DISCLOSURE / FILE
FBI's 21-Year UAP Case File, Section 2
Section 2 of FBI case file 62-HQ-83894 covers serials 53 through 100, compiling field reports and War Department referrals on flying disc sightings from August 1947.
DISCLOSURE / FILE
Section 2 of FBI case file 62-HQ-83894 covers serials 53 through 100, compiling field reports and War Department referrals on flying disc sightings from August 1947.
65_HS1-834228961_62-HQ-83894_Section_2
Section 2 of FBI case file 62-HQ-83894 covers serials 53 through 100, compiling field reports and War Department referrals on flying disc sightings from August 1947.
This section opens with the FBI's records-center cover sheet for 62-HQ-83894 Section 2, serials 53-100, declassified under the FBI Automatic Declassification Guide issued May 24, 2007. The bulk consists of August 1947 SAC office memoranda and teletypes routing flying-disc reports between field offices and headquarters, including witness accounts from Hackensack, New Jersey on August 3, 1947, a Dow Chemical Company physics-laboratory examination of fused sand and silver droplets recovered by employee Raymond Edward Lane on July 9, 1947 near Midland, Michigan, and a War Department referral asking the Bureau to investigate Richard F. Shaver of Lily Lake, Illinois after an anonymous telegram tied him to disc origins. Major John D. Schindler, Jr.'s July 7, 1947 report to the 328 AAF Base Unit at Bolling Field logs two aerial sightings over Wisconsin clocked at 6,000 mph and 3,660 mph by four named airmen. The section is partially redacted but, per the war.gov listing, contains newly declassified pages not in the FBI Vault posting.
Declassification authority derived from FBI Automatic Declassification Guide, issued May 24, 2007.p.1
It is noted that these investigations were conducted prior to the time Bureau instructions were issued that our own Bureau would conduct inquiries into the reported sightings of flying discs.p.2
TRUBE said that CASELIA stated "Maybe it's a flying saucer." He said he had never seen anything move through the air quite like this object, and he had no idea where it came from.p.7
BOTH COMPLAINANTS INTERVIEWED. RAYMOND TELLING SUBSTANTIALLY SAME STORY BUT WIFE RELUCTANT TO TALK AND VERY INDEFINITE ON WHAT HAPPENED. THERE ARE MARKED DISCREPANCIES IN THEIR STORY.p.8
An employee of Dow, formerly employed by the Government at Los Alamos Project, stated the fused sand has some characteristics of Los Alamos sand but he does not believe it is the same.p.14
FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONCERNING FLYING DISKS SUGGEST IMMEDIATE CONTACT OF MR. RICHARD F SHAVER LILY LAKE ILLINOIS WHO MAY HAVE IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING THEIR ORIGINp.20
This flight covered twenty-five (25) miles in fifteen (15) seconds, which is a speed of six thousand (6000) miles per hour.p.21
Extracted text · Page 1
Page 1 · vision OCR
[REDACTED] REV. 1-16-73 FBI - CENTRAL RECORDS CENTER HQ - HEADQUARTERS Class / Case # [ILLEGIBLE] Sec. Vol. Serial # 2 33 8111271497 [BARCODE] 000000001 Dept. of Justice TO OR ADDED TO THIS FILE BUREAU [stamp] COPIED FOR FOIPA DESTROY FOIPA # 9930[ILLEGIBLE] DO NOT DESTROY FOIPA 9 [ILLEGIBLE] [stamp] COPIED FOR FOIPA MAY 14 1981 BY [ILLEGIBLE] [blue box overlay text] Declassification authority derived from FBI Automatic Declassification Guide, issued May 24, 2007. [red X stamp] SECTION 2 SERIALS 53-100 62-HQ-83894 SECTION 2 INVESTIGATION USE CARE IN HANDLING THIS FILE PICKETT STREET[ILLEGIBLE] Transfer-Call 3421
Page 2 · vision OCR
[STANDARD FORM NO. 64]
Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Director, FBI - Attention: Assistant
Director D. M. LADD
FROM : SAC, San Francisco
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS
Reference is made to my letter to the Bureau dated July 28, 1947
entitled as above forwarding a copy of a report furnished to me by Lieutenant
Colonel DONALD SPRINGER, A-2, Fourth Air Force, Hamilton Field, California, set-
ting forth the results of inquiries made by his office concerning the reported
sightings of flying discs.
As of further interest to the Bureau in this regard, there are [ILLEGIBLE]
mitted herewith photostatic copies of three letters dated August 4, 1947 and
entitled "Investigation of Flying Discs," furnished to me by Major WILLIAM B.
GRAHAM, Deputy AC of S, A-2, Army Air Forces, Hamilton Field, California, who is
acting in the absence of Lieutenant Colonel SPRINGER, enclosing copies of reports
of additional reported sightings of flying discs by persons in Oregon and Arizona,
together with the results of their investigations in that regard.
It is noted that these investigations were conducted prior to the
time Bureau instructions were issued that our own Bureau would conduct inquiries
into the reported sightings of flying discs.
Copies of these reports are being forwarded to the Portland and
Phoenix Offices for the completion of their files in connection with this subject.
HMX:pob
Enclosures - 3
cc Portland (with enclosures - 3)
Phoenix (with enclosures - 3)
-53
[stamp] G.I.R.9
RECORDED
&
INDEXED
[stamp] 162-[ILLEGIBLE]
FB
37 AUG[ILLEGIBLE]1947
DATE: August 8, 1947
No. [ILLEGIBLE]
55 OCT 6 1947 [ILLEGIBLE]Page 194 · vision OCR
[Newspaper clipping] [Date notation top right: 9/16/47] [Headline, partially cut:] ["fl"]ing Mayonnaise Jars [Reported in the Wilmington [ILLEGIBLE]] [Re]ported by Rehoboth Pilot [Sub-headline:] [Fo]rest Wenyon Believes Mystery Discs, [Je]t-Propelled, May Have Caused Big Plane Crash on Memorial Day [Left column text:] [T/W/S]here Delaware pilot, Forest Wenyon of 48 Rehoboth Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, disclosed last night that in the past year he had twice seen flying missiles he calls "flying mayonnaise jars." He was reported to have seen the first flying disc during September, 1946, and to have noted another object on June 3, 1947. Mr. Wenyon was quoted as having called the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was advised that the Bureau was not interested, whereupon he notified the Eastern Airlines and the Civil Aero- nautics Authority of the objects he had seen. Both agencies are reported to have accepted the information stating they would investigate. The clipping further stated that Mr. Wenyon had received no answer to date from either agency. [Column continues with additional text about the investigation, interviews, and Wenyon's belief that the objects were jet-propelled rockets; subsequent columns partially legible referencing Army Air Force, Atomic Energy, and related agencies — full text ILLEGIBLE due to print degradation and column overlap]
Concatenated page-by-page transcript. Born-digital pages came through pdf.js; scanned pages were transcribed by Claude vision OCR. Pages marked unreadable failed multiple OCR retries (heavy redaction, microfilm artifacts, or blank separators) and are kept in place for audit.
[REDACTED] REV. 1-16-73 FBI - CENTRAL RECORDS CENTER HQ - HEADQUARTERS Class / Case # [ILLEGIBLE] Sec. Vol. Serial # 2 33 8111271497 [BARCODE] 000000001 Dept. of Justice TO OR ADDED TO THIS FILE BUREAU [stamp] COPIED FOR FOIPA DESTROY FOIPA # 9930[ILLEGIBLE] DO NOT DESTROY FOIPA 9 [ILLEGIBLE] [stamp] COPIED FOR FOIPA MAY 14 1981 BY [ILLEGIBLE] [blue box overlay text] Declassification authority derived from FBI Automatic Declassification Guide, issued May 24, 2007. [red X stamp] SECTION 2 SERIALS 53-100 62-HQ-83894 SECTION 2 INVESTIGATION USE CARE IN HANDLING THIS FILE PICKETT STREET[ILLEGIBLE] Transfer-Call 3421
[STANDARD FORM NO. 64]
Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Director, FBI - Attention: Assistant
Director D. M. LADD
FROM : SAC, San Francisco
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS
Reference is made to my letter to the Bureau dated July 28, 1947
entitled as above forwarding a copy of a report furnished to me by Lieutenant
Colonel DONALD SPRINGER, A-2, Fourth Air Force, Hamilton Field, California, set-
ting forth the results of inquiries made by his office concerning the reported
sightings of flying discs.
As of further interest to the Bureau in this regard, there are [ILLEGIBLE]
mitted herewith photostatic copies of three letters dated August 4, 1947 and
entitled "Investigation of Flying Discs," furnished to me by Major WILLIAM B.
GRAHAM, Deputy AC of S, A-2, Army Air Forces, Hamilton Field, California, who is
acting in the absence of Lieutenant Colonel SPRINGER, enclosing copies of reports
of additional reported sightings of flying discs by persons in Oregon and Arizona,
together with the results of their investigations in that regard.
It is noted that these investigations were conducted prior to the
time Bureau instructions were issued that our own Bureau would conduct inquiries
into the reported sightings of flying discs.
Copies of these reports are being forwarded to the Portland and
Phoenix Offices for the completion of their files in connection with this subject.
HMX:pob
Enclosures - 3
cc Portland (with enclosures - 3)
Phoenix (with enclosures - 3)
-53
[stamp] G.I.R.9
RECORDED
&
INDEXED
[stamp] 162-[ILLEGIBLE]
FB
37 AUG[ILLEGIBLE]1947
DATE: August 8, 1947
No. [ILLEGIBLE]
55 OCT 6 1947 [ILLEGIBLE][ILLEGIBLE - document shown as reverse/back side, text bleeding through from front, upside down and largely unreadable] [stamps at bottom, upside down] RECEIVED AUG 12 4:45 PM '47 F.B.I. INTERNAL SECURITY RECEIVED-LADD DEPT. OF HQ[ILLEGIBLE]
[STANDARD FORM NO. 64]
Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : DIRECTOR, FBI DATE: August 13, 1947
FROM : SAC, NEWARK
SUBJECT: FLYING DISC REPORTED AT
HACKENSACK, NEW JERSEY
AUGUST 3, 1947 - MISCELLANEOUS
Reference is made to the teletype from the Newark Division
to the Bureau dated August 4, 1947 stating that a "Flying Disc" had
been reported to have been seen at Hackensack, New Jersey on August 3
last by one CHARLES CASELIA, Sr. and WILLIAM TRUBE.
CHARLES CASELIA, Jr., 287 Euclid Avenue, Hackensack, upon
interview by Special Agent ARTHUR F. WILLIAMS of this Division, stated
that on August 3 he had been standing with WILLIAM TRUBE, who is
stationed at Fort Dix, observing a "ham" radio rig atop a two-story
house on Simons Avenue, Hackensack. It was approximately 7:45 p.m.,
and they were in this vicinity for the purpose of meeting TRUBE's
girlfriend, one JOYCE Mc FARLAND.
TRUBE commented to CASELIA that a child had apparently
lost its balloon. CASELIA looked and about a block or a half block
away noticed a round, black object moving from south to north and
east of the stop where he and TRUBE were standing. CASELIA noticed
that it was moving too fast to be an ordinary balloon, but he could
not discern whether it was globular in form or a disc. He said it
was about thirty to forty inches in diameter traveling in a hori-
zontal plane about two hundred yards above the top of the hill at
Simons Avenue and Simons Avenue. It proceeded at a steady rate,
emitted no rays, and was moving fast enough to require turning
their heads steadily in order to follow it. TRUBE's girlfriend came
out about fifteen seconds after they first sighted it. They pointed
it out to her, and she said that it looked like a bird on the horizon
so small. It faded out of sight shortly thereafter. CASELIA said
that a line drawn along its apparent course of flight would go from
the vicinity of Bemosi, New Jersey to a point west of Westwood, New
Jersey.
CASELIA also said that a man on the porch across the street
also noticed it and pointed it out to the women. CASELIA said that
this man seemed excited but did nothing about it.
CASELIA said that he was positive it was no optical illusion.
He was not facing into the sun and saw the object clearly. He also
said that he would have thought nothing of it except for the speed at
which it was traveling.
[stamp] RECORDED SE 1 [ILLEGIBLE] - 53
AFFIRMC INDEXED
68-
[ILLEGIBLE] -10478
COPIES DESTROYED
270 NOV 18 1964[ILLEGIBLE - document shown as reverse/back side, text bleeding through from front, largely unreadable] [stamp at bottom, upside down] RECEIVED AUG 22 2:04 PM [ILLEGIBLE] F.B.I. INTERNAL SECURITY
Letter to Bureau August 13, 1947
Miss JOYCE Mc FARLAND, 478 Simons Avenue, upon interview
by Special Agent WILLIAMS, stated that the event in question occurred
at about 7:30 on the evening of Sunday, August 3. She said that she
was in the house when CASELIA or TRUBE called to her. She went out
immediately, and they pointed out the object in question. She saw
it just before it disappeared over the horizon, but she declared that
it was in view from that time for approximately one minute. She said
it was round and silver-blue in color and appeared to be revolving.
She said that she did not recall making any comment that it might have
been a disc, and had no recollection of seeing it close up. In view of
the distance from which she noticed it, she said that it could not
have been more than six inches in diameter but would have been much
larger if she had been nearer to it. Miss Mc FARLAND said that she had
never seen anything like it before.
She said that across the street the BOOTHS, mother and
daughter, were the only people sitting on the porch and she, herself,
did not notice anyone pointing toward the object in question. The
only other person around, to her knowledge, was GLORIA TRUBE, sister
of WILLIAM TRUBE, who remained in the house and did not see the object
at all.
Mrs. WINFIELD S. BOOTH, 499 Simons Avenue, stated that she
was on the porch on the evening in question with her mother but did
not notice any unusual object in the sky nor had any man been present
there to point out the object in question.
The following information was received from TRUBE through
interview by Special Agent T. HOWARD WALDRON:
Private WILLIAM A. TRUBE, RA 12223003, Company G, 2nd Bat-
talion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Division, Fort Dix, New Jersey,
advised he was born April 12, 1930 at Jersey City, New Jersey and
completed eight and a half years of grammar school. He enlisted in the
United States Army on May 29, 1947. His mother is Mrs. GRACE FIELDS
of 88 Males Avenue, River Edge, Bergen County, New Jersey. TRUBE
stated that on Sunday, August 3, 1947, at about 8:00 p.m. he was standing
outside the home of his girlfriend, Miss JOYCE Mc FARLAND, 478 Simons
Avenue, Hackensack, New Jersey, accompanied by CHARLES CASELIA of 287
Euclid Avenue, Hackensack, New Jersey. CASELIA is his distant relative.
He said that he and CASELIA were looking at the radio antenna on a
house near the 478 Simons Avenue address when they noticed an object
-2-Letter to Bureau August 13, 1947
about two to three feet in diameter moving rapidly about two hundred
yards off the ground. TRUBE said he thought at first it was a child's
balloon, but when he noticed there was no wind and the object had no
strings to it, he decided it was something else. He stated the object
was moving in a steady, straight path, going north, and he said there
was no exhaust or indication of any motive power for the object.
TRUBE said they observed the object for fifteen or twenty seconds. He
could not give a description of the object's color or the material it
was composed of but said it looked more like a large, flat child's cup
than anything else he could think of, as the object was oval on the
top and came to a point on the bottom side. TRUBE said that CASELIA
stated "Maybe it's a flying saucer." He said he had never seen any-
thing move through the air quite like this object, and he had no idea
where it came from.
TRUBE stated that neither he nor CASELIA had had anything to
drink, and there was sufficient light for them to observe the object
very clearly.
The "Flying Disc" was reported by CASELIA to Sergeant JAMES
PERONE of the Hackensack Police Department. Sergeant PERONE advised
the writer that his Department had taken no further action nor had
they received reports of the object in question from any other source.
It may be noted that no other Police Department in the vicinity has
brought to the attention of this Division any information regarding
this matter.
-3-FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
AUG 5 1947
TELETYPE
FBI DETROIT S-5-47 5-08 PM EST JOH [ILLEGIBLE]
DIRECTOR, FBI URGENT
UNSUBS, RAYMOND EDWARD LANE, MRS. LAURA LANE, INFORMANTS, FLYING
DISC, MISC. INFO RECEIVED FROM DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY, MIDLAND,
MICHIGAN, THAT ON JULY TEN LAST RAYMOND EDWARD LANE AN EMPLOYEE
OF DOW AND SUBSIDIARY SINCE ABOUT NINETEEN TWENTY TWO, BROUGHT SOME
MATERIAL TO THEIR PHYSICS LABORATORY STATING THAT ABOUT FIVE FIFTEEN
PM JULY NINE LAST HE AND WIFE, LAURA LANE, WERE WALKING IN A FIELD
OWNED BY DOW AND ABOUT A HUNDRED FEET AWAY HEARD A PUFF NOISE, TURNED
AND SAW A BALL OF WHITE ABOUT THE SIZE OF A BUSHEL BAKET BURNING ABOUT
A FOOT OFF THE GROUND. THE FIRE DIED OUT IMMEDIATELY AND LANE LATER
SCOOPED UP A THREE INCH AREA OF FUSED SAND INTO A CAN AND TOOK THIS TO
THE PHYSICS LAB. BOTH COMPLAINANTS INTERVIEWED. RAYMOND TELLING SUB-
STANTIALLY SAME STORY BUT WIFE RELUCTANT TO TALK AND VERY INDEFINITE
ON WHAT HAPPENED. THERE ARE MARKED DISCREPANCIES IN THEIR STORY.
DOW AUTHORITIES CONSIDERED STORY FANTASTIC BUT HAVE EXAMINED MATERIAL
AND STATE CONTENTS TO BE ORDINARY SAND, NOT RADIO ACTIVE, BUT GIVING
OFF AMMONIA GAS, A SMALL SILVER NUGGET ALMOST PURE EXCEPT FOR SAND
MISED IN IT NOT RADIO ACTIVE, MELTED [ILLEGIBLE] AND WHICH GIVES OFF
AMMONIA ODOR, AND LITTLE DROPLETS OF SILVER MELTED IN SAND AND SOME
OTHER GRAYISH COLOR IN MATERIAL WHICH IS RADIO ACTIVE. LEVEL OF
RADIO ACTIVITY EXTREMELY LOW AND EMPLOYEE FORMERLY EMPLOYED BY GOVERN-
MET AT LOS ALAMOS PROJECT STATES FUSED SAND HAS SOME CHARACTERISIC
[stamp] RECORDED [ILLEGIBLE]
[stamp] SEP 16 62-[ILLEGIBLE]-54
135 [ILLEGIBLE]
60 OCT [ILLEGIBLE][Document shown as reverse/back side, upside down] FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION COMMUNICATIONS SECTION AUG 5 1947 TELETYPE [stamps, upside down] RECEIVED AUG 6 9:25 PM '47 U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F.B.I. RECEIVED-LNWD RECEIVED AUG 12 4:45 PM '47 F.B.I. INTERNAL SECURITY RECEIVED AUG 5 6:42 PM '47 U.S. DEPT. OF JUST-[ILLEGIBLE] F.B.I. RECEIVED AUG 30 1:24 PM '47 F.B.I. INTERNAL SECURITY DEPT. OF MQ[ILLEGIBLE] RECEIVED AUG 29 3:25 PM [ILLEGIBLE]
PAGE TWO
OF LOS ALAMOS SAND BUT NOT BELIEVED TO BE THE SAME. RAYMOND
LAND KNOWN TO HAVE IN HIS POSSESSION SMALL QUANTITY OF LUMINOUS
PAINT, RADIO ACTIVE, TO BE AN AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER, TO HAVE LIMITED
KNOWLEDGE OF CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS FROM EMPLOYMENT AT DOW. LAND
DESCRIBED AS VERY PECULIAR, SURLY, ANTAGONISTIC TO PLANT PROTECTION
OFFICERS, INTERESTED IN PHOTOGRAPHY AND ELECTRICITY. LANE IS WHITE,
BORN MAY SEVEN, NINETEEN NAUGHT TWO, AT FREESOIL, MICHIGAN, FIVE
FEET NINE AND ONE HALF, ONE HUNDRED FORTY FIVE POUNDS, DARK BROWN
HAIR, PARTLY BALD, SERVED US ARMY NINETEEN EIGHTEEN TO NINETEEN
TWENTY THREE, CONVICTED NINETEEN TWENTY FOUR MIDLAND COUNTY,
MICHIGAN, FOR BURGLARY, SERVING SIXTY DAY SENTENCE. NEITHER PARTY
ADMITS STORY IS A PRANK, BUT LANE HAS MENTIONED FLYING DISCS AND ROCKETS.
ON INTERVIEW LANE WAS RELUCTANT TO DISCUSS MATTER AND NEITHER HE NOR
HIS WIFE ARE ABLE TO LOCATE THE EXACT LOCATION WHERE MATERIAL WAS
FOUND. ARMY AIR FORCES INTELLIGENCE AT SELFRIDGE FIELD, MICHIGAN,
HAVE BEEN ADVISED. SUTEL IF BUREAU DESIRES MATERIAL FORWARDED TO FBI
LABORATORY FOR EXAMINATION.
O-CONNOR
CORRECTION LINE ONE WORD FOUR SHOULD HAYXX READ - LANE
END
6-16 PM OK FBI WASH DC WJR Called Laboratory
O
[signatures] J.H. [ILLEGIBLE] cc Mr. HarboRECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT Aug 5 6:18 PM '47 AL DEPT OF JUSTICE [stamps, upside down] RECEIVED AUG 30 1:24 PM '47 F.B.I. INTERNAL SECURITY DEPT. OF MQ[ILLEGIBLE] RECEIVED AUG 6 4:42 PM [ILLEGIBLE] F.B.I. INTERNAL SECURITY
[STANDARD FORM NO. 64]
Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Mr. Ladd DATE: August 8, 1947
FROM : J. F. Coyne [initials]
SUBJECT: UNKNOWN SUBJECTS;
Raymond Edward Lane,
Mrs. Laura Lane - Informants;
FLYING DISC
MISCELLANEOUS
There is attached a memorandum setting forth the pertinent
information received by the Detroit office from Raymond Edward Lane and
Mrs. Laura Lane relative to "flying discs."
IT IS RECOMMENDED that this material be personally delivered
by the Liaison Section to the appropriate contact in the War Department.
Attachment
REF:MAN:KN
[stamps]
[ILLEGIBLE] 50 SEP 30 1947
[ILLEGIBLE] 3
[ILLEGIBLE] 7
[stamp] [ILLEGIBLE] 83894 55
[ILLEGIBLE][ILLEGIBLE - document shown as reverse/back side, very faded, text bleeding through from front, largely unreadable] [stamps] DEPT. OF JUST[ILLEGIBLE] F.B.I. RECEIVED OP, MY 15 6:11 PM[ILLEGIBLE] INTERNAL SECURIT[Y] F.B.I. OP. 46 42 43 RECEIVED
August 8, 1947
FLYING DISCS
Information was received from the Dow Chemical Company, Midland,
Michigan, that on July 10, 1947, one Raymond Edward Lane, an employee of
Dow Chemical Company since about 1922, brought some material to their
Physics Laboratory. He stated that about 5:15 p.m., July 9, he and his
wife, Laura, were walking in a field when they heard a puff noise about
one hundred feet away. They turned and saw a ball of white about the size
of a bushel basket burning approximately a foot off the ground. The fire
died out immediately and later Lane scooped up a three inch area of fused
sand into a can for examination at their laboratory.
Upon interview by FBI Agents, Raymond told substantially the same
story, but Mrs. Lane was reluctant to talk and very indefinite about what
happened. There were marked discrepancies in their stories.
Dow authorities considered the story fantastic but have examined
the material and state the contents are: ordinary sand, not radio active;
but giving off ammonia gas; a small silver nugget almost pure except for sand
mixed in it, not radio active; melted [ILLEGIBLE] and which gives off ammonia
odor and little droplets of silver melted in sand and some grayish color
material which is radio active. The level of radio activity in this material
is extremely low. An employee of Dow, formerly employed by the Government at
Los Alamos Project, stated the fused sand has some characteristics of Los Alamos
sand but he does not believe it is the same.
Raymond Lane is known to have in his possession a small quantity of
luminous paint, radio active, to be an amateur photographer, and to have a
limited knowledge of chemistry and physics from his employment at Dow. He is
described as very peculiar, surly, antagonistic to plant protection officers
and interested in photography and electricity. He was born May 7, 1902, at
Freesoil, Michigan. He is 5' 9", weighs 145 pounds, has dark brown hair, partly bald,
served the U.S. Army from 1918 to 1923. He was arrested for burglary in Midland County,
Michigan, in 1924, for which he served a sixty day sentence.
Neither Raymond Lane nor his wife will admit their story is a prank.
However, neither are able to point out the exact location of this incident.
The Army Airforce Intelligence at Selfridge Field, Michigan, has been
advised and the material has been turned over to them.
HFfano
[stamp] 1
[ILLEGIBLE]FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
AUG 8, 1947
TELETYPE
WACHN FROM CGO 8-8-47 900 PM RLS
DIRECTOR "URGENT"
FLYING DISC SIGHTED BY MRS. ROBERT LITTLE, SECURITY MATER [ILLEGIBLE]
X CHICAGO HERALD AMERICAN TODAY REPORTED THAT LITTLE OF SIX THREE TWO
SEVEN HARPER AVENUE CHICAGO REPORTED SEEING A DISC THREE THIRTY AM
TODAY SAILING ABOVE LAKE MICHIGAN OFF JACKSON PARK BEACH. LITTLE
UNAVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW TODAY. FATHER IN LAW JOSEPH REINER,
SIX THREE TWO SEVEN HARPER AVENUE, ADVISED LITTLE SIGHTED DISC OVER
A MONTH AGO AND SHE IS EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE. NO FURTHER INQUIRY
CONTEMPLATED.
MC SWAIN [ILLEGIBLE]
[stamp] SEP 12 [ILLEGIBLE]
9
G.I.R.9 [ILLEGIBLE] 5RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT Aug 8 9:01 PM '47 AL[ILLEGIBLE] DEPARTMENT [ILLEGIBLE] [stamps, upside down] RECEIVED AUG 11 [ILLEGIBLE] PM '47 F.B.I. INTERNAL SECURITY
[STANDARD FORM NO. 64]
Office Me[mo]randum · UNITED S[TATES GO]VERNMENT
TO : D. M. Ladd [initials] DATE: 7/21/47
FROM : E. G. Fitch [initials]
SUBJECT: FLYING SAUCERS
Colonel Carl Golbranson of the Intelligence Division of the War
Department advised Special Agent S. W. Reynolds of the Liaison Section that
the War Department has received a telegram, dated New York, New York, July 5,
as follows:
"FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONCERNING FLYING DISKS SUGGEST IMMEDIATE
CONTACT OF MR. RICHARD F. SHAVER LILY LAKE ILLINOIS WHO MAY HAVE
IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING THEIR ORIGIN."
Colonel Golbranson furnished Mr. Reynolds with a copy of the memorandum
entitled "Report on Flying Saucers," dated July 7, 1947, addressed to Commanding
General, 328 AAF Base Unit, Bolling Field, Washington, D. C., from John D. Schindler,
Jr., a copy of which is attached to this memorandum. The attached memorandum sets
forth information and statistics regarding two reportings of incidents of flying
disks. There is also attached hereto a map of the Illinois River area which was
furnished Mr. Reynolds by Colonel Golbranson. Colonel Golbranson stated that
according to this map the incidents reported in the attached memorandum are in the
general vicinity of Lily Lake, which was given as the address of Mr. Richard F.
Shaver in the anonymous telegram received by the War Department.
Colonel Golbranson advised that in view of the fact that the observation
of the flying saucers was made on July 7th and the date of the unsigned telegram
is July 5th, together with the proximity of Lily Lake to the points where the
objects were observed, he desired the Bureau conduct some investigation of Shav-
er to determine whether or not he has any information pertaining to the origin of
the flying saucers.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the field be directed to make inquiries regarding
Shaver and thereby activities, interview him, his associates and neighbors in
view of the fact/Shaver may have information pertaining to the contents of
the unsigned telegram. The results of any investigation should be forwarded
to the Liaison Section for delivery to the Intelligence Division of the War Depart-
ment.
Attachments
SNR:LJB
[stamp] RECORDED [ILLEGIBLE] 57
[stamp] [ILLEGIBLE]
INDEXED
55 SEP 30 1947 EX-53
10SAC, Chicago 11
August 8, 1947
Director, FBI
FLYING DISCS
[stamp] RECORDED 62-[ILLEGIBLE]-58
EX-[ILLEGIBLE]
The War Department has furnished this Bureau with the following
telegram dated July 5 at New York, New York:
"FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONCERNING FLYING DISKS SUGGEST IMMEDIATE
CONTACT OF MR. RICHARD F. SHAVER LILY LAKE ILLINOIS WHO MAY HAVE
IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERN-
ING THEIR ORIGIN."
The War Department has furnished a memorandum entitled "Report on
Flying Saucers", dated July 7, 1947, addressed to Commanding General, 328 AAF
Base Unit, Bolling Field, Washington, D. C., from John D. Schindler, Jr., two
copies of which are attached. The War Department has stated that the incidents
referred to in the attached memorandum are in the general vicinity of Lily Lake,
which was given as the address of Richard F. Shaver in the above telegram.
It is, therefore, desired that the Chicago Field Division conduct
appropriate inquiries regarding Shaver, and in the event such inquiries do
not reveal information indicating that he should not be interviewed, he
should be interrogated for any information he might have relative to flying
discs. It is desired that this matter be handled as soon as possible and
the Bureau promptly advised.
Enclosure
HJFfano
[stamps]
FILED B[ILLEGIBLE]
AUG 11 1947 PAC
[ILLEGIBLE]
K344
[ILLEGIBLE] 203[STANDARD FORM NO. 64]
Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : FBI DATE: 16 July 47
FROM : RIDE, UR BRANCH
SUBJECT: RICHARD F. SHAVER
1. Attached hereto:
a. Copy of unsigned telegram received by RL AAF 9 July 1947, in which
it is indicated that Richard F. Shaver, Lily Lake, Illinois, may have in-
formation concerning the origin of the "Flying Saucers".
b. Copy of a report on flying saucers which were observed by four
witnesses while riding in a canoe on the Illinois River approximately
8:00 PM, July 5, with a similar report by a second group of witnesses.
c. Map with reference to the position of Lily Lake.
2. In view of the fact of the observation of the flying saucers and
considering the proximity of Lily Lake to the points of observation,
it is requested that the Bureau conduct an investigation of SHAVER
to determine whether or not he has any information pertaining to the
origin of Flying Saucers.
[stamp] [ILLEGIBLE]
[ILLEGIBLE]
37[ILLEGIBLE]47
[initials/signature]FD 374
Received AFBRC CO
9 July 47
NL PD
NEW YORK NY JUL 5
MAJOR PAUL HAYNOR
AAF HQTS WASHEDC
FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONCERNING FLYING DISKS SUGGEST
IMMEDIATE CONTACT OF MR. RICHARD F SHAVER LILY LAKE
ILLINOIS WHO MAY HAVE IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING
THEIR ORIGIN
UNSIGNED
651P.
[stamp] ENCLOSURE 62-83[ILLEGIBLE]-587 July 1947
SUBJECT: Report on Flying Saucers.
TO: Commanding General
3RD 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 report: Time 1145 hours CST. Alt. of observers 800 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. Observed at Fort Atkinson, 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 six hundred sixty (3660) 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 attitude for a period of twenty (20) seconds covering twenty-two (22) miles. By the time the pilot had recovered his bearings from the dive competition 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. The second two observers, one being Cap't. R. J. Southey, Wing Supply Officer and a passenger.
ENCLOSURE John D. Schindler, Jr.
Major Air Corps, AAF-DAF & Liaison Officer,
62-83894-58[MAP] WORLD AERONAUTICAL CHART [Cartographic image of the Midwest United States region, showing Wisconsin, Illinois, and surrounding states with Lake Michigan visible at upper right. Two white arrows are drawn on the map indicating flight paths. Handwritten in blue ink: "UFO CARS". Grid coordinates and location names printed throughout. Corner notation: 1030. Left edge notation: ELLIN... ...RIVER. Lower right area notation: ILLINOIS RIVER.]
[MAP REVERSE / INDEX SHEET] WORLD AERONAUTICAL CHART INDEX [Cartographic image showing a world map divided into numbered grid cells for the World Aeronautical Chart series. Left column contains printed legend table headed "AERONAUTICAL SYMBOLS" with symbol key. Center contains world index map with labeled grid sections. Right side contains chart index table and scale information. Text too small to read verbatim. Bottom center: WORLD AERONAUTICAL CHART INDEX / [subtitle line ILLEGIBLE] / SCALE [ILLEGIBLE]. Various printed notes, diagram blocks, and index tables surround the world map.]
[Routing distribution list at right margin, partially legible:] Mr. Tamm Mr. E.A. Tamm Mr. Clapp Mr. Harbo Mr. Ladd Mr. Nicholson Mr. Rosen Mr. Tamm [additional names ILLEGIBLE] [checkmark] KLS FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION COMMUNICATIONS SECTION AUG 6 1947 [stamp] off TELETYPE [handwritten: Flekting] FBI SEATTLE 8-6-47 7-13 FM 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. L/2 COPIES DESTROYED 270 NOV 18 1964
[REVERSE SIDE OF PAGE 24 TELETYPE — document scanned upside down; show-through text from front face is ILLEGIBLE] [Stamps, upside down:] RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. [date ILLEGIBLE] RECEIVED [date ILLEGIBLE]
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.
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 OVER 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 INTER-VIEWED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. INVESTIGATION CONTINUING.
WILCOX
END
11-33 PM OK FBI WA GH 2[REVERSE SIDE OF PAGE 26 TELETYPE — document scanned upside down] [Stamp, upside down:] RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT Aug 6 11 34 PM '47 FBI DEPT. OF JUSTICE [Show-through text from front face ILLEGIBLE] [Stamps, upside down:] RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. [date ILLEGIBLE] RECEIVED [date ILLEGIBLE]
CC - 134
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
August 14, 1947.
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 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 [REDACTED] 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
REF:njp
[Stamps:]
RECORDED
INDEXED 51
62-83894-60
F.B.I. AUG 18 1947
[Additional handwritten notations and stamps 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 —
[Stamps:]
RECORDED
INDEXED
EX-34
62-83894-61
F.B.I. JUL 14 1947
[Handwritten address at bottom:]
MRS ARTHUR DOUGLAS ANDERSON
Mrs. Arthur Douglas Anderson
16 Medbury Road
Springhaven —
Chester, Pa
July 9, 1947.[REVERSE SIDE OF PAGE 29 LETTER — largely blank; scanned upside down] [Stamps, upside down:] RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY DEPARTMENT OF [JUSTICE] JUL 14 1 36 PM '47 [Handwritten marks at bottom, ILLEGIBLE] A [?] [ILLEGIBLE]
August 1, 1947
Mrs. Arthur Douglass Anderson
16 Medbury Road
Springhaven, Chester, Pennsylvania
[Stamp: RECORDED]
Dear Mrs. Anderson: 61
EX-34 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,
[Stamps:]
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
MAILED 9
AUG 31 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 SIDE OF PAGE 31 LETTER — scanned upside down; show-through text from front face ILLEGIBLE] [Stamps, upside down:] RECEIVED NOON F.B.I. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Aug 2 - 4 52 PM '47 [MAILED stamp visible, additional text ILLEGIBLE]
July 10 [year ILLEGIBLE]
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 decode
[Stamps:]
RECORDED
INDEXED
62-83894-61X
F.B.I. JUL 14 1947
[Stamp:] ENCL. ATTACHED 4K
Correct — Please [ILLEGIBLE]
read over
Ack Rec
cc mjp
7-31-47 WVC2
Tired of human nonsense
Don't await Atomic war.
Disrupting order solar
system so sent flying
discs and will set up
world order under —
[wavy line drawing] late this year.
Please advise
Very sincerely
ADDRESS Mildred Sarbanis
MRS. A.G. SARBANIS MILDRED SARBANIS
66 NOTRE DAME AVE.
HICKSVILLE L.I. N.Y.
TEL. 15281 HICKSVILLE L.I. (NOT LISTED)[REVERSE SIDE OF PAGE 34 — largely blank; scanned upside down] [Stamps, upside down:] RECEIVED COMMUNICATIONS SECTION [date ILLEGIBLE] RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. JUL 16 2 14 PM '47 [Second stamp:] RECEIVED 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 Keogh 7632 Miss Millie 7633 ADMINISTRATIVE RECORDS 9TH FLOOR PERSONNEL RECORDS 6633 V M Clevinger 1732 [handwritten: ILLEGIBLE] No comments. Decode is substantially as put forth in letter. [Signature ILLEGIBLE] CRYPTANALYSIS SECTION ROOM 7630
[REVERSE SIDE OF PAGE 36 — scanned upside down] [Stamps, upside down:] RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. JUL 17 4 50 PM '47 RECEIVED JUL 17 2 07 PM [year ILLEGIBLE] [Additional markings ILLEGIBLE]
ND-6
SECURITY DIVISION - FBI
INTERNAL SECURITY SECTION
[Date handwritten: ILLEGIBLE — approx 8/[1]6/47]
MR. STRICKLAND MR. [ILLEGIBLE]
MR. DeFORD ROOM [ILLEGIBLE]
[Handwritten notation at top right: ILLEGIBLE]
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 RECORDS SECTION
ROOM Send file
Mrs. Dorset, 1736 Bring file up-to-date
Mrs. Walch, 1736 Place on Record
Miss Arnold, 1742 Place on Record and [letter?]
Miss Niedjelski, 1649 Indicate index reference
Typists, 1641 Please call me
Correct Please see me
Redate Note and return
Do you have any comments to make
re attached before it is [assembled?]
[Signature] SUPERVISOR [signature] ROOM 1732[Manila envelope] 62-83894-61X [Stamp: ENCLOSURE]
12345 17 12345 12345678 1230 DITER FO NUHMA SOESNENN TWON 37541 21 37451 _ 2341 TIRED OF HUMAN NONSENSE W[O]NT 12345 12345 123 12345678910 12340 LATWA MOTCIA WRA RUSPIDGNIT DREOR + 3 657159 130 6531242891 42133 AWAIT ATOMIC WAR DISRUPTING ORDER 1230 123456 15 1230 12345678 12546 LASOR STEYMS SO STEN YLPNIG SKIDS 34725 641735 12 1347 341524 43122 SOLAR SYSTEM SO SENT FLYING DISKS 147 1230 122 12 12345 17345 1230 DAN WLIL EST UP WLORD DREOR NERUD 231 1766 213 12 13225 41233 41633 AND WILL SET UP WORLD ORDER UNDER 12345678 1224 1230 1234 TIRMANAS TEAL HIST ARYE 4531743 3317 8125 2417 MARTIANS LATE THIS YEAR [Bottom left:] date 7/17/47 [Bottom right:] [signature ILLEGIBLE]
62-83894-61X 145
COUNTY
IRRITANT
from our Mail Box
Calling for Decoders
Bellmore--About nine at night
on July 4th I received the follow-
ing shortwave message in code,
origin unknown. I kept listening,
and about an hour later the mes-
sage was repeated letter for letter.
I can't figure out what it means,
but here it is:
DITER FO NUHMA SOESNENN
TWON LATWA MOTCIA WRA
RUSPIDGNIT DREOR LASOR
STEYMS SO STEN YLFNIG
SKIDS DAN WLIL EST UP
WLORD DREOR NERUD TIR-
MANAS TEAL HIST ARYE.
--Radio Ham.
(Neither can we, but we hope it's
legal.--Ed.)REER pattern which other ght do well to copy, ed here in pictures. ra's president, Dr. costuming by making anikin doll. Her col- ly-assorted sources as ly studied and histori- l but fashionable lady tanding, giving pains- As coiffure was shown hown below, doesn't arranged to the style
RECORDED 62-83894-61X
July 21, 1947
Mrs. I. G. Sarbenis
66 Notre Dame Avenue
Hicksville, Long Island, New York
Dear Mrs. Sarbenis:
I wish to acknowledge receipt of your letter and enclosure dated
July 10, 1947.
I have instructed the Special Agent in Charge of our New York Office
to have a Special Agent call upon you for the purpose of obtaining further
information in connection with this matter.
Your interest in calling this information to my attention is indeed
appreciated.
Sincerely yours,
John Edgar Hoover
Director
cc - New York (With incoming). There is no identifiable information in the
files of the Bureau concerning the writer of this letter. The
decoding of the message on the newspaper clipping was referred
to the Laboratory, who subsequently advised that the writer's
decoding was substantially correct. There is being set forth
below the results of the Laboratory's decoding:
"DITER OF HUMAN NONSENSE WAIT AWAIT ATOMIC
WAR DISRUPTING OTHER SOLAR SYSTEM GO SENT
FLYING DYERS AND WILL SET UP WORLD ORDER
UNDER MARTIANS LATE THIS YEAR"
The New York Office should interview the writer of this letter
to ascertain from what newspaper the clipping in question was
obtained. Thereafter, contact should be made with this newspaper
to ascertain the identity of the person who sent in the coded
message. This individual must be thoroughly interrogated to obtain
the information surrounding the clipping and receipt of the
coded message. The Bureau should be promptly advised of the results
of these inquiries.
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
M A 22, these inquiries.)
3 JUL 22 1947 P.M.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
22 AUG 2 4 1944
39 AUG 2 4 1944[ILLEGIBLE - reverse side of page 44, mirror image text, largely unreadable] COMMUNICATIONS SECTION M A 22 O M 3 JUL 22 1947 P.M. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : MR. E. A. TAMM
DATE: August 15, 1947
FROM : MR. D. M. LADD
SUBJECT: Fletcher
The Director advised on August 14, 1947, that
the Los Angeles papers were carrying headlines indicating
that Soviet espionage agents had been instructed to
determine the facts relative to the flying discs. The
article carried a Washington date line and indicated
that Soviet espionage agents had been ordered to solve the
question of the flying discs, the Russians being of the
opinion that this might be some new form of defense perfected
by the American Military. The article further stated that
during the recent war pieces of tin foil had been dropped
in the air for the purpose of off setting the value of radar
being used by the enemy forces and that these aluminum discs
might be a new development along this line. The Director
inquired as to whether the Bureau had any such information.
I informed him that I had never heard of any
information indicating that Soviet espionage agents had been
instructed to obtain such information.
A check with the officials at G-2, ONI and at the
Air Corps Intelligence was made and it was found that they
had no information relative to such a story.
In accordance with the Director's instructions, I
advised Mr. Nichols that in the event any inquiries were
made concerning such a story, that the story should be
flatly denied in so far as the FBI was concerned.
BML:FA
RECORDED 162-83894-62
F B I
EX-42 32 AUG 19 1947
63 OCT 2 1947 R-344
263[ILLEGIBLE - reverse side of page 46, mirror image of Office Memorandum United States Government document] INTERNAL SECURITY S. I. AUG 5 01 PB.
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : D. M. Ladd DATE: August 18, 1947
FROM : E. G. Fitch
SUBJECT:
Reference is made to your telephonic conversation with the
Director on Wednesday of last week, at which time the Director advised
that Los Angeles papers carried under a Washington date line an article
indicating the Soviet espionage agents in the United States are under
instruction to solve the flying discs. Such instructions were believed
to be based on the assumption that the flying discs were a secret weapon
of the Army or Navy. The article attributed the source of its information
to a Federal investigative agency.
Pursuant to your instructions, liaison representatives have contacted
the Headquarters of Military Intelligence, the Headquarters of the Air Forces
Intelligence, Office of Naval Intelligence and CIC. All agencies denied any
knowledge of the flying discs, as well as any knowledge of the basis for this
article.
EGF:GME
RECORDED 162-83894-63
F
36 AUG 20 1947
EX-29
63 OCT 2 1947 R-344
263[ILLEGIBLE - reverse side of page 48, mirror image stamps visible] AUG 5 5:22 PM. INTERNAL SECURITY AUG 1 12:01 Oc. RECEIVED-TAMM U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE FBI
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Mr. D. M. Ladd DATE: August 14, 1947
FROM : Mr. J. P. Coyne
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS
There are attached two copies of a blind memorandum setting
forth the facts relative to the reported air crash of two Air Officers
investigating flying disc complaints.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that a copy of this memorandum be furnished
the Liaison Section to the Air Force Intelligence.
Attachment
HEP:ajp
RECORDED 162-83894-64
F B
15 AUG 19 1947
63 OCT 2 1947 R-344
263[ILLEGIBLE - reverse side of page 50, mirror image stamps] 22 AUG 14 4:30 PM. Oc. U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE FBI RECEIVED-TAMM AUG 8 1947 F.B.I. INTERNAL SECURITY AUG 8 1947 Robert Ladd Lit Aug 14 1947
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : BUREAU DATE: 8-23-47
FROM : SAC, PORTLAND
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS
SECURITY MATTER - X
The following investigation was conducted at Canyonville and
Myrtle Creek, Oregon on August 12, 1947.
RAY VIRGIL HATFIELD, Route 1, Box 195, Roseburg, Oregon, operator
of the Tri City Airport, Myrtle Creek, Oregon, advised that on 8-6-47 at
approximately 6:15 PM while instructing a student in a take off at the airport,
he noticed an object east of Myrtle Creek which appeared to be from 7,000 to
8,000 feet in the air. The sky was completely clear and visibility was
excellent. He stated that the object glistened and appeared to be of aluminum
sheathing. Upon noticing it he had immediately taken over the controls of the
plane which at that time was at 400 feet, and proceeded East in an attempt to
further observe the object. He advised that the object appeared to be
climbing and traveling East at a high rate of speed which he estimated on a
computer in his plane as 1,000 miles per hour. He believed the object to be
spherical in shape and recalled noticing a darker object to the right the first
time he saw it. He observed no vapor trails nor did he hear any noise from the
object. After searching the area for approximately 10 minutes HATFIELD and
his student NOBLE ELLISON returned to the airport and made another landing and
take off. At practically the same position at 400 feet altitude both ELLISON
and HATFIELD saw the object in approximately the same position as seen before.
He estimated the sphere to be 30 feet in diameter and stated when they first
observed it, it appeared to be as near the city right abreast of it. However, the
object sighted the second time disappeared in the same manner as the first had.
It is noted that HATFIELD served as a Lieutenant JG in the U. S. Naval
Air Corps for about 3½ years, flying constantly on the Atlantic submarine patrol.
He is a reputable citizen in Douglas County and is reported to be a qualified
pilot.
Mr. NOBLE ELLISON, Myrtle Creek, Oregon, verified the above information
as furnished by HATFIELD, stating that the flying object was first
called to his attention when HATFIELD took over the controls of the plane at
about 400 feet following his take off, but that they had both sighted the
object on the second take off at the same time. He described the object
as a "silver ball or balloon" which he believed to be 8 miles east of Myrtle
Creek, traveling East, and climbing very fast until it disappeared in approximately
5 seconds. ELLISON estimated the sphere as being 50 feet in diameter and
stated in his opinion the second object appeared to climb straight up.
63 SEP 30 1947 RECORDED 62-83894-65
F B I
252 INDEXED 139 19 1947
270 NOV 18 1964 EX-34[ILLEGIBLE - reverse side of page 52, mirror image text largely unreadable] INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. SEP 3 1:01 PM. RECEIVED LIAISON SECTION SEP 3 2:48 PM MT
He advised that he did not observe any evidence of motion such as
vapor or trails, etc. and could hear no noise over the noise of his
own ship.
Investigation in the vicinity of Myrtle Creek, Oregon, has
failed to reveal any other person sighting the objects reported by
HATFIELD and ELLISON. No further investigation is being conducted.
FJM:HB
62-1531
-2-FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
_____ , 1947
___The Director ___Records Section
___Mr. Tolson ___Stamp and mail
___Mr. Ladd ___Prepare tickler
___Mr. Rosen ___Call file
___Mr. Clegg
___Mr. Glavin See Mr. ___
___Mr. Nichols
___Mr. Tracy ___Call me re this
___Note and return
___Mr. Carroll
___Mr. Carso
___Mr. Fletcher ___Room
___Mr. Laughlin
___Mr. McGuire
___Mr. Mohr ___Miss Gandy
___Mr. Rosen ___Miss Gray
___Mr. Pennington ___Miss Lyon
___Mr. Quinn Tamm ___Miss Artley
___Mr. Tyler
Check with Army
Air Force
Edward A. Tamm
J 33
3224[ILLEGIBLE - reverse side document, largely unreadable] RECEIVED AUG 21 11:00 AM INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I.
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION COMMUNICATIONS SECTION AUG 20 [ILLEGIBLE] TELETYPE FBI BUTTE 8-20-47 3-22 PM LB DIRECTOR URGENT FLYING DISCS. BETWEEN NINE THIRTY AND NINE FORTY FIVE PM LAST NIGHT, AUGUST NINETEENTH, MR. AND MRS. H. N. HEDSTROM, THIRD AVENUE NORTH, TWIN FALLS, IDAHO, WHILE SITTING ON THE FRONT PORCH WITH MRS. HENRY SCHULTZ, OBSERVED AN OBJECT RESEMBLING A FLYING SAUCER TRAVELING VERY RAPIDLY FROM THE SOUTHWEST TO THE NORTHEAST SECTION OF THIS CITY. ABOUT TEN MINUTES LATER, ALL OF THESE INDIVIDUALS SAW TEN SIMILAR OBJECTS PROCEEDING RAPIDLY IN THE SAME DIRECTION IN THE FORM OF A TRIANGLE. AS THIS GROUP OF OBJECTS WAS ABOUT TO DISAPPEAR IN THE OVERCAST SKY, THREE OF THE OBJECTS ON THE LEFT FLANK PEELED OFF AND PROCEEDED IN A NORTHERLY DIRECTION. THE REMAINING OBJECTS IN THE TRIANGULAR FORMATION APPEARED TO CLOSE RANKS AND CONTINUE IN A NORTHEASTERLY DIRECTION. THREE TO FIVE MINUTES LATER THESE INDIVIDUALS SAW ANOTHER [REDACTED] GROUP OF THREE OBJECTS PROCEEDING IN THE SAME DIRECTION AGAIN IN THE SHAPE OF A TRIANGLE. THREE TO FIVE MINUTES LATER INFORMANTS OBSERVED ANOTHER GROUP CONSISTING OF FROM FIVE TO SIX OBJECTS, AGAIN IN TRIANGULAR FORMATION, PROCEEDING RAPIDLY IN A NORTHEASTERLY DIRECTION. A FEW MINUTES LATER A LARGE GROUP OF OBJECTS ESTIMATED AT BETWEEN THIRTY FIVE AND FIFTY FLEW OVER THE CITY IN A NORTHEASTERLY DIRECTION, AGAIN IN CC: Mr. Ladd 55 OCT 1 1947 RECORDED INDEXED 162-83894-66
[ILLEGIBLE - blank reverse side of teletype page with stamps] INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. AUG 29 3:16 PM. RECEIVED U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE FBI RECEIVED-TAMM AUG 21 8:52 AM 47 INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. AUG 21 11:02 AM.
PAGE TWO TRIANGULAR FORMATION. BETWEEN TWENTY AND TWENTY FIVE MINUTES AFTER THE LAST GROUP WAS OBSERVED, SIMILAR OBJECTS WERE NOTED COMING BACK OVER THE CITY VERY RAPIDLY AND PROCEEDING IN A SOUTHWESTERLY DIRECTION. AT THIS TIME INFORMANTS STATED THE OBJECTS APPEARED IN GROUPS OF THREE, FIVE AND SEVEN. AT THIS POINT MRS. HEDSTROM CALLED DETECTIVE RICHARD FRAZIER OF THE TWIN FALLS PD, A NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR, WHO ACCOMPANIED BY M. E. ROUNDTREE AND RICHARD SCOTT, ALSO MEMBERS OF THE TWIN FALLS PD, PROCEEDED TO THE HEDSTROM HOME WHERE THEY OBSERVED A GROUP OF TWELVE OBJECTS FLYING IN FORMATION OVER THE CITY IN A SOUTHWESTERLY DIRECTION. INFORMANTS, ALL REPUTABLE CITIZENS THIS COMMUNITY, UNABLE TO ESTIMATE HEIGHT OF OBJECTS OR SPEED, BUT CLAIMED THEY RESEMBLED ILLUMINATED FLYING SAUCERS. THESE INDIVIDUALS WERE OF THE OPINION THAT THE OBJECTS OBSERVED WERE NOT THE LANDING LIGHTS OF AIRPLANES NOR SHOOTING STARS. NONE OF THESE OBJECTS WERE SEEN TO COME TO EARTH NEAR TWIN FALLS AND NONE APPEARED TO BE FLYING IN AN ARC. NONE OF THESE OBSERVERS HEARD ANY SOUND AS THE [REDACTED] ABOVE OBJECTS PASSED OVER THE CITY. INVESTIGATION CONTINUING IN LINE WITH BUREAU INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED BUREAU BULLETIN NO. FORTY TWO, PARAGRAPH B, DATED JULY THIRTY LAST. IN EVENT BUREAU IN POSSESSION OF ANY INFORMATION CONCERNING EXPERIMENTAL ACTIVITIES ON
[ILLEGIBLE - blank reverse side of teletype page 2 with stamps] INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. AUG 29 3:16 PM. RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY AUG 21 11:02 AM.
PAGE THREE PART OF ARMY AIR FORCES WHICH MAY EXPLAIN THESE PHENOMENA, ADVICE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. IT IS BELIEVED CONTINUED APPEARANCE OF SUCH OBJECTS WITHOUT OFFICIAL EXPLANATION MAY RESULT IN HYSTERIA OR PANIC TWIN FALLS, IDAHO. BANISTER ACK AND HOLD PLS 5-31 PM OK FBI WASH DC WJR [ILLEGIBLE]
RECEIVED [ILLEGIBLE] 104 U.S. DEPT OF JUSTI[CE] Aug 28 6 13 PM '47 RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT Aug 28 5 14 PM '47 F.B.I. [ILLEGIBLE] 3 62
AUGUST 25, 1947 - URGENT SAC BUTTE FLYING DISCS. EXTENSIVE INQUIRIES AT ARMY AIR FORCES REVEAL THAT NO RESEARCH OR EXPERIMENTS WERE BEING CONDUCTED BY AAF IN THE VICINITY OF TWIN FALLS, IDAHO ON OR ABOUT AUGUST NINETEEN. IN THE EVENT YOUR SOURCES IN THE ARMY, NAVY OR AIR FORCES INDICATE OTHERWISE ADVISE BUREAU PROMPTLY. RECORDED 62-83894-67 HOOVER RGF:EW EX-30 [stamp] COPIES DESTROYED 270 NOV 18 1964
Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : D. M. Ladd DATE: August 22, 1947
FROM : E. G. [ILLEGIBLE]
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS
Reference is made the teletype from the Butte Field Division
dated August 20, 1947, in the above captioned matter.
In accordance with your request, this matter was checked with
Army Air Forces. Lieutenant Colonel George D. Garrett, Jr., advised
Special Agent F. P. Griffee that extensive inquiries with the Army Air
Forces revealed that no research or experiments were being conducted by
the AAF in the vicinity of Twin Falls, Idaho on or about August 19, 1947.
Colonel Garrett stated that he had no information which would throw any
light on the matter reported in the teletype.
ACTION
It is suggested this memorandum be routed to the Internal Security
Section to the attention of Supervisor Fletcher.
[signature]
RECORDED 62-83894-69
22 [ILLEGIBLE]
EX-30
[ILLEGIBLE][stamp] AUG 25 8 30 AM INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. [ILLEGIBLE] [stamp] Aug 22 5 55 PM '47 RECEIVED-LADD F.B.I. [ILLEGIBLE] OF JUSTICE
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
AUGUST 30, 1947 URGENT
TO: COMMUNICATIONS SECTION. SACS SAN FRANCISCO AND PHOENIX
Transmit the following message to:
REPORT OF FLYING DISCS. RE SANF MEMO ABOUT TWENTY EIGHT LAST CONCERNING
INTERVIEW WITH WILLIAM [ILLEGIBLE], PHOENIX, ARIZONA. SANF ADVISE A-TWO AIR
FORCE NOT NECESSARY FOR FUGATE TO PROCEED TO PHOENIX, THAT BUREAU WILL HANDLE
INTERVIEW IF DESIRED, BUT JOINT INVESTIGATION NOT DEEMED NECESSARY. IF FUGATE
PROCEEDS PHOENIX IN SPITE OF ABOVE, ADVISE HIM YOU ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO CON-
DUCT JOINT INVESTIGATION AND NOT POSSIBLE FOR FUGATE TO SIT IN ON INTERVIEW
WITH [ILLEGIBLE].
HOOVER
[ILLEGIBLE]
RECORDED 62-83894-68
EX-[ILLEGIBLE]
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
AUG 30 1947
COPIES DESTROYED 270 NOV 18 1964
TELETYPE
TELEMETER[ILLEGIBLE] Per
SENT VIA [ILLEGIBLE][Reverse side of page 66, inverted. Stamps visible:] DEPT OF JUSTI[CE] F.B.I. SEP 29 1 29 PM '47 RECEIVED ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION COMMUNICATIONS SECTION [ILLEGIBLE] SEP 2 5 55 PM [ILLEGIBLE] RECEIVED[ILLEGIBLE] SENT VIA [ILLEGIBLE] AUG [ILLEGIBLE] 1947 COPIES DESTROYED 270 NOV 18 1964 TELETYPE
Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Director DATE: September 5, 1947
FROM : SAC, Portland
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS
SECURITY MATTER - X
Reference is made to my teletype dated August 15, 1947 advising that
a Mr. JOHN BARTLETT of Agate Beach, Oregon had reported on August 7, 1947
that he sighted what he believed to be a disc. Mr. JOHN BARML, instead of
BARTLETT, now residing in Newport, Oregon was interviewed by Special Agent
ROBERT J. PETTIJOHN. Mr. BARML stated that on August 7, 1947 he was
residing at Agate [ILLEGIBLE], Oregon and that his house was very near the
ocean beach; that at about 12:30 A.M. he was awakened by his son coming
in and that while awake he noticed a bright glow of light across the sky
out over the ocean. He stated that he immediately thought of flying discs
and thought this might be one of the discs.
Mr. BARML went on to say that he had no idea as to the shape or size
of this object but that it appeared to be about five miles out over the
ocean and that he was able to see it for about 15 to 30 seconds. He
further stated that due to the darkness he could tell nothing about the
speed of this object but thought it was traveling a great deal faster than
any airplane he had ever seen. He informed that this glow of light was
somewhat similar to "The Northern Light" which sometimes appears in the
sky but of course not nearly as large and that it appeared to be going up
and down, that is fluctuating in altitude as it traveled along. He stated
it disappeared in the west, either falling into the ocean or disappearing
over the horizon. He could give no other information concerning this
object of light reported by him as possibly being a flying disc. Mr.
BARML has an Agate and Myrtlewood shop in Newport.
RJP/ss
[stamp] 62-83894 69
F.B.I
31 SEP 9 1947
55 SEP 30 [ILLEGIBLE][Reverse side of page 68, inverted. Stamps visible:] INTERNAL SECUR[ITY] F.B.I. 15 1 18 PM LIAISON SECTION SEP 15 10 50 AM '47 RECEIVED [ILLEGIBLE]
[stamp] 62-83894-70
[stamp] INDEXED 129 [ILLEGIBLE]
September 2, 1947
Mrs. W. E. Williams
417 East Stevenson Street
Florence, Alabama
Dear Mrs. Williams:
Your letter of August 16, 1947, has been
received, and I am most appreciative of the thought-
fulness which prompted you to communicate with me.
For your information, no reward has been offered by
any U. S. Government Agency for the location of
"flying saucers." I regret that I am unable to be
of assistance in this instance.
Sincerely yours,
John Edgar Hoover
Director
FEC:bly
[stamp] COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
MAILED [ILLEGIBLE]
SEP 2 - 1947 P.M.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
[stamp] SEP [ILLEGIBLE] 1947[Reverse side of page 70, inverted. Stamps visible:] [ILLEGIBLE] LADD F.B.I. SEP 2 4 50 PM COMMUNICATIONS SECTION MAILED [ILLEGIBLE]
8/8/1947
Mr. J. Edgar [ILLEGIBLE]
F.B.I. Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. Hoover,
I hardly know how to go
about [ILLEGIBLE] to tell you. What
I want to tell I can't
hardly [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE]
[ILLEGIBLE] I thought [ILLEGIBLE]
I ought [ILLEGIBLE] try to tell you.
[ILLEGIBLE] Mr. Hoover.
I hope you will take
time to read my letter and I'll
[ILLEGIBLE] most happy to hear from
you. Mr. Hoover, [ILLEGIBLE] two
[ILLEGIBLE] ago. What we all call[ed]
a Flying Saucer [ILLEGIBLE]
my [ILLEGIBLE] I thought it was
Christmas. [ILLEGIBLE]
While I was [ILLEGIBLE]
it coming [ILLEGIBLE]
[ILLEGIBLE] out of the [ILLEGIBLE] and
I turned [ILLEGIBLE]
[ILLEGIBLE] to chief Jack [ILLEGIBLE]Mr. Hoover [ILLEGIBLE] What [ILLEGIBLE] day with [ILLEGIBLE] We might call it [ILLEGIBLE] That fell in [ILLEGIBLE] and [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] probably know all [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] got it. But I did. When I thought [ILLEGIBLE] right, I called the [ILLEGIBLE] at once and [ILLEGIBLE] to [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] to find [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] it in a [ILLEGIBLE] glass [ILLEGIBLE] my [ILLEGIBLE] station [ILLEGIBLE] If there is a reward Mr. Hoover I think you are the one to [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] glass. Truly yours Mrs. W. E. Williams [signature] [ILLEGIBLE] Stevenson [ILLEGIBLE] Florence, Ala.
[ILLEGIBLE] Florence [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] said [ILLEGIBLE] turned over to the F.B.I. Washington [ILLEGIBLE] I [ILLEGIBLE] heard [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] do [ILLEGIBLE] I do [ILLEGIBLE] stand over the air [ILLEGIBLE] that a reward [ILLEGIBLE] being offered for any one finding a[ILLEGIBLE] Flying Saucer. I also read it in the B[ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE]. We have all heard of the flying saucers and great [ILLEGIBLE] but the [ILLEGIBLE] have told me [ILLEGIBLE] only one that has ever gained Custody of one. And I know it kind of struck a person in the [ILLEGIBLE] probably [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE]
Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Director, FBI DATE: August 20, 1947
FROM : SAC, Springfield
SUBJECT: FLYING DISC
Reference is made to Bureau Bulletin No. 42, Series 1947, dated
July 30, 1947 re the above.
For the Bureau's information a Mrs. JUNE ANDERSON of Saybrook,
Illinois reported to this office the finding of a flying disc
in her front yard at 6:00 A.M. on July 26, 1947.
It appears from investigation conducted by an Agent of this
office that the stability of JUNE ANDERSON is questionable. How-
ever the alleged flying disc was obtained and it is apparently
the concoction of some of the juveniles in the area. It is an
old wooden platter, which has assembled on it a silver plate,
a spark plug, a timer, and some old brass tubing. Photographs
were taken of the same and there are six views enclosed herewith.
No doubt this was someone's idea of a prank.
The disc is presently being retained by the Springfield Office
and will be retained pending receipt of Bureau advice relative to
its destruction. The thought in retaining it was that perhaps the
Bureau might desire to have it transmitted to Washington for any
novel value it might have.
JBF:mg
62-0-1445
Enc. (6)
[stamp] RECORDED
62-83894-[ILLEGIBLE]
EX-56
[ILLEGIBLE][stamp] [ILLEGIBLE] INTERNAL SECU[RITY] F.B.I. [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE]
62-83894-71
Enclosure - To Bureau Photographs of 'Flying Disc' found at Saybrook, Ill. 7-26-47 SI File 62-0-1445 62-83894-71
[Photograph of circular object. Visible label on component:] VISOR
819 "Flying Disc" Found Saybrook, Ill. 7-26-47
[PHOTOGRAPH — black and white image showing a circular disc-shaped object viewed from below, mounted or suspended, with a dark rectangular frame visible above and a lighter surface below. No text visible.]
· 8 1 5 "Flying Disc" Found Saybrook, Ill. 7-26-47 62-83894-71
[PHOTOGRAPH — black and white image showing electronic/mechanical components and devices arranged on a circular platform or tray on a table. No text visible.]
· 8 1 5 "Flying Disc" Found Saybrook, Ill. 7-26-47
[PHOTOGRAPH — black and white image showing a circular disc-shaped object viewed from above, with internal components visible including what appears to be a gauge or meter, and a ruler along the bottom edge for scale. A small label reading "AUSA" is partially visible.]
- 8 1 5 "Flying Disc" Found Saybrook, Ill. 7-26-47
[PHOTOGRAPH — black and white image showing a circular disc-shaped object viewed from below, with various components visible including what appear to be cylindrical elements. No text visible.]
· 8 1 5 "Flying Disc" Found Saybrook, Ill. 7-26-47
[PHOTOGRAPH — black and white image showing electronic/mechanical components arranged on a circular platform or disc on a table, viewed from a different angle than page 83. No text visible.]
"Flying Disc" Found Saybrook, Ill., 7-26-47
SAC, Springfield September 5, 1947 Director, FBI FLYING DISC RECORDED 62-83894-71 EX-56 With reference to your letter, dated August 20, 1947, it is desired that you contact the appropriate Army officials and in the event they are not interested in receiving this alleged flying disc, it may be destroyed. RGF:LH:[ILLEGIBLE] [stamp] COMMUNICATIONS SECTION MAILED 10 ★ SEP 8-1947 P.M. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE [stamp] 31SEP1819[ILLEGIBLE] [handwritten] 7/0/13 [handwritten] 87
[stamp] FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE COMMUNICATIONS SECTION SEP [ILLEGIBLE] 1947 TELETYPE FBI PORTLAND 9-4-47 3:42 PM PST KAM U R G E N T RE FLYING DISCS. A MRS. RAYMOND DUPUIS, OSWEGO, OREGON, REPORTED TO HAVE SEEN TWELVE TO FIFTEEN ROUND SILVER OBJECTS AT A HIGH ALTITUDE AT TWELVE FIFTEEN PM, SEPT. THIRD, FORTYSEVEN, ABOVE OSWEGO, OREGON, WHILE WATCHING A LOCAL PLANE FLYING OVERHEAD. WILL BE INTERVIEWED. BOSSIET END RUNGOLS PLS 7-45 FM OK FBI VAX[ILLEGIBLE] [handwritten] 62-83894-72 [stamp] RECORDED [stamp] 31 SEP 19 1947 EX-66 [handwritten] cc. m. [ILLEGIBLE]
[REVERSE/CARBON SIDE OF DOCUMENT — page appears to be the back of a teletype or carbon copy, showing reversed/mirror text impressions that are largely illegible. Stamps visible include routing marks.] [stamp] RECEIVED [stamp] INTERNAL SECURITY F. B. I. [ILLEGIBLE] 3 04 PM [ILLEGIBLE] [Additional reversed stamp impressions, illegible]
[standard form no. 64]
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : DIRECTOR DATE: 9-13-47
FROM : SAC, PORTLAND
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS
SECURITY MATTER - X
Reference is made to my teletype dated 9-4-47, advising that
Mrs. RAYMOND DUPUIS, Oswego, Oregon, was reported to have seen a number
of discs on 9-3-47 above Oswego.
Mrs. DUPUIS was interviewed and described the object which she
has observed as follows:
While entertaining her 7 year old son and 10 year old neighbor
child on her lawn, at about noon, Mrs. DUPUIS and the children noticed
approximately two dozen round silver objects high in the sky. Mrs. DUPUIS
stated she believed these objects to have been platter shaped rather than
spherical and to have been considerably larger than an airplane of the cub
type which was flying in a different portion of the sky at the same time.
She advised that these objects appeared to her to be at a great distance
and constructed of some white metallic material.
Mrs. DUPUIS' attention was first drawn to the objects by an ex-
planation from one of the children to the effect that the airplane was sky-
writing. The objects were grouped in approximately an arc about level with
the sun and to the left of the sun as viewed by Mrs. DUPUIS. They did not
change positions during the 3 or 4 minutes which she observed them but some
of the larger of the objects appeared to rotate rapidly in the manner of a
wheel. One of the objects was separated by considerable distance from the
main group and while she was watching Mrs. DUPUIS states this object began
to fall and floated slowly downward until it was no longer visible because
of trees on the horizon.
Mrs. DUPUIS advised that she continued to observe the remaining
objects until her eyes began to be affected by the brightness of the sky
whereupon she went into her house and is unable to state what became of the
group.
LHK:mD
62-1531
[stamp] RECORDED
[stamp] INDEXED
[handwritten] 62-83894 73
[stamp] FBI
15 SEP 17 1947
EX-42
[stamp] 55 SEP 30 1947[REVERSE/CARBON SIDE OF DOCUMENT — page is the back of the Office Memorandum on page 94, showing bleed-through text impressions in mirror/reversed form, largely illegible.] [stamp] RECEIVED [stamp] INTERNAL SECURITY F. B. I. [ILLEGIBLE] 3 04 PM [ILLEGIBLE]
[standard form no. 64] Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : MR. D. M. LADD [initialed] DATE: September 8, 1947 FROM : E. G. Fitch [initialed] SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS Reference is made to my memorandum to you in the above captioned matter dated August 22, 1947, which indicates that Special Agent Griffee of the Liaison Section had contacted Lieutenant Colonel G. D. Garrett, Jr., of the Army Air Forces Intelligence at which time Colonel Garrett advised that the Army Air Forces were conducting no research or experiments in the vicinity of Twin Falls, Idaho, on or about August 19, 1947. Colonel Garrett at that time indicated to Mr. Griffee that he would check with the Army area in order to ascertain whether or not they were conducting any experiments in this vicinity at that time. Colonel Garrett has subsequently advised Mr. Reynolds that he has been advised by the Army area that no such experiments were being conducted in the area of Twin Falls, Idaho, on or about August 19, 1947, which would in any way throw any light on the matter reported in the teletype. RECOMMENDATION It is recommended this memorandum be forwarded to Mr. Fletcher of the Internal Security Section. SM:mr [handwritten] 162-83894-74 [stamp] RECORDED [stamp] FBI 15 SEP 16 1947 EX-30 [stamp] 63SEP 22 1947 [handwritten] 5- R2
[REVERSE/CARBON SIDE OF DOCUMENT — page is the back of the Office Memorandum on page 96, showing bleed-through text impressions in mirror/reversed form, largely illegible.] [stamp] FBI [ILLEGIBLE] [stamp] INTERNAL SECURITY [ILLEGIBLE] [stamp] FBI [stamp] INTERNAL SECURITY [ILLEGIBLE]
September 25, 1947 Mr. A. Courtney Parker Superintendent of Schools South Royalton, Vermont Dear Mr. Parker: I wish to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated September 17, 1947. An Agent of our Albany, New York, Office will call upon you in the near future for any additional in- formation in your possession. Your courtesy and interest in bringing this matter to my attention are indeed appreciated. Sincerely yours, John Edgar Hoover Director cc - Albany (separate cover letter) RECORDED 62-83894-75 RGF:cmw [stamp] COMMUNICATIONS SECTION MAILED 11 [star] SEP 26 1947 P.M. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE [stamp] 0073 1947 [ILLEGIBLE]
SAC, Albany September 25, 1947 Director, FBI FLYING DISCS A. Courtney Parker, Informant Attached hereto are copies of an incoming communication from A. Courtney Parker, Superintendent of Schools, South Royalton, Vermont, and copies of acknowledgment of same. It is requested that an Agent of your Office call on Mr. Parker to obtain any additional information in his possession concerning flying discs. Enclosures ROF:mae RECORDED 62-83894-75 [initialed] EX-41 [stamp] COMMUNICATIONS SECTION MAILED 11 ★ SEP 26 1947 P.M. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE [stamp] SEP 25 4 16 PM '47 RECEIVED [ILLEGIBLE] [signed/initialed]
STATE OF VERMONT DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ORANGE-WINDSOR-DISTRICT A. COURTNEY PARKER, Superintendent SOUTH ROYALTON CHELSEA NORWICH ROYALTON SHARON STRAFFORD TUNBRIDGE September 17, 1947 Federal Bureau of Investigation Washington, D. C. Dear Sirs: At 3:40 P.M. to-day I observed a so-called flying saucer. This occurred while I was half way up Rix Ledges north of Lebanon, N. H. As I was intently watching the honey bees circling in a patch of sky after leaving my bee box my attention was called to a floating object that appeared to be as large as a tennis ball and as white as cotton batting. This object approaches rapidly and noiselessly from the East and was followed closely by another object that appears in size and shape like a saucer which maintains a constant angle of inclination to the ball and followed it at a constant distance. The two objects make an angle with my eye of approximately five degrees. They were in my vision for more than a minute when I lost them in the glare of the sun. If I had seen this in the night sky with my six inch telescope I would have thought that the planets Venus and Saturn had suddenly gotten together and were traveling at great speed much nearer the earth. [handwritten] 62-83894-75 [stamp] RECORDED [stamp] INDEXED 51 Very truly yours, A. Courtney Parker Superintendent of Schools [handwritten annotations] A.C. PARKER / PARKER
[ILLEGIBLE] Sept. 17 [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. 20 5:05 PM [ILLEGIBLE]
OFFICE OF DIRECTOR
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Mr. Tolson
Mr. [ILLEGIBLE]/Tamm
Mr. Clegg
Mr. Glavin
Mr. Ladd ✓
Mr. Nichols
Mr. Rosen
Mr. Tracy
Mr. Carson
Mr. Egan
Mr. Gurnea
Mr. Harbo
Mr. Hendon
Mr. Jones
Mr. Pennington
Tele. Room
Mr. Nease
Miss Holmes
Miss Gandy
September 8, 1947
The attached was sent to
the Director by Walter
Winchell.
The notations appearing
thereon read:
"Ack & F.B.I."
"Please excuse haste - Trying to
make airmail west."
Attachment
mt
RECORDED
INDEXED 62-83894-76
Bureau files fail to reflect any
record on a Mrs. Madeline Gwynne
Merchant, the writer of the attached
letter.
F B I
15 SEP 18 1947
5-R7[Reverse/back side of letter — body text is bleed-through, [ILLEGIBLE]] RECEIVED-FROM H.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE F.B.I. Sep 9 8 58 AM 47 RECEIVED-LADD F.B.I. Sep 9 9 45 AM 47 Sep 8 5 08 PM 47 U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU DIRECTOR [ILLEGIBLE]
Mrs. Madeline Gwynne Merchant
Box 261, Santa Fe, New Mexico
July 13, 1947
Mr. Walter Winchell,
% Postmaster,
Los Angeles, Calif.
Please excuse
haste - Trying to
make airmail west.
Dear Mr. Winchell:
This [crossed-out word] letter deals with what are being
called "discs."
You are not to mention the contents of this
letter over the air, nor to any individual other than officials
of the War Dep't., members of the FBI, or an American whose
patriotism would rank with your own, and who might donate $10,000
or more for the purpose of my continuing the collection of field
data concerning "discs," while time may remain in which to do so.
I have had respectful attention from the
following persons: (but no checks, nor expense accounts even.)
Col. Herbert C. Gee, Comm. Officer,
Los Alamos Atomic Project,
Los Alamos, N.M.
Maj. Sidney Newburger, Security Official,
Los Alamos Atomic Project,
Los Alamos, N.M.
Mr. Willard Zimmer, Military Intelligence,
P.O. Box 801,
Santa Fe, N.M.
62-43894-76
ENCLOSURE[Reverse/back side of letter — body text is bleed-through, [ILLEGIBLE]] RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. [?] 9 3:16 P.M. [ILLEGIBLE]
(2)
Francis Finley, Agent-in-Charge,
Federal Bureau of Investigation, (Phone 1368)
Santa Fe, N.M.
Gen. S.H. Brendmalt,
Ass't. to Lt. Gen. Nathan F. Twining,
AAF Materiel Command,
Washington, D.C.
Col. Zumwalt,
Ass't to Colonel Bunker, Comc. Off.,
Kirtland Field,
Albuquerque, N.M.
Gen. Patrick Hurley, (Former Ambassador to China,)
1210 Shoreham Bld'g. (Also Santa Fe, N.M.)
Washington, D.C.
And through the courtesy of Gen. Patrick Hurley,
a letter from Sec. of War Robert Patterson, War Dep't, Washington, D.C.
All were highly interested, appreciative, with the
general trend of contacts being, "This is fine. Go right ahead."
My point in writing you is to raise some money to
proceed with. No budgets seemed to allow for the unexpected, elusive
"discs."
Sen. Carl Hatch, D-N.M., U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C.
has been contacted by mail for an appropriations, but even if this
only requires one more week, it may be too late.
You may contact any of the above listed persons to
verify my contacts (excuse repetition word contact) during the past
four months. In other words, I began reporting directly to
Dr. Norris Bradbury, Scientific Head of Los Alamos, and Colonel Gee,
et al, some time ago that this type aerial "disc" was a reality.(3)
This material was considered confidential, and still is.
I have been asked by Colonel Gee not to speak any further
than material which has been published in the press. And I have
chosen simply not to speak at all, except to a source which I consider
might further my own work.
If you ask of the above persons, to ascertain whether or
not I have made serious, materially valuable contributions, which
may indicate much scientifically..... and which, if action can be
continued soon enough, may a little later save our nation much....
please make inquiries quietly, and as promptly as convenient.
I must ask you not to speculate, even to yourself...
but simply to act.
Do not mention in any manner, until release by the War
Dep't., even the receipt of this letter, except to the above persons,
or proper government officials there. Or, to one whom you know will
make a donation.
Perhaps your safest bet would be simply to telephone the
FBI there, and let them telephone Francis Finley here for verification.
I promise you an exclusive, behind the scenes story when,
and if, the War Dep't releases the material nationally. Meantime,
your action now may save your own life, and that of others who may
have wondered what a "disc" is.
Rest assured I have all the proper scientific and government
contacts needed...... all I need is the wherewithal. I have the
proper background to discuss the subject, secure the further field(4)
data I now need, explain it technically, and secure proper action,
provided I am given the means to do so.
I regret that I cannot be more specific now, but duty
to country rests above.
I have met before with the mental reaction. "What? A
woman handling this type material?" And my signature below will
probably evoke the same response from you. So I assure you, yes,
it is a woman who is coming in with the information which men have
gone out to seek. And doing the proper thing about it.
Most respectfully,
[Signature: Mrs. Madeline Gwynne Merchant]
Mrs. Madeline Gwynne Merchant
cc/
P.S. Am a former newspaper person, and very proud of it.
Am 39, but dress and feel some younger.
Again, I must ask you not to mention even the town from
which this letter comes, as you may be endangering lives to
do so. Simply ascertain my contributions, get some money to
me, and wait. (Francis Finley himself would give me a gas
budget, if he were not so close himself.)FLYING SAUCERS
[ILLEGIBLE] 1947
Sep 14 1947
Estill, S[outh] C[arolina]
FBI
Dear Sir,
I am [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE]
[ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE]
[ILLEGIBLE] after [ILLEGIBLE]
saucer [ILLEGIBLE]
[ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE]
[ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE]
decide to [ILLEGIBLE]
[ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE]
conte[ILLEGIBLE]
[ILLEGIBLE]
[ILLEGIBLE]
RECORDED
INDEXED 62-83894-77
32 SEP 18 1947
5 OCT 2 2 1947
[Signature: ILLEGIBLE]
[ILLEGIBLE] 17 1947[Reverse/back side of handwritten note — mostly blank lined paper with tape residue and stamps] [ILLEGIBLE handwritten marks at bottom] RECEIVED Aug 19 9 32 [AM/PM] [ILLEGIBLE] INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. Aug 29 2 58 PM RECEIVED [ILLEGIBLE]
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Mr. R. T. Harbo [initials] DATE: August 28, 1947
FROM : T. F. Baughman [initials]
SUBJECT: Letter and material received from
Mrs. J. H[?] Mixon
Estill, South Carolina
Route 1, Box 30
The attached letter dated August 14, 1947 from Mrs. Mixon to-
gether with the material which she reports to be part of a flying saucer
was received in the Laboratory on August 19, 1947. The material which
was submitted with Mrs. Mixon's letter has been identified as powdered
soap stones.
Inasmuch as the Investigative and Security Divisions might possibly
be interested in this matter, I request that you advise me as to the final
disposition of the submitted material as well as the type of reply which
should be made to Mrs. Mixon's letter.
JHB:PVH
[initials: F.Betser]
[Handwritten: Harbo]
[Handwritten: Copy 9-1-47]
RECORDED
&
INDEXED
77 62-83894 78
32 SEP 18 1947
EX-83
[Handwritten: OD R-344][Reverse/back side of memorandum — blank page with stamps] LABORATORY DIVISION F.B.I. RECEIVED-HARBO Aug 28 5 30 PM 47 INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. Aug 28 10 23 M[?] 47 RECEIVED [ILLEGIBLE]
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : D. M. Ladd [initials] DATE: September 4, 1947
FROM : J. P. Coyne [initials]
SUBJECT: FLYING SAUCER
Reference is made to the memorandum from Mr. Baughman to Mr.
Harbo, dated August 28, 1947, requesting advice as to the final disposi-
tion of material submitted by Mrs. J. H. Mixon, Estill, South Carolina.
It is noted that this material, which Mrs. Mixon reported to be a part of
a flying saucer, has been identified as powdered soap stones.
It is recommended that the material be returned to Mrs. Mixon
along with a letter advising that such has been identified as powdered soap
stones.
RGF:LH
[Handwritten: Letter det. 9-[?]-47 Now]
RECORDED
&
INDEXED
7 162-83894-79
EX-46 77 32 SEP 18 1947
[Handwritten: Ladd]
[Handwritten: Harbo]
[Handwritten: Baughman]
[Handwritten: Letter 9-11-47 J[?]M-mas][Reverse/back side of memorandum — blank page with stamps (all mirrored/reversed)] LABORATORY DIVISION F.B.I. RECEIVED Sep 5 2 27 PM 47 RECEIVED-HARBO RECEIVED-LADD EP 5 2 27 PM [47] S. DEPT OF JUSTICE F.B.I. [ILLEGIBLE] Sep 2 4 08 PM 47 [ILLEGIBLE]
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Director, FBI DATE: September 4, 1947
FROM : SAC, Phoenix
SUBJECT: REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS
ATTENTION: ASSISTANT DIRECTOR D. M. LADD
Reference is made to San Francisco letter dated August 26, 1947,
and to Bureau teletype to Phoenix dated August 30, 1947.
With reference to the above matter, I desire to point out that the
letter of reference from San Francisco did not reach Phoenix until September
2, 1947.
On August 29, 1947, a Mr. GEORGE FUGATE, JR. called at the Phoenix
office and exhibited credentials reflecting that he is a representative of A-2,
Fourth Air Force, Hamilton Field, California. He also exhibited orders emanating
from the office of Colonel DONALD SPRINGER, A-2, Fourth Air Force, Hamilton Field,
California, instructing him to proceed to Phoenix immediately and contact the FBI
office, at which time a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation would
be designated to accompany him to interview WILLIAM RHODES, who had previously
reported the photographing of a flying disc. The orders further indicated that
the San Francisco office of the FBI was transmitting further information re-
lating to Mr. FUGATE'S mission.
ASAC NEBER M. GLEON telephonically communicated with SAC HARRY KIMBALL
of the San Francisco office and Mr. KIMBALL verified the above information and
stated that a letter had been directed to the Phoenix office suggesting that the
Phoenix office assist any representative who called from A-2 in the interview of
RHODES. SAC KIMBALL stated that in connection with flying discs, he had main-
tained close contact with Colonel SPRINGER and that close cooperation existed.
He further stated that numerous reports of flying discs had been received in San
Francisco and that a full discussion concerning the results of inquiries had
been had with Colonel SPRINGER.
In connection with flying disc investigations, Mr. KIMBALL advised
he had maintained close touch with the Bureau and had apparently handled these
matters in accordance with Bureau policy.
In view of the above, Special Agent J. BAILEY BROWER of the Phoenix
office was permitted to work with Mr. FUGATE in the interview of WILLIAM ALBERT
RHODES. The results of the inquiry are set out hereunder.
[Handwritten: Info D M [?]]
RECORDED
&
INDEXED 162-[ILLEGIBLE]894-80
32 [ILLEGIBLE]
55 SEP 30 19[47] COPIES DESTROYED
270 NOV 18 1964[Reverse/back side of memorandum — mostly blank/degraded page with stamps (all mirrored/reversed)] RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. 19 1:35 PM [ILLEGIBLE] RECEIVED [?] 9 1:07 PM [47] F.B.I. RECEIVED-LADD [ILLEGIBLE] RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. [?] 23 10:11 [?] 47 RECEIVED [ILLEGIBLE] RECEIVED LABORATORY [DIVISION] [?] 15 III 50 AM [47] [ILLEGIBLE] [Handwritten: 46] [Handwritten: [ILLEGIBLE]]
Phoenix file 62-213
WILLIAM ALBERT RHODES, 4333 N. 14th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, owns
and maintains the Panoramic Research Laboratory and Hobby Shop at this address,
and he related the following as occurring on the afternoon of July 7, 1947:
A storm had occurred in Phoenix on the afternoon of July 7, 1947,
and the clouds were at approximately 5000 feet, the color of which was gray
and they resembled dense cumulus. A fifteen mile per hour wind was blowing.
At approximately 5 p.m. on that date, Mr. RHODES was walking from his home
to the hobby shop and he heard a noise resembling that of aircraft, apparently
coming in a westerly direction. Upon searching the skies he observed to the
northeast what appeared to be an odd shaped ship. He described this ship as
being possibly 80 feet in diameter traveling at an estimated speed of
100 miles per hour. It appeared to be making a spiral in a small radius of
possibly one-half to three quarters of a mile. RHODES stated the sound which
he first heard was no longer audible; that he hurriedly procured a small Brownie
Box Camera from his shop, and as the aircraft completed the first circle he
obtained a photograph. As the ship started on the second turn, it was in a
northwesterly direction from his point and he again snapped a photograph, which
more closely resembled the shape of the ship than photograph #1, this being
designated as Exhibit II, as submitted to the Bureau with letter dated August
6, 1947, by the office of Staff A-2 Intelligence, Hamilton Field, California.
RHODES further described the direction of the ship by
stating that instead of completing the lefthand downward spiral the ship banked
to the right and disappeared into the clouds. He stated that just as it banked,
he had snapped the second photograph, Exhibit II.
At the last point, which was at the time the ship made this turn, Mr.
RHODES estimated it to be between 1,000 and 2,000 feet high. He further de-
scribed the appearance of this ship as closely resembling a picture which appeared
on the front cover of the July, 1947, issue of the Fate Magazine, and he said
the only difference noted by Mr. RHODES being that the ship appeared to be fly-
ing backward.
Mr. RHODES also related that he did not associate the appearance of
this ship with the numerous reports of flying discs. He related, however, that
after a thorough discussion with numerous individuals, the story which appeared
in the local papers was "blown up" to the extent that he, RHODES, barely recog-
nized the information furnished by him. Mr. RHODES explained that the afore-
mentioned discussion and the trustworthiness of flying disc reporters plus his
previous experience probably assisted him in making fairly close estimates. He
related that he had been doing experimental work for the past ten years. He
also stated he was employed at the Naval Ordnance Laboratory, Washington, D. C.
during the early part of World War II and left there the beginning of 1942.
Upon his return to Phoenix, he was employed at Falcon Field near Phoenix which
was leased by the British Government for training purposes, and instructed in
instrument training, aircraft identification and gunnery practice. He explained
that his hobbies have to do with science, physics, radio, electronics and astronomy.
He produces and sells radio instruments and electronic instruments. He related
that most of his work consists of building transformers, but it is also necessary
for him to depend upon his music ability for his livelihood.
- 2 -Phoenix file 62-213
In explaining the results of photographing the ship, Mr. RHODES
stated that he was surprised that the object appeared dark on a light back-
ground; that he fully expected that the object would be light on a dark back-
ground. He described the light spot which appears in the center of the object
(Exhibit II) as being a green house. RHODES insisted that the ship made no
noise that was audible to his ear and he was unable to detect the presence of
any propeller. He further said that after the newspaper release over Radio
Station KTAR, wherein statements were made that he, RHODES, had stated Army
officials were studying the photographs, and that it was a top secret, he
attempted to determine the source of this release and the Radio station finally
told him that it was a United Press release from Washington, D. C.
The following description of RHODES was obtained from observation
and interrogation:
Age 30
Date birth 12-29-16
Place birth Garden City, Kansas
Ht 6' 3"
Weight 155 pounds
Eyes Blue
Hair Brown
Education Phoenix Union High School
Marital status Married- one son
It should be stated that at the time of interview with RHODES, Mr.
BROWER identified himself as an agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and
exhibited his credentials. However, pursuant to a request from Mr. FUGATE, he
was introduced only as a representative of the United States government. His
exact official connection was not made known to Mr. RHODES. Agent BROWER advised
that he felt it was a peculiar procedure, but that it was not his business. Also,
at the conclusion of the interview, Mr. FUGATE requested Mr. BROWER to furnish
him with the negatives and RHODES stated he would be glad to do so, but they
were not in his immediate possession, but he would deliver them to his office
the following morning. Mr. RHODES requested that the negatives be returned to him.
Agent BROWER stated that to this request, Mr. FUGATE made no reply. Agent BROWER
states that after leaving Mr. RHODES's house, he asked if the negatives would be
returned to Mr. RHODES and FUGATE stated that he doubted very much that they would
be returned. Mr. BROWER then advised Mr. FUGATE that before he, BROWER, would
accept these negatives from RHODES, there be a written promise to [ILLEGIBLE] and
also advised that the negatives, if turned over to Mr. FUGATE, would not be
returned to him.
- 3 -Phoenix file 62-213
In view of which, on the morning on August 30, 1947, when Mr. RHODES
called at the Phoenix office to deliver the negatives, they were accepted only
after he was advised that they were being given to Mr. FUGATE, a representative
of the Army Air Force Intelligence, United States Army, and that there was little,
if any, chance of his getting the negatives back. Mr. RHODES turned the negatives
over to this office with the full understanding that they were being given to the
Army and that he would not get them back.
The Phoenix office did not receive the Bureau teletype of reference
instructing that no joint investigation should be conducted until after the
matter had been handled.
Inasmuch as military authorities have complete knowledge of the results
of the interview with Mr. RHODES no copy of this report is being designated for
A-2.
JBS-kb
cc-San Francisco
62-213
- 4 -[Routing slip upper right — partially legible]
Mr. Tolson
Mr. [ILLEGIBLE]
Mr. [ILLEGIBLE]
Mr. Clegg
Mr. Harbo
Mr. [ILLEGIBLE]
Mr. Tracy
Mr. [ILLEGIBLE]
[ILLEGIBLE]
[Handwritten initials/signatures]
FBI PORTLAND 9-13-47 8-08 PM HHS
DIRECTOR U R G E N T
FLYING DISCS. LEON V[?]. JENKINS, CHIEF OF POLICE, PORTLAND, STATES
HE OBSERVED AT ABOUT FIVE FIFTEEN PM ELEVENTH INSTANT, AN OBJECT
SIMILAR IN SIZE TO A WEATHER BALLOON, WHICH APPEARED TO BE MADE OF
ALUMINUM OR SOME OTHER BRIGHT METAL, TRAVELING RAPIDLY NORTHWEST TO
SOUTHEAST OVER PORTLAND AT AN ESTIMATED TEN THOUSAND FEET. OBJECT
VEERED TO SOUTH AND DISAPPEARED IN THE DISTANCE IN APPROXIMATELY ONE
MINUTE. ALSO OBSERVED BY PATROLMAN H. S[?]. [RANEY?], DRIVER OF JENKINS
CAR, AND POSSIBLY BY OTHER PORTLAND POLICE OFFICERS. SMALL ARTICLE
APPEARED IN PORTLAND NEWSPAPER, THE OREGONIAN, CONCERNING THIS ON
TWELFTH INSTANT. INVESTIGATION BEING CONDUCTED.
END
RECORDED
&
INDEXED BOBBITT
62-83894-81
32 SEP 1[?] 1947
[REDACTED] OK FBI WA
1210AM OK FBI WA
69OCT 2 1947[page unreadable; original scan available via the document viewer above]
[page unreadable; original scan available via the document viewer above]
[page unreadable; original scan available via the document viewer above]
[page unreadable; original scan available via the document viewer above]
[page unreadable; original scan available via the document viewer above]
[page unreadable; original scan available via the document viewer above]
[page unreadable; original scan available via the document viewer above]
[page unreadable; original scan available via the document viewer above]
[page unreadable; original scan available via the document viewer above]
[page unreadable; original scan available via the document viewer above]
[page unreadable; original scan available via the document viewer above]
[page unreadable; original scan available via the document viewer above]
[page unreadable; original scan available via the document viewer above]
[page unreadable; original scan available via the document viewer above]
[page unreadable; original scan available via the document viewer above]
[page unreadable; original scan available via the document viewer above]
[page unreadable; original scan available via the document viewer above]
[page unreadable; original scan available via the document viewer above]
[page unreadable; original scan available via the document viewer above]
[page unreadable; original scan available via the document viewer above]
[BLANK REVERSE SIDE] RECEIVED [ILLEGIBLE] 2 36 PM [ILLEGIBLE] INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. DEPT OF JUS[ILLEGIBLE]
PAGE THREE FRIEND ON THE CHICAGO TIMES AND WAS POSSIBLY SELLING THE STORY TO THE CHICAGO TIMES THROUGH THIS FRIEND. A CHECK OF THE RECORDS AT THE WINTHROP HOTEL, TACOMA WHERE ARNOLD HAD HIS ROOM, REFLECT THAT ON JULY THIRTY FIRST, LAST, ARNOLD CALLED PALMER AT A. M. FIVE TWO NAUGHT NAUCT, EVANSTON, ILLINOIS, COLLECT, AND ALSO CALLED NAUGHT ONE NAUGHT NINE J AT BOISE, IDAHO, COLLECT. ON AUGUST ONE, LAST, ARNOLD CALLED PALMER AT DEARBORN FIVE TWO NAUGHT NAUGHT CHICAGO, COLLECT, AND EMIL SMITH CALLED BLANK [ILLEGIBLE]ODDY AT DEARBORN TWO THREE TWO THREE. ON JULY THIRTY FIRST AND AUGUST ONE, LAST, A TOTAL OF FIVE ANONYMOUS CALLS WERE RECEIVED BY A TACOMA TIMES REPORTER AND THE UNITED PRESS WIRE MAN AT TACOMA, GIVING IN- FORMATION REGARDING THE MEETING AT THE WINTHROP HOTEL OVER THE DISK FRAGMENTS AND STATING THAT THE B TWENTY FIVE HAD BEEN SHOT DOWN OR SABOTAGED WHICH KILLED CAPTAIN [ILLEGIBLE]DAVIDSON AND LIEUTENANT [ILLEGIBLE]BROWN INFERRING THAT THIS WAS DONE BECAUSE THE INTELLIGEN[ILLEGIBLE] OFFICERS WERE CARRYING DISK FRAGMENTS IN THEIR PLANE. DAHL AND CHRISMAN STATE THESE CALLS COULD ONLY HAVE COME FROM THEMSELVES, SMITH OR ARNOD, AND DENY THAT THEY MADE THE CALLS. NO RECORD OF THE CALLS AS HAVING BEEN MADE FROM ARNOLD-S ROOM IN THE WINTHROP HOTEL CAN BE LOCATED. DAHL AND CHRISMAN ARE EVASIVE AS TO JUST WHAT INFORMATION THEY DID FURNISH BY PHONE OR LETTER TO RAY PALMER. ERNIE VOGEL, UNITED PRESS WIRE MAN A[ILLEGIBLE] TACOMA, WASHINGTON, STATE IT APPEARS THE BOISE STATEMAN-S PAPER AND KENNETH ARNOLD HAVE
[BLANK REVERSE SIDE] RECEIVED [ILLEGIBLE] 2 36 PM [ILLEGIBLE] INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. DEPT OF JUS[ILLEGIBLE]
PAGE FOUR
BEEN PUSHING THE PUBLICITY ON THE FLYING DISK STORIES. VOGEL STATES
THAT ARNOLD WAS EI[ILLEGIBLE]HER THE FIRST OR ONE OF THE FIRST TO CLAIM HE HAD
SEEN FLYING DISKS. DAHL AND CHRISMAN STATE THAT ARNOLD ADMITTED RE-
CEIVING MONEY FROM RAY PALMER TO COME TO TACOMA TO CHECK T[ILLEGIBLE]E DISK
STORY. UNLESS ADVISED TO THE CONTRARY BY THE BUREAU, THE BUTTE OFFICE
AT BOISE, IDAHO, WILL OBTAIN ALL INFORMATION REGARDING THE CONNECTION
BETWEEN THE BOISE STATEMAN-S PAPER AND KENNETH ARNOLD. WILL INTERVIEW
KENNETH ARNOLD, ROUTE ONE, MOUNTAIN VIEW DRIVE, BOISE FOR WHAT INFORMTION
HE HAS AS TO THE ABOVE FACTS AND WHAT INFORATION HE FURNISHED RAY PALMER
AND THE BOISE STATEMAN REGARDING THE TACOMA MEETING AND THE SABOTACE
OF THE B TWENTYFIVE. THE CHICAGO OFFICE AT CHICAGO WILL INTERVIEW RAY
PALMER, EDITOR OF FRANTASY MAGAZINE, REGARDING HIS CONNECTIONS WITH
DAHL AND CHRISMAN AND ARNOLD AND WHAT INFORMATION EACH FURNISHED TO HIM.
WILL ALSO ATTEMPT TO ASCERTAIN WHAT INFORMATION CAPTAIN EMIL N. SMITH
FURNISHED THE CHICAGO TIMES. THE SEATTLE OFFICE AT SEATTLE WILL
INTERVIEW EMIL N. SMITH, THREE NAUGHT TWO SEVEN WEST LAURELHURST
DRIVE ALONG THESE SAME LINES. WILL ALSO ASCERTAIN WHAT INFORMATION THE
FIRE CHIEF AT [REDACTED] HARBOR, WASHINGTON OTAINED FROM DAHL AND
CHRISMAN.
WILCOX
ACK IN ORD PLS
WA 9-39 PM OK FBI WASH DC VH
CC OK FBI CG MDG
BY OK FBI BT VGW
DISC PLS
[Stamp:] F B I
INTERNAL SECURI[ILLEGIBLE]
[ILLEGIBLE] 5 30[ILLEGIBLE]
[ILLEGIBLE]
Mr. La[ILLEGIBLE][BLANK REVERSE SIDE] RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT Aug 7 [ILLEGIBLE] 6 [ILLEGIBLE] PM '47 FBI DEPT. OF JUSTICE [Sideways stamp:] RECEIVED [ILLEGIBLE] U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE Nov 8 5 57 [ILLEGIBLE] '47
[FBI SEAL] AUG 12 1947 TELETYPE FBI SEATTLE 8-12-47 [ILLEGIBLE]-03 PM PST ELS RECTOR AND SACS CHICAGO AND BUTTE URGENT FLYING DISCS SIGHTED BY FRED CHRISMAN AND HAROLD [ILLEGIBLE] DAHL, TACOMA, WN., EN DASH X. KENYEL AUGUST SEVEN LAST. EMIL A. [ILLEGIBLE]SMITH, UNITED AIRLINES PILOT, INTERVIEWED RE ASSOCIATIONS WITH HAROLD A. DAHL, FRED CHRISMAN AND KENNETH ARNOLD IN TACOMA, WN., FROM JULY THIRTYEONE TO AUGUST THIRD LAST. SMITH HAS RECEIVED PREVIOUS PUBLICITY FOR HAVING SEEN FLYING DISCS OR SIMILAR OBJECTS ON JULY FOURTH LAST IN COMPANY WITH HIS CO- PILOT, RALPH STEVENS, DURING ROUTINE UNITED AIRLINES FLIGHT OUT OF BOISE, IDAHO. SMITH RELATES THAT HE WENT TO TACOMA, WN., FROM SEATTLE ON THURSDAY, JULY THIRTYEONE LAST IN RESPONSE TO TELEPHONE CALL FROM KENNETH ARNOLD AT TACOMA. SMITH CLAIMS HE HAD PREVIOUSLY MET ARNOLD ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE FIRST TIME ON JULY FIFTH LAST IN OFFICES OF SEATTLE POST- INTELLIGENCER WHERE BOTH WERE INTERVIEWED RE FLYING DISCO THEY HAD SEEN, AND ON SECOND OCCASION IN BOISE, IDAHO, ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO WHILE HE, SMITH, WAS PASSING THROUGH ON ROUTINE FLIGHT. ON THIS LATTER OCCASION, ARNOLD WAS IN COMPANY OF CAPTAIN DAVIDSON AND LIEUTENANT [ILLEGIBLE]BROWN, ARMY INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS, AND A REPORTER [ILLEGIBLE] JOHNSON OF THE IDAHO STATESMAN NEWSPAPER. SMITH CLAIMS NO PREVIOUS ACQUAINTANCE WITH DAHL OR CHRISMAN. SMITH RELATES THAT ON NIGHT OF JULY THIRTY ONE LAST IN TACOMA, WN., THE DAHL AND CHRISMAN STORY, WHICH BOTH HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY ADMITTED TO BE FALSE WAS TOLD TO SMITH. ARNOLD, CAPTAIN DAVIDSON, AND LIEUTENANT BROWN BY CHRISMAN AND DAHL. SUBSEQUENT TO THIS INTERVIEW, CHRISMAN GAVE CAPTAIN DAVIDSON AND BROWN A BOX OF THE [ILLEGIBLE] FRAGMENTS WHICH THEY A[ILLEGIBLE]PARENTLY TOOK WITH THEM ON [ILLEGIBLE] THEIR FATAL FLIGHT. SMITH STATES THAT ON [ILLEGIBLE] AUGUST [ILLEGIBLE] LAST, AFTER LEARNING OF THE CRASH AND DEATH OF CAPTAIN DAVIDSON AND BROWN, ARNOLD [ILLEGIBLE] RAYMOND PALMER, EDITOR OF THE [ILLEGIBLE] PRESS IN EVANSTON, ILLINOIS, AND WAS TOLD BY PALMER TO DISCONTINUE HIS INVESTIGATION OF THE DAHL- CHRISMAN STORY AND DO[ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] MONEY WHICH
[BLANK REVERSE SIDE] TAPE 2-8 DISK [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. [ILLEGIBLE] 3 55 [ILLEGIBLE] PM Aug 13 9 [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] '47 U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE RECEIVED-[ILLEGIBLE]
PAGE TWO
[REDACTED] SMITH RELATES THA[ILLEGIBLE] HE AND ARNOLD MADE SUBSEQ[ILLEGIBLE]ENT ATTEMPTS TO GO
OUT TO MAURI ISLAND WITH CHRISMAN AND DAHL ON FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY,
AUGUST FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD, BUT WERE PUT OFF BY CHRISMAN AN[ILLEGIBLE] DAHL
FOR VARIOUS REASONS. SMITH STATES THAT REPORTER [ILLEGIBLE]LANTZ OF TACOMA TIMES
AN[ILLEGIBLE]NORELLO OF UNITED PRESS OFFICE TACOMA INFORMED HIM AND ARNOLD OF THE
ANONYMOUS PHONE CALLS, AND FROM ACCURACY OF THE INFO TRANSMITTED BY
THESE ANONYMOUS CALLS, SMITH BELIEVES THEY WERE MADE BY EITHER DAHL OR
CHRISMAN. S[ILLEGIBLE]ITH ADMITS CALLING HIS PERSONAL FRIEND MAURICE [ILLEGIBLE]ODDY,
AVIATION EDITOR OF CHICAGO TIMES, ON FRIDAY, AUGUST FIRST LAST, TO INFORM
HIM OF THE TACOMA INCIDENT AS PER A PREVIOUS AGREEMENT BETWEEN THEM THAT
SMITH WOULD LET RODDY IN ON ANY FLYING DISC STORIES WHICH HE MIGHT RUN
INTO. SMITH ALSO ADMITS THAT HE TOLD REPORTER JOHNSON OF IDAHO STATESMAN
IN TELEPHONE CONVERSATION SATURDAY NIGHT, AUGUST SECOND LAST, THAT CAPT[ILLEGIBLE]
DAVIDSON AND LIEUTENANT BROWN WERE CARRYING FRAGMENTS WITH THEM ON THEIR
FATAL FLIGHT. SMITH SAYS THAT DAHL TOLD HIM ON SATURDAY NITE AUGUST
SECOND LAST THAT HE, DAHL, IF CONTACTED BY THE ARMY OR OTHER AUTHORITIES
WAS GOING TO SAY THAT THE ENTIRE STORY WAS A HOAX. SMITH STATES THAT
HE TOLD HIS COMPLETE STORY TO MAJOR S[ILLEGIBLE]NHERS OF MCCORD FIELD, TACOMA, ON
SUNDAY [ILLEGIBLE] MORNING, AUGUST THIRD [ILLEGIBLE] LAST, AND THAT ARNOLD LEFT TACOMA.
UNLESS ADVISED TO CONTRARY, LANTZ AND NORELLO WHO ARE BOTH TACOMA
NEWSPAPERMEN MENTIONED ABOVE, WILL NOT BE CONTACTED FOR VERIFICATION
OF [REDACTED] SMITH-S STORY ABOVE. UNABLE TO LOCATE FIRE CHIEF OF HARBOR, WN.
TO VERIFY INFORMATION [REDACTED] RECEIVED BY HIM FROM DAHL AND CHRISMAN.
SINCE THIS STORY ORIGIN[ILLEGIBLE]TED IN SEATTLE [ILLEGIBLE] POST- INTELLIGENCER NEWS-
PAPER THIS LEAD IS BEING DISCONTINUED [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] TO CONTRARY.
LETTER CONTAINING COMPLETE INTERVIEWS WIT[ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] DAHL AND CHRISMAN
AS OUTLINED [REDACTED] ABOVE WILL BE FORWARDED [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE].
WILCOX
[Handwritten:] [ILLEGIBLE]
ACK IN ORDER PLS
NA 10-30 PM OK FBI WA EW
[ILLEGIBLE] OK FBI CO [ILLEGIBLE]
BY 0
[ILLEGIBLE] OK FBI BT HEW[BLANK REVERSE SIDE] RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT Aug 12 10 33 PM '47 FBI DEPT OF JUSTICE [Sideways stamp:] U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE [ILLEGIBLE] Aug 13 5 5[ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] '47 [Bottom damaged with tape]
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE COMMUNICATIONS SECTION AUG 6, 1947 [Initialed] TELEMETER vs [Handwritten:] Fletcher WASHINGTON FROM SFRAN 85 8-6-47 12-09 PM RN. DIRECTOR URGENT FLYING DISCS, SM - X. RE PORTLAND TELETYPE REFERENCING PHONE CALL FROM MR. LADD AT BUREAU ONE PM AUGUST FIFTH LAST. A-TWO SAN FRAN- CISCO UNABLE TO VERIFY. LT. COL. DONALD SPRINGER A-TWO HAMILTON FIELD, IN CHARGE OF INVESTIGATION BY A-TWO IS THOUGHT BY A-TWO TO BE RETURNING FROM KELSO, WASHINGTON AREA HAVING GONE TO KELSO UPON LEARNING OF DEATHS OF AAF INVESTIGATORS MENTIONED IN REFERENCE TELETYPE. HE PLANNED, UPON DEPARTURE, TO OBTAIN RESULTS OF AAF INVESTIGATORS OR REINTERVIEW PERSONS MENTIONED IN REFERENCED TEL- ETYPE. SPRINGER WILL BE CONTACTED UPON HIS RETURN AND [ILLEGIBLE] BUREAU ADVISED. KIMBALL RECORD 62-83894-91 630 CT 2 1947 [ILLEGIBLE] EX-56 [ILLEGIBLE] 29 SEP 24 1947 B-3[ILLEGIBLE]
[BLANK REVERSE SIDE — upside-down stamps only, text illegible]
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE COMMUNICATIONS SECTION SEP 10 1947 TELETYPE [Handwritten:] R[ILLEGIBLE]nolds [Handwritten:] E[ILLEGIBLE] FBI SALT LAKE CITY 'S' 9-10-47 9-55 AM MST [ILLEGIBLE]MDH DIRECTOR M.......URGENT..... FLYING DISCS. NEWS ITEM IN SALT LAKE TRIBUNE OF TENTH INSTANT REFLECTS THAT EIGHT DIFFERENT PEOPLE AT LOGAN, UTAH REPORTED SEEING THREE DIFFERENT FLIGHTS OF FLYING DISCS BETWEEN TEN [ILLEGIBLE] AND ELEVEN TEN PM MONDAY, EIGHTH INSTANT. INVESTIGATION BEING CONDUCTED AND BUREAU WILL BE ADVISED. RECORDED 162-83894-92 SE 13 [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] EX-[ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] SEP 19 1947 END 12-55 PM OK FBI WASH DC CAR [Handwritten:] 9/1[ILLEGIBLE]/47 62 SEP 27 1947 [ILLEGIBLE] [Handwritten:] cc Mr. Ladd 5-19[ILLEGIBLE] [Handwritten:] o? flying discs [Handwritten:] 66-03-[ILLEGIBLE]
[BLANK REVERSE SIDE] RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT Sep 10 12 55 PM '47 FBI DEPT OF JUSTICE [Stamp rotated:] RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. P 11 9 14 [ILLEGIBLE] Sep 10 1 00 PM '47 U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE Sep 10 2 00 PM '47 U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE F.B.I. RECEIVED-TAMP RECEIVED-TAMPA F.B.I. U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE Sep 10 12 56 PM '47 Sep 10 4 50 PM [ILLEGIBLE]
Federal Bureau of Investigation
United States Department of Justice
New York, N. Y.
IN REPLY, PLEASE REFER TO
FILE NO. ___
September 4, 1947
Director, FBI Attention: FBI Laboratory
Re: Mrs. A. G. [ILLEGIBLE]ARBANIS, Informant
Dear Sir:
Reference is made to Bureau letter dated July 21, 1947, addressed
to Mrs. A. G. GARBANIS, 66 Notre Dame Avenue, Hicksville, Long Island,
New York, a copy of which was sent to the New York Office.
Mrs. GARBANIS was interviewed by Special Agent William A. Johnson
on August 12, 1947, at which time she advised that this coded message had
appeared in "Newsday," the local newspaper of Nassau and Suffolk County,
Long Island, New York. She stated that the message had appeared in the
"County Irritant," a feature of this paper, and had been signed "Radio Ham."
Mr. JACK ALTSCHL, City Editor of "Newsday," Hempstead, New York,
was interviewed and advised that this article had been sent to the newspaper
by letter which was signed "Radio Ham," and explained that he had no way of
determining the identity of the writer. Mr. ALTSCHL stated that it was his
opinion that the code had been made up by some local "screwball" who had
been affected by all of the newspaper publicity that had been given at that
time to the story about [ILLEGIBLE] flying discs.
There is enclosed an article appearing in the July 12th issue of
"Newsday" concerning this coded message, which might be of interest in this
matter.
Unless advised to the contrary, no further effort is being made
to establish the identity of the person who signed himself "Radio Ham."
Very truly yours,
[Signed] Edward Scheidt
EDWARD SCHEIDT,
SAC
[Handwritten:] [ILLEGIBLE] 1[ILLEGIBLE]/1[ILLEGIBLE]/47
Enc.
NAJ:ja
62-2227
[ILLEGIBLE] 195
[Stamp:] [ILLEGIBLE]1 SEP 25 [ILLEGIBLE]
RECORDED 1 62-83894-93
INDEXED [ILLEGIBLE]
15 SEP 8 [ILLEGIBLE][BLANK REVERSE SIDE — back of September 4, 1947 letter; text shows through but is illegible mirror image] [Stamps visible:] RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. 10 [ILLEGIBLE] AM LABORATORY DIVISION F B I RECEIVED-HAN[ILLEGIBLE] Sep 8 5 27 PM '47 U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
7/12/47 Newsday
COUNTY
IRRITANT
from our Mail Box
Coming His Way
Merrick—Out all day yesterday
looking for a house to rent, but
no luck. I got so disgusted I ended
up at a tavern and got pie-eyed.
When I got home and went in the
house I SAW FLYING SAUCERS IN
AIR!
—No Postie.
Garbles
Woodbury-Bellmore Radio
Ham's message seems to be from
some gentleman occupying an
Olympian height. As with many of
these oracles souls, the sender can-
not resist including a few "garbles"
in his code. Or is our Ham guilty?
Here is your message: TIRED OF
HUMAN NONSENSE WONT
AWAIT ATOMIC WAR DISTURB-
ING SOLAR SYSTEM SO SENT
FLYING DISCS AND WILL SET
UP WORLD UNDER MARTIANS
LATE THIS YEAR.
—Simple transposition. Hope all
your readers are appropriately
warned.
—Stephen M. Schuster.
(Other readers ask us to print
"ATLAW" instead of "await,"
"HUMAN" instead of "disturb-
ing." Miss Elsa Floyd of Port
Washington wants the Ham or-
der to be set up under "Hu-
manoids." Is Radio Ham satisfied?
EXL)
ENCLOSURE
1 62-8[ILLEGIBLE]894-[ILLEGIBLE]5
RECORDED 15 SEP 8 [ILLEGIBLE]
FBI [ILLEGIBLE]Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Mr. J. P. Coyne [ILLEGIBLE] DATE: 9/17/47
FROM : W. V. Cleveland [ILLEGIBLE]
SUBJECT: Mrs. A. G. Sarbanis [ILLEGIBLE], Informant
You will recall that a letter was received from the
above captioned individual dated July 10, 1947, in which she
inclosed a newspaper clipping signed "Radio Ham." This news-
paper clipping contained a coded message which Mrs. Sarbanis
decoded. The FBI Laboratory checked Mrs. Sarbanis's decoding of
this message and advised that it was substantially correct. All
Laboratory's decoding of the message is being set forth below:
"TIRED OF HUMAN NONSENSE FONT AWAIT ATOMIC WAR
DISRUPTING ORDER SOLAR SYSTEM SO SENT FLYING
DISCS AND FILL SET UP WORLD ORDER UNDER MARTIANS
LATE THIS YEAR"
The New York Office was asked to interview Mrs. Sarbanis to
determine from what newspaper the clipping in question was obtained.
They were further instructed to contact this newspaper in an effort
to ascertain the identity of the person who sent in the coded message,
in order that the person might be interviewed for information a[ILLEGIBLE]orning
the alleged receipt of the coded message.
By letter dated September 1, 1947, the New York Office
advised that they had ascertained from Mrs. Sarbanis that the coded
message had appeared in "Newsday," the local newspaper of Nassau and
Suffolk County, Long Island, New York. The City Editor of this news-
paper stated that the original had been signed only "Radio Ham" and
knew of no way of determining the identity of the writer. It was the
City Editor's opinion that the code had been made up by some local
"screwball" who had been affected by all of the newspaper publicity
that had been given to as something "flying discs."
The FBI Laboratory has now advised that the FCC maintains
their amateur records by a geographical breakdown and only by call
letters and that the Laboratory could possibly get the names of all
Amateur Radio operators in the Long Island, New York section in the
event it is desired that another attempt be made to identify the
person who sent this coded message to the "Newsday."
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that no further action be
taken in connection with this matter in view of the opinion expressed
by the City Editor of the "Newsday" that the letter received by him
signed "Radio Ham" was from some local "screwball."
[Handwritten initials and signatures]
#FCC[ILLEGIBLE]
1 05-2-0 1947 /76
RECORDED 1 62-83894-99
INDEXED [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE]
[Handwritten:] [ILLEGIBLE][BLANK REVERSE SIDE — back of Office Memorandum dated 9/17/47] [Stamps visible upside down:] RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. [ILLEGIBLE] U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE [ILLEGIBLE] SEP 2 6 [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE]
Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Director, FBI - Attention: Assistant
Director D. M. LADD DATE: July 28, 1947
FROM : [ILLEGIBLE] SAC, San Francisco
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS
There is transmitted herewith for the information of the Bureau
a report received from Lieutenant Colonel DONALD L. SPRINGER, A-2, Hamilton
Field, California, containing the results of an investigation by his office
concerning the reported sighting of flying discs.
In addition to containing the detailed descriptions of what was
allegedly seen by several persons, the Bureau's attention is particularly
called to the first memorandum setting forth the notes of Agent FRANK W.
BROWN, CIC, Fourth Air Force, concerning an interview he had with Mr.
KENNETH ARNOLD, Box 387, Boise, Idaho, who reported that on July 12, 1947
he had seen flying strange objects flying over the Cascade Mountain Range
of Washington State. It will be noted that CIC Agent BROWN reports that
"Mr. ARNOLD is very outspoken and somewhat bitter in his opinions of the
leaders of the United States Army Air Forces and the FBI for not having
made an investigation of this matter sooner."
The thought has occurred to me that the Bureau might desire to have
an agent of the Butte Office contact Mr. ARNOLD and explain to him our lack
of jurisdiction in such matters.
IMX:emb
Enclosures
[Handwritten:] 4[ILLEGIBLE]
[Handwritten:] Fletcher
[Stamp:] APPROVED / [ILLEGIBLE] IN / INDEXED
41 1 62-838[ILLEGIBLE]4 95
EX-37 34 [ILLEGIBLE] SEP 20 1947
PV
[Handwritten:] Coyne [ILLEGIBLE]
[Stamp:] DECLASSIFIED / Authority / NND 90986
8-34[ILLEGIBLE]
630 CT 2 1947 [ILLEGIBLE]COVERING
CI-52
CONFIDENTIAL
[AAF SEAL] UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
Office of Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
Hamilton Field, California
Title: Flying Discs Investigation made at Palm Springs, Calif., Boise,
Idaho, and Hamilton Field, California.
File No. D333.5 ID (4AF-1308-1) Controlling office: Air Defense Command
Date: 16 July 1947 Period covered: 10 Jul 47 to 16 Jul 47
Case classification: Incident
Status of case: Pending
REASON FOR INVESTIGATION:
Investigation initiated at the request of Headquarters Air Defense Command
reference letter Headquarters Air Defense Command, dated 7 July 47, File D333.5 ID,
subject: Investigation of Flying Discs.
SYNOPSIS:
Flying discs first reported in this area 24 June 1947 near Mt. Rainier, Wash.,
by Kenneth N. Arnold (Incl 1, Exhibit A)
Unidentified object reported 9 July 1947 at approximately 1277 near Boise, Idaho,
by David N. Johnson, Aviation Editor, Idaho Daily Statesman. (Incl 2, Exhibit B)
Unidentified objects reported by Capt. E. J. Smith, United Air Lines Pilot,
4 July 1947, eight minutes out of Boise, Idaho. (Incl 3 MOIC, Incl 7 News Clippings
dated 8 July 1947)
Record check of law enforcement agencies, public utilities, and local residences
revealed no record of Richard Rankin in Palm Springs. (Incl 4, Exhibit I)
Unidentified objects reported 8 July 1947 at 1248, traveling northeast over
Hamilton Field by S/Sgt Edward H. A. Baker. (Incl 5, Exhibit I)
Unidentified objects reported over Grand Canyon, Arizona, 0910 MST by Lt. W. G.
McGinty. (Incl 6) and in vicinity of Lake Mead by Lt. E. H. Armstrong, Hq Tenth
Air Force, Brooks Field, Texas. (Incl 6)
Extent of publicity in local area indicated by press clippings. (Incl 7)
DISTRIBUTION: Copies Approved:
AAF 2
ADC 1 [Signed] Donald L. Springer
4AF Files 1 DONALD L. SPRINGER
1st Lieutenant, AC
AC of S, A-2
[Stamp:] FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION / JUL 24 1947
[Stamp:] DECLASSIFIED / Authority NND 90986
62-8[ILLEGIBLE]94 95
W.D., P.M.G. Form No. 119
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL COPY
Incident
4AF 1208 I
16 July 1947
MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE:
1. On 12 July 1947, Mr. Kenneth Arnold, Box 387, Boise, Idaho,
was interviewed in regard to the report by Mr. Arnold that he saw 9
strange objects flying over the Cascade Mountain Range of Washington
State on July 25th. Mr. Arnold voluntarily agreed to give the inter-
viewer a written report of exactly what he had seen on the above men-
tioned date. The written report of Mr. Arnold is attached to this
report as Exhibit A.
AGENT'S NOTES: Mr. Arnold is a man of 32 years of age, being married and
the father of two children. He is well thought of in the community in
which he lives, being very much the family man and from all appearances
a very good provider for his family. Mr. Arnold has recently purchased
a home on the outskirts of Boise, recently purchased a $6,000 airplane
in which to conduct his business to the extent of which is explained in
attached exhibit. It is the personal opinion of the interviewer that Mr.
Arnold actually saw what he stated that he saw. It is difficult to
believe that a man of Mr. Arnold's character and apparent integrity would
state that he saw objects and write up a report to the extent that he did
if he did not see them. To go further, if Mr. Arnold can write a report
of the character that he did will not having seen the objects that he
claimed he saw, it is the opinion of the interviewer that Mr. Arnold is
in the wrong business, that he should be writing Buck Rogers fiction.
Mr. Arnold is very outspoken and somewhat bitter in his opinions of the
U.S. Army Air Forces and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for not
having made in investigation of this matter. A close study of the
statements made by Mr. Arnold in this report would make it a voluminous
volume. However, he claims that he checked an aeronautical map of the
area over which Mr. Arnold was flying to identify the objects in this
area. He is also the fact claims that he saw the objects with regard to
the distances involved, speed of the objects, course of the objects,
etc., could very possibly be facts. The actual distances on aeronautical
charts of this area, although Mr. Arnold has several times covered them
for Army use. Mr. Arnold stated that his business had suffered greatly
since he had reported the sighting of the objects.CONFIDENTIAL COPY
Incident
4AF 1208 I
flying through the air I would never say a word about it", due to the
fact that he has been ridiculed by the press to such an extent that he
is practically a moron in the eyes of the majority of the population of
the United States.
1 Incl: Exhibit "A"
FRANK M. BROWN, S/A, CIC 4th AF
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL COPY
SOME LIFE DATA ON KENNETH ARNOLD
I was born March 29, 1915 in Subeka, Minnesota. My father's name was
Edward E. Arnold; my mother's maiden name was Bertha H. Garden. I was a
resident of Minnesota until I was six years old when my family moved to
Scobey, Montana, where they homesteaded. My grandfather, Roland C. Arnold
also homesteaded in Scobey, Montana, and became quite prominent in political
circles along with Burton K. Wheeler, the famous Montana senator.
I went to grade school and high school at Minot, North Dakota. I
entered the university at twelve years of age and achieved the rank of Eagle
scout before I was fourteen. My former scout executive was H. E. Prescott,
now a regional commissioner for the Boy Scouts in Kansas City, Kansas.
As a boy, I was interested in athletics and was selected as an all-
state and all-local team in the State of North Dakota. I entered the
University of Minnesota Olympic trials in fancy diving in 1932. I was a
Life Saving Examiner during the years of 1932, '33 and '34. I taught
swimming and diving at scout camps and the principal Y in Minot, North
Dakota. I went to the University of Minnesota, where I was studying, until
I had a definite injury principally the principal Y in Minot, North Dakota.
I went to the University of Minnesota, where I was studying until I had an
injured knee. My high school football coach was Glenn I. Jarrett, who is
now the head football coach of the University of North Dakota. I had
little or no finances, and my ambition in being at the college was to put
myself through by athletics. As a boy in Minot, North Dakota, I did a
good deal of dog sled racing, placed first with my dog in 1930 in the
Lions Club Dog Derby.
In 1938 I went to work for Red Comet, Inc. of Littleton, Colorado, a
manufacturer of automatic fire fighting apparatus. In 1939 I was made a
district manager for them over part of the state. In 1940 I established
my own fire control supply known as the Great Western Fire Control Supply.
I have been working as an independent fire control engineer since, and
handle, distribute, and service all types of automatic and manual fire
fighting equipment in the rural areas over five western states.
My flying experience started as a boy in Minot, North Dakota, where
I took my first flying lesson from Earl T. Vance, who was originally from
Great Falls, Montana. Due to the high cost at that time, I was unable to
continue my flying and did not fly of any consequence until 1944 when
I was given my pilot certificate by Ed Leach, a senior CAA inspector of
Portland, Oregon. The last three years I have owned my own airplane
covering my entire territory which sometimes amounts to as many as a
hundred hours per month since. Due to the fact that I use an airplane
entirely in my work, in January of this year I purchased a new Callair
airplane, which is an airplane designed for high altitude short rough
field use.
In the type of flying I do, it takes a great deal of practice and
judgment to be able to land in most any cow pasture and go without
touching your airplane; the runways are very limited and the altitude is
very high in many of the fields and places I have to go for my work. To
date, I have landed in 823 cow pastures in mountain meadows, and in over
a thousand hours a flat tire has been my greatest mishap.
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL COPY
BY KENNETH ARNOLD
The following story of what I observed over the Cascade mountains,
as impossible as it may seem, is positively true. I never asked nor
wanted any notoriety for just accidentally being in the right spot at
the right time to observe what I did. I reported something that I
believed and felt I should have reported. I don't think that in any
way my observation was due to any sensativity of eye sight or judgment
than what is considered normal for any pilot.
On June 24th, Tuesday, 1947, I had a fire control appointment for
the Civil Air Service at Chehalis, Washington, and at about two o'clock
I took off from Chehalis, Washington, airport with the intention of
going to Yakima, Wash. My trip was around an hour's search for a large
marine plane that had supposedly went down near or around the southwest
side of Mt. Rainier in the state of Washington and to date has never
been found.
I flew directly toward Mt. Rainier after reaching an altitude of
about 9,500 feet, which is the approximate elevation of the high plateau
from which Mt. Rainier rises. I had made one sweep of this high plateau
to the westward, searching the high snow covered ridges for this marine
ship. I was flying down and near the ridge side of the canyon where
Ashford, Washington, is located.
Unable to see anything that looked like the lost ship, I made a
360 degree turn to the right over the little city of Ashford, and
proceeded north toward Mt. Rainier. I climbed back up to an altitude
of approximately 9,200 feet.
The air was so smooth that day that it was a real pleasure flying
and, as most pilots do, I was searching the sky as well as flying at a
definite altitude, I trimmed out my airplane in the direction of Yakima,
Washington, which was almost directly east of my position and simply sat
in my plane observing the sky and the terrain.
There was a DC-4 to the left and to the rear of me approximately
fifteen miles distance and I should judge, at 14,000 foot elevation.
The sky and air was as crystal as crystal could be. I hadn't
noticed any other craft.
There was a DC-4 to the left and to the rear of me approximately
fifteen miles distance and I should judge, at 14,000 foot elevation.
The sky and air was as crystal as crystal could be on two or three
minutes on my course when a bright flash reflected on my airplane. It
startled me as I thought it to be some other aircraft. I looked every
place in the sky and couldn't find where the reflection had come from
until I looked to the left and the north of Mt. Rainier where I observed
a chain of nine peculiar looking objects flying from north to south at
approximately 9,500 feet elevation and going, seemingly, in no definite
direction of about 170 degrees.
They were approaching Mt. Rainier very rapidly, and I merely assumed
they were jet planes. Anyhow, I discovered that this was where the
reflection had come from, as two or three of them every few seconds
would dip or change their course slightly enough for the sun to strike
them at an angle that reflected brightly on my plane.
These objects being quite far away, I was unable for a few seconds
to make out their shape or their formation. I assumed that the most
likely place they would be was to see them near Mt. Rainier, and I
observed their outline against the snow quite plainly.
I thought it was very peculiar that I couldn't find their tails but
assumed they were some type of jet plane. I was determined to clock
their speed, as I had two definite points I could clock them by; the
air was so clear that it was very easy to see objects and determine
their approximate shape at almost fifty miles away or more.
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL COPY
airplanes flying so close to the mountain tops, flying directly south to
southwest down the hog's back of a mountain range. I could estimate their
elevation could have varied a thousand feet one way or another up or down,
but they were pretty much on the horizon to me which would indicate they
were near the same elevation as I was.
They flew like many times I have observed geese to fly in a rather
diagonal chain-like line as if they were linked together. They seemed to
hold a definite direction but rather swerved in and out of the high
mountain peaks. Their speed at the time did not impress me particularly,
because I thought that any jet object would have a much higher speed than
this.
What kept bothering me as I watched them flip and flash in the sun
right along their path was the fact that I couldn't make out any tail on
them, and I am sure that any pilot would justify more than a second look
at such a plane.
I observed them quite plainly, and I estimate my distance from them,
which was almost at right angles, to be between 20 to 25 miles. I knew
they must be very large to observe their shape at that distance, even
on as clear a day as it was that Tuesday. In fact I compared a seam
fastener or coupling nut angle on the DC-4 that I could see on them to
my left, and holding it up on the DC-4 - that I could observe at quite
a distance to my left, and they seemed smaller than the DC-4; but, I
should judge their span would have been as wide as the furthermost
engines on each side of the fuselage of the DC-4.
The more I observed these objects, the more upset I became, as I am
accustomed and familiar with all objects flying, whether I am close to
the ground or at higher altitudes. I observed the chain of these objects
passing another high snow-covered ridge in between Mt. Rainier and Mt.
Adams, and as the first object was passing the southern crest of this
ridge the last object was entering the northern crest of the ridge.
I felt it was time to fly in the direction of this particular ridge.
I measured it and found it to be approximately five miles so I could
safely assume that the chain of these saucer like objects were at least
five miles long. I could quite accurately determine their pathway due
to the fact that there were several high peaks that I knew a little to
the side of them as well as higher peaks on the other side of their
pathway.
As the first object in this formation passed the southern most high
snow-covered crest of Mt. Adams, I looked at my watch and it was one
minute and forty-two seconds. They had travelled the distance in one
minute and forty-two seconds. Even this time with trying did not help
me as I felt confident after I would land there would be some explanation
of everything I saw.
A number of news men and experts suggested that I might have been
seeing reflections, or even some strange phenomenon which I did not
discount, as I observed these objects not only through the glass of my
airplane but the chain of these saucer-like objects were not only
through the glass - I was able to observe them as well as the naked eye,
focusing on the glass of my aircraft.
[This image contains all the information on the document]
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL COPY
I might add that my complete observation of these objects, which I
could even follow by their flashes as they passed Mt. Adams, was around
one and one-half or three minutes - the time when they reached Mt. Adams
they were out of my range of vision as far as determining what they were.
Of course, when the sun reflected from one or two or three of these units,
they appeared to be absolutely true, or solid; in fact, to the best of my
ability, which I am including, as to the shape I observed these objects to
be as they passed the snow covered ridges as well as Mt. Rainier.
Although these objects have been reported by many other observers
throughout the United States, there is no report that I can truthfully say
has observed the same thing that I did; particularly, the descriptions of
the three Western Airlines pilots, Capt. Smith and Co-Pilot Stevens of
United Air Lines.
Some descriptions could not be very accurate taken from the ground
unless these observers did not like to go to a talk shop. Mr. Johnson
that all of the people who observed peculiar objects could have seen the
same thing I did; but, it would have been very difficult from the ground
to observe objects flying at a high enough speed and at the possibility
of atmospheric moisture and dust near the ground which could distort one's
vision. I have in my possession letters from all over the States and
people who prefer to see these objects have been observed over other
portions of the world, principally Sweden, Bermuda, and California.
I would have given almost anything that day to have had a movie
camera with a telephoto lens and from the front of my airplane to -
but, to continue further with my story. When I landed at the Yakima, Wash.,
airport I described what I had seen to my very good friend, Al Baxter, who
listened patiently and was then very courteous, but I dismissed then when
transmitting the information and (2) conducting a further search, which I
did after landing for fuel and to make some telephone calls.
The search I made, with the first, now with a landing from the
first one, consumed another two hours, but was negative. I explored
thoroughly the region where I saw the objects.
Immediately after this landing I asked if there were other
aircraft in the area. There was a P-51 of the 190th squadron practicing
maneuvers in the vicinity of Ruma, but that was behind me. A C-38
passed over me, I observed that they were at approximately 14,000
feet. The P-51 in the vicinity of Ruma proceeded to the area where I
saw the object, at my request, and conducted a search. It was negative.
During the search the P-51 was in formation over the city in a southerly
direction.
I was subsequently informed that personnel on both the United Air
Lines side of Gowen field, and on the national guard side, observed a
black object maneuvering in front of the same cloud formation, which by
one had been going past. I do not know how many of them saw it. It was
by approximately four men from a base of 15,800 or 16,000 feet, man sea
level. Three of these men were national guard personnel and I talked to
them,
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL COPY
observe something that at least Mr. John Doe on the street corner or Pete
Andrews on the ranch has never heard about, is no reason to think that it
does not exist. Even though I openly invited an investigation by the Army
and the FBI as to the authenticity of my story or a mental or a physical
examination as to my capabilities, I have received no interest from these two
important protective forces of our country; I will go so far as to assume
that any report I gave to the United and Associated Press and over the radio
on two different occasions which apparently set the nation buzzing, if our
Military Intelligence was not aware of what I observed, they would be the
very first people that I could expect as visitors.
I have received lots of requests from people who told me to make a lot
of wild guesses. I have based what I have written here in this article on
positive facts and as far as proving what it was I observed, it is just as
much a mystery to me as it is to the rest of the world.
My pilot's license is 333487. I fly a Callair airplane; it is a three-
place single engine land ship that is designed and manufactured at Afton,
Wyoming, as an extremely high performance, high altitude airplane that was
made for mountain work. The national certificate of my plane is 33358.
/s/ Kenneth Arnold
Box 587
Boise, Idaho
traveling this way
|
------
/ Tip \
------
|
They seemed longer than wide, their
thickness was about 1/20th of their width
[sketch of shape traveling other way]
Mirror Bright
They did not appear to me to whirl or spin but seemed in fixed position,
traveling as I have made drawing. /s/ Kenneth Arnold
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL COPY
Incident
4AF 1208 I
16 July 1947
MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE:
1. On 12 July 1947, a call was made at the newspaper office of
the "Idaho Daily Statesman", Boise, Idaho. The aviation editor of the
paper, Mr. David M. Johnson, was interviewed in regard to how well he
knew Mr. Kenneth Arnold of Boise, Idaho, and as to the credibility of
any statements made by Mr. Arnold. The purpose of this interview was an
attempt to verify statements made by Mr. Kenneth Arnold on 26 June 1947,
to various national news services to the effect that he, Mr. Arnold,
had seen objects flying in the air above the Cascade Mountain Range of
Washington. These objects were subsequently referred to as flying
saucers or flying disks and will here-in-after be referred to as such
in this report. Mr. Johnson stated that he had known Mr. Arnold for
quite a period of time, having had relations with Mr. Arnold on various
occasions, due to the fact that both he, Mr. Johnson, and Mr. Arnold
were pilots and used to go together to talk shop. Mr. Johnson
stated that as far as he was concerned anything Mr. Arnold said could be
taken very seriously and that he, Mr. Johnson, actually believed that Mr.
Arnold had seen the aforementioned flying disks. Mr. Johnson stated that
after Mr. Arnold reported having seen the flying disks, that the editor
of the paper had assigned him, Mr. Johnson, the assignment of taking the
airplane belonging to the newspaper and exhausting all efforts to prove
or disprove the probability of flying disks having been seen in the
northwest area. The results of this assignment to Mr. Johnson and what
he subsequently saw is put forth in a sworn statement signed by Mr.
Johnson attached to this report as Exhibit B.
AGENT'S NOTES: Mr. Johnson is a man of approximately 33 to 35 years of
age. From all appearances he is a very reserved type of person. Mr.
Johnson has logged 2300 hours of flying time in various types of airplanes
up to and including multi-engine aircraft. It is the opinion of the
interviewer that Mr. Johnson was the first pilot of a B-29 type aircraft
being assigned to the Twentieth USAAF and stationed on Tinian Island, in
the Pacific. It is also the personal opinion of the interviewer that Mr.
Johnson would have to be very strongly convinced that he actually saw
flying disks before he would open himself for the ridicule that would
accompany such a report.
1 Incl: Exhibit "B"
FRANK M. BROWN, S/A, CIC 4th AF
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL COPY
Statement of David N. Johnson
at Boise, Idaho, July 12, 1947
To Whom It May Concern:
On the sixth day of July, 1947, I received from James L. Brown,
general manager of the Statesman Newspapers, incorporated in Idaho as
The Statesman Printing company, an assignment which was in substance:
"Conduct an aerial search of the northwest states in an effort to
see and photograph a flying disk, stay in the air so long a time
as you believe reasonable, or until you see a flying disc."
In accordance to these instructions, I took the Statesman's airplane,
and with Kenneth Arnold as navigator, flew on our first mission on the
seventh day of July, 1947. This mission was without result. It
covered an area embracing the confines of the Hanford plant in Washington,
and territory between Mt. Rainier and the Cascade mountains. Arnold
first reported seeing objects henceforth described as saucers or discs.
On the eighth day of July, 1947, I took an AT-6 of the 190th Fighter
squadron, Idaho National Guard, with which I am a member, and flew to
northern Idaho, into northwestern Montana briefly, to Spokane, Washington,
and back to Boise by way of Walla Walla, Washington, and Pendleton, Oregon.
This search also was negative.
On the ninth day of July, 1947, I continued the search, again using a
national guard AT-6, this time centering my efforts over the Owyhee mountains
west and southwest of Boise, a line centering over the Mountain Home desert
on a track southeast of the Mountain Home army air base, thence into the
Sawtooth mountains, and back in the general direction of Boise on a line
carrying me well to the north of the Shafter buttes forest service stations
and the Horseshoe Bend area, and thence back in a southwesterly direction
to a point between Boise and the village of Meridian, which is a few miles
away.
During this search, which lasted approximately two and one-half
hours, I flew under and around rapidly forming cumulus clouds over that
area known as the Camas Prairie, east of Boise. The Camas Prairie were
near the village of Fairfield in that valley, and Fairfield is 75 miles
airline east of Boise. At that time I saw nothing in the vicinity of
these clouds.
At the time I reached the point between Boise and Meridian, I was
flying at an altitude of 14,000 feet mean sea level, which would be a mean
average of 11,000 feet over the earth. I was not considering errors
in the altimeter induced either by barometric changes since my takeoff, or
by temperature changes at that altitude.
I turned the airplane on an easterly heading, pointing toward Gowen
Field, and had flown on that course for perhaps a minute when there suddenly
appeared to me from the left hand portion of my field of vision an object
which was black and round.
I immediately centered my gaze on the object. At that time, due to its
erratic movement, I thought I was looking at a large weather balloon. I
called the CAA's communication station at Boise, and asked if the weather
station had recently released a balloon. The reply from communicator Albertson
was that the balloon they had released had been up not "for several hours"
he gave me the exact time of the previous release, which was around 09:30 that
day.
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL COPY
Upon hearing this response, I turned the aircraft broadside to
the object, pulled back the plexiglass covering to avoid any
distortion, took my camera from the map case, and exposed about 10
seconds duration of eight millimeter motion picture film. During
the time the camera was at eye level, I could not see the object be-
cause of the minuteness of scope introduced by the optical view finder
with which the camera, an F.1.9 Eastman, was equipped.
Taking the camera away and once again centering my gaze on the
object, it changed its shape so that it appeared as a thin black line.
It then performed a maneuver which looked as if it had begun and
began, was broken off at about the 180-degree point. The object
rolled out of the top of the maneuver at this point, and I lost sight
of it.
This entire performance was observed against the background of
clouds previously forming over the Camas Prairie. The object appeared
relatively near, although the clouds formed a dozen miles behind it. I
know how far away it was. I do not know, nor can I truthfully estimate
its speed. I can only say it was not an airplane, and if it was at a
very great distance away, I can only say it was not at an airplane, and
if it was at a very great distance, its apparent speed is reduced to the
viewer if an object is a very great distance away.
I want to state to my desk to determine the exact time I saw
the object. The CAA's log of radio contacts shows my first contact
to have been made at 12:17 hours. But a few seconds elapsed between
the first contact and the final, until I called the CAA station.
I subsequently related over the radio a description of what I
saw, and communicator Albertson may remember it. The central tower
may have recorded it, but I am not prepared to swear to this point.
The purpose of my relating over the air what I saw was the rapid
transmission of the report to the newspaper, for at that time I
was assigned (1) transmitting the information and report of the
transmitting the information and (2) conducting a further search, which I
did after landing for fuel and to make some telephone calls.
The search I made, with the first landing from the
first one, consumed another two hours, but was negative. I explored
thoroughly the region where I saw the object.
Immediately after this landing I asked if there were other
aircraft in the area. There was a P-51 of the 190th squadron practicing
maneuvers in the vicinity of Ruma, but that was behind me. A C-38
passed over me, I observed that they were at approximately 14,000
feet. The P-51 in the vicinity of Ruma proceeded to the area where I
saw the object, at my request, and conducted a search. It was negative.
During the search the P-51 was in formation over the city in a southerly
direction.
I was subsequently informed that personnel on both the United Air
Lines side of Gowen field, and on the national guard side, observed a
black object maneuvering in front of the same cloud formation, which by
one had been going past. I do not know how many of them saw it. It was
by approximately four men from a base of 15,800 or 16,000 feet, man sea
level. Three of these men were national guard personnel and I talked to
them,
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL COPY
saw it.
This statement is made voluntarily and freely, in response
to the request of Mr. Brown and Captain Davidson, who called on me
this morning.
/s/ David N. Johnson
Subscribed and sworn to before me, a notary public, this 12th
day of July, 1947.
/s/ Geo. L. Flaherty
Notary public for Ada
county Idaho. My
commission expires Jan 2, 1949.CONFIDENTIAL COPY
Chart to which reference is
made on page six, statement
of David N. Johnson
[diagram showing dotted line path with positions labeled 1 through 5,
with oval/disc shapes at each position along a curved trajectory]
This design portrays the movements of the object to
which reference is made in the attached statement. At
all times the object appeared as black. Positions (1), (2)
and (3) show the jerky, rising motion. Position (4) is where
the object rolled, presenting its edge to me. It then
followed the dotted line, rolling over the top of the maneuver
and disappearing at position (5).
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL COPY
[This image contains all the information on the document]
asking them to describe what they saw, before telling them my story,
in order to avoid suggestion or inference of a leading nature. They
said they saw something in that white cloud which I chose to dismiss.
They believed the time to have been 14:00 hours. The object performed
in the same erratic manner, they said, as I observed.
I have approximately 2300 hours of flying time in equipment
ranging from primary trainers to B-29's and some of which does not
increase my powers of observation except as to those practiced daily
by an airman. It does not make my eyesight any sharper except again
as the bodily requirement demand of an airman. I am very sharp.
At the time of the experience related above, I had flown four-
teen and one-half hours on an assignment to find a disc and if possible,
to photographically record it from its best side. During this time I
was suffering, although slightly, from want of oxygen.
Prior to sighting the object, I had concluded there was no point
in pressing the search at risk angle, for there were no flying saucer
objects referred to by Arnold and by Captain Smith of United Air Lines.
At all times during the search, both on that day and the two
preceding days (particularly, the latter of the two) I continually
talked to myself to keep beating into my head that I would not fall
victim to the power of suggestion or self-hypnosis arising from a
naturally very strong inner desire to find a disc and bring success to
the assignment given me.
I therefore do not believe that I was the victim of suggestion
or hypnosis. I did not discount it. I decided when I began
beginning to move after it was watched a sufficient length of time. I
know what tricks the eyes will play as to moving bodies, and have learned
of that particularly during night flying sights.
I saw the object appear suddenly. If it had moved in a jerky
fashion (as it did at first) for the full length of time I observed it,
I would not discount it, anyhow, something that I couldn't be absolutely
not a balloon, and not a corpuscle moving across the retina of either
eye. The maneuver described by the object when its edge was presented
to me convinced me that the object actually performing in an
erratic flight path.
The question remained, of course, whether I saw the motion
picture - I had, of course, and processed it. In the Eastman
laboratories at 241 Battery Street, San Francisco, there was no trace
of the object. I can say (if it was more than a mile distant from me
and at the size I described, the object would be too small for the
enlargement in that case is limited because of the negative, and
the fact I did not have any telescopic equipment on the lens. The
exposure was f.16, stop set at infinity, at a speed of 16 frames per
second.
I have worried over this matter a great deal since seeing it.
I "fool myself aside" and said, "Johnson, don't be stupid, I know that
I brought myself to the point of thinking it did not exist."
The impression of the moment was too vivid, too realistic; I knew
it in the air it seems a partial slow roll or barrel that convinced me
that I was not a victim of illusion.
I trust this matter will be of help to those investigating
flying disc phenomenon which I observed.
A chart is attached depicting the movements of the
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL COPY
Incident
4AF 1208 I
16 July 1947
MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE:
1. On 12 July 1947, Captain Smith, of the United Airlines, was
interviewed at the Boise Municipal Airport, Boise, Idaho. Captain
Smith was passing through Boise on a schedule flight at the time and
had a 20 minute stop-over. Captain Smith reiterated the statements
originally made by him to the press as to what he had seen in the late
evening of July 4th, when 8 minutes out of Boise on the route to
Seattle, Washington. It is the opinion of the interviewer that due to
the position Captain Smith occupies, that he, Captain Smith, would have
to be very strongly convinced that he actually saw flying disks before
he would open himself for the ridicule attached to a report of this type.
FRANK M. BROWN, S/A, CIC 4th AF
62-83894-95
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL COPY
Incident
4AF 1208 I
14 July 1947
MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE:
1. On 10 July 1947, a check was made at the following locations
in Palm Springs, California for the purpose of trying to locate Mr.
Richard Rankin. Palm Springs Police Department, Palm Springs newspaper,
"The Desert Sun", Palm Springs Water Company, Southern California Gas
Company, Palm Springs Telephone Company, Palm Springs Employment Office,
Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce, Royal Palm Hotels, Palm Springs real
estate offices, and the City Offices of Palm Springs including waste
disposal, water rights, tax records and etc. No record of Mr. Rankin
existed in any of the above mentioned offices.
2. On 11 July 1947, Mr. Ryland M. Gorham, Postmaster of Palm
Springs, California was interviewed. Mr. Gorham stated that he had
lived in Palm Springs for the past 24 years and that he was unaware
if a person named Richard Rankin had ever lived in Palm Springs. Mr.
Gorham stated that due to the fact that Palm Springs is a resort area
and due to the fact that in the summer months only 3 to 5 thousand people
resided in Palm Springs, whereas in the winter months 10 to 12 thousand
resided in Palm Springs, it was very possible that Mr. Rankin could have
been in Palm Springs more or less on a non-permanent status and he, Mr.
Gorham, not being aware of it. A check of General Delivery records
revealed a letter addressed to Mr. Richard Rankin, Palm Springs, mailed
from Cicero, Indiana, postmarked at Cicero, Indiana, July 3, at 5 PM.
The return address on the envelope was listed as the Gospel Tract Worker,
Route 1, Cicero, Indiana. Mr. Gorham permitted the contents of the
envelope to be examined inasmuch the contents were of a religious nature
concerning the 3rd Classeria and the envelope was addressed to Mr.
Richard Rankin who had received mail through the general delivery office
of the Palm Springs Post Office, but that the last mail, other than the
letter mentioned above, came through the Post Office approximately two
years ago." The Superintendent of Mails seemed to have a very uncanny
memory and recalled where the mail coming in for Rankin had been
addressed to. This mail was addressed to Mr. Richard Rankin, Palm
Springs. On checking the trailer camp office, it was found that Mr.
Richard Rankin had lived in the camp but departed approximately two years
ago and left no forwarding address. In an effort to continue in his
effort to locate Mr. Rankin and obtain a statement from him.
FRANK M. BROWN, S/A, CIC 4th AF
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL COPY
FLYING DISCS
4AF-1208-I
16 July 1947
MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE: 73
On 15 July 1947, S/Sgt Edward R. Baker, ASN RA 39676376, 467th
AAF BU (ORD), Squadron A, Hamilton Field, California, was interviewed
and stated as follows: S/Sgt Baker has been in the Army ten years and
two months, twenty-six months overseas duty in the ETO, and has been in
the Air Corps for about ten months. S/Sgt Baker stated that on 8 July
1947, he was going to Base Cleaners from his office and was passing
along the sidewalk near the barracks of the ORD when he saw five or six
men pointing toward the sky. He paid no further attention to it until a
lieutenant and a captain ahead of him stopped and pointed in the same
direction. He stated that on glancing up he saw three objects traveling
northeast across the sky. They seemed to be traveling faster than an
ordinary flight of B-29s and he estimated the altitude between 8-10,000
feet and approximately 7-10 miles away. S/Sgt Baker stated that the two
objects in the lead appeared to be round and of a very light gray color,
while the object in the rear seemed to be either rotating or rolling.
Behind the other two. S/Sgt Baker stated from a distance he could
not tell exactly the shape of the one which was rolling as it seemed to
be turning over and he couldn't tell whether the object was flat. The
only means he had of identifying it was the fact that it seemed to
get brighter and darker as it appeared to roll. The objects were in
sight approximately four minutes. As he was in a hurry, he did not
stop to talk to the other men out he heard two of them remark that the
one in the rear was certainly rolling. S/Sgt Baker was unable to
identify any of the other men who were reported to have seen the
object. Baker stated that it was unlike anything he had ever seen and
that he has been trying to convince himself that it was an optical
illusion, and yet at the same time he is certain that he saw the objects
as described. (See Exhibit I).
NOTE: S/Sgt Baker appears to be intelligent and is a reserved sort of
person. He was very reluctant to discuss the subject and at first
appeared hesitant prompted by the possibility that he might be ridiculed.
He seemed to be honest and sincere in what he stated he saw, and said
frankly he was puzzled over the matter. A signed statement by S/Sgt
Baker is attached.
1 Incl:
Exhibit I.
WILLIAM L. DAVIDSON, Capt, AC, CIC SI, 4AF
CONFIDENTIALOffice Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT 65-461 TO : Director FBI DATE: September 2, 1947 FROM : SAC Butte 15 SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS Easyptel August 20, 1947. With reference to the above-described teletype, Mr. H. H. HEDSTROM, 322 Third Avenue North, Twin Falls, Idaho, was the principal source of information. Mr. HEDSTROM, who is the Executive Director of Twin Falls Housing Authority, explained that he and his wife and Mrs. HENRY SHULTZ, a neighbor, were sitting on their front porch at approximately 9:30 P. M., August 19, 1947, when Mrs. HEDSTROM said she had seen an object traveling at a terrific rate of speed in a northeasterly direction. The object was out of sight before Mr. HEDSTROM and Mrs. SHULTZ could see anything. While they were discussing what Mrs. HEDSTROM had seen, approximately ten minutes later all three saw ten similar objects proceeding rapidly in the same direction in the form of a triangle. As the group of objects was dis- appearing, three of the objects on the left flank peeled off and proceeded in a more northerly direction. The remaining objects appeared to close ranks and proceeded in a northeasterly direction. From three to five minutes later these same [ILLEGIBLE] same group of three objects proceeding in the same direction, and again in the shape of a triangle. From three to five minutes later all three observed another group in a triangular formation consisting of five or six objects. They were proceeding in the same direction. A few minutes later the three persons saw a large group of objects estimated at from thirty-five to fifty flying in a triangular formation in the same direction. Approximately twenty or twenty-five minutes after the large group of objects was observed, similar objects were noted coming back over the city in a southwesterly direction. These objects were generally in groups of three, five and seven and followed each other at approximately five minute intervals. Mr. HEDSTROM called Detective RICHARD A. FRAZIER of the Twin Falls Police Department, followed by Mr. GORDON, and then called Mr. RICHARD ROUNTREE and RICHARD SCOTT, also members of the Twin Falls Police Department. The three officers watched for a few minutes and observed a group of about twelve objects flying in formation over the city in a southerly direction. The members of the Police Department did not continue watching, although Mr. FRAZIER saw other groups, which were also seen by the HEDSTROMS and Mrs. SHULTZ. Mrs. SHULTZ had also called her husband, who saw [ILLEGIBLE] of the objects. COPIES DESTROYED 270 NOV 18 1954 [stamps: EX-23; FBI; 34 SERIAL 1847] 55 OCT [date]
[ILLEGIBLE - page appears to be the reverse/back side of a document, with text showing through from the other side in mirror image; stamps at bottom read RECEIVED, INTERNAL SECURITY, F.B.I.]
FT 65-461
On the night in question the sky was overcast and the objects could
not be seen closely; however, they were distinct enough so that all persons
could observe what they described as a glow going through the air. They said
that the objects appeared to be lighted from the inside and were of a color
similar to regular electric lights.
Detective FRAZIER and Mr. HEDSTROM both stated that they could not
be meteors or comets, that they flew on a level line and did not appear to
drop. They flew at a terrific rate of speed and were visible for only a few
minutes at a time. Both persons interviewed said that the lights could not
have been geese or ducks and that the lights were not a reflection of the
city lights on some object or objects.
None of the persons interviewed noticed any flames or anything except
the glow of lights. None of the persons who claimed to have seen these objects
were drinking at the time. No other persons in Twin Falls reported seeing the
objects mentioned herein; however, Mr. HEDSTROM and Mr. FRAZIER stated that
it was purely by accident that they had seen the objects and that they would
not have seen them unless they were looking for them, because of the speed at
which they traveled. On account of the overcast sky they were unable to
estimate the size of the objects or the height at which they flew.
No further investigation is being conducted by the Butte Office, and
the case is being closed.
RJG:FO'S
- 2 -Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Director, FBI DATE: September 4, 1947
FROM : SAC, San Francisco AIRMAIL
SPECIAL DELIVERY
SUBJECT: REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS
Enclosed is a copy of a letter dated August 28, 1947,
from Lt. Col. DONALD L. SPRINGER of A-2, Hamilton Field, Calif.,
with an attachment referring to the sighting of a flying object
by Captain JACK PECK and his co-pilot, VINCE DALY, near Bethel,
Alaska.
Photostatic copies of this letter and attachment are
being forwarded to the Anchorage Field Office. In accordance
with Bureau Bulletin #42, dated July 30, 1947, Anchorage is
requested to interview Captain JACK PECK and his co-pilot, VINCE
DALY, preferably separately, in order to obtain all details of
their reported sighting of a flying object on August 4, 1947.
The San Francisco Field Office should be furnished two copies
of the results of these interviews for distribution to the Sixth
Army Intelligence.
DWK:MR
62-2938
Encls.
cc Anchorage (Encls.)
AMSD
RECORDED
&
INDEXED
[stamps: 62-83894 97; FF B3 1; 34 SEP 43 1947; MILITARY SECTION]
127
EX-42
55 SEP 30 1947[ILLEGIBLE - reverse/back side of document, upside down as scanned; rotated 180° to orient] RECEIVED SEP 27 1 52 PM INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. DEPT OF JUST. [ILLEGIBLE - header fields and body text; bleed-through from front side renders text unreadable]
CONFIDENTIAL
SIGAK OOO ALASKA COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, SIGNAL CORPS AGSAD
Seattle 4, Washington
19 August 1947
Subject: Matters of National Interest
To: Commanding General
Fourth Air Force
San Francisco, California
The attached letter has been received from the NCOIC of
the Alaska Communication System station at Bethel, Alaska.
It is submitted for your information.
For the Commanding Officer:
/s/ Svend C. Hansen
SVEND C. HANSEN
Captain, Signal Corps
Acting Executive
1 Incl
Cy ltr fr NCOIC
at Bethel to Hq,
ACS, Seattle
333.5/1206-1 1st Ind 4AFDA
HQ FOURTH AIR FORCE, Hamilton Field, California, 23 August 1947.
TO: Special Agent In Charge, FBI, U. S. Department of Justice, Room 422,
Federal Office Building, San Francisco, California.
Forwarded for your information.
DONALD L. SPRINGER
Lt. Colonel, GSC
AC of S, A-2
1 Incl:
n/c
[DECLASSIFIED
Authority:
NND 90986]
[FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPT OF JUSTICE
SEP 2 1947
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.
ROUTED TO ___]
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL COPY
BETHEL, ALASKA
8 August 1947
Subject: Matters of National Interest
To: Commanding Officer, Alaska Communication System
880 Federal Office Building, Seattle 4, Washington
1. Per ACAS-S S19.1 the following report is submitted on a matter
which may become of National Interest. Captain Jack Peck and his CoPilot
Vines Daly have stated that on August 4, 1947 they sighted and followed a
flying saucer Northwest of Bethel, Alaska. The object was bigger than the
Douglas DC-3 they were flying, crossed their course at right angles to them.
It was flying at an altitude of one thousand feet. They swung in behind it
and followed it at an air speed of one hundred seventy miles per hour but
it was out of sight in four minutes. They state the object was smooth
surfaced and streamlined with no visible means of propulsion whatever.
2. It is realized that the Fourth Air Force claims there are no such
things but Captain Peck is Chief Pilot for Al Jones flying service and is
not a man given to flying discs and related exaggeration. In view of the
excellent reputation of Captain Peck and the fact that no one here doubts
in the least that he actually saw this object, this report is turned in for
any action deemed necessary by your office.
/s/ Harold B. Johnson
T/4 Signal Corps
Operator in Charge
[FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPT OF JUSTICE
SEP 2 1947
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.
ROUTED TO ___]
CONFIDENTIAL[STANDARD FORM NO. 64]
Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Director, FBI DATE: August 27, 1947
FROM : SAC, San Francisco
SUBJECT: REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS
Attention: Assistant Director D. M. LADD
Reference is made to my letter of August 8, 1947, with which there
were transmitted photostatic copies of three letters dated August 4, 1947,
entitled, "Investigation of Flying Discs".
In order to keep the Bureau fully informed concerning this matter,
I am enclosing a letter dated July 28, 1947, entitled, "Unidentifiable
Objects" furnished to me by Lt. Colonel DONALD L. SPRINGER, GSC, A C of
S A-2. Enclosed with this letter was a memorandum for the officer in
charge written by LAWRENCE R. KING, JR., Special Agent CIC AAF dated
July 15, 1947.
Lt. Colonel DONALD L. SPRINGER furnished me in person with a memo-
randum entitled, "Incident for AF 1205-1" dated August 9, 1947, and
prepared by JAMES A. NELSON, Special Agent CIC AAF.
The Bureau will be kept currently advised of any future information
obtained in this matter.
DNB/VII
02-4036
Enclosures
[Handwritten: Fletcher]
[Stamp: EX-23 162-73894-98]
[Stamp: 31 SEP 28 1947]
[Handwritten routing marks and initials]
62 OCT 1 1947[ILLEGIBLE - reverse/back side of document, upside down as scanned; rotated 180° to orient] RECEIVED SEP 10 2 43 PM INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. DEPT OF JUST. RECEIVED LABOR SECTION SEP 10 07 AM '47 RECEIVED SEP 4 4 36 PM INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. DEPT OF JUST. 4 43 PM RECEIVED-LABOR F.B.I. [ILLEGIBLE date] RECEIVED SEP 27 1 29 PM INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. DEPT OF JUST. [ILLEGIBLE - body text entirely obscured by bleed-through from front side]
CONFIDENTIAL COPY
Incident
AAF 1205-1
9 August 1947
MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE:
On 9 August 1947, this agent interviewed Captain William L. Ryhard,
AAF O-392356, the assistant operations officer in the 413th AAF BU,
Building 66, Hamilton Field, California, regarding flying objects in the
air. Captain Ryhard states in substance: He is an instructor pilot to
the Army training Units. On 29 July at 1800, Captain Ryhard and a student,
1st Lt. Ward L. Stewart, 1947 Olive Street, Berkeley, California, landed
and walked to the T-6 near the hangar, building 64 at the 413th, when
walking from the direction toward runway 34, and looking westward just
over the hangar, Captain Ryhard saw two flying objects, toward Oakland.
Captain Ryhard saw the two objects, at about 8000 feet altitude. Then,
Captain Ryhard saw two flying objects traveling the same direction as the
P-60. Mr. Ryhard judged the solid, white, somewhat shiny objects were
approximately 15 to 20 feet in diameter. Captain Ryhard stated he
didn't call them discs for to the publicity these objects have been given,
they might be more circular, solid (solid not hollow) objects that
completely round, and Ryhard specifically stated that these objects were
not airplanes.
The first flying object was traveling straight and level; whereas
the second was other behind the first, same altitude, only it seemed to
be going into or out of a curve. Captain Ryhard stated the first seemed
to be in aircraft formation. Captain Ryhard further stated that the speed
of these two objects made a P-60 look as if it was stationary in the air.
The sky was clear, consequently Captain Ryhard and Lt. Stewart watched
the two objects until they disappeared in flight, supposedly over Oakland,
headed toward the ocean.
Due to the noise of the P-60, no sound of any kind could be heard
from these flying objects.
These objects did not leave any vapor, smoke, or any visible trails
along their flight path.
Captain Ryhard informed this agent he had never told anyone about
these flying objects, fearing that people would think he was crazy.
AGENT'S NOTES: Captain Ryhard showed extreme sincerity throughout the
interview, answering all questions with caution and assurance.
JAMES A. NELSON, Spec. Agt., CIC AAF
AUG 16 1947
CONFIDENTIAL
[File number: 63-3938-21][Near-blank page] [Handwritten notation at top: 62-2938-18 or similar] [No other legible content]
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
Intelligence
Hamilton Field, California
28 July 1947
4APDC-1
4AP-1206-1
SUBJECT: "Unidentifiable Objects".
TO : Special Agent in Charge, FBI, 111 Sutter Street, San Francisco,
California.
Enclosed herewith is information copy of ROIG, subject as above,
dated 15 July 1947.
DONALD L. SPRINGER
Lt Col., GSC
A C of S, A-2
1-Incl:
Info cy ROIG,
dtd 15Jul47.
[FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPT OF JUSTICE
JUL 30 1947
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.]
[Handwritten: NR]
[File number at bottom: 62-29 83[ILLEGIBLE] 12]UNIDENTIFIABLE OBJECTS
Williams Fld., Chandler, Ariz.
15 July 1947
MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE:
1. On 14 July 1947, 1st Lt Eric B. Armstrong, O-2059709, 170th
AAF Base Unit, Ferry Division, Brooks Field, San Antonio, Texas was
interviewed and the following information was obtained: Lt. Armstrong
departed Williams Field, Arizona at 1400 CST on 28 June 1947 in a F-51
for Portland, Oregon, by the way of Medford, Oregon. At approximately
1515 CST on a course of 300 degrees, and ground speed of 285, altitude
10,000 feet, approximately thirty miles northwest of Lake Meade, Nevada
Lt. Armstrong sighted five or six white, circular objects at four o'clock,
altitude approximately 6,000 feet, course approximately 120 degrees and
an estimated speed of 285 MPH. Lt. Armstrong said the objects were flying
very smoothly and in a close formation. The estimated size of the white
objects were approximately 36 Inch in diameter. Lt. Armstrong stated
that he is sure the white objects were not birds, but the rate of
closure was very fast. Lt. Armstrong was certain that the white objects
were not jets or conventional type aircraft since he has flown both types.
AGENT'S NOTES:
Lt. Armstrong was very sincere in the explanation and was not the
exaggerating type. He merely stated what he saw and has drawn no con-
clusions as to what the white objects were.
Lawrence R. King, Jr., Special Agent, CIC,AAF
CERTIFIED A TRUE COPY:
R. D. Stephens
R. D. STEPHENS
Major, Air Corps
[FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPT OF JUSTICE
JUL 30 1947
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF.]
[Handwritten: NR]
62-3938-11[STANDARD FORM NO. 64]
Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : DIRECTOR, FBI DATE: August 27, 1947
FROM : SAC, SAN FRANCISCO
SUBJECT: REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS
ATTENTION: ASSISTANT DIRECTOR D. M. LADD
Colonel SPRINGER, Fourth Air Force, Hamilton Field, California,
telephonically advised Special Agent MICHAEL J. CASSIDY of the San
Francisco Office at 10:40 am on August 27, 1947, that a personal letter
had been received by his organization from HENRY McLEOD, city editor of
the Seattle Times, which stated in effect that because there were so many
stories going around relative to flying discs and related matters, and
that his staff of reporters had been attempting to get reliable information
concerning these stories, he was writing to inquire whether any governmental
agency was going to make an official statement relative to the situation
pertaining to the flying discs; that Mr. McLEOD also asked whether it
would be permissible for his reporters to interview ARNOLD, DAHL, and
SMITH relative to this situation.
Colonel SPRINGER stated that the above-mentioned letter was answered
personally by General HALL on August 25, 1947, and advised Mr. McLEOD
that as far as the Army Air Force was concerned, they had no information
which would definitely clear up the situation; that as far as interviewing
persons, Mr. McLEOD could feel free to interview whosoever he desired,
in that there was no censorship at the present time; that in the interest
of secrecy, the Fourth Air Force Headquarters would not run out every
lead or report of flying discs, but that if well-founded and apparently
reliable information were received, that such information would be given
attention.
A copy of this letter is being forwarded to the Seattle Field Division
for any action deemed advisable.
60-2938
DAB/jo
2 or Seattle
AIRMAIL SPECIAL DELIVERY
[Handwritten: Fletcher]
[Stamp: EX-81 62-73844-99]
[Stamp: 31 SEP 23 1947]
[Handwritten: p. 34[ILLEGIBLE] 25]
[Stamp: 30 OCT 1 1947][ILLEGIBLE - reverse/back side of document, upside down as scanned; rotated 180° to orient] RECEIVED SEP 2 11 06 AM INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. RECEIVED P 2 11 04 AM INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. Aug 29 1 17 PM RECEIVED P 29 4 50 PM INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. DEPT OF JUST. [ILLEGIBLE - body text entirely obscured by bleed-through from front side] [Handwritten top right: 1[ILLEGIBLE] / 8-29 / 37]
[Damaged/torn document with newspaper clipping attached]
[Blue digital annotation: "This image contains all the information on the document."]
The attached [text missing - torn]
Delaware, July 6, 1947. It reports that [ILLEGIBLE] at [ILLEGIBLE] Rehoboth
Beach, disclosed last night that in the past two months he had twice seen
'flying discs which were described as "flying mayonnaise jars." He was
reported to have seen the first flying disc during September, 1946, and
to have noted another such object on June 3, 1947.
Mr. WENTON was quoted as having called the Federal Bureau of
Investigation and was advised that the Bureau was not interested,
whereupon he notified the Eastern Airlines and the Civil Aeronautics
Authority of the objects he had seen. Both agencies are reported to
have accepted the information stating they would investigate. The
clipping further stated that Mr. WENTON had received no answer to date
from either agency.
This clipping was submitted to me by the resident agents' office
at Wilmington together with the advice that no agent in Wilmington had
been contacted by Mr. WENTON. I directed Mr. WENTON be interviewed
to determine the full facts.
Mr. WENTON was interviewed and it was determined that his correct
name is HORACE F. WENTON. Mr. WENTON advised that he had been an
airplane pilot for approximately thirty years. He stated that in
September of 1946, while flying at an altitude of 1,000 feet, two or
three miles south of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, he noticed a projectile
approximately fifteen inches in diameter which crossed his course at
right angles and was moving in a west-to-east direction. According
to Mr. WENTON, several jets of flame were spurting from the object
and it was traveling at a very high rate of speed, 1,000 to 1,200
miles per hour. He stated that in October of 1946, he observed a
similar projectile while flying over Rehoboth Beach at 1,000 feet.
This was also traveling from west to east.
Mr. WENTON stated that there is little question in his mind but
that what he saw was some sort of rocket being tested. He stated
that he wished to call the matter to the attention of the appropriate
authority inasmuch as he thought that the series of airplane crashes
that have occurred recently might in part be explained by what he had
observed. He stated that he reported the information to the Civil
Aeronautics Authority and was telephonically interviewed by a reporter
from the Wilmington [text cut off]
[Stamp: THIS DESTROYED
NOV 18 1964]
[Various routing stamps and handwritten notations, partially illegible]L/Dir., FBI
9/4/47
Flying Discs
Miscellaneous
Mr. WENTON stated that what he had seen traveled at such a high rate
of speed that it was very difficult to describe it, but the description
"flying mayonnaise jars" was concocted by the newspaper reporter.
This information has not been brought to the attention of any Army
sources in view of the fact that only a preliminary inquiry was con-
ducted on the basis of a news article which sets forth essentially
the facts obtained from Mr. WENTON.
No further action in this matter is contemplated by this office unless
advised otherwise by the Bureau.
SHiarf
62-0
Attachment
-2-[Newspaper clipping] [Date notation top right: 9/16/47] [Headline, partially cut:] ["fl"]ing Mayonnaise Jars [Reported in the Wilmington [ILLEGIBLE]] [Re]ported by Rehoboth Pilot [Sub-headline:] [Fo]rest Wenyon Believes Mystery Discs, [Je]t-Propelled, May Have Caused Big Plane Crash on Memorial Day [Left column text:] [T/W/S]here Delaware pilot, Forest Wenyon of 48 Rehoboth Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, disclosed last night that in the past year he had twice seen flying missiles he calls "flying mayonnaise jars." He was reported to have seen the first flying disc during September, 1946, and to have noted another object on June 3, 1947. Mr. Wenyon was quoted as having called the Federal Bureau of Investigation and was advised that the Bureau was not interested, whereupon he notified the Eastern Airlines and the Civil Aero- nautics Authority of the objects he had seen. Both agencies are reported to have accepted the information stating they would investigate. The clipping further stated that Mr. Wenyon had received no answer to date from either agency. [Column continues with additional text about the investigation, interviews, and Wenyon's belief that the objects were jet-propelled rockets; subsequent columns partially legible referencing Army Air Force, Atomic Energy, and related agencies — full text ILLEGIBLE due to print degradation and column overlap]