DISCLOSURE / FILE
FBI's 21-Year UAP Case File, Section 4
FBI Section 4 of case file 62-HQ-83894, serials 131-185, gathers 1947-1948 field office memoranda, citizen letters, and Director Hoover's replies on the flying disc reports.
DISCLOSURE / FILE
FBI Section 4 of case file 62-HQ-83894, serials 131-185, gathers 1947-1948 field office memoranda, citizen letters, and Director Hoover's replies on the flying disc reports.
65_HS1-834228961_62-HQ-83894_Section_4
FBI Section 4 of case file 62-HQ-83894, serials 131-185, gathers 1947-1948 field office memoranda, citizen letters, and Director Hoover's replies on the flying disc reports.
This section of the FBI's central flying-disc file collects October-November 1947 field office reports from Portland, Anchorage, and Albany, along with citizen correspondence routed to Director J. Edgar Hoover. Portland SAC documented a September 11, 1947 sighting in which Chief of Police Leon V. Jenkins and patrolmen observed a silvery object that appeared to change shape from round to egg-shaped before disappearing in about 30 seconds. Anchorage SAC relayed an account from pilot Jack Peck of the Al Jones Flying Company, who reported a wing-shaped object near Bethel, Alaska in July 1947 while flying a DC-3 at 1,000 feet. Citizen letters from Mrs. A. McCaul, Mrs. Milo A. Durand, Joseph W. Omiline, and Mary C. Heater received form replies, with Hoover's internal note on McCaul reading that she "rambles on and furnishes no specific information about anything."
Upon looking at the sky ADAIR observed the very bright reflection of the sun on some object which was apparently made of silvery metal. The object was coming from the east and made a wide turn over the city and disappeared to the south.p.2
It appeared to him to be elliptical in shape, and inasmuch as it did not bank or tip he could not judge its thickness. It was of a very bright silver or aluminum substance.p.2
As JENKINS watched, it turned gradually until it was travelling due south, and as it did so, its shape seemed to change until it appeared to be egg-shaped. It disappeared in about 30 seconds.p.4
He described the object as appearing to be some flying wing and said that it appeared to be about the size of a C-54 without any fuselage. He could not see any propellor or any exhaust from jet propulsion or any vapor trailsp.5
NOTE: This woman rambles on and furnishes no specific information about anything.p.14
Mr. Lippincott told him that the "saucers" reported as seen in multiple parts of the country, were actually from Spain.p.21
In as much as all of you insist on talking and of telling of what you are supposed to be seeing, all of you must be warned. no - not warned in the true sense of the word, but these things are decidedly not supposed to be seen.p.22
Extracted text · Page 1
Page 1 · vision OCR
Declassification authority derived
from FBI Automatic Declassification
Guide, issued May 24, 2007.
[barcode: 8/11/1274191]
[label: RRPD]
FBI - CENTRAL RECORDS CENTER
HQ - HEADQUARTERS
Class / Case #
Sub
Vol. 4
Serial # 131
185
0062 83894
62
HQ-83894
SERIALS 131-185
[red cross mark]
SECTION 4
DESTROY of
FOIPA # 993087
INVESTIGATION
COPIED FOR
FOIPA
MAR 1 1978 BY R471
COPIED FOR
FO[I]PA
MAY [date illegible] BY R55
USE CARE IN HANDLING THIS FILE
SECTION 4
SERIALS 131-185
PICKETT STREET
Transfer-Call 421
[printer mark: 18-37797]Page 2 · vision OCR
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : DIRECTOR, FBI DATE: October 9, 1947
FROM : SAC, PORTLAND
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS
SECURITY MATTER - X.
Reference is made to Portland teletype dated September 13, 1947.
Records of the Radio Dispatcher, Portland Police Department, reflect that first notice of unidentified objects in flight over the city on September 11, 1947 was received from officers in District 18, which is in the extreme northeast section of the city, at 5:21 P.M. The log further reflects that at 5:23 P.M. the radio requested District 14, which is further south, to attempt to locate and identify the objects and that at 5:24 P.M. a report was received from the car occupied by Chief of Police JENKINS, reporting that they had sighted some objects. District 14 at 5:27 P.M. reported seeing nothing unusual in the sky.
ROBERT D. ADAIR, 4325 S.E. Madison Ave., Portland, advised that he was one of the two officers on duty in District 18 on September 11. The car was in the vicinity of N.E. 25th Avenue and Saratoga Court when ADAIR and his fellow officer noticed a number of people looking upward and pointing. Upon looking at the sky ADAIR observed the very bright reflection of the sun on some object which was apparently made of silvery metal. The object was coming from the east and made a wide turn over the city and disappeared to the south. ADAIR estimated its speed at about 150 miles per hour and its altitude at about 5,000 feet. He watched it for a period of about two minutes and during that time it gradually disappeared in such a manner as to appear that the angle was slowly changing, so that the sun was no longer reflected into ADAIR's eyes. He says that the shape appeared to be round but that the glare was so bright that it could have hidden the true outline of the object. There was no oscillation visible - only steady flight. ADAIR believes it was an ordinary metal airplane reflecting light of the afternoon sun. [HANDLED BY STOP DESK DEFERRED RECORDING]
J. R. CALDWELL, 7652 S.E. Lincoln St., Portland, Oregon was ADAIR's partner in District 18 on September 11. CALDWELL states that the object appeared to him to take the same course as that described by ADAIR. He pointed out that the speed, height, and size of the object were difficult to judge, because of the interdependence of the three factors. However, he believes that the object when first sighted was about three miles away and about two miles high. He believes it was traveling at a much greater speed than a conventional airplane and was a great deal larger. It appeared to him to be elliptical in shape, and inasmuch as it did not bank or tip he could not judge its thickness. It was of a very bright silver or aluminum substance.
[Handwritten:] Info to Major Carlin
[Handwritten:] I.D. Army 10/14/47 [signature]
[Stamp:] 23/
51 OCT 23 1947 COPIES DESTROYED
270 NOV 18 1964
RECORDED 62-83894-131
EX-93
19 OCT 1947 [signatures]
5-[R?]Page 214 · vision OCR
[Reverse side of Office Memorandum — bleed-through of recto text, mirror image. The following stamps are legible:] Jul 22 3 59 PM 49 U.S DEPT OF JUSTICE F B I RECEIVED-NICHOLS Jul 22 10 15 AM 49 U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE F B I [ILLEGIBLE] RECEIVED - DIRECTOR Jul 20 [11] 08 AM 49 F B I RECEIVED-TOLSON Jul 20 11 59 AM 49 F B I RECEIVED Jul 20 10 16 PM [ILLEGIBLE]
Concatenated page-by-page transcript. Born-digital pages came through pdf.js; scanned pages were transcribed by Claude vision OCR. Pages marked unreadable failed multiple OCR retries (heavy redaction, microfilm artifacts, or blank separators) and are kept in place for audit.
Declassification authority derived
from FBI Automatic Declassification
Guide, issued May 24, 2007.
[barcode: 8/11/1274191]
[label: RRPD]
FBI - CENTRAL RECORDS CENTER
HQ - HEADQUARTERS
Class / Case #
Sub
Vol. 4
Serial # 131
185
0062 83894
62
HQ-83894
SERIALS 131-185
[red cross mark]
SECTION 4
DESTROY of
FOIPA # 993087
INVESTIGATION
COPIED FOR
FOIPA
MAR 1 1978 BY R471
COPIED FOR
FO[I]PA
MAY [date illegible] BY R55
USE CARE IN HANDLING THIS FILE
SECTION 4
SERIALS 131-185
PICKETT STREET
Transfer-Call 421
[printer mark: 18-37797]STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : DIRECTOR, FBI DATE: October 9, 1947
FROM : SAC, PORTLAND
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS
SECURITY MATTER - X.
Reference is made to Portland teletype dated September 13, 1947.
Records of the Radio Dispatcher, Portland Police Department, reflect that first notice of unidentified objects in flight over the city on September 11, 1947 was received from officers in District 18, which is in the extreme northeast section of the city, at 5:21 P.M. The log further reflects that at 5:23 P.M. the radio requested District 14, which is further south, to attempt to locate and identify the objects and that at 5:24 P.M. a report was received from the car occupied by Chief of Police JENKINS, reporting that they had sighted some objects. District 14 at 5:27 P.M. reported seeing nothing unusual in the sky.
ROBERT D. ADAIR, 4325 S.E. Madison Ave., Portland, advised that he was one of the two officers on duty in District 18 on September 11. The car was in the vicinity of N.E. 25th Avenue and Saratoga Court when ADAIR and his fellow officer noticed a number of people looking upward and pointing. Upon looking at the sky ADAIR observed the very bright reflection of the sun on some object which was apparently made of silvery metal. The object was coming from the east and made a wide turn over the city and disappeared to the south. ADAIR estimated its speed at about 150 miles per hour and its altitude at about 5,000 feet. He watched it for a period of about two minutes and during that time it gradually disappeared in such a manner as to appear that the angle was slowly changing, so that the sun was no longer reflected into ADAIR's eyes. He says that the shape appeared to be round but that the glare was so bright that it could have hidden the true outline of the object. There was no oscillation visible - only steady flight. ADAIR believes it was an ordinary metal airplane reflecting light of the afternoon sun. [HANDLED BY STOP DESK DEFERRED RECORDING]
J. R. CALDWELL, 7652 S.E. Lincoln St., Portland, Oregon was ADAIR's partner in District 18 on September 11. CALDWELL states that the object appeared to him to take the same course as that described by ADAIR. He pointed out that the speed, height, and size of the object were difficult to judge, because of the interdependence of the three factors. However, he believes that the object when first sighted was about three miles away and about two miles high. He believes it was traveling at a much greater speed than a conventional airplane and was a great deal larger. It appeared to him to be elliptical in shape, and inasmuch as it did not bank or tip he could not judge its thickness. It was of a very bright silver or aluminum substance.
[Handwritten:] Info to Major Carlin
[Handwritten:] I.D. Army 10/14/47 [signature]
[Stamp:] 23/
51 OCT 23 1947 COPIES DESTROYED
270 NOV 18 1964
RECORDED 62-83894-131
EX-93
19 OCT 1947 [signatures]
5-[R?][Reverse/back side of page 2 — text shows through as mirror image, largely illegible] [Stamps, right-reading:] RECEIVED LIAISON SECTION Oct 13 4 08 AM '47 RECEIVED Oct 13 1 05 PM '47 INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE F.B.I. [Handwritten initials/signature at lower left, illegible] [EX-93] [partial stamp]
PD 62-1531
Chief of Police LEON V. JENKINS advised that he was travelling south on N. Williams Avenue near Russell St., when he and Officer H. S. RANEY, his driver, received a call on the police radio requesting District 14 to attempt to observe an unknown object in the sky reported by officers in District 18. JENKINS observed what appeared to be a round silver object, about 10,000 feet high, travelling northeast to southwest. It was directly to JENKIN's left when observed first. He thought it was a weather balloon. Further observation convinced him that it could not be a balloon because of its speed which was extremely great. As JENKINS watched, it turned gradually until it was travelling due south, and as it did so, its shape seemed to change until it appeared to be egg-shaped. It disappeared in about 30 seconds.
Patrolman H. S. RANEY stated that when he first observed the object it was straight ahead of him and travelling straight away from his car. RANEY was driving south on N. Williams Avenue. To RANEY it appeared to be just a glare of sun on some object, and he was unable therefore to tell its shape. It appeared to be very high and travelling extremely fast. It was out of sight after he had travelled 4 or 5 city blocks at a speed of about 25 mph. RANEY stated that he has never observed an object at such an extreme height before and that if the sun had not reflected from it he could not have seen it at all. He believes it could possibly have been a reflection from a large airplane at great altitude.
ROBERT W. SHAYLOR, 4810 N. Fessenden St., Portland stated that he was on duty in District 14 with Officer DONALD W. COWLING on September 11, 1947 and received the call to watch for the object flying over the city. SHAYLOR and COWLING immediately scanned the sky from a vantage point in open territory where they could see the entire sky. They saw nothing in the sky at that time, SHAYLOR stating that they did not even see any airplanes.
A short article in "The Oregonian", Portland daily newspaper, for September 12, 1947, describes the object as seen by Chief of Police JENKINS and also states that "The Oregonian" received several calls from other persons reporting the object. FRED M. WHITE, Assistant City Editor, advised that the paper has no record of the identities of the people making the calls.
62-1531
LHK:tkwSTANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Director, FBI DATE: 10/18/47
FROM : SAC, Anchorage
SUBJECT: REPORT OF FLYING DISCS
This is to advise that we have been able to locate a flyer, JACK PECK, who is employed by the Al Jones Flying Company in Bethel, Alaska. It had been reported to Military Intelligence that Mr. PECK and his co-pilot VINCE DALY had observed some flying object near Bethel, Alaska, in July, 1947. Efforts previously to contact Mr. PECK were negative until the above instance.
He related that the occasion of seeing the flying object near Bethel was on a July day when the sky was completely clear of clouds, and it being during the early part, it is daylight the entire night. The time of his sighting this flying object was about 10 PM and the sun had just dropped beyond the horizon. Flying weather was extremely good and he, with Mr. DALY, was coming into the Bethel Airport with a DC-3. He observed the flying object immediately to his left and stated that it apparently was observed at approximately the same time by Mr. DALY and both of them manipulated the controls of the plane making efforts to miss the object inasmuch as they could not tell in which direction it was going. They made a forty-five degree turn in order to get out of the way of the object and then noted that it appeared to be going away from them. He described the object as appearing to be some flying wing and said that it appeared to be about the size of a C-54 without any fuselage. He could not see any propellor or any exhaust from jet propulsion or any vapor trails and could not estimate the size due to his failure to be able to estimate the distance he was away from the object. He was flying at 1,000 feet and stated that he tried to catch up with the object and increased his manifold pressure to approximately 42 inches and was traveling at the rate of 170 miles per hour.
He called on his radio to the Civil Aeronautics Administration station at Bethel, asking what aircraft was in the vicinity and they had no reports of any aircraft. The object he sighted was some five or ten miles from the airport before his arrival and stated that the path did not go directly across the airport. He, of course, could not tell whether the object was making any noise and stated that it was flying at a thousand foot altitude and estimated travel at 300 miles per hour. It was traveling in the direction from Bethel to Nome, which is in a northwesterly direction. He noted no radio interference and is unable to describe the color other than that it appeared dark but of definite shape and did not blend into the sky but had a definite, concise outline. Both he and Mr. DALY clearly observed the object at this time.
[Handwritten:] Info to Major Carlin
[Handwritten:] I.D. Army 11/4/47 [signature] 294
[Stamp:] 60 NOV 6 1947
RECORDED
& INDEXED
62-83894-132
[B] [B]
34 OCT 25 1947 [signatures]
131- 2 -
Anchorage File 100-1406
It may be stated to the Bureau that Mr. PECK is a well known flyer as well as Mr. DALY and both are known to be very reliable and responsible people, and it appears definite that they observed something.
The above is being submitted for the information of the Bureau.
LOT:LMR
100-1406[Handwritten initials top left: gm]
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Director, FBI DATE: November 1, 1947
FROM : SAC, Albany
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS
A. COURTNEY PARKER, INFORMANT
Reurlet dated 9/25/47.
An Agent of this office contacted Mr. A. COURTNEY PARKER at his residence in South Royalton, Vermont and he stated that all the information he has concerning the flying discs he saw, is set forth in the letter that he sent to the Bureau dated September 17, 1947.
Mr. PARKER advised that as far as he knows, no one else in South Royalton saw these flying discs, and that he believes he saw them inasmuch as he has unusually good eyesight and that he can see bees, etc. further than anyone else. He stated that possibly these flying discs were out of the range of normal vision. Mr. PARKER was asked to furnish any additional information that comes to his attention concerning these flying discs directly to the Air Forces since they now handle matters of this type.
No further action is being taken by this office.
RCC:mfs
62-639
RECORDED
& INDEXED
62-83894-133
[B]
31 NOV 8 1947 [signature]
133
[Stamp:] R-B54
60 NOV 13 1947[Reverse/back side of page 7 — blank orange paper] [Stamp, right-reading:] RECEIVED [NOV] 12 4 58 PM '47 INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. [U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE]
Mrs A. McCaul
70-33 68 Pl.
Glendale
I.D. N.Y.C
Mr Hoover
F.F.B.I. Flying Discs
Dear Sir,
They say that if
we are crazy, we are the last
to know it. That may be my
case, but I hope not.
You know a
about 2 months ago, a number
of people said they saw flying
discs, and the papers said it
was imagination. I cannot believe
hundreds of people could imagine
the same thing at the same time
especially when separated by
thousands of miles
[Stamp:] HANDLED BY
STOP DESK
[Stamp:] RECORDED EX-32
62-83894-134
NOV 4 1947 [signature][Reverse/back side of page 9 — faint ink impressions from recto, largely illegible] [Stamp, right-reading:] MR. JONES OCT 30 5 28 PM '47 RECEIVED F.B.I. U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE
This is just a wild guess 2
It is not possible that there
was something of a new delayed
fic started starter object (Please
do not laugh) You know about
all those little plains looking
fuses were time bombs to start
fires in ships and wasn't it
possible some new inventor was
devised for this sabotage, because
that is what all the people I
meet think of those fires and
Airplane wrecks. They are not
accidents.
We have had dry
spells be fore but did the
whole country burn up at thesame time? 3
May it would be
a good idea to ask the people
in the ruined areas if any
of them had seen a disc about
how long a go.
I know we have
the smartest men in the world in
our F.B.I. and I do not presume
to tell you people what to do, but
maybe there is some connection.
In any event I think you
people should start protecting our
country the same as you did in
War Time.
Because whatever you
people think, we are at war with
some one. Only they are puttingus and on we taking a
licking of and our government
does not seem to know it.
But I am sure you will find
the guilty ones.
Yours for success for an
American who is proud of her
country,
'Grand Ma Mc CaulRECORDED
& INDEXED
62-83894-134
EX-32
November 1, 1947
Mrs. A. McCaul [Handwritten: Grandma McCaul]
70-33 68th Place
Glendale
Brooklyn, New York
Dear Mrs. McCaul:
Your letter postmarked October 28,
1947, has been received and I want to express
my appreciation to you for having written as
you did.
Sincerely yours,
John Edgar Hoover
Director
NOTE: This woman rambles on and furnishes no
specific information about anything.
VWP:jfp[signature]
[Routing list:]
Mr. Tolson
Mr. E. A. Tamm
Mr. Clegg
Mr. Glavin
Mr. Ladd
Mr. Nichols
Mr. Rosen
Mr. Tracy
Mr. Egan
Mr. Gurrea
Mr. Harbo
Mr. Mohr
Mr. Pennington
Mr. Quinn Tamm
Tele. Room
Mr. Nease
Miss Gandy
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
MAILED 4
NOV 3 1947 P.M.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICEMrs Milo A. Durand
Elizabethtown
New York
Dear Sir,
With all these forest fires in main and out
west in our Country I was wondering whether
the flying discs had anything to do with it.
Was that just a myth or did they exist. If
so could not they have been incindiary
falling to earth then with drought and heat
from the sun ignite. Were not the discs
seen flying over Main, Vt. and western states
are the western states that have forest fires the
same ones reported to have seen the flying discs.
I have great respect for your bureau or should
I say men. In every way the F.B.I. has been
excellent. I visited the Bureau while in Washington
some years ago.
I do hope I haven't taken up to much time but
couldn't stop thinking of it. All Americans must
be alert but not ready.
[Stamp:] RECORDED 62-83894-135
[B]
FBI NOV 15 1947
AH 11-1047 132
We have quite a lot of different foreigners
settling up here with plenty of money. Like the
back woods I guess. Keep to themselves too.
[Left margin:] Flying DiscsI'm a widow with two young children and feel very
anxious to do my share in bringing up honest and
loyal Americans.
MR. JONES
NOV 7 2 49 PM '47
RECEIVED
FBI
S DEPT OF JUSTICE
Yours truly,
Mrs. Milo A. Durand
Elizabethtown
New York
[Handwritten:] go 11-9
[Handwritten:] 135c
P.S.
I read that scientist were investigating the
way the fires flared up in different parts away from
the main fire that is what made me think of
the incindiary discs. Thank you again.[Top left:] RECORDED
INDEXED
62-83894-135
November 10, 1947
Mrs. Milo A. Durand
Elizabethtown, New York
Dear Mrs. Durand:
Your letter postmarked November 5, 1947,
has been received and I do want to thank you for
writing as you did. The patriotic motives which
prompted your suggestions concerning the subject
about which you have written are indeed appreciated.
Sincerely yours,
John Edgar Hoover
Director
[Handwritten numbers and initials]
WN:jom
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
MAILED 11
★ NOV 10 1947 P.M.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
[Routing list:]
Mr. Tolson
Mr. E. A. Tamm
Mr. Clegg
Mr. Glavin
Mr. Ladd
Mr. Nichols
Mr. Rosen
Mr. Tracy
Mr. Egan
Mr. Gurrea
Mr. Harbo
Mr. Mohr
Mr. Pennington
Mr. Quinn Tamm
Tele. Room
Mr. Nease
Miss Gandy
55 NOV 22 19476071 69th Avenue
Ridgewood #27, Queens
New York
November 2, 1947
Dear Sir
In regards to the "flying saucer"
mystery which recently received national
publicity I, as a citizen would like to ask a
few questions. If you, as head of the FBI,
would be so kind as to answer I would be
greatly appreciative.
First, has the FBI been and is the
FBI still investigating the "flying saucers"?
Second, were copies of the July 9th, 1947
issue of the Arizona Republic published in
Phoenix, Arizona confiscated by the FBI?
Third, is the FBI investigating the
[Stamp:] RECORDED
62-83894-136
[B]
FBI [date]
"Shaver Mystery" in which an author named
Richard S. Shaver claims there are peopleliving underground who have been there
for centuries?
Fourth, has a newsreel, which appeared
in a Los Angeles theatre showing Russian
scientists examining a crashed flying
saucer, been suppressed by the FBI?
Fifth, Does the FBI consider knowledge
of the "flying saucers" too dangerous for the
general public to know?
Though the above questions may seem
a trifle silly, I would appreciate an
answer to them, if at all possible.
Thanking you for your courtesy in reading
this and hoping for an answer, I am
Sincerely yours
Joseph W. Omiline
[Stamp:] MR. JONES
OCT 30 2 03 PM '47
RECEIVED
F.B.I.
U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE
[Handwritten:] JHS-11November 8, 1947
Mr. Joseph W. Omiline
6071 69th Avenue
Ridgewood
Brooklyn 27, New York
Dear Mr. Omiline:
62-83894-136 Your letter dated November 2, 1947,
EX-[ILLEGIBLE] has been received. The information contained
RECORDED in the files of this Bureau has been declared
& INDEXED confidential and available for official use
82 only, and I am unable to be of any assistance
to you. I am sure you will draw no inference
from my inability to comply with your request.
Sincerely yours,
John Edgar Hoover
Director
NOTE: This individual asked questions concerning
flying saucers and the Bureau's investigation of
Russians.
Postal Guide reflects Ridgewood is a
branch of the Brooklyn Station.
VWP:rmj[?]
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
MAILED 12
NOV 8 1947 P.M.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
[Routing list:]
Mr. Tolson
Mr. E. A. Tamm
Mr. Clegg
Mr. Glavin
Mr. Ladd
Mr. Nichols
Mr. Rosen
Mr. Tracy
Mr. Egan
Mr. Gurrea
Mr. Harbo
Mr. Mohr
Mr. Pennington
Mr. Quinn Tamm
Tele. Room
Mr. Nease
Miss Gandy
21 NOV 22 1947Copy
Port Allegany, Pa.
November 18, 1947.
Federal Bureau of Investigation,
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Gentlemen:
Following the appearance in this town on November 6, 1947,
of a Mr. Joe Lippincott, Director of the Eastern Area, Red Cross,
Pittsburgh, Pa., as "speaker of the evening", at the annual local
Red Cross dinner, I was told by Dr. H. E. Cromwell, local practicing
dentist, that in a personal conversation, following the dinner, Mr.
Lippincott told him that the "saucers" reported as seen in various
parts of the country, were actually from Spain. He said that Mr.
Lippincott said that this had been ascertained by the Government in
Washington, but that it was not being made known. He said that
Mr. Lippincott had been in Europe and inferred that he had been in
Spain and knew conditions over there. Dr. Cromwell is a man active
in the Methodist Chruch and the local Protestant Mens Club, and it is
easy to see how far this report can be spread. The fact that the
Federal Government indorses the Red Cross makes a statement of an official
representative of that organization almost indisputable.
As a representative the of the Federal Government and as a
citizen interested in truth and World peace and racial and religious
harmony in our own country, I question the advisability of an accredited
representative of the Red Cross giving out this information, even "off
the record". I thought you might be able to check with Mr. Lippincott or his organization.
Yours very truly,
Mary C. Heater
(Mrs. Mary C. Heater, P.M.)
RECORDED
INDEXED
No action necessary
nice one went to our
P.O. office + will be
back - they are
[ILLEGIBLE]
62-83894-137
[FB]
19 NOV 20 1947
HANDLED BY
STOP DESK
lc
2335
53DEC 1 1947
[ILLEGIBLE signature/initials]January 5, 1948
J. Edgar Hoover, Director
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
On January 2nd I received a letter.
It is postmarked Cincinnati, Ohio, and
it bears no return address. Following is
an exact copy of it. I will keep the original
if it is needed at a future date.
1
marion Beuscher ~
In as much as all of
you insist on talking and of
telling of what you are
supposed to be seeing, all of
you must be warned. no -
not warned in the true sense
of the word, but these
things are decidedly not
supposed to be seen.
Please to not mention
anymore.
Government
Rainbow City
Antarctica
add
1/4/48
written
[ILLEGIBLE]
RECORDED
&
INDEXED
34
[62-83[ILLEGIBLE] 138]
[FB]
15 JAN 22 1948
lfc
2-4[ILLEGIBLE]
K
HANDLED BY
STOP DESK[Reverse/back side of page 22, shown mirrored. Body text is bleed-through from obverse and is [ILLEGIBLE]. Stamps readable in mirror:] RECEIVED-LADD F B I [ILLEGIBLE date stamp] HANDLED BY STOP DESK [ILLEGIBLE routing notes]
[In the January, 1948 copy of] "Amazing
Stories" magazine; published by Ziff-Davis
Pub. Co. (one office in Washington, D.C.); my
letter was printed under the heading of "Flying
Saucer Witness" (page 167). Here is a copy of it:
Sirs:
I have just finished reading the
October issue of "Amazing Stories", in which you
ask for "flying saucer" information.
Here is what I know: On June 28,
1947, at 3:43 P.M. my brother saw the flying
saucers - about seven to ten of them - which
flew directly over our house. He said they
went like "blue blazes" - didn't make any
noise and were heading approximately South.
(Rockfield, where my Brother's farm is, is
just 16 miles northwest of Milwaukee.). But
what is really strange is that same afternoon
the discs were seen over Illinois (they must
have been the same ones). This information
was given on June 29th - Sunday - over WGN -
"The Latest News" at 8 to 8:15 A.M. with Charles
Sebastin. He reported that the discs had been
sighted over Illinois the preceding afternoon.
Perhaps the information is valueless
to you. At any rate please keep this confidential.
Our neighbors think we're slightly "queer" to
have seen the discs. (I didn't see them but
I believe my brother.)
I have been following the Shaver
2stories and hope you have many (3
more of them.
marion Beuscher
Menomonee Falls, Wisc.
(Ed. note) The flying saucers are real, and
you can be sure of that! Let your neighbors
think what they will, in a few months
you will be able to prove how good your
brother's eyesight is! Thanks for your
report, and we hope many more readers
send them in. Rough drawings would
also be helpful. - Ed.
The editor had asked for letters from
readers who saw the flying discs, mentioned
so much in the news. Several times the
editor (Ray A. Palmer) has mentioned in
"Amazing Stories" that he has been threatened.
In the same issue (Jan. 1948) on page 162,
is a letter from W. C. Hefferlin, following:
Yes, We Remember!
Sirs:
Enclosed is a news paper clipping, just
one of many items showing up of like nature.
Thumb nail sketches.
Remember the article "Circle-Winged Plane"
as printed by you in "Amazing Stories" maga-
zine, September, 1946, page 157? You have desired
facts and confirmation. Now re-read that
article again, please.
The planes seen at Jolist, Ill., Kansas
3City, Oklahoma, Seattle, etc., were not the (4)
same group of planes but other groups of the
same type, all on a world-wide "mapping expedition".
They are only a few of the many belong-
ing to a world government consisting of all the
oppressed peoples and dominated nations of the
earth, of all colors, races, and creeds.
This government is directed and advised
by an organization headed by "The Ancient
Three, Who were, Who are, Who will be." They,
who at one time over a year ago, sent a
message to you by way [ILLEGIBLE] of us. Their
headquarters is "Rainbow City", Antarctica.
Permission is given to print this letter,
if desired.
W. C. Hefferlin
Ray-Ola Mfg. Co.
Livingston, Mont.
(Ed. note) We print your letter because it is
interesting. We don't know if it is true, naturally.
We do know, however, that the "flying
saucers" are no mirage. As for Rainbow
City, if it's what you say it is, we'd sure like
to pay it a visit. That sort of thing, which is
the Utopia all science-fiction writers have
dreamed about, is just not visible anywhere in
the civilized world. If it exists at the South Pole,
near that warm spot Byrd found, and it
has what you intimate, we'll be waiting for
the saucers to come back and bring peace to this
nasty-minded old planet. Only we wonder how it
4could be done - peace doesn't come by force. Per- (5)
haps the way it will ever be done is to wipe
the slate clean and just start off as veritable cavemen,
shocked to sanity by utter destruction. In that
case, maybe the "last" war is our "last" hope? A
peculiar viewpoint, but it has amazing logic. We
never met the man who could learn how a kick
in the pants feels without getting a kick in the
pants. As for the saucers - maybe you're shoot-
ing in the dark - because your editor knows
what he's talking about there! But even if you are,
we'll forgive you, because your motives are so
obviously of the good kind. Thank you for your
letter. It wasn't really necessary. Our readers have
not forgotten your article - and how they wrote us about it! - Ed.
Please notice where Hefferlin says - "govern-
ment of ... all oppressed peoples ..." They want
all rights and privileges that there are yet
want to deny them to others, especially the freedom
of free speech, as witness from "Rainbow City" telling
me to "keep quiet"! And why did they number
their letter to me "1" - are they intending to
write more?
As my letter is a warning letter with a
threat, and coming through the U.S. mail, I am
sending it to you personally so that it can
be investigated. Please keep this confidential,
since under the circumstances, I do not feel entire-
ly safe.
Thanking you, Very truly yours,
(Miss) Marion Beuscher
604 West Main St.
Menomonee Falls, Wisc.
5January 14, 1948
62-83894-138
RECORDED
Miss Marion Beuscher
604 West Main Street
Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin
Dear Miss Beuscher:
Your letter of January 5, 1948, has been received and I want to thank you for forwarding information to me relating to the subject you mentioned. The facts you related, however, do not reflect any violation of a Federal statute within the investigative jurisdiction of the FBI. The thoughts prompting your communication are indeed appreciated.
Sincerely yours,
John Edgar Hoover
Director
WN:om [ILLEGIBLE]
NOTE: Correspondent reports correspondence she has had with the Ziff-Davis Publishing Company in connection with the "flying saucers" which were observed by her brother. She is of the opinion that this publication may be trying to conceal information related to our Nation's security and she mentions a threat that does not refer injury to person or property.
[Distribution list, bottom left]:
Mr. Tolson
Mr. E. A. Tamm
Mr. Clegg
Mr. Glavin
Mr. Ladd
Mr. Nichols
Mr. Rosen
Mr. Tracy
Mr. Dean
Mr. Gurba
Mr. Harbo
Mr. Mohr
Mr. Pennington
Mr. Quinn Tamm
Tele. Room
Mr. Nease
Miss Gandy
[Stamps]:
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
MAILED 8
JAN 15 1948 P.M.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Jan 15 12 43 PM '48
RECEIVED READING ROOM
F.B.I.
[Bottom]: 00 FEB 5 1948 3/[ILLEGIBLE]Covington Ohio
Jan 29, 1948.
F.B.I.
Washington D.C.
Dear Sirs:
I have done a lot of thinking about those flying discs ever since your operators called at our home. I have figured out a possible solution that I am passing on to you. If you can see the picture as I see it.
If self propelled bombs were made to have [ILLEGIBLE] a few years ago, [ILLEGIBLE] reason [ILLEGIBLE] they could not be made to go 3000 mi[les] [ILLEGIBLE] day[?] If a foreign country were planning to drop a lot of such bombs on our cities, they would want the exact range, and the only way they could get it, it would be to make some tests. I
[Stamps]:
RECORDED
[ILLEGIBLE]
62-83894-139
32 FEB 13 1948
EX-93
[Annotation]: ach 2-5-99(31)
up and off a ways, its course looked like an ellipse to us.
The discs were seen in Texas probably dropped in the Gulf. As their sight improved they no doubt dropped some in various places. The one that was seen down Tenn. way, was no doubt aimed at some lake close to Fort Knox. Maybe something went wrong with that one, is the reason it was so plainly visible. Owing to the fact that your operators called at our remote home at 8:00 P.M. on a Sunday evening and also cautioned us to keep mum. I know that the F.B.I. is doing what they can to get a line on these discs. This may help a little. A few nights ago there was a very bright ring through the moon, when I looked at it thro' the same glasses, I could barely see the ring. So this proves that what(2) if they were to drop a bomb here and let it explode, it would not cause a lot of excitement, and if they dropped one that didn't explode and someone found it, then there would be excitement. So - to avoid this, they pick some point in Lake Erie, let their agents over here, know at what place and time to look for it. If the projectile plunged in the lake, the range finders wouldn't have any way to tell where it dropped, so the projectile must have some sort of tracer. So at a certain distance from the earth some sort of tracer is released, probably something like a pin-wheel fire cracker. It must remain in the sky a while, to give the range finders a fix on what ever you call it. But in order to remain in the sky it must be in motion. So this tracer is made to fly in a circle. Because it was 2
(4)
we saw was something definite.
I think this is serious business. So if this letter helps you in any way, I will be well paid.
Respectfully Yours,
N. J. MARSHALL
N.J. Marshall
Covington, Ohio
R.R. 1.
[Stamps]:
INTERNAL SECURITY
F.B.I.
U.S. DEPT. OF [ILLEGIBLE]
F.B.I.
FEB 3 2 01 PM '48
MR. JONES
4February 5, 1948
RECORDED 62-83894-139
EX-93
Mr. N. J. Marshall
Rural Route One
Covington, Ohio
Dear Mr. Marshall:
Your letter dated January 29, 1948, has been received, and I want to express my appreciation to you for having made known your views concerning the matter you mentioned.
Sincerely yours,
John Edgar Hoover
Director
[Right margin annotation]: G.I.R. 4
rw
[Distribution list, bottom left]:
Mr. Tolson
Mr. E. A. Tamm
Mr. Clegg
Mr. Glavin
Mr. Ladd
Mr. Nichols
Mr. Rosen
Mr. Tracy
Mr. Dean
Mr. Gurba
Mr. Harbo
Mr. Mohr
Mr. Pennington
Mr. Quinn Tamm
Tele. Room
Mr. Nease
Miss Gandy
[Stamps]:
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
MAILED 10
FEB 6 1948 P.M.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
FEB 5 3 22 PM '48
RECEIVED READING ROOM
[Bottom]: 50 FEB 19 1948[Reverse/back side of document, shown mirrored. Body text is bleed-through from obverse and is [ILLEGIBLE]. Stamps readable:] 47 19 [ILLEGIBLE body text - bleed-through from obverse] RECEIVED-LADD F B I FEB 9 5 33 PM '48 COMMUNICATIONS U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE F B I M.A. RECEIVED-MAIL ROOM FEB [6] 1948 11 42 AM [40] [star] FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE [star] INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. [ILLEGIBLE numbers/stamps at bottom] [11 11 30 AM]
Federal Bureau of Investigation
United States Department of Justice
San Francisco 2, California
February 12, 1948
AIR MAIL
PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL Declassified 2010 8/31/[ILLEGIBLE]m
Director, FBI - Attention: Assistant Director D. M. LADD
Re: FLYING DISCS
Security Matter - X
Dear Sir:
I am transmitting herewith for the information of the Bureau copies of an
enclosure dated February 4, 1948 received from Lieutenant Colonel DONALD SPRINGER,
A-2, United States Air Force, Hamilton Air Force Base, California. This enclosure
is a confidential letter addressed to the Commanding Generals of the First, Second,
Fourth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Fourteenth Air Forces, Air Defense Command, from Head-
quarters, Air Defense Command, Mitchel Air Force Base, New York, by command of
Lieutenant General STRATEMEYER. It concerns the investigation of flying discs by
Air Force personnel.
Your attention is particularly called to Paragraph 2, which indicates that
certain reports concerning the investigation of flying discs by Air Force Intelligence
will be reported to the FBI office concerned. Your attention is further called to
Paragraph 2-B, which indicates that "investigations will be coordinated with the
FBI Office concerned........"
Inasmuch as these recent instructions of the Headquarters, Air Defense
Command, Mitchel Air Force Base, New York, are contrary to the instructions con-
tained in Bureau Bulletin No. 57, Series 1947, dated October 1, 1947, in which it
is indicated that all future reports connected with flying discs should be
referred to the Air Force and no investigative action taken by Bureau agents, the
Bureau is requested to advise this office, as well as other interested Bureau
offices, as [to] whether there has been a change in Bureau policy with reference to
the handling of such matters or whether Bureau Bulletin No. 57 dated October 1, 1947
is still in effect.
Very truly yours,
Harry M. Kimball
HARRY M. KIMBALL, SAC
HMK:emb
Enclosure (in duplicate)
[Handwritten margin notes, partially illegible]
A[ILLEGIBLE]
[ILLEGIBLE] to S.F.
[ILLEGIBLE] 2-22-48
[ILLEGIBLE] R.G.F.
[ILLEGIBLE] concurred with [ILLEGIBLE] of [ILLEGIBLE]
COPIES DESTROYED
R70 NOV 18 1964
RECORDED
& INDEXED
EX-116
62-83894-140
[FB]
15 [MAR] [ILLEGIBLE] 1948
5-R7
K[Reverse/back side of page 35, shown mirrored. Body text is bleed-through from obverse and is [ILLEGIBLE]. Stamps readable:] RECEIVED-LADD F B I FEB 16 11 18 AM '48 [ILLEGIBLE additional stamps and routing marks]
CONFIDENTIAL
Headquarters
Air Defense Command
Mitchel Air Force Base, New York
4 February 1948
D 333.5 (CIB)
SUBJECT: Investigation and Reporting of "Flying Disc" Incidents
TO: Commanding Generals, First, Second, Fourth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Fourteenth
Air Forces, Air Defense Command
ATTN: AC of S, A-2
1. The numbered air forces of this command are responsible for the prompt
investigation and reporting of incidents relating to "flying discs" which occur
within their respective areas. Numbered air force A-2s, after evaluating disc
incidents, will determine the extent of investigation. Futile expenditure of military
funds and manpower must be avoided.
2. "Flying discs" will be investigated as provided for in Counter Intelli-
gence Incident Cases, taking cognizance of the USAF Operating Intelligence Echelon
structure. Where it is evident that witnesses, who were together at the time of
incident but who are widely separated at the time of investigation would corroborate
each other's story, only one witness need be interrogated. If there is a reasonable
indication that a reported incident is a hoax or the fabrication of a publicity
seeking individual, no further investigative effort will be expended. However, a
report of such circumstances will be submitted to the FBI office concerned.
a. CIC personnel attached to the numbered air forces of this command
may be utilized to prosecute the investigation of subject incidents.
b. Investigations will be coordinated with the FBI Office concerned
in accordance with instructions contained in letter, this headquarters, D 333.3 EX,
subject, "Cooperation of FBI with AAF on Investigation of 'Flying Disc' Incidents,"
3 September 1947.
3. Reports will be narrative in style and will cover only those facts
pertinent to the subject. Where source credibility cannot be established, or when
an incident lacks foundation, the report will merely state same. Two types of report
will be submitted on all incidents.
a. Spot Reports (fragmentary reports) will be submitted on all incidents
and will be followed by a Letter Report.
b. Letter Reports will be submitted to report the completed investigation
of all "flying disc" incidents.
4. Reports will be submitted in duplicate promptly, usually be regular
mail. However, Spot reports on incidents of substantial character, i. e., those in
which the patent credibility of the witness is beyond challenge and whose [technical
ENCLOSURE
62-83894-140backgro[und] is compatible with his observations of an occurrence obviously not atmo-
spheric or celestial phenomena, may be transmitted by TWX. Reports will be submitted
directly to Headquarters, USAF, ATTN: Directorate of Intelligence, Air Intelligence
Requirements Branch. One informational copy of each report submitted will be for-
warded to this command, ATTN: AC of S, Intelligence. Reports will be classified at
least CONFIDENTIAL.
BY COMMAND OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL STRATEMEYER:
RICHARD W. GEUSS
Captain, USAF
Actg Asst Adj GenSAC, San Francisco February 20, 1948
Director, FBI
62-83894-140
RECORDED FLYING DISCS
EX-116 SECURITY MATTER - X
Reference is made to your letter in the captioned matter dated
February 12, 1948.
You are advised that Bureau Bulletin No. 57 dated October 1,
1947, still applies with respect to flying discs. The Bureau is conducting
no investigations concerning flying discs. We will, however, give the Air
Forces any information which comes to our attention and will receive any
information which the Air Forces volunteer.
The Headquarters of the Air Forces in Washington are being contacted
by the Bureau in order to insure that there is no misunderstanding as to the
Bureau's position in this matter.
RGF:rb
Mr. Tolson
Mr. E. A. Tamm
Mr. Clegg
Mr. Glavin
Mr. Ladd
Mr. Nichols
Mr. Tracy
Mr. Rosen
Mr. Egan
Mr. Gurnas
Mr. Hendon
Mr. Pennington
Mr. Quinn Tamm
Mr. Mohr
Mr. Pennington
Mr. Quinn Tamm
Tele. Room
Mr. Nease
Miss Gandy
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
MAILED 2
[star] FEB 21 1949 P.M.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
53 MAR 8 1948
[Signatures/initials]
R7[Reverse/back side of page 39, shown mirrored. Body text is bleed-through from obverse and is [ILLEGIBLE]. Stamps readable:] FBI U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE RECEIVED-MAIL ROOM FEB 21 2 04 PM '48 MAR 2 1948 [ILLEGIBLE additional text and routing marks]
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum . UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Mr. Ladd DATE: 3/1/48
FROM : V. P. Keay [signature]
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS
SECURITY MATTER - X
Mr. Tolson
Mr. E. A. Tamm
Mr. Clegg
Mr. Coffey
Mr. Glavin
Mr. Ladd
Mr. Nichols
Mr. Rosen
Mr. Tracy
Mr. [ILLEGIBLE]
Mr. Egan
Mr. Gurnas
Mr. Hendon
Mr. Pennington
Mr. Quinn Tamm
Tele. Room
Mr. Nease
Miss [ILLEGIBLE]
Reference is made to a memorandum to you from Mr. J. P. Coyne
in the above-captioned matter dated February 19, 1948. The memorandum
indicated that the San Francisco Field Division had received a letter from
the headquarters of the Air Defense Command, Mitchel Air Force Base, New York,
dated February 4, 1948, entitled, "Investigation and Reporting of 'Flying Disc'
Incidents." This communication indicated that investigations should be
coordinated with the FBI.
The Agent in Charge of the San Francisco Field Division inquired as
to a change in policy regarding the investigation of flying discs. A letter
was forwarded to San Francisco advising them that there had been no change in
the Bureau's policy. This matter has been discussed by Special Agent S. W.
Reynolds of the Liaison Section with Lieutenant Colonel C. P. Martin of the
Intelligence Division of the Air Force. Colonel Martin advised Mr. Reynolds
that apparently the Air Defense Command at Mitchel Field was not aware of the
fact that the Bureau was no longer conducting investigations regarding flying
discs. He stated that he would take the necessary action and straighten out
the Air Defense Command as to the present policy regarding incidents of
flying discs.
SWR:md
RECORDED 62-83A94-141pp
F B I
29 MAR 9 1948
5-60
[Handwritten: Nactury]
51 MAR 16 1948[Reverse/back side of page 41, shown mirrored. Body text is bleed-through from obverse and is [ILLEGIBLE]. Stamps readable:] RECEIVED-LADD F.B.I. Mar 1 11 15 AM '48 INTERNAL SECURI[TY] F.B.I. 1 149 PM RECEIVED [ILLEGIBLE additional routing marks]
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum . UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Mr. D. M. Ladd DATE: February 19, 1948
FROM : J. P. Coyne [signature]
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS
SECURITY MATTER - X
[Handwritten: handled separately]
Mr. Tolson
Mr. E. A. Tamm
Mr. Clegg
Mr. Coffey
Mr. Glavin
Mr. Ladd
Mr. Nichols
Mr. Tracy
Mr. Rosen
Mr. [ILLEGIBLE]
Mr. Egan
Mr. Gurnas
Mr. Hendon
Mr. Pennington
Mr. Quinn Tamm
Tele. Room
Mr. Nease
Miss Gandy
The attached letter from the San Francisco Field Division
dated February 12, 1948, raises the question as to whether there has
been a change in policy concerning the investigation of flying discs.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the information contained in the attached
letter be discussed by the Liaison Section with the Air Forces.
ACTION:
A letter is attached to San Francisco advising them that there
has been no change in Bureau policy.
RGF:rb
RECORDED 62-83A94-142
F B I
EX-39 29 MAR 9 1948
5-[ILLEGIBLE]
[Handwritten: C.R.4]
51 MAR 16 1948
51 MAR 1[ILLEGIBLE]
HANDLED BY
STOP [ILLEGIBLE][Reverse/back side of page 43, shown mirrored. Body text is bleed-through from obverse and is [ILLEGIBLE]. Stamps readable:] FBI U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE RECEIVED-LADD FEB 20 1 38 PM '48 [ILLEGIBLE additional routing marks]
STYLES BRIDGES, N. H., CHAIRMAN
CHAN GURNEY, S. DAK.
C. WAYLAND BROOKS, ILL.
CLYDE M. REED, KANS.
JOSEPH H. BALL, MINN.
HOMER FERGUSON, MICH.
KENNETH S. WHERRY, NEBR.
GUY CORDON, OREG.
LEVERETT SALTONSTALL, MASS.
MILTON R. YOUNG, N. DAK.
WILLIAM F. KNOWLAND, CALIF.
HENRY C. DWORSHAK, IDAHO
KENNETH McKELLAR, TENN.
CARL HAYDEN, ARIZ.
ELMER THOMAS, OKLA.
MILLARD E. TYDINGS, MD.
RICHARD B. RUSSELL, GA.
PAT McCARRAN, NEV.
JOHN H. OVERTON, LA.
JOSEPH C. O'MAHONEY, WYO.
THEODORE FRANCIS GREEN, R. I.
EVERARD H. SMITH, CLERK
CECIL H. TOLBERT, ASST. CLERK
United States Senate
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
March 22, 1948
Honorable J. Edgar Hoover, Director
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Department of Justice
Washington 25, D. C.
Dear Mr. Hoover:
Attached you will find letter which may or
may not be of interest to your office. However, I
felt it should be passed on to you for whatever the
information is worth.
Kindly return my constituent's letter
although if you wish you make a copy of it.
Cordially yours,
Kenneth S. Wherry
KENNETH S. WHERRY
KSW:emn-3
Enc.
[Handwritten: Flying Discs]
X
encl
1
K
RECORDED
&
INDEXED
109
62-83894-143
31 MAR 27 1948
[Handwritten notes at bottom left, partially illegible]
[Handwritten: File our [ILLEGIBLE]]
HANDLED BY
STOP [ILLEGIBLE]C
O
P
Y
Benkelman, Nebraska
March 14, 1948
Mr. Kenneth Wherry
United States Senate
Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. Wherry:
On March 13 at 2:30, M.S.T. o'clock in
the afternoon I witnessed a strange sight in the
sky traveling at a very high rate of speed at a
very high altitude.
I was first attracted to this sight by
a noise of motor or whatever it was. It sound[ed]
to me like that of a train rumbling in the distance
of from 10 to 12 miles on a still day.
At first glance it looked like it might
be a vapor trail left by a high flying plane. But
the white streak that was in the sky never changed
its shape or did it change in the direction of travel.
It traveled much faster than any plane I
have seen traveling in sky high enough to leave vapor
trail.
As near as I can describe this sight was
that it might appear to be a stream lined train
traveling at a very high altitude at very high rate
of speed.
This rocket or whatever it might have been
was high enough to disappear from sight while it
was yet very far above the horizon.
I am not writing this so that it might
seem to be another disc, fan or whatever you might
call them. I just saw this and it has been on my
mind and I thought if there was anything that I
could be of help to solve this thing I would write
this to you and you can forward this to the proper
Dept. if it is necessary. Thanking you kindly
Yours Truly
HANDLED BY
/s/ Kenneth L. Frasier STOP [ILLEGIBLE]
P.S.
ENCLOSURE 62-83894-143 1
This object was traveling from east to west. It
looked like it might have traveled over Denver,C
O
P
Y
KENNETH L. FRAZIER
Colo. or a little to the south.
I live almost due east about 180 mi. by
air and I looked to the south a little to be able to
get sight of object.
This object was also witnessed by my son
who was with me at the time.
I saw the smoke cloud left by so called
meteor which exploded over at Norton, Kans. This
object was not a bright ball of fire like it was.
The silver streak in the sky traveled as
if it were a long connected streak. This did not
resemble a line of smoke left by a train traveling
along it moved altogether as a unit. If it is not
against any regulation and if possible would like to
have answer to this object.
C
O
P
YMarch 24, 1948
RECORDED 62-83894-143
109
Honorable Kenneth S. Wherry
United States Senate
Washington, D. C.
My dear Senator:
Your letter of March 22, 1948,
with enclosure, has been received. Since
the subject matter mentioned in your con-
stituent's letter is not within the scope
of authority of this Bureau, I have taken
the liberty of forwarding a copy of his
letter and yours to the Secretary of the
Army, National Defense Building, Washing-
ton, D. C., for his information. Your
thoughtfulness in bringing this to my
attention is indeed appreciated. I am
enclosing a copy of my letter to Mr.
Frasier which I thought you might like
to have for your files, together with his
letter.
With expressions of my highest
esteem and best regards,
Sincerely yours,
J. Edgar Hoover
Enclosure
Incoming from Frasier and copy of our letter to him.
VWP:jec
Mr. Tolson
Mr. E. A. Tamm
Mr. Clegg
Mr. [ILLEGIBLE]
Mr. Glavin
Mr. Ladd
Mr. Nichols
Mr. Tracy
Mr. Rosen
Mr. Egan
Mr. Gurnas
Mr. Hendon
Mr. Pennington
Mr. Quinn Tamm
Tele. Room
Mr. Nease
Miss Gandy
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
MAILED 3
[star] MAR 25 1948 P.M.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
[Signatures/initials]
unel[Reverse/back side of document. Text is bleed-through from front (mirrored/reversed). Two routing labels pasted in middle area.] March 24, 1948 [bleed-through, mirrored] RECORDED [bleed-through, mirrored] [Routing label 1 - pasted slip, partially obscured]: [ILLEGIBLE] [Routing label 2 - pasted slip, partially obscured]: [ILLEGIBLE] [Bleed-through body text, mirrored/reversed - illegible] [Bottom stamps, bleed-through mirrored]: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION COMMUNICATIONS SECTION RECEIVED-MAIL ROOM MAR 25 6 42 PM 48 U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE F B I FILED 3 MAR 25 1948 [ILLEGIBLE]
March 24, 1948
RECORDED 62-83894-143
107 Mr. Kenneth L. Frasier
Benkelman, Nebraska
Dear Mr. Frasier:
Your letter dated March 14, 1948,
to the Honorable Kenneth S. Wherry, United
States Senator, has been referred to me for
attention. Since the matter you mentioned
is not within the scope of authority of this
Bureau, I have taken the liberty of furnish-
ing a copy of your communication to the
Secretary of the Army, National Defense
Building, Washington, D. C., and in the
event you have any additional information,
it is suggested you may desire to communicate
with him.
Sincerely yours,
J. Edgar Hoover
John Edgar Hoover
Director
CC: Senator Wherry - Under separate cover.
Name of town per Postal Guide
✓
VWP:jec
[jec]
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
MAILED 3
★ MAR 25 1948 P.M.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
[Left margin routing list]:
Mr. Tolson ___
Mr. L. A. Tamm ___
Mr. Clegg ___
Mr. Glavin ___
Mr. Ladd ___
Mr. Nichols ___
Mr. Rosen ___
Mr. Tracy ___
Mr. Kane ___
Mr. Gurnes ___
Mr. Harbo ___
Mr. Pennington ___
Mr. Quinn Tamm ___
Tele. Room ___
Mr. [ILLEGIBLE] ___
Miss Gandy ___
41 7 1APR 7-1948 [initials] wuuf[Reverse/back side of document. Text is bleed-through from front (mirrored/reversed).] RECORDED [bleed-through, mirrored] Mr. Kenneth L. Frasier Benkelman, Nebraska [bleed-through, mirrored] Dear Mr. Frasier: [bleed-through, mirrored] [Letter body - bleed-through, mirrored, largely illegible] Sincerely yours, [bleed-through, mirrored] John Edgar Hoover Director [bleed-through, mirrored] CC: Senator Wherry - Under separate cover. [bleed-through, mirrored] [Bottom stamps, bleed-through mirrored]: COMMUNICATIONS SECTION RECEIVED-MAIL ROOM MAR 25 6 42 PM 48 U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE F B I RECEIVED 7 1APR 7-1949 [ILLEGIBLE]
STYLES BRIDGES, N. H., CHAIR[MAN]
CHAN GURNEY, S. DAK.
C. WAYLAND BROOKS, ILL.
CLYDE M. REED, KANS.
JOSEPH H. BALL, MINN.
HOMER FERGUSON, MICH.
KENNETH S. WHERRY, NEBR.
GUY CORDON, OREG.
LEVERETT SALTONSTALL, MASS.
MILTON R. YOUNG, N. DAK.
WILLIAM F. KNOWLAND, CALIF.
HENRY C. DWORSHAK, IDAHO
EVERARD H. SMITH, CLERK
CECIL H. TOLBERT, ASST. CLERK
KENNETH MC[ILLEGIBLE]
CARL HAYDEN[ILLEGIBLE]
ELMER THOM[ILLEGIBLE]
MILLARD E. T[ILLEGIBLE]
RICHARD B. R[ILLEGIBLE]
PAT McCARRAN, NEV.
JOHN H. OVERTON, LA.
JOSEPH C. O'MAHONEY, WYO.
THEODORE FRANCIS GREEN, R. I.
United States Senate
COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
April 1, 1948
The Honorable J. Edgar Hoover
Federal Bureau of Investigation
United States Department of Justice
Washington 25, D. C.
Dear Mr. Hoover:
Thank you very much for forwarding
Mr. Kenneth L. Frasier's letter to the proper
authorities. Your cooperation in this instance
was deeply appreciated.
Cordially yours
[signature] Kenneth S. Wherry
KENNETH S. WHERRY
KSW:f*
[Left margin handwritten]: N.M. reply to / Flying Discs / o / [ILLEGIBLE]
RECORDED 62-83894- 144
&
EX-103 INDEXED 34 APR 9 1948
41 FBI
322
50 APR 19 1948
[Bottom right handwritten]: [ILLEGIBLE]Federal Bureau of Investigation
United States Department of Justice
Post Office Box 1850
Atlanta 1, Georgia
August 10, 1948
AIRMAIL SPECIAL DELIVERY
Director, FBI
RE: MRS. MADELINE GWYNN MERCHANT;
INFORMATION CONCERNING
[handwritten:] FLYING DISCS
Dear Sir:
Transmitted herewith for the Bureau's information are
copies of a letter, together with enclosure, from the above
captioned individual. Inasmuch as there is no record in this
office concerning captioned person, no reply has been made to
instant letter, with the thought the Bureau may desire to acknowledge instant communication or communicate further concerning
the matter with the Dallas Office.
For the information of the Bureau and the Dallas and
San Antonio Offices, the clippings referred to are transmitted
herewith to the Bureau, Dallas and San Antonio Offices, it being
noted that Wichita Falls is covered by Dallas and Fort Sam Houston is covered by the San Antonio Office.
Very truly yours,
[signature] Edwin J. Foltz
EDWIN J. FOLTZ
SAC
Enclosures - 5
cc-Dallas (Enc-3) AMSD
cc-San Antonio (Enc-3) AMSD
EJF:SL
RECORDED- 61
[ILLEGIBLE] 62-83894- 145
INDEXED 61 F B I
11 AUG 12 1948
[Left lower margin handwritten]:
mrs [ILLEGIBLE]
acued 8/10/48
has woman met
No action
ok 61 AUG 20 19[48]
5 ENCL [handwritten]
ENCL 61 [?] ARCHD
K [handwritten]
[Right side stamps]:
RECEIVED
AUG [ILLEGIBLE][Reverse/back side of document. Text is bleed-through from front (mirrored/reversed).] Federal Bureau of Investigation United States Department of Justice [bleed-through, mirrored] Post Office Box 1850 Atlanta 1, Georgia August 10, 1948 [bleed-through, mirrored] AIRMAIL SPECIAL DELIVERY [bleed-through, mirrored] [Letter body - bleed-through, mirrored, largely illegible] Very truly yours, [bleed-through, mirrored] EDWIN J. FOLTZ SAC [bleed-through, mirrored] Enclosures - 5 cc-Dallas (Enc-3) AMSD cc-San Antonio (Enc-3) AMSD [bleed-through, mirrored] EJF:SL [bleed-through, mirrored] [Bottom stamps]: U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE F B I INTERNAL SECURITY SN AUG 17 9 30 AM [194]8 RECEIVED 11 AUG 12 [ILLEGIBLE] [Additional handwritten notations - largely illegible]
[Cardboard folder/cover page] [Metal brad fasteners at top center] EMPTY 11-18-64 [handwritten] Older #[ILLEGIBLE]
[C Form No. 10-513 (Rev 1 Aug 46)] WF-L-25 NOV 47 100M
[Top right box]: DECLASSIFIED
Authority:
NND 90986
[SAVE CONSERVATION FUND logo/seal]
HEADQUARTERS
AIR MATERIEL COMMAND
IN REPLY ADDRESS BOTH
COMMUNICATION AND EN-
VELOPE TO COMMANDING
GENERAL AIR MATERIEL
COMMAND, ATTENTION
FOLLOWING OFFICE SYMBOL:
MCIAXO-3
MCIAXO-3/FWA/aw
Wright-Patterson AF Base
[ILLEGIBLE]
9 September 1948
[Handwritten]: 3B-CO
L-32
17
Director
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Department of Justice
Washington, D. C.
ATTN: FBI Laboratory
[Handwritten]: BC-23142
SUBJECT: Project "SIGN"
Gentlemen:
Accompanying this letter is a small sample of soil. This
soil was taken from a depression reputed to have been caused
by a "flying saucer" described as being approximately two feet
in diameter and one foot thick which supposedly settled gently
to the ground, rebounded to a height of about twenty feet and
then continued on its journey. Although the declivity was immedi-
ately covered by a large washtub a heavy rain subsequently filled
the depression about one/third full of water before any sample of
dirt could be taken.
In an effort to approach this incident objectively to deter-
mine every possible clue, it has been deemed advisable to have
this soil sample analyzed and tested. Upon inquiry, your Dayton
representative stated that the FBI Laboratory would accomplish
the required tests.
RECORDED-1 [62]-83894-146
It is the desire of this Headquarters to ascertain, in parti-
cular, if there are traces of unusual elements or alloys adhering
to the surface of the particles, or if any abnormality in structure
31
exists showing that the soil was subjected to intense heat, gases
or radio-active substances, etc. Unfortunately, in this regard,
no one thought to forward a sample of the [ILLEGIBLE] surrounding the de-
pression so no comparison of soils can be made at this time. Should
the subsequent test show anything unusual some arrangement could be
made to procure some of the surrounding soil so that a comparative
analysis could be made. The accompanying sample has not been test-
ed by any other agency, nor will it be.
[Bottom left handwritten]:
Achou A-32
9/17/48
[ILLEGIBLE] Reg Law [ILLEGIBLE]
[Bottom stamp]:
COPIES DESTROYED
270 NOV 18 1964
[Bottom center stamps/notations]:
COPY NO. [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] OBTAINED BY LAB
[ILLEGIBLE] Schrpf 9/17/48 [ILLEGIBLE]
[Bottom right handwritten]: Recipient 9/[ILLEGIBLE]/48
R#G.
Confidential [struck through at bottom]Confidential [struck through at top]
Project "SIGN" 9 Sept 1948
Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation
In the event the tests show nothing warranting further investiga-
tion you may dispose of the sample. The report should be addressed
to this Command marked for the attention of MCIAXO-3. This Division
will appreciate your cooperation in this matter.
Very truly yours,
[signature] James J. Hausman
for W. R. CLINGERMAN Lt Col USAF
Colonel, USAF
Chief, Technical Intelligence
Division
Intelligence Department
Incl
2
Confidential [struck through at bottom]REPORT
of the
F-B-I
LABORATORY
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
WASHINGTON D. C.
To: October 7, 1948
Commanding General
Air Materiel Command
Wright-Patterson AF Base
Dayton, Ohio Attention: MCIAXO-3
There follows the report of the FBI Laboratory on the examination
Re: of evidence received from your office on September [ILLEGIBLE] 1948.
[signature] Hoover
John Edgar Hoover, Director
YOUR FILE NO.
FBI FILE NO.
LAB. NO.
Examination requested by[ILLEGIBLE]:
Examination of Soil
Reference:
Examination requested: RECORDED- 98 62-83894 -146
PC-23142 CO
Specimens: Addressee
Letter dated September 9, 1948
Microscopic (Petrographic-Geologic)
Q1 Sample of soil.
Results of Examination:
The sample of soil designated as specimen Q1 consisted of various sized
pebbles, sand and dirt. This material was examined for the presence of unusual
elements or alloys adhering to the surface of the particles, evidence of intense
heat and radioactive substances.
Nothing unusual was noted on the pebbles or in the sand and dirt that
would indicate a metallic object had rubbed or scraped against this sample. No
abnormality was noted in the structure of the various pebbles and rocks, nor
was there any indication of extreme heat or the presence of radioactive sub-
stances.
EVIDENTIARY DIVISION
OCT 7 1948 P.M.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
The specimen designated as Q1 will be returned to your office under
separate cover by registered mail.
[Left margin routing list]:
Mr. Tolson ___
Mr. E. A. Tamm ___
Mr. Clegg ___
Mr. Glavin ___
Mr. Ladd ___
Mr. Nichols ___
Mr. Rosen ___
Mr. Tracy ___
Mr. Kane ___
Mr. Gurnes ___
Mr. Harbo ___
Mr. Pennington ___
Mr. Quinn Tamm ___
Tele. Room ___
Mr. [ILLEGIBLE] ___
Miss Gandy ___
5 1OCT 12 1948
RHJ/mek
[Bottom initials/signatures - illegible]L-40
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Laboratory Work Sheet
RECORDED
9/22/48
kag
Re: Project "SIGN" File # [xxx] 62-83894-146 ✓
Examination of Soil. Lab. # PC-23142 CO
Examination requested by: Commanding General, Air Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson
XXX AF Base, Dayton, Ohio Attention: MCIAXO-3
Date of reference communication: letter 9/9 Date received: 9/17
Evid. 9/14 Reg.1171535
Examination requested: Micro (Petrographic-Geologic)
Result of Examination: Examination by: JEVONS
9/30/48
Specimens submitted for examination [handwritten]: Returned
KAG 10/12/48
Q1, Sample of soil.
[Handwritten]:
Consisted of various sized pebbles,
Sand & dirt. Most of the larger
pieces were examined individually
for presences of metal adhering
to them. Nothing unusual noted
on the pebbles or in the sand &
dirt - Structure, normal. No indication
of extreme heat. Does not activate
Geiger Counter on X-Ray Spectrometer.
COPIES DESTROYED
270 NOV 18 1964[Top right]: L-40
Records Section [handwritten]
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Laboratory Work Sheet
RECORDED
9/22/48
kag
Re: Project "SIGN" File # [xxx] 62-83894-146 ✓
Examination of Soil. Lab. # PC-23142 CO
Examination requested by: Commanding General, Air Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson
XXX AF Base, Dayton, Ohio Attention: MCIAXO-3
Date of reference communication: letter 9/9 Date received: 9/17
Evid. 9/14 Reg.1171535
Examination requested: Micro (Petrographic-Geologic)
Result of Examination: Examination by: JEVONS
[Handwritten]: Returned 10/18/48 Reg. Mail.
Specimens submitted for examination
Q1, Sample of soil.
[Bottom left stamp]:
52 NOV 2 1948
[Bottom right signature/initials - illegible]609 Conkling Valley City, N.D. Oct. 15, 1948 F.B.I. Washington, D.C. Dear Sir: I trust that whoever reads this will do more than just toss it in a waste basket! [handwritten notation lower left:] O flying discs [handwritten notation lower left:] [ILLEGIBLE] [stamp lower right:] RECORDED - 51 62-83894-147 F B I 23 OCT 22 1948 [handwritten initials/signatures at bottom of card]
RECEIVED Nov 23 3 19 PM '48 INTERNAL SECURITY F B I U. S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE [reverse/back side of greeting card — handwritten letter text visible in faint bleed-through, largely ILLEGIBLE]
October 19, 1948
RECORDED - 51
INDEXED - 51
62-83894-147
EX-49
Mrs. R. B. Holiday
609 Conkling
Valley City, North Dakota
Dear Mrs. Holiday:
Your letter dated October 15, 1948, has been
received and I do want to thank you for the patriotic
motives which prompted you to make available your
thoughts concerning the subject you mentioned.
Sincerely yours,
John Edgar Hoover
Director
FHV:mh
[stamp:] COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
MAILED 13
★ OCT 20 1948 P.M.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
[routing slip notations:]
Mr. Tolson
Mr. Clegg
Mr. Glavin
Mr. Ladd
Mr. Nichols
Mr. Rosen
Mr. Tracy
Mr. Egan
Mr. Gurnea
Mr. Harbo
Mr. Mohr
Mr. Pennington
Mr. Quin Tamm
Tele. Room
Mr. Nease
Miss Gandy
[stamp:] 5 1 NOV 24 1948[Reverse/carbon copy of October 19, 1948 Hoover letter to Mrs. R. B. Holiday — mirror image bleed-through, text largely ILLEGIBLE] [stamp lower left, reversed:] COMMUNICATIONS SECTION MAILED 13 OCT 20 1948 P.M. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE [stamp lower right, reversed:] RECEIVED-LADD Oct 21 3 45 PM '48 U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I
L-26
[Notice of Contents from]
[FEDERAL] BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
[WA]SHINGTON, D. C.
Date October 7, 1948 Case References 62-83894; Project "SIGN"
Consigned to: Commanding General Examination of Soil
Air Materiel Command
Wright-Patterson AF Base
Dayton, Ohio Attention: MCIAXO-3
List of Contents
PO-23142 CO
Mr. Harbo, 7641 ____
Mr. Conrad, 7142 ____
Mr. Downing, 6228 1B ____
Mr. Sizoo, 7601 ____
Mr. Baughman, 7121 ____
[stamp:] COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
MAILED 1
☆ OCT 18 1948 P.M.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
REGISTERED
797699
62-83894
REGISTEREDMAIL
[handwritten:] 10/18/48
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: Mail Room, place date of shipment and registry number; Shipping Room, show
date of shipment and initial [ILLEGIBLE] invoice; then return it to person whose name is checked in column at
right. After this checked name has been initialled, invoice should be placed in administrative file.FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
DEC 28 1948
[ILLEGIBLE]
TELETYPE
[handwritten:] T. Fletcher
[handwritten:] N.A.-A
8.45P
[routing notations:]
Mr. Tolson
Mr. Clegg
Mr. Glavin
Mr. Ladd
Mr. Nichols
X Mr. Rosen
Mr. Tracy
Mr. Egan
Mr. Gurna
Mr. Harbo
Mr. Mohr
Mr. Pennington
Mr. Quinn Tamm
Mr. Nease
Miss Gandy
FBI, LOS ANGELES 12-28-48 5-35
DIRECTOR AND SACS HOUSTON, CINCINNATI URGENT
ATTENTION INSPECTOR HOWARD FLETCHER
FLYING DISK, LONNIE EDWARD NOACK COMPLAINT. RE HOUSTON TELETYPE
DEC. TWENTY EIGHT. MR. R.C. PERSONS, VASCO [REDACTED] ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING
COMPANY, LA, PRESENTLY IN ARIZONA, EXACT WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN TO HIS
OFFICE, EXPECTED TO CALL MORNING OF DEC. TWENTY NINE. MR. NATHAN
SMITH, SMITH MANUFACTURING COMPANY, SOUTH PASADENA, CALIF. ADVISED HE
AND PERSONS PURCHASED AIRPORT IN MOJAVE DESERT NEAR HELENDALE,
CALIF. STATED THAT IN EARLY PART OF DEC. EXACT DATE UNKNOWN, PERSONS
ADVISED HIM HE HAD FOUND A FLYING DISK ON THEIR AIRPORT. MR. AND MRS.
SMITH, PERSONS, AND LONNIE NOACK PROCEEDED TO AIRPORT WHERE THEY
LOCATED DISK, TOOK PICTURES OF IT AND REMOVED [REDACTED] PORTIONS
OF DISK, NOACK RETAINING SOME PARTS AND SMITH KEEPING
SOME PORTIONS WHICH ARE STILL IN HIS POSSESSION. SMITH ADVISED
THAT DAY AFTER LOCATING THE DISK AN EMPLOYEE OBSERVED PARTS RETAINED
BY SMITH, AND STATED HE BELIEVED THE OBJECT HAD BEEN MANUFACTURED
BY OLSEN AND RICE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, TOY MANUFACTURERS LA. SMITH
STATED HE THEN CONTACTED OLSEN AND RICE WHO STATED THEY WERE FIN-
ANCING CLAUDE LEROY WOLFERT LA IN DEVELOPING A KITE FOR [REDACTED] SALE
ON OPEN MARKET AS A TOY. SMITH STATED HE HAD PREVIOUSLY GIVEN
OLSEN AND RICE PERSMISSION TO USE HIS PRIVATE AIRPORT AT ANY TIME.
OLSEN AND RICE TOLD SMITH THEY HAD TAKEN EXPERIMENTAL KITES TO SMITHS
END PAGE ONE
RECORDED-68
INDEXED-68
62-83894-148
F B I
6 DEC 30 1948
60 JAN 5 1949
EX-28[Reverse/back of page 66 — mirror image bleed-through of teletype, text largely ILLEGIBLE] [stamp, visible:] RECEIVED - FLETCHER DEC 28 8 43 PM 4B
PAGE TWO AIRPORT AND UPON DETERMING KITES NOT PRACTICAL HAD ABANDONED THE PROJECT. SMITH STATED HE HAD TAKEN SIXTEEN MM PICTURES WHICH ARE PRESENTLY BEING DEVELOPED. STATED WOULD MAKE PICTURES AND PARTS FROM OBJECT AVAILABLE TO THIS OFFICE. SMITH DESCRIBED OBJECT AS APPROXIMATELY SIX FEET IN DIA- METER, CONSISTING OF DISK MOUNTED ON AXEL WITH BEARINGS, WINGS ON EITHER SIDE, TAIL SURFACE SUPPORTED ON BOOMS, CUP MOUNTED ON EACH WING TIP RESEMBLING ROCKET POWER CONTAINERS. SMITH STATED DID NOT OBSERVE ANY CHEMICAL OR OTHER MATTERIAL IN CONTAINERS WHICH COULD BE USED AS SELF PROPELLING FORCE. MR. HENRY T. RICE OF OLSEN AND RICE MAN- UFACTURING COMPANY ADVISED CLAUDE LEROY WOLFERT FINANCED BY THEIR COMPANY IN DEVELOPING TOY KITE, THAT WOLFERT HAD PROACHED IDEA OF MAKING LARGE MODEL TO BE USED AS TOW TARGET FOR AIRPLANES BUT RICE DECIDED THAT HE MAKE ONLY KITE SUITABLE FOR SALE AS TOYS. [REDACTED] HOWEVER, WOLFERT MADE LARGE MODEL APPROXIMATELY SIX FEET IN DIAMETER, WEIGHING FIFTY POUNDS, WHICH TOGETHER WITH OTHER MODEL HAD BEEN FLOWN IN DC THREE OWNED BY OLSEN AND RICE TO PRIVATE AIRPORT OF [REDACTED] PERSONS AND SMITH. RICE COULD NOT RECALL EXACT DATE, BUT [REDACTED] STATED [REDACTED] IT WAS IN EARLY PART OF DEC. RICE STATED DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED IN FLIGHT OF KITE, AND THAT IN VIEW OF SIZE OF LARGE MODEL IT WAS NECESSARY TO TOW IT BEHIND PLANE TO OBSERVE FLIGHT. STATED MODEL CRASHED AND OLSEN AND RICE ABANDONED EXPERIMENT LEAVING AIRPORT WITH WOLFERT REMAINING BE- HIND TO CONDUCT FURTHER EXPERIMENTS. RICE STATED DID NOT KNOW THAT WOL- FERT HAD LEFT THE LARGE MODEL AT THIS AIRPORT UNTIL ADVISED BY SMITH END PAGE TWO
[Reverse/back of page 68 — mirror image bleed-through of teletype, text largely ILLEGIBLE] [stamp, visible:] RECEIVED - FLETCHER DEC 28 8 43 PM 4B
[stamp at top, inverted:] RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT
Dec 28 7 03 PM '48
F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
PAGE THREE
THAT THEY HAD FOUND THE OBJECT. CONTACT WILL BE MADE WITH SMITH, RICE,
AND WOLFERT, TO SECURE PHOTOGRAPHS AND SAMPLES. BUREAU WILL BE ADVISED.
HOOD
END
A IN ORDER
PLS
A 7-45 PM OK FBI WASH DC WJR
HHBVUMMVBEH
HOMR OK FBI HO UICF
CI OK FBI CI JW
CISCRECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT Dec 28 7 47 PM '48 F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE [Reverse/back of page 70 — mirror image bleed-through of teletype page three, text largely ILLEGIBLE] [stamp, visible:] RECEIVED - FLETCHER DEC 28 8 43 PM 4B
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : MR. D. M. LADD DATE: December 28, 1948
FROM : H. B. FLETCHER
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS
[routing notations:]
Mr. Tolson
Mr. Clegg
Mr. Glavin
Mr. Ladd
Mr. Nichols
Mr. Rosen
Mr. Tracy
Mr. Egan
Mr. Gurnea
Mr. Harbo
Mr. Mohr
Mr. Pennington
Mr. Quinn Tamm
Mr. Nease
Miss Holmes
Miss Gandy
At 10:00 a.m. today, SAC Willis, Houston, called in and stated
that Fuller Blackwell, a business man in Houston, Texas, had furnished
certain pictures taken by a friend of his, Lonnie Noack of the Humboldt
Oil Company, Houston, Texas, and had related that Noack had been flying
with a friend in a private plane from California to Houston and that at a
point about 30 miles east of Lone Pine, California, some object lying on the
ground made a very strong reflection and they made a check to determine what
would cause this bright reflection. They finally landed the plane and found
an object which could be described as being 8' in diameter with wings about
4' long. The object is about 1' in thickness and in the center there appears
to be some type of gyroscope. The wings apparently are fitted with some type
of jet propulsion. An examination was made by Noack and his friend and they
could find no identifying marks and took photographs of the object they
observed.
SAC Willis stated he had informed Lieutenant Robert Fleming of the
AAF, Ellington Field, and Captain Bush, the Army representative in Houston,
of this object and that Noack would be interviewed that morning in the Houston
Office with Lieutenant Fleming being present. Lieutenant Fleming wanted the
statements of Noack taken down by a stenographer and he will furnish the
stenographer for that purpose.
I instructed SAC Willis to furnish complete details of this matter
by air mail special delivery, including a copy of the photograph. I further
instructed that he furnish the same details to the proper field office because
unquestionably the Bureau would want to run this thing out.
After talking with you, I phoned SAC Willis back and told him to
insure the presence of a Bureau Agent at the time this object was examined by
the Army Air Forces and that he should make proper arrangements with the office
in California to see that an Agent was present. I also told him to advise me
of the developments.
HBF:cmw
RECORDED-137
INDEXED-137
62-83894-149
F B I
34 JAN 4 1949
5 3 JAN 7 1949[Reverse/back of page 72 — mirror image bleed-through of Office Memorandum, text largely ILLEGIBLE] [stamp, visible:] RECEIVED-LADD U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I DEC 28 3 55 PM '48 [stamp, visible:] RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F B I U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE JAN 6 2 54 PM '4[ILLEGIBLE]
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE COMMUNICATIONS SECTION DEC 28 1948 TELETYPE [routing notations:] Mr. Tolson Mr. Clegg Mr. Glavin Mr. Ladd Mr. Nichols Mr. Rosen Mr. Tracy Mr. Egan Mr. Gurnea Mr. Harbo Mr. Mohr Mr. Pennington Mr. Quinn Tamm Mr. Nease Miss Gandy FBI HOUSTON 12-28-48 1-12 PM CST EP DIRECTOR, SACS CINCINNATI AND LOS ANGELES U R G E N T ATTENTION INSPECTOR HOWARD FLETCHER FLYING DISK. LONNIE EDWARD NOACK, COMPLAINANT. COMPLAINANT RESIDING TWO NINE TWO ONE CHICAGO STREET, HOUSTON, CONTACTED THIS OFFICE DECEMBER TWENTY SEVENTH ON CAPTIONED MATTER AND IN SIGNED STATEMENT TODAY SUBMITTED THE FOLLOWING. NOACK, EMPLOYED AS A MACHINIST BY HUMBLE OIL COMPANY, HOUSTON, LEFT HOUSTON BY COMMERCIAL AIRLINE DECEMBER FIFTH LAST ON BUSINESS FOR HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. ON MONDAY, DECEMBER SIXTH, CONTACTED R.C. PERSON, FOUR ONE ONE SIX AVALON BLVD., LA., AN ACQUAINTANCE, WHO REMARKED OF HAVING SEEN ON THAT DATE, SOME DISTANCE FROM HOLLYWOOD IN A DESERT AREA, WHAT APPEARED TO BE A FLYING DISK. PERSON OPERATES VASCO ELECTRICAL MANUFACTURING CO., LA., ADAMS FIVE TWO EIGHT ONE. ON DECEMBER SEVENTH, NOACK, PERSON, AND MR. AND MRS. NATHAN SMITH, ONE NAUGHT FIVE SOUTH PASADENA AVE., SOUTH PASADENA, CALIF., DEPARTED BY PRIVATELY OWNED AUTOMOBILE IN SEARCH OF DISK. SAME LOCATED APPROXIMATELY ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY MILES NORTHEAST OF PASADENA AND ABOUT TWENTY MILES NORTHEAST OF LONE PINE, CALIF. PERSON, SMITH, AND NOACK TOOK PHOTOGRAPHS OF DISK WITH MOVIE AND SPEEDGRAPHIC CAMERAS. THE NOACK FILM WAS EIGHT MILLEMETERS IN SIZE AND CAMERA MADE BY REVERE. DISK LOCATED DESERT AREA NEAR NINE HUNDRED ACRES OF LAND OWNED BY PERSON AS PRIVATE AIRFIELD. NOACK HAD HIS FILM DEVELOPED BY EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY AT UNKNOWN ADDRESS LOS PALMAS ST., LA. RECORDED-131 INDEXED-131 62-83894-150 F B I 34 JAN 4 1949 5 3 JAN 7 1949 END PAGE ONE
[Reverse/back of page 74 — mirror image bleed-through of Houston teletype, text largely ILLEGIBLE] [stamps, visible:] RECEIVED-DIRECT F B I U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE Dec 28 2 52 PM '48 RECEIVED-LADD U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I DEC 28 3 55 PM '48 RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F B I JAN 6 2 55 PM '4[ILLEGIBLE]
PAGE TWO THESE FILMS RECEIVED NOACK, HOUSTON, BY MAIL DECEMBER TWENTY THIRD LAST. FILM SHOWS DISK TO BE APPROXIMATELY SEVEN FEET IN DIAMETER AND APPROXIMATELY TWO FEET THICK IN MIDDLE WITH FEATHER EDGE ON RIM. ABUTTING SAUCER IN MIDDLE AND ON BOTH SIDES ARE FOUR FOOT WINGS RESEMBLING CONVENTIONAL AIRPLANE TYPE. NO MARKINGS, NO RADIO, AND APPEARED TO HAVE LANDED AT GREAT SPEED. DISK IN COMPARATIVELY GOOD CONDITION. THE ENDS OF BOTH WINGS HAD ATTACHED A SMALL ALUMINUM CYLINDER APPARENTLY FOR JET PROPULSION. ONE OF THESE CYLINDERS OBTAINED BY NOACK AS SOUVENIR AND CURRENTLY IN POSSESION OF THIS OFFICE. FILM SIMILARLY MAINTAINED. SA ROBERT FLEMING, OSI REPRESENTATIVE, ELLINGTON FIELD, TEXAS, NOTIFIED DECEMBER TWENTY SEVENTH. NOACK FILM EXHIBITED THIS OFFICE INSTANT DATE AND SHOWS DISK IN ALL POSITIONS AND ARE AUTHENTIC. MR. FLEMING, OSI, ON DECEMBER TWENTY EIGHTH NOTIFIED DISTRICT COMMANDER, FIFTH OSI DISTRICT, WRIGHT FIELD, DAYTON, OHIO. SAC R. B. HOOD, LA., NOTIFIED TELEPHONICALLY OF ABOVE INFORMATION WITH REQUEST THAT HE MAINTAIN CONTACT WITH R. C. PERSON IN ORDER THAT BUREAU AGENTS MAY ASSIST OR ACCOMPANY OSI REPRESENTATIVES IN ACTUALLY OBSERVING AND RETRIEVING FLYING DISK. THIS ACTION TAKEN PER BUREAU INSTRUCTIONS. NO FACILITIES AVAILABLE HOUSTON FOR REPRODUCING MOVIE FILM OF NOACK, HOWEVER, STILL SHOTS CAN BE DEVELOPED BY COMPETENT END PAGE TWO
[Reverse/back of page 76 — mirror image bleed-through of teletype page two, text largely ILLEGIBLE] [stamps, visible:] RECEIVED-LADD U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I DEC 28 3 55 PM '48 RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F B I U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE JAN 6 2 55 PM '4[ILLEGIBLE]
[stamp at top, inverted:] RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT Dec 28 2 59 PM '48 F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE PAGE THREE COMMERCIAL REPRESENTATIVES. ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY OSI, DAYTON, OHIO, NOT KNOWN AT THIS MOMENT AND IT IS POSSIBLE THEY MAY DESIRE FILM FOR REPRODUCTION THEIR FACILITIES THERE. IF BUREAU DESIRES LA OFFICE TO OBTAIN FROM PERSON AND SMITH THEIR FILM AND NEGATIVES, THIS MIGHT BE CONSIDERED. PICTURES TAKEN BY PERSON WITH FOUR BY FIVE SPEEDGRAPHIC CAMERA AND THZSE PICTURES SHOULD BE READILY AVAILABLE. NOACK FILM AND PART OF JET PROPULSION WING TIP BEING MAINTAINED HOUSTON AWAITING SUGGESTED DISPOSITION AND HANDLING BY EITHER BUREAU OR OSI. CINCINNATI OFFICE BEING MADE COGNIZANT TO COVER POSSIBILITY THAT BUREAU MAY DIRECT LIAISON WITH OSI, DAYTON. AMSD LETTER FOLLOWS TO BUREAU AND INTERESTED OFFICES ENCLOSING SIGNED STATEMENT OF NOACK. WILLIS END A IN O PLS WA 225PM OK FBI WA LS CI OK FBI CI JCL LA OK FBI LA EDS DISCM [stamp:] DEC 28 3 22 HH '48 [stamp:] RECEIVED-TVOD F B I U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE [handwritten:] cc Mr. Fletcher
RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT Dec 28 2 29 PM '48 F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE [Reverse/back of page 78 — mirror image bleed-through of teletype page three, text largely ILLEGIBLE] [stamps, visible:] RECEIVED-LADD U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I DEC 28 3 55 PM '48 RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F B I U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE JAN 6 2 55 PM '4[ILLEGIBLE]
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE COMMUNICATIONS SECTION DEC 29 1948 TELEMETER [routing notations:] Mr. Tolson Mr. Clegg Mr. Glavin Mr. Ladd Mr. Nichols Mr. Rosen Mr. Tracy Mr. Egan Mr. Gurnea Mr. Harbo Mr. Mohr Mr. Pennington Mr. Quinn Tamm Mr. Nease Miss Gandy WASH 10 FROM LOS ANGELES 29 9-07 PM DIRECTOR ROUTINE FLYING DISK, LONNIE EDWARD NOACK, [REDACTED] COMPLAINANT. RE TELETYPES FROM HOUSTON AND LA TWENTYEIGHTH INSTANT. [REDACTED] THREE PARTS OF SUBJECT DESCRIBED BY NOACK SECURED FROM NATHAN SMITH, LA AND EXHIBITED TO HENRY T. RICE, OHLSON AND RICE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, THREE THREE FOUR ZERO [REDACTED] EMERY STREET, LA. RICE POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED THESE PARTS AS COMING FROM A MODEL TOW TARGET CONSTRUCTED BY CLAUDE L. WOLFORD, FIVE FOUR FIVE FOUR CHESLEY AVE., LA. ONE PART BEING STAMPED WOLFORD [REDACTED] PLASTICS MOLDING CO., LA. TOW TARGET WAS TESTED BY RICE AND WOLFORD USING RICE,S AIRPLANE OVER NATHAN SMITH,S AIRFIELD NEAR HELENDALE, CALIF. THE TEST WAS A FAILURE, THE TARGET CRASHED AND WAS ABANDONED AT THE AIRFIELD. NO FURTHER INVESTIGATION BEING CONDUCTED AND THE THREE ITEMS SECURED FROM SMITH WILL BE RETURNED TO HIM UNLESS BUREAU ADVISES TO [REDACTED] CONTRARY. REPORT WILL BE SUBMITTED. HOOD RECORDED-42 INDEXED-42 62-83894-151 F B I 34 JAN 8 1949 CINCINNATI AND HOUSTON ADV. SEP. ACK PLS 6 3 JAN 10 1949 EX-1
[page unreadable; original scan available via the document viewer above]
[page unreadable; original scan available via the document viewer above]
[page unreadable; original scan available via the document viewer above]
[page unreadable; original scan available via the document viewer above]
[page unreadable; original scan available via the document viewer above]
[page unreadable; original scan available via the document viewer above]
[page unreadable; original scan available via the document viewer above]
[page unreadable; original scan available via the document viewer above]
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Director, FBI DATE: 12/28/48
FROM : SAC, Houston
SUBJECT: FLYING DISC;
LONNIE EDWARD NOACK, Complainant
Attention: Assistant Director D.M. Ladd
Remytel 12/28/48 in the above captioned matter.
For the Bureau's information, on 12/27/48 Mr. FULLER BLACKWELL, an attorney with offices 410 Kress Building, Houston, Texas, telephonically contacted the Houston Office to advise that he had a friend, LONNIE NOACK, who had some information on an object which might be a flying disc. Mr. BLACKWELL stated he was calling in response to Mr. NOACK's suggestion and as a means of determining what authorities would have an interest in this matter. He said Mr. NOACK was a machinist employed by the Humble Oil and Refining Company, Houston.
Mr. BLACKWELL, in calling, advised that the disc, or object, was approximately eight feet in diameter, had a tail and wings, and apparently was equipped for jet propulsion. He stated NOACK had observed this object at a desert location near Las Vegas, Nevada; further, that Mr. NOACK had taken some movie film of the disc and that this film was currently in his possession.
Immediately upon receipt of the above information, Mr. Robert B. Fleming, Special Agent, O.S.I., Ellington Field, Texas, was notified as was true of Captain Harold Bush, MID representative, also Houston. As a result of these referrals, arrangements were effected with Mr. NOACK to bring his film to the Houston Office for a showing at 8 P.M., 12/27/48. This was done with Messrs. Bush, Fleming, Noack, and Special Agent Graham W. Kitchel and the writer observing. Arrangements were then made for Mr. NOACK to again appear at the Houston Office on the morning of 12/28/48 in order that his information might be reduced to writing. Mr. NOACK in making his initial appearance at the office surrendered his movie film which consisted of one 50 foot roll of 8 mm movie film. Approximately fifteen feet of this roll relates exclusively to the pictures of the flying disc.
COPIES DESTROYED
270 NOV 18 1964
5 1 JAN 24 1949
RECORDED - 43
INDEXED - 4334 JAN 14 1949
[handwritten] 62-3894 154
[handwritten] 1-1/49
[handwritten] Noaden[Reverse/back side of page 89 — bleed-through mirror image of front; text is not independently legible] RECEIVED DEC 31 9 24 AM '49 U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I RECEIVED-LADD DEC 30 2 48 PM '48
Director Re: Flying Disc HO 12/28/48 While observing the object, Mr. NOACK noted an aluminum cylinder which had become detached from one of the wing tips and he brought this back with him as a souvenir. This cylinder conceivably could act as a rudder, a rocket housing, or fuel tank attachment. Mr. NOACK initialled the cylinder and surrendered it also. There are attached hereto for the Bureau two copies of a signed statement taken from Mr. NOACK dated Houston, Texas, 12/28/48. Two copies of the statement are attached for the Los Angeles Office, and one informational copy is being designated for the Cincinnati Division. The original is being retained in the Houston file. One copy of the statement is attached to the copy of this letter for the FBI Laboratory. During the interview with Mr. NOACK, Mrs. ROSE C. ROTSEL, a stenographer for O.S.I., Ellington Field, recorded the statement for O.S.I. use. Initial information obtained concerning this flying disc was furnished telephonically to Inspector Howard Fletcher at the Bureau, 9 A.M., 12/28/48. Mr. Fletcher requested the Bureau be given a summary of the information by teletype, with interested offices being similarly notified, and that the signed statement of NOACK be submitted AMSD. He further instructed that he did not want the Bureau "side tracked" in the handling of this matter, but that FBI representatives should assume an active interest in the investigation throughout, cooperating, of course, with O.S.I. representatives. Mr. Fleming's headquarters are the District Commander, 5th O.S.I. District, Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio. On the morning of 12/28/48 Mr. Fleming sent a telegram to his District Commander giving a general summary of the original complaint. Mr. Fleming was unable to advise how the 5th O.S.I. District would handle their inquiry in this matter. He stated this could either be handled by Wright Field dispatching a special plane to California or by having their District Commander, 18D, O.S.I., San Bernardino, California handle it. He stated in any event it would be necessary for O.S.I. representatives to first confer with Mr. R.C. PERSON, named in this statement, as being the individual who initially discovered the flying disc and would know also its present whereabouts. -2-
Director
Re: Flying Disc
HO 12/28/48
Mr. PERSON, as indicated, maintains a business at 4116 Avalon Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, telephone Adams 5281.
To insure the Bureau's participation in this matter, SAC R.B. Hood, of the Los Angeles Office, was contacted telephonically at approximately 11:30 A.M. (CST) 12/28/48 with the suggestion he maintain contact with Mr. PERSON.
Also in keeping with Bureau instructions, the roll of film received from Mr. NOACK, together with the aluminum portion of the fuselage, is being forwarded separately to the Bureau, attention FBI Laboratory.
1-11-49
not
sent per
H.O.F.
instructions
Z Hm
See
letter
dated 1/25/49
GNW:NK
Encl.(2)
AIR MAIL SPECIAL DELIVERY
CC: Los Angeles (Encl.) AMSD
Cincinnati (Encl.) AMSD
FBI, Laboratory (Encl.)
Package
-3-[Blank brown manila envelope. No text content.]
COPIES DESTROYED 270 NOV 18 1964 ENCLOSURE [handwritten] 62-83894-154
[handwritten: Bue]
Houston, Texas
Dec. 28, 1948
I, LONNIE EDWARD NOACK, residing 2921 Chicago Street, Houston 17, Texas, make the following statement to Special Agent Robert B. Fleming and Christopher R. Bradley, representatives of the Office of Special Investigation, Ellington OSI Detachment, Ellington Field, Texas, and Special Agents Graham W. Kitchel and Galen N. Willis who I know to be Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On Monday afternoon December 6, 1948, at about 6 P.M., Mr. R.C. PERSON, Mr. NATHAN SMITH, Mr. C.A. TOCE, Mr. ROBERT BROUSSARD and another man, name not recalled, and I had dinner at the Old Virginia Inn, Los Angeles, California. After dinner we went back to Mr. Smith's electrical manufacturing company which he owns and operates in Los Angeles, California. Mr. PERSON told us about seeing a flying disc and we made an appointment to leave early the next morning by car, with our cameras, to go to the location of the disc. Mr. PERSON was detained at some private air field so we did not leave until about 2 P.M. on December 7, 1948. We arrived at the scene of the flying disc and took pictures of the disc which was still lying around. Mr. SMITH took about 10 feet of 16 mm film and Mr. PERSON took five or six shots with a Speed Graphic Camera. He noticed that the first three shots were taken when the adapter on his lens was closed too much and I don't know if they turned out all right. Mr. SMITH suggested I hold the flying disc up and rotate it around and he would take my picture with my camera. After taking the pictures, we patched the fence of Mr. PERSON's property where people had been cutting the wire to get to a road. We left and then drove back and had dinner at Eaton's Inn and they took me back home to Hollywood, California.
I would like to recite that I left Houston, Texas 11:30 A.M. on Sunday, December 5, 1948, for California by plane and flew to Hollywood, California on a commercial plane on business matters. On arriving in Hollywood, I met Mr. PERSON in Hollywood on Monday, December 6, 1948, and at that time he told me about the flying disc he had located. He stated he had gone to Las Vegas by his personal plane and saw the disc from the air on his way back.On December 7, 1948 we went out in Mr. NATHAN SMITH's car and picked up his wife and left his home in South Pasadena about 11 A.M. We drove out to an airport where his plane was about forty miles from Pasadena where he was having the plane repaired. He wanted to be sure the plane was on a truck before we left for the destination where the disc was. In making this trip, we proceeded out by a race track and passed one of the Kaiser steel works and the Virginia Dare Wine Orchard. I would say we went directly north or northeast from Pasadena, California. We drove through a town called Matonia (phonetic) and followed a road through some mountains and through a small desert. I would estimate the distance from Pasadena to where the disc was found to be about 150 miles. The terrain in which the disc was found could be described as flat,desert, and desolate.
I would like to explain that Mr. PERSON has private property (an airport which he purchased from the government) right by the location of the disc. Mr. PERSON thought the disc might have been launched from his airport, but whether that was it or not - we don't know. Mr. PERSON said he usually flew at an altitude of about 8,000 feet and, of course, he flew lower in some spaced. He did not mention his altitude at the time he first saw the disc. The disc was located practically just outside his property and we were going north, so it would be east of his property. He has about 900 acres.
When we arrived at Mr. PERSON's property, we saw the disc, or flying wing, and it was on the ground in a semi-vertical position, approximately a 45 degree angle, with the left wing imbeded in the ground. In looking at the ground, it appeared that the object had hit the earth with considerable force and had slid 300 to 400 feet. It was dented but was generally intact. I think the pictures I took with a Revere 8 mm camera quite well show the form, shape and size of the "wing." I am 5'7" tall and in standing next to the object when it was in an upright position, it was slightly higher than my height. I would say it was roughly seven feet in diameter, before crashing.
On each side of the object there were wings approximately four feet by twenty inches and three inches thick with an axle that protruded through the disc and into the wings. It was mounted on ball bearings which the disc rotated on.
2The disc itself was approximately two feet thick in the center, tapering to a feather edge at the rim. On the outside of the disc, near the rim, there were funnel shaped cups bradded on and these were spaced all around on both sides, each cup being approximately twenty inches apart. The openings of these cups were to the rear. The disc itself was natural aluminum with no paint on it except of the type of aluminum which was 24 S.T. and it bore this stamp. The wings were painted a yellow-green camouflage color.
The wing has a leading edge similar to that of an airplane and tapers to the rear to a feather edge. The wing was ribbed throughout with aluminum ribs for substantial strength. Each wing had a similar rocket cartridge on each tip fastened by two bolts. I had one of the wings in my possession and have turned it over to the proper authorities. The cartridge on the one I had was apparently knocked off in the crash.
There were two strut bars attached approximately twenty inches from the disc leading to the rear with an elevator. Also, the two struts protruded toward the front with something attached, a weight or some tow system, which was during the crash anchored into the ground and bent and we could not exactly determine how it was weighted or controlled. I would say the elevator was approximately twenty-two inches long and about 5/8 inch thick with a slight taper to the rear and probably ten inches wide. The struts extending from the trailing edge of the wing to the elevator were made of 5/8 inch steel tubing. The disc, in being lifted, I would judge to weigh from 80 to 100 pounds.
With respect to the pictures taken, I took approximately 15 feet of colored 8 mm film.
The disc was built where they had the proper equipment to do the necessary work because they had to have a spot welder and building equipment to make the different angles. I might add that I am an instrument maker for the Humble Oil and Refining Company and have a generally good knowledge of machine and metal work. There was nothing on the object to indicate its origin, whether American or foreign make. It would appear, however, from the aluminum,workmanship, etc. that it probably was American made.
-3-After we finished taking our pictures and discussing the object among ourselves, Mr. PERSON expressed an intention of obtaining a truck and hauling the object to his shop. I cannot say at this time whether he did this or not or where the object may be at this particular date. We finished our observation and picture taking at approximately 5:30 or 6 P.M. on December 7.
In response to Mr. Fleming's inquiry, there was no radio equipment noted on the object in any fashion or form.
We returned to Pasadena, California, that evening arriving in Hollywood about 9 or 9:30 P.M. I took some more pictures that night along Hollywood Boulevard on the unfinished roll of film and then wetn over the Chinese Theatre and took a picture of the signature of George Raft and finished the roll. I bought another roll of film, and took them to the Eastman Kodak Company the following Monday which would be December 13, 1948. As I recall, this Eastman shop was on Los Palmas Street in Los Angeles, California. They informed me they would develop the film and that it would be ready on Thursday. I left California on Wednesday so they mailed the film to me at my business address, Humble Oil Building, Room 159, Houston, Texas. I received these films on December 23, 1948.
After my return from California I mentioned to several of my business and social acquaintances that I had seen this object, a disc or saucer or whatever you might call it, and told them that I had taken pictures and would be glad to show them when the pictures arrived. As stated, I received the film on December 23 and at 1:30 P.M. on the same date I showed the film in the projection room at Humble Oil to the following: D.W. BLAIR; J. HATTAWAY; D.A. PETERSON; JAMES S. OLIVIER; WILLIAM RIED, JR.; A.E. MELETON; WAYNE CRAWFORD; D.A. BATTLE and two other names I do not recall. All of these men work in the instrument shop with me at Humble Oil & Refining Company. I also showed the film to my brother-in-law, E. KULAK, of Pasadena, Texas, at home on the following night.
On Christmas Day I met some friends and one of the girls was with a young boy who was interested in photography. I do not know his name but he works at Southern Pacific. I told him I had some pictures of the flying disc but I did not show him the pictures but explained the disc. I think this boy is the person who had his friend at the newspaper contact me.
-4-I got home about 10:30 A.M. and FRANK REED, of the City Desk at the "Houston Post" called me and wanted to know about the disc. I told him I could not give him any information on it. He begged me for the story, but I told him I would let him know and that I had friends I had to contact before I could give him any information.
I then got in touch with Mr. Blackwell, my lawyer, the following morning and asked him if he knew anyone in the FBI. He stated all the FBI personnel he knew were no longer stationed here. I then contacted the FBI and turned the material over to them.
Although I can't describe where this object is located, I believe I could go back to it and I am sure Mr. PERSON and and Mr. SMITH could go back to it.
Mr. NATHAN SMITH's business address is Nathan Smith Electrical Company, 105 South Pasadena Avenue, South Pasadena, California. Mr. R. C. PERSON is president of the Vasco Electrical Manufacturing Company, 4116 Avalon Boulevard, Los Angeles, California.
For record purposes, in taking the pictures above referred to, I did so using exposure of 16 frames per second at a diaphragm opening of f6.3. I used Cine-Kodak Kodachrome film.
ATTENTION The above statement, made voluntarily and for the retention of proper authorities, is made to my best knowledge and belief.
LONNIE EDWARD NOACK
Witnesses:
_______________________________
Representatives OSI, Ellington Field, Texas
_______________________________
FBI, Houston, Texas
-5-62-83894-154
ENCLOSURE TO THE BUREAU
RE: FLYING DISC;
LONNIE EDWARD NOACK, ComplainantSAC, Houston January 25, 1949
Director, FBI
FLYING DISCS
LONNIE EDWARD NOACK, Complainant
Reference is made to Los Angeles teletype dated 12/29/48 and to
Houston teletype dated 12/28/48, and the subsequent transmittal of an
8mm movie film taken by Mr. LONNIE NOACK, along with several parts of
the supposed flying disc to the laboratory for examination.
Since prior to receipt of the above items by the laboratory the
information was obtained which identified the supposed flying disc as a
tow target and later a toy kite, no examination was conducted here.
Accordingly, these items are being returned to you via registered
mail.
62-83894
cc: SAC, Los Angeles RECORDED - 60 LA-83894-155
INDEXED - 60 51 [ILLEGIBLE] 31 1949
EX-59[Reverse/carbon copy of page 101 — text shows through from obverse, largely illegible] RECEIVED U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I RECEIVED-MAIL ROOM Jan 26 3 32 PM '49 RECEIVED-[ILLEGIBLE] Jan 25 4 [ILLEGIBLE] PM '49 LABORATORY [ILLEGIBLE] DIVISION F.B.I. [ILLEGIBLE] FEB 7 9 55 AM '49 RECEIVED
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : The Director DATE: January 24, 1949
FROM : D. M. Ladd
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS
I thought you might be interested in the following information
concerning "Flying Discs" which has been furnished to the Bureau on a
confidential basis by Colonel C. D. Gasser, Resident Engineer, Air
Material Command, U.S.Army, who is the principal army technician at the
Nuclear Energy for the Propulsion of Aircraft Research Center at Oak Ridge,
Tennessee.
Colonel Gasser stated that he knew nothing of an official nature concerning
"Flying Discs" other than the fact that they are believed by Air Force Intelligence
officials to be man-made missiles, rather than some natural phenomena. It was his
further belief that a great deal of information has been compiled concerning these
missiles by air force intelligence, and that research on the matter was being
extensively done at Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio.
Colonel Gasser then continued with his own ideas as to what might be
the nature of these discs which ideas he had formulated through review of those
known facts and theoretical conjectures of himself and other scientists concerning
the nature of flying discs and methods of propulsion for such type of aerial
mechanism. According to him, flying discs have long been a theoretical possibility,
and, in fact, a possibility which would indicate one of the best means by which to
break through the barriers of the supersonic area. He stated that scientists have,
for many years, been attempting to develop this type of aircraft. Some experi-
mentation has been done even in the United States, but insofar as is known in the
United States at the present time, there have never been any practical developments.
As a second factor of consideration, Colonel Gasser stated that insofar as is known
to U. S. scientists at this time, there is no known chemical fuel which would make
possible tremendous range of flight such as is ascribed to the reported "flying
discs." According to Gasser, there is only one possible fuel which could be
utilized which is in accord with present theory, and that is the utilization of
atomic energy.
He stated that this subject matter was being given absolutely no dissemination
by the air force or other military personnel, and that they had not deemed it
advisable to advise him of all information pertaining to this type missile. He
continued, however, that in his conversation with representatives at Wright Field
and in reading reports returned to this country by foreign agents, he had gathered
together certain information which might be of assistance in determining whether or
not these so-called missiles were authentic, usable and of danger to the United States.
EHM:hhr
RECORDED - 113[ILLEGIBLE] 62-83894-156
INDEXED - 113
EX-109
50 FEB 8 1949[Reverse/carbon copy of page 103 — text shows through from obverse, largely illegible] RECEIVED-LADD U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I Jan 24 4 55 PM '49 RECEIVED 10 20 AM '49 RECEIVED-TOLSON FEB 25 5 30 PM '49 RECEIVED JAN 26 9 01 AM [ILLEGIBLE] F B I U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE JAN 26 10 22 AM '49 F B I U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE RECEIVED-DIRECTOR
He pointed out that knowledge of such a possible aircraft is not by any means
new and that it was known as early as four years ago that some type of flying
disc was being experimented with by the Russians. In addition he said that more
recent reports have been received from representatives of the Central Intelligence
Agency in Southern Europe and Southern Asia to the effect that the Russians were
experimenting with some type of radical aircraft or guided missile which could be
dispatched for great distances out over the sea, made to turn in flight and return
to the base from which it was launched. He related that this information was
extremely worthy of notice as experiments in this country have so far only developed
to the point where we are concerned with delivering a missile to the required point
of impact, and no consideration has been given to imparting to that missile the
ability to return. He also advised that it is a known fact that the Russians are
attempting to develop some type of nuclear energy, that they received a wealth of
information concerning nuclear energy at the time of their occupation in Germany,
and that they have at their disposal a limited supply of fissionable materials.
He pointed out that the Russians have some very capable scientists in the field
of atomic energy and that, in addition thereto, they took into their custody some
of the most advanced and capable scientists of the German Nation.
Colonel Gasser stated that a peculiar fact concerning these missiles
is found in reports he has received that from all appearances the missiles
usually approach the United States from a northerly direction and have been reported
as returning in a northerly direction. He advised that none have ever been known
to crash, collide or disintegrate over American soil, but it would appear that they
come to the United States, cruise around, and go back over the North Pole. He
stated that insofar as is known to him there has never been any part of a missile
of this type recovered from any source whatever in order that an analytical study
of its nature could be made. He stated that one report has been received concerning
a collision of these missiles with another type of aircraft. This report, according
to him, emanated from Czechoslovakia and took place a short time prior to the report
of numerous discs over the United States. According to Colonel Gasser a Czechoslovakian
transport had reportedly collided with some unidentified missile while in mid-air
over the ocean, and that the missile and transport were completely disintegrated
without recovery of parts or survivors from either.
Colonel Gasser concluded that this matter, while still purely a matter
of guesswork, is nevertheless a source of great concern to the military establishment
of this country. He advised that great efforts have been expended by the military
service to determine the nature of these missiles and upon so determining, decide
whether or not an adequate defense can be established. He stated that it has given
impetus to the research being done by the air force in their own program of nuclear
energy for the propulsion of aircraft to develop guided missiles.
ACTION:
None. The above is for your information.
-2-DECLASSIFIED
Authority:
NND 90986
[CONFIDENTIAL stamp at top and bottom]
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
STAFF MESSAGE CENTER
INCOMING CLASSIFIED MESSAGE
CONFIDENTIAL PARAPHRASE NOT REQUIRED
PRIORITY
From: CO Kirtland AFB New Mexico
To: Chief of Staff USAF attn Dir of Special Investigations
Officer of the Inspector General
Nr: OSI-1-90 31 January 1949
Reference previous reports, subject; unknown, aerial
phenomena, file number 24-8. Sighting of identical object
reported at 22552 30 Jan 49 by aprx 30 people. Estimate at
least 100 total sightings. AEC, AFSWP, 4th Army, local
commanders perturbed by implications of phenomena. Sighting
reported from El Paso, Alburquerque, Alamogordo, Roswell,
Socorro, and other locations. All appear to be same object at
different points in trajectory. Unless instructed to contrary
this office will make all out investigation with view to
location of impact point if any. Request reply.
ACTION: AF RECORDED - 14[ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE]-83894-[ILLEGIBLE]
FE[ILLEGIBLE]
INFO: ID, PO 13 FEB 11 1949
EX-14[ILLEGIBLE]
CA IN 321 (2 Feb 49) DTC: 312145Z dgk/B
RC 5/1
EX-16 COPY
50 FEB 28 1949
[CONFIDENTIAL stamp at bottom]FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Room 5744 3/23 1949
TO: [checked] Director Mr. Tolson........
___Mr. Clegg Mr. Clegg.........
___Mr. Glavin Mr. Glavin........
___Mr. Harbo Mr. Ladd..........
___Mr. Ladd Mr. Nicho[ILLEGIBLE].
___Mr. Nichols Mr. Rosen.........
___Mr. Rosen Mr. Tracy.........
___Mr. Tracy Mr. Egan..........
___Mr. Fletcher Mr. Gurnea........
___Mr. Mohr Mr. Harbo.........
___Mr. Carlson Mr. Mohr..........
___Mr. Nease Mr. Pennington....
___Miss Gandy Mr. Quinn Tamm....
___Personnel Files Section Mr. Nease.........
___Records Section Miss Gandy........
___Mrs. Skillman
See Me For Appropriate Action
Send File Note and Return
Note marked
paragraph
Clyde Tolson[Reverse of routing slip — text shows through from obverse, largely illegible] U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I RECEIVED-TOLSON MAR 23 3 18 PM '49 U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I MAR 24 10 59 AM '49 RECEIVED-[ILLEGIBLE] MAR 23 5 19 PM Clyde Tolson
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Director, FBI DATE: February 18, 1949
FROM : SAC, Knoxville
SUBJECT: "FLYING SAUCERS" OBSERVED OVER OAK RIDGE AREA
INTERNAL SECURITY - X
Reference is made to Knoxville letter to the Director dated January 10,
1949, entitled as above.
There is being forwarded for the Bureau's information a copy of
a letter from Colonel C. D. GASSER, USAF, AMC Engineering Field
Officer, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to Mr. G. J. RATHMAN, Security
Division, U. S. Atomic Energy Commission, Oak Ridge. This letter
is self explanatory and reveals that the photographs forwarded
with referenced letter are the result of accident or purposeful
hoax and are not actually photographs of a "flying saucer".
Colonel GASSER personally advised that while the photographs
are not real, his statements made concerning the existence of
flying saucers and the opinions expressed by him nevertheless
stand as previously stated.
CCMcS:jjc
65-11
ENCLOSURE ATTACHED
EX-10[ILLEGIBLE] RECORDED • 137
EX-15
57 FEB 25 1949
RECORDED - 137 [ILLEGIBLE] 83894-158
F B I
4 FEB 23 1949[Reverse of page 109 — blank/largely illegible] RECEIVED FEB 24 12 06 PM [ILLEGIBLE] RECIO ESPIONAGE - [ILLEGIBLE] F B I [ILLEGIBLE] U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE RECEIVED FEB 24 10 39 AM [ILLEGIBLE]
ENCLOSURE 1 [ILLEGIBLE]3894-158 [ILLEGIBLE]/[ILLEGIBLE]1 [Blank manila envelope — no further text]
MCREOL8/CDG/jk
NEPA Project, P. O. Box E
Oak Ridge, Tennessee 10 February 1949
C
O
P
Y
Mr. G. J. Rathman
Chief, Investigation Section
Security Division
U. S. Atomic Energy Commission
P. O. Box E
Oak Ridge, Tennessee
Dear Mr. Rathman
This is in response to your letter dated 16 December 1948,
subject "Photographs", with inclosures, addressed to Major
D. J. Grant at this site, concerning photographs taken during
the month of July 1947 by Mr. William Presley of 218 Illinois
Avenue, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, of an unidentified object that
appeared to be flying over Oak Ridge.
Since receipt by Major Grant of the above material, this office
has taken steps to secure an evaluation of same by the Air Force
office of the Chief, Technical Intelligence Division, Intelli-
gence Department, Air Materiel Command, at Wright-Patterson Air
Force Base, Dayton, Ohio. As a result, the following informa-
tion has been revealed:
"When the negative, containing the sphere, is examined
by strong incident light, it is noted that the emulsion
is raised at that point above the normal level of the
remaining emulsion. This indicates that either a drop
of warm water or a drop of developer struck the film at
this point and rolled down this negative and the succeed-
ing negative.
"To further substantiate this, it will be noted that when
the two (2) negatives are placed side by side with the
edges of the film aligned, the so-called "trail" is con-
tinuous, that is the two sections match, indicating the
drop rolled on from one negative to the next.
"Sill further proof is shown on the fogged edge of the
negative containing only the trail. This is proven by
the fact that the trail extends beyond the normal format
C
O
P
YC
O
P
Y
Ltr. to Mr. G. J. Rathman, Chief, Investigation Section, U. S.
AEC, dated 10 February 1949, Re Photographs
of the negative. In other words, there is a trail of
that section of the negative which was not exposed in
the camera. This effect shows up in one negative and
not in the other because the negative in question is
fogged; therefore, this irregularity was developed.
"Still further proof of these defects lies in the number
of unevenly developed sections of the negative."
In view of the above, it is recommended that this entire matter
be declassified and that Mr. Presley be advised of the nature of
the images, if and when the negatives are returned to him by your
office.
For your information, this office is taking the liberty of furnish-
ing a copy of this communication to Mr. C. C. McSwain, Special
Agent, FBI, because of official interest evidenced by his office
in the matter.
Your cooperation in furnishing photographs and negatives, together
with information contained in your letter of 16 December 1948 to
Major Grant, is sincerely appreciated.
Very truly yours,
C. D. GASSER
Colonel, USAF
AMC Engineering Field Officer
3 Incls.
2 Negatives
1 Photostat
cc - Mr. C. C. McSwain
C
O
P
YL-26
[ILLEGIBLE]voice of Contents from
[ILLEGIBLE]L BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
WASHINGTON, D. C.
Date 1/25/49 Case References FLYING DISCS
LONNIE EDWARD NOACK, Complainant
Consigned to: SAC, HOUSTON
List of Contents
- - -
Mr. Harbo, 7641 ___
Mr. Conrad, 7142 ___
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION 8mm Movie Film, Mr. Downing, 6228 IB ___
MAILED 16 parts of supposed Mr. Sizoo, 7601 ___
FEB 8- 1949 P.M. flying disc. Mr. Baughman, 7121 [checked]
REGISTERED MAIL
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
REGISTERED
497382 62-83894-[ILLEGIBLE]
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: Mail Room, place date of shipment and registry number; Shipping Room, show
date of shipment and initial this invoice; then return it to person whose name is checked in column at
right. After this checked name has been initialled, invoice should be placed in administrative file.STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : DIRECTOR, FBI DATE: January 31, 1949
FROM : SAC, SAN ANTONIO
SUBJECT: PROTECTION OF VITAL INSTALLATIONS
BUREAU FILE # 65-58300
[CONFIDENTIAL — declassified 8/31/77]
At recent Weekly Intelligence Conferences of G-2, ONI, OSI, and F.B.I.,
in the Fourth Army Area, Officers of G-2, Fourth Army have discussed the
matter of "Unidentified Aircraft" or "Unidentified Aerial Phenomena" otherwise
known as "Flying Discs", "Flying Saucers", and "Balls of Fire". This matter
is considered top secret by Intelligence Officers of both the Army and the
Air Forces.
It is well known that there have been during the past two years reports from
the various parts of the country of the sighting of unidentified aerial
objects which have been called in newspaper parlance "flying discs" and
"flying saucers". The first such sightings were reported from Sweden, and
it was thought that the objects, the nature of which was unknown, might have
originated in Russia.
In July 1948 an unidentified aircraft was "seen" by an Eastern Airlines
Pilot and Co-Pilot and one or more passengers of the Eastern Airlines Plane
over Montgomery, Alabama. This aircraft was reported to be of an uncon-
ventional type without wings and resembled generally a "rocket ship" of the
type depicted in comic strips. It was reported to have had windows; to
have been larger than the Eastern Airlines plane, and to have been traveling
at an estimated speed of 2700 miles an hour. It appeared out of a thunder-
head ahead of the Eastern Airlines plane and immediately disappeared in another
cloud narrowly missing a collision with the Eastern Airlines plane. No
sound or air disturbance was noted in connection with this appearance.
During the past two months various sightings of unexplained phenomena have
been reported in the vicinity of the A.E.C. Installation at Los Alamos,
New Mexico, where these phenomena now appear to be concentrated. During
December 1948 on the 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 11th, 13, 14th, 20th and 28th
sightings of unexplained phenomena were made near Los Alamos by Special
Agents of the Office of Special Investigation; Airline Pilots; Military
Pilots, Los Alamos Security Inspectors, and private citizens. On
January 6, 1949, another similar object was sighted in the same area.
Dr. LINCOLN L. P[ILLEGIBLE]Z, a Meteorologist of some note, has been generally in
charge of the observations near Los Alamos, attempting to learn character-
istics of the unexplained phenomena.
Up to this time little concrete information has been obtained.
JEJ:md RECORDED - 133 62-83894-159
3[ILLEGIBLE] F B I
3[ILLEGIBLE] cc: El Paso (2) Little Rock (2) 43 MAR 16 1949
Dallas (2) Oklahoma City (2)
Houston (2)
56[ILLEGIBLE] APR[ILLEGIBLE] 1949[ILLEGIBLE] ORIGINAL FILED IN
65-58300DIRECTOR, FBI 1/31/49
There have been day time sightings which are tentatively considered to possibly
resemble the exhaust of some type of jet propelled object. Night-time sightings
have taken the form of lights usually described as brilliant green, similar
to a green traffic signal or green neon light. Some reports indicated that the
light began and ended with a red or orange flash. Other reports have given the
color as red, white, blu-white, and yellowish green. Trailing lights some-
times observed are said to be red. The spectrum analysis of one light indicates
that it may be a copper compound of the type known to be used in rocket
experiments and which completely disintegrates upon explosion, leaving no
debris. It is noted that no debris has ever been known to be located anywhere
resulting from the unexplained phenomena.
Recent observations have indicated that the unidentified phenomena travel at
a rate of speed estimated at a minimum of three miles per second and a maximum
of twelve miles per second, or a mean calculated speed of seven and one-half
miles a second, or 27,000 miles an hour. Their reported course indicates that
they travel on an East - West line with probability that they approach from
the Northern Quadrant, which would be the last stage of the great circle route
if they originated in Russia. When observed they seem to be in level flight
at a height of six to ten miles and thus traveling on a tangent to the earth's
surface. They occasionally dip at the end of the path and on two occasions
a definite vertical change in path was indicated. These phenomena have not
been known to have been sighted, however, at any intermediate point between
Russia and Los Alamos, but only at the end of the flight toward the apparent
"target", namely, Los Alamos.
In every case but one the shape of the objects has been reported as round
in a point of light with a definite area to the light's source. One report
gives a diamond shape; another indicates that trailing lights are elongated.
The size is usually compared to one-fourth the diameter of the full moon, and
they have also been compared in size to a basketball with trailing lights the
size of a baseball.
On no occasion has sound been associated directly with the phenomena, but
unexplained sounds have been reported from Los Alamos. On two occasions
reports have been received of the sighting of multiple units.
Some nine scientific reasons are stated to exist which indicated that the
phenomena observed are not due to meteorites. The only conclusions reached
thus far are that they are either hitherto unobserved natural phenomena or
that they are man made. No scientific experiments are known to exist in this
country which could give rise to such phenomena.
- 2 -DIRECTOR, FBI 1/31/49
Mrs. MADELINE GWYNNE MERCHANT was the subject of a letter from the Atlanta office
to the Bureau dated August 10, 1948, entitled, "MADELINE GWYNNE MERCHANT;
INFORMATION CONCERNING."
She has written many letters to Military Authorities concerning her theories
regarding Atomic Energy. She has generally been considered unreliable and
possibly mentally unbalanced. She, however, has submitted to Military
authorities the only theory thus far known that has any credibility at all,
namely, that the lights are manifestations of cosmic rays which are directed
toward a specific point. She further theorizes that such rays may interfere
with the ignition of motors and may account for various unexplained air crashes.
The above is submitted for the confidential information of the Bureau and
offices to which copies of this letter are directed so that these offices may
evaluate any such reports they may have received or may receive in the future.
It is noted that the Fourth Army has the responsibility of protecting vital
installations at Los Alamos, New Mexico, Sandia Base, New Mexico, and Camp
Hood, Texas. Any information developed should be expeditiously transmitted to
G-2, Fourth Army.
It is further noted that G-2 and O.S.I. are actively engaged in investigating
this matter. No investigation is being conducted by this office.
- 3 -STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Mr. Ladd DATE: March 14, 1949
FROM : Mr. Fletcher
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS
PURPOSE
The approval of the Executives Conference is requested for the
attached SAC letter furnishing to the field the type of information
desired by the Intelligence Division of the Air Force in connection with
the captioned matter.
BACKGROUND
You will recall that by Bureau Bulletin #57, Series 1947, dated
October 1, 1947, the field was advised that effective as of that date the
Bureau had discontinued its investigative activities in connection with
flying discs. The field was advised that all future reports concerning
this matter received in the field should be referred to the Air Forces.
Colonel C. D. Gasser, Resident Engineer, Air Materiel Command,
Nuclear Energy for the Propulsion of Aircraft Research, Oak Ridge,
Tennessee, has recently and confidentially advised the Bureau that
flying discs are believed by the Air Force to be man-made missiles
rather than some natural phenomenon and that as much as four years ago
it was learned that some type of flying discs were being experimented
upon by the Russians. It was further determined from Colonel Gasser that
most all of the flying discs seen by persons in the United States approached
this country from a northerly direction and returned in the same direction,
indicating the strong possibility that they are coming from Russia.
The Department of the Air Force has furnished to the Bureau a
sufficient number of copies of a memorandum dated February 15, 1949 captioned
"Unconventional Aircraft" which can be furnished to our field offices.
STATUS
RECORDED - 76 162-83894-160
F B I
At the present time this Bureau is conducting no investigation of
information received in the field relating to the captioned matter.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the attached SAC letter and enclosure be
forwarded to the field to advise them of the type of questions to be asked
of persons who voluntarily submit information relative to "flying discs."
Although no active investigation will be conducted by the Bureau, it is
believed that the captioned matter is of sufficient importance to the
internal security of the country that our field offices should secure as
much information as possible from complainants in order to assist the
Department of the Air Force.
EHM:EHW
Attachment
[ILLEGIBLE] APR 6 1949[Reverse of page 118 — text shows through from obverse, largely illegible] RECEIVED-LADD U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I MAR 23 9 18 AM '49 U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I MAR 24 12 56 PM '49 RECEIVED-[ILLEGIBLE] RECEIVED-LADD U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I MAR 16 9 19 AM '49 RECEIVED-FLETCHER MAR 15 9 59 AM [ILLEGIBLE]RECEIVED MAR 23 3 18 PM '49 U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I RECEIVED - DIRECTOR RECD ESPIONAGE F B I [ILLEGIBLE] U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE APR 5 9 38 AM '49 APR 4 4 52 PM [ILLEGIBLE] F B I U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE INTERNAL SECURITY [ILLEGIBLE] RECEIVED
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : DIRECTOR, FBI DATE: March 22, 1949
FROM : SAC, SAN ANTONIO
SUBJECT: PROTECTION OF VITAL INSTALLATIONS
BUREAU FILE 65-58300
[CONFIDENTIAL — declassified 8/3[ILLEGIBLE]/77]
o Flying Discs
Re San Antonio letter to the Director dated January 31, 1949, which outlined
discussion had at recent weekly Intelligence Conferences of G-2, ONI, OSI and
FBI in the Fourth Army Area concerning "Unidentified Aircraft" or "Unidentified
Aerial Phenomena" otherwise known as "flying discs", "Flying saucers" and "balls
of fire". It is repeated that this matter is considered secret by Intelligence
Officers of both the Army and the Air Force.
G-2, 4th Army, has now advised that the above matter is now termed "Unconven-
tional Aircraft" and investigations concerning such matters have been given
the name "Project Grudge".
G-2, 4th Army, advised on February 16, 1949, a conference was held at Los
Alamos, New Mexico, to consider the co-called "Green fire ball phenomena"
which began about December 5, 1948. It was brought out this question has been
classified "secret" and that investigation is now the primary responsibility
of the U.S. Air Force, Air Materiel Command, T-2.
Dr. LINCOLN LA PAZ of the University of New Mexico, discussed one siting which
he himself had made which was termed the "Starvation peak incident" and des-
cribed the following characteristics which indicated that the phenomenon
could not be classified as a normal meteorite fall.
1. There was an initial bright light (no period of intensity increase)
and constant intensity during the duration of the phenomenon.
2. Yellow green color about 5200 Angstroms.
3. Essentially horizontal path.
4. Trajectory traversed at constant angular velocity.
5. Duration about two seconds.
6. No accompanying noise.
JEJ:md RECORDED - [ILLEGIBLE] 62-83894-161
2 cc: El Paso (100-4562) F B I
2 cc: Dallas 75 Apr. 4, 1949
" " Houston
" " Little Rock
" " Oklahoma City
EX-19 - 1 -
ORIGINAL COPY FILED IN 65-58300[ILLEGIBLE]DIRECTOR, FBI March 22, 1949 It was brought out that since December 5, 1948 there have been more than ten incidents analagous to the "green fireball" above described and some twenty others with miner deviations from the above. It is also pointed out that the only sitings which had occurred seemed to have been confined to the Los Alamos, Las Vegas, and West Texas triangle. G-2 also advised that as of November 1, 1948, information had been received from higher Military authorities that the Air Force had advised that such sitings occur periodically and that another period of sitings was then imminent. Further, on February 14, 1949, higher Military authorities advised that it was believed that ultimately it would be found that the phenomena in question have a natural explanation. It is further noted that about 7:30 p.m., March 6, 1949, what was at first thought to be a flare was seen approximately one-half mile north of Killeen Base in the area of the Vital Installation at Camp Hood, Texas, and a second flare was noticed at 1:45 a.m., March 7, 1949, approximately three miles from Killeen Base. It has since been concluded that the flares seen near Killeen are probably similar to the phenomena previously noted in the Los Alamos, Sandia Base Area although these are the first sitings of such phenomena near Camp Hood. There appears to be reason to believe that the above-mentioned phenomena may be connected with secret experiments being conducted by some U.S. Government Agency as it is believed that the United States is farther advanced in guided missile development than any foreign power. Although the primary responsibility for investigating such matters is now with the U.S. A.F. Air Materiel Command, G-2, 4th Army is still interested in being advised of any further sitings of such phenomena which might be observed. - 2 -
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Form No. 1
THIS CASE ORIGINATED AT HOUSTON FILE NO. 105-445
REPORT MADE AT DATE WHEN MADE PERIOD FOR REPORT MADE BY
WHICH MADE
LOS ANGELES 3/30/49 12/28,29;1/7/49 W. NATHAN PROVINSE DPZ
TITLE FLYING DISCS;
LONNIE EDWARD NOACK, complainant;
Houston, Texas, December 27, 1948
CHARACTER OF CASE
INTERNAL SECURITY M
SYNOPSIS OF FACTS:
Object described by complainant as possible flying disc
determined to be a model tow target or kite which had
been abandoned after unsuccessful tests. Portions of
target positively identified by HENRY T. RICE, L.A.
manufacturer and erstwhile financial backer as being
part of the model target or kite.
RUC
REFERENCE:
Teletype from Houston to Director dated 12/28/48.
Teletype from Los Angeles to Director dated 12/28/48.
Teletype from Los Angeles to Director dated 12/29/48.
DETAILS:
This investigation is predicated upon the receipt of referenced
teletype from the Houston Office advising that LONNIE EDWARD NOACK had located
an object in the desert near Helendale, California, resembling a flying disc.
This object, described as a flying disc, had been located by NOACK, R. C.
PERSON and Mr. and Mrs. NATHAN SMITH of South Pasadena, California, approxi-
mately one hundred and fifty miles northeast of Pasadena or about twenty
miles from Lone Pine, California.
Special Agent EDWARD OLSEN determined that R. C. PERSON, Vasco
Manufacturing Company, was traveling in Arizona and not available for interview.
APPROVED AND SPECIAL AGENT
FORWARDED: IN CHARGE DO NOT WRITE IN THESE SPACES
[signature] 62-83894- 102 RECORDED - 59
COPIES OF THIS REPORT INDEXED - 59
5 - Bureau
2 - Houston
1 - IFO #2, Fort MacArthur
2 - Los Angeles
COPIES DESTROYED
270 NOV 23 1964 61 APR 13 1949FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Form No. 1
THIS CASE ORIGINATED AT HOUSTON FILE NO. 105-445
REPORT MADE AT DATE WHEN MADE PERIOD FOR REPORT MADE BY
WHICH MADE
LOS ANGELES 3/30/49 12/28,29;1/7/49 W. NATHAN PROVINSE DPZ
TITLE FLYING DISCS;
LONNIE EDWARD NOACK, complainant;
Houston, Texas, December 27, 1948
CHARACTER OF CASE
INTERNAL SECURITY M
SYNOPSIS OF FACTS:
Object described by complainant as possible flying disc
determined to be a model tow target or kite which had
been abandoned after unsuccessful tests. Portions of
target positively identified by HENRY T. RICE, L.A.
manufacturer and erstwhile financial backer as being
part of the model target or kite.
RUC
REFERENCE:
Teletype from Houston to Director dated 12/28/48.
Teletype from Los Angeles to Director dated 12/28/48.
Teletype from Los Angeles to Director dated 12/29/48.
DETAILS:
This investigation is predicated upon the receipt of referenced
teletype from the Houston Office advising that LONNIE EDWARD NOACK had located
an object in the desert near Helendale, California, resembling a flying disc.
This object, described as a flying disc, had been located by NOACK, R. C.
PERSON and Mr. and Mrs. NATHAN SMITH of South Pasadena, California, approxi-
mately one hundred and fifty miles northeast of Pasadena or about twenty
miles from Lone Pine, California.
Special Agent EDWARD OLSEN determined that R. C. PERSON, Vasco
Manufacturing Company, was traveling in Arizona and not available for interview.
APPROVED AND SPECIAL AGENT
FORWARDED: IN CHARGE DO NOT WRITE IN THESE SPACES
COPIES OF THIS REPORT
5 - Bureau
2 - Houston
1 - IFO #2, Fort MacArthur
2 - Los AngelesL. A. 105-445
Mr. N. SMITH, SMITH MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 105 Pasadena Avenue,
South Pasadena, California, who was with NOACK at the time the object was
discovered, advised Special Agent EDWARD OLSEN on December 28, 1948, that
he was present at the time the object was located on his, SMITH's, landing
field near Helendale, California. SMITH advised that they had taken some
pieces off the object and that subsequently, upon returning to Los Angeles,
he had learned that the object was actually a model kite or tow target which
had been built by the OHLSON AND RICE MANUFACTURING COMPANY of Los Angeles.
Mr. SMITH stated that he had talked to both OHLSON and RICE and that they
had admitted to him having experimented with the object over his, SMITH's,
airfield. Mr. SMITH made available three of the parts of the target which
he had secured while at the airfield.
The information furnished by Mr. SMITH was verified by Special
Agent EDWARD OLSEN in an interview with Mr. HENRY T. RICE, OHLSON AND RICE
MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 3340 Emery Street, Los Angeles. The parts made
available by Mr. SMITH were exhibited to Mr. RICE, and he advised that
the model tow target or kite had been taken to the airfield for flight
tests by himself and CLAUDE LEROY WOLFORD, 5454 Chesley Avenue, Los
Angeles 43, California. Mr. RICE stated that WOLFORD is the inventor
of the object and OHLSON AND RICE had originally agreed to finance him
to develop the tow target or kite as a toy. Mr. RICE explained that
they were primarily interested in developing the contraption as a toy
kite to be sold in a much smaller model; however, the inventor, against
their wishes, had developed a much larger model which he had hoped to
sell as a tow target to be used behind airplanes. Mr. RICE stated that
since he had gone that far they felt that they should give the project
a test and thereupon they took it out to the desert as a precautionary
measure. Mr. RICE stated that the flight test was a failure; the model
crashed soon after it was airborne and was thereafter abandoned on the
field.
In the absence of her husband, Mrs. CLAUDE LEROY WOLFORD,
5454 Chesley Avenue, was interviewed and exhibited the three parts
of the kite made available by Mr. SMITH. She readily identified the
three items as part of a kite her husband had built for the RICE
MANUFACTURING COMPANY. She advised that she also accompanied her
husband to the desert at the time the tests were made. She explained
that the kite had crashed and that the manufacturing company did not
want to put any more cash in it so it was abandoned on the desert.
The three parts of the kite were returned to NATHAN SMITH on
January 7, 1949. The Sub-District Office, I. G. (USAF), 1206 Santee
Street, Terminal Annex, Los Angeles, California, was apprised of the
information contained herein immediately upon its receipt.
REFERRED UPON COMPLETION TO THE OFFICE OF ORIGIN
2.United States Department of Justice
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Washington 25, D. C.
PERSONAL ATTENTION
SAC LETTER NO. 38
Series 1949
March 25, 1949
MEMO FOR MR. HOOVER CALLAHAN HINCE NANNA
TOLSON CALLAN JONES, M. A. NAUGHTEN
CLEGG CARLSON KEAY NEASE
CONNELLEY CARTWRIGHT LAUGHLIN PARSONS
GLAVIN CONRAD LEONARD PENNINGTON
HARBO DOWNING LONG RENNEBERGER
LADD EDWARDS, H. L. McCABE, E. J. ROGERS
NICHOLS EGAN McCABE, N. H. SIZOO
ROSEN FEENEY McGUIRE TAMM, Q.
TRACY FLETCHER, H. B. McINTIRE WAIKART
BAUMGARDNER GURNEA MOBLEY WALL
BOSWELL MOHR WHITSON
DECLASSIFIED BY SP6BTJ/dcg
ON 4-19-83 RE: FLYING DISCS
Your attention is directed to Bureau Bulletin #57, Series 1947, dated
October 1, 1947, relating to the discontinuance of investigation by this Bureau in
matters concerning flying discs.
For your confidential information, a reliable and confidential source
has advised the Bureau that flying discs are believed to be man-made missiles rather
than natural phenomenon. It has also been determined that for approximately the
past four years the USSR has been engaged in experimentation on an unknown type
of flying disc.
The Department of the Air Force has furnished to the Bureau the attached
memorandum classified "restricted" dated February 15, 1949, entitled "Unconventional
Aircraft." This memorandum is being furnished to you in order that all agents
assigned to your office can be informed of the type of information desired by the
Air Force in this matter.
As set forth in Bureau Bulletin #57, referred to above, no investigation
should be conducted by your office relative to flying discs, however, the attached
memorandum should be referred to in securing data from persons who desire to
voluntarily furnish information to your office relating to flying discs.
Very truly yours,
John Edgar Hoover
Director
Enclosure
[stamp: SQARRS 1948]
99
62-83894-
NOT RECORDED
150 APR 4 1949FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE COMMUNICATIONS SECTION APR 5 1949 TELETYPE F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE FBI SALT LAKE CITY 4-5-49 12-25 PM HTG DIRECTOR URGENT FLYING DISCS. INFORMATION RECEIVED AT LOGAN, UTAH ELEVEN AM TODAY THAT AT NINE AM A GUARD AT THE ARMY GENERAL SUPPLY DEPOT, OGDEN, UTAH, OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE AN EXPLOSION IN THE AIR ACCOMPANIED BY A FLASH OF LIGHT FOLLOWED BY THE FALLING OF SILVER COLORED OBJECT. THIS WAS SEEN AT HIGH ALTITUDE WEST OF OGDEN NEAR THE TOWN OF TAYLOR, UTAH. ABOUT THE SAME TIME LT. RON HATFIELD OF LOGAN, UTAH PD SAW TWO PUFFS OF SMOKE HIGH IN THE AIR WEST OF LOGAN FOLLOWED BY FALLING OF SILVER COLORED OBJECT. ALSO AT ABOUT SAME TIME UTAH HIGHWAY PATROLMAN L. N. JEPPSON AT MANTUA, UTAH, SAW A SILVER COLORED OBJECT HIGH UP APPROACHING THE MOUNTAINS AT SARDINE CANYON BETWEEN LOGAN AND BRIGHAM CITY, UTAH AND AS OBJECT NEARED THE MOUNTAIN IT APPEARED TO EXPLODE IN A FLASH OF FIRE. SEVERAL RESIDENTS AT TRENTON, UTAH, WHICH IS WEST OF LOGAN, HAVE REPORTED TO SO, LOGAN, SEEING WHAT APPEARED TO BE TWO AERIAL EXPLOSIONS FOLLOWED BY FALLING OBJECT WEST OF TRENTON AT ABOUT NINE TWENTY AM TODAY. ABOVE INFORMATION IMMEDIATELY FURNISHED TO OSI, HILL FIELD, UTAH. ANY FURTHER PERTINENT DEVELOPMENTS WILL BE FURNISHED BUREAU FOR INFORMATION. OSI HILL FIELD HAS JUST NOW ADVISED ABOVE PHENOMENA PROBABLY CAUSED BY TWO B TWENTYNINES FROM WENDOVER FIELD WHICH ARE PRACTICE-BOMBING IN THE DESERT WEST OF LOGAN FROM EXTREMELY HIGH ALTITUDES WHICH WOULD CAUSE VAPOR TRAILS. OSI CHECKING FURTHER AND WILL ADVISE THIS OFFICE OF RESULTS. ACK AND HOLD 51 APR 15 1949 2 31 PM OK FBI WASH DC GAR RECORDED - 142 ROWMAN EX-133, Five-EHM 19 APR 7 1949 62-[ILLEGIBLE] 163
RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT Apr 5 2 33 PM '49 F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE [Mirror/reverse image of teletype — text reads as bleed-through from reverse side, not independently legible] RECEIVED - FLETCHER APR 5 3 27 PM 49 RECEIVED APR 5 9 56 M 49 RECEIVED APR 6 9 56 M 49
O Flying Discs
RESTRICTED
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
ROUTING SLIP
TO:
1. OFFICE AFCSI DATE
ATTENTION Col Martin - Rm 4E 1075 4 march
49
2. OFFICE DATE
ATTENTION
3. OFFICE DATE
ATTENTION
FOR: Following Action(s) As Checked
COORDINATION NOTE AND RETURN INFORMATION
NECESSARY ACTION RECOMMENDATION FILE
SEE OR PHONE ME APPROVAL SIGNATURE
COMMENT
As per your recent
request, 50 copies of Air
Intelligence Requirements No 4
are forwarded herewith
for transmittal to the
F.B.I.
FROM: RESTRICTED
OFFICE AFOIR-CO ROOM NO.
SE203
INDIVIDUAL DW McKenning PHONE
71067
AF HQ Form 12 16--56400-7 U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
10 Nov 47
ENCLOSURE BEHIND FILE
EX-109
[stamp: ENCLOSURE BEHIND FILE]
et 1 enc 60
File in file on
"Flying Discs" 62-83894-164
F B I
3 APR 7 1949 file 5-EHM
RECORDED - 60
EX-109
58 APR 22 1949[Mostly blank page — reverse/back of routing slip] RECEIVED APR 4 5 05 PM '49 REC'D ESPIONAGE F B I U. S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE RECEIVED APR 21 1 14 PM '49 REC'D ESPIONAGE F B I U. S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE [stamp: SQARRS 1948]
62-83894-165
RECORDED - 34 May 4, 1949
[stamp: CONFIDENTIAL] - AIR POUCH
TO: Legal Attache
Mexico City, D.F.
FROM: Director, FBI
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS
Reference is made to your letter dated April 5, 1949 captioned as above
in which you request a copy of the Air Force memorandum mentioned in SAC Letter
#38, Series 1949 dated March 25, 1949.
In response thereto there is enclosed herewith the pamphlet captioned,
"Unconventional Aircraft" issued by the Department of the Air Force under date of
February 15, 1949 to which reference was made in the above-mentioned SAC Letter.
Enclosure
CO- Foreign Service Desk (detached)
NLFmk
[stamp: COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
BY
SPECIAL MESSENGER]
[stamp: BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE]
63 MAY 11 1949OFFICE OF THE LEGAL ATTACHE
EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
MEXICO CITY
ms
Date: April 5, 1949
To: Director, FBI
From: John N. Speakes, Legal Attache
Subject: FLYING DISCS
Reference is made to SAC Letter #38, Series 1949,
dated March 25, 1949, advising that a copy of a memorandum
from the Department of the Air Force, dated February 15,
1949, and entitled "Unconventional Aircraft," as furnished
to the Bureau, was being forwarded to this office in order
that all agents assigned to the Mexico City Office might be
informed of the type of information desired by the Air Force
in this matter.
This is to advise that the above-mentioned enclosure
was not received by this office and it is respectfully requested
that a copy of this memorandum be forwarded to Mexico City.
EHM
JNS:ml
let Mexico city
w/encl
5-4-49 nlf
RECORDED - 59
62-83894-165
F B I
12 APR 15 1949[Reverse/back of Mexico City letter — bleed-through text, not independently legible] RECEIVED APR 19 9 14 AM '49 ATOMIC ENERGY LIAISON SECTION F.B.I. U. S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : DIRECTOR, FBI DATE: 4-22-49
FROM : SAC, LITTLE ROCK
SUBJECT: UNKNOWN SUBJECTS;
WADE H. HARRISON - INFORMANT
FLYING DISCS
FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS (4-16-49)
WADE H. HARRISON, residence address Route 1, Box 293,
Fort Smith, Arkansas, is employed as a Special Delivery messenger by
the Fort Smith Post Office Department.
HARRISON stated that at 5:25 p.m., Saturday, April 16, 1949,
while delivering special delivery mail in Fort Smith, he stopped his
automobile at a signal light located at the intersection of North
Eleventh Street and Grand Avenue. He glanced up at the stop light and
observed a brilliant object moving in a southeastern direction. He
presumed the object was approximately 2 miles high. He got out of his
automobile and pointed up with the suggestion that other automobile
drivers, stopped for the signal light, could see the object. He does
not know who any of the other people are or what they saw. He was
obliged to move on after the light changed and the drivers began honking
their horns. He watched the object until it was obscured by the line
of trees in that section. He estimated he watched it travel some
3 or 4 miles before he lost sight of it. He stated the weather was
clear, visibility was good, and there were no clouds near the object.
The object made no noise perceptible to HARRISON. However, he commented
that he was stopped at an intersection where the traffic was heavy and
there was considerable noise. He first thought possibly he had seen
some type of a reflector on an airplane, but could not locate or hear
a plane anywhere.
HARRISON drove to the 1400 Block of North "C" Street, where
he observed an Army officer, wearing the insignia of a major or lieutenant
colonel, standing back of the officer's automobile. He stopped and
asked the officer if he had observed the flying object. The officer,
name unknown to the informant, answered negatively and then remarked,
"I am glad other people are also reporting seeing flying objects."
The officer then related that the day previous, Friday, April 15, 1949,
while the officer was traveling out of Oklahoma City toward Fort Smith,
his wife observed a flying object in the sky very similar to that
described by HARRISON. The officer stated he saw the object too, but
furnished no more information.
1 ENCL
DOS:crc
98-0
Enc.
AMSD
EX-118
COPIES DESTROYED
270 NOV 18 1964 61 MAY 3 1949
62-83894-166
19 APR 26 1949
RECORDED - 119
INDEXED - 119
EX-118[Reverse/back of Harrison memorandum — mirror image, not independently legible] RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY SN F B I U. S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE MAY 2 11 41 AM '49 RECEIVED EX-118
LET TO DIRECTOR 4-22-49
FLYING DISCS
HARRISON described the object as appearing some 3 or 4
inches in diameter from the distance he saw it. It was very bright
and reflected a light in a manner similar to a mirror. He reported
the incident to the local press at Fort Smith and inquired if anyone had
made a similar report. He received a negative reply. In this connection,
please find attached an article from the front page of the Southwest-Times
Record newspaper published at Fort Smith, Arkansas, Sunday, April 17,
1949.
The interview with HARRISON developed he is 52 years of age.
He has had considerable college training and attended the seminary at
Westminister, Maryland 2½ years. He stated that his eyesight is very
good for a man of his age and that he has worn reading glasses only
for the past few years. He was positive he had observed the object
as related above. He was unable of course to state just what the object
was or furnish any additional information concerning it. No information
was available at Fort Smith indicating the object had fallen in that
section or that it was observed by others. The Little Rock Office is
making no further inquiries concerning the subject matter.
The offices of OSI and MID have been notified of the informa-
tion set out above.
[handwritten: 4/8/49
5/3/
4/7]
- 2 -SOUTHWEST - TIMES RECORD Ft. Smith, Arkansas April 17, 1949 [newspaper clipping] Local Man Reports Seeing What He Believes Was "Flying Disc" Wade Harrison, Fort Smith post office employe, reported Sat- urday he had observed what he believed was a "flying disc." Harrison saw what he believed was a "flying disc" as he was driving east on Grand avenue at Eleventh street. He said the object was small and was moving southeastward at a rapid rate of speed. He said the object resembled a tiny mirror. There were no other reports of "flying discs" in the area Sat- urday. [stamp: ENCLOSURE 62-83894-166]
DO-6
OFFICE OF DIRECTOR
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
. April 20, 1949
The attached was sent to the
Director by Walter Winchell.
Attachment
mt
Mr. Tolson
Mr. Clegg
Mr. Glavin
Mr. Ladd
Mr. Nichols
Mr. Rosen
Mr. Tracy
Mr. Egan
Mr. Gurnea
Mr. Harbo
Mr. Jones
Mr. Mohr
Mr. Pennington
Tele. Room
Mr. Nease
Miss Holmes
Miss Gandy
[signature] Fletcher
[signature] Maddsburg
[stamp: RECEIVED - DIRECTOR
F B I
U. S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
APR 20 3 08 PM '49]
Five EHM[Reverse/back of Director's office note — mirror image, not independently legible] RECEIVED - FLETCHER APR 20 4 51 PM '49 RECEIVED - TOLSON APR 20 4 35 PM '49 RECEIVED APR 20 4 35 PM '49 F B I U. S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE RECEIVED APR 20 3 08 PM '49 RECEIVED - DIRECTOR F B I U. S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
62-83894-167
[stamp: CONFIDENTIAL]
BY SPECIAL MESSENGER
RECORDED - 128
Date: May 2, 1949
To: Director of Special Investigations (I.G.)
Department of the Air Force
The Pentagon
Washington 25, D. C.
From: John Edgar Hoover, Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Re: FLYING DISCS
A reliable and confidential source has recently
advised this Bureau that during the first part of April,
1949, Mr. C. A. Atkins, 4312 Los Feliz, Hollywood 27,
California, had informed him that three employees of the
Department of Recreation in Parks in the city of Los Angeles,
California, had noticed objects in the sky which appeared to
be flying discs.
The above information is being furnished to you for
whatever action you desire and no investigation is being con-
ducted relative thereto by this Bureau.
EHM:mdd
[stamp: COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
BY
SPECIAL MESSENGER
MAY 3 - 1949]
[stamp: U. S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
F B I
RECEIVED - DIRECTOR
MAY 3 8 PM '49]
[stamp: RECEIVED
MAY 2 2 25 PM '49]
Mr. Tolson
Mr. Clegg
Mr. Glavin
Mr. Ladd
Mr. Nichols
Mr. Rosen
Mr. Tracy
Mr. Egan
Mr. Gurnea
Mr. Harbo
Mr. Pennington
Mr. Quinn Tamm
Tele. Room
Mr. Nease
Miss Gandy
1 MAY 208449[Reverse/back of May 2, 1949 Hoover letter — mirror image, not independently legible] RECEIVED - MAIL ROOM F B I U. S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE MAY 2 6 46 PM '49 [stamp: COMMUNICATIONS SECTION BY SPECIAL MESSENGER MAY 3 - 1949] [stamp: RECEIVED - DIRECTOR F B I U. S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE MAY 3 [ILLEGIBLE] AM '49]
CITY OF LOS ANGELES
CALIFORNIA
COMMISSIONERS
MAURIE LUXFORD
PRESIDENT
MRS. ROLLIN BROWN
VICE-PRESIDENT
MRS. WILLIAM J. WILSON
C. TONY PEREIRA
ROBERT L. BURNS
J. J. HASSETT
SECRETARY
FLETCHER BOWRON,
MAYOR
DEPARTMENT OF
RECREATION AND PARKS
305 CITY HALL
LOS ANGELES 12
MICHIGAN 5211
GEO. HJELTE
GENERAL MANAGER
GILBERT L. SKUTT
SUPERINTENDENT OF PARKS
Hollywood, Calif. April 10, 1949.
Mr. Walter Winchell
New York City, N.Y.
My Dear Winchell.
[handwritten: To Hoover]
With reference to flying Disc's or other flying objects, thought you would be interested in the following. It in a measure substantiates your statements.
Friday of last week, three of our department employees were working in Griffith Park (the nations largest park) when one of them, De Jarnett by name noticed an object sailing through the sky and took a good look to try and distinguish it from planes that frequently fly over.
About the same time two of his men working about a half mile away saw the object. They checked with each other and arrived at the same conclusion. It was a Disc and they ran to a telephone to report the incident. In the meantime DeJarnett started to the location where his men were working to check and see if they had seen the object.
They had both seen it which proves beyond a question of a doubt that something of the Disc type was in the air and when the third man stated he also saw it, I am satisfied you are very much right in your statements and I am inclined to call a person a liar that says (there are no disc's)
RECORDED - 1
One of your fans,
INDEXED - 1 [date stamp]
C.A. Atkins.
4312 Los Feliz
Hollywood 27 Cal.
[handwritten stamps] All Air Force 5-7-49
[handwritten] 62-83894-169
5-Ehm[Reverse/back side of page 141 — bleed-through mirror image of front; text is not independently legible] RECORDED U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I INDEXED RCVD ESPIONAGE MAY 19 5 24 PM 49 APR 21 9 36 AM 49 RECEIVED-NIMD RECEIVED
SAC - San Antonio April 26, 1949
Director - FBI
FLYING DISKS
INTERNAL SECURITY - R
RECORDED - 10
62-83894-167
Reference is made to your letter dated April 4, 1949, captioned "Protection of Vital Installations." You are instructed in the future to report information relating to flying disks under the above caption.
EX117
In regard to your request for information that would substantiate or discredit the statements made by Walter Winchell on his broadcast of April 3, 1949, your attention is directed to SAC Letter No. 38 dated March 25, 1949, captioned "Flying Disks."
For your strictly confidential information, the data contained in SAC Letter No. 38 was obtained in confidence from a colonel in the United States Air Materiel Command, who obtained his information from persons actively engaged in the investigation of this subject.
No interview with Walter Winchell will be made by the Bureau concerning the source of his statements referred to in your referenced letter.
EHM:mpd
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
MAILED 9
APR 27 1949 P.M.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
G.I.R.
APR 27 5 49 PM 49
RECEIVED READING ROOM
U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE
F.B.I.
APR 27 6 46 PM 49
U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
F B I
[signatures]
[handwritten] Ey
Ehm
30 MAY 17 1949[Reverse/back side of page 143 — bleed-through mirror image of front; text is not independently legible] APR 27 2 35 PM '49 APR 27 7 18 PM '45 RECEIVED-TOLSON RECEIVED-MAIL ROOM U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I COMMUNICATIONS SECTION MAILED 9 APR 27 1949 P.M. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE MAY 21 8 38 PM '49 U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I RECEIVED-DIRECTOR
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Director, FBI DATE: April 4, 1949
FROM : [handwritten] SAC, San Antonio AIR MAIL
SPECIAL DELIVERY
SUBJECT: PROTECTION OF VITAL INSTALLATIONS
(Bureau file 65-48300)
Reference is made to San Antonio letter to the Bureau dated March 22, 1949 which submitted information related by military authorities concerning unconventional aircraft.
The Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2, 4th Army, has advised that at 11:50 P.M. March 31, 1949 a lighted object about the size of a basketball, reddish white in color, followed by a fire trail, was observed southwest of Killeen Base, adjacent to Camp Hood, Texas. The observation was made by 1st Lt. FREDERICK W. DAVIS, who was in charge of a platoon, Company C, 12th Armored Infantry Battalion, which is assigned as a part of an alert force (called force Abel) from Camp Hood, whose function is to protect the installation at Killeen Base.
Lt. DAVIS advised that the object was at an altitude estimated at 6,000 ft., was traveling parallel to the ground and passed directly over him at a rapid rate of speed. It was in view 10 to 15 seconds and suddenly disappeared high in the sky without having descended. No sound or odor was detected. The night was clear and visibility good. The object passed almost directly over the air strip at Killeen Base.
When Lt. DAVIS attempted to advise his headquarters by telephone immediately after the sighting, he heard static or electrical interference on the telephone line which he stated might be possible radio interference.
G-2 has advised that other lights of unknown origin were observed on March 6, 7, 8 and 17, 1949, by military personnel of the alert force stationed approximately 1000 yards east of the fences which surround Killeen Base.
The object sighted on March 31, 1949 was reported as being of a different nature from the lights seen earlier in the month.
It is noted that Mr. WALTER WINCHELL, on his Sunday evening broadcast, April 3, 1949, stated that "flying discs" seen in this country definitely emanated from Russia.
On April 4, 1949, G-2, 4th Army, contacted this office, inquiring as to whether we had any information that would substantiate or discredit the statements made by WALTER WINCHELL.
2 cc - El Paso (100-4562)
JEJ:ED
100-7545
RECORDED - 105
INDEXED - 105
EX11
SAC5 [handwritten dates]
62-83894-168
F B I
6 MAY 5 1949
5-EHM
RECEIVED
[handwritten side notation] ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS [ILLEGIBLE] DATE [ILLEGIBLE]
[handwritten] o Flying Disks 5-7-49
[handwritten notation: UNRECORDED COPY FILED IN 65-48300][Reverse/back side of page 145 — bleed-through mirror image of front; text is not independently legible] U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F.B.I. APR 5 2 17 PM '49 RECEIVED ATOMIC ENERGY LIAISON SECTION APR 4 03 PM '49 RCVD ESPIONAGE F B I U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE RECEIVED [handwritten] MoaHoffz Q 4/15
Letter to Director April 4, 1949
SA-100-7545
In view of the interest and concern of 4th Army military authorities who have the duty of protecting the vital installations at Los Alamos, N. M., Sandia Base, N. M. in the El Paso Division, and the Camp Hood area in the San Antonio Division, it is suggested that the Bureau may desire to have Mr. WINCHELL interviewed concerning the source of his information that "flying discs" emanate from Russia.
It would be appreciated if the Bureau can supply any information that can be transmitted to military authorities which would clarify this matter.
- 2 -RECORDED - 104
INDEXED - 104
62-93894-169
Mr. Carey L. Davis
141 Claire Drive, Southeast
Atlanta, Georgia
EX-43 Dear Mr. Davis:
Your letter of April 27, 1949, has been received, and I want to thank you for sending me the newspaper clipping which you enclosed together with your observations concerning the designs you submitted to the federal government in 1942. Although I would like to be of service, checks of the type you desire are not within the scope of this Bureau's activities. It was very thoughtful of you to contact me in that regard.
Sincerely yours,
John Edgar Hoover
Director
WN:rlc [handwritten: Rge]
[signatures]
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
MAILED 7[6] [date] PM CO
MAY 4 1949 P.M.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
[stamp] 53 MAY 24 1949
May 3, 1949HOTEL LAWRENCE
AIR COOLED
75 ROOMS
MODERN
OUR FOOD IS
UNEXCELLED
Walnut Ridge, Ark. April 27th, 1949.
[handwritten: o Flying Saucers]
Hon. J. Edgar Hoover:
Washington, D.C.
Having read the inclosed clipping you will find with this letter prompted me to send it to you and ask you to check The National Inventors Councel files on the 2 types of engines + the flying saucer design that I submitted to Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt in 1942. while Henry Wallace was Secretary of Commerce. who was in charge of The National Inventors Councel.
I mean just this. See how easy it would have been for Wallace to have conveyed these designs to Russia and with held them from our own Engineering Dept. You can make the biggest find here of your life, if you look.
I will appreciate a reply.
Carey L. Davis,
1410 Claire Dr. S.E.
Atlanta, Ga.
RECORDED 104 62 [number] MAY 10 1949
[handwritten] mrl 3 45
[handwritten] Ccb 5-3 amNew Data, Ideas
About Flying
Saucers
And Death of Pilot
Who Chased One
By United Press
DAYTON, Ohio, April 27.—The only airman who ever got near a flying saucer crashed and died before he could describe it, the Dayton Journal-Herald said today.
The newspaper printed a lengthy dispatch on the mysterious flying discs, based, it said, on hitherto unpublished reports assembled at the Wright-Patterson Air Force base. The Air Force investigation has proved that the flying saucers "are not a joke." Neither "are they a cause for alarm to the population," the newspaper said.
The closest any airman came to the mystery discs was on Jan. 7, 1948, when one was sighted over Fort Knox, Ky., the dispatch said. Four fighter planes were sent aloft to intercept it, but only Capt. Thomas F. Mantell was able to get close.
"I'm closing in to take a good look," the newspaper quoted him as reporting by radio. "It looks metallic and of tremendous size. It's going up as fast as I am. That's 360 miles an hour. I'm going up after it. At 20,000 feet, if I'm no closer, I'll abandon chase."
Mantell's plane crashed a few minutes later and he was killed.
The paper said a report now on file at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base lists 240 domestic and 30 foreign accounts of flying discs as having been investigated. Of these, 20 per cent seem to have been weather balloons and the like and 30 per cent more are perhaps explainable conventionally—leaving 40 per cent unexplained.
The Air Force recently said there was no evidence that the discs were guided missiles fired from some other country, but that
[right column, partially visible:]
on the other hand it was not impossible that they were. Later the Air Force announced it was not making any further comments on the discs.
The Dayton paper says the report on which its story is based said "evaluation teams" stated:
"We can't prove or disprove the existence of some of the remaining unidentified objects as real aircraft of unconventional design.
"The possibility that the saucers [w...]
62-83894-169
ENCLOSURERECORDED - 135
INDEXED - 135
62-8 3894-170
[stamp: CONFIDENTIAL]
BY SPECIAL MESSENGER
To: Director of Special Investigations, (I. G.)
Department of the Air Force
The Pentagon
Washington 25, D. C.
From: John Edgar Hoover - Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation
Subject: INFORMATION CONCERNING FLYING SAUCERS
MRS. FRANK GARDNER - INFORMANT
Enclosed is a photostatic copy of a letter dated April 29, 1949, received by this Bureau from Mrs. Frank Gardner concerning flying saucers.
The correspondent has been advised that a copy of her letter has been forwarded to the United States Air Force.
This letter is being forwarded to you for any action you may deem advisable.
Enclosure
FRW:jmf [handwritten: jmf]
[signatures]
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
BY
SPECIAL MESSENGER
MAY 1 1 1949
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
[stamps]
MAY 1 1949
60 MAY 27 1949
[handwritten: 2MAY 27 1949]
Mr. Tolson
Mr. Clegg
Mr. Glavin
Mr. Ladd
Mr. Nichols
Mr. Rosen
Mr. Tracy
Mr. Egan
Mr. Gurnes
Mr. Harbo
Mr. Mohr
Mr. Pennington
Mr. Quinn Tamm
Tele. Room
Mr. Nease
Miss Gandy
May 10, 1949[Reverse/back side of page 151 — bleed-through mirror image of front; text is not independently legible] RECORDED - 135 INDEXED - 135 MAY 10 5 10 PM '49 RECEIVED-MAIL ROOM U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I MAY 27 1 20 PM '45 RCVD ESPIONAGE F B I U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE RECEIVED COMMUNICATIONS SECTION BY SPECIAL MESSENGER MAY 1 1949 FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
2310 W. Harvey
El Monte Calif.
4-29-49
Edgar J. Hoover
F.B.I. *Flying Saucers
Dear Sir: -
Take this for what you think its worth, But I keep thinking I may be able to throw a light on the so called Flying Saucers, I do not know how true this is, but as our own Army says it has nothing to do concerning these Saucers appearing in the skies, I aim to tell you what a certain woman told me of a supposed secret aircraft hide out and factory that is in or under mountains near Mexico City Mexico.. This young woman is married to a Mexican radio musician there. who seems to be one of a special few who were allowed to visit this place in the mountains. She said that these aircraft was made of some metalic material that cound not be reconized in the air only as an almost invisible form. That the passengers or pilot rather, cound see out, but lookers on could Not see inside. That close up they (the craft) looks a sort of glass. And that they were preparing them for special reason against the U.S.
RECORDED - 135
62-83894-171
12 MAY 13 1949
[handwritten] To Security [ILLEGIBLE]
[handwritten] Ach USAF 5/10/45 FRW[Reverse/back side of page 153 — blank with stamps only] RECEIVED F B I May 3 9 49 AM '49 MR. JONES U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I INTERNAL SECURITY [ILLEGIBLE] MAY 4 2 04 PM '40 RECEIVED
that there were thousands of them. They were supposed to be the rocket type.
Now Mr. Hoover this was told me in 1944 or 43. at the time I wrote it all down and never thought any more of it untill lately. and Maybe I am foolish, but I thought maybe this had something to do with the flying Saucers, if true.
I am a true American and love my country and if I can do any service for my country I am glad of it.
The flying Sauce could be more dangerous than we think.
Respectfully yours.
Mrs. Frank Gardner
P.S.
I lived with in a few miles of Mexican border when this was told me.
In Texas.FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Room 5744 5/10 1949
TO: [checkmark] Director
_____ Mr. Ladd
_____ Mr. Clegg
_____ Mr. Glavin
_____ Mr. Harbo
_____ Mr. Nichols
_____ Mr. Rosen
_____ Mr. Tracy
_____ Mr. Fletcher
_____ Mr. Mohr
_____ Mr. Carlson
_____ Mr. Nease
_____ Miss Gandy
_____ Personnel Files Section
_____ Records Section
_____ Mrs. Skillman
[rubber stamp list:]
Mr. Tolson..........
Mr. Clegg ...........
Mr. Glavin..........
Mr. Ladd ............
Mr. Nichols.........
Mr. Rosen...........
Mr. Tracy...........
Mr. Egan............
Mr. Gurnes..........
Mr. Harbo...........
Mr. Mohr............
Mr. Pennington......
Mr. Quinn Tamm.....
Mr. Nease...........
Miss Gandy..........
See Me For Appropriate Action
Send File Note and Return
Clyde TolsonSTANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Director, FBI DATE: May 13, 1949
FROM : SAC, Los Angeles
[handwritten: L/310]
SUBJECT: "FLYING DISK" REPORT
INFORMATION CONCERNING
On May 5, 1949 Mr. MEL HODELL, a reporter for the Sun-Star newspaper, Merced, California, advised Special Agent MARLIN W. JOHNSON that his paper had been contacted by Lt. Col. STANLEY JACOBS, Intelligence Officer, Castle Air Force Base, Merced, California, relative to any reports that the newspaper might have received concerning "flying disks" in the Merced vicinity.
Mr. HODELL stated a close friend of his, one WILLIAM H. PARROTT, 12-A Langdon Villa, Merced, had advised him that he had observed a strange object, and as he is in the Air Corps Reserve, he reported same to the Intelligence Officer at Castle Field.
On the same date Mr. GEORGE BREMER, Detachment Commander, Office of Special Investigations, Castle Air Force Base, Merced, California, advised SA MARLIN W. JOHNSON that he had heard that an individual had reported seeing a "flying disk" to the Intelligence Office at the Base but that the Intelligence Officer had not furnished the information to him. Mr. BREMER later on the same date contacted SA JOHNSON and exhibited a letter written by STANLEY F. JACOBS, Lt. Col., USAF, Adjutant (Intelligence Officer) to Commanding General, Air Material Command, Wright-Patterson AFB, Wright Field, Ohio. This letter contained a statement given by Mr. WILLIAM H. PARROTT which read as follows: "I had occasion to step from my home, located approximately one mile west of the town of Merced, on the night of April 4, 1949, at approximately 2220. My attention was diverted to a clicking noise of considerable intensity. I stopped on the sidewalk about 20 feet from the front steps and recognized the source of this clicking to be in the sky in an area about 40 degrees from the surface of the earth in an easterly direction. The sky condition was 20000 thin broken with 12 miles visibility and surface winds were reported as north nine M.P.H. at Castle Air Force weather station. My home is approximately seven miles south of Castle Air Force Base and in an area somewhat sheltered from surface winds, and no appreciable surface wind was apparent at the time the aural observation was made. After about ten seconds of looking into the area described previously as being the source of this sound, an object was observed blanking out stars in describing a flight path in a west or northwesterly direction. Only one object was apparent, its shape can be described as only a solid mass. Its size can be estimated as four or five feet in diameter in keeping with an estimated altitude of considerably less than 1000 (one thousand) feet. Color was shown by the reflection of ground lights on only two occasions, and appeared to be
100-2442 RECORDED - 110 162-83894-171
MWJ:JAW INDEXED - 110
13 MA 17 1949
33 MAY 25 1949 EX-76
COPIES DESTROYED EX-39
270 NOV 18 1964Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO: Director, FBI DATE: May [ILLEGIBLE] FROM: SAC, Los Angeles SUBJECT: FLYING SAUCERS, [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] NEIL MODELL [ILLEGIBLE] reporter [ILLEGIBLE] Sun-Star [ILLEGIBLE] California [ILLEGIBLE] Special Agent [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] GILBERT VILLA [ILLEGIBLE] Intelligence Officer [ILLEGIBLE] Field [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] RECEIVED MAY 20 3 07 PM '49 INTERNAL SECURITY [ILLEGIBLE] FBI B [ILLEGIBLE] U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE RECEIVED [ILLEGIBLE] MAY 20 5 08 PM '49 23 [ILLEGIBLE] 13 [ILLEGIBLE]
IA 100-2442
dull surfacted, light colored metal. The only ground lights of in-
tensity were a row of street lights behind me one half block which leads
me to believe the under surface of this object to be curved in shape.
"This object when first sighted, was moving very slowly in a west
or northwesterly direction. I would estimate that I had it in my range
of vision for 35 seconds, after having heard it about ten seconds before
locating it. It passed on beyond the house and maneuvered through an
arc of turn to the left of about ninety degrees. The clicking sound was
continuous throughout this turn, however, it became louder as it returned
on its new heading of south or southwest. On its return the clicking
sound became louder, but I was unable to see it at this time. The click-
ing stopped when it was at its greatest intensity and appeared to come
from a position directly over head. I was unable to see the object after
the sound stopped.
"This clicking sound, retained the same pitch and speed through-
out the entire course observed, but intensity varied. There was not
whistle or roar, but only the clicking noise which might be compared to
beaters of a home mixer that were not properly meshed. No lights or
flame were observed during the entire course with exception of the
previous described reflections twice. No exhaust trail was distinguish-
able.
"My dog was with me and directed her attention in the general
direction of this object's flight throughout its course. She had been
romping with me on coming out of the house but without spoken word
stopped and directed her attention on to the previously described area.
The clicking sound might not have been unusual to the dog, but there is
a possibility of sounds on wave lengths discernable only to the dog,
being emitted."
It is to be noted that Mr. PARROTT is a member of the Active
USAF Reserve with rank of Major. He attained rating of pilot in August
1941 and has approximately 2200 hours flying time. During his active
duty period in WW2 he stated that he had considerable night flying
experience in connection with his military assignment. The Intelligence
Officer in the above mentioned letter made the following statement, "An
attempt to locate other witnesses in the area or through the local news-
paper proved unsuccessful".
Mr. BREMER advised that he is planning to clear with his head-
quarters office and will probably conduct an investigation.
The above is being furnished for the information of the Bureau.
-2-STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : MR. FLETCHER DATE: May 26, 1949
FROM : V. P. KEAY
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS
Mr. Tolson
Mr. E. A. Tamm
Mr. Clegg
Mr. Glavin
Mr. Ladd
Mr. Nichols
Mr. Tracy
Mr. Rosen
Mr. [ILLEGIBLE]
Mr. Harbo
Mr. Mohr
Mr. Pennington
Mr. Quinn Tamm
Tele. Room
Miss Holmes
Miss Gandy
BACKGROUND:
Walter Winchell forwarded to the Director a Western Union
telegram he had received from Robert Ripley which stated that he, Ripley,
had the only authentic Japanese flying saucer ever recovered in this
country. Mr. Winchell noted on the telegram, "To J. Edgar Hoover - True?"
DETAILS:
This matter was discussed by Special Agent Reynolds with the Intelligence
Division of the Army, who advised that they had no information concerning any
Japanese flying saucer ever having been recovered in the United States.
This matter was discussed with Colonel William E. Carpenter, OSI-USAF,
who advised on April 27, 1949 that he had interested himself in the flying saucers
and related subjects and that in so far as could be determined by him through his
sources in the Air Force, which are excellent, there is no authentic information
available concerning the phenomenon of the flying saucers. He advised he would check
with the authorities at Wright Field to determine if any information is available
concerning the recovery of a Japanese flying saucer.
Colonel Carpenter has now advised that there is no information available
in any arm of the Air Force to the effect that any flying saucers of any kind have
been recovered in the United States. Colonel Carpenter stated delay had been
encountered in determining this fact inasmuch as inquiries had been directed through
individuals known to him and trusted by him and not through the usual channels
from which he possibly would receive a stock answer.
The details of this case were not discussed by either Special Agents Reynolds
or Sanders with the Army or Air Force and they are not aware of the telegram sent
by Mr. Ripley to Mr. Winchell.
RECOMMENDATION:
The foregoing is for your information and any disposition being desirable.
ESS:mk
RECORDED - 91
INDEXED - 91
62-83894 - 172
3 JUN 1949
158[Reverse/back side of Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT] [Main text visible as bleed-through from front, reversed/mirrored] TO : [ILLEGIBLE] DATE: May 30, '49 FROM: [ILLEGIBLE] SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS [BACKGROUND:] Major [Winchell] forwarded to the Director a telegram [ILLEGIBLE] best the only authentic Japanese flying saucer ever recovered in this country. [ILLEGIBLE] Japan. Mr. [Winchell] noted on the [telegram] "[ILLEGIBLE]" - [Hoover] [DETAILS:] This entire matter was discussed by Special Agent [ILLEGIBLE] with the Intelligence [ILLEGIBLE] who advised that they had information concerning any Japanese Flying Saucer [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE - multiple lines of body text, reversed bleed-through] [Routing stamps - legible:] RECEIVED-14[ILLEGIBLE] May 26 2 22 PM '49 RECEIVED - FLETCHER U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I May 26 7 41 PM '49 RECEIVED - TOLSON U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I MAY 26 3 50 PM '49 U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I May 26 6 13PM '49 RECEIVED - FLETCHEROFT OF JUSTICE F B I RECEIVED-TOLSON May 26 3 26 PM '49 May 26 12 53 PM '49 RECEIVED - FLETCHER
CLASS OF SERVICE This is a full-rate Telegram or Cable- gram unless its de- ferred character is indicated by a suit- able symbol above or preceding the address. WESTERN UNION A. N. WILLIAMS PRESIDENT 1220 SYMBOLS DL=Day Letter NL=Night Letter LC=Deferred Cable NLT=Cable Night Letter [Ship]Radiogram 080[1/2] 1949 APR [?] [?] 24 The filing time shown in the date line on telegrams and day letters is STANDARD TIME at point of origin. Time of receipt is STANDARD TIME at point of destination. A.CDU1016 LONG NL PD=NEWYORK NY 13= =WALTER WINCHELL=RONEY PLAZA HOTEL MIAMI BEACH FLO= =HAVE THE ONLY AUTHENTIC JAPANESE FLYING SAUCER EVER RECOVERED IN THIS COUNTRY. BECAUSE OF YOUR INTEREST IN THE PRESENT DAY FLYING DISCS OF THE RUSSIANS WOULD LIKE VERY MUCH TO HAVE YOU JOIN ME ON THE BELIEVE IT OR NOT TELEVISION SHOW NEXT TUESDAY APRIL 19TH NBC NETWORK 930 TO 10PM AND GIVE YOUR COMMENTS ON FLYING DISC AND YOUR EXCLUSIVE KNOWLEDGE OF THIS LATEST RUSSIAN MENACE. REGARDS BELIEVE IT OR NOT =RIPLEY= 19 NBC 930 10PM= [Handwritten at top right:] J. Edgar Hoover True? [Stamps:] R[ECORDED]-91 62-83894-173 F B I 4 MAY 27 1949 ATOMIC ENERGY LIAISON SECTION RECEIVED NOUSING SECTION [ILLEGIBLE] PM U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I
[Reverse/back side of Western Union telegram] [Bleed-through from front, largely ILLEGIBLE] [Stamps - legible:] RECEIVED ATOMIC ENERGY LIAISON SECTION APR 26 2 05 PM '49 U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F.B.I. RECEIVED - FLETCHER May 26 7 41 PM '49
May 10, 1949
Mrs. Frank Gardner
2310 W. Garvey
El Monte, California
Dear Mrs. Gardner:
I wish to acknowledge your letter dated April 29, 1949, and to
express my appreciation for your thoughtfulness in writing to me.
In view of the contents of your letter, I have taken the liberty
of sending a copy to the United States Air Force.
In the future, if you have information which may be of interest
to this Bureau, you may find it more convenient to communicate with Mr. R. B.
Hood, Special Agent in Charge of our Los Angeles Office, 900 Security Building,
Los Angeles 13, California.
Sincerely yours,
John Edgar Hoover
Director
CC Los Angeles with copies of incoming.
The correspondent communicated with the Bureau on one previous occasion
enclosing a clipping from a Spanish language newspaper in Texas. She was apparent-
ly dissatisfied with the manner in which the Latin Americans were being treated
in Texas. A cordial letter of acknowledgement was sent to her. (100-33339)
FRW:jmf
[Distribution list - left margin:]
Mr. Tolson
Mr. Clegg
Mr. Glavin
Mr. Ladd
Mr. Nichols
Mr. Rosen
Mr. Tracy
Mr. Egan
Mr. Gurnes
Mr. Harbo
Mr. Mohr
Mr. Pennington
Mr. Quin Team
Tele. Room
Miss Holmes
Misc Candy
[Stamps:]
RECORDED - 101 62-83894-174
F B I
INDEXED - 101 42 MAY 19 1949
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
MAILED 1
☆ MAY 19 1949 P.M.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
98 63 JUN5 174
[Left margin handwritten:] Flying DiscsDO-6
OFFICE OF DIRECTOR
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
April 25, 1949
[Distribution list - right column:]
Mr. Tolson [checkmark]
Mr. Clegg
Mr. Glavin [checkmark]
Mr. Ladd
Mr. Nichols [checkmark]
Mr. Rosen
Mr. Tracy
Mr. Egan
Mr. Gurnes
Mr. Harbo
Mr. Jones
Mr. Mohr
Mr. Pennington
Tele. Room
Mr. Nease
Miss Holmes
Miss Gandy
The attached was forwarded to
the Director by Walter Winchell.
The notation thereon reads:
"To J. Edgar Hoover.
True?"
Attachment
mt
[Stamp:] DEFERRED RECORDING
[Stamps at bottom:]
May 25 11 57 PM '49 [ILLEGIBLE]
[ILLEGIBLE]
F B I
HOLD - DIRECTOR
May 25 11 57 PM '49
[ILLEGIBLE]
60 JUN 10 1949[Reverse/back side of Office of Director memo dated April 25, 1949] [Bleed-through from front, largely ILLEGIBLE] [Stamps - legible:] RECEIVED-LADD Apr 25 5 00 PM '49 U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I Apr 25 11 23 AM '49 U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I RECEIVED-DIRECTOR May 26 7 41 PM '49 RECEIVED - FLETCHER Apr 26 10 18 AM '49 RECEIVED - FLETCHER PR 25 4 41 RECEIVED-TOLSON U.S. DEPT. OF F B I Jun 2 10 29 AM '49 RECEIVED U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE FBI
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Mr. H. B. Fletcher [HBF W] DATE: May 23, 1949
FROM : F. J. Baumgardner
SUBJECT: KAYE LOCHRIE
MISCELLANEOUS
[Distribution list - right margin:]
Mr. Tolson
Mr. Clegg
Mr. Glavin
Mr. Ladd
Mr. Nichols
Mr. Rosen
Mr. Tracy
Mr. Egan
Mr. Gurnes
Mr. Harbo
Mr. Pennington A
Mr. Quin Tamp
Tele. Room
Mr. Nease
Miss Holmes
Miss Gandy
On the afternoon of May 20, 1949, Miss Kaye Lochrie, 4900 N.
Harding Avenue, Chicago 25, Illinois, was referred to my office from the
Director's Office.
Miss Lochrie stated she was going to be in Washington for a
few days and that she was staying at the Ambassador Hotel. She stated
that Roy Palmer, Managing Editor of the Jeff Davis Publishing Company in
Chicago, had some information regarding flying discs. Miss Lochrie said
that Palmer's theory was to the effect that when people died their souls
entered a space on this earth which is, of course, invisible to human
eyes. He said that in this soul world there are good and bad people and
that they have become involved in a war. According to Miss Lochrie, Palmer's
theory is that the flying discs which have been seen are the explosives be-
ing used in the warfare between the good and bad souls.
Miss Lochrie stated that the real purpose of her visit to the
Bureau was to get her own name cleared. She said that the FBI has been con-
ducting investigation regarding her and that she wanted to know the results
of the investigation. I asked her what kind of an investigation the FBI had
been making regarding her and she stated she was under suspicion of espionage
activities. I informed her that I could not furnish her with any information
which is contained in the Bureau's files inasmuch as our files have been
designated as confidential by the Attorney General.
Miss Lochrie accepted this explanation and stated regarding her
present activities that she had been in the Wacs as a private and had re-
ceived an honorable discharge in 1945. She said at the present time she is
working as a model in Chicago.
She impressed me as being somewhat mentally unbalanced.
A check of the files failed to reveal that we have conducted any
investigation relative to this individual.
[Signature]
FJB:TD
RECORDED - 62 62-83894-175
INDEXED - 62
F B I
32 JUN 2 1949
52 JUN 7 1949[Reverse/back side of Office Memorandum dated May 23, 1949 re Kaye Lochrie] [Bleed-through from front, largely ILLEGIBLE] [Stamps - legible:] RECEIVED-LADD May 24 11 56 AM '49 JUN 6 10 32 AM '49 RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY DIV. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I May 23 4 49 PM '49 RECEIVED - FLETCHER May 24 2 49 PM '49 U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I REIVED - DIRECTOR May 24 9 50 AM '49 RECEIVED-ROCKD U.S. DEPT. OF F B I May 25 11 03 AM '49 RECEIVED - FLETCHER May 24 11 23 AM '49 U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I RECEIVED-LADD
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Director, FBI DATE: June 2, 1949
FROM : SAC, New Orleans
SUBJECT: O FLYING DISCS
Re SAC Letter 38, dated March 25, 1949 entitled as above.
The Bureau is advised that through the Office of Naval Intelligence,
New Orleans, Louisiana, this office has been advised that within the past ten
days three sightings of flying discs have been reported in the City of New Or-
leans. The information seems to be that the single discs were in straight flight
and traveling in a general direction of North, in late afternoon, about the size
of an observation plane, but the shape of a saucer. The Navy stated that two
witnesses have advised that the object was traveling end over end; that weather
conditions were good; that sightings were made outdoors by persons who did not
wear glasses; that the dates were May 18, 19 and 23, 1949. The Navy states
that it was possible these objects were weather balloons, but that these are
used from only one airport, released over an hour before the times of sighting
and would generally be out of sight in a few minutes.
The above is being furnished the Bureau for future reference since
the Navy has informed that all three instances were investigated by the Army
Intelligence.
[Signature]
PW/mmd
RECORDED - 6 62-83894 176
EX-138
F B I
JUN 6 [19]49
[Stamps:]
U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
FBI
ATOMIC ENERGY
LIAISON SECTION
RECEIVED
[ILLEGIBLE] PM
8 JUN 6 1949[Reverse/back side of SAC New Orleans memo dated June 2, 1949 re Flying Discs] [Bleed-through from front, largely ILLEGIBLE] [Stamp - legible:] RECEIVED ATOMIC ENERGY LIAISON SECTION JUN 8 4 50 PM '45 U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F.B.I.
DO-6
OFFICE OF DIRECTOR
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
May 23, 1949
[Distribution list - right column:]
Mr. Tolson [checkmark]
Mr. Clegg
Mr. Glavin [checkmark]
Mr. Ladd
Mr. Nichols [checkmark]
Mr. Rosen
Mr. Tracy
Mr. Egan [checkmark]
Mr. Gurnes
Mr. Harbo
Mr. Jones [checkmark]
Mr. Mohr
Mr. Pennington
Tele. Room
Mr. Nease
Miss Holmes
Miss Gandy
The attached was sent to the
Director by Walter Winchell.
The handwritten notation there-
on reads:
"To Hoover!
Ha!"
6 Attachment
mt
[Stamps:]
[CANCELLED]
JUN 1 1949
MAY 23 10 53 YM '49
RECEIVED NEW INS SECTION
[ILLEGIBLE]
F B I
FILED-DIRECT
[Left margin handwritten:] for Info - No
for Info - No
T.B.I
FILED-DIRECT
2 JUN [?][Reverse/back side of Office of Director memo dated May 23, 1949] [Bleed-through from front, largely ILLEGIBLE] [Stamps - legible:] Mr. JONES May 25 12 35 PM '49 RECEIVED F B I [ILLEGIBLE] May 23 12 53 PM '49 U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I REIVED - DIRECTOR May 25 10 56 AM '49 U.S. DEPT. OF F B I RECEIVED-TOLSON 9 JUN [?] M '49 U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTIC[E] F B I RECEIVED-[ILLEGIBLE]
San Luis Obispo, California
May 15, 1949
Walter Winchell
New York, New York
Dear Sir:
Under attached cover you will find a sample of our item.
Should you do no more than take our FLYIN' SAUCER out, care-
fully read the instructions, and fly it; I will have accom-
plished a portion of my expectations.
For the past few weeks I have listened with more than an in-
different attitude, to your various Sunday evening broadcasts
and comments concerning Flying Saucers. From the start, much
as many another individual who has tried to get ahead by his
own initiative, I have visialized what the right type of
publicity would do for my interests.
To state my actions in any other manner, would belittle your
intelligence, and the weeks of forethought and sincerity in
which this is submitted.
Your comment this evening, concerning the Gyroscopic Theories,
sparkplugged my actions.
Along with the phases of merchandising mentioned in the att-
ached articles, I should like to mention that one troop of
Boy Scouts in Los Angeles are purchasing and enthusiastic-
ally include them as a major portion of their recreation
program.
By these facts, it is apparent that our FLYIN' SAUCER is
worthy of every effort we are able to summons in making it
another American pastime of Yo-Yo proportions.
Trusting that we are justified of your consideration from a
newsworthy standpoint, I remain
Very Sincerely Yours,
Warren R. Franscioni
1767 Conejo Drive
San Luis Obispo, California
3 ENCL[OSURES]
ENCLOSURE ATTACHED
[Left margin handwritten:] Flying Saucer
[Top right handwritten:] to Hoover!
Ha!
v.m. 3-
RECORDED - 58 62-83894-[ILLEGIBLE]
F B I
INDEXED - 58 17 JUN 1 1949
60 JUN 15 1949[Manila envelope - front] [Label attached:] ENCLOSURE COPIES DESTROYED 270 NOV 18 1964
[Manila envelope - back] 62-83894-177
[Unfolded brochure - front panel, upper half blank] The Amazing FLYIN-SAUCER GREAT FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! FLYIN-SAUCER performs in an amazing way as you develop your skill in flying it. A novel way to play catch. You will think of many games to play. Adaptable to almost any game. HOW TO FLY Launch your FLYIN-SAUCER straight ahead with a snap of your wrist making it spin as fast as possible. DON'T THROW TOO HARD. . . . It's the spinning that gives it lift. Begin by flying about 10 feet. When windy, throw across the wind. You will quickly learn how to bank to the left or right. -FLYIN-SAUCER (A Gyroscopic Airfoil) PRECISELY ENGINEERED · AERODYNAMICALLY CORRECT MADE TOUGH TO RESIST ROUGH HANDLING [Handwritten on figure:] 62-83894-69
FLIGHT INSTRUCTIONS
FLYIN' SAUCERS have flight characteristics very similar to airplanes. The SAUCER IS launched
in identically the same manner as sailing your hat onto a hook—by spinning and forward mo-
tion.
In order to fly in a straight line, the SAUCER must leave the hand in a level position. To
curve the SAUCER, it must leave the hand banked or tilted in direction of desired curve—for
example: for left curve—the left side of the SAUCER must be tilted down.
FOR BEST RESULTS — The spinning of the SAUCER is most important and most difficult to mas-
ter. Because the spin creates a gyroscopic action which controls the attitude of the SAUCER
in flight, a smooth, fast spinning delivery should be developed Do not hold the SAUCER too
tight.
Analyze your mistakes and make corrections by tilting or banking SAUCER. The correction must
be applied to the SAUCER as it leaves the hand.
SAIL 'EM BACK AND FORTH - PLAY CATCH !
[Diagram: two figures throwing saucer back and forth]
Begin by flying your saucer about 10 feet.
The distance you are able to fly it will
quickly increase with practice.
MAKE 'EM TURN ! MAKE 'EM COME BACK !
By releasing the SAUCER [WIND]
in a tilted manner, you
can make it turn to the After learning to
left or right. Bank it fly straight and make
the way you want it to turns, you'll be able to
turn. It is advisable to make your SAUCER return to you
learn to fly straight be- by sailing it into the breeze
fore starting to make at a sharp angle. The harder a
turns. wind blows, the flatter an an-
gle you can fly it to make it
return. Spin SAUCER as much as
possible.
MAKE 'EM SKIP !
Right-handers launch SAUCER so that left side strikes
hard surface. Right side for left-handers.
[Diagram: figure throwing saucer to skip off hard surface]
HARD SURFACE
THE GAME OF HECKLE
THE GAME OF HECKLE provides a means of utilizing the unique manner in which the FLYIN'
SAUCER can be guided. Rules and regulations are provided, forming the basis for skill and
competition
PLAYERS — Four — with two on each team.
OBJECT — To fly SAUCER around HECKLERS into your partner's circle.
[Diagram:]
circle circle circle circle
A ←18ft→ B ←——30ft——→ C ←18ft→ D
ALL CIRCLES ARE 6 FEET IN DIAMETER . . CENTER SPACE MAY VARY WITH ABILITY.
All players must remain in their circle until SAUCER is airborne.
The game begins with the Filer (A) attempting to sail the SAUCER around the HECKLERS in the
circles (B) and (C) so that his partner in the Receiver's circle (D) can catch it.
Filer (A) must remain in his circle when serving the SAUCER.
HECKLER (B) must remain in his circle at all times while his team is defensive. He may at-
tempt to stop the flight of the SAUCER, or distract the Filer in any manner. Should he step
or fall out of his circle, his team forfeits 1 point and the offensive team retains serve.
HECKLER (C) remains in his circle until SAUCER is airborne. He may then leave his circle to
heckle the Receiver (D) in any manner so long as he doesn't interfere with flight of SAUCER
or touch the Receiver, or step into the Receiver's circle. Hecklers forfeit 2 points for
each infraction.
Receiver (D) attempts to catch the SAUCER in his circle. Should he do so, then his team re-
ceives 2 points. Should it be necessary for the Receiver to leave his circle to catch the
SAUCER, then his team scores but 1 point. Should he drop or miss the SAUCER, no points are
scored, and the teams change positions. (A) changes with (D) and (B) and (C) changes with (D).
(C) is now the Filer, and (B) is the Receiver. HECKLER (D) must remain in his circle, and the
HECKLER (A) becomes the roving HECKLER.
Teams change positions when the Receiver fails to catch the SAUCER.
In the event that no Referee is available, disputes will be settled by mutual agreement, or
the flip of a coin.
First team to score 25 points wins the game. KEEP 'EM FLYIN'
This is a PIPCO PRODUCT [symbol] San Luis Obispo, Calif.Flying Saucers Come from Southern California DO YOU HAVE spots before your eyes? Do vari-colored discs flutter and sail in the air in front of you? Do you see flying saucers in the skies? If you do, don't call the doctor nor jump on the wagon. And don't worry. Other persons are seeing flying saucers too—seeing them fly through the air—and seeing them on the sales counters of the stores. You can even pick them up and feel them, and, preferably, buy them to play with. It all started many years ago—long before the recent flurry of flying saucers—when a little boy named Freddie used to play with his mother's pie tins. If he threw them with just the right twist of the wrist, they spun and turned in fascinating curves. Freddie grew up into a man called Fred Morrison, who always remembered what fun he had had playing with the pie tins. As a grown-up, he applied his knowledge of aerodynamics to the problem of developing a disc which could be thrown and tossed and its flight controlled by the thrower. He evolved a metal model that sailed through the air in a most satisfactory manner. The curved disc was 9 in. in diameter and a scant 2 in. deep, with radiating arc- shapped fins and a heavy outside rim. A snap of the wrist when throwing gives a centrifugal motion to the disc which in turn gives guidance in flight. The radial fins create a vacuum on top of the whirling disc, and stability from beneath is provided by the heavy rim. The metal model sailed through the air beautifully— but also, being metal, it sailed through windows and hedges and other obstacles, somewhat after the manner of a miniature cyclone. A material other than metal seemed a wise idea if the disc—or flying saucer—were to become a commercial product. A lightweight, slightly flexible plastics looked like the answer, and Morrison brought his metal model to Southern California Plastic Co., Glendale, Calif., to see what might be done in plastics. Stanley J. Gray and Edward L. Ken- nedy, president and secretary of the firm, took the metal disc out on the lawn to "demonstrate" its possibilities and were soon breathlessly convinced that a great deal of fun could be had by young and old alike. A plastics model of the disc was carved from a solid block of material, and then a mold made in the shop of Southern California. Engraving of the mold was done by United Engravers, Los Angeles. Then came the problem of the right material. A search was made throughout the range of thermoplastic molding compounds to find the proper material that combined flexibility, impact strength, and stability while in motion. (The discs achieve considerable speed—and strain—when in flight.) Cellulose acetate provided the best combination of properties to do the job. Acetate discs will not break glass windows, nor shatter when falling from a great height, nor scar the finish on automobiles, nor injure the players. That's a real Flyin' Saucer this young man has just thrown into the air—molded of tough and lightweight cellulose acetate by Southern California Plastic Co., Glendale. Designed in accordance with aerodynamic principles, the Flyin' Saucer spins through the air with the greatest of ease. Note the radial fins on the disc in the boy's left hand. An interesting part of the story is that producing the acetate "Flyin' Saucer" is only part of the story. It is a product with a wide market (how many yo-yos were sold in the US last year, do you suppose?); but it must be demonstrated to be sold. Everyone who sees a Flyin' Saucer in action is enthusiastic. Anyone who sees one lying on a sales counter is likely to pass by. That presents a merchandising problem that has the sales staff of Southern California Plastic hard at work, thinking up ways and means for demonstrations, action publicity, visual promotional stunts. With a record of steady-selling staple consumer items now on the market, Southern California has no intention of letting the Flyin' Saucers sit on the sales counters. Carefully-controlled distribution, related to on-the-spot demonstrations or pro- motional campaigns, has been the rule so far. National markets will not be tackled until all the promotional kinks have been unraveled. Reprinted from PACIFIC PLASTICS, August 1948
'Sky Devil-Ship' Scares Pilots; Air Chief Wishes He Had One Plane Makers Dubious About Alabama 'Thing' By WILLIAM KEY What was that Thing that scared the daylights out of two Atlanta Eastern Air Line pilots in the spooky hours Saturday morning? Is there some stratospheric Loch Ness fire-breathing monster on the Milky Way run between At- lanta and New Orleans? The pilots, Capt. C. S. Chiles, of Atlanta, and Co-Pilot J. B. Whitted, of Hapeville, would like to know. The Army Strategic Air Command would like to know. Big airplane manufacturers also are curious, but slightly dubious. Pilots Chiles and Whitted told their thrilling story upon arriv- ing at municipal airport here Sat- urday on the Houston-Atlanta, Boston run. Here is what they say they saw, near Montgomery: A gigantic plane without wings, black against the night sky, streaking through the heavens at 5,000 feet altitude with a fiery comet's tail 25 to 50 feet in length. It had a 100-foot fuselage about four times the circumfer- ence of a B-29's, and two rows of brilliantly lighted square windows. Creepiest of all, it was a veritable Flying Dutchman of the Skies. Nary a living soul was seen aboard! EAL FLIERS DESCRIBE WINGLESS AIRCRAFT Copilot John Whitted and Capt. C. S. Chiles (right). ATLANTA JOURNAL SUNDAY, 7/25/48
Continuous Light The pilots admitted they had goose pimples riding pick-a-back on goose pimples. What's more, they said one of their 20 passen- gers—C. L. McKelvie, of Colum- bus, Ohio—was awake and saw the same thing. Reporters nailed Mr. McKelvie at Kennett Square, Pa. How about it, they asked him—had he seen what the Atlanta pilots said he saw? Well, now, said Mr. McKelvie— not exactly. He said he saw "no form of ship" whatever. He saw a "continuous light speed past" his window. "But," added Mr. McK., "I'm not very well versed in aeronau- tics, and certainly I wasn't look- ing for any Buck Rogers space ship." Out at Santa Monica, Cal., the famous Gen. George C. Kenney, chief of the Strategic Air Com- mand, was bearded in his den. His eyes twinkled. No, he said, cautiously, it wasn't one of his planes. The Army as yet hasn't got anything like the Thing seen over Montgomery. Not Boeing Plane "I wish we did," the general said wistfully. "I sure would have liked to see that Thing." So said William M. Allen, pres- ident of the Boeing Aircraft Co., up at Seattle. "I'm pretty sure it wasn't one of our planes," said Mr. Allen, modestly. Almost identical statements is- sued by the Army Air Forces at Washington and the United States Weather Bureau at Montgomery tended to throw some light on this fantasy. Both sources sug- gested that the Atlanta pilots had flown past an air radar weather observation balloon. Those things, they explained, are 10 feet in diameter and have square, tinfoil boxes fastened to them. The boxes reflect light and "give strange illusions" as they twist and turn. Maxwell Field said they send 'em up at six-hour intervals. And Maxwell Field is at Mont- gomery. ATLANTA JOURNAL SUNDAY, 7/25/48
'Flying Floor Lamp'—
Again Sighted Here
By CHARLES POU
That "flying floor lamp" is at it again!
An illuminated cantaloupe rolled over the city!
And a newspaperman saw "great balls of fire!"
What's more, two Richmond Va. schoolteachers say they saw the same "flame-spurting" sky monster which was spotted by Eastern Air Lines pilots near Montgomery.
Like Red Floor Lamp
"I saw Halley's comet—and it was nothing like what I saw last night," declared Mrs. W. R. Delk, of 914 Hemphill ave., N. W. Breathlessly, Mrs. Delk continued:
"The front end of it looked like a flying floor lamp—a fiery-red floor lamp. Then it trailed off in little square sections.
"Oh, Halley's comet was nothing like that."
And Mrs. Delk was joined by at least 16 other Atlantians who saw a Thing which banked and rolled and breathed fire over the city Monday night between 8 p. m. and 9:45 p. m.
In the downtown section, Mr. and Mrs. Richard P. Sellers were minding their own business when a "reddish-white ball of fire about the size of a cantaloupe with a tail on it" darted over buildings.
Mrs. A. C. Kirby, of Carey Park, has never seen a purple cow but she did see "a great ball of fire with a great long purple tail on it." That was about 9:40 p. m.
"Bluish Streak of Light"
An attendant at the naval air station thought he was watching a falling star, until it started climbing and banked away from Atlanta. To him, it looked like a "bluish streak of light."
And now about the newspaperman. John Battle, city editor of the Augusta Chronicle, hung up the telephone after a dozen calls about weird goings-on in the Augusta skies.
He looked [ILLEGIBLE]
He summoned his sta[ILLEGIBLE]
"Great balls of fire!"
ATLANTA JOURNAL, 7/27/4862-83 894-145
'LIKE BIG FLOOR LAMP FLYING ALONG'
Everybody's Seeing 'Things'
Whizzing Through Night Sky
By CHARLES POU
Is that Thing no more than a wayward floor lamp?
Mrs. Noah Atkinson, of Brookhaven, saw it. And what did that Thing look like?
"A great big floor lamp, all lit up. Oh, it was beautiful!"
And C. M. Bowles, an Exposition Mills painter who lives near the Municipal airport, Sunday night saw a "huge, brilliantly lighted object" streaking over Atlanta skies at maybe 30,000 feet. Mr. Bowles thinks the Thing was straight from Moscow.
Two air line pilots first were startled by the newest astronomical "what-is-it" near Montgomery early Saturday. To them, it was "a wingless craft, spurting flame like a Buck Rogers rocket ship." Elsewhere, all over the country, that Thing was variously identified as:
1. An aluminum covered balloon.
2. A ball of fire.
3. An unusually bright light.
4. A red and blue flame that burst in mid-air.
5. A flash of cherry red fire.
6. A meteor.
Mrs. Atkinson kept her Flying Floorlamp secret three weeks. But she knew she wasn't seeing things when she saw the Thing.
She and her husband, who also saw it, kept mum. The story really sounded a little silly until the two air line pilots saw their Thing gamboling and fire-breathing through air-line skies early Saturday morning.
After that, she decided her tale could be told:
"My husband and I were sitting on our front porch the night of July 5, and at a quarter to 9 o'clock we saw this Thing. Our front porch doesn't have a screen, and we were sitting near the edge where we could see good.
"I saw it first. It was not high up—about 200 feet, I guess, but it looked like it was right above the treetops. 'Looka there,' I yelled to my husband, and he saw it too.
"It looked like the top part of a floor lamp, and it was the prettiest thing I ever saw. It came and passed so quick—I guess it must have been 500 miles an hour or faster."
And how about the two airline pilots, C. S. Chiles and John B. Whitted, of Atlanta?
Well, they took off today, armed with a camera. And they hope to bring back a picture of that Thing.
Beach Throngs Crane
At 'Silver Cylinder'
ASBURY PARK, N. J., July 26. (AP)—Boardwalk throngs at this resort city craned their necks Monday at a "silver cylinder" they reported flying high overhead.
They described it as "way up in the air," and like a blimp "only blunt at both ends."
Officials, recalling "flying saucers," asked Fort Monmouth personnel to see if they could identify it.
ATLANTA JOURNAL, 7/26/48COPY COPY COPY
62-83894-145
1515 - 9th St.
Wichita Falls, Texas
Aug. 5, 1948
Publisher,
Atlanta Journal,
Atlanta, Georgia.
Dear Sir:
On July 25, 1948, I mailed a letter enclosing .35 cents in coin and an airmail self-addressed envelop to your circulation department, asking for tear sheets of the Atlanta Journal containing the stories on a "strange" or "mysterious" aircraft seen near Montgomery, Alabama, July 24, 1948, by two pilots, Cap't C. S. Chiles and John B. Whitted, of the Eastern Air Lines.
These have not arrived. I asked for two copies each of the stories.
Enclosed is an additional .35 cents, and another stamped self-addressed envelop. Will you kindly see that your circulation department complies with this simple request?
I assure you that my interest in the above stories is prompted by interest in the defense of our country, and you are hereby given my fullest permission to turn this letter requesting the copies of the stories over to the FBI, should you wish.
Thanking you very kindly, I am,
Sincerely,
/s/ Mrs. Madeline Gwynne Merchant
Mrs. Madeline Gwynne Merchant
cc/Agent-In-Charge
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Atlanta, GeorgiaThe incident was, I believe, an important one. And though I have already made reports to Maj. Sidney Newburger of Los Alamos and to General Handy, I would appreciate the fuller newspaper stories appearing in the press there. Thanking you kindly, I am,
Sincerely,
/s/ Mrs. Madeline Gwynne Merchant
Mrs. Madeline Gwynne MerchantCOPY COPY COPY
62-83894-145
1515 - 9th St.
Wichita Falls, Texas
Aug. 5, 1948
Agent-In-Charge,
Federal Bureau of Investigation,
Atlanta, Georgia.
Dear Sir:
Enclosed is a carbon of a letter requesting tear sheets of the unusual aircraft seen near Montgomery, Alabama, July 24, 1948, stories concerning which were carried by AP and UP, originating in Atlanta.
It may have been oversight by someone in the circulation dep't of the Atlanta Journal, or it may have been "alarm" that a woman would be requesting this type of information, even though it was published, and thereby open information.
Even though I cannot identify myself to the Atlanta Journal publisher or staff, I can to you. I have worked independently on the problem of aerial missiles, of which I believe this was an example, with all my data going directly to officials and members of the security office of the Atomic Energy Comm., Los Alamos Atomic Project, Los Alamos, N.M., and to high members of the War Department, including Gen. Thomas T. Handy, Fourth U. S. Army Commander, Ft. Sam Houston, Tex., head of this U. S. Army district.
[newspaper clipping fragment at bottom:]
[ILLEGIBLE] cannot and should not try to do
that again, let us not with the exces-
sive zeal of the new convert, be olunt-
ly intolerant of those who do not
our own most recently acquired con-
victions.
Coughs due Colds
Get quick relief of the cough, and
throat irritation due to colds, at less
than it a dose. Try it today.
JUNIPER-TAR
COMPOUND over 50 years in use
How to [ILLEGIBLE][ILLEGIBLE partial text at top of clipping] Ex-Army Air Force Fliers Invent Novel, New Game 'Flying Saucers' Catch Fancy of Daytona Beach Visitors and Residents By JACK TROY Times-Union Staff Writer DAYTONA BEACH, Feb. 14—The ingenuity of two former Army Air Force fliers from California is "paying off" at this Florida Beach resort where, nowadays, the air is full of "flying saucers." When Major Warren Franscioni and Lieut. Fred Morrison of San Louis Obispo completed their war experiences in the China-Burma-India and the Italian theatres of operations, they returned home and joined forces in a novel industry. Morrison had always been intrigued by the idea of sailing pie pans on the beach, and so he and Franscioni put their heads together with a came up with a plastic version with fins. They then had invented a new game, a novel way of playing catch with flying saucers, a gyroscopic airfoil aerodynamically correct, precisely engineered and a pleasant way to take exercise. Grid Coach Uses It The football coach at Hemet, Calif., High School was intrigued with the idea of using the saucers to condition his players, teach them balance and to reach out to make catches of the discs which, by certain methods of spinning, boomerang and also sail away from the intended receiver. A player has to be on his toes to catch them, especially if the wind is blowing. It may be just coincidence, Franscioni and Morrison said today, but the Hemet coach last season turned out his first championship team. The boys were on their toes. Although they had their discs made in Glendale and had planned on extensive West Coast promotion, snow flakes unexpectedly fell and so they headed for Daytona Beach, where, according to the tourists, "summer spends the winter." No snow flakes fall here; only flying saucers, which are so durable that they are not injured by cars passing over them. Morrison was shot down in his fifty-eighth mission in Italy but escaped serious injury. The two ex-Army officers refer to themselves as the world's champion Flying Saucer pilots, and certainly their novel invention—conceived in California and promoted in Florida—has caught on with beach lovers. They were smart enough, of course, to patent the Flying Saucer idea in order to capitalize on ready-made publicity born of repeated Saucer scares around the country. In throwing the old pie or cake tins there always was the danger of cutting one's hands. But with the new plastic fin saucers, the only danger is getting bopped in the nose. And only the less agile allow that to happen once in a while. Promotion Main Problem Franscioni and Morris feel that coaches might find their sailing gadgets just as handy in training athletes as did the coach of Hemet. And they are hopeful that they may, in time to come, expand their wares from coast to coast. At the present time Daytona Beach is the only resort that has seen the saucers. The boys are contemplating attending a few fairs and getting their product before larger masses of the public. "Promotion is our only problem," Morrison declared. "Production is no item. All who've tried our interesting little gadget seem to have fun sailing it, and they also find that they are using muscles long neglected."
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : DIRECTOR, FBI DATE: 5-17-49
FROM : SAC, RICHMOND
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS SIGHTED AT RADFORD, VIRGINIA
MAY 12, 1949
R3-
G I R.-8
There are enclosed two clippings concerning what has been described as a flying disc sighted at Radford, Virginia on May 12, 1949. The Bureau may desire to refer this to the Department of the Air Force. This office has no information other than that appearing in the news items which appear to cover the best information available. The matter was not reported directly to this office and, therefore, no investigation or inquiries are being made and none of the individuals who allegedly saw the thing have been interviewed.
ELB:GTC
Enclosures (2)
INDEXED - 78 1 62-83894-178
F B I
31 MAY 25 1949
EX-42
ENCL. [ILLEGIBLE] RECORDED - 78
3 EX-42
No ACTION [ILLEGIBLE]
58 JUN 13 1949[ILLEGIBLE]
[handwritten:] Flying Discs
[handwritten:] FIVE[Reverse side of Office Memorandum, stamps and notations visible upside down/reversed:] G I R. 8 U. S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE RECORDS ESPIONAGE F B I MAY 20 10 06 AM '49 MR. JONES- RECEIVED MAY 19 10 31 AM '40 [bleed-through text from obverse, ILLEGIBLE]
RECORDED - 62
62-83894-179
May 25, 1949
Mrs. Henry Beston
Chimney Farm
Nobleboro, Maine
Dear Mrs. Beston:
Your letter postmarked May 16, 1949, has been received and I want to thank you for sending me information concerning the matter you mentioned. It was indeed very thoughtful of you to report that data to this organisation.
Sincerely yours,
G I R-8
John Edgar Hoover
Director
NOTE: Correspondent saw a small object in the sky near the end of the day which took various shapes and through glasses appeared like a double bloom trailing something below it. She belives it might be a flying disk. In view of her nebulous information and as it was very possibly a weather balloon, no further action is deemed necessary.
WN:mjp[signature]
Mr. Tolson
Mr. Clegy
Mr. Glavin
Mr. Ladd
Mr. Nichols
Mr. Tracy
Mr. Egan
Mr. Gurrea
Mr. Harbo
Mr. Rosen
Mr. Pennington
Mr. Quinn Tamm
Tele. Room
Mr. Nease
Miss Gandy
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
MAILED 13
MAY 26 1949 P.M.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Fletcher[?] 815 [ILLEGIBLE]
[ILLEGIBLE] w[Reverse side of Hoover letter, stamps and notations visible upside down/reversed:] RECORDED-62 G I R. 8 COMMUNICATIONS SECTION MAILED 19 MAY 26 1949 P.M. [various routing stamps and received marks, largely ILLEGIBLE due to reversal]
Lynchburg Advance 5/13/49 These Flying Discs Are at It Again, Virginians Report Zounds! Here we go again! Interplanetary space-ship? Visitor from Mars? A new Russian rocket ship? Airgoing submarine? Just take your choice, your guess is every bit as good as the next one according to reports from various sections of Virginia and Tennessee on last night's strange phenomenon. What it was, where it came from and where it was going, no one knows, but even Civil Aeronautics Administration officials were puzzled and had no answer. Whatever the thing was, it resembled a long cigar, with a bright red nose and trailing smoke. Reports coinciding with that description came from localities along an almost direct line through Tennessee and Virginia and seemed sufficient to convince even the most skeptical that what the callers said they had seen was no figment of imagination. The descriptions generally indicated the object came over the southwest horizon and resembled a streak of fire. There seemed to be red lights or a powerful red glow in the nose of the object. Far back at the tail there was fire and smoke. The first report came from Roanoke about 8 o'clock when J. S. Mays and W. F. Mullins, both of that city, said they noticed the object. "It looked like a streak of fire," said Mays, "and appeared to be going almost straight up and was stepping on it." Suddenly, he said, it appeared to level off and head eastward, resembling "a snake wiggling on water." Other reports followed from Kingsport, Tenn., Bristol, Pulaski, Christiansburg and points west of Roanoke. William C. Flanik, chief aircraft communicator, CAA, at Preston Glenn airport, said none of the Lynchburg tower men had sighted any unusual objects in the sky. FBI - RICHMOND MAY 1 4 1949 62-83894-178 ENCLOSURE
Federal Bureau of Investigation United States Department of Justice Radford News Journal Radford, Va. 5/13/49 Did You See It? Well, What Was It? By WELLS CALDWELL The strange object seen traveling across the heavens just after sundown last night has caused widespread speculation here in Radford as well as in other sections of Southwestern Virginia and Eastern Tennessee. Exactly what the mysterious traveler was, no one here seems to know, and the number of conflicting reports have only added to the confusion. This much seems to be certain: the object appeared over the Southwest horizion shortly before 8 p. m. and was moving eastward. Also, it was black, or at least part of it was. A Radford man, living in the east end section, asked that his name not be used, but give this version: "I was working in the yard when I glanced up and saw a long black thing flying across the sky. It came from the direction of Pulaski. It looked a great deal like a rounded stick of wood which was burning in front. The object was trailed by either vapor or smoke and faded from view when it seemed to be directly overhead." Mrs. Alfred Tolley, of 1702 Seventh Street, west, reported her 12-year-old son, Albert, was playing next door and noticed the object. She said her son had been studying comets in school and called her attention to the phenomenon, thinking that it was either a comet or a meteor. "The strange looking object," she said "was long and black with a light on the front end. It seemed to follow the air route from the direction of Pulaski, later turning and heading toward Blacksburg. There was a light on the front end and great long streaks of fire. We saw it for about 10 minutes." Miss Joe Stewart, of the Radford College biology department, said she saw the object and assumed it was the exhaust from an airplane. She added that she was "in no way alarmed." Fred W. Hurt, of Fourth and Harvey Streets, gave this version: "At the first appearance it looked like a comet. I recall Halley's comet and it resembled that. There was, at first, a bright spot ahead of the stream of fire, but the trail didn't look so bright when the object reached its zenith. "It appeared to be moving slowly at first and later very fast, which indicates that it was quite a distance away when I first saw it. The object seemed to follow a straight path, however it veered a little once — in sort of an arc — and then straightened out again. I heard no noise." Mrs. James D. Heinline, of 60 Jackson Street, Monroe Terrace, said she and her husband watched it with some neighbors. "It looked like a long black cigar which was on fire," she stated. "We heard a faint sound, which might have been a small motor. At times it looked like an airplane 'way, 'way off. I thought at first it might be a comet or a meteor, but it seemed to be traveling too slowly for that. It appeared in the southwest and traveled toward the east. There was a kind of reddish looking smoke about it." Miss Dody Jones, of Harvey Street, reported watching the phenomenon with a group of children in the neighborhood. She said it looked like "what I think a comet would look like." "It was a red flare," she continued, "which was light on the front. It moved slowly from the Southwest and traveled what seemed to be straight up. It curved toward the east and the fire streaks trailing it got longer as they began to fade out." L. B. Graybeal, of Christiansburg, a former Air Force pilot, estimated the altitude of the object at 6,000 feet. He said there was a light from the object as it passed over and a "roaring sound." Other reports have been received from as far West as Kingsport, Tenn., and as far East as Bedford. FBI - RICHMOND MAY 1 6 1949 62-83894-178 ENCLOSURE
Remember Flying Saucers? Well Looks Like Flying Seegars Now Flying saucers are passe. Now people in Bristol are seeing "long, cigar-shaped object" flashing across the sky. But Bristolians were not the only spectators of the strange craft yesterday evening. The flaming object was reported sighted at Kingsport, Christiansburg and Roanoke and three at Pulaski. Rex Rainey, 1805 State Street, reported that he saw a "white, glistening mass, long and cylindrical like a big cigar," flying from east to west about 7:15 yesterday. He said he sighted the "cigar" flying very rapidly over Virginia Heights and got out his binoculars to look at it. An unidentified caller informed the Herald Courier last night, that she had sighted something that "looked like white smoke with a blue flame that traveled to the north and east" about the same time. "It didn't look like an airplane," she said, "only like white smoke. It was just a streak and almost out of sight it was so high." Another local woman reported that she had seen a "silver streak that looked like it was about 100 feet long" flash across the sky shortly after seven o'clock. She estimated the speed at about 200 miles per hour. A traffic controlman at Tri-Cities Airport, who asked that his name be withheld, said that the strange craft had not been seen at the airport although they had had inquiries on the "cigar-streak." He said he had checked with the Atlanta Air Route traffic control center after receiving inquiries but they reported no knowledge of any jet aircraft in this vicinity. He speculated that the streaks may have been caused by a jet-propelled plane or planes. "The objects were reported flying at an altitude of 30,000 feet," he said. "If a jet plane were flying that high, it would be moving so fast the vapor trail would be about all a person on the ground could see." The controlman said that the Pulaski radio reported two seen there. One about 4 p. m., and the other an hour later. He said that Pulaski also had a pilot's report of the "streak" traveling northeast at an altitude of about 30,000 feet. Reports on the "flaming objects" were received at Christiansburg and Roanoke but airports in those vicinities reported no information on the strange craft. BRISTOL HERALD COURIER BRISTOL, VA 5/14/49 [ILLEGIBLE handwritten notation] FBI - RICHMOND MAY 1 7 1949 ENCLOSURE 62-83894-178
Chimney Farm NOBLEBORO, MAINE V.M. 3- Dear Sir: We live in Maine in the town of Nobleboro, about a mile northwest of route no 1, on Damariscotta Pond. Yesterday May 14, there was a high light mist [strikethrough: fog] and a shower in the afternoon but it cleared off for sunset. There was a moderate southwest breeze at 7:45 P.M. and the streaks of clouds on the horizon, especially to the east were rosy. nml 5-25-49 I happened at that time w 3 JUN 26 1949 [stamps: RECORDED - 62, 62-83894 -179, INDEXED - 62, F B I, FIVE]
to glance at the zenith which was clear and was surprised to see a small object bright in the sunset. It might have been half of the smallest of clouds but its shape was angular, more like a piece of torn paper. This shape changed as the object floated north easterly before the wind; sometimes it appeared to have a bite taken out of it, several times it reminded me of a hand. I called my husband and sister and later our housekeeper and a friend of hers. As the object grew smaller it seemed to be on fire, an
at their ends so that the whole presented the appearance of an armless marionette, constantly whirling. To me, with the glasses, the middle appeared sometimes bean shaped but that may well be a defect in my eyesight, as the object was then very distant. At last it disappeared from sight entirely. As we had no clues at its altitude we could not guess its size although I would hazard the statement that it seemed at about the usual altitude of passing planes and seemed to fade away much as a plane would, but far more slowly. We must have seen it for ten
Chimney Farm NOBLEBORO, MAINE effect we supposed of the sunset; it seemed to keep the same altitude but became small and dark, a line, perpendicular to the earth, always revolving but never losing its perpendicular position. With bird glasses it appeared in shape like a double balloon, trailing something below it. The lower balloon "or body" seemed a little larger. My sister whose eyesight is remarkably good, said that both balloons appeared to her pear-shaped and the trailing object below seemed separated into two "legs" with heavier "feet" 2
Chimney Farm
NOBLEBORO, MAINE
minutes, though we did not
look at our watches until it
was gone. It was then a
few minutes before eight.
There was no audible
sound.
We of course call it our
flying saucer, but it was
never oval, and never
fast-moving and never
appeared to be about to
come down anywhere. We
suppose it to have been some
sort of weather balloon, but as
we understand that you wish
reports on them, here is this.
Yours sincerely,
Elizabeth C. Beston
(Mrs. Henry Beston)
3FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Form No. 1
THIS CASE ORIGINATED AT PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA FILE NO. 62-2542 VFH
REPORT MADE AT DATE WHEN MADE PERIOD FOR REPORT MADE BY
PHILADELPHIA, PA. 6-15-49 WHICH MADE JAMES L. KIRKLAND
5-20-49
TITLE UNKNOWN SUBJECT; FIRE, SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA, CHARACTER OF CASE
UNKNOWN DATE MISCELLANEOUS
GEORGE [ILLEGIBLE] KINGTON, COMPLAINANT INFORMATION CONCERNING
SYNOPSIS OF FACTS: FREDERIC [X]MARQUARDT submitted ash residue to
Fire Marshal's Office, Philadelphia, Pa.,
which made chemical analysis. MARQUARDT of
opinion that fire may have been caused by
military flare or "flying saucer".
- C -
DETAILS: This investigation is predicated upon a letter
received from the office of the Fire Marshal,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, dated May 19, 1949,
[handwritten: f.c. to AF1
6-30-HNL]
advising that ashes had been received from one
F. MARQUARDT, purportedly from a fire which had continued to burn for twelve
hours. A chemical analysis of the ashes had been requested. The Fire Marshal's
Office noted that MARQUARDT had at one time worked for the Atomic Energy
Commission.
Captain MICHAEL HANNAN, Fire Marshal's Office, advised that there
had been received through the mail on April 21, 1949, an ash sample with a request for analysis. In the letter of transmittal, MARQUARDT had pointed out that the fire had continued to burn twelve hours after water had first been applied. The original letter of transmittal was examined and reflected that an object had entered the roof of the building, caused an explosion, and threw people out of bed.
Captain HANNAN said he attempted to locate MARQUARDT at his
residence, 127 South 16th Street, but had been unsuccessful. He added that at the time the building manager had commented that MARQUARDT had been employed by the Atomic Energy Commission. MARQUARDT was then requested by letter to appear at the Fire Marshal's Office.
APPROVED AND L. V. Boardman DO NOT WRITE IN THESE SPACES
FORWARDED: SPECIAL AGENT
IN CHARGE
62 + 83894 + [ILLEGIBLE] RECORDED - 129
COPIES OF THIS REPORT INDEXED - 129
2 - Bureau
2 - Philadelphia COPY IN FILE EX-[ILLEGIBLE]
53 JUL 20 1949[Reverse side of FBI Form No. 1, carbon copy, upside down] FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION [carbon copy of form text reversed/upside down, largely ILLEGIBLE] RECEIVED JUN 28 11 AM '49 DEPT OF JUSTICE RECORDS ESPIONAGE F B I RECEIVED - FLETCHER DEPT OF JUSTICE RECORDED - 130 INDEXED - [ILLEGIBLE]
PH 62-2542 Acting Chief GEORGE KINGTON advised that he had interviewed MARQUARDT at the time he came to the office since Captain HANNAN was absent at the time. He said that he then learned for the first time that the fire in question had taken place near Scranton, Pennsylvania, and had occurred about six months previously. This caused the Marshal's Office to withdraw from the case on a question of jurisdiction and MARQUARDT was advised that any further action on his part should be referred to the State Police authorities. At the same time, KINGTON furnished MARQUARDT with the results of the analysis which had been made of the ash submitted, and which analysis had been made by Dr. EDWARD BURKE, City Chemist, Chemical Laboratory, Room 875, City Hall. This report reflected that the ash contained Magnesium, Aluminum, Iron, and Calcium in the form of silicates, sulphur and carbonates. FREDERIC MARQUARDT was interviewed at his place of business, the H. A. KULJIAN COMPANY, Broad Street and Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At this time he advised that he had received the sample of ash from a friend, WOODY SHAEFFER, Lake Ariel, R. D., Wayne County, Pennsyl- vania, through the mail. He said that Lake Ariel is about one mile south of South Canaan, near Scranton, Pennsylvania. He stated that SHAEFFER's house had burned about six months ago, the fire had occurred at night during a storm and that a large object had struck the roof and ignited the house which had burned to the ground in less than an hour. He said that he had not been present during the fire but that these details had been furnished by letter from SHAEFFER at the time a sample of the ash was forwarded for analysis. He said that he was of the personal opinion that the ash might be a part of a military flare or a "flying saucer". He pointed out that he has been advised by associates in the engineering field that one of the characteristics of some types of flares is the fact that they burn for a considerable period. He stated that the mass of the ash residue had remained ignited for a period of twelve hours. He also stated that he did not think there had been an explosion but that a loud noise had probably been caused by the vacuum created as the missile or object struck the roof. He added that there remains a quantity of the ash, amounting to one bushel, at SHAEFFER's premises at Lake Ariel. - 2 -
PH 62-2542 MARQUARDT advised that he had been employed by the Atomic Energy Commission at Oak Ridge until 1943. He was entirely rational. He discounted the theory that a portion of a meteor had struck the house on the basis of the chemical analysis made by the City Chemical Laboratory. MARQUARDT advised that at the suggestion of the City authorities, he had written to SHAEFFER and suggested that any further in- quiries be directed to the State Police. The file of the Philadelphia Office reflect that the records of Immigration and Naturalization Service were negative to an inquiry concern- ing FREDERIC S. MARQUARDT, OEM (Bureau File 77-30297). The files of this office likewise reflect that MARQUARDT by letter received August 14, 1947, requested of this office the identity of a powder or dust used to catch thieves. Inasmuch as there is no violation indicated within the Bureau's jurisdiction, there is no further investigation being conducted in this matter. However, the ash residue obtained from the Fire Marshal's Office is being forwarded to the Bureau Laboratory for any interest or study the Laboratory may desire to conduct relative to flares or in connection with the possibility of the presence of "flying saucers". - CLOSED - - 3 -
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE COMMUNICATIONS SECTION nA Jon Ay3-1 TELETYPE FBI OMAHA 7-14-49 4-55 PM CST DIRECTOR URGENT FLYING DISCS, INFORMATION CONCERNING. WHILE ON VACATION RECENTLY AT LAKE OF THE WOODS, NEAR KENORA, ONTARIO, CANADA, SA CLIVE G. MATTHEWS OBSERVED UNCONVENTIONAL AIRCRAFT RESEMBLING FLYING DISC. HE HAS FURNISHED FULL INFORMATION CONCERNING SAME TO U.S. AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, FORT CROOK, NEBRASKA, AND SAME WILL NOT BE REPORTED TO THE BUREAU UNLESS ADVISED TO THE CONTRARY. END DALTON ACK 94$ PLS RECORDED - 142 62-83894 - 181 B-56 PM OK FBI WASH DC EJC 5 0 AUG 1 1949 RELEASE BREACHES
[Reverse side of teletype — bleed-through of recto text, mirror image. The following stamps are legible:] RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT Jul 14 6 59 PM 49 F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : DIRECTOR, FBI DATE: July 21, 1949 FROM : SAC, NEW ORLEANS SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS AND SAUCERS MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION CONCERNING For the Bureau's information, several citizens in the community of Alexandria, Louisiana, have recently reportedly seen flying discs. The Alexan- dria, Louisiana daily paper has carried numerous articles concerning this. At a recent meeting of the Young Mens Business Club in Alexandria, a member suggested that since Alexandria, Louisiana is known as a convention city, the club should try promoting a convention of flying saucer seers. This particu- lar comment appeared in the Alexandria paper and was picked up by the AP lines. Mr. A. M. DeANGELO, a member of the Young Mens Business Club, advised Special Agent WALTER E. MOEHLE that since the AP release, they have received a large number of requests regarding the convention of flying saucer seers from many parts of the United States. Mr. DeANGELO states that the interest of the people is evidenced by their inquiries about convention particulars, stating they are flying saucer seers and want to attend such a convention. This gentleman further advised that in view of the volume of inquiries coming in, it appears that the YMBC will have to hire an employee to handle all the correspondence. It may be noted that he advised a representative of the Air Force from Barksdale Field, Louisiana, has inquired as to plans of a flying saucer convention, stating that they are interested in furnishing an observer if such a convention were held. This information is being furnished the Bureau, as it is possible such an enterprise may cause people to falsify that they have seen flying discs or fly- ing saucers. Such falsifications might be made so that they might attend such a convention or become official delegates thereto. WEM:gp 62-0 RECORDED - 63 62-83894 - 182 INDEXED - 63 2 JUL 25 1949 63 JUL 29 1949
[Reverse side of Office Memorandum — bleed-through of recto text, mirror image. The following stamps are legible:] U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I RECD ESPIONAGE JUL 28 9 15 AM 49 RECEIVED U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I INTERNAL SECURITY Jul 26 5 11 PM 49 RECEIVED
SAC, Phoenix June 30, 1949 RECORDED - 130 Director, FBI 062-83894-183 WILLIAM ALBERT RHODES INFORMATION CONCERNING FLYING DISCS EX-94 Reurlet June 8, 1949, captioned "Flying Discs." It is believed that the reference appearing in the first line of your referenced letter to the Bureau is incorrect. Complete details concerning the matter referred to in your referenced communication appear in a letter from your office dated September 4, 1947, and not September 9, 1947. Pursuant to your request, you are granted authority to furnish the attached blind memorandum, which was forwarded to the Bureau with your referenced letter for approval, to Mr. Lynn C. Aldrich, OSI representative, Phoenix, Arizona. Attachment EHM:EFF COMMUNICATIONS SECTION MAILED 15 JUL 1 1949 P.M. ★ FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
[Reverse side of SAC Phoenix letter — bleed-through of recto text, mirror image. The following stamps are legible:] RECEIVED MAIL ROOM [date illegible] F.B.I. U.S DEPT. OF JUSTICE COMMUNICATIONS SECTION MAILED 15 JUL 1 1949 P.M. ★ FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : Mr. H. B. Fletcher DATE: June 30, 1949 FROM : Lish Whitson SUBJECT: WILLIAM ALBERT RHODES INFORMATION CONCERNING FLYING DISCS Purpose Your approval is requested in order that the attached letter and memorandum can be forwarded to the Phoenix Office, authorizing that office to furnish the attached memorandum to Mr. Lynn C. Aldrich, OSI representative, Phoenix, Arizona. Background In July 1947, William Albert Rhodes was jointly interviewed by Special Agent J. Bailey Brower (Bureau Agent) and George Fugate, Jr., A-2 representative from Hamilton Field, California. The purpose of the interview was to secure from Mr. Rhodes information and photographs of a flying disc, which had been sighted and photographed by Rhodes. The complete results of the interview and subsequent events are contained in the attached memorandum submitted by the Phoenix Office. Mr. Lynn C. Aldrich, OSI representative at Phoenix, Arizona, has requested the Phoenix Office to furnish him complete facts relating to this interview, which are to be subsequently forwarded to the OSI Office at San Francisco. According to Aldrich, Mr. Fugate, referred to above, has been questioned concerning this matter by his superiors and he has advised them that his recollection is "hazy" on the matter. According to Aldrich, Mr. Rhodes has apparently now requested the Air Force to return the photographs, which were previously obtained from him. Recommendation It is recommended that the Phoenix Office be advised that the memorandum attached may be forwarded by them to Mr. Aldrich, OSI representative, Phoenix, Arizona. Attachments EHM:EFF RECORDED - 134 162-83894-183 INDEXED - 1[ILLEGIBLE] F B I EX-68 23 JUL 20 1949 56 AUG 3 1949 185
[Reverse side of Office Memorandum — bleed-through of recto text, mirror image. The following stamps are legible:] U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE F B I RECD ESPIONAGE JUN 30 11 53 AM 49 RECEIVED - FLETCHER RECEIVED Aug 1 4 06PM [ILLEGIBLE] Aug 2 2 54 PM [ILLEGIBLE] RECEIVED
[Federal Bureau of Investigation letterhead] United States Department of Justice Phoenix, Arizona June 8, 1949 Director, FBI RE: FLYING DISCS Dear Sir: Refer Phoenix letter to Bureau, dated September 9, 1947, captioned, REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS, for the attention of Assistant Director D. M. LADD, setting forth the result of an interview con- ducted by GEORGE FUGATE, JR., then a representative of the Air Force Intelligence, from Hamilton Field, California, and Special Agent J. BAILEY BROWER with one WILLIAM ALBERT RHODES, 4333 N. 14th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, concerning his observation and photographing of an object which was considered by the Air Force of significance from a security standpoint. On June 7, 1949, Mr. LYNN C. ALDRICH, OSI representative, Phoenix, Arizona, called at this office, advising that he had been requested by his superiors in San Francisco to obtain detailed in- formation concerning this interview since RHODES apparently has requested the Air Force to return the photographs. [STILL PENDING RECORDING] FUGATE, when questioned by his superiors concerning the matter, stated his recollection was "hazy" on the matter. OSI is anxious to secure the substance of information in the Phoenix file concerning this matter. Mr. ALDRICH was furnished the substance of the interview, as set forth in letter of reference and he has now requested that he be furnished with a blind memorandum setting forth this information in detail in order that he may make it available to the OSI at San Francisco. A memorandum setting forth this information has been pre- pared by this office and is attached hereto. The Bureau is requested to advise if such memorandum should be made available to OSI. RECORDED 34 62-73894 - 184 Very truly yours, 23 JUL 20 1949 W A Murphy W. A. MURPHY SAC Attachments Sent to Phoenix [handwritten] 6/30/49 memo dated WAM:kb 62-213 AIR MAIL 60 JUL 29 1949
[Reverse side of FBI Phoenix letter — bleed-through of recto text, mirror image. The following stamps are legible:] U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I RECD ESPIONAGE JUN 14 10 31 AM 49 RECEIVED - FLORENCE 23 JUL 20 1949 AIR MAIL
STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Mem[orandum] • UNITED ST[ATES] GOVERNMENT TO : THE DIRECTOR DATE: July 20, 1949 FROM : D. M. LADD SUBJECT: [handwritten: d] You will recall that Mr. Ernest Cuneo advised the Bureau of a letter which Walter Winchell had received from an individual in Los Angeles indicating that he had seen a flying saucer leave the ground within his view and in which letter he theorized that this might have been a landing from another planet. The Los Angeles Office was requested to locate and interview the writer of this letter, Peter Camerlon Jones, 164 West 37th Street, Los Angeles 7, California. The Los Angeles Office has now advised that the present owner and former manager at this address have no knowledge of any Peter Camerlon Jones and that other investigation to locate Jones was unproductive. It would appear, therefore, that this may have been a prank. You may desire to advise Mr. Cuneo that there is no such person at the address given inasmuch as he indicated that Mr. Winchell intended to do a column on this letter. DML:FA [handwritten: This handled by letter to Cuneo] [handwritten: Flying Discs] RECORDED - 5 62-83894 - 185 INDEXED - S[ILLEGIBLE] [stamp] F.B.I. JUL 26 1949 53 AUG [ILLEGIBLE] 185 Mr [ILLEGIBLE] Canton 7-21-49 fee
[Reverse side of Office Memorandum — bleed-through of recto text, mirror image. The following stamps are legible:] Jul 22 3 59 PM 49 U.S DEPT OF JUSTICE F B I RECEIVED-NICHOLS Jul 22 10 15 AM 49 U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE F B I [ILLEGIBLE] RECEIVED - DIRECTOR Jul 20 [11] 08 AM 49 F B I RECEIVED-TOLSON Jul 20 11 59 AM 49 F B I RECEIVED Jul 20 10 16 PM [ILLEGIBLE]