DISCLOSURE / FILE
Section 3 of FBI case file 62-HQ-83894 covers serials 101-130, with 1947 records on flying disc sightings investigated by the Bureau, the Fourth Air Force, and connected military intelligence offices.
65_HS1-834228961_62-HQ-83894_Section_3
Section 3 of FBI case file 62-HQ-83894 covers serials 101-130, with 1947 records on flying disc sightings investigated by the Bureau, the Fourth Air Force, and connected military intelligence offices.
This section opens with the FBI's central records cover sheet for case 62-HQ-83894, Section 3, serials 101-130, declassified under the FBI Automatic Declassification Guide issued May 24, 2007. The records route through the San Francisco SAC to Director FBI in September 1947, forwarding correspondence from Lt. Col. Donald L. Springer of A-2, Fourth Air Force at Hamilton Field, California. They include the August 20, 1947 letter from Portland prospector F. M. Johnson describing the same June 24, 1947 daylight formation that Kenneth Arnold reported near Mt. Adams, a Fourth Air Force summary of the August 14, 1947 Harmon Field, Guam sighting by three enlisted men of the 147th Airways and Air Communications Service Squadron, and the Air Rescue Service Mission Number Thirty-Nine report on the August 1, 1947 crash of B-25 #1316 near Kelso, Washington that killed pilot Capt. W. C. Davidson and his co-pilot while carrying material tied to the Maury Island flying disc investigation.
In accordance with Bureau Bulletin No. 42, dated July 30, 1947, Portland is requested to exhaustively interview Mr. F. M. JOHNSON, 106 N.W. First Ave, Portland, Oregon, regarding his alleged sighting of a "flying disc" on June 24, 1947.p.2
Your attention is invited to the similarity between Arnold's early report and this gentleman's report. A possibility exists that Mr. Johnson might have read some of this in the newspapers when Arnold was publicized re this matter.p.3
they were Round about 30 foot in dimater tapering sharply to a point in the head end in an oval shape. with a bright top surface. I did not hear any noise as you would from a plane.p.4
The men report that at 1040 hours on 14 August 1947 the two objects, which they describe as small, crescent shaped and traveling at a speed twice that of a fighter plane, passed over them on a zig-zag course in a westerly direction at an approximate altitude of twelve hundred feet.p.6
At 0830 PST, a message from Sq B informed that top secret material was in the navigators kit and to request Commanding Officer MCCHORD FIELD to expedite all available information to Commanding Officer HAMILTON FIELD.p.12
Extracted text · Page 1
Page 1 · vision OCR
Declassification authority derived from FBI Automatic Declassification Guide, issued May 24, 2007. FBI - CENTRAL RECORDS CENTER HEADQUARTERS Class / Case # Sub Vol. Serial # 0062 83894 3 101 130 8/11/12741194 RRP003IX HQ SERIALS 101-130 62-HQ-83894 SECTION 3 [stamp] FOR PA R334 1 [stamp] FOR FOIPA JAN 19 1979 BY [illegible] INVESTIGATION DO NOT DESTROY SECTION 3 SERIALS 101-139 COPIED FOR FOIPA # 389136 FOIPA MAY 13 1977 BY R348 PICKETT STREET USE CARE IN HANDLING THIS FILE FOIPA MAR 1 1978 BY [illegible] FOIPA # 993087 DO NOT DESTROY Transfer-Call 421 [form number] 18-1623
Page 2 · vision OCR
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Director, FBI DATE: September 4, 1947
[handwritten: Hank]
FROM : SAC, San Francisco AIRMAIL
SPECIAL DELIVERY
SUBJECT: REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS
Enclosed is a copy of a letter dated August 25, 1947, with
attachment from Lt. Col. DONALD L. SPRINGER of A-2, Hamilton Field,
California. Even though Col. SPRINGER feels that Mr. JOHNSON may
have read some of his claims in a newspaper, Col. SPRINGER believes
that Mr. F. M[X]JOHNSON should be interviewed in this matter.
In accordance with Bureau Bulletin No. 42, dated July 30,
1947, Portland is requested to exhaustively interview Mr. F. M.
JOHNSON, 106 N.W. First Ave., Portland, Oregon, regarding his
alleged sighting of a "flying disc" on June 24, 1947. Copies of
the result of this interview should be furnished the San Francisco
Field Office for distribution to the 6th Army Intelligence.
DWK:MR
Encls. 2
62-2938
cc Portland (Encls. 4) - AMSD
[handwritten signature: mps D Major Carlin M.D]
[handwritten signature]
RECORDED
INDEXED
135 34 SEP 23 1947
[stamp] 162-83894
FBI
101
EX-83
[stamp] FBI
[reversed stamp] BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
[various stamps and handwritten notations]
R-344
31 OCT 3 1947Concatenated 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.
Declassification authority derived from FBI Automatic Declassification Guide, issued May 24, 2007. FBI - CENTRAL RECORDS CENTER HEADQUARTERS Class / Case # Sub Vol. Serial # 0062 83894 3 101 130 8/11/12741194 RRP003IX HQ SERIALS 101-130 62-HQ-83894 SECTION 3 [stamp] FOR PA R334 1 [stamp] FOR FOIPA JAN 19 1979 BY [illegible] INVESTIGATION DO NOT DESTROY SECTION 3 SERIALS 101-139 COPIED FOR FOIPA # 389136 FOIPA MAY 13 1977 BY R348 PICKETT STREET USE CARE IN HANDLING THIS FILE FOIPA MAR 1 1978 BY [illegible] FOIPA # 993087 DO NOT DESTROY Transfer-Call 421 [form number] 18-1623
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Director, FBI DATE: September 4, 1947
[handwritten: Hank]
FROM : SAC, San Francisco AIRMAIL
SPECIAL DELIVERY
SUBJECT: REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS
Enclosed is a copy of a letter dated August 25, 1947, with
attachment from Lt. Col. DONALD L. SPRINGER of A-2, Hamilton Field,
California. Even though Col. SPRINGER feels that Mr. JOHNSON may
have read some of his claims in a newspaper, Col. SPRINGER believes
that Mr. F. M[X]JOHNSON should be interviewed in this matter.
In accordance with Bureau Bulletin No. 42, dated July 30,
1947, Portland is requested to exhaustively interview Mr. F. M.
JOHNSON, 106 N.W. First Ave., Portland, Oregon, regarding his
alleged sighting of a "flying disc" on June 24, 1947. Copies of
the result of this interview should be furnished the San Francisco
Field Office for distribution to the 6th Army Intelligence.
DWK:MR
Encls. 2
62-2938
cc Portland (Encls. 4) - AMSD
[handwritten signature: mps D Major Carlin M.D]
[handwritten signature]
RECORDED
INDEXED
135 34 SEP 23 1947
[stamp] 162-83894
FBI
101
EX-83
[stamp] FBI
[reversed stamp] BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
[various stamps and handwritten notations]
R-344
31 OCT 3 1947Further investigation of this particular incident was left with Mr. Brady, Resident Agent, FBI, Tacoma, Washington.
That on 21 Jun 47 Mr. Dahl was proceeding south of Maury Island in Mr. Crisman's boat. Five flying discs came down out of the clouds and circled slowly around the bay, dropping to an estimated elevation of 500 feet.p.15
Page 190 · vision OCR
[Plain orange/manila folder cover — no printed text] [Handwritten lower left:] F472 11-23-70 03
[DECLASSIFIED
Authority:
NND 90986]
[CONFIDENTIAL - struck through at top]
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
Intelligence
Hamilton Field, California
4AFDA 25 August 1947
SUBJECT: Flying Disc.
TO: Special Agent in Charge, FBI, U. S. Department of Justice,
Federal Office Building, Room 422, San Francisco, Calif.
1. The attached true copy of a letter from Mr. F. M. Johnson
was received by this officer 22 August 1947.
2. Your attention is invited to the similarity between Arnold's
early report and this gentleman's report. A possibility exists that
Mr. Johnson might have read some of this in the newspapers when Arnold
was publicized re this matter.
3. This headquarters does not intend to investigate this incident.
It is requested that a result of any interview you may make be furnished
this headquarters.
1 Incl: (dup) [handwritten: filed]
Ltr fr F.M. Johnson
(True Cy)
DONALD L. SPRINGER
Lt. Colonel, GSC
AC of S, A-2
[stamp] FEDERAL BUREAU
U.S. D[EPARTMENT OF JUSTICE]
AUG 27 1947
SAN [FRANCISCO]
ROUTED TO
62-83894-101 ENCLOSURE
CONFIDENTIAL[CONFIDENTIAL - partially visible at top]
PORTLAND, OREGON, August 20th 1947
Lt. Col. Donald L. Springer, Assistant Staff
Sir. Saw in the portland paper a short time ago in regards to
an article in regards to the so called flying disc having any basis
of fact. I can say am a prospector and was in the Mt Adams district
on June 24th the day Kenneth[X]Arnold of Boise Idaho claims he saw a
formation of flying disc. And I saw the same flying objects at about
the same time. Having a telescope with me at the time I can asure you
they are real and noting like them I ever saw before they did not pass
verry high over where I was standing at the the time. plobly 1000 ft.
they were Round about 30 foot in dimater tapering sharply to a point in
the head end in an oval shape. with a bright top surface. I did not
hear any noise as you would from a plane. But there was an object in
the tail end looked like a big hand of a clock shifting from side to
side like a big magenet. There speed as far as i know seemed to be
greater than anything I ever saw. Last veiw I got of the objects they
were standing on edge Banking in a Cloud.
Yours Respectfully
/s/ F. M. Johnson
106 No. West 1st Ave
Portland, Oregon
A TRUE COPY:
[handwritten signature]
DONALD L. SPRINGER,
Lt. Colonel, GSC,
AC of S, A-2
[stamp] 2
FEDERAL BUREAU
U.S. D[EPARTMENT OF JUSTICE]
AUG 27 1947
SAN [FRANCISCO]
ROUTED TO
62-83894-101 ENCLOSURE
CONFIDENTIALSTANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
[handwritten: II]
TO : Director, FBI DATE: September 4, 1937
Atten: Assistant Director D. M. LADD
[handwritten: Hank]
FROM : SAC, San Francisco
SUBJECT: REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS AIRMAIL
Enclosed for your information are copies of two letters
from Lt. Col. DONALD L. SPRINGER of A-2, Hamilton Field, California,
dated August 27, 1947, with attachments reporting the sighting of
"flying discs" on Guam, and result of A-2 investigation at Tacoma
and Kelso, Washington.
DWK:MR
62-2938
[handwritten signature: mps D Major Carlin]
[handwritten signature]
ENCLOSURE ATTACHED
COPIES DESTROYED
270 NOV 18 1964
[stamp] EX-37 ENCLOSURE BEHIND FILE
[stamp] 162-83894-102
FBI
36 SEP 24 1947
RECORDED
EX-37
R 344
53 OCT 3 1947 [illegible]SECRET
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
Intelligence
Hamilton Field, California
4AFDA 27 August 1947
333.5/1208-I
[handwritten: 62-2938]
SUBJECT: Re Flying Disc.
TO: Special Agent in Charge, FBI, U. S. Department of Justice,
Federal Office Building, Room 422, San Francisco, California.
1. Following is extract from the Weekly Intelligence Summary,
Air Transport Command, Washington 25, D. C., dated 20 August 1947,
Copy No. 120, Article I, pg 1:
"FLYING OBJECTS IN GUAM: Unidentified flying objects have
been observed by three American enlisted men of the 147th Air-
ways and Air Communications Service Squadron at Harmon Field,
Guam. The men report that at 1040 hours on 14 August 1947 the
two objects, which they describe as small, crescent shaped and
traveling at a speed twice that of a fighter plane, passed over
them on a zig-zag course in a westerly direction at an approxi-
mate altitude of twelve hundred feet. The objects disappeared
into clouds and a few seconds later a similar object possibly
one of those previously observed, emerged from the clouds and
proceeded west. No further details have been reported."
2. For your information.
[handwritten signature]
DONALD L. SPRINGER
Lt. Colonel, GSC
AC of S, A-2
[handwritten: Ell.]
SECRETENCLOSURE 62-83894-102 [remainder of page blank]
[CONFIDENTIAL - struck through at top]
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
Intelligence
Hamilton Field, California
4AFDA 27 August 1947
333.5/1208-I
SUBJECT: Investigation of Flying Disc.
TO: Special Agent in Charge, FBI, U. S. Department of Justice,
Federal Office Building, Room 422, San Francisco, California.
Attached summary forwarded for your information.
1 Incl: DONALD L. SPRINGER
Summary of Information. Lt. Colonel, GSC
AC of S, A-2
[stamp] FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGA[TION]
U.S. D[EPARTMENT OF JUSTICE]
AUG 30 1947
SAN FRANCISCO [FIELD OFFICE]
ROUTED TO
62-83894-102 ENCLOSURE
CONFIDENTIAL[CONFIDENTIAL - struck through at top]
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
Intelligence
Hamilton Field, California
4AFDA 27 August 1947
333.5/1208-I
SUBJECT: Investigation of Flying Disc.
TO: Special Agent in Charge, FBI, U. S. Department of Justice,
Seattle, Washington.
Attached summary forwarded for your information.
1 Incl: DONALD L. SPRINGER
Summary of Information. Lt. Colonel, GSC
AC of S, A-2
[stamp] FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
[U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE]
SEP [2] 2 1947
SAN [FRANCISCO] FIELD OFFICE
ROUTED TO
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL
C O P Y
AIR RESCUE SERVICE
DETACHMENT 8 (62d AAF BU)
McChord Field, Tacoma, Washington
4 August 1947
SUBJECT: Final Mission Report
TO: Commanding Officer
Air Rescue Service
MacDill Field, Florida
1. MISSION NUMBER Thirty-Nine.
2. NATURE.
a. At 0400 PST, 1 August 47, ARMY FLIGHT SERVICE notified this
detachment that a plane had been seen to crash and burn thirteen (13) miles
south of KELSO, Washington (46°8'N, 122°55'W).
3. ACTION TAKEN
a. 1 Aug 47. At 04:30 PST, AFS received information from Mr. O.
C. Clark, local sheriff of KELSO, Wash., that the scene of the crash was
fifteen (15) to twenty (20) miles east of KELSO in the vicinity of GOBLE
CREEK. The KELSO Chief of Police saw an aircraft fly low over the town,
then crash and burn to the east. The time was about 0230 PST. A check of
aircraft known to be in the vicinity revealed that B-25 #1316 had departed
MCCHORD FIELD at 0212 PST for HAMILTON FIELD, California. The weather was
reported as CFR. A full moon made visibility exceptionally good. The
pilot's name was CAPT. W. C. DAVIDSON; the plane carried three (3) additional
persons. The Base Operations Officer and Base PIO were notified. This
detachment began organizing a ground party of base personnel to supplement
that being formed by the KELSO Chief of Police. At 0500 PST information
was received from KELSO by AFS that ground fog in the valleys at the scene
of the crash was preventing a ground party from locating the plane. Since
no communication had been received from B-25 #1316, it was assumed that it
was the plane reported as crashed. ARS C-47 was pre-flighted to transport
the Army ground party to KELSO but a check of the field conditions there
deemed it advisable to use a smaller aircraft. Of the two C-45s available,
one belonging to AFS was unserviced after a night flight; the other, belong-
ing to AACS, was readied even though a responsible officer of that organ-
ization was not present to authorize the flight. Fog at KELSO prevented
take-off until 0700 PST. The ground party, led by CAPT. N. L. LITTRELL and
CAPT. T. H. FORSBERG, consisted of six men including a medical technician
and a photographer. At 0600 PST, the KELSO Chief of Police notified AFS
that a passenger of the crashed airplane was in his office and had confirmed
62-83894-102 ENCLOSURE
CONFIDENTIAL
[handwritten: Incl #8]CONFIDENTIAL Subject: Final Mission Report 4 August 1947 The belief that the crash was that of the unreported B-25. The Passenger, Sgt. E. L. TAFF, of FT. LAWTON, SEATTLE, was uninjured, but reported that the crew chief, T/Sgt. N. D. MATHEWS, was at a farm house near the scene of the crash and was injured. Sgt. TAFF then led an ambulance to Sgt. MATHEWS who was subsequently taken to a local hospital. At 0610 PST an attempt was made to telephone Sq. B at HAMILTON FIELD but no answer was received; however, it was known that HAMILTON AFS was aware of the incident and would notify Sq. B. At 0700 PST Capt. LITTRELL departed in a C-45 for KELSO. At 0745 PST Sq B was contacted by phone and given a flash report. At 0905 PST CAPT LITTRELL phoned and informed that he had placed CAPTAIN FORSBERG in charge of Army personnel proceeding to the scene of the crash. No aerial search was necessary as civilians in the area knew the exact location of the crash and had reported finding one (1) body in the wreckage. CAPT. LITTRELL prepared to fly Sgt's TAFF and MATHEWS to MCCHORD FIELD for medical attention, arriving at 0945 PST. The survivors stated that they believed neither the pilot nor co-pilot has parachuted from the plane. The cause of the incident was at this time determined to be a fire in the left engine. CAPT LITTRELL was informed by Sgt. TAFF that he believed classified documents had been aboard the plane; CAPT FORSBERG was instructed to take necessary precautions. An ambulance met the plane at MCCHORD FIELD carrying the two survivors and took them to the hospital. Interrogation revealed that the left engine had caught fire in the power section and flames and smoke had spread to the flight deck almost imme- diately. The crew chief, MATHEWS, assisted TAFF in attaching his chest pack and TAFF abandoned the plane at an estimated altitude of 10,000 ft (this fact is doubted but is not considered necessarily relevant). MATHEWS helped the pilot and co-pilot attach their chest packs (all per- sonnel had been wearing the harness) and as he left the plane was aware that the co-pilot was preparing to follow. The pilot had started to leave and, to the best recollection of MATHEWS, was partially standing and holding the control wheel with his left hand. MATHEW'S statements indicate that proper emergency procedures had been performed but that the flames had en- veloped the entire left side almost immediately. TAFF stated that, because of the full moon and good visibility, he saw MATHEWS leave the plane and was able to follow the plane to the ground and that he saw no one else bail out. The ship was enveloped in flames and was beginning to fall apart before hitting the ground where it exploded and burned about one (1) mile from where he, TAFF, landed. He lit in a tree, and not knowing how to release his parachute of the quick-detachable kind, cut himself loose from the harness with his pocket knife. He kicked and struggled and eventually jumped to the ground, receiving a jolt on impact but was unable to guess how far he had fallen. He then followed a cow path for an estimated two (2) miles to a farm house, arriving after MATHEWS. Meanwhile, as MATHEWS cleared the plane he turned and saw the plane strike the ground, explode and burn. Just before or just at the time of impact he saw an object afire thrown clear of the plane but did not know whether it was a person or part of the plane. MATHEWS also lit in a tree, and after freeing himself from his harness, fell to the ground where he injured his back. He lost consciousness and on recovering went to the burning plane, about fifty 2 CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: Final Mission Report 4 August 1947
(50) yards away. Flares were going off and he thought best to leave the
scene. He heard a stream nearby and followed it until he came to a house and
aroused the occupants. Soon TAFF arrived at the same house and, being un-
injured, was driven into town. Then he led an ambulance to effect transporta-
tion of MATHEWS to a hospital. Meanwhile, civilians reached the scene of
the crash where they found one body. At 0830 PST, a message from Sq B
informed that top secret material was in the navigators kit and to request
Commanding Officer MCCHORD FIELD to expedite all available information to
Commanding Officer HAMILTON FIELD. Meanwhile, CAPT FORSBERG and four (4)
enlisted men departed KELSO at 0830 PST for scene of the crash. They were
transported by the WASHINGTON STATE POLICE who knew the exact location of
the plane (46°09'N - 122°43'W). The ground party determined upon arrival
at the scene, that two (2) bodies were in the wreckage. Indications led to
the belief that the co-pilot was afire when he left the plane an instant
before impact. The pilot's remains were found in the wreckage. Pre-
liminary investigation by CAPT FORSBERG disclosed the planes left wing
about one hundred twenty-five (125) yards from the widely scattered por-
tions of the plane. The left wing was intact and had apparently torn
off just outboard of the left engine before impact. The forward portion
of the wing stub was melted but the rear two thirds indicated that it had
ripped loose from the inboard section of the wing. The wing leading edge
was undamaged. The navigation and landing lights were unbroken. The
aileron was undamaged but the flap section was crushed, leading to the
belief that the wing struck the tail section. From these indications
it is believed the wing ripped from the airplane just after MATHEWS
abandoned the plane. The resulting spin thus prevented the remaining
crew members from bailing out although the co-pilot may have been in the
hatch. A few civilians were in the area when CAPT FORSBERG arrived
and he took precautions to prevent them from disturbing the wreckage.
At 1157 PST CAPT LITTRELL flew CAPT RICE, M. C., to KELSO. An ambulance
dispatched from MCCHORD FIELD, met them at KELSO, and was led to the scene
of the crash by the STATE POLICE. The bodies were recovered and trans-
ported in the ambulance to MCCHORD FIELD. CAPT LITTRELL returned to
MCCHORD FIELD where camping equipment was prepared to be dropped to the
ground party. CAPT LITTRELL made a successful drop at dusk by sighting
on a signal fire. The ground party set up camp at the wreckage scene to
act as guard and to investigate further the following day. They were
relieved of responsibility of all recovered documents by a CIC agent who
had arrived about 1800 PST.
b. 2 Aug 47. The ground party remained at the scene of the crash
pending official securing of the incident. No aerial activity.
c. 3 Aug 47. MCCHORD FIELD Operations Officer departed at 1000
PST to investigate the accident and to relieve CAPT FORSBERG, who returned
at 1600 PST. Incident closed.
3
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL
C O P Y
Subject: Final Mission Report 4 August 1947
5. STATISTICAL SUMMARY
a. GROUND ACTIVITY
(1) Total man hours by ARS Personnel in field 72
(2) Total man hours by other Army Personnel
(estimate) 300
(3) Total man hours by civilian personnel (est) 150
(4) No. of miles driven by Army Vehicles 500
b. AERIAL ACTIVITY
(1) Total No. of sorties flown 3
(2) Total hours flown by Army aircraft 6
c. LOCAL PURCHASES
(1) None
6. COMMENTS
a. Cooperation received from all civilian agencies concerned
was complete and excellent.
7. RECOMMENDATIONS
a. None.
ROBERT H. MASONHEIMER
Captain, Air Corps
Commanding Officer
1 Incl:
1-Photographs
4
CONFIDENTIALHEADQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE CONFIDENTIAL
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
Intelligence
Hamilton Field, California
Title Investigation of Flying Disc Investigation made at Tacoma and Kelso, Washington
File No. 4AF-1208-I Controlling office Air Defense Command, Mitchel Field
Period covered 31 July through 7 August 1947
Date 12 August 1947 Case classification Incident
Status of case Pending
REASON FOR INVESTIGATION: Investigation initiated at the request of Air Defense
Command, reference ltr Hq ADC, dtd 7 Jul 47, file D353.5ID, subj: Investigation of
Flying Disc.
SYNOPSIS:
On 31 July 47, Mr. Arnold, Aviation Editor of the Idaho Daily Statesman, tele-
phoned Lt. Brown requesting he return to Tacoma because Arnold believed he had some
very vital information on the flying disc.
Lt. Brown and Capt. Davidson interviewed a Mr. Fred L. Crisman and a Mr. Harold
A. Dahl, along with Capt. Smith of the United Air Lines, and Mr. Arnold, at the Win-
throp Hotel in Tacoma, Washington, on the night of 31 July 1947.
The summary of their interrogation and findings was related to Major Sander,
Public Information Officer, McChord Field, by Mr. Arnold and Capt. Smith. Major
Sander retold the results of the investigation to this officer from his notes.
Mr. Dahl and Mr. Crisman were not available for interview while this officer
was in that area, although every effort was made to contact them.
Further investigation of this particular incident was left with Mr. Brady,
Resident Agent, FBI, Tacoma, Washington.
It was apparent from newspaper clippings, telephone calls to this officer,
and conversations with Major Sander, that a United Press correspondent, of the Tacoma
Times, was instrumental in keeping this case alive. This officer and Major Sander,
although quoted many times in the press, did not discuss this matter with the press
during the period of this report.
The anonymous mystery caller in Tacoma could possibly be Mr. Crisman.
Distribution Copies Approved:
AAF 2
ADC 1
C-2 6th Army 1 [handwritten signature]
FBI, Seattle 1 DONALD L. SPRINGER, Lt. Colonel, GSC
FBI, San Francisco 1 AC of S, A-2
AAF Files 1
[stamp] FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U.S. DE[PARTMENT OF JUSTICE]
AUG 30 1947
SAN FRANCISCO [FIELD OFFICE]
ROUTED TO
62-83894-102 ENCLOSURE
W.D., P.M.G. Form No. 110
1 April 1944
(This form supersedes W.D.O.C.S. Form No. 19, which
will not be used upon receipt of this revision)
CONFIDENTIALCI-R1 Report
CONFIDENTIAL
DETAILS:
1. During the afternoon of 31 July 47, Mr. Arnold, Aviation Editor of the
Idaho Daily Statesman, telephoned Lt Brown, CIC Sub-Detachment Commander at Head-
quarters Fourth Air Force, and stated in substance: That he, Arnold, and Capt Smith
had arrived in Tacoma to investigate the purported flying disc explosion on a sur-
face craft on 21 June 47. This investigation was requested and financed by a Mr.
R. A. Palmer of the Venture Press, 305 Studio Bldg., 1718 Sherman Avenue, Evanston,
Illinois.
AGENT'S NOTE: See Inclosure 1 and Inclosure 2. The signature to Inclosure 2, Mr.
Dave Johnson, is that of the editor of the Idaho Daily Statesman. Mr. Johnson is a
former Army Air Force officer and from all indications is a very patriotic American.
On the receipt of Inclosure 2 at Headquarters Fourth Air Force, this officer requested
the San Francisco FBI Office to check the Chicago FBI Office for R. A. Palmer and the
Venture Press. The return answer, by telephone, was to the effect that the Chicago
indices of the FBI, the Chicago Police, and Credit Bureau had no record on R. A.
Palmer or the Venture Press.
2. Lt Brown and Capt Davidson arrived at McChord Field during the afternoon
of 31 July 47. They changed from their uniforms to civilian clothing in the aircraft
and, on being queried by Operations as to why they desired transportation to Tacoma,
they replied they were to make a speech.
AGENT'S NOTE: This was in compliance with par 4, ltr fr Hq ADC, File D353.5ID,
7 Jul 47, subj: Investigation of Flying Disc.
According to Major George Sander, Public Information Officer, McChord Field, The
Tacoma Times received an anonymous telephone call that Arnold and Smith were present
in the Winthrop Hotel for the purpose of conducting an investigation on the flying
disc. The Tacoma Times checked and found this to be true, much to Arnold's and Smith's
surprise. Lt Brown and Capt Davidson did interview Mr. Harold A. Dahl, Mr. Fred L.
Crisman, in a hotel room in the Winthrop Hotel, Tacoma, Wash., in the presence of
Mr. Arnold and Capt Smith. If notes were taken of this conversation, they were de-
stroyed in the aircraft accident. Mr. Arnold stated to Major Sander that Lt Brown
obtained from Mr. Dahl and Mr. Crisman samples of an unidentified substance that were
identical to those appearing in Inclosures 3 to 7. The samples pictured in Inclosures
3 to 7 were taken by Mr. Arnold from the same box that Dahl and Crisman offered Lt.
Brown and from which he obtained his samples. T/Sgt Matthews, Crew Chief on the
wrecked aircraft, upon being interrogated by this officer, stated that he placed a
heavy cardboard carton in the rear compartment of the B-25 that crashed. He did not
look in the box nor hear any comments from Lt Brown or Capt Davidson as to its con-
tents.
3. The following summarizes what was related by Mr. Arnold and Capt Smith to
Major Sander as to the substance of the interrogation by Lt Brown and Capt Davidson:
That on 21 Jun 47 Mr. Dahl was proceeding south of Maury Island in Mr. Crisman's
boat. Five flying discs came down out of the clouds and circled slowly around the
bay, dropping to an estimated elevation of 500 feet. These discs appeared round and
W.D., P.M.G. Form No. 110
CONFIDENTIALCI-R1 Report
CONFIDENTIAL
flattened similar to a deflated automobile innertube. They were judged by Dahl to
be approximately 100 feet across with a 25 foot opening in the center. The outer
edge of the object had round portholes and the inner ring had square windows or
portholes. The discs were silent and from his viewpoint he could see no means of
propulsion. One of these discs appeared to falter and waver in the air, another of
these aforementioned five discs dropped down close to the disc that appeared to
waver and bumped it, dumping "tons" of the stuff as pictured in Inclosure 3 to 7
on his boat, knocking off the handrail, horn, and generally damaging the boat to
the extent of $200.00, and killing Dahl's dog.
AGENT'S NOTE: This officer, in the company of Major Sander, boarded the aforemen-
tioned boat where it was docked in the Tacoma harbor on 6 Aug 47. A hand rail was
missing, but the area where the hand rail was previously fastened had been painted
over with several coats of paint and was cracked by the weather. The deck and roof
of the cabin was of a very thin construction and the cabin further had glass on the
front and sides. It is this officer's opinion that if any of the objects presented
by Dahl as samples of the material dropped by the flying disc had hit this boat, it
would have certainly been necessary to replace the foredeck and the cabin roof.
These two areas were very heavily coated with several coats of paint and had deep
weather cracks that would take several seasons to acquire.
Mr. Crisman, who owns the boat and operates a shoreline water patrol for various
business firms, evidently visited the area at Maury Island to check Dahl's story.
He is supposed to have stated that he found the material that he presented to Lt
Brown and Capt Davidson in a sand pit near where the incident was supposed to have
occurred. While he, Crisman, was at the scene of the incident, a flying disc came
out of the clouds and behaved in a similar manner as the ones previously described.
AGENT'S NOTE: The witnessing on two occasions, in broad daylight, of an object so
large and clearly visible within several miles of the city of Tacoma certainly should
have been seen and reported on by other then Dahl and Crisman. A check was made of
the newspapers on and after 21 June and no mention could be found of a mysterious
object appearing over the Tacoma harbor.
Mr. Crisman is supposed to have sent samples of the objects that he picked up in the
Maury Island sand pit to a friend of his at the University of Chicago for an analysis
report. He is reported to have not received the analysis report.
AGENT'S NOTE: It is possible that the Mr. R. A. Palmer, reference Inclosure 1 and 2,
might have come across this incident through the University of Chicago.
The interrogation of Dahl and Crisman by Lt Brown was completed about midnight on
31 July/1 August. Lt Brown and Capt Davidson returned to McChord Field and prepared
for a night flight to Hamilton Field. The weather was clear with a bright moon
shining. They departed approximately 0200 hours and crashed at approximately 0230
hours on 1 August 1947. (See Inclosure 8).
4. On 6 August 47, this officer, in the company of Major Sander, McChord Field,
and Mr. Brady, resident agent, Tacoma Federal Bureau of Investigation, attempted to
W.D., P.M.G. Form No. 110
CONFIDENTIALCI-R1 Report
CONFIDENTIAL
contact either Mr. Dahl or Mr. Crisman, without success. Capt Smith and Mr. Arnold
departed the Tacoma area on 3 August 47, therefore, this officer did not have the
opportunity of conversing with them directly.
AGENT'S NOTE: A record check was made by telephone by Mr. Brady with the Seattle
Field Office, FBI, for records on Mr. Crisman and Mr. Dahl. The check on Mr. Crisman
was negative. The Seattle FBI indices indicated that a Harold Dahl had been charged
with two incidents of illegal wearing of the uniform and one with theft of national
property. It could not be determined at the time whether Harold A. Dahl, the subject
in question, and Harold Dahl of the FBI indices, was one and the same.
5. Mr. Crisman had indicated to Capt Smith, Arnold, et al, that he was a
former fighter pilot and held commission as Captain in the Air Reserve.
AGENT'S NOTE: On 6 August 47, this officer checked the records of the 406th AAF
BU(RT) and determined that Fred L. Crisman was registered with that Reserve Unit as
Captain, Serial Number O-758951, with residence at 125 Woodland, Tacoma, Washington,
Primary MOS 1054 and 1055. In 1942 he was with the Criminal Investigation Division,
State of Washington, and previously had been an oil technician with the Union Pacific
Railway. Crisman entered the service in 1942 as an enlisted man and served as such
for seventeen months. In 1943 he was commissioned on graduation from flying school
and served a total of twenty-nine months. A check of the Tacoma city directory was
made on Harold A. Dahl, which indicated his home was at 3903 N. Cobe St., telephone:
Proctor 7117. Business address was listed as 235 Middle Waterway; telephone: Broad-
way 7733.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. That no further investigation be undertaken on this specific incident by
Army Air Force personnel.
2. That in view of the reported statements by Mr. Crisman, that consideration
be given to revoke his Air Reserve commission and flying status as an undesirable
and unreliable officer.
8 Incls:
1. Photostat, ltr fr R.A.Palmer.
2. Photostat, telegram fr Dave Johnson.
3. to 7. Photographs, Unidentified Substance.
8. Final Mission Report, Air Rescue Service.
W.D., P.M.G. Form No. 110
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL
VENTURE PRESS
305 STUDIO BUILDING
1718 SHERMAN AVENUE
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS
July 22, 1947
Mr. Kenneth Arnold, 10
Boise, Idaho
[handwritten: Proctor 7116]
Dear Mr. Arnold:
Quite obviously you have been ribbed so much you'd like to
forget the flying saucers--but I'd sure like to have your
personal story, your photo, pic of your plane, etc, as I
asked before. And you won't be made to look silly, because
there's more to this than the newspapers and the "experts"
have made of it.
Besides the article, I have another proposition. You seem to
get around quite a bit, and if you can make a trip to Tacoma,
Washington at all feasible, I'd be willing to pay expenses
plus a nice amount to make it worth your while.
I'd want you to see Mr. Harold A. Dahl, P. O. Box 154, Fern
Hill Station, Tacoma, and Mr. Fred L. Crisman, owner of the
Tacoma Harbor Patrol, Inc. Dahl, and two other seamen, on a
patrol near Murry Island, off Tacoma, saw six discs, one in
trouble, witnessed an explosion, saw falling stuff which
smashed their wheelhouse and searchlight and landed on the
beach. They sent me samples which Chicago U has failed to
analyze. I want a picture of the beach and the stuff that
landed there (about twenty tons, they said). And I want
somebody who'll get the truth, to find out if these boys are
on the up and up. You could do that. I hope you will. If
agreeable, please write and perhaps we can talk business.
I think you'd like to prove this thing too!
Anyway, I still want that article!
Sincerely yours,
[handwritten signature]
R. A. Palmer
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL
WUA41 PD
BOISE IDA JULY 29 1947 255P
LT FRANK M BROWN, A-2 (RPT A-2)
OFFICE 4TH AIRFORCE HAMILTON FIELD CALIF.
VENTURE PRESS 305 STUDIO BLDG 1718 SHERMAN AVE EVANSTON ILL. RA
PALMER. SENT ARNOLD $200 TO GO TO TACOMA TO INVESTIGATE FLYING
DISC REPORT THERE. SUGGEST THIS OUT OF LINE FOR PRESENT PUBLIC
INTEREST IN STORY AND BELIEVE AS I SUGGESTED ON YOUR VISIT HERE
VENTURE PRESS SHOULD BE CHECKED
DAVE JOHNSON
305 1718 $200
308P
[CONFIDENTIAL - struck through at bottom]CONFIDENTIAL [Photograph of two rock/mineral samples on white background] [Upper sample: rough-textured, porous, grey-brown slab] [Lower sample: dark, shiny/glassy black irregular chunk] [Small coin visible for scale between samples] [handwritten: Incl #3] CONFIDENTIAL
62-83894-102 OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPH U.S. ARMY AIR FORCE 401 [ILLEGIBLE] UNIT PHOTO LABORATORY HAMILTON FIELD, CALIFORNIA FILE
CONFIDENTIAL Incl #4 CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL Incl #5 CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL Incl #6 CONFIDENTIA[ILLEGIBLE]
CONFIDENTIAL Incl #9 CONFIDENTIAL
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Director, FBI DATE: 7-29-47
FROM : SAC, Boston
SUBJECT: METAL FRAGMENTS OBSERVED AT WEST RINDGE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, JULY 7, 1947
SECURITY MATTER (X)
Reference is made to Boston teletype to the Bureau dated July 18, 1947.
Dean John M. Bunker, the original informant, has advised that a spectographic
examination has been completed of the metal particles referred to. They were
determined to be of ordinary cast iron which had been subjected to a very
high degree of heat. The heat caused scales to be formed on the cast iron
which were originally thought to be of some metallic alloy.
The scientist examining the particles concluded that if they had come through
the air from any great altitude in as small pieces as they were found then
most of the heat would have been taken from them by the time they reached
the ground and fires would not have resulted. It is noted they landed
approximately 700 feet from a railroad track and inquiries were conducted by
MIT to determine whether or not the particles could have been originally a
part of a liner in a smoke stack or some other part of the steam engine. These
inquiries resulted in positive information that the particles did not come from
a train or locomotive. Measurements of the four pieces examined revealed
that they had most likely been originally all part of one hollow cylinder,
eight inches in diameter and three sixteenths of an inch in thickness. It
was felt that one piece falling from a great height would have still retained
a good part of its heat and probably would have been smashed when it hit the ground.
A scientist, whom Dean Bunker did not identify by name, recalled that cast
iron cylinders of similar measurements had been used in New Mexico on
research work on a guided missile project. However, this unidentified scientist
did not so conclude to the exclusion of all other possibilities.
[CONF. INFT.]
It is interesting to note that the examination at MIT was actually conducted
by (b) (7)(D) [REDACTED] who furnished the Boston Office with an informal report similar
in all major details to that supplied by Dean Bunker above. The men at MIT
are gathering through friends all additional pieces of the original cylinder
available. These will be turned over to the Boston Office. No further
examination is being conducted by MIT and no effort is being made to
reconstruct the original cylinder.
[LANDED BY DEST BELG?]
Unless advised to the contrary by August 15, 1947 the Boston Office will
destroy these specimens. In the interim they will be transmitted to the
Bureau on specific Bureau instructions.
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R-344
[Stamp: 31 SEP 28 1947][REVERSE SIDE OF PAGE 26 — TEXT SHOWS THROUGH IN MIRROR IMAGE]
Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Director, FBI DATE: [ILLEGIBLE]
FROM : SAC, [ILLEGIBLE]
SUBJECT: METAL FRAGMENTS OBSERVED AT WEST RINDGE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, JULY 7, 1947
SECURITY MATTER (X)
[Body text mirrors page 26 — showing through in reverse]
[Stamps visible, forward-facing:]
RECEIVED
INTERNAL SECURITY
F.B.I.
DEPT. OF JUSTICE
AUG 31 12 45 PM [ILLEGIBLE]
RECEIVED
INTERNAL SECURITY
F.B.I.
AUG 6 10 09 M[ILLEGIBLE]
RECEIVED
INTERNAL SECURITY
F.B.I.
DEPT. OF JUSTICE
AUG 27 2 36 PM [ILLEGIBLE]
[Handwritten at bottom: Smead]
[Handwritten: 7/1/2]It is noted that the original Boston teletype reflected that this inquiry was being treated as "secret" matter at MIT. (b)(7)(D) [REDACTED] has advised that the comparatively small number of research scientists at MIT during the summer are all cognizant of the incident and the results of the research. However, no publicity has been given and it is not anticipated that any will result. The Bureau's interest is not known to the scientists at MIT. There has been no speculation that a guided missile originating in a foreign land landed in New Hampshire. As indicated above, unless the Bureau requests specifically further investigative action, this case is being closed in the Boston Office. BSG:md 100-20698
Mr. Tolson
Mr. E.A. Tamm
Mr. Clegg
Mr. Glavin
Mr. Ladd
Mr. Nichols
Mr. Rosen
Mr. Tracy
Mr. Egan
Mr. Gurney
Mr. Harbo
Mr. Mohr
Mr. Pennington
Mr. Quinn Tamm
Mr. [ILLEGIBLE]
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
AUG 15 1947
TELETYPE [ILLEGIBLE]
FBI BUTTE 8-15-47 5-45 PM VGW
DIRECTOR, FBI URGENT
FLYING DISCS. ON INSTANT DATE A. C. KURIE OF TWIN FALLS, IDAHO,
INFORMED LOCAL NEWSPAPER THAT COMMUNITY THAT AT ONE PM ON WEDNESDAY
LAST, AUGUST THIRTEEN, HE AND TWO SONS BILLIE, AGE TEN, KEITH, A[ILLEGIBLE]
AGE EIGHT, SAW AN OBJECT NINE MILES NORTHWEST OF TWIN FALLS, RE-
SEMBLING FLYING DISC. URIE STATED THIS OBJECT WAS PROCEEDING [ILLEGIBLE]
DOWN SALMON RIVER AT TERRIFIC SPEED ESTIMATED BY HIM AT ONE THOUSAND
MILES PER HOUR. URIE AND SONS DESCRIBED OBJECT TO NEWSPAPERS AS
TWENTY FEET LONG, TEN FEET WIDE AND TEN FEET THICK, LIGHT SKY BLUE
IN COLOR AND ALSO OBSERVED FLAMES EMANATING FROM SIDES OF OBJECT.
AT TIME URIE AND SONS SAW OBJECT THEY ALL HEARD LOUD SWISH WHEN
OBJECT DISAPPEARED FRIM SIGHT. CURRENT EFFORTS BEING MADE TO INTER-
VIEW URIE AND SONS PURSUANT TO BUREAU BULLETIN FORTY TWO, SUB DIVISION
B, DATED JULY THIRTY NINETEEN FORTY SEVEN. BUREAU WILL BE PROMPTLY,
AND FULLY INFORMED OF ALL PERTINENT DEVELOPMENTS.
BANISTER 38 11 [ILLEGIBLE]
RECEIVED [ILLEGIBLE]
END
PLS ACK AND HOLD
[ILLEGIBLE] 620CT2 194[7] R-344 [ILLEGIBLE]
RECORDED 62-83894-104
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[ILLEGIBLE] SEP 24 1947
7-48 PM OK FBI WA BWRECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT Aug 15 7 50 PM '47 F.D.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE [REVERSE SIDE OF PAGE 29 TELETYPE — TEXT SHOWS THROUGH IN MIRROR IMAGE] [Stamps visible, forward-facing:] RECEIVED-RECEIVED F B I U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE AUG 30 11 17 AM [ILLEGIBLE] RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE AUG 23 2 23 PM [ILLEGIBLE] RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE AUG 19 10 36 AM [ILLEGIBLE] Aug 15 8 38 PM '47
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : The Director DATE: August 14, 1947
FROM : Mr. D. M. Ladd
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS
Mr. Tolson
Mr. E.A. Tamm
Mr. Clegg
Mr. [ILLEGIBLE]
Mr. Nichols
Mr. Rosen
Mr. Tracy
Mr. Egan
Mr. Gurney
Mr. Harbo
Mr. Hendon
Mr. Pennington
Mr. Quinn Tamm
Mr. Nease
Miss Gandy
In connection with your request to be advised as to the facts
concerning newspaper reports of flying discs in the Portland area and the
reported conference of army officials in Portland concerning flying discs,
the Portland Office has advised that Leaveritt G. Richards, aviation
editor of the "Oregonian," has stated that Captain William L. Davidson
and Lieutenant Frank M. Brown of the Fourth AAF Headquarters, San Francisco,
were in Portland on July 27, 1947. While in Portland they interviewed Dick
Rankin, an experienced pilot, who had reported that he observed, on June 14,
a formation of ten flying discs over Bakersfield, California. Richards added
that Davidson and Brown had also interviewed the following four experienced
pilots who were among the first to report seeing discs, Kenneth Arnold, businessman
from Boise, Idaho; Captain E. J. Smith, a co-pilot; Ralph Stevens, United Airlines
and Dave Johnson, aviation editor, Idaho "Statesman." In order to determine the
purpose of these interviews Richards contacted Major General Twining of Wright Field,
Ohio, and from him gained the impression that the AAF instituted this investigation
to wash out the disc reports since they are definitely not of AAF origin.
On Friday, August 1, the plane in which AAF investigators, Captain
Davidson and Lieutenant Brown, were flying, crashed at Kelso, Washington and both
were killed. The wreckage was screened by AAF Intelligence from McChord Field.
The "Tacoma News Tribune" and through them the United Press put out a story that
the plane was carrying parts of a disc which had struck a boat owned by Harold
Dahl and Fred Chrisman. It has also been inferred that this plane was sabotaged
to prevent these disc parts from being examined.
STATUS
Investigation by the Bureau has reflected that this plane was definitely
not carrying parts of a disc and there appears to be no substantiation of a sabotage
charge.
For your further information there is attached a blind memorandum setting
forth in more detail the results of the investigation surrounding the above plane
crash. No further inquiry is being made in this matter.
ACTION
Air Force Intelligence has been advised of the results of our investi-
gation.
RGF:mjp
1
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31 SEP [ILLEGIBLE] 1947
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[ILLEGIBLE] DEC 12 1947
102[REVERSE SIDE OF PAGE 31 — TEXT SHOWS THROUGH IN MIRROR IMAGE] [Stamps visible, forward-facing:] RECEIVED-NICHOLS U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE F.B.I. Aug 15 9 34 AM '47 RECEIVED-TAMM FBI U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE Aug 14 4 20 PM '47 MR. JONES RECEIVED JONES F.B.I. Aug 10 9 35 AM '47
August 14, 1947
FLYING DISCS
The "Tacoma News Tribune" and through them the United Press put out
a story that an army plane which was allegedly carrying parts of a disc which
had struck a boat owned by Harold Dahl and Fred Chrisman had crashed on August
1, 1947, killing two Air Force Intelligence officers who were interviewing
persons who were alleged to have seen flying discs.
Harold A. Dahl and Fred Chrisman, when interviewed by Bureau Agents,
advised in a signed statement on August 7, 1947, that in the early part of June,
1947, they picked up some strange rock formations from a gravel pit on Mauri
Island, Washington. They sent a cigar box of these formations to one Ray Palmer,
editor of the Venture magazine in Evanston, Illinois and also editor of the
Fantasy magazine in Chicago, Illinois. According to them they requested Palmer
to make only a chemical analysis of the rock formations. Palmer then wrote
asking for additional samples stating he had been unable to analyze the material.
Dahl and Chrisman remarked that a few days after the flying disc stories appeared
during the latter part of June, Palmer contacted them by telephone saying he would
pay for an exclusive story if the materials they had sent him were fragments of
a flying disc. Dahl said he wrote Palmer a letter in which he represented the
material as being a part of a flying disc, and both Dahl and Chrisman admitted
that this statement was entirely false.
Dahl and Chrisman then received a call from one Kenneth Arnold of
Boise, Idaho who requested them to meet him at the Winthrop Hotel in Tacoma on
July 31, 1947. According to them Arnold called in army intelligence officers
from Hamilton Field, California and one Captain Emil H. Smith of United Airlines
of Seattle, Washington to attend this meeting. Dahl and Chrisman maintained
they told the intelligence officers Captain Davidson, Lieutenant Brown, Kenneth
Arnold and Emil H. Smith exactly how they got the rock formations and that they
had no connection with any flying discs. Dahl and Chrisman stated that they then
furnished some of the rock formation to the intelligence officers as samples.
Captain Davidson and Lieutenant Brown left Tacoma, Washington in a B-25
to return to Hamilton Field, California about 2:30 A.M. August 1, 1947, and were
killed when their plane crashed at Kelso, Washington, after the left engine
burned out an exhaust stack which in turn caught the left wing on fire which caused
it to break off. The crew chief and each officer parachuted to safety.
Ernie Vogel, an Associated Press wireman at Tacoma advised that two or
three days after the flying disc story started he contacted Dahl to check the story
COPIES DESTROYED
270 NOV 18 1964
[ENCLOSURE stamp]
62-83894-105that the Seattle Post-Intelligencer had received from the Fire Chief at
Harbor, Washington, to the effect that Dahl had some flying disc fragments.
At this time Dahl admitted to Vogel that the entire story was false.
Relative to Arnold, Dahl and Chrisman stated that he was paid by
Ray Palmer of the Fantasy magazine and possibly the Boise Statesman to come
to Tacoma and obtain a story from them regarding the flying disc fragments.
On July 31 and August 1, a total of five anonymous calls were
received by a Tacoma Times reporter and the United Press Wireman at Tacoma
giving information regarding the meeting at the Winthrop Hotel over the disc
fragments and stating that the B-25 had been shot down or sabotaged which
killed Captain Davidson and Lieutenant Brown, inferring that this was done
because the intelligence officers were carrying disc fragments in their plane.
Dahl and Chrisman stated that these calls could only have come from
themselves, Arnold or Smith, who, they stated, had a friend on the Chicago
Times and was possibly selling the story to the Chicago Times through this
friend. Dahl and Chrisman denied making these calls.
Smith, upon interview, stated that reporter Lantz of the Tacoma
Times and Morello of the United Press office in Tacoma had informed him that
Arnold had several anonymous calls and from the accuracy of the information
transmitted Smith believes they were made by either Dahl or Chrisman.
- 2 -Federal Bureau of Investigation
United States Department of Justice
407 U. S. Court House
Seattle 4, Washington
August 18, 1947
DIRECTOR, FBI
RE: FLYING DISCS SIGHTED BY FRED
CRISMAN and HAROLD A. DAHL,
TACOMA, WASHINGTON
SM - X
Dear Sir:
The following, in general, are the facts regarding the
flying disc story that started by FRED CRISMAN and HAROLD A. DAHL which
subsequently resulted in news stories by the Tacoma Times, the Boise Statesman
and the Chicago Times that a B-25 carrying Army Intelligence officers was shot
down or sabotaged over Kelso, Washington on August 1, 1947 because it was carry-
ing some flying disc fragments.
The original story, as related by FRED CRISMAN and HAROLD
DAHL, was to the effect that DAHL, while patrolling in his boat near Maury
Island, Washington, sighted six flying discs, one of which fluttered to the
earth and disintegrated, showering his boat with fragments which caused some
damage to the boat and killed his dog. HAROLD DAHL wrote a letter to RAY A.
PALMER of Ziff-Davis Company which publishes fantastic adventure magazines in
Chicago, sending him fragments of the flying disk and relating the above story.
RAY PALMER requested Trans-Radio News in Chicago to verify the story as related
by HAROLD DAHL and FRED CRISMAN, telegraphed RAY PALMER confirming DAHL's story.
RAY PALMER then engaged KENNETH ARNOLD, Boise, Idaho, who was the first to report
sighting the flying disc and whom RAY PALMER had previously made a contract for
a story regarding the flying disc, to come to Tacoma and check the story as
related by FRED CRISMAN and HAROLD DAHL.
KENNETH ARNOLD came to Tacoma, Washington July 30, 1947 and
arranged for a meeting the following day, July 31, with FRED CRISMAN and HAROLD
DAHL in his room 502, Winthrop Hotel, Tacoma, Washington. KENNETH ARNOLD also
called to attend the meeting Captain EMIL J. SMITH, United Airlines Pilot who
had also reported seeing flying disc fragments, and Army Intelligence to attend
RECORDED 62-83894-106
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EX 64 34 SEP [ILLEGIBLE] 1947
52 OCT 1 1947 [ILLEGIBLE]
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270 NOV 18 1964August 19, 1947
this meeting. KENNETH ARNOLD, Captain EMIL J. SMITH, FRED CRISMAN, HAROLD
DAHL, Captain DAVIDSON and Lieutenant BROWN of Army A-2 Intelligence from
Hamilton Field, California, all met in ARNOLD's room at various times during
the afternoon and evening of July 31, 1947 and discussed the flying disc
story as related by CRISMAN and DAHL. The Army Intelligence Officers, Captain
DAVIDSON and Lieutenant BROWN, left about 2:00 A. M. the morning of August 1,
1947 to return to Hamilton Field, California for Air Force Day in a B-25 and
were carrying some of the reported disc fragments. The left engine on the
B-25 burned an exhaust stack which in turn caught the left wing afire, the
wing subsequently breaking off and tearing off the tail. The B-25 crashed,
killing Captain DAVIDSON and Lieutenant BROWN. However, the Crew Chief and
a hitch-hiker parachuted to safety. Intelligence Officers at McChord Field,
Washington advised there was no indication of any sabotage. The plane crashed
at Kelso, Washington approximately 2:50 A. M. August 1, 1947.
Five anonymous calls were received by a reporter, Tacoma
Times, and the United Press Wireman, Tacoma, between 11:30 A. M., July 31, 1947
and 5:30 P. M., August 2, 1947. The first call was to a Tacoma Times reporter
approximately 11:30 A. M., July 31, in which the caller stated that there was
a meeting taking place at that time in room 502 of the Winthrop Hotel concerning
the disc fragments found on Maury Island. The second call was received between
11:00 A. M. and 12:00 noon, August 1, 1947 by the Tacoma Times reporter in
which the caller advised that at that moment a big meeting was taking place
in ARNOLD's room 502, Winthrop Hotel; that the B-25 which crashed was
carrying disc fragments and that McChord Field officials had stated it was
shot down or sabotaged. The third call was received Friday, August 1, 1947
at 5:30 P. M. by the United Press Wireman, Tacoma, in which the caller stated
that the B-25 which crashed at Kelso, Washington was carrying flying disc
fragments and that the dead officers were Captain DAVIDSON and Lieutenant
BROWN, A-2 Intelligence Officers at Hamilton Field, California. This call
was prior to the release of the dead officers' names by Army authorities and
the caller indicated that when the names were released, it would verify the
information he was furnishing was correct. The fourth phone call was received
at approximately 6:45 P. M., Friday, August 1 by the United Press Wireman in
which call the caller stated the B-25 was definitely shot down and that if he
contacted Army Intelligence officers, they would not deny it. The fifth phone
call was received by the United Press Wireman, Tacoma, at 5:30 P. M. August 2,
1947 at which time the caller stated the B-25 was shot down from the air with
a 20 m.m. cannon; that the Marine plane found recently on Mt. Rainier had also
been shot down and that Captain SMITH would be taken to Wright Field Tuesday
morning. When the Army authorities released the names of the dead Intelligence
officers which verified the information as given by the anonymous caller, the
Tacoma Times printed this story on August 2, 1947 and carried several articles
thereafter inferring that the B-25 had been shot down or sabotaged because of
the fact that it was carrying disc fragments. DAHL and CRISMAN have admitted
that the material which they sent to RAY PALMER had no connection with any
flying discs and have given a signed statement to that effect which are being
- 2 -August 19, 1947
forwarded herein. DAHL and CRISMAN deny, however, that they actually started
the flying disc story and their actual part in the story. United Airlines pilot,
EMIL J. SMITH, states that DAHL and CRISMAN on July 31, 1947, both related their
original flying disc fragment story. Information gathered would indicate that
the anonymous phone calls were possibly made by FRED CRISMAN in order to build
up the flying disc story to the point where they could make a profitable sale
of the story to RAY PALMER, Chicago, Illinois. No facts have been developed
which would definitely prove that CRISMAN made these calls. However, from all
facts and information gathered, it appears he is probably the most likely to
have made the anonymous calls. The detailed interviews of the persons contac-
ted in regard to this flying disc story are being set out below.
The following investigation was conducted by Special Agent
DAVID A. MacCULLOCH at Tacoma, Washington on August 6, 7, 1947:
ERNIE VOGEL, Associated Press Wireman, Tacoma, Washington,
advised that in the early part of June, 1947 he was requested by the Seattle
Post Intelligencer to check on a story which he was informed had been obtained
from the Fire Chief at Harper, Washington. The story was supposed to have
originated with FRED CRISMAN. Mr. VOGEL stated that the story was to the effect
that DAHL, while patrolling in his boat near Maury Island, saw five or six
flying discs, one of which fluttered toward the ground and finally disintegrated.
Fragments of the disc were reported to have showered down on the boat of HAROLD
DAHL, causing some damage and killing his dog. Mr. VOGEL stated that he went
to the home of HAROLD DAHL on 3903 North Gove, Tacoma, Washington to check with
him on this flying disc story. He stated that as best he could recall, this
was just a few days after the first flying disc stories had appeared in the paper
and was on a Sunday evening. He believed it was the early part of June. He
stated that DAHL took him in the kitchen and proceeded to talk about this flying
disc story in low muffled tones. He stated that DAHL acted rather suspicious
and that shortly his wife came into the kitchen and was in a considerable rage,
telling DAHL to admit that the entire story was a plain fantasy which he had
dreamed up. He stated that after his wife told DAHL to admit the entire story
was false, that DAHL then admitted that there was nothing whatever to the story
and it was an entire hoax. VOGEL stated that in view of the enraged condition
of DAHL's wife, he immediately left and reported to the Seattle Post Intelligencer
that the entire story was a hoax and that they should not print it in any way.
He further stated that he advised the Seattle Post Intelligencer that DAHL was
a mental case and that nothing which he had reported should be carried as far
as a news story. Mr. VOGEL stated that since that time he had received repeated
requests from the Boise Statesman requesting information as to the flying disc
stories reportedly originating with FRED CRISMAN and HAROLD DAHL. VOGEL stated
that he had never, in his experience, had such pressure brought upon him to
release a news story and that he repeatedly advised the Boise Statesman that
the story of seeing the flying discs by DAHL and CRISMAN was a complete fabri-
- 3 -August 19, 1947
cation and should be in no way, carried as a news story and refused to furnish
any information regarding these reports. He further stated that he advised
the Boise Statesman shortly before, or at the time KENNETH ARNOLD left Boise
to come to Tacoma to check on the flying disc stories with DAHL and CRISMAN,
that ARNOLD should not come as the entire story was a hoax.
The following information was obtained from PAUL LANTZ,
4513 South 7th, Tacoma, Washington, Proctor 8416, a reporter for the Tacoma
Times:
It was the Tacoma Times paper which first issued a story
on August 2 and subsequent stories intimating that the B-25 which crashed at
Kelso, Washington on the early morning of August 1, had been sabotaged or shot
down because of the fact that it carried flying disc fragments. LANTZ stated
that on Thursday, July 31, at approximately 11:30 A. M. he received an anonymous
phone call in which the caller stated that KENNETH ARNOLD and Army Intelligence
officers were meeting in room 502 of the Winthrop Hotel to check on the flying
disc story from which fragments were obtained on Maury Island. LANTZ stated he
turned around to speak to his editor and when he picked up the phone again the
line was dead. He stated that the caller asked for BURT McMURTIE, a reporter
on the Tacoma Times who was out at the time of the call. He stated that BURT
McMURTIE called ARNOLD at room 502 in the Winthrop Hotel and was advised by
ARNOLD that he could furnish no information as he was there on a Government
mission. LANTZ stated that on Friday, August 1, between 11:00 A. M. and noon,
he received another phone call for BURT McMURTIE in which the anonymous caller
stated that he might have some information for him. LANTZ asked the caller if
he was not the same party that had called the previous date and he said yes.
The caller then related that at that moment there was a big meeting in progress
in ARNOLD's room, 502, in the Winthrop Hotel; that the B-25 which crashed that
morning in Kelso was carrying flying disc fragments from California and that
McChord Field officials had stated the plane was sabotaged or shot down. The
caller then hung up after making some statement to the effect that he was a
switchboard operator. LANTZ stated that he went to the Winthrop Hotel on Friday
about noon and found that there was no male operator on duty. He stated he then
went to room 502 and ARNOLD answered the door and that Captain EMIL J. SMITH,
United Airlines pilot, was on the phone. LANTZ stated that he heard SMITH make
a statement to the effect that the information must be very strictly confidential.
He stated that there were one or two others in the room besides SMITH and ARNOLD,
but that he could not identify them. He stated that ARNOLD told him he could
make no statement and that he had attempted to check the story with various people
on Maury Island with negative results. He stated that about 3:30 P. M., Friday,
he wrote a story regarding the mysterious informant and called ARNOLD at his
hotel room, stating that he had written this story and that ARNOLD had better
check it. He stated that he talked to TED MORRELLO, the United Press Wireman,
Tacoma, who advised that the story sounded fantastic. LANTZ stated that about
5:30 P. M., Friday, August 1, an anonymous caller called TED MORRELLO, the
- 4 -August 19, 1947
United Press Wireman, stating that Captain DAVIDSON and Lieutenant BROWN
were the Intelligence officers that were killed in the crash of the B-25 and
that civilians and the sheriff had been kept away from the wreckage with the
Army guarding it. He stated the anonymous caller then said that the names
had not been released yet by the Army and that this would verify his statements.
PAUL LANTZ stated that the following morning, Saturday, August 2, the Army
verified that the officers killed were Captain DAVIDSON and Lieutenant BROWN
and two days later verified that they were Army Intelligence officers. LANTZ
stated that the anonymous caller again later contacted TED MORRELLO, calling
him by that name, and at this time stated he did not call the Tacoma News
Tribune or the Associated Press and denied calling PAUL LANTZ or BURT McMURTIE.
In this call the anonymous caller stated that, "Don't think I'm doing this for
you." He then asked if the story had been put on the wire and when MORRELLO
said yes, the caller stated, "We want this to get back to New Jersey." The
caller further stated that the B-25 was shot down by a 20 m.m. cannon and that
the marine plane which was recently found wrecked on the side of Mt. Rainier,
having been missing for several months, had also been shot down. The caller
stated to MORRELLO that he should get in touch with a flyer named MORGAN with
United Airlines who, he stated, was with Captain SMITH when they were shot at
over Montana. The caller then stated, "I'll see you Tuesday. I'm going to
San Francisco." LANCE stated that he had checked with Captain EMIL SMITH of
United Airlines who denied knowing any pilot by the name of MORGAN; denied
ever having flown over Montana. LANTZ stated that MORRELLO received another
anonymous call in which the caller stated that SMITH would be sent to Wright
Field on Tuesday and that Saturday one of the men who had found fragments of the
flying disc was to be flown to Alaska. LANTZ stated that in view of the fact
that the information as to the Intelligence officers on the B-25 had been as
furnished by the anonymous caller, had subsequently been verified by the Army,
the story was released that the B-25 was carrying disc fragments returning to
Hamilton Field, California and furnishing the inference that the plane had been
sabotaged or shot down. LANTZ stated that about 8:00 P. M. on Sunday, August 3,
he contacted Captain EMIL SMITH at his home, 3027 West Laurelhurst Drive,
Seattle at which time SMITH stated he had not given any story out to the Post
Intelligencer at Seattle; stated that he had gotten a telegram to call a number
in Boise and when he called and found out it was the Boise Statesman, he had
hung up. He stated that the Boise Statesman then contacted him, at which time
he admitted he had seen the disc fragments, but that he did not take any of
them. This time SMITH informed LANTZ that he had been with Major GEORGE
SANDERS, Public Relations Officer from McChord Field, all afternoon until about
3:45 P. M. SMITH informed LANTZ that he had told the Army authorities every-
thing that he and ARNOLD knew about the flying disc fragments story from the
time that KENNETH ARNOLD left Boise, Idaho and he had left Seattle, Washington.
This time SMITH admitted that there were some of the supposed disc fragments
in ARNOLD's room at the Winthrop Hotel and that CRISMAN and DAHL had been in
the room Thursday afternoon. On Monday PAUL LANTZ stated that he called
HAROLD DAHL who advised that if this were not used in the paper, he and FRED
- 5 -August 19, 1947
CRISMAN would see him after lunch. LANTZ stated that about noon DAHL and
CRISMAN contacted him at which time DAHL stated that he and his son had been
exploring a gravel pit on Maury Island and found some strange rock formations.
He stated they picked up some of these samples and that FRED CRISMAN later
saw them and they went back over to Maury Island at which time additional
samples were obtained and that CRISMAN sent these to a friend of his at the
University of Chicago to have analyzed. They stated that they received a
report and that apparently this friend had asked a newpaperman to find out
where the rock formations were obtained. CRISMAN and DAHL told LANTZ that
sometime after the first flying disc story had appeared, they received a tele-
gram from Trans-Ocean Press from Chicago wanting information on the flying
disc fragments. FRED CRISMAN stated that they had at no time indicated the
rock formations were a part of a flying disc and that Captain EMIL SMITH and
KENNETH ARNOLD were not interested in the rock formations and they denied
giving them to SMITH and ARNOLD.
TED MORRELLO, a United Press Wireman, Tacoma, Washington
furnished substantially the same information that was obtained from PAUL LANTZ,
the Tacoma Times reporter, regarding the anonymous phone calls which he had
received. He stated further that the first call he received was on Friday,
August 1, at around 5:30 P. M. At this time the caller stated that the B-25
which crashed at Kelso, Washington was carrying disc fragments and that the
two officers killed were Captain DAVIDSON and Lieutenant BROWN, officers with
Army A-2 Intelligence at Hamilton Field and that the fragments were top secret
material. He stated the caller indicated that when the Army released the names
of the dead officers it would verify that the information he was furnishing was
correct. MORRELLO stated that the second call he received at approximately
6:45 P. M. Friday, August 1 at which time the caller stated that the B-25 was
definitely shot down and that if he contacted Army Intelligence A-2, the man
in charge would not deny it. MORRELLO stated he thought the man said to con-
tact Colonel GUYS, but it was found out it was Colonel GREGG who was in charge
of Army Intelligence A-2. The caller further stated that the Sheriff's Office
had been kept away from the crash and that no civilians had been allowed near
the plane. MORRELLO stated the third call he received at 5:30 P. M., August 2,
and that this time the caller stated that one of the men who had been conferring
with Captain SMITH and KENNETH ARNOLD was taken to Alaska that day. The caller
further stated that the B-25 was shot down from the air with a 20 m.m. cannon;
that the Marine plane found recently on Mt. Rainier had also been shot down;
that Captain SMITH would be taken to Wright Field Tuesday morning and that a
United Airlines pilot by the name of MORGAN flew with Captain SMITH when they
were shot at over Montana. The caller stated he was leaving for San Francisco
and would be back Tuesday.
PAUL LANTZ and TED MORRELLO both stated that they had made
very little effort to question the anonymous caller to obtain his identity as
they felt it was useless and that if they started questioning him he would
- 6 -August 19, 1947
refuse to furnish any further information.
On August 5, 1947 Special Agent DAVID A. MacCULLOCH was
contacted in the resident agency office, Tacoma, Washington by FRED CRISMAN.
At this time CRISMAN asked if the Seattle Office was investigation the crash
of the B-25 and he was informed that no investigation was being conducted by
the Seattle Office. CRISMAN at this time related in a rambling story that he
had picked up some strange rock formations which he had forwarded to a friend
of his in the University of Chicago to have analyzed and that later, in some
manner unknown to him, these rock formations had been reported as being frag-
ments of a flying disc.
On August 7, 1947 FRED CRISMAN and HAROLD DAHL were inter-
viewed at the Tacoma resident agency office. Both DAHL and CRISMAN at first
denied any knowledge of how the rock formations which they had picked up to
have alalyzed became connected with the flying disc stories. Both denied
making any statement to anyone that these rock formations were portions of a
disc fragment. It was apparent from the start of the interview that DAHL and
CRISMAN were not telling their complete and true connection with the flying
disc story. They refused to give any definite information as to what they said
or had done which caused them to become involved in a flying disc story, but
gave evasive answers and repeatedly stated that they had nothing to do with it
and were at a loss to understand how they became connected with the flying disc
story. After considerable questioning, they stated that in the early part of
June they sent to RAY PALMER of the Ziff-Davis Publishing Company which published
the Fantasy magazine in Chicago and the Venture magazine in Evanston, Illinois,
some rock formations which they had found on Maury Island. They stated they
sent these formations, asking PALMER to have them analyzed. They stated that
later PALMER wrote and asked for more samples, advising he had failed to analyze
the samples. CRISMAN and DAHL stated they have never sent any additional samples
and that the next they heard regarding the rock formations which they had sent
PALMER was when he called HAROLD DAHL and asked if the rock formations could
have come from a flying disc. DAHL stated he made some remark that they possibly
could have come from a flying disc and that he immediately sat down and wrote
a letter to PALMER, which was in the latter part of June in which he stated
the material could have been portions of a flying disc. DAHL claimed that he
thought he told PALMER over the phone something about being in his boat when
he obtained these rock formations, but stated he could not recall what he had
written to PALMER and claimed that he passed the whole thing off as a joke.
CRISMAN and DAHL were questioned at length in an attempt to obtain specific
information as to exactly what each one had done with regard to the rock forma-
tions. However, each stated that the only thing they had done was tell RAY PALMER
the formations could have come from a flying disc in view of the fact it appeared
"that's what he wanted them to say". No definite information could be obtained
from either DAHL or CRISMAN as to what each specifically had done to start the
flying disc story.
The signed statement which was obtained from CRISMAN and
- 6A-August 19, 1947
DAHL and in which they admitted the rock formations had no connection with
any flying discs is being forwarded to the Bureau herewith. The statement
contains no information of value and therefore is not being set forth herein.
Regarding the meeting which was held in the Winthrop Hotel
on Thursday, July 31, CRISMAN and DAHL stated that they both met KENNETH ARNOLD
there about 1:00 P. M. They stated that they all left ARNOLD's room about
3:00 P. M. and that CRISMAN took ARNOLD to Berry's Airport at Tacoma and
ARNOLD flew his plane to Seattle where he picked up Captain EMIL SMITH. CRIS-
MAN stated that he picked up ARNOLD and SMITH at Berry's Airport about 5:00
P. M. and that HAROLD DAHL came to ARNOLD's room about 7:00 P. M. CRISMAN
stated that he and SMITH left about 8:30 P. M. when he drove SMITH to Seattle
to get his car and that DAHL went home at this time. CRISMAN stated they
returned about 11:30 P. M. at which time the Army Intelligence officers were
in ARNOLD's room and that CRISMAN left about midnight. He stated that he
returned to ARNOLD's room Friday afternoon for approximately one-half hour
from 2:30 to 3:00 P. M., at which time ARNOLD and SMITH were still there and
neither seemed to be able to recall if DAHL was in ARNOLD's room on Friday,
August 1. The best that could be obtained from CRISMAN and DAHL as to what
took place in ARNOLD's room was to the effect that most of the talk was about
flying, that no one seemed very interested in the rock formations and that
they had no connection as far as they knew with any flying disc. CRISMAN
stated that KENNETH ARNOLD wanted to obtain pictures of the place where the
rock formations were obtained and that the Army Intelligence officers did not
appear to be interested in any manner whatever.
HAROLD DAHL operates the Commercial Lumber Company at 235
Millwater Avenue, Tacoma, Washington and FRED CRISMAN has recently been
working with him buying timber. They have also been associated with the Harbor
Patrol Association at Tacoma, Washington which furnishes patrol and police pro-
tection to parts of the harbor area which are not patrolled by Tacoma police
or Sheriff's officers. FRED CRISMAN resides at 125 Woodland, Tacoma, Washington,
Army serial number 0-758-951. During the war he was a pilot and it is believed
presently holds a Reserve Officer's commission as a Captain.
Regarding the B-25 which crashed, killing Captain DAVIDSON
and Lieutenant BROWN of the 4th Aire Forces, Captain ROBERT G. BJORNING, A-2
Officer, Mc Chord Field, advised that this investigation of the crash reflected
an exhaust stack had burned out on the left engine which in turn caught the
left wing afire and that when the left wing broke off, it also broke off the
tail. The plane at the time of the crash was carrying Captain DAVIDSON,
Lieutenant BROWN, the hitch-hiker and a man as Crew Chief to take care of the
airplane. The Crew Chief and the hitch-hiker parachuted to safety, but Captain
DAVIDSON and Lieutenant BROWN were killed. He stated that their investigation
reflected no indication of any sabotage whatever.
A check of the records of the Winthrop Hotel at Tacoma,
Washington revealed that KENNETH ARNOLD, giving his address as Route #1, Mount-
view Drive, Boise, Idaho rented room 502 from July 30 at 7:43 P. M. until
- 7 -August 19, 1947
August 3. A record of the phone calls made from room 502 during this period
was made by Miss SARAH LANGBERG. This record reveals that KENNETH ARNOLD on
July 31 called PALMER at AN-5200, Evanston, Illinois, collect. On the same
date called Lieutenant BROWN at 5800 Hamilton Field, California, collect.
ARNOLD also called 0109-J in Boise, Idaho on July 31. On August 1 ARNOLD called
LON-4936, Portland; PALMER at Dearborn 5200, Chicago; and SMITH called RODDY
at Dearborn 2323 at the Tacoma Times. Both Chicago calls were collect. The remainder
of the calls appear to be personal calls and are not being set out. A record
of the phone calls made are being retained as an exhibit in the Seattle Office.
The following information was obtained by Special Agent
PIERRE H. LEVEC in interview on August 12, 1947 with Captain EMIL J. SMITH,
3027 West Laurehurst Drive, United Airlines pilot: It should be noted that
Captain SMITH has previously received publicity for having supposedly seen
flying discs or similar objects on July 4, last while on a routine United Air-
lines flight out of Boise, Idaho in company with his co-pilot RALPH STEVENS,
concerning this incident. Captain SMITH states that they took off from Boise,
Idaho at 8:12 P. M. and headed Northwest at 300 degrees and while still climbing
at 8,000 feet, co-pilot STEVENS called his attention to some objects in the
sky ahead of them about ten degrees left which neither one could identify.
SMITH states that he called a CAA radio operator at Ontario, Oregon and reques-
ted him to step outside his radio shack and see if he could see any of these
objects overhead. The CAA radio operator replied in the negative.
Captain SMITH states that he first met KENNETH ARNOLD on
July 5 in the offices of the Seattle Post Intelligencer where both were being
interviewed concerning their sighting of flying discs. SMITH states that he
next met ARNOLD about three weeks ago in Boise, Idaho at which time he, SMITH,
was on another flight through Boise, Idaho and had a ten minute lay-over there.
On this occasion ARNOLD was in company of Captain WILLIAM L. DAVIDSON and
Lieutenant FRANK M. BROWN, Army Intelligence officers, and a reporter JOHNSON
of the Boise Statesman. SMITH's next contact with ARNOLD was on Thursday,
July 31, last when he received a telephone call from ARNOLD calling from Tacoma
in the early afternoon at which time he asked SMITH to come over to Tacoma and
join him as he was investigating a flying disc story for "someone back East"
and some fragments were involved which SMITH might be interested in seeing.
After some discussion SMITH agreed to join ARNOLD in Tacoma and ARNOLD told
SMITH he would fly over and pick him up at Boeing Airport at 4:00 P. M. SMITH
met ARNOLD at Boeing Field at about 4:00 P. M. and they flew to Berry's Airport
at Tacoma, Washington where they were met by FRED CRISMAN. The three of them
proceeded in CRISMAN's car to the Winthrop Hotel where ARNOLD was occupying
room 502. ARNOLD ordered something to eat and during this time either ARNOLD
or CRISMAN called a HAROLD DAHL and invited him up to the room. By this time
SMITH states he had learned from ARNOLD that CRISMAN and DAHL were the parti-
cipants in the latest flying disc story and SMITH states that he had no previous
acquaintance with either of these men before meeting them in Tacoma on this date.
While in the Hotel Room ARNOLD showed SMITH a letter which he had received from
RAYMOND PALMER of the Venture Press of Chicago requesting that ARNOLD investigate
- 8 -August 19, 1947 the CRISMAN-DAHL story in Tacoma. ARNOLD informed SMITH at this time that after receiving this letter he had called PALMER by telephone in Chicago as a result of which call PALMER had forwarded him $200.00 expense money for covering the story. Shortly thereafter, at about 7:30 P. M. HAROLD DAHL arrived at the Hotel room and the discussion began among the four men present as to what DAHL and CRISMAN had seen on Maury Island. DAHL professed reluc- tance to tell the story, claiming that several unfortunate incidents had occurred subsequent to his seeing the flying discs and he believed the entire incident had brought him bad luck. In this connection he stated that four or five days subsequent to his sighting the flying discs, a man called at his home and had a conversation with him the course of which DAHL was warned to forget all about everything he had seen on or near Maury Island. In addition to that, DAHL stated that his sixteen year old son had run away from home following the incident and had been picked up by the police somewhere in Montana. After some further discussion DAHL finally agreed to tell his story of the flying disc incident in front of SMITH after eliciting a promise from SMITH that he would not discuss the matter for at least two weeks. It should be noted that DAHL had previously told his story to ARNOLD and CRISMAN. At this point DAHL related the incident which has already been described and which he alleged had taken place on or about June 23 or 24. While relating the incident DAHL mentioned that he had taken pictures of the flying disc which he had seen but that the printed films were marred with white spots. When DAHL had concluded his story, CRISMAN related that he had gone the following day to Maury Island to verify what DAHL had told him concerning the fragments and had at this time picked up several fragments and taken them with him. At this time CRISMAN related that he also saw one of the flying discs hovering over the Island but that it had disappeared into a cloud. When DAHL and CRISMAN had finished telling their story ARNOLD told the group that he had earlier in that evening called Captain DAVIDSON and Lieutenant BROWN, Army Intelligence officers and that they were on their way to the Hotel room. At this point DAHL protested that he did not wish to tell his story before anyone else and he was advised by SMITH that if such was the case why didn't he just leave and not be there when they arrived. CRISMAN, DAHL and SMITH then left the room and went downstairs. DAHL departed alone. CRISMAN drove SMITH back to Boeing Field near Seattle where SMITH desired to pick up his own personal car, which he did. They then returned to the Hotel where they found Captain DAVIDSON and Lieutenant BROWN in room 502 with KENNETH ARNOLD. ARNOLD met them at the door and seemed excited, explaining to SMITH that Captain DAVIDSON had just drawn a reproduction of a freak disc which had supposedly been seen by a woman in Arizona and that this drawing was an exact reproduction of the flying disc which he, ARNOLD, had seen several weeks before, nearing Mt. Rainier. SMITH states that shortly after this CRISMAN seemed very anxious to tell his and DAHL's story to the Army offi- cers. Before this was done, however, SMITH had a discussion with Lieutenant BROWN, informing him that they had promised DAHL not to release the story for two weeks and that if CRISMAN were allowed to tell the story at this time, BROWN and DAVIDSON must agree not to release the story for one month. Following this agreement, CRISMAN related DAHL's and his story of the flying discs over Maury - 9 -
August 19, 1947
Island to BROWN and DAVIDSON. Following this recitation, Lieutenant BROWN,
in answer to a query from SMITH, said that he and Captain DAVIDSON were of
the opinion that there might be some truth in the current flying disc stories,
but that their immediate superiors (presumably A-2 at Hamilton Field) did not
agree with them. BROWN and DAVIDSON then held a brief discussion as to whether
they should return that same night to Hamilton Field and they decided that
they would. All five of the men then went down to the lobby where BROWN
detached himself from the group and entered a phone booth to call for a car
from McChord Field. SMITH also left the group and met BROWN outside the phone
booth where they held a short discussion relative to the credibility of CRIS-
MAN and DAHL's story. BROWN indicated to SMITH that he should attemt to find
out if the story was on the level and that BROWN would call him the following
day regarding this matter. The group then proceeded to the front of the Hotel
at which time CRISMAN brought his car to the front of the Hotel and took from
his trunk a box of the alleged flying disc fragments picked up on Maury Island.
He offered them to BROWN and DAVIDSON and when the Army car arrived from McChord
Field the box of fragments was placed in the car with the officers. CRISMAN
departed alone and ARNOLD and SMITH went in search of something to eat and later
returned to the Hotel for the night.
On Friday morning, August 1, 1947, ARNOLD received a call
from CRISMAN informing him that a B-25 had crashed during the night and it was
believed to be the same plane which BROWN and DAVIDSON were flying. Following
this call CRISMAN and DAHL came to the Hotel room and from the room CRISMAN
again called McChord Field in an attempt to get information about the crash.
SMITH took the phone from CRISMAN and spoke to a Colonel GREGG, identifying
himself and asking if the B-25 which crashed was the only one which had taken
off from McChord Field the previous night. GREGG told him that it was. Follow-
ing this call ARNOLD called RAYMOND PALMER in Chicago and informed him of the
previous night's conversations and the fact that DAVIDSON and BROWN were believed
to have been killed. PALMER told ARNOLD to discontinue his investigation of
the incident and that he, PALMER, was no longer interested. SMITH then took
the phone from ARNOLD and asked PALMER if he could shed any light on the
situation. SMITH was unable to say what PALMER's reply to CRISMAN was. Fol-
lowing these telephone discussions SMITH says that he called MAURICE RODDY whom
he identifies as a personal friend of his and an aviation editor of the Chicago
Times. SMITH states that he had previously made an agreement with RODDY in
Chicago that should he ever run across any flying disc stories which showed
promise of news value, that he would contact RODDY and this call was a result
of that agreement. Shortly afterward, Colonel GREGG called him from McChord
Field stating that Hamilton Field had requested that ARNOLD, SMITH, CRISMAN
and DAHL submit their addresses to Hamilton Field for convenience of any Army
investigation of the incident which may be forthcoming. After this call the
four men went to a restaurant for lunch. During the course of this meal SMITH
excused himself from the table and attempted to call SAC BOBBITT of the Port-
land Field Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation with whom he claims acquain-
tance. BOBBITT, however, was unavailable and SMITH was unable to complete the
- 10 -August 19, 1947
call. After returning to the Hotel room, a Tacoma Times reporter called
attempting to gain information, but they did not give him any. Later, a Mr.
MORRELLO of the United Press called and SMITH spoke to him on the telephone
but refused to give out any information. SMITH further relates that while
the four men were in the room at this time, an envelope was shoved under the
door and that he retrieved it from the floor. SMITH states that the appearance
of this envelope seemed to startle CRISMAN considerably and that in fact, CRISMAN
turned white as a sheet until SMITH read the note unsigned which was a commu-
nication to the Hotel advising that a strike of Hotel employees was eminent and
that guests should not expect room and telephone service much longer. Shortly
after this incident DAHL and CRISMAN left the Hotel room after promising to
take ARNOLD and SMITH to Maury Island the following morning, (Saturday). ARNOLD
and SMITH then went out for dinner and on their return, SMITH found a note in
the box requesting him to call a certain telephone number. He did this from
the Hotel room and was answered by LANTZ, Tacoma Times reporter who requested
SMITH to go out and call him from a pay station. SMITH complained and was
informed by LANTZ that two anonymous telephone calls had been received by
him that a discussion regarding flying discs had been taking place in room 502
at the Winthrop Hotel which involved Army Intelligence officers. From the
information which LANTZ had received, SMITH was convinced that the anonymous
caller must have been present at the discussion also, as LANTZ was seemingly
in possession of pertinent remarks which had been made in the room. SMITH
states that he did not give LANTZ any further information and that in conclu-
sion of the call, he returned to the Hotel room and he and ARNOLD retired for
the night.
On Saturday morning, August 2, 1947 SMITH received a tele-
phone call from MAURICE RODDY in Chicago, but was unable to give him any
further information. SMITH advised him, however, that he would call him back
at 2:30 that afternoon. DAHL then called from a coffee shop nearby and ARNOLD
and SMITH joined DAHL, CRISMAN and an unknown man in the Coffee Shop for
breakfast. The unknown person was discussing some lumber business with DAHL
and left after breakfast. On leaving the coffee shop, SMITH asked DAHL about
the negatives of the photographs which he claimed to have taken of the flying
discs. DAHL said the negatives were in the glove compartment of his car, but
a search of the instant glove compartment was fruitless. The four then pro-
ceeded in CRISMAN's car to the dock where they were to embark for Maury Island.
The boat, however, could not be started and the trip was postponed until later
in the day. While at the dock, however, SMITH asked to be shown the damage
to the boat which had allegedly occurred when the fragments showered down on
Maury Island. CRISMAN pointed out what may have been repairs to the windshield
and lights on the boat, but SMITH was not personally satisfied that these repairs
were made as a result of any such incident. CRISMAN and DAHL then drove ARNOLD
and SMITH back to the Hotel at approximately 10:45 A. M. and CRISMAN told them
he would call them later on and that they would go to Maury Island. On return-
ing to the Hotel, SMITH called LANTZ at the Tacoma Times as a result of which
call he and ARNOLD met LANTZ at the Coffee Shop across the street from the
- 11 -August 19, 1947 Winthrop Hotel. SMITH stated that the purpose of this meeting was to try to find out something more about the anonymous phone calls which LANTZ had told him about. He and ARNOLD still refused to give out any further information regarding the Thursday evening conference to LANTZ and were informed by LANTZ that the Tacoma Times was afraid of being scooped on the story and was going to print something on that day. SMITH and ARNOLD then returned to the Hotel and shortly thereafter received a phone call from CRISMAN, but the call was cut off by the switchboard operator since it was not an emergency call. SMITH and ARNOLD then returned to the Hotel lobby where they found a telegram from DAHL asking them to call him at either Broadway or Proctor 7733, SMITH is not sure of the exchange. SMITH called this number, but DAHL was not there. SMITH states that he went then to the Western Union Telegraph Office and dispatched a collect telegram to MAURICE RODDY at the Chicago Times which contained a brief resume of the incidents which had occurred and which requested RODDY to wire SMITH a telephone number where RODDY could be reached after 6:00 P. M. SMITH states that he has never received an answer to that wire. Following this, SMITH states that he and ARNOLD that he and ARNOLD were sitting in the lobby of the Olympic Hotel when LANTZ entered and gave them each a copy of the latest edition of the Tacoma Times which contained a story hinting at sabotage in the crash of the Army B-25 which killed Captain DAVIDSON and Lieutenant BROWN. SMITH stated that he and ARNOLD continued to occupy seats in the Hotel lobby most of the afternoon inasmuch as they were unable to receive calls in the Hotel room due to the Hotel employees' strike. He relates that he received a call in the late afternoon from LANTZ advising him to call LANTZ that evening at 8:30 as LANTZ had further information regarding the anonymous calls. SMITH also received a telegram requesting that he call Boise 6000 which he did and found that it was JOHNSON, of the Boise Statesman. He refused to give JOHNSON any further information at this time. However, shortly thereafter, JOHNSON called from Boise and advised SMITH that the Army had released a story through Brigadier General SHRAM revealing the confidential assignment which BROWN and DAVIDSON had been engaged on. In view of this release, JOHNSON requested SMITH to answer one question for him which was, "Were they carrying any alleged disc fragments on the plane?" and SMITH answered, "Yes, they were." Following this SMITH called LANTZ as per his earlier request and was informed that MORRELLO of the United Press had received another anonymous phone call at which time "the voice" said that the Army B-25 carrying Captain DAVIDSON and Lieutenant BROWN had been shot down with 20 m.m. shells and that the Marine plane found on Mt. Rainier had also been shot down with 20 m.m. shells. The voice went on to state that SMITH would be called back to Wright Field on Tuesday. When MORRELLO asked why he was giving out this information the caller replied that it was not for the benefit of the newspapers, but that he was interested in seeing that the information got back to New Jersey. The voice also informed MORRELLO at this time that one of the two persons who had been talking to ARNOLD and SMITH had now left for Alaska. As a result of this latter bit of information SMITH decided to find out if CRISMAN or DAHL had left town. He located DAHL at the Sunset Theatre and DAHL came to the Hotel and met SMITH and ARNOLD. They were unable to locate CRISMAN by phone and DAHL left saying that he would try to find out where CRISMAN was and that he would call them tomorrow (Sunday) and that they would go out to Maury Island at that time. After DAHL left, - 12 -
August 19, 1947
SMITH and ARNOLD went to the Tacoma Times Office where a reporter met them
and took them to MORRELLO in the United Press Office. There they read the
latest press releases and had a discussion with MORRELLO regarding the anony-
mous phone calls. In the course of this discussion MORRELLO mentioned the
name of Major GEORGE SANDERS, Public Relations Officer at McChord Field as
being one of the officers interested in the investigation.
Following this discussion with MORRELLO, at which time
SMITH states they still refused to divulge any further information, SMITH and
ARNOLD returned to the Hotel for the night.
On Sunday morning, August 3, 1947, DAHL appeared at the
Hotel room and told them that he had received a letter from CRISMAN which said
in effect, "Take care of my business. I'll be out of town for three or four
days." DAHL had a letter with him but he did not show it to SMITH or ARNOLD.
The three men then drove to DAHL's secretary's house in South Tacoma and
picked her up and the four of them then went to breakfast on the South Tacoma
highway. While the four of them then went to breakfast SMITH excused himself
and called Major SANDERS at McChord Field and arranged an appointment to meet
him at the Hotel lobby at 11:00 A. M. They then took DAHL's secretary to her
home where DAHL picked up a typewriter and then drove SMITH and ARNOLD back
to the Hotel. They asked him if he was going to take them to Maury Island that
day and he replied that he was not. He further stated that he was sick of the
entire business and that if he was ever contacted by the Army or the authorities
he was going to deny ever having seen anything and claim to be "the biggest liar
that ever lived". Shortly after returning to the Hotel, SMITH met Major SANDERS
in the lobby and they went in SMITH's car to a coffee shop in South Tacoma where
SMITH proceeded to tell Major SANDERS the entire story of the incidents which
had occurred in Tacoma regarding the CRISMAN and DAHL story since Thursday
afternoon. Following this, SMITH took Major SANDERS back to the Hotel and intro-
duced him to ARNOLD and suggested to ARNOLD that he also tell Major SANDERS the
entire story of what had occurred. ARNOLD did so. Major SANDERS after looking
at the fragments which were still in the room suggested that they drive out to
the Smelter near Tacoma as he believed the slag at the Smelter would bear a
distinct resemblance to these fragments. The three men then drove to the Smelter
and the slag was noted to be definitely similar to the fragments which CRISMAN
and DAHL had left in the Hotel room. They then returned to the Hotel room and
Major SANDERS left them. After packing their bags, SMITH took ARNOLD to Berry's
Airport where his plane was parked and then SMITH drove himself back to Seattle.
About an hour after his arrival in Seattle, which was
approximately 7:30 P. M., LANTZ of the Tacoma Times appeared at SMITH's home
with the newspaper containing the Associated Press story which had originated
in Boise, Idaho in the Boise Statesman and which was written by JOHNSON following
SMITH's admission to him that fragments had been carried by Lieutenant BROWN and
Captain DAVIDSON on the fatal B-25 flight. SMITH at this time continued to
refuse to give any statements for the Press and told LANTZ that he had placed
- 13 -August 19, 1947
all of his information in the hands of the Army. SMITH stated that a couple
of days later he called Major SANDERS at McChord Field and asked him if there
was any recent information concerning the incident. SMITH states that Major
SANDERS informed him that CRISMAN had not yet been contacted, but that the
Federal Bureau of Investigation was "setting a trap for him". SMITH further
advises that on Friday, August 8, 1947, he appeared before Lawyer JOHN NOLAN
at the County-City Building, Seattle and made a deposition of the facts relating
to the incidents in Tacoma from Thursday afternoon, July 31, last until Sunday
morning, August 3, last.
A copy of this deposition is now in possession of the writer
and is being forwarded herewith to the Bureau. It should be noted that this
deposition is in no way as complete as the statement taken by the writer above
and any setting out of this deposition in this communication would be superfluous.
Copies of this communication are being sent to the Butte,
Portland, San Francisco and Chicago Offices for their information only. Unless
advised by the Bureau to the contrary, instant investigation is considered closed
by this office.
For the information of the Bureau, Captain R. G. BJORNING,
Intelligence Officer, McChord Field, Ft. Lewis, Washington advised at the weekly
O.N.I.-S.I.D.-F.B.I. Intelligence conference that the Public Relations Officer
at McChord Field had received a telephone call from an individual at Army Air
Forces Headquarters at Washington, D. C., during which call the Public Relations
Officer was requested to obtain a signed statement from DAHL and CRISMAN which
could be published and thus publicly close the matter. Captain BJORNING further
related that he had no additional information in this matter and that he did
not handle it.
Very truly yours,
JBWilcox
JACK B. WILCOX
Special Agent in Charge
ENCLOSURES
DAM;PHL;MEK
100-18945
CC - Butte
Portland
San Francisco
Chicago
- 14 -ENCLOSURE ENCLOSURE
62-83894-106
[envelope - blank]August 7,1947
HAROLD A. DAHL and FRED CRISMAN make the following voluntary statement
to SA DAVID A. MAC CULLOCH of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
In the early part of June 1947 we picked up some strange rock formations
from a gravel pit on Maury Island, Washington. We sent a box (cigar)
of these fragments to RAY PALMER of Venture Magazine at Evanston Illinois
to have it analyzed.
Later PALMER wrote and asked for additional samples stating that he had
failed to have them analyzed.
Around the later part of June a few days after the first disc stories
started PALMER contacted us by phone. He told us not to tell the news-
papers about the fragments and he would pay for an exclusive story if
the fragments could be from a flying disc.
One of us told him the fragments could have been from a flying disc.
Just after our phone conversation HAROLD DAHL wrote a letter to RAY
PALMER setting out some notes etc. regarding the fragments and
indicating they could have come from flying discs.
The next thing we heard was about the first of July when we got a
Trans Ocean Press telegram from Chicago asking [ILLEGIBLE] about these flying
disc fragments. We told them to forget the entire matter.
The next we heard of these fragments was when we were called by
KENNETH ARNOLD to meet with him in the Winthrop Hotel on July 31,1947
We told him exactly how we had found the fragments and had forwarded them
to PALMER to be analyzed.
The above is the entire and true story as regards our connection with
the flying disc stories etc. which originated over the ore samples which
we sent to be analyzed.
Fred L. Crisman
Harold Dahl
David A. Mac Culloch
F.B.I. Seattle 8/7/47.STATE OF WASHINGTON )
) ss
COUNTY OF KING )
J. E. SMITH, being first duly sworn, on oath, deposes
and says:
This is a narrative statement as to what took place in
Tacoma from Thursday, July 31 until Sunday, August 3.
Thursday I received a telephone call from Tacoma from a
Kenneth Arnold. The gist of this conversation was that he thought
it would be a good idea for me to come to Tacoma and listen to the
story of two men whose names were Fred Crismon and Harold Dahl.
This Kenneth Arnold I had met two times previous -- once on July 5
at the office of the P.I. in Seattle for a very brief time and the
second time in Boise, Idaho when I was passing through on one of
my trips.
In this conversation with Arnold on the phone, I made the
statement that it would be impossible for me to go over to Tacoma
due to my going out to Salt Lake City the next morning. He said
that he would fly over from Tacoma and pick me up at Boeing Field.
I agreed to this proposition from Arnold. At 4 o'clock I met
Arnold at the Boeing Field and we flew back and landed at Barry's
Airport. We were picked up at the airport by Fred Crismon, who
drove the two of us into the Winthrop Hotel. We went up to Room
502 -- Crismon, Arnold and myself.
Fred Crismon put a telephone call into Harold Dahl and
asked him would he come up to the room. A half hour later Harold
Dahl made his appearance. At this time there were four men in the
room -- Crismon, Dahl, Arnold, and myself. Mr. Arnold asked Mr.
Dahl to relate his story as to what took place on June 24. Mr.
Dahl was very hesitant about telling the story to me. Arnold and
Mr. Crismon were already aware of the statements that Dahl had made
previous. Mr. Dahl made the statement to me that if any statements
he would make relative to his story, if I would keep it confidential
for two weeks, that he felt definitely that I would want to forget
the whole thing. I made the statement to Mr. Dahl that as far as I
was concerned, I would keep any statements he made to me confidential
for at least two weeks.
Here is Dahl's story: On June 24 (this date to be checked
later) he was in a boat owned by Fred Crismon, who owns the Harbor
Patrol in Tacoma. They -- Mr. Dahl, a Mr. Knight, and Mr. Dahl's
son age 16, were cruising around Maury Island looking for logs that
had broken away from booms. They were fairly close to shore of
Maury Island when they saw four or five objects in the sky at an
altitude of approximately 1500 feet. He said these objects werePage #2
100 feet in diameter, circular in shape, and it appeared that
there was a hole in the center of each as he could see the sky
through this hole. He also mentioned that on the inside of the
circle or the hole, that portholes were visible. Their speed was
negligible as they appeared to hover over a given spot. One of
these objects appeared to be in trouble. Another object came
over and appeared to make contact. After making this contact for
approximately two minutes, it rose to its original position.
At this time the object that appeared to be in trouble
seemed to throw a lot of debris from one of the portholes. These
objects then disappeared from view. Some of this debris that
landed broke in the wheelhouse of the boat, the spotlight, and
the klaxon. While this debris was falling, my boy and Mr. Knight
got off the boat and hid under some logs. This debris that fell
killed our dog and a sea gull. I asked Mr. Dahl what was done with
the dog. He made the statement they threw the dog into the water.
This story was told to Mr. Crismon, who the next day
went out to this Island to check on this story. He verified the
fact of the damage to the boat, also to the fact that there appeared
to be quite a few pieces of either rock or metal on the shore. Mr.
Crismon also stated that while he was over there investigating on
Maury Island, he also saw a disk. This disk was of the same shape
and contour as the objects explained by Mr. Dahl.
At this point Mr. Arnold clarified for me as to the reasons
he was investigating this story. Mr. Arnold stated that he received
a letter from a Mr. Raymond Palmer, supposedly editor of the Venture
Press, Evanston, Illinois. The gist of this letter was that Mr.
Palmer received a letter from Mr. Dahl and Mr. Crismon, also a
package of these fragments that were found on Maury Island. Mr.
Palmer also made the statement in the letter that the Chicago
University failed to analyze these fragments and that would Mr. Arnold
please investigate the story. Mr. Arnold was sent a Western Union
check for $200.00 to take care of any expense that he might incur
while making this investigation.
Mr. Arnold had made a telephone call to Hamilton Field to
contact a Captain Davidson and a Lieutenant Brown, who were with
A-2 Intelligence at Hamilton Field, asking them would they make a
trip to Tacoma to also listen to this story of Dahl and Crismon.
When Mr. Arnold acquainted me with the fact that he had made this
phone call in front of Mr. Dahl, Mr. Dahl made the statement that
he would not tell this story to anybody in Army Intelligence. I
made the statement to Mr. Dahl that if he felt this way, that he
should not be in the room when these two Intelligence officers
arrived. Mr. Dahl thought this was an excellent idea.Page #3
Mr. Dahl, Mr. Crismon, and myself left the hotel room to
go downstairs as Mr. Crismon wanted to get some metal that was in
the back of his car that he had picked up on Maury Island, to
bring back to the hotel room. Mr. Harold Dahl departed.
At this time I made the statement to Mr. Crismon that I
should like to pick up my car in Seattle. Mr. Crismon drove me to
Boeing Field, Seattle. After leaving me at Boeing Field, he drove
back to Tacoma and I drove my own car back to Tacoma. After I had
put my car in the garage at Tacoma, I went up to the Winthrop Hotel
and in the room at that time was Mr. Arnold, Mr. Crismon, and Captain
Davidson from Army Intelligence. Lieutenant Brown was downstairs
getting sandwiches and coffee. When Lieut. Brown came back, the
stories were again related and Lieut. Brown made a statement that
all the facts of these stories would be held in strictest confidence
until released by Mr. Dahl.
After Mr. Crismon had told all the facts, relating not
only his own story but that of Mr. Dahl, he asked for the opinion
of both officers as to what they thought. Lieut. Brown made the
statement that he would like to obtain some of these fragments to
take back to Hamilton Field.
At this time Capt. Davidson and Lieut. Brown were debating
the thought as to whether to stay over night in Tacoma or leave for
Hamilton Field immediately, as the B-25 they were flying was
supposed to be at Hamilton Field the next day for the Air Show.
The five of us then left the hotel room and went down to
the hotel lobby where Mr. Brown made a telephone call to McChord
Field asking them to send a driver to pick up Capt. Davidson and
himself. Lieut. Brown came up to me and made the statement that he
and Capt. Davidson were going back to Hamilton Field and that he
would get in touch with me tomorrow and if after I had seen the
fragments on Maury Island, if I thought in my own mind that this
was authentic, they would immediately leave Hamilton Field and
return. I was to hold this statement by Lieut. Brown in the
strictest of confidence from the other group of three (Dahl, Crismon,
and Arnold).
We then went down to the street where Mr. Crismon drove his
car up in front and took out a box of fragments and gave this box to
Davidson and Brown. While waiting for the driver from McChord Field,
Lieut. Brown and I discussed Pacific operations and things not per-
taining to this mission. Capt. Davidson and Lieut. Brown departed at
approximately 12:45 A.M. Mr. Arnold and I went back to our hotel
room after having a midnight snack.Page #4
Friday the 1st: At approximately 8 o'clock in the
morning, Mr. Crismon called up our hotel room and acquainted us
with the fact that the B-25 had crashed. Also that he had called
McChord Field and from information he received also verified the
fact that the two men in the ship were Capt. Davidson and Lieut.
Brown, plus a flight engineer and a hitch-hiker. This left both
Mr. Arnold and myself in a very bad state of concern. Approximate-
ly an hour later Mr. Crismon and Mr. Dahl made their appearance in
the hotel room. I still wasn't sure that this was the same B-25
that the two Intelligence officers had left in last night. Mr.
Crismon then again called McChord Field and talked to a Colonel
Gregg and the fact was verified again that the two pilots were
Davidson and Brown.
After an hour or so Mr. Crismon and Mr. Dahl left the
hotel room with a plan in mind of the four of us meeting the next
morning (Saturday) for breakfast and going out to Maury Island.
That evening (Friday) there was a message for me to call
this particular telephone number that was on the message. I called
this number and was asked by the party to please call them from a
paystation. This party was a Mr. Lantz, a reporter on the Tacoma
Times. He told me, "I most certainly am doing myself out of a good
story but I thought you ought to know that somebody has been calling
this paper and giving us a blow-by-blow description of all that has
taken place in your room since you arrived." To verify this, Mr.
Lantz repeated back to me discussions that I felt had only been
taking place in our room.
Mr. Lantz also made the statement that there was a leak
either from the switchboard operator or our room had been tapped.
I asked Mr. Lantz why he was tipping us off with this information.
He made the statement that he didn't mind doing this if in return
that any information that I may let out would be given to him.
After this conversation with Mr. Lantz I went back to our room and
told Mr. Arnold what took place on the telephone.
Saturday morning: Mr. Arnold and I met Mr. Dahl and
Fred Crismon for breakfast. We then drove out to the boat to go
to the island. The boat was unserviceable at the time so we went
back to the hotel. Mr. Crismon said that he would call later on
in the day and let us know when the boat would be repaired. That
was the last time I saw Mr. Crismon.
Approximately 11 o'clock Saturday morning Mr. Crismon
phoned me and made the statement it would be impossible for him to
keep this appointment with me. We were cut off by the switchboard
operator as this was classified as not an emergency call. The
reason we were cut off was due to a strike in all the Tacoma hotels.Page #5
Mr. Lantz called up and said if I would call him at
8:30 that evening, he would have some additional information for
me. I called Mr. Lantz at 8:30 that evening. He told me that
this anonymous caller had again called a Mr. Marillo of the
United Press and said that one of the parties that Mr. Arnold and
I had come down to see was flown to Alaska. Also he made the state-
ment Mr. Smith would be called to Wright Field Tuesday. This
anonymous caller made the statement to Mr. Marillo that this B-25
was shot down. Mr. Marillo asked this person calling what his
interest was. This anonymous caller made a statement - "Don't think
I am doing it for the newspapers. All I am interested in is seeing
that this information gets back to New Jersey."
After I finished the conversation with Mr. Lantz, I went
over to the United Press and talked with Mr. Marillo and had him
read back to me the conversations that he had had with this
anonymous caller. But no opinions at this time were voiced either
by me or Mr. Marillo.
Sunday morning I called a Major Sander of S-2 McChord
Field and asked him to meet me at the Winthrop Hotel at 11 o'clock.
I met this Major Sander at 11 o'clock and we drove to a small coffee
shop on the Tacoma Highway where this complete story was related to
him by me. We then drove back to the Winthrop Hotel where Major
Sander was introduced to Mr. Arnold by me and again listened to
Mr. Arnold's story. Mr. Arnold and I departed from the Winthrop
Hotel Sunday afternoon at approximately 4:30.
___________________________
This is to certify that the foregoing statement was taken
before me, a notary public; that prior to making said statement, the
witness was first sworn to tell the whole truth and nothing but the
truth; that the statement was then reduced to writing and signed by
me on the _____ day of August, 1947.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and official
seal the day and year last above written.
Notary Public in and for the State
of Washington, residing at Seattle.62-83894-106
Affidavit of EMIL J. SMITH
Re: FLYING DISCS SIGHTED BY FRED CRISMAN and HAROLD A. DAHL,
Tacoma, Washington
SM - X
62-83894-106Signed statement of Fred L. Crisman and Harold A. Dahl
Re: FLYING DISCS SIGHTED BY FRED CRISMAN and HAROLD A. DAHL
Tacoma, Washington
SM - X
62-83894-106Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Director, FBI - AIR MAIL DATE: August 26, 1947
FROM : SAC, San Francisco
SUBJECT: REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS
There are being transmitted herewith to the Bureau photostatic copies
of three reports received from Lieutenant Colonel DONALD SPRINGER, A-2, Fourth
Air Force, Hamilton Field, California, involving reported sightings of flying
discs.
The Los Angeles Office is being furnished with a photostatic copy of
the report of Lieutenant Colonel SPRINGER dated August 18, 1947 concerning the
investigation conducted at the Muroc Flight Test Base, Muroc, California.
The Butte Office is being furnished with a photostatic copy of the
report of Lieutenant Colonel SPRINGER dated August 20, 1947 which sets forth a
letter received from Mr. R. J. MADDEN, Division Plant Engineer, Pacific Telephone
and Telegraph Company, Helena, Montana.
This office is maintaining contact with Lieutenant Colonel SPRINGER
and will furnish the Bureau with a subsequent report from him concerning the ob-
servations of Mr. RAY A. SWITZER, Sacramento, California, who has reported
certain observations which he believes may involve a flying disc at Placerville,
California, on August 14, 1947.
HMK;EMB
Enclosures - 3
cc Los Angeles (with enclosure)
Butte (with enclosure)
[signature]
Fletcher
RECORDED
&
INDEXED
32
162-83894-107
830CT 2 1947
R34X
2K3CONFIDENTIAL
CI•R1
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE
DECLASSIFIED
Authority:
NND 90966
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
Intelligence
Hamilton Field, California
TITLE Investigation of Flying Disc. INVESTIGATION MADE AT Muroc AAF, Muroc, Calif.
CONTROLLING OFFICE Air Defense Command, Mitchel Field.
FILE NO. 1208-I
PERIOD COVERED 8 July 1947
DATE 18 August 1947
CASE CLASSIFICATION Incident
STATUS OF CASE Pending
REASON FOR INVESTIGATION: Investigation initiated at request of Air Defense Command
reference ltr Hq ADC, dtd 7 Jul 47, file D333.5 ID, subj: Investigation of Flying Disc.
SYNOPSIS:
On 8 July 1947, approximately 1000 hours, two incidents occurred in the vicinity
of Muroc Flight Test Base.
No further investigation of these incidents is being considered by this headquarters.
DISTRIBUTION COPIES APPROVED:
AAF 2 [signature]
ADC 1 DONALD L. SPRINGER, Lt. Col., GSC
6th Army 1 AC of S, A-2
FBI, S.F. 1 FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
File 4AF 1 U.S. D[EPARTMENT OF] JUSTICE
AUG 21 1947
SAN FRANCISCO
[signature] ROUTED TO
W.D.,P.M.G. Form No. 116
1 April 1944
(This form supersedes W.D., O.C.S. Form No. 19, which
will not be used upon receipt of this revision)
CONFIDENTIAL62-83894-107 (0) ENCLOSURE
CONFIDENTIAL
COPY
AFFIDAVIT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF KERN )
The following is a statement given orally by Colonel [V]Gilkey,
Commanding Officer, Muroc Army Air Field, Muroc, California, given to
Captain Harry D. Black, Intelligence Officer, on 11 August 1947.
Colonel Gilkey, stated that the object he saw, he believed at the
time to be paper and of no significance or the objects not important
enough to be reported. There was nothing clearly enough seen by the
Colonel to make any further reports justifiable.
This oral statement was given freely and voluntarily without any
threats or promises under/duress. This statement consists of one (1)
page, and is the truth to the best of my knowledge and belief.
s/s harry d. black
CAPT. HARRY D. BLACK, MAC
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL
COPY
AFFIDAVIT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA)
COUNTY OF KERN) '
The following is a statement given by Major Richard R. Shoop,
Office of Chief of Tech. Engineering Division, Muroc Army Air Field,
Muroc, California, statement given on 11 July 1947.
At approximately noon on 8 July 1947, my attention was called to an
object in the air by Colonel Gilkey. I observed between five (5) and
eight (8) miles to the North what appeared to be a thin metallic object.
It appeared to be metallic because the method in which it was flying caused
the sun to reflect like an apparently aluminum colored surface. The object
moved from an intermediate altitude in an oscillating fashion, almost to
the surface of the ground and then started climbing again. It climbed to
a fairly high altitude and moved off slowly into the distance. The object
appeared to be the size of a pursuit airplane but did not have the shape of a
conventional plane. The time that the object was in view was approximately
eight (8) minutes. This same object was seen by my wife at the same time.
This statement has been given freely and voluntarily without any threats
or promises under duress. This statement consists of one (1) page, and is
the truth to the best of my knowledge and belief. I have initialed all
corrections deemed necessary.
s/s richard r. shoop
MAJOR, RICHARD R. SHOOP, AC
WITNESS:
s/s thomas a. mcmillan
THOMAS A. MC MILLAN
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL
COPY
AFFIDAVIT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF KERN )
The following is a statement given by T/Sgt. Joseph Ruvolo,
4144th. AAFBU, Muroc Army Air Field, Muroc, California, statement given
on 14 July 1947, to 1st Lt J. C. McHenry, Billeting Officer.
This is my own written statement of what I saw on July 8, 1947.
I am NCO in charge of the Billeting Office, this Field, and First
Lieutenant Joseph C. McHenry, is Billeting Officer in Charge.
About 09:45 he was returning from the Post Exchange when he called
to me to come outside and asked me to look up to where he was pointing
and to my surprise I saw two (2) flying objects which appeared to me like
two (2) flying disc or saucer shaped silver colored objects, flying in a
northwestern direction at speed approximately 350 or 400 miles per hour
and at an altitude of about 7500 or 8000 feet. I could not hear a motor
roar like one of our planes and it could not have been a balloon.
I am of good health and sound mind and this was no hallucination.
This statement has been given freely and voluntarily without any
threats or promises under duress. This statement consists of one (1)
page, and is the truth to the best of my knowledge and belief. I have
initialed all corrections deemed necessary.
s/s joseph ruvolo
S/SGT JOSEPH RUVOLO
WITNESS:
s/s thomas a mc millan
THOMAS A. MC MILLAN
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL
COPY
AFFIDAVIT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF KERN )
The following is a statement given by 1st Lt. Joseph C. McHenry,
Billeting Officer, Muroc Army Air Field, Muroc, California, statement
given on 11 July 1947, to Mr. Thomas A. McMillan, CIC S/A. this Station.
The following statement concerning the actual observance of what has
been termed as a "flying Disc" or a "flying Saucer" is true and correct and
it will be noted that the above mentioned observance was made by me per-
sonally while enjoying complete health in mind and body.
On Tuesday 8 July 1947, at approximately nine-thirty A.M. (09:30)
I was in conversation with personnel in the Post Exchange Office. My part
of this conversation was as follows:
"Someone will have to show me one of these Disc before I will
believe it."
Upon leaving the Post Exchange, I went directly to my Office and be-
fore entering heard one of our local aircraft in the traffic pattern.
Looking up, as I always do I observed the aircraft, and looked slightly
to the left, whereupon I observed two (2) silver objects of either a
spherical or disc-like shape, moving about three hundred (300) miles an
hour, or perhaps less, at approximately eight thousand (8000) feet, heading
at about three hundred twenty degrees (320°) due north.
When I first observed these objects I called S/Sgt. Gerald E. Nauman,
T/Sgt. Joseph Ruvolo and Miss Jannette Marie Scotte who immediately came
to where I was standing. I pointed in the direction of the objects and
asked them the question "Tell me what you see up there." Whereupon, all
the three (3) with sundry comments stated, "They are flying Disc". To
further verify my observance I asked them to tell me in what direction the
objects were traveling, without indicating their direction myself, and again,
all three (3) in a consistent nature stated that the objects were moving
toward Mojave, California.
I had time to look away several times and renew my vision of the objects
to make sure that there were not any results of eye strain, or in any nature
an optical illusion. The objects in question were not repeat, were not air-
craft, the objects could not have been weather balloons released from this
station, since they were traveling against the prevailing wind, and since
the speed at which they were traveling and the horizontal direction in which
they were traveling, disqualified the fact that they were weather balloons.
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After the observance of these phenomenon and hoping that I might have
time to enlist further witnesses, I immediately ran into the dispensary to
get personnel who are Medical Officers to verify, for my own curiosity, the
actual observance of these objects, but by the time I reached the back porch
of the dispensary, Mrs. A. C. Naum, who is a registered nurse, and about
seven (7) other personnel were with me, the objects, had by that time, dis-
appeared, due to the speed with which they were traveling. Upon further
investigation, two (2) of us at the same time sighted another object of a
silver spherical or disc-like nature at approximately eight thousand (8000)
feet, traveling in circles over the North-end. I called the objects to the
attention of Mrs. Naum and pointedit out to the other personnel standing near
by. All of us saw the object, with the exception of two (2) out of seven (7)
personnel. All of us looked away from the object several times to make sure
there was no eye strain or from permitting the object to become an optical
illusion.
From my actual observance the object circled in too tight a circle and
too severe a plane to be any aircraft that I know of. It could not have been
any type of bird because of the reflection that was created when the object
reached certain altitudes. The object could not have been a local weather
balloon for it is very impossible that a weather balloon would stay at the
same altitude and circle in such a consistent nature as did the
above mentioned object.
I am familiar with the results of too constant vision of the sun or
any bright object and am aware that optical illusions are possible and
probable. I wish to make this statement that the above mentioned observance
was that of actual subject matter.
This statement has been given freely and voluntarily without any threats
or promises under duress. This statement consists of two (2) pages, and
is the truth to the best of my knowledge and belief. I have initialed all
corrections deemed necessary.
s/s joseph c. mc henry
1ST LT JOSEPH C. MC HENRY AC
WITNESS:
s/s thomas a. mc millan
THOMAS A. MC MILLAN
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL
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AFFIDAVIT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF KERN )
The following is a statement given by Major J. C. Wise, Test
Pilot, Muroc Army Air Field, Muroc, California, statement given to
Mr. Thomas A. McMillan, CIC Agent, This station, on 13 August 1947.
On 7 July 1947, at approximately 10:10, while running up the
XP-84 on the ground I noticed everyone was looking up into the air.
Off to the north about 10,000 to 12,000 feet altitude, was an object
that I assumed at first to be a weather balloon, but after looking at
it for a while I noticed that it was oscillating in a forward whirling
movement without losing altitude. It was traveling about 200 to 225
MPH, and heading from west to east.
The object was yellowish white in color and I would estimate that
it was a sphere about 5 to 10 feet in diameter.
I did not have time to chase it in a P-80.
This statement was given freely and voluntarily without any threats
or promises under duress. This statement consists of one (1) page, and
is the truth to the best of my knowledge and belief.
s/s j. c. wise
MAJOR J. C. WISE, AC
WITNESS:
s/s thomas a. mc millan
THOMAS A. MC MILLAN
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL
COPY
AFFIDAVIT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF KERN )
The following is a statement given by Captain John Paul Strapp,
Flight Test, Muroc Army Air Field, Muroc, California, statement given to
Mr. Thomas A. McMillan, CIC Agent, this Station, on 12 August 1947.
At 11:50 hours, 8 July 1947, while the undersigned was sitting in
an observation truck located in Area # 3, Rogers Dry Lake, for the
purpose of observing a P-82 ejection seat experiment, the following
unfamiliarity was observed.
The undersigned was gazing upward toward a formation of two (2)
P-82's and an A-26 aircraft flying at 20,000 feet, preparing to carry
out a seat ejection experiment, when I observed a rounded object,
white aluminum in color, which at first resembled a parachute canopy.
The first impression was that a premature ejection of the seat and
dummy had occurred. This body was ejected at a determined height lower
than 20,000 feet, and was falling at three (3) times the rate observed
for the parachute which was ejected thirty minutes later. As it fell
it drifted slightly north of due west against the prevailing wind, to-
ward Mount Wilson. The speed, horizontal motion could not be determined,
but appeared slower than the maximum velocity 50-80 aircraft.
As this object descended through a low enough level to permit
observation of its lateral silhouette, it presented a distinct ovular
outline, with two (2) projections on the upper surface which might have
been thick fins or nobs. These crossed each other at intervals, suggest-
ing either rotation or oscillation of slow type.
No smoke flames, propellar arks, engine noise, or other clausable (?)
or visible means of propulsion were noted. The color was silvery, re-
sembling aluminum painted fabric, and did not appear as dense as a
parachute canopy.
When the object dropped to a level such that comes into line of
vision of the mountain tops, it was lost to the vision of the observer.
It is estimated that the object was in line of vision about 90
seconds. Of the five (5) people sitting in the observation truck, four
(4) observed this object and made remarks about it. These people include:
Mr. Lenz - Civilian, Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio
(Other names not given)
The following is my own personal opinions about this object:
1. I think it was a man-made object, as evidenced distaintly by
the outline and functional appearance.
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL
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2. It's size was not far from 25 feet with a parachute canopy.
3. The path followed by this object appeared as though it might
have been dropped from a great height.
Seeing this was not a hallucination or other fancies of a sense.
This statement was given freely and voluntarily without any threats
or promises under duress. This statement consists of two (2) pages, and
is the truth to the best of my knowledge and belief. I have initialed
all corrections deemed necessary.
s/s john paul strapp
CAPTAIN JOHN PAUL STRAPP, AC
WITNESS:
s/s thomas a. mc millan
THOMAS A. MC MILLAN
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL
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AFFIDAVIT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF KERN )
The following is a statement given on 14 July 1947, by Jannette
Marie Scott, Secretary to 1st Lt J. C. McHenry, Billeting Officer,
Muroc Army Air Field, Muroc, California.
I am fully aware of my Civil and Constitutional Rights, and under-
stand prior to making this statement.
On Tuesday morning 8 July 1947, at approximately 10:00, while typing
some cards, and taking care of my routine work, Lieutenant McHenry
called me, along with T/Sgt. Joseph Ruvolo and S/Sgt. Gerald E. Nauman,
to the front of B.O.Q. "A" Bldg. Pointing up in a direction directly
above me he asked us to explain what we saw. There were two, silver
colored disc like objects flying toward Mojave, California, one directly
back of the other, at a speed of about 300 to 400 miles per hour, having
an altitude of approximately 8000 feet. I listened carefully for a few
minutes, and heard no drone, such as should be heard from any aircraft.
I also cast my eyes to another direction and looking back to the same
spot, I was able to distinguish the same objects again. Having assured
myself that there was no eye-strain, I was convinced these objects were
not weather ballons due to the horizontal position in which they were
flying. Nor could they have been birds of any nature, due to the de-
finite reflection from the sun rays.
I have been on this Base, considering an absence of six months,
approximately eighteen months, and am familiar with all type aircraft.
About three or four minutes, after these flying objects had nearly
disappeared, I glanced around and sighted another flying object,
similar to the above mentioned objects. This flying object was silver
colored and was in the shape of a disc. Unlike the first two this object
was flying in a tight circle, neither losing nor gaining altitude, at
approximately eight thousand feet, therefore I was convinced it could
not have been a weather balloon, and because of the tight circle it could
not have been any type aircraft.
This statement was given freely and voluntarily without threats
or promises under duress. This statement consists of one (1) page, and
is the truth to the best of my knowledge and belief. I have initialed
all corrections deemed necessary.
I am of sound mind and body, and swear that this statement is true
and correct.
s/s jannette marie scott
Jannette Marie Scott
WITNESSES:
s/s thomas a. mc millan
THOMAS A. MC MILLAN
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL
COPY
AFFIDAVIT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF KERN )
The following is a statement given by S/Sgt. Gerald E. Nauman,
4144th AAFBU, Muroc Army Air Field, Muroc, California, statement given
on 14 July 1947, to 1st Lt. J. C. McHenry, Billeting Officer.
On the eight of July 1947 at ten o'clock (10:00) in the morning
I observed personally two (2) flying disc, flying in a north west direction
at an estimated altitude of seven or eight thousand feet, traveling at
approximately three or four hundred miles per hour.
Just a few minutes before this I was in the Billeting Office and
First Lieutenant Joseph C. McHenry, called me and two (2) others out-
side. He then asked us what we saw. I saw two (2) objects with my own
eyes, and I am now and was then in perfect physical condition. I have
20-20 vision and I am positive these two (2) objects could not have been
Aircraft, weather balloons or birds. Due to the altitude in which they
were flying, they gave off a definite reflection from the rays of the sun.
In addition to these two (2) disc I saw another object a few
minutes later at the same altitude doing certain maneuvers such as flying
in a tight circle. The two disc had already disappeared. This object to
my knowledge of aircraft could not have been an airplane because of the
very tight maneuver it was undergoing. I have been flying in and have
been around all types of aircraft since 1943 and never in my life have I
seen anything such as this. If necessary I can and will swear to this
statement.
This statement has been given freely and voluntarily without any
threats or promises under duress. This statement consists of one (1)
page, and is the truth to the best of my knowledge and belief. I have
initialed all corrections deemed necessary.
s/s t. c. robinson
PFC T. C. ROBINSON
WITNESS:
s/s thomas a. mc millan
THOMAS A. MC MILLAN
CONFIDENTIALUNIDENTIFIED OBJECT 4AF-1208-I 20 August 1947 MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE: 1. On 20 August 1947, this agent and Special Agent Hubbard interviewed Mr. Ray A. Switzer, Insurance Adjustor, at his home, 3431 David Way, Sacramento, California, and he stated in substance: On the afternoon of 14 August 1947, he was driving his automobile from Placer- ville, California, on the Cedar Ravine Road. Mr. Switzer's wife was in the front seat of the automobile and Mrs. Switzer's mother and the two Switzer children were in the back seat of the car. At about 1600 hours they were at a point approximately five miles southwest from Placerville when Switzer saw a white smoke trail out of the corner of his eye. In searching for a rocket ship (P80) he saw an object, four to six feet in length, ten to fourteen inches wide, and of a metal color, bright like highly polished chromium. In relation to the travel of the automobile the object was first seen at 1030, and when the object reached a point at approximately 1200, it was engulfed in a puff of dark gray smoke about ten feet in diameter. The object was traveling at a terrific rate of speed and seemed to be in a very shallow dive. When the puff of smoke appeared, the object disappeared completely and there were no particles seen to have fallen from the smoke. The point where the object was en- gulfed in the smoke was about eight hundred yards distant (in front of) Switzer with no possibility of the object being hidden from view by vege- tation or terrain. The object appeared rectangular in shape except for one very short period of time it appeared to have a top surface that was very slightly curved. Mr. Switzer turned to tell his wife about the object and found her with her mouth open in an effort to say something and with her hand in a pointing gesture toward where the object had dis- appeared. The object was not very high in relation to the terrain and seemed to be following the contour of a canyon. 2. In a separate interview Mrs. Switzer concurred in the information obtained from Mr. Switzer with the following exceptions: The smoke trail and the puff that engulfed the object appeared dark gray in color and there was no change in the color. Mrs. Switzer estimated the object to be about five feet long and about a foot wide with the top surface being slightly curved. The object appeared to be some larger in front than in the rear. AGENT'S NOTES: At the time this object was seen, the sun was to the Switzer's back, the sky was clear and the object gave off a very bright reflection. Mr. Switzer has been connected with the field of insurance investigation for the last eighteen years and appears to be a man not desirous of publicity. The other passengers of the car did not see the object. Mr. Switzer is in the process of moving to a ranch near Placerville, Calif., and his new address will be Box 43, Aukum, Eldorado County, Calif. Arrangements have been made to meet Mr. Switzer at 1400, 25 Aug 47 at Raffels Hotel, Placerville, Calif., for the purpose of going back over Cedar Ravine Road to locate the point where the object disappeared. Bryden E. Moon, Special Agent, 4AF CIC FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE AUG 21 1947 SAN FRANCISCO ROUTED TO CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
Intelligence
Hamilton Field, California
4AFDA 20 August 1947
333.5/1208-I
SUBJECT: Flying Disc.
TO: Special Agent in Charge, FBI, U. S. Dept. of Justice,
Federal Office Building, Room 422, San Francisco, Calif.
1. The attached letter was received by this office from Mr.
R. J. Madden, Division Plant Engineer, Pacific Telephone and Telegraph
Company, on 15 August 1947.
2. No further investigation will be made of this reported inci-
dent by this headquarters.
[signature]
DONALD L. SPRINGER
Lt. Colonel, GSC
AC of S, A-2
1 Incl:
As indicated.
DISTRIBUTION:
AAF - 2 cys
ADC - 1 "
6th Army - 1 cy
FBI - 1 cy
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
AUG 21 1947
SAN FRANCISCO
ROUTED TO
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL
COPY
427 N. 3d Avenue
Spokane, Washington
August 8, 1947
Military Intelligence Division, U.S.A.
McChord Field, Washington
Gentlemen:
Following the reading of an account of the visit of Mr. Kenneth
Arnold, Boise, Idaho, as published in the Spokesman Review under date
of August 7, 1947, the undersigned considered the enclosed account of
an observation of a "flying saucer" would be of interest to you.
This account has not been given to any newspaper or other publi-
cation as yet.
Yours truly,
/s/ R. J. Madden
R. J. MADDEN,
Division Plant Engr.
The Pac. Tel. & Tel. Co.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
AUG 21 1947
SAN FRANCISCO
ROUTED TO
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL
Report on a "Flying Saucer"
At or about 12:05 p.m., July 29, 1947, a sedan, driven by Steve
Herrmann and carrying R. J. (Bob) Madden in the front seat and Karl Herrmann
in the rear seat, was proceeding northwesterly along the road leading from
Canyon Ferry to York, both in Montana some 25 miles N.E. of Helena.
When at a point approximately ½ mile N.W. of Canyon Ferry, (as shown
on Forest Service Map to be in the NE¼ of NE¼ of Sec. 10 T10N R1W) Karl
suddenly shouted "See it! See it! There's a flying saucer!" Steve immed-
iately slowed down and gradually brought the sedan to a stop, he and Bob
meanwhile scanning the sky in the direction pointed by Karl in an effort to
see the "flying saucer", but without success.
Approximately ten seconds elapsed between the time Karl reported seeing
the "saucer", coming over the horizon at high speed from the southwest,(Karl
first thought it a meteor) and travelling northeasterly, and the bringing of
the car to a stop.
As the car came to a stop, Steve, Karl and Bob, simultaneously, saw the
following:
Directly ahead, (N.W.) 2 to 3 miles distant and approximately 3000 ft.
above the ground, a bright disc hovering and fluttering in the air. Descend-
ing and rising through a vertical distance of fifty or a hundred feet for a
period of about five seconds then, while at the top of an ascent, the "disc"
suddenly swooped to the Northeast at tremendous speed and disappeared into
the clear air within a distance of 200 ft. That is to say it did not pass
beyond an obstruction to further visibility but "melted into thin air" as if
because of tremendous speed.
This disc was, from the viewpoint of the observers, apparently 3 ft.
in diameter, circular and of no great thickness - approximately 3 or 4 inches.
The sky was blue with scattered small clouds, the sun was shining
brightly and the disc gleamed and shimmered in the bright sunlight as if
covered with highly polished nickel.
After the "disc" disappeared from view, the sedan and its occupants
proceeded northwesterly along the road, but could discern no evidence of
the presence of the "disc" along or adjacent to that therefare.
It is to be remembered that the dimensions as stated above were as
they appeared to the observers some 2 or 3 miles from the "disc" and the
true dimensions must be considerably greater.
/s/ R. J. Madden,
R. J. MADDEN,
Division Plant Engr.
The Pac. Tel. & Tel. Co.
CONFIDENTIALSTANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : DIRECTOR DATE: 9-15-47 FROM : SAC, San Francisco P.S. SUBJECT: REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS Reference is made to my letter dated August 26, 1947. Enclosed is a copy of a letter dated September 9, 1947 from Lt. Colonel DONALD L. SPRINGER, of A2, with a memorandum prepared by BRYDEN E. MOON, 4th Air Force OIC on August 20, 1947 and August 26, 1947. The memorandum contains information regarding observations of RAY A. SWITZER of Sacramento, California. Also enclosed is a letter dated September 10, 1947 from Colonel SPRINGER with attachment dated September 9, 1947. For the information of the Bureau, KENNETH ARNOLD of Boise, Idaho, who has been repeatedly interviewed in this matter by A2, has expressed his intention to A2 of selling for publication his detailed account of his investigation of flying discs. 62-2938 DWK. [handwritten: I D. Air Forces aware of these incidents. 9/23/47 [signature]] [handwritten: Reynolds Fletcher (2) m] EX-64 62-83894-108 FBI 15 SEP 24 1947 RECORDED EX-64 630CT 2 1947 [signature] p-344
CONFIDENTIAL
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
Intelligence
Hamilton Field, California
4AFDA 9 September 1947
333.5/1208-I
SUBJECT: Investigation of Flying Disc.
TO: Special Agent in Charge, FBI, U. S. Department of Justice,
Room 422, Federal Office Building, San Francisco, California.
Attached MOIC for your information.
[signature]
DONALD L. SPRINGER
Lt. Colonel, Air Corps
Deputy AC of S, A-2
1 Incl:
MOIC, Moon, dtd 20 Aug 47.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
SEP 12 1947
SAN FRANCISCO
ROUTED TO CALIFORNIA FILE
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL COPY 1030 hours 18 August 1947 Telephone message received from Mr. Al Reck, City Editor, Oakland Tribune: Mr. Ray A. Switzer, 3431 David Way, Sacramento 2, Calif., and insurance executive with the firm of McGuire and Wallis, of Sacramento, reported the following incident: At 4:P.M. on August 14, while driving on Cedar Ravine Road, 4 to 5 miles southeast of Placerville, Calif., he, accompanied by his wife, observed a "vapor" trail moving from north to south. Closer observation revealed a piece of "shiny metal" at from 500 to 1000 feet altitude moving at a "high rate of speed". The object appeared to be more "rocket-shaped" than disc- shaped. It appeared to be approximately 5 feet in length and was "tilted in a semi-circle". The object struck the ground with a "puff of black smoke" about 100 feet below the top of a hill which was approximately 750 feet ahead of the automobile driven by the observer. An intervening canyon prevented investi- gation of the location where the object was observed to have landed. The observer is able to identify the location where the object was observed to land. (Mr. Switzer is a University of California graduate, and is personally known by members of the Oakland Tribune staff. He is a brother-in-law of Col. Gray of the Marine Hospital of Southern California) CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT 4AF-1208-I 20 August 1947 MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE: 1. On 20 August 1947, this agent and Special Agent Hubbard interviewed Mr. Ray A. Switzer, Insurance Adjustor, at his home, 3431 David Way, Sacramento, California, and he stated in substance: On the afternoon of 14 August 1947, he was driving his automobile from Placer- ville, California, on the Cedar Ravine Road. Mr. Switzer's wife was in the front seat of the automobile and Mrs. Switzer's mother and the two Switzer children were in the back seat of the car. At about 1600 hours they were at a point approximately five miles southwest from Placerville when Switzer saw a white smoke trail out of the corner of his eye. In searching for a rocket ship (P80) he saw an object, four to six feet in length, ten to fourteen inches wide, and of a metal color, bright like highly polished chromium. In relation to the travel of the automobile the object was first seen at 1030, and when the object reached a point at approximately 1200, it was engulfed in a puff of dark gray smoke about ten feet in diameter. The object was traveling at a terrific rate of speed and seemed to be in a very shallow dive. When the puff of smoke appeared, the object disappeared completely and there were no particles seen to have fallen from the smoke. The point where the object was en- gulfed in the smoke was about eight hundred yards distant (in front of) Switzer with no possibility of the object being hidden from view by vege- tation or terrain. The object appeared rectangular in shape except for one very short period of time it appeared to have a top surface that was very slightly curved. Mr. Switzer turned to tell his wife about the object and found her with her mouth open in an effort to say something and with her hand in a pointing gesture toward where the object had dis- appeared. The object was not very high in relation to the terrain and seemed to be following the contour of a canyon. 2. In a separate interview Mrs. Switzer concurred in the information obtained from Mr. Switzer with the following exceptions: The smoke trail and the puff that engulfed the object appeared dark gray in color and there was no change in the color. Mrs. Switzer estimated the object to be about five feet long and about a foot wide with the top surface being slightly curved. The object appeared to be some larger in front than in the rear. AGENT'S NOTES: At the time this object was seen, the sun was to the Switzer's back, the sky was clear and the object gave off a very bright reflection. Mr. Switzer has been connected with the field of insurance investigation for the last eighteen years and appears to be a man not desirous of publicity. The other passengers of the car did not see the object. Mr. Switzer is in the process of moving to a ranch near Placerville, Calif., and his new address will be Box 43, Aukum, Eldorado County, Calif. Arrangements have been made to meet Mr. Switzer at 1400, 25 Aug 47 at Raffels Hotel, Placerville, Calif., for the purpose of going back over Cedar Ravine Road to locate the point where the object disappeared. Bryden E. Moon, Special Agent, 4AF CIC CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT
4AF-1208-I
AGENT'S NOTES: Forester Young will communicate with the AC of S, A-2,
Headquarters Fourth Air Force, Hamilton Field, California, if any
information regarding wreckage of an aircraft is located in the area in
question. Young was not informed of the mission and was led to believe
that the mission was an effort to locate possible aircraft wreckage in
the area.
Bryden E. Moon, Special Agent, 4AF CIC
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL
UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT
4AF-1208-I
3. On 26 August 47, S/A Hubbard and this agent contacted Mr. Ray
Switzer, Insurance Adjustor at the Raffels Hotel, Placerville, California.
After traveling Cedar Ravine road to a point nine miles southeast of
Placerville, known as Buck's Bar, Switzer decided that the place from
where he had observed the object on 14 Aug 47 was nearer to Placerville.
After a thorough check of the road, Switzer believed the spot where he
had observed the object to be on the ridge just north of Webber Creek
where the road breaks over the summit. This point is two miles from the
Raffels Hotel, Placerville, California, on the Cedar Ravine Road. As
the road approaches the summit it curves to the left which would provide
an observer from an automobile a sweeping view through 40° of the canyon
and the horizon on the south side of Webber Creek. This point of observation lies 38° 42' 45" North Latitude and 120° 47' 15" West Longitude.
The elevation at this point is 2,000 feet above sea level. The horizon
from this point in the south is formed by a series of mountain peaks which
lie generally through 38° 39' 45" and which are on the south side of Squaw
Hollow Creek, a distance of four miles, and ranging in elevation from
2,300 feet to 2,500 feet above sea level. Switzer was not definite as to
what part of the field of view he had seen the object and indicated that it
could have been as far as the horizon. Any object, or particles of an
object, that Switzer saw, if on the ground on the field of view, would be
in a six square mile area of wooded, mountainous terrain which is full of
canyons and ravines.
AGENT'S NOTES: This agent believes that Switzer could have seen an aluminum
surfaced conventional type aircraft which, due to the distance at which he
observed it, distinguishing features were not seen because of the bright
reflection and the short period of observation. The aircraft would have been
coming from the left as Switzer turned to the left, thereby giving the effect
of a much greater speed than the object was really traveling. This agent has
no explanation as to the smoke trail observed by Switzer. If reconnaissance
is desired of the area to see if anything can be located on the ground, this
agent suggests that a small type aircraft similar to an L-5, be used in low
level flight between the hours of 1100 to 1300. Switzer was very cooperative and expended much of his own time in an effort to be of as much service
as possible. Switzer will communicate with the AC of S, A-2, Headquarters
Fourth Air Force, Hamilton Field, California, in the event of any report of
aircraft wreckage in the area.
4. On 26 Aug 47, a check with Ranger Dixon, State Forest Service,
Camino, California, and George S. Young, Forester, Federal Forest Service,
Placerville, California, provided the following information: There has
been no forest fires or reported aircraft crashes in the area in question
within the last month.
Bryden E. Moon, Special Agent, 4AF CIC
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
Intelligence
Hamilton Field, California
4AFDA 10 September 1947
333.5/1208-I
SUBJECT: Investigation of Flying Disc.
TO: Special Agent in Charge, FBI, U. S. Department of Justice,
Room 422, Federal Office Building, San Francisco, California.
Attached MOIC for your information.
FOR THE AC OF S, A-2:
[signature]
DONALD L. SPRINGER
Lt. Colonel, Air Corps
Deputy AC of S, A-2
1 Incl:
MOIC, Hubbard, dtd 9 Sep 47.
[Stamp: FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
SEP 12 1947
[ILLEGIBLE] CALIFORNIA
ROUTED TO FILE]
CONFIDENTIALCONFIDENTIAL
4AF-1208-I
Incident
9 September 1947
MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE:
Mr. Ward L. Stewart, 1242 Milvia Street, Berkeley, California, was
interviewed 8 September 1947 at his place of employment, the Hearst Mining
Building, University of California, concerning flying objects he reported
to have seen on 29 July 1947 while with Captain William H. Ryherd of the
415th AAF BU (RT). Mr. Stewart stated in substance that he was a 1st Lt
in the Reserve and that on the 29th of July 1947 shortly after 12 noon he
and Captain Ryherd had just landed from a routine training flight when
Captain Ryherd called Mr. Stewart's attention to an unidentified flying
object that was following a P-80 aircraft at a terrific rate of speed.
Mr. Stewart estimated the P-80 to be flying at approximately 250 miles
per hour on a preliminary approach to landing at Hamilton Field. In Mr.
Stewart's estimation the object he saw following the P-80 maintained a
speed of three to four times that of the aircraft. A moment later a
second object appeared and flew a course described as something similar
to a fighter aircraft's maneuvers when accompanying heavier ships, or a
left to right movement, over the object first sighted. Mr. Stewart stated
that this maneuvering continued until the objects were out of sight. He
estimated the time to be approximately 15 seconds, the course approximately
120 degrees. Mr. Stewart could not estimate the size of the objects nor
actual altitude, though he did not believe them to be beyond six thousand
feet. Mr. Stewart described the objects as being milky white in color,
and unlike any conventional type aircraft he had ever seen. When questioned
whether he was familiar with the Navy "Flapjack", Mr. Stewart stated that
he was, and that he was certain the objects he reported seeing were not of
this nature.
AGENT'S NOTES: Mr. Stewart is a former officer of the U.S. AAF and a B-29
pilot of considerable experience. Mr. Stewart does not convey the impression of being the kind of person who would "imagine" that he was seeing
objects, nor has he any apparent desire for publicity. Mr. Stewart is in
charge of machine shops at the University of California, Berkeley, California.
LESLIE S. HUBBARD, S/A, CIC ADC 4AF
CONFIDENTIALFEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
AUG 15 1947
TELETYPE
FBI BUTTE 8-15-47 5-50 PM VGW
DIRECTOR, FBI URGENT
FLYING DISCS. ON INSTANT [REDACTED] DATE, AL W. HAWKINS, COUNTY
COMMISSIONER AND EX SHERIFF, TWIN FALLS, IDAHO, AND [REDACTED] J. H.
BROWN, IDAHO STATE WAREHOUSE INSPECTOR, SAME COMMUNITY, ADVISED
THAT ON WEDNESDAY MORNING, AUGUST THIRTEEN LAST, AT APPROXIMATELY
NINE THIRTY AM WHILE FISHING IN RIVER APPROXIMATELY FORTY MILES
SOUTHWEST OF TWIN FALLS, IDAHO, IN ISOLATED COUNTRY, THEY SAW
TWO OBJECTS FLYING THROUGH AIR AT GREAT HEIGHT, WHICH [REDACTED]
APPEARED TO BE DISCS, AND AT SAME TIME HEARD ROAR SIMILAR TO NOISE
CREATED BY MOTOR TRUCK. INFORMANTS ADVISED OBJECTS MOVING VERY
RAPIDLY AND [REDACTED] THAT THEY EACH APPEARED TO BE APPROXIMATELY SIX
FEET IN DIAMETER. OBJECTS QUICKLY DISAPPEARED FROM SIGHT AND HAVE
NOT BEEN SEEN SINCE . NO FURTHER DESCRIPTION THESE OBJECTS PRESENTLY
AVAILABLE. FURTHER INVESTIGATION BE[ING] CONDUCTED BY THIS DIVISION
PURSUANT TO BUREAU BULLETIN NO. [ILLEGIBLE] TWO, SUB DIVISION B, DATED
JULY THIRTY NINETEEN FORTY SEVEN. BUREAU WILL BE PROMPTLY INFORMED
OF ALL PERTINENT DEVELOPMENTS.
BANISTER
END
50 SEP 29 19[47]
HOLD PLS [ILLEGIBLE]-344
7-54 PM OK FBI WA BW
[Stamp: RECORDED 62-83894-109
& INDEXED [ILLEGIBLE]
15 SEP 24 1947
EX-56]RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT Aug 15 7 55 PM '47 F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE [Mirror-image bleed-through of page 85 text — not independently transcribable] [Stamp: RECEIVED-LADD Aug 15 8 38 PM '47] [Stamp: RECEIVED [ILLEGIBLE] 19 10 36 AM [ILLEGIBLE] U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F.B.I. INTERNAL SECURITY]
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : DIRECTOR, FBI DATE: August 28, 1947
FROM : SAC, SAN FRANCISCO
SUBJECT: REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS
ATTENTION: ASSISTANT DIRECTOR D. M. LADD
On August 27, 1947, Lt. Colonel DONALD SPRINGER, A-2, Fourth Air
Force, Hamilton Field, California, advised that the Area Intelligence Requirements Division Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2 Headquarters, requested that one WILLIAM RHOADS of Phoenix, Arizona, be completely interviewed in connection with a report that he had seen on July 7, 1947, what
he believed were flying discs. RHOADS is supposed to have taken several pictures of the discs with a 620 Box Camera.
A previous report of this reported sighting of flying discs was
forwarded the Bureau on August 8, 1947.
Colonel SPRINGER has advised that GEORGE F. FUGATE, Jr., an
intelligence agent of A-2 stationed at Long Beach, California, would arrive
in Phoenix, Arizona, on or about September 2, 1947, and would be instructed
to contact the Phoenix Field Division Office.
In accordance with Bureau Bulletin No. 42, Series 1947, it is
felt that an agent from the Phoenix Field Division should interview WILLIAM
RHOADS at 4333 North 14th Street, Phoenix, if RHOADS has not already been
interviewed. Colonel SPRINGER indicated that Mr. FUGATE should, if possible,
sit in on this interview.
A copy of the report from A-2 dated August 4, 1947, along with three
photographic prints of the pictures allegedly taken by Mr. RHOADS, is being
enclosed for the Phoenix Field Division.
WWR/jo
62-2938
2 cc Phoenix (Encl.) (AMSD)
AIRMAIL SPECIAL DELIVERY
[Stamp: RECORDED 62-83894-110
& INDEXED
32 15 SEP 24 1947
EX-56]
[Stamp: 8 30CT 2 1947 2[ILLEGIBLE]R-344][Reverse side of Office Memorandum — mirror-image bleed-through of page 87 text — not independently transcribable] [Stamp: RECEIVED [ILLEGIBLE] 26 2 50 PM [ILLEGIBLE] U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F.B.I. INTERNAL SECURITY]
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
65-477
TO : Director, FBI DATE: August 27, 1947
FROM : SAC, Butte
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS SIGHTED BY
FRED CHRISMAN AND HAROLD A. DAHL,
TACOMA, WASHINGTON
SECURITY MATTER - X
Re Seattle tels August 7, 1947, and August 12, 1947, in the above
captioned matter.
KENNETH ARNOLD, Route 1, Mountain View Drive, Boise, Idaho, was interviewed at the Boise Resident Agency, Boise, Idaho, by SA JOSEPH E. JETTE on
August 19, 1947. Mr. ARNOLD advised that he received a letter from RAYMOND A.
PALMER, Editor, Venture Press, Evanston, Illinois, dated June 26, 1947, in which
Mr. PALMER advised that he was interested in publishing an article in his magazine
concerning the flying discs seen by Mr. ARNOLD near Mount Rainier on June 24, 1947,
which letter is being enclosed to the Bureau. Mr. ARNOLD stated that he did not
give much thought to PALMER's letter until PALMER wrote him again and informed
him that FRED CHRISMAN and HAROLD A. DAHL of Tacoma, Washington, had sent him
fragments of a flying disc and that he would like him (ARNOLD) to go to Tacoma,
Washington, and contact CHRISMAN and DAHL to find out if there was any truth in
their story about the disc fragments. He stated that he did not answer PALMER's
letter, but inquired of several friends for their opinion in the matter, and
that they all told him if PALMER desired to pay his expenses to go to Tacoma,
Washington, and look into this matter, that they did not see where he had anything
to lose. He informed that he gave a talk at the Boise Ad Club on July 25, 1947,
about the flying discs he had seen, and also of the request contained in PALMER's
letter to go to Tacoma to investigate additional information regarding the finding of disc fragments by CHRISMAN and DAHL.
ARNOLD advised that following his talk, he was approached by a person
who said he knew both CHRISMAN and DAHL and that they were very reliable
individuals. He stated that after thinking it over, he called PALMER by telephone
and at which time he informed PALMER that he would contact CHRISMAN and DAHL and
investigate the matter regarding the disc fragments, if PALMER would send him
$200.00 expense money. He also advised that he received $200.00 expense money
from PALMER via Western Union the next morning. He informed that he left for
Tacoma, Washington, via his personal plane on July 30, 1947. Upon arriving at
Pendleton, Oregon, he told his story to ED LEACH, CAA Inspector from Portland,
Oregon, who advised him to go ahead with his investigation.
He stated that he landed at Barry's Airport in Tacoma and obtained a
room at the Winthrop Hotel. He informed that he then called [REDACTED] by telephone to
make arrangements to talk to him regarding the disc fragments. He advised that
DAHL insisted on coming to the hotel room immediately. Upon arriving at Mr. ARNOLD's
hotel room, DAHL stated that he wanted to forget about the discs as too many things
had been happening to him, and advised Mr. ARNOLD [REDACTED] home and forget about
the discs. Mr. ARNOLD stated that he informed DAHL that he wanted to obtain all
[Stamp: RECORDED 62-83894-111
& INDEXED 21
EX-46 [ILLEGIBLE] 33 1947]
COPIES DESTROYED
270 NOV 18 1964 [ILLEGIBLE]-344
[ILLEGIBLE]SEP 30 1947 [ILLEGIBLE][Reverse side of SAC Butte memorandum — mirror-image bleed-through of page 89 text — not independently transcribable] [Stamp: RECEIVED P 27 1 33 PM DEPT. OF JUSTICE F.B.I. INTERNAL SECURITY] [Stamp (inverted): DEPT. OF JUSTICE F.B.I. INTERNAL SECURITY]
Director, FBI August 27, 1947
Re: Flying Discs - Tacoma, Wn.
of the information available regarding the disc fragments and that he understood
that DAHL had told the press about the disc fragments, stating there was nothing
to the story and that it was a phoney. DAHL immediately replied that his story
was not false or phoney, but that what he had seen and what had happened to him
was so unusual and fantastic that he wanted to forget about the disc fragments.
DAHL then agreed to tell Mr. ARNOLD the following story, providing his name and
the Harbor Patrols would be left out:
DAHL stated that his dog had been killed and his boy hurt and that
the wheel mount on his harbor patrol boat had been struck by disc fragments,
and that about twenty ton of this material had fallen on the beach at Mauri
Island, and into the bay, and that a day after this incident, a man about forty
years of age had contacted him and told him, "I know what you saw at Mauri Island
and I'm telling you in a nice way to forget about it and keep your mouth shut."
DAHL stated that he had obtained a large number of the fragments and had taken
them home, but that FRED [REDACTED], his superior officer, had told him to send
the fragments to RAYMOND PALMER at Chicago; that PALMER would analyze the specimens
free of charge. DAHL continued stating that on the afternoon of June 21, 1947,
he was on patrol with his boy, dog, and two seamen near a cove on the east side
of Mauri Island. He stated that he looked up through the windshield of the boat
and at a height of about 1,000 feet, he saw six round circular grey objects
that looked like large inner tubes slightly squashed. These objects appeared
to be about 100 feet across and in the center was a hole about twenty-five feet.
DAHL said he assumed they were some type of a balloon. The object in the center
was lower than the rest of the other objects, and the other objects were circling
around it. The object in the center seemed to be descending while the others
followed. As the objects descended he saw port holes around the inside of the
object and what appeared to be windows. He stated that the object in the center
descended to about 500 feet, and that suddenly one of the circling objects came
down and touched the object in the center and remained in this position for a
few minutes, while the other objects continued to circle above. The object
which had descended and touched the object in the center and which was lower,
then rose and took its place with the other objects.
All of the objects then started to rise and what appeared to be newspapers came out of the center of the object in the middle of the circling object.
Then the sky seemed to rain lava, the lava coming from the object in the center
and DAHL headed the boat for shore. He stated that the lava coming from the
object in the center appeared to be a white metal, and as it fall into the water,
clouds of steam rose from the water. He stated that some of the lava landed on
the beach. He also stated that his dog was killed and also a sea gull in addition
to his boy being hurt by the falling lava. Mr. ARNOLD continued stating that
DAHL had said that he had taken pictures of the object and that if Mr. ARNOLD
wanted them, he could have the negatives. DAHL took Mr. ARNOLD to the home of
his secretary that evening and showed him some of the disc fragments he had
picked up, which were smooth on one side and rough on the other, according to
Mr. ARNOLD.
-2-Director, FBI August 27, 1947
Re: Flying Discs - Tacoma, Wn.
Mr. ARNOLD stated he received a telephone call from the press upon
returning to his hotel room, and that the press wanted to know about the flying
disc fragments, and he told them that he was not talking until he had proved
it. He stated he did not know how the press ever knew he was in Tacoma or had
seen DAHL.
Mr. ARNOLD informed that at 9:30 A.M. the next morning, July 31, 1947,
DAHL and CHRISMAN appeared at his hotel room and DAHL again asked him to go home
and forget about the discs, that his story was not false, but that he had had
enough trouble. DAHL said that his boy had been missed one morning and had been
found at Lust, Montana, waiting on tables in a cafe; that he did not know how
he had got there and that too many things were happening. Mr. ARNOLD stated
that when DAHL and CHRISMAN came to his hotel room, they had an armful of
fragments, and that CHRISMAN had then informed about how he had seen an object
resembling those seen by DAHL. CHRISMAN stated he had taken the patrol boat
on July 23, 1947, and had gone to Mauri Island and had found the beach littered
with lava. CHRISMAN stated he had looked up and had seen a balloon-like object
with port holes and windows, which had disappeared into a large cloud. ARNOLD
stated that he asked DAHL again to see the pictures of the objects; that DAHL
had again agreed to show them to him. Mr. ARNOLD informed that he had then
asked DAHL and CHRISMAN if it would be all right for him to call a friend,
Captain SMITH, who had also seen some flying discs and let him see the fragments
and hear Mr. DAHL's story. DAHL dissented, however, CHRISMAN readily agreed.
He also stated that he had placed a call to Lieutenant BROWN and Captain
DAVIDSON, Army intelligence officers at Hamilton Field, and had asked them to
come to his hotel, as they had previously instructed him to report to them anything of an unusual nature or of interest regarding the flying discs.
He stated he flew to Seattle and got Captain SMITH, and that Lieutenant
BROWN and Captain DAVIDSON had come to his room about 4:00 P.M. Mr. ARNOLD
advised that he had asked Lieutenant BROWN just what he had found out regarding
the discs, and Lieutenant BROWN had confidentially informed him that they had
obtained a picture of a disc, which appeared to be authentic, which picture
was taken by a man in Phoenix, Arizona. The picture, according to Lieutenant
BROWN, was of a circular object with a hole in the center, and of another object
that looked like a flying wing. He stated that when Lieutenant BROWN told him
this that he immediately thought of the object seen by DAHL. He stated that
after hearing DAHL's story, Lieutenant BROWN and Captain DAVIDSON's attitude
had changed immediately, and that they appeared disinterested. It was then
suggested that they all go to Mauri Island and look for the disc fragments.
Lieutenant BROWN and Captain DAVIDSON stated that they had to return to Hamilton
Field immediately. Mr. ARNOLD stated that Lieutenant BROWN and Captain DAVIDSON
were very careful to gather up all of the fragments which had been brought to
the room by DAHL and CHRISMAN.
-3-Director, FBI August 27, 1947
Re: Flying Discs - Tacoma, Wn.
He stated that the next morning he received a call from CHRISMAN,
who told him that Lieutenant BROWN and Captain DAVIDSON had been killed in a
B-25 crash. He stated he does not know how CHRISMAN knew who had been in
the plane before anyone else. He also stated that during the above conference
numerous telephone calls were received from the press, wanting to know about
the conference. He stated that someone kept tipping the press off as to what
was going on and what was being said daily verbatim. He informed that PAUL
LAND and MORELLO, United Press men at Tacoma, appeared to know all that took
place during the conference, and even knew of the crash of the B-25 and those
aboard, before the Army released this information. Mr. ARNOLD informed that
when he received news of the crash, that he and Captain SMITH fully expected
to be contacted by Army Intelligence, as they were the last people with
Lieutenant BROWN and Captain DAVIDSON, however, they were never contacted.
He further stated that he and Captain SMITH went down to the United
Press to see what the survivors of the crash had informed about the crash and
that MORELLO had told them that the mysterious informant who had been calling
had told him that the B-25 had not crashed, but had been shot down, also that
MORELLO's Army informant had said that an observer at Kelso, Washington, had
seen the plane throw out a landing flare after the two survivors had jumped
from the plane, and that the plane had gone into a steep dive and dove into a
hillside, and further that one engine had been on fire, but that the fire
apparatus, protecting the engine, had failed to function. Mr. ARNOLD stated
that DAHL then came to see him and Captain SMITH and told them to go home and
forget about the discs, that such things as the B-25 crash had been happening
to him all along.
Mr. ARNOLD stated that he then called Mr. PALMER at Chicago and told
him that the deal was off and that if he wanted his $200.00 back, he could
have it; that two men had been killed and he was getting frightened of the
whole thing. He stated that PALMER informed him that it was all right with him
to keep the $200.00, however, he would send him an additional check for the
trouble he had put to. Mr. ARNOLD advised that previous to this telephone call,
Captain SMITH had called his friend, MORRIS RODDY, of the Chicago Times and had
told him that he did not have any faith in Army intelligence and for RODDY to
conduct an investigation on PALMER and get to the bottom of this disc fantasy.
Mr. ARNOLD also advised that previous to the two above telephone calls, he had
asked the press to investigate PALMER, as Army Intelligence had informed him that
they could not find PALMER and knew nothing concerning him, and appeared not to
be interested in PALMER, who seemed to know more about the flying discs than
anyone else.
Mr. ARNOLD stated that he personally thinks that PALMER's business is
a blind for something else and that DAHL and CHRISMAN will do anything that
PALMER asks him to and will not talk unless PALMER tells him to. Mr. ARNOLD
stated that he still wanted to get to the bottom of the disc fragment story
so he and Captain SMITH had decided to go to Mauri Island on Sunday, August 3,
-4-Director, FBI August 27, 1947
Re: Flying Discs - Tacoma, Wn.
1947, however, when CHRISMAN was approached in this regard, and they had gone
to the boat house where CHRISMAN kept his boat, CHRISMAN could not seem to
make the boat run, and after making some excuses that he had to return to his
office, had stated that he would return in about an hour, and by that time
his mechanic should have the boat repaired and they could all proceed to Mauri
Island. Mr. ARNOLD informed that CHRISMAN never returned, and that they were
unable to locate CHRISMAN at any of the telephone numbers he had given them.
They located DAHL in a movie, according to ARNOLD, and that DAHL,
after making some efforts to locate CHRISMAN, had informed them that CHRISMAN
had left town for a few days. He further informed that about this time the
press contacted them and told them an informant had called and told them
that CHRISMAN was on his way to Alaska in an Army plane.
Mr. ARNOLD advised that Captain SMITH had informed him that he had
made an appointment with Major SANDERS at McCord Field and intended to tell
Major SANDERS the complete story. During the afternoon, Captain SMITH and
Major SANDERS came to the hotel room, according to ARNOLD, and some of the
fragments that DAHL had brought to Mr. ARNOLD's room, following the conference,
were shown to Major SANDERS. Upon viewing the fragments, Major SANDERS, according to Mr. ARNOLD, stated that they were nothing but slag from the copper mill,
however, before Major SANDERS left, he gathered up every fragment in the room,
according to Mr. ARNOLD, and took them with him. Mr. ARNOLD stated that he
then left for Boise, Idaho.
Mr. ARNOLD produced a letter dated August 5, 1947, from PALMER
in which PALMER attempts to encourage Mr. ARNOLD to continue his investigation
into the flying discs. This letter is also being enclosed to the Bureau.
Mr. ARNOLD also gave SA JETTE a copy of the article sent to Mr. PALMER and
to the Commanding General, Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio, regarding his sighting
of the nine discs near Mount Rainier on June 24, 1947. This article is also
being enclosed to the Bureau. Mr. ARNOLD advised that he is vitally interested
in this matter and knows that there must be something to the flying discsstory.
He stated that he will do everything in his power to help the Bureau in this
matter. He also advised that he has no connection whatsoever with the Boise
Statesman. He stated that the Boise Statesman has never paid him for any
information he has given them. He informed that he sincerely believes that
the Boise Statesman is attempting, as he is, to get to the bottom of the flying
discs story. Mr. ARNOLD stated that he has told the above story to Army
Intelligence and Major SANDERS and to no one else, with the exception of
SA JETTE.
DAVE JOHNSON, Boise Statesman, Boise, Idaho, advised that the Boise
Statesman has never paid Mr. ARNOLD for any news item he has given them, and
has never approached him in this manner. He stated that the Boise Statesman
is not attempting to push the flying discs story, but merely attempting to
-5-Director, FBI August 27, 1947
Re: Flying Discs - Tacoma, Wn.
get to the bottom of the flying discs story as they sincerely believe there is
someone who knows the story of the discs and that they actually exist, and
that the Army, when approached for information, merely state that they know
nothing concerning them. JOHNSON also informed that Lieutenant BROWN and
Captain DAVIDSON had contacted him on July 20, 1947, at Boise, Idaho, regarding the discs and that is how he met them.
Unless advised to the contrary, no additional investigation is
being conducted in this matter, and it is being considered as Referred Upon
Completion to the Seattle Office.
JEJ:FPMc
Encs. (REGISTERED)
AIR MAIL
SPECIAL DELIVERY
cc - Seattle[Orange manila envelope] 62-83894-111
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
P O BOX 308
BUTTE, MONTANA
Encs. to Bureau
Re: Flying Discs
Butte file 65-477
62-83894-111VENTURE PRESS
305 STUDIO BUILDING
1718 SHERMAN AVENUE
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS
[postmark: CHICAGO ILL. AUG 5 4:30 PM 1947]
AIR
MAIL
Mr. Kenneth Arnold,
Box 387
Boise, Idaho
62-83894-141VENTURE PRESS
305 STUDIO BUILDING
1718 SHERMAN AVENUE
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS
August 5, 1947
Mr. Kenneth Arnold,
Box 387,
Boise, Idaho
Dear Mr. Arnold:
It seems that Mr. Maurice Roddy of the Chicago Times got the
story from Mr. Smith, because he called me, told me he was
running it. I knew only what you'd told me over the phone.
Now, it seems the newspapers are pestering the very devil out
of all you fellows. Crisman wired me for instructions, and I
told him to say nothing to the newspapers, because he'll look
silly if the army explains this as "meteors" or something like
that.
I don't blame you for being alarmed, but I trust you've had no
trouble in your flying since then. Let's get that straight--
there's no horrible plot involved. It's probably true that the
two men killed were just accidents. It could be true that it
was not an accident, but I don't think there was any connection
with the disks, or anything of that nature, nor is the material
from Murray Island to blame.
Certainly I don't think you'd suffer from completing your report
on your mission, and sending me your affidavit. Also, you'll
have some money coming for that, and no sense to tossing that out
of the window. It is unfortunate that the thing seemed so big
you had to call in army intelligence, but it will take them a
long time to proceed to the point I've reached in this disk mystery.
You see, you aren't the first to see them. They've been known
for nearly forty years, and I have ample proof of that. But
your experience was the first real break toward a solution. I'd
hate to have you drop the matter when all remaining to do is to
file your report with me.
Crisman is willing to contribute his share. I hope you will too.
This thing must not be hushed up and forgotten. It's much too
important to the people of America, if not the world. And no
censorship of the matter is legal. You needn't fear that angle.
You certainly did a bang-up job of investigation, also you wrote
one of the best articles about your June 24 experience I've ever
seen. Please do the same on this last business. You owe it to
those two men who were killed.
I'd also like to know what developed on those pictures you took
of those "ducks", or whatever they were.-2-
In short, I'd like to have you continue to keep in contact
with me, and relay to me anything further you learn.
In turn, I'll give you the whole story, which I'm just about
ready to break (not in the newspapers). And if it was as
dangerous as you seem to suspect, I'm afraid I'd have been
a corpse long ago!
But, and this is all you need remember, those disks are not
red corpuscles in your eyeball, and they are not something
we can forget about with an ostrich in the sand attitude.
We've got to solve them, public hysteria or no. As for that
hysteria, if laughing is hysteria, that's all the hysteria
I've noticed!
By all means, I want to thank you for the work you've done.
You know your business, and you handled it like a major.
But I'm hoping you do the easy part now and get that report
on paper.
A check for your June 24 article is going out to you.
Sincerely yours,
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CONFIDENTIAL
Page 2 - Some Life data on Kenneth Arnold
was through my athletics. As a boy in Minot, North Dakota, I
did a good deal of dog sled racing, placing 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 district manager for them over a part of the
western states, and 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 I handle, distribute, sell and install all types of auto-
matic 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 great consequence until 1943. I was given my
pilot certificate by Ed Leach, a senior CAA inspector of
Portland, Oregon, and for the last three years have owned my
own airplane covering my entire territory with same and flying
from forty to one 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 take-offs and short rough
field usage.
In the type of flying I do, it takes a great deal of
CONFIDENTIALCOPY CONFIDENTIAL Page 3- Some Life Data on Kenneth Arnold practice and judgment to be able to land in most any cow pasture and get out without injuring your airplane; the runways are very limited and the altitude is very high in some of the fields and places I have to go in my work. To date, I have landed in 832 cow pastures in mountain meadows, and in over a thousand hours a flat tire has been my greatest mishap. CONFIDENTIAL
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
AUG 14 1947
OWN
TELETYPE
FBI SEATTLE 8-14-47 5-21 PM FB
DIRECTOR FBI URGENT
L. R. BRUMMETT. SID DECKER. FLYING DISCS. INTERNAL SCURITY-X.
AUGUST FOURTEEN [REDACTED] NINETEEN FORTYSEVEN SEATTLE POST INTELLIGENCER
PUBLISHED ARTICLE TO EFFECT THAT L. R. BRUMMETT, BOX TWO FIVE FOUR RED-
MOND, WASH, AND SIDNEY DECKER BOX TWO NINE SIX REDMOND, WASHINGTON HAD
SIGHTED TWO DISCS AT APPROXIMATELY NINE AM AUGUST THIRTEEN NINETEEN
FORTYSEVEN. UPON INTERVIEW DECKER STATED THAT TWO VERY BRIGHT OBJECTS
TRAVELING AT AN EXTREME RATE OF SPEED WERE NOTICED BY HIM AS HE WAS
STANDING NEAR THE REDMOND POST OFFICE. DECKER DESCRIBED THE OBJECTS
AS HAVING NO WINGS, NO TAIL, AND BOTH ENDS WERE TAPERED. DECKER ADDED
THAT THE OBJECTS RESEMBLED A BELLY TANK AND THAT THEY WERE NOISELESS.
THE OBJECTS WERE VERY BRIGHT AND TRAVELING IN A NORTHEASTERLY DIRECTION
OVER REDMOND, WASHINGTON, ONE A BIT BEHIND AND A LITTLE ABOVE THE OTHER
MAINTAINING EQUAL RATES OF SPEED FOR APPROXIMATELY EIGHT SECONDS AT
WHICH TIME THEY DISAPPEARED FROM VIEW. DECKER ADDED THAT THEY WERE
HIGHER THAN A PLANE GENERALLY TRAVELS. BRUMMETT ADVISED THAT HE NOTICED
THE OBJECTS AND CALLED DECKERS ATTENTION TO THEM AND ALSO POINTED THEM
OUT TO A MRS MAMIE ENGLISH. BRUMMETT STATED THAT HE SAW TWO OBJECTS
FLYING AT A FORTYFIVE DEGREE ANGLE NORTHEASTERLY OVER REDMOND AND
30 SEP 30 1947 25
RECORDED
62-83894-117
INDEXED FBI B
34 SEP 29 1947[verso/back of teletype — largely illegible bleed-through text] RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. DEPT OF JUSTICE AG 15 9 31 AM [ILLEGIBLE] RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. DEPT OF JUSTICE P 27 4 19 PM [ILLEGIBLE]
PAGE TWO
TRAVELING AT LEAST THREE TIMES FASTER THAN A PLAN. BRUMMETT ADDED THAT
HE WATCHED THE OBJECTS FROM FIVE TO EIGHT SECONDS AT WHICH TIME THEY
DISAPPEARED FROM SIGHT. ACCORDING TO BRUMMETT THE OBJECTS WERE DESCRIBED
AS BEING NOISELESS, HAVING NO WINGS OR TAIL, LIGHTER THAN ALUMINUM,
TAPERED AT BOTH ENDS AND ONE STAYED A LITTLE BEHIND AND A BIT ABOVE THE
OTHER AND BOTH MAINTAIND EQUAL RATES OF SPEED. FROM BRUMMETTS OBSERVATIO
HE WAS UNABLE TO DECIDE WHETHER THE OBJECTS WERE FLAT OR ROUND. MRS
MAMIE ENGLISH STATED THAT WHEN BRUMMETT CALLED HER ATENTION TO THE
OBJECTS SHE TOOK A PASSING GLANCE AT THE SKY AND COULD OFFER NO
DESCRIPTION OTHER THAN THEY LOOKED LIKE TWO SILVER BALLS TRAVELING
AT A FAST RATE OF SPEED.
WILCOX
END
SHOLD PLS
9-28 PM OK FBI WASH DC GARRECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT Aug 14 9 29 PM '47 [verso/back of teletype — text largely illegible bleed-through] RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. DEPT OF JUSTICE AG 15 9 31 AM [ILLEGIBLE]
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED S[TATES] GOVERNMENT
TO : Director, FBI DATE: September 20, 1947
FROM : SAC, Chicago
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS
RICHARD F. SHAVER - Informant
Reference is made to your letter dated August 11, 1947 in the above captioned
matter.
Sheriff FRED BAU, McHenry County, Woodstock, Illinois, advised that he had
received no reports of flying discs in the community of Lily Lake, Illinois.
He further stated that he had no record or knowledge of RICHARD F. SHAVER of
Lily Lake.
Deputy Sheriff FRANK KELLER, Lily Lake, Illinois, advised that he was per-
sonally acquainted with RICHARD SHAVER, whom he described as a successful
writer of mystery stories. He said he had no information to the effect that
SHAVER was mentally unsound and he believed him to be a substantial citizen.
Mrs. R. IANNES, Lily Lake Realty Company, advised she had sold property to
SHAVER on two occasions and was well acquainted with SHAVER and his wife.
She knew of no derogatory information concerning him.
RICHARD SHARPE SHAVER was interviewed at Lily Lake, Illinois and advised that
he was the featured writer of mystery stories for "Amazing" magazine, which
magazine is edited by RAYMOND PALMER of the Ziff-Davis Publishing Company,
Chicago, Illinois. SHAVER at the outset stated that PALMER had told him the
FBI would contact him regarding flying discs.
SHAVER indicated that the telegram received by the War Department, referred
to in referenced letter, was probably sent by one of his readers, unknown to
him. He said that he wrote mystery stories based on his firm conviction that
under the earth are various caverns formerly inhabited by a super race, who
have since fled to other planets. This region of caverns he calls Lemuria.
He stated he believes there is valuable machinery and other resources in these
caverns. He therefore explained flying discs, which he calls "space ships",
as the mode of travel of the Lemurians coming from other planets to reclaim
the valuable machinery. SHAVER indicated that his theories had aroused a
wide following among readers of "Amazing" magazine.
SHAVER exhibited an article from an edition of the "Chicago Times" for Sunday,
August 3, 1947. The article stated that on June 24, 1947, on Murray Island,
off the Washington Coast, there had occurred a mysterious explosion which was
believed to have been caused by a guided missile or rocket. It further stated
that the date of the explosion was the same date on which one KENNETH ARNOLD,
a private pilot, sighted the first flying disc at Boise, Idaho.
1373 51 OCT 17 1947
COPIES DESTROYED
270 NOV 18 1964
INDEXED FBI B
RECORDED
62-83894-118
31 15 SEP 24 194[7][verso/back — largely illegible bleed-through] RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. DEPT OF JUSTICE EP 26 4 56 PM[ILLEGIBLE] [handwritten notation:] [ILLEGIBLE] 9/2[6]/4[7]
Director, FBI Re: FLYING DISCS September 20, 1947 The article went on to state that it was believed at the time that there was some correlation between the flying disc and the Murray Island explosion, and that RAYMOND PALMER, Chicago magazine editor, had employed ARNOLD to investi- gate and "cover" the Murray Island explosion. The article went on to state that on August 1, 1947, at Tacoma, Washington, there was a conference among officials of the Army and Navy, who discussed the possible relation between the Murray Island explosion and the appearance of flying discs. ARNOLD was supposed to have been in attendance at this conference. At the conference, authorities brought samples of a lava oxide metal, allegedly taken from the scene of the Murray Island explosion. The article stated that following the conference, two pilots left by plane for Hamilton Field, California, carrying samples of the lava oxide metal. The article further reported that the plane crashed near Hamilton Field, California, and it was conjectured that the plane had exploded by reason of the combustion of the lava oxide metal it carried. From the above newspaper article, it should be noted that RAYMOND PALMER, SHAVER's employer, was from the start "exploiting" the appearance of the flying discs, possibly to enhance the appeal of SHAVER's stories. It is possible, therefore, that the entire flying disc theory was conceived by PALMER and SHAVER. OAG:lab 100-18999 - 2 -
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Director, FBI DATE: 9-17-47
FROM : SAC, Anchorage
SUBJECT: Flying Disks
Saucers.
Reference is made to Bureau Bulletin No. 42 dated July 30,
1947.
This is to advise that two army officers reported to the
Office of the Director of Intelligence, headquarters Alaskan Department,
at Fort Richardson, Alaska, that they had witnessed an object passing
through the air at a tremendous rate of speed which could not be judged
as to miles per hour.
The first officer stated that his attention was attracted to
this airborne object, and he in turn pointed it out to the second of-
ficer. The object appeared to be shaped like a sphere and did not give
the impression of being saucer-like or comparable to a disk. The first
officer stated that it would be impossible to give minute details con-
cerning the object, but that it appeared to be approximately two or three
feet in diameter and did not leave any vapor trail in the sky.
Both officers attempted to determine the approximate altitude
of the object, and from a weather group stationed nearby it was de-
termined that cloud formations at the time the object was sighted were
"scattered above 10,000 feet." The object was noted to be traveling
below the cloud formation.
The first officer stated that in his opinion the object ap-
peared to be metallic and was silver in color, much like the color of
many airplanes.
The second officer stated substantially the same facts and
also pointed out that the object remained within his vision for ap-
proximately 15 to 20 seconds. When sighted, the object was traveling
due south at a speed considerably in excess of any plane. The second
officer stated that the object appeared to him to be approximately 10
feet in diameter and compared it to half the size of a full moon on an
ordinary night. The second officer based the altitude at approximately
the same as the first officer except for the fact that due to the size
he believed the object to be, he estimated the altitude to be only
approximately 3,000 or 4,000 feet. The object appeared broadside to
the second officer, and no evidence of a spinning motion or reflection
was noted. As to the color, the second officer pointed out that it
appeared to be a dull metal finish.
50 OCT 13 19[47]
COPIES DESTROYED
270 NOV 18 1964
Major Carlin I.D. [ILLEGIBLE] 9/25/47
RECORDED
62-63894-119
FBI B
37 SEP 29 1947[verso/back — blank with received stamps] RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. DEPT OF JUSTICE EP 26 1 48 PM [ILLEGIBLE] RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. DEPT OF JUSTICE EP 22 3 27 PM [ILLEGIBLE] RECEIVED F.B.I. DEPT OF JUSTICE U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE LIAISON SECTION EP 23 8 57 AM '47
Letter to Director, FBI 9-17-47
Re: Flying Disks
In conclusion, the second officer pointed out that one of
the remarkable features of this object was that it was definitely
traveling against the wind.
The exact date of the sighting of this object was not fur-
nished this office, and inasmuch as it occurred previously to the re-
ceipt of Bureau instructions in this matter, no further investigation
is being conducted by this office unless specifically requested to do
so by the Bureau.
100-1403
HLM:GWHSTANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Director, FBI DATE: September 18, 1947
FROM : SAC, Philadelphia
SUBJECT: FLYING OBJECT REPORTED OVER PHILADELPHIA
AUGUST 6, 1947
SABOTAGE
Remytel August 7 last. Flying Saucers
Miss ELEANOR NADDLE, 2114 Hobart Street, Philadelphia, who is employed
by the GEORGE R. GREENWALD MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 1524 Chestnut Street, Phila-
delphia, advised as follows:
Between 10:30 and 10:45 p.m. on August 6, 1947, she was sitting on
the steps of her home with CECELIA FINE. She was facing north and observed
a large white object traveling at a very fast rate of speed to the south.
There was a buzzing sound, not too loud but plainly audible, just after this
object passed through the air. This white object left in its trail a thin
streak of smoke, which was grayish in color.
Miss CECELIA FINE, 5617 Arlington Street, Philadelphia, who is em-
ployed by the PRESSMAN & GUTMAN COMPANY, INC., Room 1140, P.S.F.S. Building,
Philadelphia, stated she was sitting on the steps of Miss NADDLE's home on
the evening of August 6, 1947, around 10:45 p.m. engaging in conversation
with Miss NADDLE, when Miss NADDLE abruptly stopped in the middle of her con-
versation and appeared to be frightened. Miss FINE at that time was sitting
in a position in which she was facing south. She did not see any object in
the sky after noting Miss NADDLE's change of expression, but she did hear a
slight buzzing sound.
JOHN SNYDER, 1440 Vankirk Street, Philadelphia, an insurance agent,
who was a former pilot of B-24's in the Army Air Corps, advised as follows:
He was sitting on the steps of his home around 10:45 p.m. on August
6, 1947, with his wife; and his neighbors, the KELLY family, were sitting on
their steps next door to the residence of SNYDER. All of the above parties
were facing east. SNYDER noticed at this time an object, emitting a bluish-
white flame, passing quickly through the air. The object was traveling from
northeast to southwest. Using his experience in the Army Air Corps as a guide,
SNYDER estimated the above object was between 1000 and 3000 feet in the air
and traveling at a rate of between 400 to 500 miles an hour. This object did
not lose elevation as it passed through the air and left either smoke or a
condensation trail in its former path, which lasted for about two seconds.
A hissing sound accompanied the passing of this object. This sound was mode-
rate and not nearly as loud as the noise accompanying the passage of a rocket
ship.
50 00[T] Major Carlin I.D. [ILLEGIBLE] 9/25/47
COPIES DESTROYED RECORDED
270 NOV 18 1964 62-83894-1[ILLEGIBLE]
FBI B
37 SEP [ILLEGIBLE] 1947[verso/back — largely illegible bleed-through of page 153] RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. DEPT OF JUSTICE EP 20 1 46 PM [ILLEGIBLE] RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. DEPT OF JUSTICE EP 19 10 14 AM [ILLEGIBLE] [handwritten notation:] [ILLEGIBLE] 9/19/[47]
Director, FBI September 18, 1947
JOHN J. KELLY, 1442 Vankirk Street, who is a retired police officer
of the Philadelphia Police Department, advised as follows:
Around 10:45 p.m. on August 6, 1947, he and his wife were sitting on
the steps of their home, when KELLY noticed an object, resembling to him a
giant firecracker, pass quickly through the air. KELLY heard no noise, but
the object had completely passed from view in a southern direction within a
split second. It left a fiery trail for about 100 feet. August 6, 1947,
was a clear night, and no storm was brewing. KELLY was sure the object he
saw was no falling star, and he noted the above object did not seem to be
falling but maintained the same altitude.
The wives of SNYDER and KELLY verified the accounts of their husbands
as to the above-mentioned object.
It is to be noted that the SNYDERS and the KELLYS live in Northeast
Philadelphia near Oxford Circle, which is about ten miles removed from the
residence of Miss NADDLE. Miss NADDLE's residence is located in the western
part of Philadelphia. The Misses NADDLE and FINE are not known to the above-
mentioned KELLYS and SNYDERS. It is further noted the observation of Miss
NADDLE, the KELLYS, and the SNYDERS roughly correspond. All of the above
persons seem reliable and not the type to seek publicity or to spread rumors.
Miss NADDLE and JOHN KELLY called the "Inquirer", Philadelphia news-
paper, and inquired if it could offer any explanation as to what they had
seen. A representative of that paper had advised Miss NADDLE and KELLY that
the object they saw may have been some product of an oil refinery or chemical
company in their neighborhood.
Both the Offices of Naval Intelligence and Army Intelligence in Phila-
delphia were requested by the Philadelphia Office to ascertain if either the
Army or the Navy was doing any experimental work on new types of planes or
equipment, in the vicinity of Philadelphia. Such was done with negative re-
sults. The Office of Naval Intelligence indicated that an explosion had oc-
curred at the CHARLES LENNIG CHEMICAL COMPANY on August 6, 1947.
S. A. GIMBEL, Safety Department of the CHARLES LENNIG CHEMICAL COMPANY,
INC., 5000 Richmond Street, Philadelphia, advised as follows:
The above company is a manufacturer and distributor of chemicals.
A fire had occurred on a dump of the company on August 6, 1947, but was
quickly gotten under control. Such fire was confined to the company's prem-
ises and could not have been observed from outside the plant. The CHARLES
- 2 -Director, FBI September 18, 1947
LENNIG COMPANY is about two and one-half miles southeast from Oxford Circle.
The account of the fire does not seem to fit into the general pattern of the
above-mentioned flying object, for it is noted that the flying object was
allegedly traveling from a position northeast of Oxford Circle to a south-
westerly direction in Philadelphia. GIMBEL pointed out that, to the best
of his knowledge, there are no oil refineries and chemical companies located
around Oxford Circle or north of such, but that all of the companies of this
type are several miles south of Oxford Circle.
All logical investigation having been conducted, no further action
will be taken on the instant matter unless advised to the contrary by the
Bureau.
FFB/ctg
98-1762
- 3 -September 27, 1947
Major General George C. McDonald
Assistant Chief Air Staff - 2
The Pentagon
Washington, D. C.
62-83894-121
Dear General McDonald:
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has been requested
by your office to assist in the investigation of reported sight-
ings of flying discs.
My attention has been called to instructions disseminated
by the Air Forces relative to this matter. I have been advised
that these instructions indicate that the Air Forces would inter-
view responsible observers while the FBI would investigate incidents
of discs found on the ground, thereby relieving the Air Forces of
running down incidents which in many cases turned out to be "ash
can covers, toilet seats and whatnot."
In view of the apparent understanding by the Air Forces
of the position of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in this
matter, I cannot permit the personnel and time of this organiza-
tion to be dissipated in this manner.
I am advising the Field Divisions of the Federal Bureau
of Investigation to discontinue all investigative activity regard-
ing the reported sightings of flying discs, and am instructing them
to refer all complaints received to the appropriate Air Force
representative in their area.
Sincerely yours,
J. Edgar Hoover
John Edgar Hoover
Director
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
MAILED 8
SEP 29 1947 P.M.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
OCT 10 1947 163[verso/back of page 157 — carbon copy, largely illegible bleed-through] September 27, 1947 Major General George C. McDonald Assistant Chief Air Staff - 2 The Pentagon Washington, D. C. Dear General McDonald: [text largely illegible bleed-through] RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. Oct 3 4 26 PM [ILLEGIBLE] COMMUNICATIONS SECTION RECEIVED-MAIL ROOM MAILED G SEP 29 1947 [ILLEGIBLE] FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : THE DIRECTOR DATE: September 25, 1947
FROM : D. M. LADD
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS
The Bureau was requested by the Air Forces Intelligence to assist
the Air Forces in attempting to arrive at an explanation of the above
phenomena. The Air Forces indicated that the alleged sightings of flying
discs might have been made by individuals of Communist sympathies for the
purpose of causing mass hysteria in the United States over the fear of a secret
Russian weapon. The Bureau agreed to assist in the investigation of the reported
sightings, and the Field was advised in Bureau Bulletin No. 42, Series 1947, dated
July 30, 1947, that they should investigate each instance which was brought to
their attention of the sighting of a flying disc in order to ascertain whether or
not it was a bona fide sighting, an imaginary one, or a prank. The results of the
investigation conducted by the Bureau Field Offices in this matter have failed to
reveal any indication of subversive individuals being involved in any of the
reported sightings.
The Bureau has received a communication in the captioned matter from
the Special Agent in Charge at San Francisco, dated September 19, 1947, which
attached a "restricted" letter that was furnished confidentially to the SAC at
San Francisco by Lieutenant Colonel Donald L. Springer, A-2, Army Air Forces,
Hamilton Field, California, a copy of which is attached hereto. It is noted
that the letter, which is dated September 3, 1947, is signed "By Command of
Lieutenant General Stratemeyer" by Colonel R. H. Smith, Assistant Chief of Staff
Intelligence, Headquarters, Air Defense Command, Mitchel Field, New York, and is
addressed to the Commanding Generals of the various Air Forces. This letter is
entitled "Cooperation of FBI with AAF on Investigations of 'Flying Disc' Incidents."
This letter states in substance that it was the original intent of the
AC/AS-2, Headquarters, Army Air Forces that whereas the ADC Air Forces would
interview responsible observers, the FBI would investigate incidents of so-called
discs being found on the ground. Further, it indicates that the services of the
FBI were enlisted in order to relieve the numbered Air Forces of the task of
tracking down all the many instances which turned out to be "ash can covers,
toilet seats and whatnot."
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Bureau protest vigorously to the Assistant
Chief of Air Staff - 2. It is also recommended that the Bureau discontinue all
activity in this field and that the Bureau Field Offices be advised to discon-
tinue all investigations and to refer all complaints received to the Air Forces.
A proposed Bulletin is attached for your approval.
Attachment.
SWR:AJB
[handwritten:] I very much agree 9/27/47
[ILLEGIBLE] 9/27/47
9 agree
9-26
I agree
RECORDED
62-83894-121
FBI B
21 [ILLEGIBLE] 1947[verso/back of page 159 — carbon copy, largely illegible bleed-through] [TO: THE DIRECTOR DATE: September 25, 1947] [FROM: D. M. LADD] [SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS] [text largely illegible bleed-through] RECEIVED-TAMM U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE FBI SEP 26 01 AM '47 RECEIVED Oct 2 2 5[ILLEGIBLE] PM [ILLEGIBLE]
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[Back of photograph — blank white surface with aging/staining] [Diamond-shaped embossed stamp, center-left:] A[IR] OFFIC[IAL] PHOTO[GRAPH] WRIGHT FIELD OHIO [Rotated text along right edge:] CONFIDENTIAL [Handwritten numeral upper right:] 96
[FORM NO. 64]
Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
·TO : Director, FBI DATE: September 15, 1947
FROM : SAC, Salt Lake City
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS.
Remytel tenth instant.
On September 10, 1947 an item relative to flying saucers appeared in
the Salt Lake Tribune indicating that two young couples, Mr. and Mrs. GAYLON
CALDWELL and Mr. and Mrs. RICHARD ANDERSON, Logan, Utah, who had been playing
bridge, reported that they saw three brief flights of saucers, the first at
10:40 p.m. and two more before 11:10 p.m. the evening of September 8, 1947.
This news article also contained the names of KEITH HUGHES, JOAN CROOKSTON, and
Mr. and Mrs. FRED THUNELL of Logan who had likewise made separate reports of
having observed these flying discs.
Mr. and Mrs. RICHARD ANDERSON, when interviewed by an Agent of this
office, advised that they, in company with Mr. and Mrs. GAYLON CALDWELL, observed
approximately a dozen objects flying in group formation at about two or three
thousand feet in the air. They stated that they first observed these objects
on September 8, 1947 at 10:30 p.m. when their bridge game broke up and both couples
went out on the porch. The ANDERSONS believed these objects to be similar in
size to pigeons and stated that they seemed to be rather white and illuminated.
They informed that the objects could have been birds; however, they appeared
to be moving faster than birds as they circled the city in approximately one to
two minutes, and then disappeared in a northern direction.
Mr. and Mrs. ANDERSON claimed to have observed no wing movement during
the flight, and are unable to make up their minds as to exactly what they saw.
Mr. ANDERSON informed that Mr. and Mrs. CALDWELL are presently en route to an
unknown city in Nebraska.
Mr. KEITH HUGHES and JOAN CROOKSTON both advised that they were unable
to state how their names appeared in the newspaper as having observed flying
saucers inasmuch as neither had ever had the opportunity to view these flying
objects, and the newspaper report was erroneous.
Mrs FRED THUNELL advised that she, her husband, and five other people
had observed flying objects between 10:30 and 11:00 p.m. on the evening of
September 8, 1947. She stated that they saw five groups, each containing
thirty-five to sixty small objects, which were rather yellowish white in color
and were circling the city at a high rate of speed. Mrs. THUNELL stated that
these objects were several thousand feet in the air and it was impossible for
them to determine the size due to the distance, speed and cloudy conditions.
RECORDED INDEXED 62-83894-124
Mrs. THUNELL informed that Mr. and Mrs. NORMAN HALL, Mr. and Mrs. H. P.
ANDERSON, and Mrs. BESSIE HENDRICKS were present and observed the flying
objects; however, none of them were able to determine what these objects might
have been.
[Handwritten:] 23rd Info to Major 9/19/47 III 127
Info to Army
[illegible][Back/reverse of page 169 — mirror image of Office Memorandum text showing through, not independently legible]
[Rubber stamp impressions, readable despite reversal:]
RECEIVED
LIAISON SECTION
F B I
DEPT. OF JUSTICE
SEP 19 11 10 AM '47
RECEIVED
F B I
DEPT. OF JUSTICE
SEP 8 11 04 PM '47
LIAISON SECTION
RECEIVED
INTERNAL SECURITY
F.B.I.
SEP 17 4 42 PM [illegible]
RECEIVED
INTERNAL SECURITY
F.B.I.
SEP 24 3 19 PM [illegible]
RECEIVED
INTERNAL SECURITY
F.B.I.
SEP 8 2 21 PM [illegible]
[Handwritten:] Fletcher
9-17Mr. and Mrs. NORMAN HALL, Logan, Utah, advised that they viewed flying
objects traveling clockwise above the city at approximately 10:30 p.m. the evening
of September 8, 1947. They informed that they first believed the objects to be
lights of an airplane. However, these objects seemed to change in formation and
appeared to be similar to a group of moving stars.
Mr. and Mrs. HALL believed these objects were traveling much faster than
birds.
It was determined that Mr. and Mrs. H. P. ANDERSON and Mrs. BESSIE
HENDRICKS were not available for interview:
Captain B. E. NASON, Military Intelligence Division, Fort Douglas,
Salt Lake City, Utah, is being advised by letter of the results of this
investigation.
In view of the indefinite information furnished relative to this matter,
no further investigation is being conducted by this office.
SMK:LMS
AMSD427 W 3d Avenue
Spokane, Washington
August 8, 1947
Military Intelligence Division, U.S.A.
McChord Field, Washington
Gentlemen:
Following the reading of an account of the visit of Mr. Kenneth
Arnold, Boise, Idaho, as published in the Spokesman Review under date
of August 7, 1947, the undersigned considered the enclosed account of
an observation of a "flying saucer" would be of interest to you.
This account has not been given to any newspaper or other publica-
tion as yet.
Yours truly,
/s/ R. J. Madden
R. J. MADDEN
Division Plant Engr.
The Pac. Tel. & Tel. Co.
COPY
62-83894-125
ENCLOSUREReport on a "Flying Saucer"
At or about 12:05 p.m., July 29, 1947, a sedan, driven by Steve
Herrmann and carrying R. J. (Bob) Madden in the front seat and Karl Herrmann
in the rear seat, was proceeding northwesterly along the road leading from
Canyon Ferry to York, both in Montana some 25 miles N.E. of Helena.
When at a point approximately 1/4 mile N.W. of Canyon Ferry, (as shown
on Forest Service Map to be in the NE¼ of NE¼ of Sec. 10 T10N R1W) Karl
suddenly shouted "See it! See it! There's a flying saucer!" Steve immed-
iately slowed down and gradually brought the sedan to a stop, he and Bob
meanwhile scanning the sky in the direction pointed by Karl in an effort to
see the "flying saucer", but without success.
Approximately ten seconds elapsed between the time Karl reported seeing
the "saucer", coming over the horizon at high speed from the southwest, (Karl
first thought it a meteor) and travelling northeasterly, and the bringing of
the car to a stop.
As the car came to a stop, Steve, Karl and Bob, simultaneously, saw the
following:
Directly ahead, (N.W.) 2 to 3 miles distant and approximately 3000 ft.
above the ground, a bright disc hovering and fluttering in the air. Descend-
ing and rising through a vertical distance of fifty or a hundred feet for a
period of about five seconds then, while at the top of an ascent, the "disc"
suddenly swooped to the Northeast at tremendous speed and disappeared into
the clear air within a distance of 200 ft. That is to say it did not pass
beyond an obstruction to further visibility but "melted into thin air" as if
because of tremendous speed.
This disc was, from the viewpoint of the observers, apparently 3 ft.
in diameter, circular and of no great thickness — approximately 3 or 4 inches.
The sky was blue with scattered small clouds, the sun was shining
brightly and the disc gleamed and shimmered in the bright sunlight as if
covered with highly polished nickel.
After the "disc" disappeared from view, the sedan and its occupants
proceeded northwesterly along the road, but could discern no evidence of the
presence of the "disc" along or adjacent to that therefare.
It is to be remembered that the dimensions as stated above were as
they appeared to the observers some 2 or 3 miles from the "disc" and the
true dimensions must be considerably greater.
/s/ R. J. Madden,
R. J. MADDEN,
Division Plant Engr.
The Pac. Tel. & Tel. Co.
[Handwritten/stamped:] 62-83894-125
ENCLOSUREPOST-OFFICE DEPARTMENT
BUREAU OF THE CHIEF INSPECTOR
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR
Chicago 7, Illinois
September 19, 1947.
T. H. Barkow
Inspector
rof
Case No. 56114-F
LAKE FOREST, ILLINOIS: Alleged violation of Section 2350, P. L. &
R., by des Arc Foundation, sale of informa-
tion on flying discs.
Federal Bureau of Investigation,
Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
The subject involved in case of above description is
C. W. Stevens, formerly of Lake Forest, Illinois, who may
also have given a Chicago address at various times.
Can you advise whether you have a record of this man
and if so, will you please forward a copy of same to me.
Sincerely yours,
T. H. Barkow
Post Office Inspector.
RECORDED
&
INDEXED 62-83894-126
F B I
31 SEP 27 1947
EX-83
[Handwritten left margin:] Dft 62-51006
ack 9/29/47
RHG:jb
[Stamped:] HANDLED BY
[ILLEGIBLE]
C
[Handwritten lower right:] fov
[illegible]STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : DIRECTOR, FBI DATE: September 13, 1947
FROM : SAC, SEATTLE
SUBJECT: FLYING DISC SIGHTED
July 29, 1947, near CANYON FERRY,
MONTANA, BY KARL HERRMANN, STEVE
HERRMANN and R. J. (BOB) MADDEN;
SECURITY MATTER - X
Enclosed herewith for information of Bureau and Butte Division are
copies of the following received September 2, 1947, from H. R. PETERSON, 4th
Air Force, S-2, McChord Field, Washington:
Letter to Military Intelligence Division, USA, McChord Field, Wash.
from R. J. MADDEN, 427 W 3rd Ave. Spokane, Wash. dated 8/8/47,
with enclosure of Madden's "Report on a 'Flying Saucer'."
No action being taken by Seattle.
EEB:hg
100-18945
Enclosures - 2
cc: Butte
[Handwritten annotations:] Info to Major Carlin D. Army
9/19/47 III 1091
RECORDED
INDEXED 62-83894-125
F B I
OCT 1 1947
[Handwritten:] Exp[?] 5-[?]
2 ENCL
[Stamp:] 5 0 OCT 14 1947
231[Back/reverse of page 175 — mirror image of Office Memorandum text showing through, not independently legible]
[Rubber stamp impressions, readable despite reversal:]
RECEIVED
LIAISON SECTION
F.B.I.
SEP 18 2 19 PM '47
RECEIVED
INTERNAL SECURITY
F.B.I.
SEP 18 10 17 AM [illegible]
RECEIVED
INTERNAL SECURITY
F.B.I.
SEP 24 3 19 PM [illegible]
[Handwritten:] Fletcher
9/[?]September 24, 1947
Mr. T. H. Barkow
Inspector
Post Office Department
Chicago 7, Illinois
RECORDED 62-83894-126
EX-83
Alleged violation of Section 2350, P. L. &
R., by des Arc Foundation; sale of information
on flying discs.
Reference is made to your letter dated September 19, 1947,
requesting information regarding one C. W. Stevens, your case #56114-F.
You are advised that an effective search cannot be conducted
through the files of the Identification Division of the Federal Bureau
of Investigation on the basis of the name only. If you are able to fur-
nish the physical description of Stevens or other means of identification
such as a registry number, a search will be conducted in an effort to
furnish you with the information desired.
RHG:jb
[Stamp:] BLR2
[Distribution list, left margin:]
. Tolson
. E. A. Tamm
. Clegg
. Glavin
. Ladd
. Nichols
. Rosen
. Tracy
. [Egan?]
. Gureau
. Harbo
. Mohr
. Pennington
. Quinn Tamm
[?]. Nace
[?] Gandy
[Stamp:] COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
MAILED 9
☆ SEP 25 1947 P.M.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
[Handwritten annotations and stamps at bottom, partially illegible:] 53 OCT[?] 68
[illegible]
Sep 24 7 04 PM '47
[illegible]STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : DIRECTOR, FBI DATE: Sept. 12, 1947
FROM : SAC, SEATTLE
SUBJECT: FLYING DISKS Reported by BRUCE ARMSTRONG
and M. A. NICHOLS, Seattle, Washington,
August 12, 1947
SECURITY MATTER X
The newspaper, Seattle Post Intelligencer, carried an article in the
morning issue of August 13 reporting the sighting of flying disks. The article
appeared on the fifth page and was headed "Blue Triangle Latest Thing Seen In
Disks". Under this caption there was a short writeup which stated, in substance,
that one BRUCE ARMSTRONG, an electronics technician, and a number of other en-
gineers at the Boeing Aircraft had sighted a mysterious flying object about 2:20
p.m. on August 12. The newspaper report further stated that the object seemed
to be fluttering like a leaf, and appeared to be a black or dark blue triangular
substance. In this article also appeared another report of a disk supposedly
sighted by one M. A. NICHOLS, 1125 S. W. 102nd Street, Seattle, and NICHOLS des-
cribed it as a big ball reflecting light, giving it a purplish tinge.
Interview with BRUCE ARMSTRONG on August 13 revealed that ARMSTRONG
was standing in front of Section D of the Boeing Aircraft Plant with about ten
other research engineers and had noticed a small black object flying about 200
feet high, going south over Boeing Field runway. ARMSTRONG further stated, upon
interview, that the object appeared triangular in shape and floated in the air
like a leaf, and he estimated the speed to be about fifteen miles per hour.
ARMSTRONG could not accurately determine the distance between him and the object,
but it is noted that Section D is about half a mile from the opposite side of
Boeing Field where he supposedly had sighted it.
The following other research engineers were also interviewed regarding
this object:
Mr. JOHN H. STONER
Mr. GEORGE H. STONER RECORDED
Mr. BEN HAGER
Mr. LEROY PERKINS INDEXED
Mr. DAN HAGE
EX-41
74 62-83894-[illegible]
The consensus of opinion of these men was that the object resembled a black leaf
in flight and looked more like a piece of tar paper than anything. When the object
reached the end of the runway in Boeing Field it climbed into the sky in a south-
westerly direction and disappeared.
Mr. KEN GRANT, operator of the control tower for the Northwest Airlines
was then contacted. Mr. GRANT stated that he reviews all reports of objects seen
in the vicinity of the field and makes a log of such. Mr. GRANT reviewed his
log but could not see any record of such an item, but upon contact with Mr. VAUGHN
LOCKWOOD, who was on duty at the time the object was supposedly sighted, the
following information was obtained: LOCKWOOD stated that about 2 o'clock in the
[Handwritten:] Inq to Major 9/11/47 III
COPIES DESTROYED
270 NOV 18 1964
63 OCT 11 1947
28[Back/reverse of page 178 — mirror image of Office Memorandum text showing through, largely illegible]
[Rubber stamp impressions, readable despite reversal:]
RECEIVED
LIAISON SECTION
F.B.I.
SEP 18 2 19 PM '47
RECEIVED
INTERNAL SECURITY
F.B.I.
SEP 18 10 [illegible] AM [illegible]
RECEIVED
INTERNAL SECURITY
F.B.I.
SEP 24 [illegible]
[Handwritten:] Fletcher
9/[?]DIRECTOR, FBI FLYING DISKS, Report of 8/26/47
afternoon there were several pieces of burnt paper which flew over the field,
and he did recall a large piece of burnt paper which the wind had blown across
the runway and down the south end of the field. LOCKWOOD estimated that the
paper was approximately three feet in length. Mr. GRANT stated that undoubtedly
this was the object in question, and inasmuch as the control tower has a complete
view of the area in which the engineers had sighted this object if anything fur-
ther was noted it would have appeared in the log.
Mr. M. A. NICHOLS, 1119 S. W. 102nd Street, was then interviewed regard-
ing his report of a flying object. NICHOLS stated that about 4 p.m. on August 12
he had sighted an object which he estimated to be about 35,000 feet in the air,
which was flying over his home in a southwest direction. A neighbor, RAY STANLEY,
also saw the object and STANLEY examined the same with a pair of binoculars.
According to STANLEY the object looked like a white dock moving, cylindrical in
shape, and reflected the light of the sun with a sort of purplish tinge. Other
witnesses who had seen the object at this time were a Mr. and Mrs. GEORGE KROGSTADT,
of 1113 S. W. 102nd Street, Seattle, and their version of the object corresponded
with that of NICHOLS and STANLEY.
Contact with Mr. THOMAS E. GERMAIN, of the Seattle Weather Bureau Office
at Boeing Field, revealed that weather balloons are released every six hours
from his field commencing at 1:30 a.m. The balloons, according to Mr. GERMAIN,
are of a white gum color and reflect the light of the sun at a high altitude.
Although Mr. GERMAIN could not understand why a balloon could have been sighted
at 4 p.m., he nevertheless was certain that, from the description of the object
seen by these people, it must have been either one of his balloons or one released
from some other area in the vicinity.
No further investigation is being conducted in this matter by this
office.
JJS:JG
62-Federal Bureau of Investigation
United States Department of Justice
422 - Federal Office Building, Civic Center
San Francisco 2, California
September 19, 1947
IN REPLY, PLEASE REFER TO
FILE NO.
Director, FBI
Attention: Assistant Director D. M. LADD
RE: REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS
Dear Sir:
I am transmitting herewith copies of a "restricted" letter dated
September 3, 1947, which was furnished to me by Lieutenant Colonel DONALD
L. SPRINGER, A-2, Army Air Forces, Hamilton Field, California, which letter
is designated to certain Commanding Generals in the Army Air Forces from
Colonel R. H. SMITH, Assistant Chief of Staff - Intelligence, Headquarters
Air Defense Command, Mitchel Field, New York, concerning "Cooperation of FBI
with AAF on Investigations of 'Flying Disc' Incidents".
It is my understanding from recent Bureau instructions that we are
to assist the Air Force Intelligence personnel in the investigation of flying
disc incidents. However, it will be noted from the attached letter that it
is Army interpretation that it was their intent that the Bureau would investi-
gate those incidents of the so-called "discs" being found on the ground and
apparently not those which are observed only in flight. Further, the atten-
tion of the Bureau is respectfully called to paragraph two of this letter
and to the last sentence therein which states, "The services of the FBI were
enlisted in order to relieve the numbered Air Forces of the task of tracking
down all the many instances which turned out to be ash can covers, toilet
seats and whatnot."
In the first place, the instructions issued by the Army Air Forces
in this letter appear to limit the type of investigations which the Bureau
will be asked to handle and secondly it appears to me the wording of the last
sentence in the second paragraph mentioned above is cloaked in entirely
uncalled for language tending to indicate the Bureau will be asked to conduct
investigations only in those cases which are not important and which are
almost, in fact, ridiculous.
The thought has occurred to me the Bureau might desire to discuss
this matter further with the Army Air Forces both as to the types of investi-
gations which we will conduct and also to object to the scurrilous wordage
which, to say the least, is insulting to the Bureau in the last sentence of
paragraph two.
d 62-83894
ENCL
RECORDED
EX-93
162-83894-128
F
19 OCT [ILLEGIBLE] 1947
5 5 OCT 22 1947[Reverse/back of page 181 — mirror image of same letter, text is reversed and faint] Federal Bureau of Investigation United States Department of Justice 422 - Federal Office Building, Civic Center San Francisco 2, California September 19, 1947 IN REPLY, PLEASE REFER TO FILE NO. Director, FBI Attention: Assistant Director D. M. LADD RE: REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS [Remainder of text is mirror-reversed bleed-through from recto, largely ILLEGIBLE] RECEIVED RECEIVED-[ILLEGIBLE] F.B.I. INTERNAL SECURITY DEPT. OF JUSTICE OCT 4 29 PM '47 RECEIVED OCT 6 11 27 AM '47
Director, FBI 9/19/47
RE: REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS
In the event the Bureau decides to discuss the matter further with
the Army Air Forces, it is recommended that no indication whatsoever be
given indicating this letter was referred to me by Lieutenant Colonel
SPRINGER inasmuch as it would undoubtedly cause him serious embarrassment
and would certainly cause the excellent personal relationship which exists
between Lieutenant Colonel SPRINGER and this office to be endangered.
Very truly yours,
Harry M. Kimball
Harry M. Kimball
Special Agent in Charge
HMK:mhr
62-2938C O P Y
HEADQUARTERS
AIR DEFENSE COMMAND
Mitchel Field, New York
In reply
refer to:
D333.5EX 3 September 1947
SUBJECT: Cooperation of FBI with AAF on Investigations of "Flying
Disc" Incidents.
TO: Commanding Generals, First, Second, Fourth, Tenth, Eleventh
and Fourteenth Air Forces
ATTENTION: Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
1. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has agreed to assist Air
Force Intelligence personnel in the investigation of "flying disc"
incidents in order to quickly and effectively rule out what are pranks
and to concentrate on what appears to be a genuine incident.
2. It was the original intent of the AC/AS-2, Headquarters,
Army Air Forces that whereas the ADC Air Forces would interview respon-
sible observers whose names would be furnished by AAF, the FBI would
investigate incidents of so called "discs" being found on the ground.
The services of the FBI were enlisted in order to relieve the numbered
Air Forces of the task of tracking down all the many instances which
turned out to be ash can covers, toilet seats and whatnot.
3. It is requested that each A-2 informally coordinate and
cooperate with the FBI, generally keeping the FBI informed of any
proposed calls that intelligence personnel will make on this subject.
Very shortly, with the separation of the AAF from the War Department,
a firm policy will be established to clarify the liaison arrangements
between A-2's and FBI Special Agents. Presently, it is considered
inadvisable to promulgate a formal interim policy -- only to have it
replaced in a month or so by another.
BY COMMAND OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL STRATEMEYER:
/s/ R. H. SMITH
R. H. SMITH
Colonel, GSC
Asst Chief of Staff-Intell.
62-83894-128
[ILLEGIBLE] ENCLOSURE[Handwritten notations upper left: mhr]
Bu Bulletin #59
10-1-47
(D) FLYING DISCS --Effective immediately, the Bureau has discontinued its investi-
gative activities as outlined in Section B of Bureau Bulletin No. 42, Series 1947,
dated July 30, 1947.
All future reports connected with flying discs should be referred to
the Air Forces and no investigative action should be taken by Bureau Agents.
66-03-834
162-83894-V
NOT RECORDED
63 OCT 6 1947
[Pink stamp:] 5 1 OCT 14 1947
F472
11-23-70 03Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Director, FBI DATE: September 27, 1947
FROM : SAC, Butte
72112
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS SIGHTED MAY 5, 1947,
BETWEEN ELLENSBURG AND SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
Warden JOHN HENRY, Montana State Prison, Deer Lodge, Montana, has
advised the writer that while driving between Ellensburg and Seattle, Washing-
ton, about 3:30 P.M., on May 5, 1947, he sighted a silver object streaking
across the sky. This was also seen by MELBOURNE M. HILL, convict chauffeur,
and Mrs. HENRY. This object went into a nose dive and they thought it would
crash. However, before reaching the earth it disintegrated, leaving a long
pillar of "gas" hanging in the sky. It was particularly odd because this re-
mained in form and did not blow away. It was observed by these three people
while they drove from twenty to thirty miles.
This smoky, gaseous pillar was a long ways off and remained high
in the air. Warden HENRY said that this silver object was traveling at an
excessively high rate of speed and when it disintegrated it was still a long
way from the earth. Warden HENRY said when he first saw it he thought it was
probably a jet propelled plane but that he couldn't tell except that its mo-
tions were erratic. He said he had not reported it until he had noticed so
much in the papers about these discs. Although three people saw it, they de-
cided that they must be "seeing things".
The Seattle Office is requested to advise Mr. H. R. PETERSON, 4th
Air Force, S-2, McChord Field, Washington.
No further action is being taken by the Butte Office due to the
time elapsing between the sighting of this object and the report.
WGB:LB
cc - Seattle
Info furnished to Major [ILLEGIBLE]
10/[ILLEGIBLE]/47 [ILLEGIBLE]
I.D. Army
RECORDED
INDEXED
[ILLEGIBLE] 4
62-83894-129
F B I
31 OCT 11 1947
[Stamp:] 3C
[Pink stamp:] 5 OCT 24 1947
5-R?[Reverse/back of page 186 — bleed-through from recto, text largely ILLEGIBLE] [Mirror-reversed bleed-through text, ILLEGIBLE] RECEIVED LIAISON SECTION U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F.B.I. SEP 30 1 25 PM '47 RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE SEP 30 3 55 PM [ILLEGIBLE] [Handwritten:] 1 [Handwritten:] Nichols 9-B
Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : MR. LADD DATE: October 9, 1947
FROM : [ILLEGIBLE]
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS
There are attached hereto, photographs of various reports
received by the Air Corps in connection with the above-captioned matter.
These photographs were made available to Special Agent S. W. Reynolds of
the Liaison Section by Lieutenant Colonel R. L. Garrett of the Intelligence
Division of the Air Force for completion of Bureau files.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that this memorandum be made
available to Supervisor R. G. Fletcher of the Internal Security Section for
his information.
SWR:hmn
[ILLEGIBLE]
No
indexing
necessary
[Handwritten:] 38 PY ENCL
Encl. behind file
11-12-47 [ILLEGIBLE]
RECORDED
EX-93
[ILLEGIBLE]
162-83894-130
F [ILLEGIBLE] I
19 OCT 18 1947
[Pink stamp:] 5 0 OCT 24 1947
5-87[Reverse/back of page 188 — bleed-through from recto, largely ILLEGIBLE] [Mirror-reversed bleed-through showing Office Memorandum header and faint text] [Stamps, reversed:] RECEIVED RECEIVED-LADD F.B.I. U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE OCT 9 12 46 PM '47 RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. [ILLEGIBLE] 10 9 03 AM [ILLEGIBLE]
[Plain orange/manila folder cover — no printed text] [Handwritten lower left:] F472 11-23-70 03