky explosion
of 18 February, 1948
Purpose: To show a speculation regard-
ing the above phenomenon and
another one of earlier date
and to call attention to
occurrences between the two
which have an appearance of
relationship whether coinci-
dental or not.
The geographical position of the Norcatur explosion suggests possible
linkage with other occurrences happening inside latitudinal limits arbitrarily
describable between 43° 36' North (which is the latitude of Boise, Idaho)
and 36° 10' North (the latitude of Nashville, Tenn.), a belt about 485
miles wide.
This suggestion is gained from positions given for occurrences
happening between June 24, 1947 and February 18, 1948, as shall be
hereinafter briefly described.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
THE BOISE (Idaho) OBJECT—This was seen either beginning or ending at 3:30 pm
24, June 1947 and was visible for 20 minutes. It was in the western sky,
was of comet-like appearance, and settled gradually toward the horizon as
planetary bodies set. It was seen by Lt. Gov. Whitehead and Chief Justice
Lampert. Its nature was unknown.
The peculiarity which connects this object, for speculative purposes, with
the explosion of some unknown object over Norcatur, Kans., on 18 February
1948 is the seeming of a relationship between the positions of the moon for
the two phenomena:
In the former case the moon was at the position, about 7%, 63
before the positions of First Quarter; on the second case it was about 8%.75
beyond the position of first quarter.
Since the Boise object was visible for 20 minutes before it sank this
argues it was about ten degrees above the horizon when first seen. Now
if a line be drawn westward and at ten degrees southward from thehorizon of Boise at 3:30 p.m. and another line be drawn from the position
of the moon at one hundred hours before the sighting of the Boise object,
and projected to the center of the earth, it will be seen that this ten-
degrees-altitude and the moon-earth line intersect at a place far above
a geographical position considerably to the west of Cape Blance, in the
neighborhood of about 700 miles off the coast.
The Boise object in its appearance suggests a rocket-type of craft possibly
using reaction blasts to brake itself down for a landing on the earth.
The bright point and plumy tail of the description suggest this, as also
its apparent fixity in space.
HOLLE'S "SHIP IN FLAMES" — Nine days after the sighting of the Boise
object a forest lookout named Earl Holle saw at or soon after 4:00 p.m.,
3rd July, 1947, something he took to be a "tanker in flames". This was
seen horizon-ward from a point in Sonoma County, California, near to Fort
Ross. A search was instituted by the Navy Coast Guard, and nothing was
found. The soviet tanker ELBRUZ, which had been in the vicinity, was
quaried and found to be all right. This was not explained.
If this appearance had been on the horizon, there is no telling how far
it may have been from the observer.
CAPE MENDOCINO BLIMP INCIDENT — Not far from the location of Holle's
"burning ship" an accident occurred to a navy blimp, 14 July 1947, off Cape
Mendocino.
This blimp suddenly settled into the water, slipped out its crew and rose
again.
The anomaly here is that one would not expect to find drastic down-drafts
of such violence as to thus upset a lighter than air craft. Possibly a
downdraft COULD cause such the accident - but if the Signal Officer will look
up the incident of the British steamer Talma which, at the time of the
sighting of a luminous wheel-like phenomenon in the Gulf of Martaban,
reported a slowing of the engines from some unknown cause, it may be seen
that possibly forces are generated in some manner by certain unknown
objects at times in the ocean, which may have physical attraction for
material objects. This blimp accident occurring in waters where occurred
other phenomena shortly to be mentioned, seems to have a doubtful side
to it.
THE OAKLAND OBJECT — Early on the morning of 13th October, 1947, a
photographer named Ben Dobus together with a taxidriver named A. J.
Goldman saw a thing "that looked like Saturn with a ring around it".
it shot at terrific speed WESTWARD across the sky of the Bay area, and was
seen shortly after midnight.
2This may have been heading in the general direction of what may have been
the goal of two later objects which roughly resemble it in description.
THE TICONDEROGA OBJECTS — According to the tanker Ticonderoga's
second officer, two "flying discs" were seen heading SOUTHWEST when the
ship was in 43 degrees fifteen minutes north and 124 degrees 51 minutes
west, at 0620 OCT, 12th November 1947.
These may have been heading for the object seen in the Pacific off the
Golden Gate, not long afterward - or possibly at the same time, if earlier
reports on this are consulted.
THE PHANTOM REEF — On November 28, 1947, the Navy denied that it had
found a phantom reef or other obstruction to navigation at a point about
400 miles west of San Francisco. The Navy Survey ship MAURY, sent out
there in response to reports of a reef, of that some high object had been
seen in the water in that neighborhood, reported that when in the
approximate latitude and longitude of the supposed obstruction they
picked up an echo from something in the water 3,000 yards from the
ship; but that when they had steamed to within 400 yards of this, the
echo vanished.
There seems a possible connectability between the various elements so
far considered.
Later on January 7, 1948, there were occurrences in the neighborhood of
Wilmington, O., Ft. Knox, Ky., Franklin, Ky., and Nashville, Tenn., all of
which must be now familiar to the archivists of the Signal Office.
Something like a "flying disc" was pursued by one Lt. Mantell and two
other pilots, Mantell being killed while in the process of attempting to
gain altitude to get close to whatever it was he was chasing.
Also, in this connection, it may not be amiss to mention the deaths of
two military officers who were said to have been bringing back material
evidence from "flying discs" one of which was said to have met with some kind
of accident over Mary Island, Puget Sound, around June, 1947.
It will be seen on inspection that the geographical locales of these
incidents fit inside the belt of latitudes hereinbefore mentioned.
THE NORCATUR EXPLOSION was described in a previous letter of this
writer, and it was shown in that letter that a line tangential to the
meridian of Norcatur, Kans., at hour-angle 2:00 p.m., would if con-
tinued into space to the orbit of the moon, intersect the
moon's orbit at a point where the moon would have been at about 100
hours after the time of the explosion.
According to rocketry theory, it would take a reaction-propelled
craft of the rocket type about 100 hours to reach the moon.
3I submit there is a likelihood that on June 24, 1947, something like a
space-ship came here from the moon and upon February 18, 1948, returned
to the moon.
This is of course speculation.
But has anyone yet explained the "flying discs" in terms of all the
pretty-well proven facts in connection with them?
Has anyone yet devised a fuel powerful enough to kick a rocket from
Earth to the Moon?
There have been hundreds of reports, during the past century, on
occurrences which imply this world is visited from outside space.
Absence of contact by these postulatable visiting entities may imply a
state of culture far beyond ours, to the point where it would be inex-
pedient for their members to have to do with us en-masse.
These reports have never been seriously considered by science, which
in general ignores them.
However, according to Dr. Recht of Chamberlin Observatory, Denver, there
is nothing in astronomy to explain the thing which exploded over Norcatur.
Dr. Nininger's idea that the thing was a meteor flatly disregards Dr. Recht's
opinion, which may have been based on the Denver Posts' statement that a
Denver woman saw the Norcatur object twenty minutes before the explosion
occurred.
I submit that the Army needs men who are capable of recognizing the anomalies
beforementioned when they occur, evenif only to aid in speculation regarding
them.
The undersigned offers his services to that end, if the Army may wish to
avail itself of them.
/s/ W. G. MARKHAM
4Excerpt of letter dated April 11, 1948 from Dr. Lincoln LaPaz, Director,
Institute of Meteoritics, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New
Mexico, to the Deputy Executive Director, Committee on Geophysical
Sciences, Research and Development Board:
Thank you for the surprising documents sent me under date of March
30. As you remark, certain aspects of Markham's letters are fantastic
(for example (1) the fireball procession of 1913, February 9, was
genuinely meteoric, although a rare type of chain fall; (2) no astronomer
could take seriously Markham's "invasion by beings from Venus or the Moon"-
theory; (3) he appeals to, and bases his favored conclusions on untrustworthy
evidence as newspaper stories, e.g., the absurd statement attributed to
Dr. Recht of the Chamberlin Observatory). Nevertheless, Markham is justi-
fied in calling attention to certain incidents as unexplained, for example,
the "flying lenses" (in my opinion 99% hoax and imagination and 1% real).
As regards the Norcatur, Kansas incident, I remain convinced that,
like the Four Corners incident, it was a genuine meteorite fall, although
one of exceptional size (again like the Four Corners fall). However,
there are many curious aspects of the Norcatur fall; some of an objective
nature, like the singular fact that in spite of intensive searches (ad-
mittedly under bad terrain and weather conditions), not a trace of meteoritic
material has so far been found; some of a non-objective nature, like the
amazing testimony given by Mr. Leland Sammons, Mr. Alfred Glenn, and other
witnesses of the Norcatur incident, both to members of the State Highway
Commission of Kansas and to Institute of Meteoritics field survey parties.
(See exhibits A, B, and C, enclosed.)
Some comment on such testimony as appears in A, B, and C would seem
desirable:
1. Glenn first reported the battery case as red hot. When I pointed
out that the others who were at the site didn't see it, his account was changed
to "too hot to handle". The Institute of Meteoritics party found only two
men, not four, who saw the battery case fall. The battery case has been
examined by Dr. Victor Regener, Department of Physics, University of
New Mexico, who states that it appears to be identical with the small
batteries used in portable radios.
2. K. Hays' identification of the Norcatur object as a rocket has
the following support: On the morning of February 19, I talked to the
towerman and two assistants at the Air Base at Maxwell Field, Nebraska,
that identified the Norcatur object was a fireball and described it as
a black object with an extremely bright jet of flame pouring out of the
rear. Furthermore, a 14-year old, and presumably unbiased, schoolgirl
in Oberlin, Kansas wrote me a similar description of the "Fireball."3. A determined effort is under way to check up on Sammons' veracity
(and sanity!) I have neither seen nor talked to Sammons, but another member
of the Institute of Meteoritics party (Dr. D. M. Gragg, an instructor in the
Department of Mathematics) who did so believes Sammons (who is a well-to-do
farmer) to be sincere and very badly scared. Of course nearness to a big
meteoric fall would scare one as badly as an atom bomb; but how could it
produce such testimony as Sammons'.
The "meteoritic" incidents from the great fall of 1945, November 29
(from which no meteorites have been recovered either!) through the sequence
of similar falls culminating in the Four Corners and Norcatur incidents,
coupled with such things as the Mauri incident, convince me that either
the earth is under a most unusual cosmic bombardment or many of the
fireballs are not meteorites at all. While I still cling to the meteoritic
hypothesis, it is clear that which ever alternative is the right one, the
situation cries aloud for thorough investigation.(COPY) EXHIBIT A Roy W. Cox, Director of Highways STATE HIGHWAY COMMISSION OF KANSAS Division 3 Norton NOTES TAKEN AT NORCATUR, KANSAS, Night of Feb 18 Mr. Ralph New, Postmaster at Norcatur, tells us that at approximately 4:50 PM he was standing in the north window of the post office in Norcatur looking toward the City Hall when he was suddenly illuminated very brightly by some terrific light. He ran outside into the street where others were looking toward the northeast at a very large cloud of white smoke high in the sky. He stated that in about a minute and a half, there was a terrific explosion followed by a heavy rumbling noise like thunder and that the smoke cloud was growing larger all the time. Also there was a white smoke trail in the sky from the southwest where the missile had come from. He said that from the center of the street, the explosion and the first big mushroom of smoke was directly overhead and at a tremendous height. Another man in Norcatur stated that just prior to the explosion, he had heard the motors of an airplane. Chief Scott learned from some man in Norton that just following the explosion, something fell at his feet on the street and he picked it up, to find that it was a small flashlight battery resembling those used in 'fountain pen flashlights' and that it was red hot. After a crowd of men gathered and examined it, he ran inside himself and he thinks that someone took it. Kenneth Hays of east of Norton was about 5 miles south of Prairie View when he heard something roaring in the sky to the west of him, far away and very high. He says that it resembled a rocket traveling northeast toward Norton direction, and that suddenly there was a terrific explosion followed by a mushroom of smoke, and another explosion, then other explosions or something resembling explosions. When he saw it, it was nearing the ground or horizon, in other words, losing altitude. Edgar Young's boy at Reager, was standing beside the Reager elevator and heard something high over head, looked up to see a very bright flash of light and then a loud explosion followed by a big cloud of smoke. The airport at Norton thought about 20,000 feet, time 4:50. Checked but no planes missing.
but slightly east. Suddenly, about 1 and 1/2 minutes after he had seen the
flash, there was a terrific explosion and jar, shaking the ground and causing
the windows all around to rattle. Following the explosion, there were several
loud reverberating rumblings across the heavens. He stated that the explosion
must have been very high.
- - - - - - - - - -
Edgar Young, a boy living at Regar, just east of Norcatur, was outside the
elevator, when he observed the explosion, looked up and saw the huge cloud
of smoke. He stated that it was almost overhead but slightly west of him.
He said that it was a big explosion. The elevator man was out in the
elevator, when he heard the explosion. He thought that his oil-burner had
exploded in the office and ran in to see about it. Finding it O.K., he ran
outside to see what had exploded, saw the big cloud of smoke high overhead,
slightly west.
- - - - - - - - - -
Eastern Kansas newspaper carried a story about 6 days ago of one just
like this one, coming from the south to vicinity of Iola, Kansas, where it
turned west and disappeared into the sky.
- - - - - - - - - -
Check with Chief Scott of Norton about a burned flashlight battery
which fell in the street of Norton just after the explosion. It was too
hot to be picked up for several minutes. Chief Scott has it.
Note: A copy of Exhibit "C" referred to in letter from Dr. LaPaz, was
not received.CONFIDENTIAL [struck through]
CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Date 18 February 1948 Incident # 102
2. Time 1500 MST
3. Location [REDACTED] Air Near Green River, Utah
4. Name of observer Lenord P. Marchese (B-29 Pilot, Lt. 28 Bomber Gp)
Carl W. Stucki, Lt., Co-Pilot. (see reverse side
5. Occupation of observer Pilot for other witnesses)
6. Address of observer 77th Bomb Sq, 28th Bomb Op (VH), Weaver AFB, S.D.
7. Place of observation 39° N - 100° W - near Green River, Utah
8. Number of objects One
9. Distance of object from observer 100 miles
10. Time in sight N/S
11. Altitude 20,000 feet
12. Speed Very high
13. Direction of flight Southeast of Limon, Colorado
14. Tactics Explosion rate
15. Sound Could not be determined due to B-29 engine noise
16. Size Huge
17. Color Multi-colored ball of fire
18. Shape Multi-colored ball of fire and dense cloud of smoke
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent construction N/S
21. Exhaust trails Vapor trail with ball of fire at head of trail
22. Weather conditions Clear
23. Effect on clouds N/S
24. Sketches or photographs None
25. Manner of disappearance N/S
26. Remarks: [REDACTED] Over
CONFIDENTIAL [struck through][CONFIDENTIAL - struck through]
A huge multi-colored ball of fire trailing a dense cloud of smoke
was sighted at approx 1500 hours MST 18 Feb 48, 39° N-100° W at
approx 20,000 ' by two B-29 aircraft of the 28th Bombardment Group (VH).
It was seen some 100 miles southeast of the B-29s. Size was estimated
as huge although impossible to determine accurately due to the distance.
It was traveling at very high speed and heading southeast of Limon,
Colorado, at approx 20,000 ft.
Witnesses: Capt Edward H. Berodt, AO-405504, 718th Bomb Sq
28th Bomb Gp (VH). Pilot of 1st B-29
Capt Maurice T. Ritenour, AO-465043, 718th Bomb Sq
28 Bomb Gp (VH). Co-Pilot of 1st B-29.
1st Lt Leonard P. Marchese, AO-748714, 77th Bomb
Sq., 28th Bomb Gp (MRI). Pilot of 2nd B-29.
1st Lt Carl W. Stucki, AO-795915, 77th Bomb Sq,
28th Bomb Gp (VH). Co-Pilot of 2nd B-29.
NOTE: See Incident 101 - Norcatur Kansas.
[CONFIDENTIAL - struck through]
102aRESTRICTED
CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Date 18 February 1948 Incident # 103
2. Time 1500 MST
3. Location [REDACTED] Air near Green River Utah
4. Name of observer Capt. Howard H. Berodt - Capt Maurice T. Ritenour
(See Inc 102 - corroboration)
5. Occupation of observer Pilots
6. Address of observer 718th Bomb Sq, 28th Bomb Op (VH) Weaver AFB, S.D.
7. Place of observation 39° N - 100° W - Near Green River, Utah
8. Number of objects One
9. Distance of object from observer 100 miles
10. Time in sight N/S
11. Altitude 20,000 feet
12. Speed Very high
13. Direction of flight Southeast (of Limon, Colorado)
14. Tactics Explosion rate
15. Sound Could not be determined due to B-29 engine noise
16. Size Huge (Seen 100 miles west of the B-29's)
17. Color Multi-colored ball of fire
18. Shape Huge multi-colored ball of fire and dense cloud of smoke followed
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent construction N/S
21. Exhaust trails Vapor trail with a ball of fire at the head of trail
22. Weather conditions Clear
23. Effect on clouds N/S
24. Sketches or photographs None
25. Manner of disappearance N/S
26. Remarks: [REDACTED] - Same as incident 102 which see
RESTRICTEDRESTRICTED
CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Date 7 Mar 48 Incident # 104
2. Time 2055 C
3. Location Smyrna, Tenn.
4. Name of observer Frank L. Penn, Maj, USAF, CO, Smyrna AF Base
Cpl Richard C. Pettingill & Pvt Frank C. Johnson.
5. Occupation of observers CO of Smyrna & radio and tower operators
AACS Station
6. Address of observer Smyrna AAF, Rwy Smyrna, Tenn
7. Place of observation Smyrna AAF - 6 miles from (ground)
8. Number of objects 1
9. Distance of object from observer 6 miles
10. Time in sight 45 minutes
11. Altitude About 5° above horizon
12. Speed very slow
13. Direction of flight NNW away from Smyrna
14. Tactics N/S Faded away
15. Sound None
16. Size Unknown
17. Color yellow-orange
18. Shape oval
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent construction N/S - seemed to be flare
21. Exhaust trails None
22. Weather conditions CAVU - 10 miles
23. Effect on clouds N/S
24. Sketches or photographs Figs (2) showing yellow orange flame-like oval
25. Manner of disappearance faded into horizon
26. Remarks: (over)
RESTRICTED7 July 1947
SUBJECT: Report on Flying Saucers.
TO: Commanding General
394 AAF Base Unit
Bolling Field
Washington, D. C.
1. Following are statistics regarding reports by four witnesses while in flight in two airplanes.
2. Weather CAVU. Visibility exceptionally good. Scattered altocumulus 6000 feet.
3. First reporttime 1145 hours CST. Alt. of observers 600 feet above the ground. Altitude of saucer 4000 feet MSL. Observed period - First sighted over Koshkonong, Wisconsin. Flight was observed from town of Koshkonong to Elkhorn, Wisconsin. This flight covered twenty-five (25) miles in fifteen (15) seconds, which is a speed of six thousand (6000) miles per hour.
4. Second report: Time 1430 hours CST. Altitude of observers thirty-five hundred feet (3500) MSL. Altitude of saucer twenty-five hundred feet (2500) MSL. Observation period - Observed at East Troy, Wisconsin, flight observed from Eagle, Wisconsin to Muskego, Wisconsin. This flight covered twenty-two (22) miles in twenty (20 seconds, which is a speed of three thousand nine hundred sixty (3960) miles per hour.
5. Flight maneuvers: First observation-saucer descended vertically sidewise through altocumulus clouds, stopped at four thousand (4000) feet and assumed horizontal position and proceeded in horizontal flight from a horizontal position for fifteen (15) seconds covering twenty-five (25) miles, then stopped and disappeared. Second observation: Observed in horizontal flight in a horizontal altitude for a period of twenty (20) seconds covering twenty-two (22) miles. By the time the pilot had recovered his camera from the [REDACTED] of his plane, the saucer disappeared and again reappeared approximately ten (10) miles further along its course after six (6) seconds making its final disappearance.
6. The first two observers were an instructor and a student, having just taken off from Elkhorn Airport. Also found two observers, one being Cap't. R. J. Southey, Wing Supply Officer and a passenger.
ENCLOSURE John D. Schindler, Jr.
62-93394-58 Maj. Air Corps, AAF-AAF & Liaison Officer.[Map image: WORLD AERONAUTICAL CHART — ILLINOIS RIVER region. Handwritten annotation in blue ink reads: FLYING CARS. Map shows Illinois/Wisconsin area including Lake Michigan shoreline. Chart number visible at margins: (1000).]
[Reverse side of World Aeronautical Chart. Left panel contains aeronautical symbols legend and key. Center panel shows world map grid index. Bottom panel contains chart index and diagram. Text too small to transcribe verbatim at this resolution.]
FBI SEATTLE 8-6-47 7-13 PM PST DIRECTOR FBI URGENT FLYING DISCS, S. M. - X. RETEL PORTLAND TO DIRECTOR, SAN FRANCISCO, AND SEATTLE AUGUST FIVE LAST. INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS MCCORD FIELD, WN., ADVISE THAT IN THEIR [REDACTED] OPINION AND FROM THEIR INVESTIGATION THERE IS NO QUESTION OF THE CRASH OF THE B- TWENTYFIVE AT KELSO, WN. [REDACTED] APPROXIMATELY TWO FIFTY A. M., AUGUST ONE LAST HAVING BEEN CAUSED BY ANY SABOTAGE. THEY STATE THEIR INVESTIGATION INDICATES THE LEFT ENGINE BURNED OUT AN EXHAUST STACK WHICH CAUSED THE WING TO BURN AND BREAK OFF. THE LEFT WING AS IT [REDACTED] BROKE OFF TORE OFF THE TAIL AND THE PLANE CRASHED INTO THE GROUND KILLING CAPT. DAVIDSON AND LT. BROWN INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS OF THE FOURTH AIR FORCE WHO WERE RETURNING FROM MCCORD FIELD, WN., TO HAMILTON FIELD, CALIFORNIA. THE CREW CHIEF AND A HITCHHIKER PARACHUTED TO SAFETY FROM THE PLANE. ONLY FOUR MEMBERS WERE ABOARD THE PLANE, DAVIDSON AND BROWN BEING PILOT AND CO- PILOT AND HAD NO CHANCE TO ESCAPE WHEN THE WING BROKE OFF. LT. COL. DONALD L. SPRINGER, A- TWO [REDACTED] OFFICER FOR THE FOURTH AIR FORCE, HAMILTON FIELD, CALIFORNIA, ADVISED THAT CAPTAIN DAVIDSON AND BROWN WERE SENT FROM HAMILTON FIELD TO INTERVIEW HAROLD A. DAHL AND FRED CRISMAN AT TACOMA, WN., REGARDING THEIR REPORT OF SEEING SOME FLYING DISCS OVER MAURY ISLAND, WN., AND THAT THEY OBTAINED SOME OF THE DISC FRAGMENTS. CRISMAN AND DAHL ARE PARTNERS IN A LUMBER BUSINESS AT TACOMA, WAHINGTON. 1/2 COPIES DESTROYED 270 NOV 18 1964
[Reverse/back side of teletype page 24. Pink paper. Shown upside-down. Text is bleed-through impression from front side and is largely ILLEGIBLE. Stamps visible at bottom (when oriented correctly): RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. JUL 15 9:01 AM RECEIVED F.B.I. INTERNAL SECURITY JUL 22 10:09 AM]
PAGE TWO
CAPTAIN DAVIDSON AND LT. BROWN ON THURSDAY, JULY [REDACTED] THIRTYFIRST LAST INTERVIEWED DAHL, CRISMAN, KENNETH ARNOLD, FROM BOISE, IDAHO, WHO WAS ONE OF THE FIRST THAT REPORTED SEEING FLYING DISCS AND EMIL H. SMITH, UNITED AIRLINES PILOT FROM SEATTLE, WN., WHO ALSO REPORTED SEEING FLYING DISCS. THIS INTERVIEW TOOK PLACE AT THE [REDACTED] WINTHROP HOTEL ON THE AFTERNOON OF JULY [REDACTED] THIRTYFIRST LAST. CAPTAIN DAVIDSON AND LT. BROWN WERE RETURNING TO HAMILTON FIELD FOR AIRFORCE DAY AND HAD WITH THEM SOME OF THE DISC FRAGMENTS AS REPORTED BY DAHL AND CRISMAN.
II. REPORTER PAUL LANTZ OF TACOMA TIMES, AND UNITED PRESS WIREMAN TED MORELLO OF TACOMA, RECEIVED ANONYMOUS PHONE CALLS JULY THIRTYFIRST AND AUGUST FIRST LAST REGARDING THE MEETING AT THE WINTHROP HOTEL OMER THE DISCS FRAGMENTS AND THAT THE B- TWENTYFIVE WHICH CRASHED THE MORNING OF [REDACTED] AUGUST ONE WAS [REDACTED] SABOTAGED OR SHOT DOWN. INFORMATION AS YET NOT VERIFIED INDICATED THE ENTIRE STORY STARTED BY DAHL AND CRISMAN POSSIBLY TO PROMOTE SALE OF SLAG FOUND IN A GRAVEL PIT ON MAURY ISLAND, WN. NO INFORMATION AVAILABLE AS YET AS TO THE IDENTITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL WHO MADE THE ANONYMOUS PHONE CALL TO THE TACOMA TIMES AND THE UNITED PRESS. DAHL AND CRISMAN WILL BE INTERVIEWED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. INVESTIGATION CONTINUING.
WILCOX
END
11-33 PM OK FBI WA GH 2RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT Aug. 6 11:34 PM '47 FBI DEPT. OF JUSTICE [Remainder of page is the reverse/back of page 26. Pink paper. Shown upside-down. Text is bleed-through impression and is ILLEGIBLE. Stamps at bottom (when oriented correctly): RECEIVED F.B.I. INTERNAL SECURITY JUL 22 10:09 AM RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. JUL 15 9:01 AM]
CC - 154
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
August 14, 1947
TO: COMMUNICATIONS SECTION. SAC, Seattle URGENT
Transmit the following message to:
RESETEL AUGUST TWELVE. IT IS NOTED FROM INTERROGATION OF EMIL SMITH, SMITH CLAIMS THAT DURING THE CONFERENCE ON JULY THIRTY ONE ONE THAT DAHL AND CRISMAN APPARENTLY REPEATED THEIR FALSE STORY ABOUT THE MATERIAL BEING FRAGMENTS OF A FLYING DISC AND ONLY ON SATURDAY NIGHT AUGUST SECOND DID DAHL ADMIT THAT THE STORY WAS A HOAX. IF SUCH IS THE CASE IT WOULD APPEAR EITHER SMITH OR ARNOLD MADE THE ANONYMOUS PHONE CALLS SINCE THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN UNDER THE IMPRESSION AT THAT TIME THAT THE MATERIAL FURNISHED TO CAPTAIN DAVIDSON AND LIEUTENANT BROWN WAS ACTUALLY PARTS OF A FLYING DISC. IT WOULD ALSO APPEAR THAT DAHL AND CRISMAN DID NOT ADMIT THE HOAX TO THE ARMY INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS BECAUSE IF THEY HAD DONE SO THE OFFICERS PROBABLY WOULD NOT HAVE TAKEN THE ALLEGED FRAGMENTS WITH THEM ON THEIR FATAL FLIGHT. THIS MATTER SHOULD BE CLEARED UP UPON REINTERVIEW WITH DAHL AND CRISMAN. WHEN THIS POINT CLARIFIED NO FURTHER INVESTIGATION NECESSARY.
HOOVER
BSF:ajp
[Stamp:] INDEXED
51 62-80894-60
AUG 18 1947
TELEPYTE
R34[?]
[Additional stamps and handwritten markings illegible]
6514 M PER [ILLEGIBLE]F.B.I.
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sirs —
I was wondering whether these
rockets in which the young
students are sending mail or
messages from California to
Arizona would have any
connection with the so called
FLYING SAUCERS or
Flying Saucers ANDERSON
MRS ARTHUR DOUGLASS ANDERSON
[Stamp:] EX-34 62-83894-61
Mrs. Arthur Douglass Anderson
16 Medbury Road
Springhaven —
Chester Pa.
July 9, 1947.[Reverse/back of letter from Mrs. Arthur Douglass Anderson (page 29). Blank cream paper. Stamp visible at bottom: RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE JUL 14 1:36 PM [?] Handwritten notations at bottom: 1, A-1, [illegible letters/numbers]]
August 1, 1947
Mrs. Arthur Douglass Anderson
16 Medbury Road
Springhaven, Chester, Pennsylvania
Dear Mrs. Anderson:
EX-34 61
This will acknowledge receipt of your letter dated
July 9, 1947.
After a careful review of the contents of this letter
it was ascertained that the information contained therein would
probably be of interest to the War Department, therefore, I have
taken the liberty of furnishing this information to that agency.
Your interest in writing as you did is indeed appreciated.
Sincerely yours,
[Stamp:] COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
MAILED 9
AUG 2[?] 1947 P.M.
WVCimjp
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
John Edgar Hoover
Director
cc - Philadelphia (There is no identifiable information in the Bureau
files concerning the writer of this letter.)
This letter referred to "flying saucers."[Reverse/back side of page 31. Yellow-green paper. Shown reversed. Mirror impression of front side text is partially visible but ILLEGIBLE. Stamps visible (reversed): RECEIVED NOON F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE AUG 2 4:42 PM '47 MAILED 9]
July 10 [year illegible]
[Attached label:] a Flying Discs
Gentlemen —
Enclosed you have a
clipping which speaks
for itself. I had
nothing better to do
so I tried to decode
it for a joke. If
my decod[ing is]
[Stamp:] RECORDED 62-83894-61X
INDEXED
[Stamp:] 84 JUL 14 1847
[Notation:] ENCL ATTACHED
Correct — please [ILLEGIBLE]
read over
ack Rec'd
cc exp [date illegible] WVC[Handwritten note — decoded cipher]
Tired of human nonsense
Don't await Atomic war.
Disrupting order solar
systems so sent flying
discs and will set up
world order under —
[wavy line symbol] — late this year.
Please advise
Very sincerely
ADDRESS Mildred Sarbanis
MRS. A.C. SARBANIS
66 NOTRE DAME AVE. MILDRED SARBANIS
HICKSVILLE, L.I.N.Y.
TEL. 15281 HICKSVILLE, L.I. (NOT LISTED)[Reverse/back of page 34. Blank cream card stock. Stamps visible: RECEIVED F.B.I. INTERNAL SECURITY JUL [15?] 2:14 PM '47 RECEIVED COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION [ILLEGIBLE] JUL [15?] 4:56 PM '47]
L-48a
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
LABORATORY
Date __7/17__ 1947
Mr. Harbo 7639
Mr. Long 7639
Mr. Parsons 7639
Mr. Baughman 7121
Mr. Conrad 7140
Mr. Downing 7632
Mr. Sizoo 7601
Miss Frawley 7639
Miss Keough 7639
Miss Millie 7631
ADMINISTRATIVE RECORDS 4th Floor
PERSONNEL RECORDS
[Handwritten:] Y M Clevellan 1732
No comments. Decode
is substantially as
per note in letter.
[Signature]
CRYPTANALYSIS SECTION
ROOM 7630[Reverse/back of page 36. Shown reversed/upside-down. Stamps visible (when oriented correctly): RECEIVED F.B.I. INTERNAL SECURITY JUL 17 4:58 PM '47 RECEIVED JUL 17 2:07 PM [?]]
ND-6
SECURITY DIVISION - FBI
INTERNAL SECURITY SECTION
5/16/47 [or similar]
MR. STRICKLAND MR. [ILLEGIBLE]
MR. DeFORD ROOM [ILLEGIBLE]
[Handwritten:] NAPAN
SUPERVISORS
Mr. Ackerman Mr. Howe
Mr. Baumgardner Mr. Jennings
Mr. Blakesley Mr. Jones
Mr. Bly Mr. McAndrews
Mr. Brown Mr. Meehan
Mr. Casper Mr. Milnes
Mr. Collier Mr. Powers
Mr. Costello Mr. Ranstad
Mr. Donohue Mr. Smith
Mr. Fletcher Mr. Turner
Mr. Harvey Mr. Whitson
Mr. Hayden Mr. Winterrowd
Mr. ___
MISS
ROOM ___
Mrs. Dorset, 1736
Mrs. Walch, 1736
Miss Arnold, 1742
Miss Niedzielski, 1649
Typist, 1641
___ Correct
___ Redate
RECORDS SECTION
___ Send file
___ Bring file up-to-date
___ Place on Record
___ Place on Record and
learn
___ Indicate index reference
___ Please call me
___ Please see me
___ Note and return
Do you have any comments to make
re attached before it is [ILLEGIBLE]?
[Signature]
SUPERVISOR [signature] ROOM 1732 [?][Manila envelope/folder. Label in red ink:] 62-83894- 61X [Stamp:] INDEXED [Two circular punch holes at bottom]
[Graph paper. Handwritten cipher text with decoded plaintext interleaved.] 1 2 3 3 4 5 1 7 1 4 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 3 4 4 1 3 4 4 DITER FO NUHMA SOESNENN TWON 3 7 5 4 1 2 1 3 7 4 5 1 [symbol] 2 3 4 1 TIRED OF HUMAN NONSENSE WONT 1 4 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 7 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 4 LATWA MOTCIA WRA KUSPIDGNIT DREOR 4 T 3 6 5 2 1 5 9 1 3 4 6 5 3 1 2 4 2 1 3 5 AWAIT ATOMIC WAR DISRUPTING ORDER 1 2 5 3 0 5 1 3 4 5 6 0 1 8 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 6 0 1 2 3 4 5 LASOR STEYMS SO STEN YLPNIG SKIDS 3 4 1 2 5 5 4 1 2 3 5 1 2 1 3 4 4 3 2 1 5 4 6 4 3 1 2 5 SOLAR SYSTEM SO SENT FLYING DISKS 1 4 8 1 2 3 4 1 2 2 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 DAN WLIL EST UP WLORD DREOR NERUD 2 5 1 1 3 6 6 2 1 3 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 4 2 1 3 5 1 5 2 3 3 AND WILL SET UP WORLD ORDER UNDER 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 TIRMANAS TEAL HIST ARYE 4 5 3 1 2 4 1 3 1 4 3 2 1 2 4 3 1 3 2 4 MARTIANS LATE THIS YEAR ack Rec'd 7/17/47 [Signature]
RESTRICTED CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS 1. Date 8 April 1948 Incident # 112c 2. Time 1430 3. Location Delaware, Ohio 4. Name of observer Rev. James R. Stephenson 5. Occupation of observer Pastor 6. Address of observer 93 N. Franklin Street, Delaware, Ohio 7. Place of observation From the ground 8. Number of objects One 9. Distance of object from observer N/S 10. Time in sight N/S 11. Altitude N/S 12. Speed Slow 13. Direction of flight Southwesterly 14. Tactics None 15. Sound None 16. Size Not Stated 17. Color White 18. Shape Verticle, larger at the bottom and narrow at the top 19. Odor detected None 20. Apparent construction N/S 21. Exhaust trails None 22. Weather conditions Clear 23. Effect on clouds N/S 24. Sketches or photographs None RESTRICTED 25. Manner of disappearance N/S 26. Remarks: Witness first thought that object was a plane on fire, as it was surrounded by a vaporous substance. A plane was heard, and
RESTRICTED it seemed low and made a great deal of noise. After a few seconds' study object became clearly outlined and looked similar to a vertical cylinder, large at the bottom and narrow at the top, with streamers or streaks of vapor attached. It gave the appearance of a white cloud, but did not behave as a cloud. It retained its shape and maintained a steady movement on a straight course against the wind. The Delaware airport was alerted for its appearance, but after a half hour it had not been sighted there. RESTRICTED
RESTRICTED CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS 1. Date 8 April 1948 Incident # 112d 2. Time 1430 3. Location Delaware, Ohio 4. Name of observer Mrs. John Bergen 5. Occupation of observer Housewife 6. Address of observer 111 North Washington Street 7. Place of observation From the ground 8. Number of objects One 9. Distance of object from observer N/S 10. Time in sight N/S 11. Altitude N/S 12. Speed N/S 13. Direction of flight Southwesterly 14. Tactics None 15. Sound [ILLEGIBLE] Could not be determined 16. Size N/S 17. Color White 18. Shape Spherical "blob" with streaks above it 19. Odor detected None 20. Apparent construction N/S 21. Exhaust trails None 22. Weather conditions Clear 23. Effect on clouds N/S 24. Sketches or photographs None 25. Manner of disappearance N/S 26. Remarks: Witness heard planes prior to the sighting, but doesn't know whether or not they had any connection with the object.
RESTRICTED The object was clearly outlined, but did not look like a balloon. The Perkins Observatory was alerted but was unable to sight the object. RESTRICTED
RESTRICTED CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS 1. Date 8 April 1948 Incident # 112e 2. Time 1430 3. Location Delaware, Ohio 4. Name of observer Rev. John R. Bergen 5. Occupation of observer Pastor 6. Address of observer 111 North Washington Street 7. Place of observation From the ground 8. Number of objects One 9. Distance of object from observer Not determined 10. Time in sight Ten minutes 11. Altitude Several thousand feet 12. Speed Not too fast 13. Direction of flight Almost due west into the wind 14. Tactics None 15. Sound None 16. Size Not less than 5 feet in width 17. Color Very white 18. Shape Spherical, with a small protrusion above it, like vapor streaks 19. Odor detected None 20. Apparent construction N/S 21. Exhaust trails None 22. Weather conditions Clear 23. Effect on clouds N/S 24. Sketches or photographs None 25. Manner of disappearance Disappeared from view behind the trees 26. Remarks: This object appeared like a concentrated bit of cloud except it was clearly outlined. The size could not be determined,
RESTRICTED since witness could not tell whether it was a small object near him or a large object far away. It traveled in a straight line and did not maneuver. It was not stated that the sound of a plane was heard. RESTRICTED
RESTRICTED CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS 1. Date 8 April 1948 Incident # 112f 2. Time 1430 3. Location Delaware, Ohio 4. Name of observer Mrs. H. S. Kirkpatrick 5. Occupation of observer Housewife 6. Address of observer 107 North Washington Street 7. Place of observation From the ground 8. Number of objects One 9. Distance of object from observer N/S 10. Time in sight N/S 11. Altitude N/S 12. Speed Steady - not too fast 13. Direction of flight Southwesterly 14. Tactics None 15. Sound None 16. Size It was not large enough for a person to be inside 17. Color White - about the color of a fleecy cloud 18. Shape Spherical - somewhat larger at top with a protruding end underneath 19. Odor detected None 20. Apparent construction N/S 21. Exhaust trails None 22. Weather conditions Clear, blue sky, sunny 23. Effect on clouds N/S 24. Sketches or photographs None RESTRICTED 25. Manner of disappearance N/S 26. Remarks: Witness heard, but did not see airplane, and saw instead a white object, spherical in shape, larger at the top with a protruding
RESTRICTED end underneath. It was clearly outlined and maintained the same shape as it moved along, steadily, and at the same altitude. Robert Cochran, son of the witness, who is in the Merchant Marine, thought the object very unusual. He said it was in the shape of a rainspout. RESTRICTED
CONFIDENTIAL CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS 1. Date 9 April 1948 Incident # 113 2. Time 1540 3. Location Montgomery, Alabama 4. Name of observer Robert B. Hughes, Lt. Colonel, USAF 5. Occupation of observer Pilot 6. Address of observer Tactics Div., Air Tactical School, Tyndall AF Base 7. Place of observation From the air 8. Number of objects One 9. Distance of object from observer N/S 10. Time in sight Five seconds 11. Altitude Approximately 16000 feet 12. Speed In excess of the viewer's 310 mph air speed 13. Direction of flight Northwest 14. Tactics N/S 15. Sound None 16. Size Top part eight feet diameter 17. Color Silver 18. Shape Had the appearance of a parachute carrying a large canister or ball 19. Odor detected N/S 20. Apparent construction N/S CONFIDENTIAL 21. Exhaust trails None 22. Weather conditions Clear, visibility and ceiling unlimited 23. Effect on clouds N/S 24. Sketches or photographs - Sketch (trip) 25. Manner of disappearance N/S 26. Remarks: Lt.Col. Robert B. Hughes first sighted the object before com- pleting an 180° left turn over the town of Montgomery, Alabama.
CONFIDENTIAL The object, sighted at ten o'clock off his left wing, appeared to be a silver disc. He immediately completed a sharp bank to the left and was able to get a better look at the object, and described it as follows: "Top part of the object approximately eight feet in diameter, silver in color, had the appearance of a parachute. Attached to the bottom of this had been a dark cable or shroud which appeared to be approximately five feet long. Suspended upon the cable had been a large canister or ball (Colonel Hughes could not discern which) also silver in color. This canister or ball had the appearance of being slightly to the rear of the top part of the object. The overall appearance of the object, looked something similar to the parachute and canister containing photographic testing equipment dropped from a V-2 rocket." At the time he lost sight of the object, Hughes' aircraft had been indicating 310 miles per hour air speed, and the object had appeared to fly away from him on a horizontal plane rather than a vertical decline. A sketch of the object is attached. CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
EXHIBIT I
113
|<------------ 8' ------------>|
[diagram of object: flat parachute-like top, SILVER;
DARK CABLE at angle below;
BALL OR A CANISTER below cable, SILVER]
EXHIBIT I
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL
CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Date 18 Apr 48 Incident # 114
2. Time 1306 hours
3. Location Approx 1 mile north of Fairbanks, Alaska
4. Name of observer Lt Ayich Johnson
5. Occupation of observer 1st Lt (discharged f/USAF as per authority
Para 1, SO. 60 dated 28 May 48)(see)
6. Address of observer Ft Worth, Texas
7. Place of observation Over city of Fairbanks, Alaska
8. Number of objects 1
9. Distance of object from observer N/S
10. Time in sight few minutes
11. Altitude 2000-3000 ft
12. Speed 250-300 miles (traveled 500 feet in 1 or 2 seconds)
13. Direction of flight Northeast toward southwest
14. Tactics Oscillated from horizontal plane to vertical plane at very
rapid speed
15. Sound No sound
16. Size 5" in diameter
17. Color silvery
18. Shape round and flat
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent construction N/S
21. Exhaust trails no trails of any kind
22. Weather conditions Weather clear and visibility unrestricted
23. Effect on clouds N/S
24. Sketches or photographs none
25. Manner of disappearance N/S
26. Remarks: (over) CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL
Object observed at altitude of about 2000-3000 on NE-SW heading.
It appeared to be some 5 inches in diameter and gave off a silvery
brilliant reflection. It oscillated from a horizontal plane to a
vertical plane at a very rapid pace. Estimated speed: about 250-300
MPH — (traveled some 500 feet in 1 or 2 seconds.) No sound could be
heard nor were there any trails of any kind.
NOTE: This sighting may have been the reflection of sun from wings
of these aircraft. At the approximate time of the sighting a
number of aircraft were flying in the local area.
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL
CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Date 19 Apr 48 Incident # 115
2. Time 1615
3. Location Over Greenville AF Base, Greenville, S. C.
4. Name of observer a 1st Lt Francis W. Hennin, Jr.
& 1st Lt Robert G. Loomis, USAF
5. Occupation of observer Both attached to Liaison ac. Greenville
6. Address of observers Greenville AF Base, Greenville, S. C.
7. Place of observation Greenville AF Base
8. Number of objects # 2 - 1 at first, 2 later
9. Distance of object from observer 15,000 to 20,000 ft overhead
10. Time in sight 2 minutes
11. Altitude 15,000 to 20,000 ft
12. Speed Undetermined. Stationary, then rapidly accelerating and
climbing
13. Direction of flight North
14. Tactics Hovering then acceleration and climbing
Observed trail formation
15. Sound none audible (?) - states: Witnesses were attracted by sound
of fighter aircraft in vicinity.
(no mention made of these)
16. Size undetermined
17. Color white
18. Shape elliptical
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent construction N/S
21. Exhaust trails No exhaust or condensation trail
22. Weather conditions CAVU
23. Effect on clouds N/S CONFIDENTIAL
24. Sketches or photographs 2
25. Manner of disappearance in distance
26. Remarks: (over)CONFIDENTIAL
Witnesses were attracted by sound of fighter aircraft in vicinity.
They started searching the sky for the aircraft and sighted the
objects. When first sighted, the witnesses thought the objects might
be weather balloons. However, when they accelerated so rapidly in
a northerly heading, they determined the objects could not be balloons.
They were in a trail formation on a North-South line, and moved so
rapidly they went out of sight within a few seconds. From original
sighting in the stationary position to their disappearance, a period
of approximately two (2) minutes elapsed, of which the objects were
in a stationary position for approximately one (1) minute.
NOTE: Wind at 20,000 ft from 340° at 10 knots per hour (1230 EST Rpt)
Wind at 20,000 ft 32° at 13 knots per hour at (1630 EST Rpt)
NOTE: Nearest weather station releasing balloons is Spartanburg, S. C.
One black balloon was released at 1230 EST.
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL
[diagram with arrows and circles, annotated as follows:]
left on this heading
[arrow left] [arrow right with circle at bottom]
(4) o In approximately 2 minutes objects had disappeared
o
(3) o Objects began moving in a NNE direction and rapidly accelerating
o and climbing.
(2) o When first seen objects were in a semi-stationary position.
(1) o First one object was sighted, next, another one appeared.
CONFIDENTIALRESTRICTED CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS 1. Date 11 Mar 48 Incident # 116 2. Time night 3. Location Near shores of James Bay, 4. Name of observer V. J. Pratt 5. Occupation of observer Employee of Hudson Bay Co. 6. Address of observer Moose Factory 7. Place of observation Moose Factory, Canada 8. Number of objects 1 9. Distance of object from observer N/S 10. Time in sight N/S 11. Altitude N/S 12. Speed meteoric 13. Direction of flight earthward 14. Tactics N/S 15. Sound No noise 16. Size size of [ILLEGIBLE] football 17. Color [ILLEGIBLE] Blue flame 18. Shape N/S 19. Odor detected N/S 20. Apparent construction meteor 21. Exhaust trails [ILLEGIBLE] N/S 22. Weather conditions Night 23. Effect on clouds N/S 24. Sketches or photographs None 25. Manner of disappearance exploded 26. Remarks: (over) RESTRICTED
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A big ball of blue flame, seemingly the size of a football streaked out
of the sky and exploded near this Northern Ontario community (Moose Factory)
near the shores of James Bay. The explosion lit up the entire area brighter
than daylight, the whole ball disappeared and a second later a streak of
orange light shot upward from where the ball was last seen. The orange streak
was gone within a second. Witnesses heard no noise of any kind.
NOTE: This ties up with earlier reports from Cochran, 150 miles south of
Moose Jaw where several citizens reported seeing what they thought
to be a meteor around 11:40 P. M. EST Thurs.
One witness ( a Mrs. Charles Giles) said that the object plunged
downward like a spent rocket in the northern sky. She described it
as about the size of a full moon which gave the appearance of
disintegration as it fell.
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CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Date 7 May 48 Incident # [ILLEGIBLE] 117
2. Time 1500 to 1700
3. Location Memphis, Tenn.
4. Name of observer Miss Jean Bray, Housekeeper et al (see other side)
5. Occupation of observer Housekeeper
6. Address of observer 253 W. Waldorf Ave., Memphis, Tenn.
7. Place of observation Memphis, Tenn.
8. Number of objects 50 or 60
9. Distance of object from observer N/S
10. Time in sight N/S
11. Altitude extremely high
12. Speed faster than any aircraft witnesses had ever seen
13. Direction of flight easterly
14. Tactics Most traveled in straight line altho some of them
zig-zagged.
15. Sound None
16. Size Very small
17. Color shiny - like bright aluminum
18. Shape unknown - possibly like meteor
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent construction N/S
21. Exhaust trails Some objects seemed to have a silvery tail
which might have been exhaust.
22. Weather conditions CAVU, wind: 330 to 340°, 15 MPH at surface increasing
to 66 MPH at 20,000; Surface temp: 72°; dew point 43° relative humidity 40
23. Effect on clouds N/S
24. Sketches or photographs None
25. Manner of disappearance N/S
26. Remarks: (over) RESTRICTEDRESTRICTED
Fifty to 60 shiny objects were seen moving at a speed faster than any
known aircraft on an Easterly heading at an extremely high altitude.
For the most part these objects traveled in a straight line altho
some of them zig-zagged slightly. No sound was heard. Some objects
seemed to have a silvery tail which might have been exhaust. These
objects could not have been weather balloons as only one balloon was
released by the Memphis Weather Bureau that day.
NOTE: Witnesses thought they had seen a meteor; however subsequent
investigation seemed to preclude this possibility.
See Supp II to Trip Report to Memphis to visit with Dr. Paul
Berget of the Observatory of Cincinnati, Ohio, in which Dr.
Berget expressed serious doubt that the 50 or more objects
observed 7 May 48 in Memphis were meteors. He was, however,
unable to offer any explanation as to a possible identification
of the objects.
Dr. Hynek of OSU and Dr. Lincoln LaPaz are to be consulted
about the possibility of [ILLEGIBLE] these being a meteor shower.
Witness of this incident were: Mr. F. J. Kaiser, salesman
251 W. Waldorf Ave., Memphis
Mrs F. J. Kaiser, housewife
251 W. Waldorf Ave., Memphis, Tenn.
RESTRICTEDCONFIDENTIAL CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS 1. Date 28 Mar 48 Incident # 118 2. Time 1630 hours 3. Location Berlin Lichtenrade, Kirchbachstrasse 2 4. Name of observer Dr Ormans, 5. Occupation of observer Former guided missile expert at Kreismetall Borsig 6. Address of observer Berlin Lichtenrade, Kirchbachstrasse 2 7. Place of observation As above 8. Number of objects 1 9. Distance of object from observer N/S 10. Time in sight N/S 11. Altitude 14 kilometers 12. Speed rather fast 13. Direction of flight South to North 14. Tactics N/S 15. Sound No sound reported 16. Size "white point" 17. Color White 18. Shape N/S 19. Odor detected N/S 20. Apparent construction N/S 21. Exhaust trails No exmst trail reported 22. Weather conditions clear 23. Effect on clouds N/S 24. Sketches or photographs None 25. Manner of disappearance N/S 26. Remarks: (over) CONFIDENTIAL
#53
CONFIDENTIAL
Dr Ormans, former Guided Missile expert at Kreismetall, Borsig mentioned that he sighted 1 white point moving from South to North at an approx height of 14 kilometers, speed undetermined, rather fast, no rpt of sound, and no report of exhaust trail.
WITNESSES: Dr and Mrs. Ormans.
No photographs available.
CONFIDENTIALRESTRICTED Incident # 119 Check list - Unidentified Flying Objects 1. Date 20 Feb 48 2. Time 0700 hours 3. Location Asuncion, Paraguay 4. Name of observer Mrs Agustina Vargas de Paula 5. Occupation of observer N/S 6. Address of observer resident of Asuncion (southern part of city) 7. Place of observation Asuncion 8. Number of objects 1 9. Distance of object from observer N/S 10. Time in sight N/S 11. Altitude N/S 12. Speed N/S 13. Direction of flight west to east 14. Tactics N/S 15. Sound N/S 16. Size N/S 17. Color N/S 18. Shape oval 19. Odor detected N/S 20. Apparent construction N/S 21. Exhaust trails highly colored wake 22. Weather conditions N/S 23. Effect on clouds N/S 24. Sketches or photographs None 25. Manner of disappearance N/S (over) RESTRICTED
RESTRICTED At approximately 0700 hours 20 Feb 48 witness saw object of oval shape traveling thru space from west to east. Its form ended in a very thin tail of approximately 3 feet in length. The forward part was bulky compared with the rear. The interior portion of the object gave off green, yellow and orange colors and it had a highly colored wake. Statements were obtained from a local newspaper "La Tribuna" which has interviewed several people claiming to have seen the saucers. RESTRICTED 119
RESTRICTED CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS 1. Date 20 Feb 48 Incident 119a 2. Time 0700 3. Location Arequa - 10 miles east of Asuncion 4. Name of observer "withheld" 5. Occupation of observer employee of Bank of Paraguay 6. Address of observer Bank of Paraguay 7. Place of observation in Arequa 8. Number of objects 1 9. Distance of object from observer N/S 10. Time in sight N/S 11. Altitude N/S 12. Speed N/S 13. Direction of flight west to east 14. Tactics N/S 15. Sound N/S 16. Size N/S 17. Color N/S 18. Shape oval 19. Odor detected N/S 20. Apparent construction N/S 21 Exhaust trails N/S 22. Weather conditions N/S 23. Effect on clouds N/S 24. Sketches or photographs None 25. Manner of disappearance N/S 26. Remarks (over) RESTRICTED
RESTRICTED CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS 1. Date 20 Feb 48 Incident # 119b 2. Time 0700 3. Location Villa Hayes (10 miles NNE of Asuncion) 4. Name of observer Ex Rancher and laborers 5. Occupation of observer Rancher 6. Address of observer infms "Chaco" 7. Place of observation Ranch house in neighborhood of Villa Hayes 8. Number of objects 1 9. Distance of object from observer N/S 10. Time in sight N/S 11. Altitude 1,000 ft 12. Speed less than that of a plane 13. Direction of flight west to east 14. Tactics N/S 15. Sound N/S 16. Size N/S 17. Color N/S 18. Shape disc 19. Odor detected N/S 20. Apparent construction N/S 21. Exhaust trails N/S - gave off an intense green color 22. Weather conditions N/S 23. Effect on clouds N/S 24. Sketches or photographs None 25. Manner of disappearance N/S 26. Remarks: (over) RESTRICTED
#37 RESTRICTED Perceived a disc giving off an intense green color. Witness reports that the object traveled from west to east at a speed less than that of a plane and at an altitude of approx 1000 ft. Along its edges it gave off an aureola with the color green predominant. RESTRICTED 119b
RESTRICTED CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS 1. Date N/S - around 7 Feb 48 Incident # 120 2. Time N/S 3. Location Vejle, Denmark 4. Name of observer N/S 5. Occupation of observer field laborers 6. Address of observer N/S 7. Place of observation Gadbjerg (near Vejle) 8. Number of objects 1 9. Distance of object from observer 200 meters altitude 10. Time in sight N/S 3 seconds 11. Altitude 200 meters altitude 12. Speed high speed 13. Direction of flight SE to NW 14. Tactics N/S 15. Sound N/S 16. Size N/S 17. Color shining 18. Shape N/S 19. Odor detected N/S 20. Apparent construction N/S 21. Exhaust trails N/S 22. Weather conditions N/S 23. Effect on clouds N/S 24. Sketches or photographs None 25. Manner of disappearance N/S 26. Remarks: (Over) RESTRICTED
RESTRICTED Three men working in a field in Gadbjerg (near Vejle) Denmark, have observed a shining object which moved at high speed over the sky from southeast to northwest at about 200 meters altitude. It remained visible for three seconds. HA COMMENT: No verification received of the above. Evaluation F-6 RESTRICTED 120a
CONFIDENTIAL CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS 1. Date 9 January 1948 Incident # 121 2. Time 2330 3. Location Cartersville, Georgia, 34° 10' N, 84° 49' W 4. Name of observer Hugh DuBose 5. Occupation of observer Pilot (EAL) 6. Address of observer N/S 7. Place of observation Air 8. Number of objects One 9. Distance of object from observer N/S 10. Time in sight N/S 11. Altitude 3000 feet 12. Speed 400 mph 13. Direction of flight 175° M 14. Tactics None 15. Sound N/S 16. Size N/S 17. Color Light, sky-blue 18. Shape Circular, except for the top quarter which was flat, pot-shaped 19. Odor detected N/S 20. Apparent construction N/S 21. Exhaust trails None 22. Weather conditions N/S 23. Effect on clouds */o 24. Sketches or photographs None 25. Manner of disappearance 10° below the horizon 26. Remarks: When object crossed the path of the witness all that could be observed was an intense blue flame, in a shape circular except for CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL the top quarter which was flat, pot-shaped. The witness states that the object definitely did not have the curved trajectory of a wingless missile. Shortly after crossing his path, the blue flame sputtered and turned immediately earthward. The flame then died altogether but nothing was seen hitting the ground. Witness states that the flame was not of the long trailing type, but rather gave the impression that you were looking down a long exhaust stack at a short but concentrated mass of blue flame and further stated that his connections with RAF pilots in England during the war leads him now to believe this object looked the same as the "Buzz Bombs" chased by t ose RAF pilots at night. Arthur Porter, purser on this flight 9 January 48, also saw the object, the flame only, but can give no further evidence for its identification. Mr. DuBose stated on April 29 that seventy-five cattle had died of an unknown disease on the farm of a Mr. Gordy at Newnan, Georgia. He expressed concern over a possible connection between the unidentified object he reported and this unusual fatality among healthy cattle. However, the Atlanta Office of the Animal Industry Division, U.S. Department of Agriculture, advises that this "unknown" disease has persisted for over a year and other cases repeated elsewhere in the country for some time back. There apparently remains no basis for connection between the object Mr. DuBose reports and the death of seventy-five cattle at Newnan, Georgia. CONFIDENTIAL 48a
RESTRICTED CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS 1. Date 5 April 1948 Incident # 122 2. Time N/S 3. Location Holloman Air Force Base 4. Name of observer Mr. Olsen 5. Occupation of observer Trained balloon observer, Geophysics Lab Section 6. Address of observer N/S 7. Place of observation From the ground 8. Number of objects One 9. Distance of object from observer N/S 10. Time in sight 30 seconds 11. Altitude Very high 12. Speed Faster than any known aircraft 13. Direction of flight N/S 14. Tactics Erratic - completing a large loop after its downward descent, then soaring upward and disappearing suddenly 15. Sound None 16. Size Large 17. Color Grey-white 18. Shape Rounded, indistinct form 19. Odor detected N/S 20. Apparent construction N/S 21. Exhaust trails N/S 22. Weather conditions C.A.V.U. 23. Effect on clouds N/S 24. Sketches or photographs None 25. Manner of disappearance Disappeared suddenly 26. Remarks: This was evidently the one object, of two sighted by another witness, that veered to the right and down. Its vaguely RESTRICTED
RESTRICTED defined form gave the appearance of a large object at a great distance. The statements of other witnesses to this incident are contained in reports 122a and 122b. All witnesses agreed that the object was very high, moved faster than any known aircraft, possessed a rounded, indistinct form, and disappeared suddenly rather than fading away in the distance. It was under observation 1/2 minutes or slightly less. It was definitely not a balloon, apparently not manned, judging from the violent maneuvers which were performed at a high rate of speed. RESTRICTED 49a
RESTRICTED CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS 1. Date 11 April 1948 Incident # 123 2. Time 2330 3. Location 4 miles north of Alton, Illinois 4. Name of observer Col W. F. Siegmund 5. Occupation of observer Former Commandant of the Air Base at Kearns, Utah and at present sales manager for Western Cartridge, Co., Alton 6. Address of observer Western Cartridge Co., Alton, Ill. 7. Place of observation 4 miles north of Alton, Ill - ground 8. Number of objects 1 9. Distance of object from observer N/S 10. Time in sight N/S 11. Altitude N/S 12. Speed N/S 13. Direction of flight N/S 14. Tactics = "flapped its wings" 15. Sound N/S 16. Size "bigger than an airplane" 17. Color N/S 18. Shape Resembled a huge fowl and not a type of aircraft 19. Odor detected N/S 20. Apparent construction N/S 21. Exhaust trails N/S 22. Weather conditions N/S 23. Effect on clouds N/S 24. Sketches or photographs None 25. Manner of disappearance N/S 26. Remarks: Col Siegmund said he observed the creature at about 11:30 A. M. 11 Apr 48, while riding four miles north of Alton, Ill (over) RESTRICTED
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Siegmund said he didn't see any flapping of wings but he was sure it was a huge fowl and not a type of aircraft. He was riding with a companion, Col. Ralph Jackson, Head of Western Military Academy, at the time. Jackson, however, was talking to a farmer and didn't see it. Siegmund said he didn't mention it to him as it seemed too incredible.
Note: A child, James Traces, age 12, said he saw the bird flying over his home in suburban Glendale, Mo., some 3 months previous.
The Belvidere report quoted a Robert Price and Veryl Babb as saying the bird was "bigger than an airplane" and flapped its wings.
RELIABILITY: Impossible to evaluate.
Col Siegmund was never questioned but some sort of investigation obviously should be made in lieu of the fact that he was once commandant of the Air Base at Kearns.
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123aRESTRICTED CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS 1. Date 18 April 1948 Incident # 124 2. Time 1500 OCT 3. Location North Atlantic, 62°00'N 33°00'W 4. Name of observer N/S 5. Occupation of observer Weather station patrol 6. Address of observer First Coast Guard District 7. Place of observation Air 8. Number of objects One 9. Distance of object from observer 6500 yards - 18000 yards 10. Time in sight N/S 11. Altitude N/S 12. Speed 30 mph 13. Direction of flight N/S 14. Tactics N/S 15. Sound N/S 16. Size N/S 17. Color N/S 18. Shape N/S 19. Odor detected N/S 20. Apparent construction N/S 21. Exhaust trails N/S 22. Weather conditions C.A.V.U. 23. Effect on clouds N/S 24. Sketches or photographs None 25. Manner of disappearance Target strength was S5 fading at 18,000 yards 26. Remarks: This incident is the result of a radar sighting. Copy is also filed in radar sighting file. RESTRICTED 53
RESTRICTED This target was contacted on the air search radar at 1500 OCT on 18 April 48. The first contact was made at 6500 yards and was tracked to 18,000 yards giving a velocity of approximately 30 m.p.h. The area in which the target was contacted was thoroughly searched visually and there were no clouds nor weather fronts in said area. There were no target indications on the surface radar. The target strength was S5 fading at 18,000 yards. RESTRICTED 124a
RESTRICTED CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS 1. Date 2 May 1948 Incident # 125 2. Time Night 3. Location St. Louis, Missouri, 40°00'N 90°15'W 4. Name of observer N/S 5. Occupation of observer N/S 6. Address of observer N/S 7. Place of observation Ground 8. Number of objects One 9. Distance of object from observer N/S 10. Time in sight N/S 11. Altitude N/S 12. Speed N/S 13. Direction of flight N/S 14. Tactics N/S 15. Sound N/S 16. Size N/S 17. Color Phosphorescent after dark 18. Shape Bird 19. Odor detected N/S 20. Apparent construction N/S 21. Exhaust trails N/S 22. Weather conditions N/S 23. Effect on clouds N/S 24. Sketches or photographs None 25. Manner of disappearance N/S 26. Remarks: See Incident #123 RESTRICTED 54
RESTRICTED CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS 1. Date 30 April 1948 Incident # 126 2. Time 1015 3. Location Anacostia, Naval Air Station, 38°52'N, 77°00'W 4. Name of observer Marcus L. Lowe 5. Occupation of observer Lt Commander, US Navy 6. Address of observer N/S 7. Place of observation Air 8. Number of objects One 9. Distance of object from observer One mile 10. Time in sight N/S 11. Altitude 4500 feet 12. Speed 100 m.p.h. 13. Direction of flight 360° N 14. Tactics N/S 15. Sound N/S 16. Size 25 - 40 ft diameter 17. Color Yellow (light colored) 18. Shape Sphere 19. Odor detected N/S 20. Apparent construction N/S 21. Exhaust trails N/S 22. Weather conditions N/S 23. Effect on clouds N/S 24. Sketches or photographs None 25. Manner of disappearance N/S 26. Remarks: The object appeared to the pilot to be a yellow (or light colored) balloon, and attracted attention principally because RESTRICTED 55
RESTRICTED of its flight path. No external fittings or attachments were observed on the object. The speed of the object was estimated at about 100 m.p.h. The flight of the object was in approximately a south to north direction, despite upper winds from north northwest, and apparently followed a constant altitude. Pilot did not pursue object further because it was entering the prohibited flying area, U.S. Capitol, White House Area. RESTRICTED 55a
RESTRICTED CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS 1. Date 7 May 1948 Incident # 127 2. Time N/S 3. Location Lake Doiran, along the Yugoslav-Greek frontier 4. Name of observer N/S 5. Occupation of observer N/S 6. Address of observer N/S 7. Place of observation Ground 8. Number of objects One 9. Distance of object from observer N/S 10. Time in sight N/S 11. Altitude 3000 feet 12. Speed N/S 13. Direction of flight 120° 14. Tactics N/S 15. Sound Like artillery shell (shrill whine) 16. Size N/S 17. Color N/S 18. Shape Flying disc 19. Odor detected N/S 20. Apparent construction N/S 21. Exhaust trails N/S 22. Weather conditions N/S 23. Effect on clouds N/S RESTRICTED 24. Sketches or photographs None 25. Manner of disappearance N/S 26. Remarks: A press dispatch quoted residents of the Lake Doiran area along the Yugoslav-Greek frontier as saying they saw a "flying
RESTRICTED disc". It was described as speeding southward from Yugoslavia at a height of about 3,000 feet, making a noise like an artillery shell. RESTRICTED
CONFIDENTIAL CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS 1. Date 5 May 1948 Incident # 128 2. Time Night 3. Location(Robbon) Middleport, Ohio, 30° 00' N, 82° 03' W 4. Name of observer Ben Rupe 5. Occupation of observer New York Central System Car Inspector 6. Address of observer N/S 7. Place of observation Ground 8. Number of objects N/S 9. Distance of object from observer N/S 10. Time in sight N/S 11. Altitude 6 - 8 miles 12. Speed Great amount of speed 13. Direction of flight 90° 14. Tactics N/S 15. Sound N/S 16. Size 9" diameter from ground level 17. Color Phosphorescent 18. Shape Round 19. Odor detected N/S 20. Apparent construction N/S 21. Exhaust trails Phosphorescent trail in sky 22. Weather conditions N/S 23. Effect on clouds N/S CONFIDENTIAL 24. Sketches or photographs None 25. Manner of disappearance N/S 26. Remarks: The above covers sighting of same objects by Earl Roush, New York Central System Car Inspector; Bob White, New York Central
CONFIDENTIAL ...ard Clerk; and C. K. Hite, New York Central Patrolman. Patrolman Hite stated in addition that his attention was called to these objects by Car Inspector Ben Rupe. Upon observing the sky Hite saw disc-shaped objects traveling from west to east in succession in the same path at about two-minute intervals. Now and then one seemed to "hook back apparently in the same path whence it had come." Occasionally one seemed to burst and disintegrate. For a resemblance, Hite said "Take a large clock face, cover it with radium, and sail it through the air." CONFIDENTIAL
RESTRICTED CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS 1. Date 31 May 1948 Incident # 129 2. Time 1320 3. Location Wilmington, North Carolina, 34° 14' N, 77° 57' W 4. Name of observer Mrs. H. D. Alspach 5. Occupation of observer N/S 6. Address of observer 709 South 6th 7. Place of observation Ground 8. Number of objects One 9. Distance of object from observer N/S 10. Time in sight N/S 11. Altitude Awfully high 12. Speed Fast 13. Direction of flight 90° 14. Tactics None 15. Sound N/S 16. Size As large as an arm, and about 3 feet long 17. Color N/S 18. Shape Oblong 19. Odor detected N/S 20. Apparent construction N/S 21. Exhaust trails Emitted smoke 22. Weather conditions N/S 23. Effect on clouds N/S RESTRICTED 24. Sketches or photographs None 25. Manner of disappearance N/S 26. Remarks: Mysterious sky object was sighted by Mrs. Alspach, her sister Mrs. Colvin, and Mrs. R.O. Huffman. It came at first at a fast
RESTRICTED speed from the direction of Bluethenthal Field at 1:20 p.m., over the Cape Fear River, then veered at a low speed back towards Wrightsville, a little to the west. The local office of the Civil Aeronautics Administration discredited a supposition by Bluethenthal Field's station manager James Solomon, that object could have been a P-80 plane in flight. The CAA said there was no such plane in the sky there at the time. RESTRICTED
RESTRICTED CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS 1. Date 17th May 1948 Incident #130 2. Time Night 3. Location Between Plevna and Miles City, Montana 4. Name of observer W. A. Bonneville 5. Occupation of observer Territory Mgr., B. F. Goodrich Company 6. Address of observer 415 W. Rosser Ave., Bismarck, N. D. 7. Place of observation Ground, Route #212, West of Plevna, traveling west 8. Number of objects One 9. Distance of object from observer At closest point, approx. 2500 feet 10. Time in sight Some twenty minutes 11. Altitude N/S 12. Speed Twice the speed of the Northwest Airlines planes 13. Direction of flight West, slightly south, then west 14. Tactics Performed arc 15. Sound None 16. Size Fairly large compared with an aircraft 17. Color White - (might have had slight bluish-white tinge) 18. Shape Ball 19. Odor detected N/S 20. Apparent construction N/S - but apparently meteor-like 21. Exhaust trails A long bright light shooting from under it 22. Weather conditions Moonlight, but cloudy 23. Effect on clouds N/S 24. Sketches or photographs None - Map forwarded showing location of object 25. Manner of disappearance Flew in a dark cloud bank 26. Remarks: See Supplement RESTRICTED
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THE B. F. GOODRICH COMPANY
Minneapolis 3, Minnesota
415 West Rosser Ave
Bismarck, Minnesota
5-23-48
United States Army - Intelligence Div.
Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:-
On the night of May 17th at about 11:30 PM driving from Baker, Montana
to Miles City Montana on U.S. Highway #12, just West of Plevna, and before
getting to the hills I noticed a very bright object in the sky to the North-
west. The sky was overcast in the West but to the South the moon could be
seen at times - with a broken sky. Having traveled this same route for
many years - about 15, I am pretty well used to open prairie at night
and can tell a star from an unusual object when I see it.
Northwest Airlines travel a Western route just North of this route
also, but I stopped at the Powder River Bridge where the road dips con-
siderably down from a high ridge - cut off from the door and studied this
object as it sailed around in the sky - which at times and others
seemed to speed away into the heavy cloud bank to the West and then later
reappearing, at a very bright white light at what I would judge about not
more than several miles away or closer. I carry a pair of field glasses
with me, and after stopping the car engine watched this thing through my
glasses, which seemed to appear as a small object with a long very bright
ray shooting from the under part of it. Because of the speed of the
object and the darkness it was very difficult to make out what it might
be, but I am sure that if I had a more powerful glass I might have
made it out.
I am perfectly sincere and do not drink so the foregoing is absolutely
the truth. With some of this newspaper funaboat flying saucers etc. this
had all of the appearance of just that- and in stopping the car if this
had been an aeroplane I would certainly have been able to hear the motors.
I stopped at a service station just before getting to the Powder River
Bridge but they had all gone to bed so did not have anyone along with me
to witness the object as it flew through the sky. It stayed around this
area for about 20 minutes and then flew off through the heavy cloud bank
to the West.
I am enclosing a map showing the location of the foregoing.
Yours very truly,
The B. F. Goodrich Company
/s/ Wm. Bonneville
Territory Manager
COPY
RESTRICTEDThe B. F. Goodrich Company
1655 Hennepin Avenue
Minneapolis, Minnesota
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415 W. Rosser Avenue
Bismarck, North Dakota
June 16, 1948
Col W. R. Clingerman
U. S. Army Air Forces
Wright Field
Dayton, Ohio
Refer - MCIAO-3
Dear Sir -
In reply to your letter of June 15th in which there are several questions
which you desire answered to the best of my ability - with reference to
the object which I saw driving through the sky just West of Plevna and Miles
City Montana on the night of May 17th, I will answer them and give you a
graphic description again with a little more elaboration than my previous
letter if that is possible.
Question: - Did the entire object appear to be glowing, or did it give
the effect of carrying lights. Answer: This thing seemed to be a ball of
bright white light - and I could not make out if it was being carried or just
what made it go - however, it did disturb me quite a little because after
stopping to view it at the Powder River Bridge I could not hear motors
humming such as an aircraft in these parts might have, and I therefore tried
to find out just what it was by the use of my field glasses.
(b) Question: - An estimate of the size of the object in comparison with
some other known object. Answer - the size of the light which was very
brilliant would indicate that it was fairly large compared with aircraft -
and I would say that this exceedingly bright light which was one light
and not several was as bright as the headlight on a locomotive, only
that it shown in one direction at short distances. By this I mean that
this light simply glowed very bright and was not a directed light.
(c) Question: - An estimate of the speed of the object in comparison with
the jet type or conventional aircraft. Answer: This object flew at about
twice the speed of any aircraft that Northwest Airlines planes fly - because
it would appear coming toward where an aircraft traveling on #212 or #12
would appear to me, appearing only faintly first and then growing larger
as it approached over the hills north of the highway - until it seemed to
hang there off in the northwest of me slightly and then would turn south
toward the highway where it became real bright and then would start back
West again and fly out of sight. This thing did this several times - which
actually got my goat - or I may put it that way. (d) Question: - Did the
object appear to be circling around in the sky? Answer: As the object appeared first when
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the West - then turning slightly South and turning in a big swing and
then heading West again - flying out of sight into the dark black
cloud bank out of sight - then reappearing, and it did this several times.
(e) Question: - Is it possible that its disappearance into a "heavy cloud
bank" might have been caused by clouds obscuring reflected moonlight
from a big ly polished surface? Answer - No. I have seen aircraft
many times on moonlight nights - but this was nothing anything like that -
this thing glowed brightly white light such as any real white brilliant
light is - the moon was not bright enough to have caused this bright light
unless the craft might have been South of me in the direct light of the
moon - which showed (the moon) from time to time through the clouds. This
object in the direction of the sky was the West Northwest and slightly
west, and was a steady oncoming light growing brighter as it
came, and had the appearance of something carrying this light in the air-
bot without sound, and it certainly was close enough to me to have heard
motors.
I thought it might have been some kind of a Jet aircraft that I perhaps had
never seen - because we as civilians know very little as to what might be
going on in defense or experimental mechanics however I felt it my duty to
report this finding as widely as I have done. This has been
somewhat difficult for me to do because of the crackpot stories making
the rounds in some sections about flying saucers etc., but for the life
of me this had all the ear marks of just that kind of a deal.
I have traveled this road about which I have related this sighting many
many times and at night Winter and Summer and have never before in my
life seen anything like this - so naturally I was somewhat alarmed about
it, and have steadfastly kept the whole thing to myself. I will certainly
be on the lookout for the damned thing the next trip I make through this
same area which is generally after dark - because most of the time I work
from Lemmon South Dakota or Hettinger North Dakota along this highway to
Miles City which is about 15 days out of my headquarters. In times like
these I feel as before stated anything of this nature which we are not
familiar with we are duty bound to report to our Defense Forces who may
be better equipped to understand the unfamiliar than we are.
Yours very truly,
W.A. BONNEVILLE - Territory Mgr
for the B. F. Goodrich Company
WAB
RESTRICTEDInc 131 Probably true
CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Date 20 June 1948
2. Time 2230
3. Location Belleville, Illinois
4. Name of observer Lt Col Wm I. Hull
5. Occupation of observer Pilot, Supervisor of Flying Trng
Scott AF Base
6. Address of observer Scott AF Base, Belleville, Illinois
7. Place of observation (?)
8. Number of objects 1
9. Distance of object from observer N/S
10. Time in sight N/S
11. Altitude Undetermined but below 6,000 ft
12. Speed Approx 500 MPH
13. Direction of flight 295° S of Base then 340° upon reaching
south end of Scott AF Base
14. Tactics Zigzag course
15. Sound None
16. Size Six or eight inches in diameter
17. Color White light
18. Shape Approx round
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent construction N/S
21. Exhaust trails None
22. Weather conditions Complete overcast at 6,000 ft
23. Effect on clouds N/S
24. Sketches or photographs None RESTRICTED
25. Manner of disappearance N/S
26. Remarks No aircraft flying in the vicinity
of Scott AF Base at the time light
was sighted
27. [ILLEGIBLE]pearance: N/SINCIDENT 132
MR 4-195-47
HQD 12199
T-7477
RR 4210
RESTRICTED valuation 4-3
CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Date 12 Dec 1947
2. Time 2205 & 2208
3. Location Oslo, Norway
4. Name of observer Daughter to Ma Kel E. Rasmussen, Col GEC
5. Occupation of observer N/S
6. Address of observer Same as MA, Oslo, Norway
7. Place of observation Oslo, Norway (Ground)
8. Number of objects 1
9. Distance of object from observer N/S
10. Time in sight Between two and three seconds
11. Altitude N/S (Apparently traveling fairly close to
ground or would be visible to more people)
12. Speed Not quite as fast as a meteor
13. Direction of flight SEE-SSW to NNW-(?)
14. Tactics Performed arc of circle, curvature-very great
15. Sound None
16. Size [ILLEGIBLE]
17. Color Luminous white with greenish-yellow tail
18. Shape N/S
19. Odor detected None
20. Apparent construction Meteor-like
21. Exhaust trails Greenish-yellow trail
22. Weather conditions No fog, sky clear and star-lit
23. Effect on clouds none
24. Sketches or photographs none RESTRICTED
25. Manner of disappearance Trees obscured vision
26. Remarks: Office employee reports unusual no. of falling stars
night of 13 Dec.
Univ Observatory has no record of incident.RESTRICTED
CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Date 20 - 26 Feb 48
2. Time Usually around 2130 hours
INCIDENT 133
3. Location N/S (Norway Denmark & Sweden)
4. Name of observer N/S
5. Occupation of observer N/S
6. Address of observer N/S
7. Place of observation N/S
8. Number of objects N/S
9. Distance of object from observer N/S
10. Time in sight N/S
11. Altitude From tree-top level to 20,000 ft
12. Speed one to two miles per second
13. Direction of flight Come from direction of Peennemunde
14. Tactics N/S
15. Sound N/S
16. Size N/S
17. Color (green tail)
18. Shape N/S
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent construction N/S (x[ILLEGIBLE])
21. Exhaust trails green
22. Weather conditions N/S
23. Effect on clouds N/S
24. Sketches or photographs None
25. Manner of disappearance N/S
26. Remarks The trend of these objects to appear at 2130 hours
might be significant.
RESTRICTEDCHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Date [REDACTED] 29 May 1948
2. Time 1500 hours (Eastern Daylight Saving Time)
Incident:
134
3. Location Selfridge Fld., Mt. Clemens, Mich /from MacBill AF Base
approx 5 miles NW of Monroe, Michigan
4. Name of observer Lt Kokolonis
5. Occupation of observer 1st Lt, Corps of Engineers
6. Address of observer Selfridge Field
7. Place of observation 6 miles east of Monroe, Michigan
8. Number of objects 5 - three at first - two later
9. Distance of object from observer 2 miles to left (first 3)
2-1/2 miles to left (two)
10. Time in sight 10 to 15 seconds
11. Altitude 8,000 +
12. Speed over 500 MPH
13. Direction of flight seven o'clock position to 35° heading north.
[ILLEGIBLE]heading from MacDill to Selfridge
making abrupt turn to right (pilot's left)
14. Tactics Maintained nose-up attitude; made abrupt turns.
15. Sound None
16. Size 300 to 400 ft approx - size of lake freighters(500 ft)
17. Color silvery-gold color
18. Shape disc
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent construction N/S
21. Exhaust trails none
22. Weather conditions Clear - visibility: [ILLEGIBLE] miles
High overcast at 10,000 ft w/thin stratus
23. Effect on clouds over very broken at 8,000
N/S
24. Sketches or photographs Sketch showing approx positions
25. Manner of disappearance lost in haze at 7 o'clock position to pilot
26. Remarks Objects maintained smooth track thru sky, and flew
in line of stern stepped up. In second sighting the second object
flew about 50 feet higher than the first. All had hazy or fuzzy outline.RESTRICTED
CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Date 28 May 1948
2. Time 1500 hours (Eastern Daylight Saving Time)
INCIDENT
134m
3. Location En route to
Selfridge Fld., Mt. Clemens, Mich/MacDill Fld
Position: 6 miles due east of Monroe, Michigan
4. Name of observer M/Sgt Ernest Davis, Jr. (colored)
5. Occupation of observer M/Sgt
6. Address of observer Selfridge Field
7. Place of observation 6 miles due east of Monroe, Michigan
8. Number of objects 2
9. Distance of object from observer 25 to 30 miles to [ILLEGIBLE] left
10. Time in sight 30 seconds
11. Altitude approx 8,000 ft
12. Speed [REDACTED] Over 400 miles per hour
13. Direction of flight South West from 35° at 8:00 o'clock position
14. Tactics Pursued straight course
15. Sound N/S
16. Size Appeared to be four feet in diameter
17. Color Shiny brass
18. Shape round
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent construction N/S
21. Exhaust Trails None
22. Weather conditions Clear, high overcast at 18,000 ft; thin stratus
layer broken at 8,000 ft; lateral visibility:
10 to 15 miles
23. Effect on clouds N/S
24. Sketches or photographs Sketch RESTRICTED
25. Manner of disappearance N/S
26. Remarks Discrepancy as to position of 2nd object in group 2
as sighted by Lt Kokolonis (Inc 134).
Witness perceived only top-side of object. Objects
seen flying over wooded sectionRESTRICTED
CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Date Between 15th & 20th Aug [ILLEGIBLE]
2. Time 2130 MST
INUIDENT: 135
3. Location Rapid City AF Base, Weaver, S.D.
4. Name of observer Maj Elmer H. Haauer, F. (40-46014)
5. Occupation of observer Intel Officer,
28th Bombardment Group (WR)
6. Address of observer Rapid City AFBase
Weaver, S. D.
7. Place of observation Weaver, S. D.
8. Number of objects 12 (Approx)
9. Distance of object from observer 4 miles
10. Time in sight N/S
11. Altitude 10,000 ft to approx 6,000 ft.
12. Speed 500 MPH +
13. Direction of flight Approached first from NW
then turn to right and disappeared in SW
14. Tactics tight diamond-shaped formation
15. Sound no noise heard
16. Size Length: 100+ ft estimate
17. Color Yellowish-white - brilliant
18. Shape Elliptical
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent construction N/S
21. Exhaust trails None
22. Weather conditions Clear, no clouds, stars visible, wind, calm
visibility 30+
none
23. Effect on clouds [none]
24. Sketches or photographs Sketches
25. Manner of disappearance Disappeared on a SW heading
26. Remarks There appears to be minor discrepancies as to
speed and altitude in the report given verbally
to Glassbrook and 1 ltr to this Hq f/[Maj] HaauerRESTRICTED
CHECK LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Date: 30 June 1948 Incident: 136
2. Time: 2140
3. Location S. Knoxville, Tenn.
4. Name of Observer: Mrs Whitehouse
5. Occupation of observer: wife of Maj Harvey J. Whitehouse,
Commanding Officer, ASU, 3319 Tennessee
6. Address of observer: see above
7. Place of observation South Knoxville, Tenn
8. Number of objects: 1
9. Distance of object from observer: N/S
10. Time in sight: 3 minutes (according to Mrs Whitehouse)
3 seconds (according to CRC instructors)
11. Altitude: 30,000 feet
12. Speed 1,000 MPH
13. [REDACTED] Direction of flight: West
14. Tactics: N/S
15. Sound N/S
16. Size: N/S
17. Color: orange
18. Shape: Ball
19. Odor detected: N/S
20. Apparent construction "fire"
21. Exhaust trails "streamer of bluish color trailing"
22. Weather conditions: N/S
23. Effect on clouds: N/S
24. Sketches or photographs: none
25. Manner of disappearance: Over horizon
26. Remarks: (over)
RESTRICTEDRESTRICTED
At approximately 2140 hours, 30 June, a ball of fire of orange color
with a streamer of bluish color trailing, traveled thru the sky
in a westerly direction and disappeared over the horizon to the
west. The object traveled at a very fast rate of speed. No sound
was heard.
Witnesses: Mrs. Whitehouse, wife of Maj Harvey J. Whitehouse,
C. O., ASU 3319 Tennessee
CRC instructors, Knoxville, Tenn.
Mr. Tryus W. Setliff (See Incident 136a)
Mrs. Whitehouse stated that the object remained visible for approximately
3 minutes and that the streamer emitted sparks.
Mr. Setliff stated that the object was visible for about 3 seconds
and traveled at an estimated speed of 1,000 miles per hour at an
altitude of about 30,000 feet.
RESTRICTEDRESTRICTED CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS 136a 1. Date 30 June 1948 2. Time 2140 3. Location S. Knoxville, Tenn 4. Name of observer Mr Tryus W. Setliff 5. Occupation of observer N/S 6. Address of observer Oakridge, Tennessee 7. Place of observation Knoxville, Tenn 8. Number of objects 1 9. Distance of object from observer N/S 10. Time in sight 3 seconds 11. Altitude [REDACTED] 30,000 ft 12. Speed 1,000 MPH 13. Direction of flight Westerly 14. Tactics N/S 15. Sound N/S 16. Size N/S 17. Color Orange Color 18. Shape Ball 19. Odor detected N/S 20. Apparent construction Fire 21. Exhaust trails Bluish Color 22. Weather conditions N/S 23. Effect on clouds N/S 24. Sketches or photographs None 25. Manner of disappearance Over horizon to West 26. Remarks RESTRICTED
INCIDENT SUMMARY SHEET
(To be filled out and retained in files)
1. Date of Observation 7 July 1948 . . . Incident # 137
2. Time of Observation 2114 and 2115 . . .
3. Where was Object(s) Sighted Chapel Hill, North Carolina . . .
4. Observer's Position On ground at Chapel Hill, N.C. . . .
(i.e. ground, air, control tower, etc.)
5. Name and Address of Observer University of North Carolina . . .
6. Occupation and/or Hobbies Mathematics Instructor . . .
7. Attention Attracted to Object(s) By . . .
8. Number of Object(s) Sighted 1 . . .
9. Size of Object(s) 3-1/2" in length viewed perspectively about size of a/c . . .
10. Color of Object(s) . . .
11. Shape (Sketch if Possible) Blunt front tapering to a point in the rear
shaped like a cigar . . .
12. Nature of Luminosity . . .
13. Estimated Distance of Object from Observer Far . . .
14. Speed of Object(s) High Speed . . .
15. Time in Sight Approximately 1 minute . . .
16. Tactics Did not pursue a general course, but moved generally North . . .
17. Sound Made by Object(s) . . .
18. Direction of Flight of Object(s) East-Northeast . . .
19. Apparent Construction (Of What Material or Substance) . . .
20. Effect of Objects on Clouds and/or Exhaust Trail Not visible . . .
21. Weather Conditions Existing at the Time Clear . . .
22. Peculiarities Noted . . .
23. Summary of Incident: Objects seemed to be a blunt front which tapered to a
point in the rear shaped like a cigar. Appeared about the size of an
airplane in the sky. They were about 3 - 1/2" in length. They didn't have
any wings or any apparent means of going through the air . . .
[ILLEGIBLE] . . .
(Attach a Separate Sheet if Additional Space is Needed)CONFIDENTIAL COPY/WJ
2-10-51
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION
111th CIC, FAO #8, P. O. Box 379, Knoxville, Tennessee.
OBJECT SIGHTED OVER OAK RIDGE,
TENNESSEE.
(In compliance with letter AJAGT-360.33 General, dated 15 November 1950,
Headquarters, Third Army, SUBJECT: Unconventional Aircraft, the following is
submitted.)
A. Location and Time of Sighting:
Between 0750 and 0830 hours on 18 December 1950, on the Turnpike,
within the controlled area, approximately one (1) mile from the White
Wing entrance and Y-12 plant.
B. Weather at the Time:
At 0730 hours - wind from the Northeast, seven (7) miles per hour;
temperature - 20 degrees F. according to the Atomic Energy Commission
Meteorological Division.
C. Names, Occupations, and Addresses of Witnesses:
Dr. A. J. Miller, 513 Delaware Avenue, Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Dr. V. P. Calkins, 105 Disston Road, Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Mr. J. Frank Goneybear, 113 Meadow Road, Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Mr. A. O. Mooneyham, 101 Dewey Road, Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Mr. P. T. Bly, 521 Villanova Road, Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Lt. Col. John R. Hood, U.S.A.F., 200 Virginia Road, Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Cdr. M. W. Hribar, U.S.N., 103 Norris Lane, Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
Maj. Walter L. Cares, U.S.A.F., NEPA Division, Fairchild Engine and
Airplane Corporation, Oak Ridge, Tennessee.
D. Photographs of Objects, if available:
None.
E. Object Sighted:
A light emanating in the shape of a circle, of an intensity much greater
that that of a bright moon, giving the impression of form in connection with
the light. The light was white in appearance and did not show any signs of
refraction through a band or continuous spectrum. This object was traveling in
a Northwesterly direction, 15 to 30 degrees elevation above the horizon, and
appeared to diminish considerably in size during thirty seconds of observation.
To another group, the object appeared to be the reflection of the sun from
an apparently metal surface. No accurate estimate of the object's size
or range could be made from the observation.
F. Any other pertinent information:
Following is quoted from the Radar Log maintained by the McGhee Tyson
Air Force Base [ILLEGIBLE]
[handwritten at bottom: 62-83894 - 265]2 January 1951
111th CIC, FAO #8, P. O. Box 379, Knoxville, Tennessee.
OBJECTS SIGHTED OVER OAK RIDGE,
TENNESSEE.
F. (Continued)
"0832 hours - Atomic Energy Commission reported aircraft over
Northeast end of area - no paint. (Paint meaning indication on the radar
scopes.)
"0839 hours - Small paint near Southeast corner of area on 190 degree.
(Magnetic bearing of objects travel.)
"0845 hours - Lost contact. Fighter interception was attempted with
negative results."
Attached hereto are two certified true copies of the statements made
by the above mentioned observers.
Attachments - 2
2STATEMENT
Following is a report of the sighting of an unidentified
object in the Oak Ridge Area by the undersigned. On the morning of
18 December 1950, the following personnel were riding to their work
at NEPA Division, Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corp., in the S-50
Area at Oak Ridge, Tennessee:
Lt. Col. John R. Hood, USAF
Cdr. E. W. Hribar, USN
Major James L. Steele, USAF
Major Walter L. Cares, USAF
Mr. James B. Gray
Mr. William G. Frey
Mr. Gray, Commander Hribar, and Major Steele were riding in the front
seat; Col. Hood, Major Cares, and Mr. Frey were in the rear.
At approximately 0807, while riding southwest on the turnpike
just outside the restricted area, Col. Hood sighted a very bright
reflection through the windshield of the car. Major Cares, who was sit-
ting beside Col. Hood and whose attention was attracted by Col.
Hood's looking at the sky, sighted the same reflection. Col. Hood then
called the attention of the remaining occupants of the car to the
reflection. Of these, Commander Hribar also sighted the reflection,
but Mr. Gray, Mr. Frey, and Major Steele did not sight it.
The reflection was visible through the front windshield of the
car only for a moment because, shortly thereafter, the road turned to
the right. The corresponding turn of the car so placed the relative
position of the reflection that it could not be seen through the left
front which was not frosted. The windshield, however, was not
frosted and permitted excellent vision.
The object appeared only as the bright reflection of the sun from
an apparently metal surface, such as might be expected from an aircraft
at a great distance. No accurate estimate of the objects size or range
could be made from the observation. It appeared to be east-southwest
of Oak Ridge Townsite at an angle of elevation of about 25 degrees from
the level.
s/John R. Hood, Jr. t/JOHN R. HOOD, JR., Lt. Col. USAF
s/Edward W. Hribar t/EDWARD W. HRIBAR, Commander, USN
s/Walter L. Cares t/WALTER L. CARES, JR., Major, USAF
CERTIFIED TRUE COPY:
WILLIAM B. GRAY, SAC, Knoxville, Tenn.CONFIDENTIAL
This document contains information affecting
the national defense of the United States
within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title
18 U. S. C., Sections 793 and 794. Its trans-
mission or the revelation of its contents in
any manner to an unauthorized person is
prohibited by law.
December 28, 1950
SUBJECT: Visual Observation on December 19, 1950
TO: Mr. William G. Frey
Assistant to the AF Plant
Representative for Security
Office of the AF Plant Representative
Air Material Command
NEPA Division
Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation
Post Office Box R
Oak Ridge, Tennessee
1. On December 18, 1950, at sometime between 0820 and 0830, the
following NEPA employees were riding in a vehicle on the Turn-
pike within the Controls Area on the NEPA Project approxi-
mately one mile short of the "Y" cutoff to White Wing entrance
and Y-12:
Dr. A. J. Miller
Dr. V. P. Calkins
Mr. J. Frank Goneybear
Mr. A. O. Mooneyham
Mr. P. T. Bly
2. The passengers, with the exception of Dr. Calkins, who did not
attempt to participate in the viewing, observed a light emanating
in the shape of a circle, of an intensity much greater than that
of a bright moon, through the windshield of the vehicle. The
viewers had the impression that there was form in connection with
the light. The light was more nearly white in color, approximately
fifteen (15) to twenty (20) feet in diameter (to the viewers'
estimate), approximately 15 to 30 degrees above the horizon, and
the vehicle changed its course so that the object was somewhat
thirty seconds during which it was viewed. The vehicle remained
in motion and in following the course of the road, changed its rela-
tive position so that the object was viewable during the last few
seconds from the side windows. As the vehicle proceeded down the
road a near-by ridge obstructed the view of the object, and although
the vehicle completed the turn toward X-25 at the "Y" intersection
CONFIDENTIAL
Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation
NEPA Division, P. O. Box 410, Oak Ridge, Tenn.CONFIDENTIAL
Mr. William G. Frey December 28, 1950
Assistant to the AF Plant Page 2
Representative for Security
Subject: Visual Observation on
December 18, 1950
and the passengers had a relatively clear view at points along
the road, the object was not viewed again. The observers were un-
able to estimate approximate size, speed, or vertical elevation;
and, therefore, were not certain whether the object was over the
Controlled Area or a considerable distance away. There was no
vapor trail or any other visible condition within the vicinity of
the object and there were no clouds which could have obscured it.
The observers were unable to identify the object in terms of mass
or shape, other than the circular appearance of the light. How-
ever, the circular area appeared to darken, starting at approx-
imately 7:00 to 9:00 o'clock along the perimeter and continuing
to darken along the perimeter and inner area until the light was
concentrated in approximately 1:00 to 3:00 o'clock position of a
very small diameter, at which point it appeared somewhat similar
to a large star.
3. The observers were not in complete agreement as to whether the
object was moving at a speed which caused it to diminish in size
or actually was diminishing in size without any great velocity of
travel due to the darkening effect described above.
NEPA Division
FAIRCHILD ENGINE AND AIRPLANE CORPORATION
s/ Gene A. Goodjen
t/ GENE A. GOODJEN
Plant Protection Manager
GAG:VM
CONFIDENTIAL
Fairchild Engine and Airplane Corporation
NEPA Division, P. O. Box 410, Oak Ridge, Tenn.
CERTIFIED TRUE COPY:
WILLIAM B. GRAY, SAC, Knoxville, Tenn.20 January 1951 111th CIG Detachment, FAO #8, P.O. Box 379, Knoxville, Tennessee OBJECTS SIGHTED OVER OAK RIDGE, TENNESSEE (In compliance with letter AJAGT-360.33 General, dated 15 November 1950, Headquarters, Third Army, Subject: Unconventional Aircraft, the following is submitted.) A. Location and Time of Sighting: On 1247 hours on 20 December 1950. B. Weather at Time of Sighting: At 1200 hours on 20 December 1950; Ceiling - 2700 feet; Broken overcast; Seven miles visibility; Temperature - 37 degrees F; Dew Point - 31 degrees; and Wind - Calm. C. Names, Occupations, and Addresses of Witnesses: Personnel of the 663rd AO AM and W Squadron, McGhee Tyson Airport, Knoxville, Tennessee. D. Photographs of Objects, if available: None E. Object Sighted: The radar log of the 663rd AN and O Squadron, McGhee Tyson Airport, Knoxville, Tennessee contained the following entry: "20 December 1950. 1247 hours. Small paint in area (Oak Ridge Controlled Area). Very, very slow. Made perfect intercept (with F-82 Fighter aircraft) and orbit surrounding smoke cloud." F. Any other pertinent information: This report is made because of its possible aid in determining the identity of the numerous unidentified objects sighted over Oak Ridge, Tennessee SOURCE: Personnel of 663rd AO AM, Squadron, McGhee Tyson Airport, Knoxville, Tennessee, and the log of the 663rd ACSN Squadron. [handwritten at bottom: 62-83894-265]
20 January 1951
111th CIG Detachment, FAO #8, P.O. Box 379, Knoxville, Tennessee
OBJECTS SIGHTED OVER OAK RIDGE,
TENNESSEE
(In compliance with letter AJAGT-360.33 General, dated 15 November 1950,
Headquarters, Third Army, Subject: Unconventional Aircraft, the following is
submitted.)
A. Location and Time of Sighting: From 1505 hours for about three (3) hours,
on 14 December 1951, on the Radar Scopes of the 663rd AG and W Squadron,
McGhee Tyson Airport, Knoxville, Tennessee.
B. Weather at the Time: At 1500 hours on 14 December 1950--"Ceiling-2100 feet;
Broken overcast; Seven (7) miles visibility; Temperature- 37 degrees F.;
and Wind - Southwest at thirteen (13)miles perhour.
C. Names, Occupations, and Addresses of Witnesses: Personnel of the 663rd
AC and W Squadron, 30th Air Division, McGhee Tyson Airport, Knoxville,
Tennessee, who were on duty at the time. Their occupations are Radar
operators, Supervisors, and experts.
D. Photographs of Objects, if available: No photographs taken. See "F" below.
E. Object Sighted: A group of targets blanketed the Radar Scopes in the area
directly over the government Atomic Energy Commission projects at Oak
Ridge, Tennessee. These objects could not be identified from the radar
image and a perfect Fighter interception was met with negative results.
F. Any other pertinent information: Lt. Robinson of the 663rd AC and W
Squadron, McGhee Tyson Airport, Knoxville, Tennessee took photographs
of the scope readings with a personal, four (4) by five (5) Speed Graphic
Camera, using Plus-X civilian procured film, a lense opening of F-2.5,
and a shutter speed varying from twenty (20) to fourteen (14) seconds.
The negatives were printed and forwarded to the 30th Air Division, Selfridge
Air Force Base, Michigan, which installation printed the negatives and
sent copies thereof to the 663rd AC and W Squadron. The numerous targets
can readily identified from the permanent radar echos by comparing the
photographs.
(R-2)
SOURCE: Personnel and logs of the 663rd AC and W Squadron, McGhee Tyson
Airport, Knoxville, Tennessee.20 January 1951
111th CIG Detachment, FAO #8, P.O. Box 379, Knoxville, Tennessee
OBJECTS SIGHTED OVER OAK RIDGE,
TENNESSEE
(In compliance with letter AJAGT-360.33 General, dated 15 November 1950,
Headquarters, Third Army, Subject: Unconventional Aircraft, the following is
submitted.)
A. Location and Time of Sighting: At 2145 hours on 16 January 1951.
B. Weather at the Time of Sighting: Clear; visibility twenty (20) miles;
Temperature - 37 degrees F.; and Wind - Southwest at five (5) miles perhour.
Winds aloft: At 2000 feet - 340 degrees at 8 knots
3000 " - 210 " " 3 knots
3000 " - 309 " " 4 knots
C. Names, Occupations and Addresses of Witnesses: 663rd AC&W Squadron Personnel
who are Radar operators. AND Patrol Personnel, policemen at Oak Ridge,
Tennessee. Captains L.G.M. Clevenger and Wm. Allen, Controllers of 663rd.
D. Photographs of Objects if available: None
E. Object sighted: Two bright objects in the sky, one of which was east of
McGhee Tyson Airport and the other was west. The object to the east was
a light, brighter than any other star, emitting intermittent glows of
various colors on the color spectrum. An aircraft attempted interception
and found it was traveling directly for a star. Weather personnel
explained that the spectral reflection of the star was caused by the
volume of atmosphere and physical matter, together with heat, which must
be looked through to see a star close to the horizon. These phenomena
caused refraction of the light rays from the star thereby reflecting a
continuous spectral range of light higher.
The light to the West was observed through a twenty (20) power spotting
scope and the light seemed to be descending. It took about one hour to
descend from about three miles high to disappear from the sight of observers. Captain
Clevenger stated that this light, when viewed through the spotting scope,
took on many peculiar forms, with lines, cores, tails, etc. therein, thus
generally fitting the description of all "flying saucers" ever described
to him.
Shortly after this object disappeared from sight (behind trees) AND
personnel at Oak Ridge, Tennessee reported they had sighted an object about
twelve (12) miles Southeast of the K-25 Plant in the Controlled Area. They
also observed the aircraft which had been sent for interception but stated
the aircraft was too far north to make an identification, and AND
personnel later reported that they had observed a star.20 January 1950 111th CIG Detachment, FAO #8, P.O. Box 379, Knoxville, Tennessee OBJECTS SIGHTED OVER OAK RIDGE, TENNESSEE F. Any other pertinent information: The Commanding Officer of the 663rd AC&W Squadron, 30th Air Division, McGhee Tyson Airport, Knoxville, Tennessee, in a letter to his Commanding Officer on 17 January 1951, Subject: Report of Unusual Incident 21½ hours 16 January 1951, stated herewith submitted: " 1. In compliance with telephone instructions from the ADOC 17 January 1951, the following unusual incident report is herewith submitted: Time Date-16 January 1951 1915: An unusual airborne object was sighted approximately 10 miles NW of the station; the lights was slightly very similar to a star but much brighter and slightly larger than other visible stars at the time, as the object appeared to be approximately 5,000 feet above the terrain and appeared to be slowly. As the object appeared to be over or near the Oak Ridge Area, the AND Patrol Headquarters was notified and their ground observer alerted. About this time some interference was noted on the Radar Scopes (AN/GPA-11 in the approximate area of the observed object; however no interference was noted on the height finder (AN/GPS-4). (See attached Form 117 and 17 Jun 1951. 1925:Object still apparently descending, F-82 scrambled to attempt interception, still no report from AEC Headquarters. 1930:Similar object observed 15 to 20 miles east of station; seems to be descending rather than descending. 1935:AF 7477 (Locally based and piloted by assigned ac officer) G-45 requested - crew of tyn - requested first to try - AF fixed 25 miles SW of station, Pilot Major Raymond G. Gare - AF 7477 requested to investigate object east of station. 1945:AF 7477 sighted subject object and reported it to be a star 1946:F-82 orbiting G/E corner of Oak Ridge Area no electronic or visual observation still no electronic observation by station 47. 1946:Visual observation reported by Oak Ridge Ground observers, 12 miles southeast of K-25 area (This is in the SE corner of Oak Ridge Area) F-82 in sight and to north of object. F-82 vectored south toward object no contact; electronic or visual. Object report 2800 feet above terrain by Oak Ridge Observers. 1955:Oak Ridge Patrol Headquarters reports that observed object determined (to be a star)
20 January 1951
111th CIG Detachment, FAO #8, P.O. Box 379, Knoxville, Tennessee
OBJECTS SIGHTED OVER OAK RIDGE,
TENNESSEE
to be a star.
2000:F-82 reports clear sailing and no restrictions to visibility,
still patroling area for possible pickup of object, still no joy."
NOTE: This is an extract of the information listed in logs kept at
the Radar Site by Radar Personnel. (R-2)
SOURCE: Personnel as in "C" above.Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : MR. C. E. HENRICH [handwritten: Ath—] DATE: February 26, 1951
FROM : MR. E. H. MOSSBURG
SUBJECT: FLYING SAUCERS
It is recommended the attached article which
appeared in Look magazine January, 1951, be filed in
captioned case for information purposes.
Attachment
ERM:gmu
[handwritten stamp:] W
9
STRONGLY SUGGESTED [stamped sideways]
[red stamp:] 62-83894-266
[red stamp:] MAR 6 1951
RECORDED-9 EX-56
6 5 MAR 14 1951
[handwritten:] AIR 7
5-EHA
n[Manila envelope, back side] [red handwritten notation:] 62-83894-266
Look what we've dished up for you! SATURDAY NOON ON ABC TELEVISION Romance Faith Baldwin's Theatre of Romance— your favorite best-sellers brought to life by top dramatic stars! Miss Baldwin herself will star on the first (and every TV first!) (Sponsor: Maidenform Bra) Every other SATURDAY at 11 am. Comedy Two Girls Named Smith (one of these pretty Peggy Ann Garnett!) are your Southern Jewel! [ILLEGIBLE] TV Comedy [ILLEGIBLE] come on ABC-TV! They're small-town girls in the big city; their adventures are daily and delightful! (Bob & Glen) SATURDAY at 12 noon. Drama I Cover Times Square. Reporter Harold Haber knows every place and every face along the fabulous Great White Way. Every Saturday he takes you along on an exciting, intriguing adventure! Life At Full SATURDAY at 12:30 pm IN NEW YORK, CHICAGO, DETROIT, SAN FRANCISCO AND LOS ANGELES IT'S CHANNEL 7 All other Cities use the American Broadcasting System American Broadcasting Company [right column listings:] Breakfast Ranch Saturday, 10:45 am The Ida Benes Show Saturday, 1:30 pm Paul Whiteman TV Teen Club Saturday, 2 pm Roller Derby Saturday, 3 pm ABC TELEVISION 59
A NUCLEAR PHYSICIST EXPOSES FLYING SAUCERS "There is no longer any need for secrecy," says Navy scientist, after finding that his own research started the "saucer" scare. By RICHARD WILSON [Look's Award-Winning Writer] [Left photograph caption:] Skyhook, a Skyhook balloon Prof. Otto [ILLEGIBLE], New Mexico [ILLEGIBLE] [Right photograph caption:] [ILLEGIBLE] [Article body text largely illegible at this resolution] [Left column heading visible:] Instruction Flunkers in the Big Sky [Right column text partially visible but illegible] [Page numbers:] 60 [left] 61 [right]
[Left page - King Whiskey advertisement:] Looks [ILLEGIBLE] Lighter! Tastes Lighter! Today's KING is Really LIGHT! [BLENDED WHISKEY] SCHENLEY DISTILLERS CORPORATION [small text:] [ILLEGIBLE] [Center - article continuation:] FLYING SAUCERS continued No "little men" from afar have arrived in rocket ships [Article body text largely illegible at this resolution] The Death of Captain [ILLEGIBLE] [article text continues but illegible] Testing the "Skyrocket" [article text continues but illegible] [Right page - Greyhound advertisement:] FOR ANY TRIP · ANY TIME · IN ANY WEATHER Relax - as you See - as you Save by Greyhound! [illustration of passengers on bus] The Travel Coach [ILLEGIBLE] [advertisement text largely illegible] About has hundreds of trips to [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] Highway travel is easy [ILLEGIBLE] places planned, street, school, town and your hometown definitely can find more trips [ILLEGIBLE] all of America. Greyhound [ILLEGIBLE] travel from your hometown [ILLEGIBLE] of all America. [ILLEGIBLE] with low cost, country from all of all America. [additional advertising text illegible] GREYHOUND BY ANY GREYHOUND WHEREVER [ILLEGIBLE]
[Left page - Association of American Railroads advertisement:] Today [image of locomotive] the average freight train [image of freight cars] helps national rearmament [image of freight cars] by carrying more freight [image of freight cars] and carrying it faster than ever before in history! ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN RAILROADS WASHINGTON, D. C. Listen to THE RAILROAD HOUR every Monday evening on NBC [Right page - article continuation:] [Photograph caption:] Skyhook ready for ascent. "Saucers" once unheard of until ONR's experiments in the atmosphere began under Dr. Liddel's supervision. FLYING SAUCERS continued Bigger Skyhooks coming— then more "saucers" will fly [Article text:] recorded on the instruments during flight from Oxey. The instruments are released electronically by parachute at the end of the flight. [article text continues at small size, largely illegible] Cosmic-Ray Mystery The source of these particles is the unknown. One theory firmly held groups them as a result of solar origin from explosions on the sun. Their impact on upper atmosphere and their velocity gives them great energy but most originate from the solar system. [article text continues but largely illegible] Four types of cosmic-ray experiments have been in progress [ILLEGIBLE] The first type is [ILLEGIBLE] [additional text illegible] A third type of experiments [ILLEGIBLE] bombers, fitted out as flying labora- tories [ILLEGIBLE] The fourth type is the Skyhook project [ILLEGIBLE] Chambers, Mar- tinez, and Lima, Peru [ILLEGIBLE] ballooned that there is no measurable capacity of the Skyhook, which can rise to heights of [ILLEGIBLE] 100,000 feet, the earth's atmospheric envelope [ILLEGIBLE] It can safely be predicted that a new improved model will be ob- served by credulous and alarmed citizens of middle America. These observers will be unable to distin- guish outer space is gaining on us. END [page numbers:] 64 [left]
CLASSIFIED CONFIDENTIAL
INCOMING
MESSAGE
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
STAFF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE
RECORDED [stamped]
FROM P-9 THROG [ILLEGIBLE] PARAPHRASE NOT REQUIRED
CHANNELS
AF 130
FEB 13 1951
FROM: NEAC PEPPERELL AFB NFLD
TO: CSAF WASH DC
NR: RW 0212 10 FEB 51
Text on following page.
[handwritten:] Flying Saucer [?]
[additional handwriting illegible]
ACTION: AF
INFO : 02, 03
CAF IN 97532
DA IN 131 (12 Feb 51) DTG: 100400Z p1c8
[blue stamp:] DECLASSIFIED
Authority
NND 96986
RECORDED-137 [handwritten: 62-83894-267]
MAR 8 1951
14
61 MAR 15 1951 CONFIDENTIAL COPY NO. 28
DA 855 FORM 22-3
15 JAN 1948 O-309 BDEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
STAFF MESSAGE DIVISION
INCOMING CLASSIFIED MESSAGE
CONFIDENTIAL PARAPHRASE NOT REQUIRED. NOTIFY
PRIORITY CRYPTOCENTER BEFORE DECLASSIFYING
FROM: NEAC PEPPERELL AFB NFLD
TO: CSAF WASH DC
NR : EV 0212 10 Feb 51 (DTG 100400)
Unidentified object seen at 0055Z 10 Feb at 49 degrees
50 min north, 50 degrees 03 min west by crew of Navy 6501, VR1,
Patuxent River, MD. Originally seen as heavy light in distance
on the surface as lights of a city. The yellowish light, like a
fire in color, approached rapidly and grew very bright and very
large with a semi-circular shape. It was on a true course of
about 125 degrees, plane on a true course of 225 degrees, as it
approached the plane it suddenly turned about almost 180 degrees
and disappeared rapidly over the horizon as a small ball. Speed
"was terrific." Seen fr an angle of about 45 degrees looking down
fr the planes. Crew all experienced North Atlantic Fliers Lt N.
Kingdon, Lt A.L. Jones, Lt O.H. Bethune, Lt H.O.F. Roger, Lt
J.H. Meyer, all saw object over a period of fr seven to eight min.
Plane flying at 10,000 altitude.
ACTION: CIN
ADDED DIST: ARMY, STATE, CIA, OSD(OSLO), JCS
CAF IN: 97532 (10 Feb 51) MEL/ref
CONFIDENTIAL
COPY No.
AFAG 1006 O-309 B
13 APR 43
THE MAKING OF AN EXACT COPY OF THIS MESSAGE IS FORBIDDEN
page 2February 23, 1951
Mr. Jimmy B. Shore
910 Gadds Street
Arkadelphia, Arkansas
Dear Jimmy:
Your letter dated February 14, 1951, has been
received.
While I appreciate the concern which prompted
your writing in this regard, this Bureau does not have
available for distribution any material concerning
so-called "flying saucers." It was thoughtful of you
to bring your observations in this connection to my
attention.
I am enclosing some material which I thought
you might like to have.
Sincerely yours,
J. Edgar Hoover
John Edgar Hoover
Director
Enclosure
List of courses of study
SA and Clerical Job Sheets
25 Years of Ident
Personnel and Services of Lab
NOTE: The only record located in Buffiles indicated that
correspondent requested and received descriptive material
concerning the Bureau in 1949. Data presently enclosed is
15. No [ILLEGIBLE] indicated.
[stamps and routing marks:]
RECORDED
INDEXED 62-83894-268
[routing list: Files, Lead, etc. — largely illegible]
JUSTICE [stamp]
6 0 MAR 1 4 1951 FEB 2 4 1951[Reverse/back side of page 119 letter, document shown upside down — carbon copy or onion-skin backing] [ILLEGIBLE — document inverted; visible stamps upside down:] DEPT. OF JUSTICE RECEIVED-MAIL ROOM FEB 2 1951 10 AM '51 F. B. I., DIRECTOR'S OFFICE [additional routing stamps illegible]
[CONFIDENTIAL] CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS 1. Date 9 July 1948 Incident # 145 2. Time 1205 AST 3. Location Fielding Lake 4. Name of observer 1st Lt Dominick J. Carania & Thomas B. Carpenter 5. Occupation of observer (VLR) Photo 6. Address of observer 72nd RCN Squadron (VLR) Photographic c/o APG 751, c/o Postmaster Seattle Washington 7. Place of observation Fielding Lake, Alaska (65°11' - 155°7' W) 8. Number of objects Approximately 20 9. Distance of object from observer 5,000 + above 10. Time in sight 5 seconds or less 11. Altitude 5,000 + immediately below the clouds 12. Speed over 500 MPH 13. Direction of flight From NNW to ESE 14. Tactics Jockeyed back and forth in the group formation (gave impression of shotgun blast pattern) but maintained straight course. 15. Sound Loud roaring sound heard (thought it was strong wind) before objects sighted; sound sharpened into a buzz as they approached and passed. 16. Size [ILLEGIBLE] 17. Color grayish black 18. Shape N/S - [ILLEGIBLE] Spheroid or disc-shaped 19. Odor detected N/S 20. Apparent construction N/S 21. Exhaust trails none visible 22. Weather conditions bright and sunny w/[ILLEGIBLE] strato-cumulus cloud coverage 23. Effect on clouds none - flew immediately below them 24. Sketches or photographs sketch 25. Manner of disappearance N/S 26. Remarks: The objects resembled a group of dots, grayish black in color and numbering about 20. They were plainly visible and either spheroid or disc shaped. They appeared to be jockeying back and [CONFIDENTIAL]
[CONFIDENTIAL] forth in the group formation which gave the overall impression of a shotgun blast pattern. The objects were thought to be moving in excess of 500 MPH at approximately 5,000 ft (immediately below the clouds) from NNW to ESE and were definitely flying a straight course. Just before they were sighted a loud roaring sound was heard which was attributed to a strong wind blowing through the surrounding woods. However, as the objects approached and passed, the sound sharpened into a buzz much like that made by a group of jet aircraft. No exhaust trails were visible. There were no photographs available. [CONFIDENTIAL]
[CONFIDENTIAL]
CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Date 17 July 1948 Incident # 146
2. Time 1650
3. Location Vicinity of San Acacia Dam, 65 miles south of Albuquerque
4. Name of observer M/Sgt Wm B. Carter & M/Sgt Bernard E. Harvey
5. Occupation of observer [ILLEGIBLE] Carter: Armament technician
Harvey: experienced AF non-com
6. Address of observer 428th AFRU Kirtland AF Base
7. Place of observation Vicinity of San Acacia Dam
8. Number of objects 7
9. Distance of object from observer N/S
10. Time in sight N/S
11. Altitude 20,000 ft
12. Speed 1,500 MPH (if estimated altitude correct)
13. Direction of flight northerly heading (between north and northwest)
14. Tactics Maintained formation
15. Sound N/S
16. Size N/S
17. Color Color of aluminum aircraft at high altitude
18. Shape When overhead: circular. After passing zenith: indeterminate
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent construction metallic
21. Exhaust trails none
22. Weather conditions CAVU At 20,000 ft wind velocity 8 to 10 miles
23. Effect on clouds N/S
24. Sketches or photographs None
25. Manner of disappearance [ILLEGIBLE] In northwest
26. Remarks: (over)
[CONFIDENTIAL][CONFIDENTIAL]
About 65 miles south of Albuquerque 7 unidentified objects flying on northerly heading were observed. Objects initially in V formation at an estimated altitude of 20,000 ft above earth. Formation varied from "V" to "J" to "S" and then grouped in an irregular formation and a regular pulsating flashing light was observed from them after they passed 30° beyond zenith. The shape was difficult to ascertain. When directly overhead they were circular and resembled a cluster of balloons traveling at a great rate of speed. The color was that of aluminum at high altitude (or white painted aircraft). If the altitude estimation is correct the speed could be estimated at 1500 MPH. There was no vapor, smoke or other trail visible. They did not appear spherical when viewed at oblique angle. Disappeared on heading between north and northwest.
AGENTS NOTES: Sgt Carter is a sober industrious, level headed individual, an armament technician of outstanding ability. Definitely not the type to experience hallucinations. Info received in other instances from this individual in each instance proven accurate.
Sgt Harvey is an experienced AF non-com accustomed to the sight of aircraft at various altitudes and speeds.
EVALUATION OF INFORMANTS: "A"
OF INFORMATION: 3.
[CONFIDENTIAL][CONFIDENTIAL] CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS 1. Date 27 July 1948 Incident # 147 2. Time 2200 3. Location Springfield, Ohio 4. Name of observer Mrs. H. H. Gibson 5. Occupation of observer Housewife 6. Address of observer 1217 East Main St. 7. Place of observation Springfield, Ohio 8. Number of objects 1 9. Distance of object from observer N/S 10. Time in sight 3 seconds 11. Altitude Great height 12. Speed That of a jet plane 13. Direction of flight Heading North 14. Tactics None - traveled in a straight line 15. Sound None 16. Size Witness stated object resembled a "huge ball" 17. Color N/S 18. Shape Round 19. Odor detected None 20. Apparent construction N/S 21. Exhaust trails Bright red tail of fire. 22. Weather conditions Some thunder and lightning 23. Effect on clouds N/S 24. Sketches or photographs None 25. Manner of disappearance Flew out of sight 26. Remarks: See attached [CONFIDENTIAL]
RESTRICTED
Various parts of North Jutland have reported that on 19 Jan 45 at 7:30 AM the so-called flying saucers were observed. The phenomena has been observed in Hjerring, the Scaw and Hjerup. The objects were surrounded by a bluish light and had tail of green light, moving east west. One observer thought they looked like three balls. Several observers in the Scaw say they were rocket-like objects which suddenly stopped, exploded and disappeared.
N/A COMMENT: Impossible to get any verification of this from Danish officials
or Danish War Ministry.
RESTRICTED[CONFIDENTIAL]
CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Date 23 July 1948 Incident # 148
2. Time 0400
3. Location Springfield, Ohio
4. Name of observer Mrs. Rose Henry
5. Occupation of observer Housewife
6. Address of observer 826 Dibert Avenue, Springfield, Ohio
7. Place of observation 825 Dibert Ave., Springfield, Ohio
8. Number of objects 1
9. Distance of object from observer [ILLEGIBLE]
10. Time in sight 1st time: 5 minutes; 2d time: 15 minutes
11. Altitude N/S
12. Speed Remained nearly stationary
13. Direction of flight N/S
14. Tactics Hovering
15. Sound [ILLEGIBLE] Witness thought she heard sound of plane before she
sighted object.
16. Size About the size of a basketball
17. Color Intense yellow
18. Shape Round
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent construction N/S
21. Exhaust trails N/S
22. Weather conditions N/S
23. Effect on clouds N/S
24. Sketches or photographs None
25. Manner of disappearance Faded away
26. Remarks: See attached
[CONFIDENTIAL]RESTRICTED
CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Date 19 Jan 48 Incident # 149
2. Time 7:30 AM
3. Location North Jutland (Hjerrin, the Scaw and Hjerup)
4. Name of observer N/S
5. Occupation of observer N/S ) Taken from CMA E-34-45 (RAD 11796)
as prepared by Lt Col Franklin H.
6. Address of observer N/S Tomlinson
7. Place of observation North Jutland
8. Number of objects [ILLEGIBLE] Three
9. Distance of object from observer N/S
10. Time in sight N/S
11. Altitude N/S
12. Speed apparently rocket-like
13. Direction of flight [ILLEGIBLE] East - West
14. Tactics "suddenly stopped, exploded and disappeared"
15. Sound N/S
16. Size N/S
17. Color N/S
18. Shape ball - saucer
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent construction rocket-like objects
21. Exhaust trails [ILLEGIBLE] tail of green light
22. Weather conditions N/S
23. Effect on clouds N/S
24. Sketches or photographs None
25. Manner of disappearance Exploded and disappeared
26. Remarks: (over)
RESTRICTEDRESTRICTED
CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Date Approx 1 Mar 48 Incident # 150
2. Time 0930 hours
3. Location Swedish Coast
4. Name of observer N/S - a Norwegian pilot
5. Occupation of observer ONL pilot
6. Address of observer N/S Material taken from MA E-130-48
MAD 20560
7. Place of observation Air - enroute from Aalborg, Denmark to
Oslo, Norway
8. Number of objects 1
9. Distance of object from observer N/S
10. Time in sight 4 seconds
11. Altitude 20,000 ft
12. Speed N/S
13. Direction of flight Southeast - passing along Swedish Coast
and disappearing over Norway
14. Tactics N/S - flight path followed earth's surface
15. Sound N/S
16. Size N/S
17. Color N/S but [ILLEGIBLE] emitted a bluish-green flame
18. Shape N/S
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent construction N/S
21. Exhaust trails None
22. Weather conditions N/S
23. Effect on clouds N/S
24. Sketches or photographs None
25. Manner of disappearance Over Norway
26. Remarks: (over)
RESTRICTEDRESTRICTED
An ONL plane enroute from Aalborg, Denmark, to Oslo, Norway, sighted a projectile coming from the southeast, passing along the Swedish Coast and disappearing over Norway. The missile was at 20,000 ft and disappeared over the horizon in four seconds. It emitted a bluish-green flame but left no trail in the sky. The projectile seemed to follow the earth's surface.
NOTE: Similar missiles have been observed at Rjukan, Norway & Finse,
Norway.
In this connection, it is of interest to know that heavy water
is currently being produced in Rjukan.
Observers: A Norwegian pilot and his co-pilot.
The pilot served with the Royal Norwegian AF in
Great Britain.
RESTRICTED[CONFIDENTIAL]
CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Date 29 July 1948 Incident # 151
2. Time 0955
3. Location Northeastern part of Indianapolis, Indiana (See attached
sketch of location)
4. Name of observer Mr. James W. Toney & Mr. Robert Huggins
5. Occupation of observer [ILLEGIBLE] Both employees of W. O. Jones Rug
Cleaners
6. Address of observer Toney: 235 So Bradley, Indianapolis
Huggins: 5040 Indianapolis, Indianapolis
7. Place of observation Indianapolis, Indiana
(See attached drawing of location)
8. Number of objects 1
9. Distance of object from observer N/S - not over a few hundred feet
10. Time in sight N/S
11. Altitude 30 feet - just above tree-tops
12. Speed 25 to 30 MPH
13. Direction of flight Headed south in bank to left
14. Tactics gliding with no apparent spinning action
15. Sound no discernible sound
16. Size 6 to 8 feet long by 1-1/2 to 2 feet wide (See attach drwg.)
17. Color Aluminum and shiny in color
18. Shape Shaped like a broad short propeller (See attached drwg.)
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent construction Aluminum construction
21. Exhaust trails None
22. Weather conditions CAVU - no clouds
23. Effect on clouds No clouds
24. Sketches or photographs 2
25. Manner of disappearance Went down in wooded area (seemingly)
26. Remarks: (over)
[CONFIDENTIAL][CONFIDENTIAL] Object was shaped like a broad short propeller approximately 6 to 8 ft long, each blade approximately 2 feet wide and approximately one foot thick with cups on upper side of blades. It appeared aluminum and shiny in color. Traveled approximately 25 to 30 MPH. It was sighted just above the trees at approximately a 30 ft altitude in bank to the left of approx 20° and appeared in a slight descent. There was no discernible sound and no exhaust trail. NOTE: Truck had just started across bridge (see drwg) when object was sighted directly ahead above the trees. Witnesses stopped on the other side of the cantilever bridge but could not relocate object. Search by Lt John F. Hoskins, Base PIO, and Lt Russell J. Carey, Jr. Base Intel Off. (331st AFRG) Res. Tng Scout Fld. did not produce any result. However the area in which it was believed to have fallen is densely wooded with many hills and valleys. See diagram attached. [CONFIDENTIAL]
[CONFIDENTIAL] [Diagram of object] 6' to 8' [width measurement arrow] 1-1/2' to 2' [height measurement arrow] These are round cups which protrude /s/ Russell J. Carey, Jr. 1st Lt., USAF Intel Officer [CONFIDENTIAL]
[CONFIDENTIAL] [Map diagram] N [north arrow] WOODS WOODS Path of Object Cantilever Type Bridge E 56th St Fall Creek Blvd WOODS Clearing Fall Creek /s/ Russell J. Carey Jr. 1st Lt., USAF Intel Officer Lady wood School (Approx 1/4 mi f/sighting) [CONFIDENTIAL]
[CONFIDENTIAL]
CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Date 31 July 48 Incident # 152
2. Time 0825
3. Location Indianapolis, Indiana (South-Central part)
4. Name of observer Mr. & Mrs Vernon Swigert
5. Occupation of observer [ILLEGIBLE] an electrician and housewife
6. Address of observer 3020 Boyd St., Indianapolis, Indiana
7. Place of observation As above -
8. Number of objects 1
9. Distance of object from observer N/S
10. Time in sight 10 seconds
11. Altitude 2,000 ft
12. Speed 1800 MPH
13. Direction of flight 90° - east
14. Tactics N/S
15. Sound None
16. Size [ILLEGIBLE] - 20 ft in dia. and approx 6 to 8 ft in height
in center - Ratio about 3:1
17. Color white with no shine
18. Shape like a cymbal
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent construction N/S
21. Exhaust trails None
22. Weather conditions Sky clear
23. Effect on clouds N/S
24. Sketches or photographs 1
25. Manner of disappearance N/S
26. Remarks: (over)
[CONFIDENTIAL][CONFIDENTIAL] Object first perceived in the west. The object was shaped like a cymbal with smooth surfaces and approximately 20 feet in diameter at the base and approximately 6 to 8 feet in height in the center. Ratio was about 3:1. It appeared to be flat white in color with no shine. It traveled extremely fast crossing the sky in approximately 10 seconds (a distance of about 5 miles, on a 90° heading. It maintained a level course and shimmered in the sun giving the appearance of spinning. The altitude was estimated approximately 2,000. Object made no discernible sound and left no exhaust trail. No openings were noted on the object. NOTE: Mr. Swigert was standing by open bathroom window which faces the west when he was attracted by the object in the sky. Couldn't believe his eyes. He rushed into adjoining kitchen and showed his wife the object thru the kitchen window facing south. He thought stated the object appeared large enough to carry one person NOTE: Investigation conducted by Intel Officer, 1st Lt Russell J. Carey, Jr., on a call from Mr. Swigert. It was noted that visibility was good from both windows for such observation. No other reports received on this object. [CONFIDENTIAL]
[CONFIDENTIAL] [Diagram of cymbal-shaped object] NOTED SHADOW 6 to 8' [height measurement] 20' [width measurement] (Ratio approx. 3:1) /s/ Russell J. Carye Jr., RUSSELL J. CAREY JR. 1st Lt., USAF Intel Officer [CONFIDENTIAL]
RESTRICTED CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS 1. Date [ILLEGIBLE] 5 August 48 Incident # 153 2. Time 0100 hours 3. Location Between Parrott, Ga. and Richland, Ga. 4. Name of observer James Amaral, Former AF Pilot 5. Occupation of observer N/S - but formerly AF pilot 6. Address of observer N/S (Info forwarded f/Turner AF Base) 7. Place of observation Between Parrott, Ga. & Richland, Ga. 8. Number of objects 1 9. Distance of object from observer N/S 10. Time in sight 5 to 10 seconds 11. Altitude 20,000 to 35,000 ft 12. Speed [ILLEGIBLE] 3600 MPH (estimated) 13. Direction of flight 250° 14. Tactics N/S 15. Sound None 16. Size N/S 17. Color blue-white streak of light 18. Shape "streak" 19. Odor detected N/S 20. Apparent construction "rocket-like" 21. Exhaust trails A trail of sparks several miles long followed it 22. Weather conditions CAVU 23. Effect on clouds N/S 24. Sketches or photographs None 25. Manner of disappearance N/S 26. Remarks: (over) RESTRICTED
RESTRICTED
Witness was traveling between Parrott, Ga., and Richland, Ga., in an automobile when he observed a brilliant blue-white streak of light which lasted from 5 to 10 seconds, traveling in an apparent level flight on a heading of approximately 250°, at about 30,000 ft altitude (estimated). After the light disappeared a trail of sparks was observed which appeared several miles long. This trail lasted from 45 seconds to (1) minute
NOTE: Mr. Amaral did not believe this to be any celestial but based on
his experience as a pilot in the AF, he stated it appeared to be
a burst of power applied to a rocket or rocket ship.
RESTRICTED[CONFIDENTIAL]
CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Date 2 Aug 48 Incident # 154
2. Time 1945 hours
3. Location Columbus, Ohio
4. Name of observer Charles Saunders
5. Occupation of observer Attorney
6. Address of observer 265-1/2 South High St
7. Place of observation Yard of 1337 Clifton Ave., Columbus, Ohio
8. Number of objects 1
9. Distance of object from observer N/S
10. Time in sight 10-15 minutes
11. Altitude 1,500 to 2000 ft
12. Speed 15 MPH
13. Direction of flight Moving south from the north
14. Tactics Constant slow speed - Once it hesitated & thin trail of
smoke issued from opposite direction of travel. Changed position assuming
different shapes
15. Sound None
16. Size Judged to be about 20 to 30 ft in diameter
17. Color N/S. Perimeter: constant grey-black. Center: transparent.
18. Shape Changing. First: side-view: Parallelogram. Second: circular [ILLEGIBLE]
then reverted to original form
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent construction N/S
21. Exhaust trails thin trail of smoke
22. Weather conditions CAVU
23. Effect on clouds No clouds
24. Sketches or photographs 4 sketches
25. Manner of disappearance N/S
26. Remarks: (over)
[CONFIDENTIAL]256 CONFIDENTIAL On 2 Aug 48 at approx 1945 a round object which appeared to be about 20 to 30 ft in diameter was observed moving in southerly direction from the north over center Columbus, Ohio. Had constant grey-black perimeter with a transparent center. The blue sky could be observed through this grey-black perimeter while it moved at a constant, slow speed of about 15 MPH. It made no noise of any kind. Once it hesitated in its movements and a thin trail of smoke issued from the opposite direction of travel. The smoke soon disappeared and was not seen again during the 10 to 15 minutes object was visible to the observer. The object changed position - but not direction of travel - three inches. When first seen, it evidently presented a side view which was a parallelogram in shape. (See) Slowly its position altered and it became circular in form, only to revert after a time to its original form. The altitude was judged to be some 1500 to 2000 ft above ground. Agent's Note: Saunders drew the following sketches [sketch oval] [sketch oval narrower] [sketch elongated] [sketch rectangular] Fourth Third Second First The above drawings constitute four positions of one phase. The object passed thru three of these phases during the 15 minute period. CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Date 2
In Aug 48 Incident # 154a
2. Time 7:50 P.M.
3. Location Columbus, Ohio
4. Name of observer Jaymes Saunders, A. B., M. A.
5. Occupation of observer Housewife
6. Address of observer 1337 Clifton Ave, Columbus, Ohio
7. Place of observation Columbus, Ohio
8. Number of objects 1
9. Distance of object from observer N/S
10. Time in sight 15 minutes
11. Altitude N/X 1/2 mile high
12. Speed slow and regular speed
13. Direction of flight from North to South to Southwest
N/S
14. Tactics/ Oblong to circular to oblong change in shape
15. Sound None
16. Size of small plane
17. Color N/S
18. Shape Changing but circular for the most part
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent construction N/S
21. Exhaust trails tail of smoke
22. Weather conditions Unusually favorable for observation. Light sufficient
without interference from sun's rays.
23. Effect on clouds Cloudless
24. Sketches or photographs None
25. Manner of disappearance N/S
26. Remarks: (over)
CONFIDENTIAL
9co9b CONFIDENTIAL On 2 Aug 48, at 7:50 P. M. Mrs. Saunders observed an unusual object in the sky. Her attention was directed toward it because some neighborhood children were looking toward the north. She called her husband, Charles Saunders, Inc 154, to witness the phenomenon. The sky was cloudless and the light more than sufficient, without interference from the rays of the sun which were hidden by the buildings of the city. Object first appeared oblong in shape and was traveling from north to south at a slow but regular speed. [REDACTED] [REDACTED] at a height of a half mile. During the 15 minutes under observation the object traveled approx 7-1/2 miles. Though it did not change its course, it presented different appearances from time to time. From oblong to circular then to oblong. Object went thru this change three different times until observer lost sight of it. However, for the most part it presented a cir- cular appearance. Outline very dark in contrast with the trans- parency of the center. Only when the shape appeared circular was observer aware of the center being a void. Once it hesitated momentarily. observer noticed a tail of smoke emanating from rear, after which the object continued in a southerly direction. This tail of smoke was observed but once. The size appeared to be that of a small plane. It made no sound altho at one time observer thought she observed one. At approx 8:00 P. M. observer lost sight of the object just as it appeared to be changing direction from South to Southwest. CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Date 1630 31 July 48 - Incident # 155
2. Time 1630
3. Location 480 N. Monroe Ave.,
Columbus, Ohio
4. Name of observer Mrs. Edward G. Watson
5. Occupation of observer Housewife
6. Address of observer 480 N. Monroe Ave., Columbus, Ohio
7. Place of observation Columbus, Ohio
8. Number of objects 6 or 7
9. Distance of object from observer Very great distance away
10. Time in sight N/S
11. Altitude N/S - very great
12. Speed Hovering
13. Direction of flight N/S
14. Tactics Hovering -hanging in the sky
15. Sound N/S -
16. Size of an ash tray
17. Color gold
18. Shape starlike
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent construction N/S
21. Exhaust trails N/S
22. Weather conditions CAVU - bright sunlight
23. Effect on clouds N/S
24. Sketches or photographs None
25. Manner of disappearance N/S
26. Remarks: (over)
CONFIDENTIAL
97o7b CONFIDENTIAL Witness Statement: Objects first looked like large stars. They seemed to be at a very great distance and appeared to be about the size of an ash tray. There were approximately six or seven of them in a formation that resembled the shape of the big dipper. Did not have a definite shape individually but just seemed to be a group of spots glittering in the sky. They were gold in color and seemed to be just hanging in the sky. The sky was clear and blue and the sun was shining but do not believe the gold color caused by a reflection of the sun. Corroborated by truck driver but/witness could not obtain his name. CONFIDENTIAL
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CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Date 31 July 48 Incident # 156
2. Time 8:00 P. M.
3. Location . Columbus, Ohio - Tremont Rd near WOSU radio tower
located near University Golf Course
4. Name of observer Mrs. Martin Price & Mrs. Mary Rippetoe
5. Occupation of observer Mrs. Price: housewife
Mrs. Mary Rippetoe: mother of Mrs. Price
6. Address of observer 2186 Lamont Ave., Columbus, Ohio
7. Place of observation Tremont Rd near WOSU Radio Tower
8. Number of objects 1
9. Distance of object from observer 250 feet
10. Time in sight N/S
11. Altitude 250 feet
12. Speed very slow
13. Direction of flight West to East
14. Tactics Did not change course or altitude
15. Sound No noise
16. Size of gasoline drum - Approx 5' x 6'
17. Color [REDACTED] Black
18. Shape Oblong
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent construction N/S
21. Exhaust trails Spouted black smoke from the top
22. Weather conditions Clear with no clouds
23. Effect on clouds No clouds
24. Sketches or photographs None
25. Manner of disappearance N/S
26. Remarks: (above)
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On Saturday evening, 31 July 48, at approximately 8:00 P. M.
while driving south on Tremont Road as observers approached the WOSU
Radio Tower located on the University Golf Course, a large object resem-
bling a huge lantern was seen floating in the sky. The weather was
clear, and it was still daylight so object could be seen quite clearly.
It was oblong in shape and about the size of a gasoline drum. It was
coming from the west and moving very slowly. It passed close to the
tower and was about 1/2 of the height of the tower from the ground. As
it passed overhead traveling east, it spouted black smoke from the
top and at the bottom on the left side there was a dull enclosed light
like that of a lamp. The object did not change its course or altitude
but continued on to the east with black smoke trailing behind. The
object was black. It did not make any noise. There were no wings visible
nor did it have any motor. No openings of any kind could be seen.
NOTE: Another car stopped near them with two occupants who claimed
that they had never witnessed anything like it before.
RESTRICTEDCONFIDENTIAL
CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Date 31 July 48 Incident # 157
2. Time 8:00 P. M.
3. Location Columbus, Ohio
4. Name of observer Robert C. Goshorn
5. Occupation of observer Teletype Operator
6. Address of observer State Highway Patrol Radio Station
7. Place of observation Near Golf Driving Range, Columbus, Ohio
8. Number of objects 1
9. Distance of object from observer Object was balloon which fell
to earth & was investigated by observer
10. Time in sight N/S
11. Altitude Came to earth from around 100 ft (when first observed)
12. Speed N/S
13. Direction of flight earthward
14. Tactics N/S
15. Sound N/S
16. Size 2 ft x 3-1/2 ft
17. Color white crepe paper
18. Shape N/S - but said to be like old time "County Fair" balloon - round
19. Odor detected N/S
20. [REDACTED] construction crepe paper
21. Exhaust trails smoking - caused by large ball of waste material
22. Weather conditions N/S - (clear - see Incident: 156)
23. Effect on clouds N/S (no clouds)
24. Sketches or photographs None
25. Manner of disappearance Fell to earth where it was retrieved.
26. Remarks: (over)
CONFIDENTIAL
99o6b CONFIDENTIAL Object was perceived floating in the sky coming from the west over Ohio State Student Housing Project and was approximately 100 feet off the ground when first observed. It got lower all the time and landed in a field nearby. Three small boys ran toward it and observer went over to investigate. Saw paper bag affair approx 2 feet in diameter and 3-1/2 feet long made of white crepe paper. (like old time "County-Fair" hot air balloons) It was smoking when first observed and this was caused by a large ball of waste material which was fastened underneath it. There were no marks or writing on it [REDACTED] Note: See Incident 156 - in which time & direction tally. CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Date 1 Aug 48 Incident # 158
2. Time 2:00 P. M.
3. Location [REDACTED] Groveport, Ohio
4. Name of observer Harold A. Yantis
5. Occupation of observer Student, ?
6. Address of observer 25 West Hinman Ave.
7. Place of observation 1 mile west of Groveport, Ohio
8. Number of objects 1
9. Distance of object from observer N/S
10. Time in sight N/S
11. Altitude N/S very high
12. Speed N/S
13. Direction of flight in westerly direction against a light wind
14. Tactics N/S - just exhaust visible - smoke pattern dark & very large
dispersed rapidly and appeared again as wide streak a mile or so in length
15. Sound No sound twisted from wide to narrow streak
16. Size N/S - object not seen and back.
17. Color N/S - object not seen
18. Shape Just a streak observed
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent construction N/Ex An exhaust trail (smoke)
21. Exhaust trails Appeared as black cloud with no definite shape but looked
like an anti-aircraft shell a few seconds after it exploded
22. Weather conditions [REDACTED] Few white clouds - but clear
23. Effect on clouds black cloud silhouetted among them that moved
24. Sketches or photographs 3 figs.
25. Manner of disappearance N/S
26. Remarks: (over)
CONFIDENTIALo81
CONFIDENTIAL
Observer noticed what appeared to be a small black cloud between
two white ones. Seemed peculiar because the weather was clear and
there were a few white clouds in the sky and these dark clouds
or formations of kind. The black cloud did not have any definite
shape but looked like an anti-aircraft shell a few seconds after it
explodes. Suddenly it stretched out into a wide streak with smaller
vertical streaks, then rapidly turned and twisted, moving into a
different direction and disappearing. In three or four seconds, the
smoke burst appeared again spontaneously, approximately 100°
of the place where first noticed. Smoke pattern dark, very large, and
dispersed rapidly disappearing again as a wide streak a mile or so in
length which appeared to twist from a wide to a narrow streak and then
back again changing direction as it twisted. Moving in westerly
direction against light wind. Plainly visible altho far away and very high.
No sound heard. Seemed like a streak that would be made if a flying
wing with several engines [REDACTED] banking and turning and leaving exhaust
trails.
Note: Yantis was in the war and had seen a lot of anti-aircraft
shells burst and many vapor trails from planes but had never
observed anything like this. He states: "It was so spontaneous
like a rubber band which is round, then suddenly is stretched at
length and twisted, and then disappears without a trace."
Agent's Note: Yantis drew the sketches below
[sketch: Streak twisted and turned - suddenly disappeared]
[sketch] width same - length
estimated at 1 to 2 miles 1st position
CONFIDENTIALRESTRICTED
CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Date 30 July 1948 Incident # 159
2. Time 2015 hours
3. Location Worthington, Ohio
4. Name of observer John A. Felton
5. Occupation of observer N/S
6. Address of observer 5800 High St, Worthington, Ohio
7. Place of observation Worthington, Ohio
8. Number of objects 1
9. Distance of object from observer N/S
10. Time in sight 15 minutes
11. Altitude Approx 3000 ft
12. Speed very slow
13. Direction of flight SW
14. Tactics None
15. Sound None
16. Size N/S
17. Color silver
18. Shape cylindrical
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent construction N/S
21. Exhaust trails N/S
22. Weather conditions Clear with high scattered clouds, visibility good
23. Effect on clouds N/S
24. Sketches or photographs None
25. Manner of disappearance N/S
26. Remarks: (over)
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Object appeared cylindrical in shape with no apparent wings or tail
surfaces. No standard marker lights were displayed and there were no
engine noises. The object emitted a steady silver glow.
Altitude was judged to be approximately 3000 ft and the object was moving
very slowly in a southwest course. It was in line of vision some 15 minutes.
No other aircraft, military or civilian were in vicinity of Felton's
hearing or vision. The sky was clear with high scattered clouds and
the visibility was good.
NOTE: Felton questioned by Maj Campbell of the USAF, but nothing
further was gained by this interview with the exception
that his wife also saw the object.
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CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Date 4 July 48 Incident # 160
2. Time 11:15 P. M.
3. Location Dravasburg, Pa.
4. Name of observer John Jannicky, Jr.
5. Occupation of observer N/S
6. Address of observer Box 227, Dravasburg, Pa.
7. Place of observation Dravasburg, Pa.
8. Number of objects 1
9. Distance of object from observer N/S
10. Time in sight 20 seconds +
11. Altitude N/S
12. Speed Hovering - then moving on at undetermined speed
13. Direction of flight N/S
14. Tactics moved across sky, stopping three times and resuming movement
15. Sound No noise
16. Size of a star
17. Color same as a star
18. Shape looked like a star
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent construction N/S
21. Exhaust trails N/S
22. Weather conditions N/S
23. Effect on clouds N/S
24. Sketches or photographs Vague sketch
25. Manner of disappearance N/S
26. Remarks: (over)
RESTRICTED2201
RESTRICTED
On 4 July 48 at approx. 11:15 P. M., OST, witness and his wife thought
they saw a star moving. There was a light in the sky the same color and
size of a star which was moving. [REDACTED]
[REDACTED]
[REDACTED]. Then they thought it was a plane but
it made no noise. The object moved across the sky, then changed its course
a bit and went straight and stopped again for about 5 seconds, changed its
course a bit and went straight for awhile and stopped again this time for at
least 15 seconds, then it went across the sky a little ways and disappeared
completely. When the object stopped in the sky, it resembled a star and only
by following its course could the difference be noticed.
NOTE: Witness states that he lives some 2-1/2 miles from the two woman
(McKeesport, Pa.) who reported seeing a big silver plate zooming
noiselessly overhead in the direction of Kennywood Park. See Inc.
161.
RESTRICTEDRESTRICTED
CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Date Around July 8, 48 Incident # 161
2. Time N/S
3. Location McKeesport, Pa.
4. Name of observer Mrs. Nell Veway & Mrs. Elizabeth Goltz
5. Occupation of observer housewife
6. Address of observer s Mrs Veway: 3404 Grover Ave. ) McKeesport, Pa.
Mrs Goltz: 2604 Grover Ave. )
7. Place of observation McKeesport, Pa.
8. Number of objects 1
9. Distance of object from observer N/S
10. Time in sight N/S
11. Altitude N/S
12. Speed N/S
13. Direction of flight N/S - toward Kennywood Park
14. Tactics N/S
15. Sound noiseless
16. Size 12 to 15 inches in dia.
17. Color silver
18. Shape "plate"
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent construction N/S
21. Exhaust trails N/S
22. Weather conditions N/S
23. Effect on clouds disappeared in cloud bank
24. Sketches or photographs None
25. Manner of disappearance disappeared in cloud bank
26. Remarks: (over)
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Witness saw what looked like a "big, silver plate" zooming noiselessly
overhead in the direction of Kennywood Park.
"Oh look, that's not a plane, screamed Mrs. Veway of 3404 Grover to
her neighbor, Mrs. Goltz, 3604 Grover, "it looks like one of those
flying saucers."
Mrs. Veway said the disc was about 12 to 15 inches in diameter. It
disappeared in a cloud bank but reappeared on the far side and was seen
by Mrs. Goltz. They followed the direction of the disc until out of
sight.
NOTE: Taken from the Daily News "McKeesport, Pa. - July 8, 1948.
RESTRICTED
103aCONFIDENTIAL
CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Date 11 Aug 48 Incident # 162
2. Time 1200 and 1215 hours CST
3. Location Hamel, Minnesota
4. Name of observer Jerome Leuer (age 10 and Benne Leuer (age 8)
5. Occupation of observer children
6. Address of observer R/R 1 Hamel, Minnesota
7. Place of observation As above - back yard
8. Number of objects 1
9. Distance of object from observer a matter of a few feet
10. Time in sight N/S
11. Altitude rested on ground -
12. Speed N/S
13. Direction of flight After resting on ground it ascended to a height of
30 feet and shot off in a northeasterly direction
14. Tactics spun once, made whistling noise, shot straight up 20 ft, halted
and again made a whistling noise. Maneuvered around tree branches & tele
15. Sound whistling noise - like steam whistle wires.
16. Size 1 ft thick - 2 feet wide
17. Color dull gray
18. Shape round
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent construction metallic
21. Exhaust trails N/S
22. Weather conditions N/S
23. Effect on clouds N/S
24. Sketches or photographs None
25. Manner of disappearance into northeast
26. Remarks: (over)
CONFIDENTIAL~201
CONFIDENTIAL
Informants stated that on 11 Aug 48 between 1200 and 1215 hours, CST,
Jerome and Benno were playing in the back yard and noticed an object
in descent approximately two feet from the ground which was descending
between the two of them. It settled to the ground gently - much as a
balloon. Upon hitting the ground the object spun once, made a sort of
whistling noise, described by the two boys as resembling a steam whistle,
and then shot straight up into the air approximately 20 feet, halted
and again made a whistling noise. The object then shop upward to a height
of about 30 feet, and, in this ascent, maneuvered around tree branches
and telephone wires. Upon reaching a height of approximately 30 feet
the object shot off in a northeasterly direction. The object approached
from the northwest.
The boys described the object as "approximately one foot thick, two feet
side and round." The object had no windows, wires, or any visible
appurtenances. It was a dull gray in color and when it hit the ground,
it made a slight clanking noise, much as metal hitting against metal.
Philip and Mrs Leuer stated the boys were visibly frightened when they
ran into the house and were afraid to tell what they had seen. Upon
close questioning, the boys related the above story to them.
Mr. Leuer advised that he then had notified Mr. E. R. Sheridan, Postmaster
at Hamel, Minnesota (who subsequently notified the proper authorities)
AGENTS NOTES: Agent noted that the spot where the alleged "flying saucer"
had landed was approximately 2 feet in diameter and appeared as though
some heavy object had landed there or had been set down - as the ground
was dented and protruding rocks had been leveled. The spot was covered by
a washtub.
Mr. E. R. Sheridan, Postmaster, advised that he had no
reason to doubt the story of the boys or of Mr. and Mrs. Leuer, and
for this reason had reported the matter to the Federal Bureau of Investigation,
St. Paul, Minn.
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL
CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Date 22 July 48 Incident # 163
2. Time hour before dark
3. Location Van Nuys, Calif
4. Name of observer Capt Henry Glover & wife
(Ord-Res)
5. Occupation of observer Ordnance Reserve Officer
6. Address of observer 8531 Variel Ave., Canoga Park, Calif
7. Place of observation Van Nuys, Calif.
8. Number of objects 1
9. Distance of object from observer [REDACTED] overhead
10. Time in sight N/Ex about an hour
11. Altitude great height
12. Speed N/S
13. Direction of flight toward the sun from the East or [REDACTED]
E to W
14. Tactics traveled a vertical arc of about 25° or more
15. Sound N/S
16. Size of weather balloon at 2000 ft
17. Color bluish luminescence like fluorescent lamp which gradually
changed to orange color at dusk
18. Shape round tending to spherical
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent construction N/S
21. Exhaust trails N/S
22. Weather conditions CAVU ground temperature 70-75°
23. Effect on clouds N/S
24. Sketches or photographs None
25. Manner of disappearance snapped off like a lamp when you throw switch
26. Remarks: (Over)
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL Object appeared round and probably spherical. At first looked similar to weather balloon at about 2000 ft but there was no characteristic bobbing. The wind was blowing on the ground with fair strength and gusty yet the object was quite steady. In the time it was under observation (about an hour) it traveled thru a vertical arc of about 20° or more. After watching the object for a while the observer concluded that whatever it was the thing was at great height but not a star. It had a bluish luminescence like a fluorescent lamp and as the sun set the color gradually changed to an orange color at dusk and finally snapped off like a lamp when the switch is thrown. The outline was clear and sharp and symetrical (no fuzziness or blurring), the air clear with visibility unlimited. Direction of travel from East directly toward the sun. CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
Incident # 164
1. Date 29th June
2. Time 11 P. M.
3. Location Uniontown, Pa.
4. Name of observer Mrs. Catherine McDonald
5. Occupation of observer N/S [REDACTED] widow
6. Address of observer 38 Kensington Circle, Uniontown
7. Place of observation Uniontown, Pa. - Observer's front porch
8. Number of objects three - one at a time
9. Distance of object from observer N/S
10. Time in sight N/S
11. Altitude 5000 ft
12. Speed Very fast
13. Direction of flight NE
14. Tactics spinning vertically on edge
15. Sound None
16. Size N/S
17. Color luminous
18. Shape oval
19. Odor detected None
20. Apparent construction N/S - transparent
21. Exhaust trails trail of light about 1 yard long
22. Weather conditions stormy and cloudy
23. Effect on clouds N/S - flew across sky beneath base of clouds -
lightning could be seen thru it.
24. Sketches or photographs vague sketch -
25. Manner of disappearance lost sight of - obstructed by neighboring houses
26. Remarks: (over)
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL
Witness saw a luminous, oval-shaped object flying at an altitude of
approx 5,000 ft which was traveling beneath the base of some [REDACTED] clouds
from southwest to northeast across the sky. The weather was stormy and
cloudy and as a second object flew across the sky a flash of lightning
could be seen thru it. It seemed to be transparent. The objects(3)
traveled very fast and seemed to just disappear within 10 seconds. The objects
appeared at approximately five minute intervals. There was no odor
or sound [REDACTED] from them. However, a trail of light about a yard long was
observed. The objects rolled vertically on their edge and appeared to be
spinning on end across the sky. Witnesses lost sight of the objects
as neighboring houses obstructed their view.
Witnesses: Mrs. Margaret Hollar
Police Sergeant Shaw & [REDACTED] his daughter
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL
CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
Incident # 165
1. Date 26 July 1948
2. Time 2100 [REDACTED]
3. Location Chamblee, Ga.
4. Name of observer Doyle L. Avery et al
5. Occupation of observer Observer, Atlanta Naval Air Base
6. Address of observer Atlanta Naval Air Base, Chamblee, Ga.
7. Place of observation Observation tower
8. Number of objects 1 blue white light
9. Distance of object from observer N/S
10. Time in sight N/S
11. Altitude N/S
12. Speed N/S - like shooting star
13. Direction of flight SE turning S and gaining altitude
14. Tactics straight & level & gaining altitude
15. Sound None
16. Size N/S
17. Color blue-white light
18. Shape N/S - object not seen
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent construction like shooting star
21. Exhaust trails N/S - possibly the blue white light was the exhaust
22. Weather conditions 2/10 cirrus at 25,000 ft; 1 to 4/10 of lower strato-
cirrus at 5,000 ft. Visibility 12 to 15 miles. Surf wind light & variable
2-5 MPH
23. Effect on clouds N/S
24. Sketches or photographs None
25. Manner of disappearance N/S
26. Remarks: (over)
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL
[REDACTED], Doyle L. Avery Observer, Atlanta Naval Air Base, Chamblee,
Ga., while on duty at the observation tower on 26 July 48 about 2100
hours sighted a blue-white light traveling southeast from the northeast.
It was traveling very fast and maintained a uniform altitude (undetermined)
and speed. It looked like a shooting star except for the fact that it
maintained the same altitude. While under observation it then appeared
to gain altitude and then turned sharply to the south. The weather was
clear and still. There was no sound. Shortly after sighting the light
several residents of the area called and reported seeing the same thing.
No flights left or arrived at the station after 1910 hours on 26 July 48.
- 165a Witnesses of this phenomena who were interviewed made statements
as follows: On 25 July 48 they were seated on the lawn of the Georgia
School of Technology Housing Project at Chamblee, Ga. About 2045 hours
Mrs. John Gall sighted a strange light and called it to the attention of
her companions. The light appeared about the size of a football and
was traveling southeast on a steady course. It was green and faded into a
silver-colored tail. The light appeared [REDACTED] to lose altitude slowly
much the same as a plane coming in for a landing. It appeared to fade
away in flight as if extinguished. No sound was heard.
Witnesses: Mr. & Mrs. Harold Shaw
Mr. Robert Sebring
Mrs. Jeanne Hill
Mrs. Myrtle Renfroe
Mrs. John Gall
CONFIDENTIALRESTRICTED
CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
Incident # 166
1. Date 30 Aug 48
2. Time 20,000 hours or 8:00 P. M.
3. Location Los Angeles, Calif.
4. Name of observer S/Sgt Leroy H. Estes
5. Occupation of observer S/Sgt
6. Address of observer N/S 1301 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles
7. Place of observation 1301 W. Olympic Blvd. Los Angeles, Calif.
8. Number of objects 1
9. Distance of object from observer N/S
10. Time in sight N/S
11. Altitude estimated to be well over 20,000 ft.
12. Speed thought to be well over 700 MPH
13. Direction of flight [REDACTED]
14. Tactics none - flew level course
15. Sound No sound
16. Size Larger than B-29
17. Color silver
18. Shape V-2 rocket
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent construction rocket - like
21. Exhaust trails blue exhaust trail
22. Weather conditions N/S Clear
23. Effect on clouds N/S
24. Sketches or photographs None
25. Manner of disappearance N/S
26. Remarks: (over)
RESTRICTEDRESTRICTED Object resembled the fuselage of a V-2 rocket - but much larger. S/Sgt Estes stated that it was much larger than a B-29 and silver in color and that it completely filled the lens of a 10 B-80 field glass which was taken from a German 88 mm artillery piece. Each lens was 6" in diameter. Speed estimated to be well over 700 MPH, and object was traveling at an altitude of well over 20,000 ft. No sound was heard. Left a blue exhaust trail. Object traveling from west to east. Only one object sighted. RESTRICTED
CONFIDENTIAL
CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
Incident # 167
1. Date 6 May 1948
2. Time 0905 GOT
3. Location 19° 06' N - 164° 05' E between Kwajalein Island, Marshall
Islands and Hickam Field.
4. Name of observer Capt Floyd Barnes
5. Occupation of observer Pilot USAF
6. Address of observer Pacific Division, Milit Air Trans Service
7. Place of observation Ahead & above his plane
8. Number of objects 1
9. Distance of object from observer 4 to 5 miles
10. Time in sight split second
11. Altitude 10,000 ft
12. Speed N/S
13. Direction of flight N/S
14. Tactics exploded like a shell
15. Sound N/S
16. Size N/S
17. Color white
18. Shape ball
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent construction N/S [REDACTED] "fire"
21. Exhaust trails None
22. Weather conditions 5/10 cloud coverage
23. Effect on clouds N/S
24. Sketches or photographs none
25. Manner of disappearance exploded
26. Remarks: (over)
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL A large white ball of fire was observed some four to five miles directly ahead of and slightly above the aircraft. It was observed for only a split second and was comparable to the explosion of a shell. There were no streamers or "tails" observed such as usually related to a meteor or a distress signal. As the aircraft approached the approximate position where the ball of fire was observed a single white light was seen on the water surface. However, this disappeared within a few seconds after sighting because of the existing cloud coverage. More lights were immediately observed on the water surface some 10 miles north of the plane's course. It is the opinion of the witness (Capt Barnes) that these were from a surface vessel. Some 10 minutes elapsed after these lights were observed on the water surface when an aircraft was sighted flying a reciprocal course (360°) at about 1000 ft below the observer's aircraft and slightly to the right of the course. Capt Barnes made numerous attempts to contact this aircraft on Channel "B" and "C", "VHF" but acknowledgment of his transmission was never received. CONFIDENTIAL
RESTRICTED
CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
Incident # 168
1. Date 20 July 1948
2. Time 1330 local
3. Location Obrechstraat, Arnhem, The Hague
4. Name of observer A. D. Otter
5. Occupation of observer Chf. Investigator of Court of Damage
6. Address of observer Arnhem, The Hague
7. Place of observation 52° 30' N, 46° 30' E
8. Number of objects 1
9. Distance of object from observer N/S
10. Time in sight N/S
11. Altitude very high
12. Speed high speed - comparable to V-2
13. Direction of flight N/S
14. Tactics N/S
15. Sound Same as V-2
16. Size N/S
17. Color N/S
18. Shape Aircraft with 2 decks and no wings
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent construction N/S
21. Exhaust trails N/S
22. Weather conditions visibility unlimited - scattered clouds
23. Effect on clouds N/S
24. Sketches or photographs None
25. Manner of disappearance N/S
26. Remarks: Object appeared to be wingless aircraft with two
decks. It was traveling at very high altitude and was seen four times
intermittently thru clouds. Visibility: unlimited.
RESTRICTEDRESTRICTED
CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
Incident # 169
1. Date 29 Aug 48
2. Time 0530
3. Location Maplewood, Ohio
4. Name of observer Mr. Faby Niswonger
5. Occupation of observer farmer
6. Address of observer RD #1, Maplewood, Ohio. Phone: Jackson Central
8-CF42
7. Place of observation Maplewood, Ohio
8. Number of objects 1
9. Distance of object from observer N/S
10. Time in sight N/S
11. Altitude N/S
12. Speed N/S
13. Direction of flight N/S
14. Tactics Arose from behind woods - seemed to unravel a silver
substance that floated earthward
15. Sound N/S
16. Size large
17. Color silver
18. Shape sphere
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent construction N/S
21. Exhaust trails - silver substance (?)
22. Weather conditions N/S
23. Effect on clouds N/S
24. Sketches or photographs None
25. Manner of disappearance Disintegrated in mid-air
26. Remarks: (over)
RESTRICTEDRESTRICTED Witness observed a large silver-colored sphere which seemed to arise from behind his woods and continued to float across his farm. While in flight it seemed to unravel a silver substance which floated earthward. While under observation it disintegrated in mid-air. NOTE: Witness seemed very conscientious and sincere while relating this incident. Subject arose while witness was talking to a man from this Command (MCIAAF) when an airplane chanced to fly overhead. RESTRICTED
INCIDENT SUMMARY SHEET
(To be filled out and retained in files)
1. Date of Observation On or about 5 May 1948 Incident # 170
2. Time of Observation . . .
3. Where was Object(s) Sighted . Adapazari, Turkey . . . . . .
4. Observer's Position . Ground in village near Adapazari, Turkey . . . . .
(i.e. ground, air, control tower, etc.)
5. Name and Address of Observer . News item extracted from Yeni Sabah". . . . . .
Istanbul, 5 May 1948. . . .
6. Occupation and/or Hobbies . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7. Attention Attracted to Object (s) By . . . . . . . . .
8. Number of Object(s) Sighted . 1 . . . . . . . .
9. Size of Object(s) . . . . . . . . . . . .
10. Color of Object(s) . Shining . . . . . . .
11. Shape (Sketch if Possible) . . . . . . .
12. Nature of Luminosity . . . . . . . . . .
13. Estimated Distance of Object from Observer . . . . . . . . . .
14. Speed of Object(s) . . . . . . . . . . .
15. Time in Sight . . . . . . . . . .
16. Tactics . . . . . . . . . . . .
17. Sound Made by Object(s) . . . . . . . . . .
18. Direction of Flight of Object(s) . . . . . . . . . .
19. Apparent Construction (Of What Material or Substance) . . . . . .
20. Effect of Objects on Clouds and/or Exhaust Trail . . . . . . . .
21. Weather Conditions Existing at the Time . . . . . . . .
22. Peculiarities Noted . Exploded in the air . . . . . . .
23. Summary of Incident - Item from Turkish newspaper "Yeni Sabah" Istanbul, . . .
5 May 1948: Quote - "There have been reports lately to the effect that shining
objects like meteors have been sighted in various parts of the country. Cont'd
(Attach a Separate Sheet if Additional Space is Needed)Incident # 170 Cont'd Some people suggest that these might be rockets. Information received from authorised circles reveals that such a thing passed over Adapazari and was seen to explode in the air. Parts of it fell into a village nearby and killed a sheep dog. The thing was found to be a rocket and the debris will be inspected by experts. Obers 2nd Quote". Observers say that the rocket which is claimed to have come from the northwest was flying at an altitude of 200 meters over Adapazari before it fell. According to rumors, it is possible that the rocket is connected with the "flying disc" experiments being conducted by the Russians at the station on Mt. Alagos close to the Eastern frontiers. Source: MA Ankara, Turkey, 10 May 1948, Serial 86-48, Reel R-0 Comment: Air Attache, Ankara, Turkey has been requested to investigate this incident fully and encourage Turkish General Staff to do likewise. Whether incident can be confirmed or not Air Attache has been directed to determine sources for information contained in Yeni Sabah article. [REDACTED] Incident # 170
INCIDENT SUMMARY SHEET
(To be filled out and retained in files)
1. Date of Observation . 5 Aug 1948 . . . Incident # 171
2. Time of Observation . Sunset . . . . .
3. Where was Object(s) Sighted . About 25 km (15-20 miles) NW of Moscow . . . . . .
4. Observer's Position . Ground . . . . . .
(i.e. ground, air, control tower, etc.)
5. Name and Address of Observer . . Moscow, USSR . . . .
6. Occupation and/or Hobbies . American Newspaper Correspondent . . . . . . .
7. Attention Attracted to Object (s) By . Came into line of sight . . . . .
8. Number of Object(s) Sighted . 1 . . . . . . . .
9. Size of Object(s) . . . . . . . . . . .
10. Color of Object(s) . Shone brightly . . . . . . .
11. Shape (Sketch if Possible) . long-narrow . . . . . . .
12. Nature of Luminosity . . . . . . . . . .
13. Estimated Distance of Object from Observer . . . . . . . . .
14. Speed of Object(s) . high but not excessive . . . . .
15. Time in Sight . . . . . . . . . .
16. Tactics . . . . . . . . . . .
17. Sound Made by Object(s) . none . . . . .
18. Direction of Flight of Object(s) . Southwest-Northwest direction . . . . .
19. Apparent Construction (Of What Material or Substance) Apparently metallic . . . .
20. Effect of Objects on Clouds and/or Exhaust Trail . . . . . . . .
21. Weather Conditions Existing at the Time . sunny . . . . .
22. Peculiarities Noted . wingless- long and narrow . . . . . . .
23. Summary of Incident . See attached sheet . . . . . . . . .
(Attach a Separate Sheet if Additional Space is Needed)Incident # 171 Cont'd About Sunset on 5 Aug 1948, about 25 kilometers (20 miles) northwest of Moscow an experienced American newspaper reporter saw an unidentified object at very high altitude. It was long and narrow and proceeded at a high but not excessive speed in a generally southwest-northwest direction. It shone very brightly probably from reflected sunlight. No wings could be seen and no sound was heard. It looked like a rigid airship and was so identified by a Russian acquaintance who saw it at the same time. However, the reporter, in spite of the appearance of the object was of the opinion that it was not a rigid airship due principally to its high speed. He had no theory to offer. HA COMMENT: This object might have been anything. Its speed seems insufficient for a guided missile, but it could have been either a jet or a conventional airplane as unusual light conditions and fore-shortening frequently give aircraft a freakish appearance. The possibility that it was a dirigible should not be excluded. Reference "A" should not be excluded. REFERENCE A: The upper winds in Russia are not published but it was noted that on the following morning there were high surface winds with storm predictions. [REDACTED] Incident # 171
CONFIDENTIAL
CHECK-LIST - UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
Incident # 172
1. Date 1 Oct 1948
2. Time 2100 hrs
3. Location Fargo N. Dakota
4. Name of observer George F. Gorman
5. Occupation of observer Manager of Const Co, (Pilot of F-51 in Air N.G.)
6. Address of observer Bldg. 18 Fed Hous Proj Fargo N. Dakota
7. Place of observation from Airplane over Fargo and vicinity
8. Number of objects 1
9. Distance of object from observer 1000 yd at the closest point
10. Time in sight 27 minutes
11. Altitude from 1000 to 14000ft
12. Speed much faster than F-51
13. Direction of flight various
14. Tactics several left turns one right turn, diving and climbing
15. Sound None noted
16. Size at closest observation 6 to 8 inches
17. Color clear white
18. Shape round at all times
19. Odor detected none
20. Apparent construction none noted
21. Exhaust trails none seen
22. Weather conditions CAVU
23. Effect on clouds none
24. Sketches or photographs none
25. Manner of disappearance in steep climb
26. Remarks: Northern lights were visible in the NE quadrant.
EXHIBIT "A"
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL RECEIVED [ILLEGIBLE] CONFIDENTIAL