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CONFIDENTIAL 62-83894-130 DECLASSIFIED Authority: NND 90986 HEADQUARTERS AIR DEFENSE COMMAND MITCHEL FIELD, NEW YORK IN REPLY REFER TO: 12 September 1947 SUBJECT: Unidentified Flying Object (Interview - Alpheus O. Powell) SUMMARY OF INFORMATION: The following information was received 12 August 1947 from Mr. Alpheus O. Powell, 28 Redwood Road, New Hyde Park, Long Island, relative to the sighting of a possible flying disc 4 August 1947. On 4 August 1947, Mr Powell, an Airlines Captain with Pan American Airways, Inc., was the first pilot of a Constellation type aircraft on a flight from Gander, Newfoundland, to La Guardia Field, New York. Mr. Powell took over the aircraft at Gander, Newfoundland and departed at approximately 1230 P.M., Eastern Daylight Saving Time for La Guardia Field, New York. At 1600 P.M., at a position approximately midway between the Everett (Mass) Fan Marker and the Bedford Radio Beacon (Everett is 5 miles NW of Boston, Mass., and Bedford is 15 miles NW of the same city) both Mr Powell and Mr W. White navigator on this trip, sighted unidentifiable flying objects. To the best of Mr. Powell's knowledge, the following weather conditions existed at that time: Visibility was good; cloud coverage was from 6-8/10ths, with tops at 10,000 feet; and the wind at the 8,000 foot level was estimated as being [ILLEGIBLE] miles per hour. The aircraft was at [ILLEGIBLE] feet; airspeed [ILLEGIBLE] mph; and the course was [ILLEGIBLE] degrees magnetic. Mr White who was sitting in the co-pilots seat (the right side of the cockpit) first called Mr. Powell's attention to a bright orange object which was on the right side of the plane and slightly below the level of the aircraft. Mr Powell was unable to see the object as he had no visibility to the right and down from his position. Mr Powell immediately glanced out his side window and noticed at a [ILLEGIBLE] angle to left and unidentified flying object It was about one mile away at an altitude of approximately [ILLEGIBLE] feet MR POWELL banked to obtain a better view of object The object under observation for approximately [ILLEGIBLE] seconds during this time viewed by MR POWELL MR POWELL described object as being about length P-4 fuselage blunt both ends cylindrical shape having bright orange hue MR POWELL stated that object had definite shape there suggestion gaseous dissipation would be if orange color were exhaust from rocket or jet aircraft MR POWELL estimated course object be [ILLEGIBLE] magnetic that object travelling approximately [ILLEGIBLE] mph MR POWELL lost sight when cloud came between aircraft and object The pursuit not continued inasmuch as it would have necessitated departure established airways
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CONFIDENTIAL HEADQUARTERS AIR DEFENSE COMMAND MITCHEL FIELD, NEW YORK IN REPLY REFER TO: 15 September 1947 SUBJECT: Unidentified Flying Objects (Interview - Walter I. White) SUMMARY OF INFORMATION: The following information relative to the sighting of a possible flying disc 4 August 1947, was received 10 September 1947 from Mr. Walter I. White, 19-57 79th Street, Jackson Heights, New York. On 4 August 1947, Mr. White, Pan American Airways Inc., was the navigator of a Constellation type aircraft on a flight from Gander, Newfoundland to La Guardia Field, New York. At 1600, at a position approximately 10 miles NW of Boston, Mass., Mr White sighted a flying object which he was unable to identify. At this time Mr White was sitting in the co-pilots seat and looking out the right side for other aircraft that might be in the vicinity. Mr White stated that when he first sighted the object it appeared to be about 3 miles away and at least 1000 feet below the level of the Constellation. Mr White believes that he studied the object for almost 30 seconds before he called the pilot's attention to it. Mr White described the object as being a deep gold in color and that its' surface reflected light. It appeared to be about 15 feet in length and from 2-3 feet in depth; elliptical in shape and blunted at the ends. Mr White estimated the speed of the object as being 175 miles per hour and that it was travelling in an east-erly direction on a course of approximately magnetic degrees. Mr White then told the aircraft commander that there was an unidentified object to the right and again glanced out to observe the object catching a momentary glimpse of it before the pilot banked plane to left when aircraft banked Mr white lost sight of object at this point Mr Powell aircraft Captain exclaimed that he was able see similar object on his side. Mr white unable see object on Mr Powell's side He stated that does not believe that it was same object that he had viewed insasmuch as one saw if it had remained on same course would have been hidden from view by time by wings and tail section Constella-tion. Mr white stated pilot then righted plane entire incident transpired less than minute half. Mr white describes weather condition at time sightings follows about scattered cumulus with tops at feet visibility miles wind at flight level west about mph The flight level of aircraft at this time was TAS magnetic course SW AGENTS NOTES: Mr Walter I. White has been employed by Pan American Airways for past five years Navigator during war worked with PAA
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CONFIDENTIAL in conjunction with contract flying for the AAF. Mr White states that he has flown with Mr Powell on a number of occasions, and he considers him to be a very stable person; completely reliable, and not given to "flights of fancy". Related Report: See Summary of Information, 12 September 1947. Hq ADC, subject, "Unidentified Flying Objects" (interview - Alpheus O. Powell). Previous Distribution: - None Distribution - AAF (3 copies) - ADC (2 copies) Evaluation of source of information C 3 CONFIDENTIAL
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CONFIDENTIAL AGENTS NOTES: Mr. A. O. Powell is a graduate of the Aviation Cadet Flying Training Program, having graduated from Maxwell Field, Alabama, with the Class of 41-C. Since graduation, Mr. Powell has flown for Pan American Airways and, at this date, has over 4,000 command pilot hours to his credit. Mr. Powell appears to be a calm, intelligent individual, not given to flights of fancy, or easily swayed by what he has previously read in the newspapers as regards reports of this type. Mr. Powell has a fear of publicity and seemed hesitant to even tell his story lest he become the object of ridicule. Mr Powell was questioned as to the possibility that what he sighted might have been a tow target, a pilot balloon, or a radiosonic device used for meteorological purposes. Mr Powell stated that he has seen numerous pilot balloons, radiosonic devices and tow targets, while on flights; the object observed on this flight definitely was not one of them. Evaluation of source of information C 3 Previous Distribution: - None Distribution - AAF (3 copies) - ADC (2 copies)
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RESTRICTED BASIC: Ltr. Hq. BARFD, Birmingham AAF, Birmingham, Ala., dtd 8 July 47, subj: Report on Local "Flying Disc." 319/V684 HEADQUARTERS, FOURTEENTH AIR FORCE, Orlando, Florida, JUL 21 1947 TO: Commanding General, Air Defense Command, Mitchel Field, New York. 1. Forwarded for information of your Headquarters. 2. This Headquarters has made no investigation of "Flying Disc" reports because this is an isolated case. FOR THE COMMANDING GENERAL: 3 Incls: n/c [HW:] Murphy M. E. Murphy Lt. Colonel AGD Asst. Adj. Gen. 32715 [STAMP:] 24-6 [STAMP:] 24 JUL 1947 RESTRICTED
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62- 83894 - 130
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RESTRICTED HEADQUARTERS BIRMINGHAM AIR RESERVE TRAINING DETACHMENT BIRMINGHAM ARMY AIR FIELD Birmingham, Alabama 8 July 1947 SUBJECT: Report on Local "Flying Disc" TO: Commanding General Fourteenth Air Force, ADC Orlando, Florida Attn: A-2 1. Inclosed herewith is a photograph of the "publicized flying disc," which was reportedly witnessed over Birmingham on the night of Sunday, 6 July 1947. 2. Attention is invited to the two light spots on the print and the light trail following the two discs. The arrow at the top of the photograph indicates the direction of flight. This has been examined by professional photographers in Birmingham and their general opinion is that the two spots shown on the light trail were no flaws in the negative, but instead, an actual photograph of the mysterious disc. 3. The undersigned officer did not personally witness the flight of any disc, however, in view of numerous reports received from citizens of Birmingham, it is the general opinion in Birmingham that "something was in the air." Attached hereto as enclosure number two is a statement made by only military personnel of this organization who personally witnessed the flight of mysterious disc. For additional information attached as enclosure number three are clippings from one local newspaper giving an account of many persons who reported seeing many mysterious objects. 4. The intelligence officer of Alabama Military District has forwarded a similar report through ground force channels to Commanding General Third Army Atlanta 3 Georgia. JACK C WHITE Major Air Corps Commanding RESTRICTED
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RESTRICTED Report on Local "Flying Disc" D333.5 ID (8 Jul 47) 2nd Ind HQ., AIR DEFENSE COMMAND, Mitchel Field, New York, 25 July 1947. TO: Commanding General, Army Air Forces, Washington 25, D. C. ATTN: AC/AS-2 Forwarded for your information. FOR THE COMMANDING GENERAL: R. H. SMITH Colonel, GSC Asst Chief of Staff-Intell. [HW: Beka] [HW: (6)] STOP
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62-93894-130 THE WEA (Furnished by the U. S. Weather For Birmingham and Vicinity- Partly cloudy and warm today, to- night and tomorrow with a few scattered showers this afternoon. High today 86, low tonight 70, high tomorrow 90. 47 PRICE: 5 CENTS 'Flying Saucers' Reported From 39 States, But Seem To Be Concentrated Here City Is Baffled By Dazzling Display Of Spooky Discs The strange things that have been in night skies since June 25, were over Birmingham last night. On one thing everyone who has seen the mysterious objects agree —they are round, saucer-like. After that, every story differs. Each of the hundreds of callers who reported witnessing the baffling sky demonstrations here last night had a different version of what they saw. Some said the objects were large, some small. They were moving at great speed. They were suspended in the air. There was sound along with their movements. They moved noiselessly through the black sky. They were at great distance from the earth. They had fallen to the ground. They were in perfect formation. They were colliding with each other. But whatever the things are that have set the nation agog since first reported 12 days ago by a man in Washington State, they definitely were over the Magic City last night. It seems, in fact, that more Birmingham residents saw the objects than in any other place. REPORTS BEGAN coming into the Age-Herald city room around 8 o'clock last night. For more than an hour thereafter, the place was bedlam. The switchboard operators were swamped with calls. Reporters, office boys, copy readers — everyone in the place was called into action. Reports came in from Edgewood, Mountain Brook, Avondale, Southside, Fairfield, Pratt City, West End, Central Park, Bessemer. There was fear, excitement, horror, skepticism in the voices. One person said he had seen an object [ILLEGIBLE] ONCE for that region
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5—THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS Mysterious Flying Saucers Reported In Birmingham Skies Continued From Page 1 Although the reports dwindled off at about 9 p.m., there was a final call from a man at 10, saying he had seen the objects over the southeastern section. This morning, there were more reports, more queries coming into The News. Maj. White issued a message to Birmingham residents: "We'll do everything the Army Air Forces is empowered to do to run down the mystery of the discs. This thing seems to have gotten beyond the point of speculation. Birmingham can rest assured the air base will keep on the alert until the mystery is settled." [STAMP:] man admitted having seen the objects several weeks ago "but was ashamed to tell his wife." Whatever it is going on in the night skies, it has the entire nation in a dither. The flying discs have eclipsed every other national and international event in the minds of the American people. Broadcasts from England last night said that Britishers were scoffing at this story. But when persons in 30-odd states have reported seeing these objects, there must be something to this story. Birmingham police headquarters was flooded with calls, too, last night. So was Weather Bureau, control tower at airport, airline officers. At Birmingham Army Airfield, Maj. Jack C. White, commandant ordered an alert and dispatched a plane to fly around city. The plane with Lt L S Robinson at controls circled city for an hour and 15 minutes at from 4000 to 5000 feet He was unable report any unnatural objects. Scientists indicate that objects are merely tricks of eyes In fact Howard Blakeslee Associated Press scientific writer has stated he has seen similar objects from his home on Long Island for many years and associated no mystery with them They are combination of eye and light tricks is his answer. Turn to Page 5 Column 1
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MONDAY, JULY 7, 1942 RADIO-GUIDED, SAYS LAD "I'd like to give my opinion about what the flying saucers really are," Michael Eisman, 10, told The News this morning. The grammar school youth, "in the fifth grade and going on to the sixth" at Crestline Heights School, eagerly gave his theory. "They are new radio-guided rocket discs from another country that is planning war on the United States," he said. "They are equipped with cameras. They will be radio guided back to their home country. They go fast to keep anyone from seeing them. Then they hover and stand still to get their pictures. "They have a reason for being over Birmingham," opined young Eisman. "It has one of the biggest steel mills, and the biggest cotton gin." Eisman said the "saucer cameras" were clicking the fruit industry on the West Coast. As to what country is sending the saucers, Eisman didn't guess. Nor has he seen any saucers, he said, over his home at 4 Clarendon Road.
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Charles F. Bradley, Birmingham weather man, said he did not believe the spectacle was a weather phenomenon, "I have instructed my staff to be on the alert for any information they might gather on the matter," he said. GREATEST EXCITEMENT of the evening came when a man reported some of the discs had fallen in a ravine near Avonwood. A reporter and photographer went to the scenes—and found nothing. Residents of the district said the discs had passed low and appeared to have fallen in the trees. Robert Crossland, Age-Herald copy reader, rushed for his camera when the objects passed over his residence on 29th Street and Highland Avenue. His developed film revealed two round, white spots on the black, close together, one larger than the other. He said he gave the picture a 15-second exposure. Five other persons were with him when the picture was made. But witnesses aren't needed any longer to bear out reports of strange demonstration. Too many persons—good solid citizens—have seen things. In fact, they're thinking of calling show out at Munger Bowl tonight: "The Disc-light Opera." Scores Of People Report Seeing Mysterious Discs Residents of East Lake, Southside West End Woodlawn Bessemer reported seeing flying discs or saucers last night. One disc was reported seen yesterday afternoon over Warrior River The number seen at one time varied. Nine of discs were seen by Connie Murdoch 512 South 10th Court "They were gobs of light moving around sky" she reported. H E Reagor 1318 45th Street said he and neighbors saw "40 or 50" light spots in sky apparently over Central Park Airport area. One resident East Lake heard— [REDACTED] [REDACTED] [REDACTED] ing flying saucers rushed into his front yard "I saw landing lights DC-3 and 17 lightning bugs" he reported. * * * Mrs James Bain 1225 South 29th Street saw three discs traveling from east west Two more were spotted later followed by single disc as neighbors gathered. * * * J L Kardus 2100 Clanton Street Bessemer reported seeing strange lights moving through sky between Bessemer Red Mountain They were going very fast he said. * * * Whirling saucers were reported seen by Dan Smirl 14 1429 Place South Marvin Pharo 15626 Avenue South We weren't looking for them boys reported We standing yard when we saw round silver flashes circling around They came one at first then number increased They seemed go over mountain * * * At police headquarters Officer E E McNeal said reports discs began at p.m and ceased about minutes later * * * Streaks light flying very slow were reported seen by Mrs H M Sockwell Green Acres She rushed into her yard as soon as she heard report radio She husband five neighbors saw six discs flying fairly low She said they size table * * * Big as tables called find out if I'm crazy said Mrs Gordon Mize Bessemer Super Highway who telephoned News this morning report seeing mysterious flying discs Mrs Mize said she husband their hosts saw balls fire as they prepared get into car after visit Mr Mrs Gordon Bush Brighton between last night She said flash lights which appeared beacon lights coming over hill came direction Bessemer The lights would come at lightning speed stop dead still hang sky then dart off again some returning direction Bessemer some going on Some would circle Others would pass each other scarcely avoid collision They about size dining room table she said baseball traveled in big curve southwest southeast The saucers came intervals about five seconds
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A citizen of Fairfield Highlands said the flying discs came over his residence at a speed of about 1,500 miles an hour. "They would go in opposite directions, stop, and bump into each other," he reported. * * * Gene Plumstead, program manager of WSGN, reported the flying discs over Edgewood Lake. * * * J. A. Hafner, 3301 Avenue I, Ensley, said the lights appeared like a spot thrown by a huge searchlight. He said, however, he could see no beam such as would come from a searchlight. * * * A number of "white round things" were seen in the skies over West End by Mrs. Alfred Hackbarth, 1760 McMillan Avenue. * * * L. M. Cadenhead, 2000 48th Street, Central Park, saw the lights over Powderly. * * * "They looked like saucers," said Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Martin and Mr. and Mrs. Frank Arnold, 732 47th Way South. "Some of them went as fast as bullets while others floated around They were the size of an automobile tire." * * * Mr. and Mrs William Howell 1004 East Court South reported seeing 11 discs about 8:30 a.m. "About 15 of them passed over our house shortly before 8," said Mrs Helen Mallory 1404 North 12th Court Mrs Mallory said the objects were first sighted by her son Milo who called rest family They looked like flash light that went by in such hurry you couldn't describe it she said * * * Frank S Lovelace policeman for Tennessee Coal Iron and Railroad Company reported seeing eight or ten of the objects They looked about size dishpan he said They came out southeast whirled around several minutes * * * S Sgt I L Livingston Birmingham Army Airfield observed discs from Green Acres residence They were going zigzag from East to West he said * * * R H Vaughn III who served anti aircraft gunner Europe saw flying saucer display with father from home Ensley Highlands I never shot at anything moving rapidly they were Vaughn believes discs are some sort natural phenomena like Aurora Borealis * * * Jimmy Dewberry 11 of 1030 16th Avenue South said he saw flying saucer while visiting at his grandmother's on th Avenue South It looked like shooting star Jimmy said but it was too low for that It had long red tail Searchlight Reflection Theory Is Advanced The mysterious flying discs observed in Birmingham last night may be carnival beacon light at Siluria about miles south Birmingham That was solution offered this morning by William B Hayes Reconstruction Finance Corporation Comer Building here Mr Hayes who served Army Pacific said he and others there had seen similar sights throughout South Pacific islands caused by searchlights He based theory on high overcast skies last night and said beacon at Siluria carnival probably struck high clouds gave indication being flying saucers Mr Hayes is pilot
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RESTRICTED S-T-A-T-M-E-N-T I, Staff Sergeant Ira L. Livingston, RA 14 153 972, Air Corps, have approximately 250 hours flying time as pilot and Armorer Gunner have the following statement to make concerning the appearence of "Flying Discs" in the vicinity of Birmingham, Alabama. At 2045 hours, 6 July 1947, while I was eating supper at my residence at 1354 Meadow Lane, Green Acres, Birmingham, Alabama, my next door neighbor Mr. Herman M. Sockwell called for me to come to the front door that there were some "Flying Discs" outside. Immediately I went out in the front yard to observe the objects. The objects appeared to the West of Birmingham traveling in a South Eastern direction. They appeared to be approximately 2000 feet above the horizon at a [ILLEGIBLE] degree angle from where I was standing at an un- estimated distance away. The objects appeared to be approximately two (2) feet in diameter, round in shape, producing a dim glow of light and traveling at an estimated speed of five (5) to six (6) hundred miles per hour. The objects or object appeared to be traveling in a definite arc rather than straight and as soon as one was out of sight another would appear behind it but not always in the same path. I saw one that seemed to come straight up. The view of where it came from was obstructed by a nearby house; and when it reached the altitude of approximately 2000feet it started off in the same direction as the others. I did not at any time see any more than one at the time and even though there could have been only one my personal belief is that there were seven (7) to ten (10). The Discs were silent and appeared to be composed of a single light. Ira L. Livingston Staff Sergeant RA 14 153 972 Subscribed and sworn to before me this 7th day of July 1947. James L MacFarlane lst Lt AC Asst Adj RESTRICTED
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CONFIDENTIAL HEADQUARTERS, NEWFOUNDLAND BASE COMMAND ATLANTIC DIVISION, AIR TRANSPORT COMMAND FORT PEPPERELL, NEWFOUNDLAND APO 862,% POSTMASTER, NEW YORK, N. Y. Classification cancelled on: Changed to: [HW: Restricted] [STAMP: DMS Captain 6 Aug 47] (Name) (Rank) (Date) 30 July 1947 IN REPLY REFER NDC SUBJECT: Letter of Transmittal. TO Commanding General, Atlantic Division, ATC, Fort Totten, Long Island, N. Y. (ATTENTION: AC/S, Intelligence) Reference Letter of Transmittal, this office, dated 28 July 1947, with four (4) inclosures (Inclosures 1, 2 and 3; Final Reports of Sightings of "flying saucers"; and Inclosure 4; Signed Statement - Constable KEARSEY), transmitted herewith is Final Report of Sighting of "flying saucers" in Newfoundland, which occurred at Harmon Field, Stephenville, Newfoundland at 0345Z, 23 July 1947. FOR THE COMMANDING GENERAL Marion C. Miller MARION C. MILLER, Captain Air Corps, AC/S Intelligence. 1 Incl: Final Rpt of Sighting, 23 Jul 47 1st Ind. HQ ATLANTIC DIVISION ATC FORT TOTTEN L.I. NEW YORK [ILLEGIBLE] Aug '47 TO Commanding General Air Transport Command Washington '25 D.C. ATTN Chief of Staff Forwarded in accordance with instructions outlined in TWX CM-95 your Headquarters. James H. Brewster Jr. Lt Col GSC AC/S Intelligence
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CONFIDENTIAL Classification cancelled or Changed to [REDACTED] Final Report of Sighting [STAMP:] [HW:] 8 Aug 47 (Home) (Name) (Date) 1. Organization: 1388th AAF Base Unit APO 864, c/o Postmaster, New York, N.Y. 2. Sighting: Strange intermittent flashes that may tie in with "Flying Discs". 3. Place: Harmon Field, Stephenville, Newfoundland. 4. Time: 03452, 23 July 1947. 5. Altitude: Approximately 10,000 feet high. 6. Weather: High scattered condition; visibility better than fifteen (15) miles. 7. Heading: From South, heading NNE (approximately 30°) 8. Speed: High velocity; stated to be faster than a conventional airplane. 9. Description: The observers saw a light which at first appeared to be a shooting star or airplane. It appeared again, and a number of intermittent flashes were seen for a period of approximately three (3) minutes. The flashes were reddish in color. Observers said it was not a falling star because it did not appear as such; nor was it an airplane, because maneuvers were too abrupt and there was no noise of a motor. 10. Reported by: Miss Patricia Abbott,(Newfoundland National) Government Employee and Lt. Hammaker, Navigator and Public Relations Officer. 11. General: The informants (noted in Par.10) were walking when they noticed a peculiar reddish light. Both Miss Abbott and Lt Hammaker stated that at first, they thought it was a falling star but if left no streak It appeared again; they thought it might be a plane flying at very high altitude After observing its manoeuvres they concluded because of the silence (no hum of motor) and abrupt darts of the light it was definately not an airplane Neither Miss Abbott nor Lt Hammaker had seen anything like it before. William H Smith Captain Air Corps, Intelligence Officer. RESTRICTED
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RESTRICTED CONFIDENTIAL HEADQUARTERS Newfoundland Base Command, ATLD-ATC Fort Pepperrell, Newfoundland APO 862, c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. 28 July 1947 SUBJECT: Letter of Transmittal. TO: Commanding General, Atlantic Division, ATC, Fort Totten, Long Island, N. Y. (ATTENTION: AC/S, Intelligence) 1. Transmitted herewith, as inclosures 1, 2 and 3, are Final Reports of Sightings of "flying saucers" in Newfoundland and vicinity listed as follows: Final Report of Sighting = 2000Z, 10 July 1947 Final Report of Sighting = 0030Z, 11 July 1947 Final Report of Sighting = 0015Z, 20 July 1947 2. Reference TWX - EN 18469 this headquarters dated 121730Z July 1947 regarding sightings of "flying saucers" by Constable ERIC KEARSEY Newfoundland Constabulary at Grand Falls Newfoundland on the night of 9 July 1947 attached herewith as inclosure is signed statement of this sighting by Constable KEARSEY. FOR THE COMMANDING GENERALS Marion C. Miller MARION C. MILLER, Captain Air Corps, AC/S Intelligence. Incls: Final Rpt of Sighting, Jul Jul '47 Final Rpt of Sighting 'Jul '47 Final Rpt of Sighting 'Jul '47 Signed Statement - Const KEARSEY
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CONFIDENTIAL Classification Changed to Restricted authority of CC, ZAD, ATC [HW: Capt. A.C.] [HW: Intelligence Officer] [STAMP: 15 July 47] 1. Org. : 1388th AAF BU, NBC, ATLD, ATC. Harmon Field, Newfoundland. 2. Sighting : Flying Disc or other airborne object. 3. Place : Approx six (6) miles SSW of Harmon Field. 4. Time : 2000/?, 10 July 1947 5. Altitude : 8-10,000 ft. 6. Weather : Clear, Scattered Cumulus 8 - 10,000 ft. 7. Heading : NNE on horizontal course. 8. Speed : Very high velocity. 9. Shape & Size: Circular like a wheel, estimated to be same size as a C-54 as seen from 10,000 ft. 10. Color : Translucent or Silvery, left a Bluish Black trail approx [ILLEGIBLE] miles long. 11. Photographs: Mr Robert W Leidy reported that he took two (2) Kodachrome snap shots of the trail. 12. Reported By: Mr John N Merhman TWA mechanic; Mr John W Woodruff PAA mechanic; and Mr Robert E Leidy PAA mechanic reported the above facts to the Intelligence Officer on 15 July 1947 A Flash Report was TWX ed to Action copy Commanding General Hq ATC Attn Asst Chief of Staff Intelligence Info copies Commanding Generals Hq ATLD and Hq NBC Mister's Merhman Woodruff and Leidy were enroute from Stephenville Crossing to Harmon Field at the time of the sighting Mr Woodruff was the first to see the Disc it appeared to rent or split the clouds thru which it passed and left a Bluish Black trail approx fifteen (15) miles long behind it The trail was similar to the afterglow of a powerful landing light or search light beam after it is suddenly switched off The object maintained a straight and horizontal course according to Mr Merhman and Mr Woodruff Mr Leidy stated it appeared to be on a great curved course on a horizontal plane The object disappeared into the North Northeast Mister Leidy says he took two (2) Kodachrome Photographs of the trail The film has been transmitted to the Asst Chief of Staff Intelligence Newfoundland Base Command for processing. RESTRICTED CONFIDENTIAL
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CONFIDENTIAL RESTRICTED. 1. Organization: 1388th AAF Base Unit APO 864, c/o Postmaster, New York, N.Y. 2. Sighting : Flying Disc or other airborne object. 3. Place : Codroy, Newroundland, 59°03' W Long.; 47°50' N Lat. 4. Time : 0030Z hours, 11 July 1947. 5. Altitude : Approximately 6,000 feet. 6. Weather : Clear; at dusk. 7. Heading : From northwest heading eastward. 8. Speed : Very high velocity. 9. Shape & Size: Disc shaped; was reported as being the size of a barrel-head, dinner-plate and size of a plane that is flying high. The trail gave the whole object the appearance of a cone. 10. Color : Flame colored with a trail of a lighter flame color. 11. Reported by: Mr. John Legge, Mr. Wm. Evans and Albert Samms of Codroy, Newfoundland. 12. General: Mr. Legge and Mr. Evans were standing outside Mr. Legge's store when they both sighted the object. Both men stated that the disc was very bright with an after-glow which made the object look like a cone It was a very clear night In spite of the high velocity of the flying object they said they could not possibly have mistaken it for a plane or a falling star Besides the two men the object was sighted by Albert Samms he reported what he had seen to his mother Mrs Samms stated that Albert was in no way alarmed about it he was alone and on his way home when he sighted it and watched it while it was in sight Albert was quite convinced from the color and behaviour of the object that it was not a plane but definately some flying object. The informant Mr Legge is believed to be reliable He is man of approximately forty has had considerable experience as foreman of Buchans Mine Newfoundland where he was in charge of three hundred men During the war Mr Legge was member of civilian volunteer Air Detection Corps With that background Mr Legge stated that he felt sure that the object he had seen was something new which he had never seen before. [STAMP:]
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Final Report of Sighting General cont'd: Albert Samms is a twelve year old boy. He was alone when he saw the flying object, he was very definite that he had never seen anything like it before. His mother, Mrs. Samms, is the Post Mistress of the town, and after hearing Albert's description, felt that it answered to the description of a "Flying Disc". Mr. Legge reported his sighting shortly afterwards to Mrs. Samms because he was sure it should be made known to her in order that the incident might be reported by telegram immediately. There was one other sighting reported from a River Warden at South Branch. The man could not be contacted at time of interviews with other parties. However, a second-hand description of his sighting was obtained, and it agreed with the sightings at Codroy. [HW: WILLIAM H. SMITH] Captain, Air Corps, Intelligence Officer. [STAMP: RESTRICTED] [STAMP: CONFIDENTIAL]
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CONFIDENTIAL RESTRICTED [HW: Maitland] [HW: Larkin] [HW: Douglas] [HW: Hamilton] [HW: Metcalfe] [HW: Kansas City Bridge Companies] 1. Organization: 1388th AAF Base Unit APO 864, c/o Postmaster, New York, N.Y. 2. Sighting: Flying Disc or other Airborne Object. 3. Place: On board Steamship "BURGEO" enroute from Sydney, Nova Scotia to Port aux Basques, Newfoundland, about one hour out from Sydney. 4. Time: 0015Z 20 July 1947. 5. Altitude: 30° off the horizon at an estimated quarter mile range. 6. Weather: Clear and dark. 7. Heading: NNE (30° East of True North) on horizontal plane. 8. Speed: High velocity, stated to be faster than a tracer bullet. 9. Description: Observers did not see the object, they saw its flashes and all four observers agreed there were four (4) or five (5) flashes approximately one (1) second apart and equidistant. The flashes were said to be silvery to reddish in color, and were described by two observers to be like those of a Fire Fly only larger and at equal intervals, and did not look like a shooting star or airplane. 10. Reported by: Messrs Maitland, Larkin, Douglas and Hamilton of Hamilton, Metcalfe and Kansas City Bridge Companies which concern is doing the construction at Harmon Field. 11. General: The four gentlemen (noted in Par.10) and Captain Gullage, Master of the "Burgeo", were standing on the starboard deck, and as the Captain was trying to describe a previous sighting, he saw the flashes; the other four gentlemen also saw them as described herein, and believed that it was not a meteorite or airplane because of its speed, color, and evenly spaced discharges or flashes. Captain Gullage told the four gentlemen that he had seen the same thing at approximately the same time and location (ship's position) on the evening of 15 July 1947, except at that time, the object or flashes were traveling faster and frequently changing course (he said it changed course abruptly several times) and was headed generally to [ILLEGIBLE] ONCE
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Final Report of Sighting: General cont'd : SSW. The Captain also told the four gentlemen that he was willing to make a complete report if the information is desired for official purposes. WILLIAM H. SMITH Captain, Air Corps Intelligence Officer. STAMP: CONFIDENTIAL STAMP: RESTRICTED
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CONFIDENTIAL Classification cancelled or changed to [RESTRICTED] INTELLIGENCE OFFICE authority of CC, AD-ATC HEADQUARTERS 1388th AAF BASE UNIT NEWFOUNDLAND BASE COMMAND, ADL-ARG (Rank) (Date) APO 564, c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. 16 July 1947 Interrogation of JOHN E. WOONHUNT, Chief Mechanic, Pan American Airways, Harmon Field, Newfoundland, taken at 1415 HFT, 16 July 1947 by Captain William H. Smith, AC Intelligence Officer. Q. Did you see one of the so called "Flying Disks" or other object on the 10th July? A. Yes, I did. Q. Can you give the approximate time? A. Approximately 1700. Q. Tell me the circumstances under which you saw this object. A. We were coming back from a fishing trip and coming over the hill between here and Stephenville Crossing you can see the cloud formation ahead; I saw the object break out where the clouds opened and it left its trail behind it. Q. Had you been drinking? A. No. Q. You were riding in a car at the time you saw it? A. Yes in the front seat of the Pan American car. Q. What was the weather like that day? A. It was very clear and the clouds were very scattered. Q. What was the approximate altitude of the clouds? A. I'd say from 5000 feet to 10,000 feet. Q. Did you see the Disk itself? A. Yes what it appeared to be was a translucent disk like a wheel travelling at a terrific rate of speed and opened the clouds as it went through the air. Q. How was this Disk travelling horizontal descending or ascending? A It was horizontal. Q About how big did it appear to you? A From the height of it I'd say it was about size of a 54 or Constellation Q About how far apart did it break cloud A It spread out about half mile RESTRICTED CONFIDENTIAL
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RESTRICTED CONFIDENTIAL Interrogation of John W. Woodruff (Cont'd) Q. What kind of a break did it make in the clouds? A. It cut a straight path right through the cloud. Q. Did it leave a trail? A. Yes, it left a trail dark blueish in color similar to a high power light. The trail was from approximately fifteen (15) to twenty (20) miles long. Q. Have you ever seen a meteor? A. Yes. Q. Do you think this was a meteor? A. No, I don't think so, it was cut too clean. This was as straight as an arrow. Q. What was the course of the object? A. Well, looking at the map I'd say North North East. Q. Have you been working around airplanes long enough to know the size of an aircraft and the height from a distance? A. Yes. Q. How long have you been working around aircraft? A. Seven (7) years. Q. Were you in the Army during the time of the War? A. No. Q. Did you take any pictures? A. No, I did not, but one of the boys took some. Q. Do you think the pictures will show up? A. Yes, it was an ideal day for pictures. John E Woodruff Chief Mechanic Pan American Airways Sworn and subscribed to before me this 17 day of July 1947. STAMP: S L HINSON JR Captain Air Corps Adjutant
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[STAMP: RESTRICTED] [STAMP: CONFIDENTIAL] Classification changed to [HW: DESTROY] authority of CC, AD-ATG INTELLIGENCE OFFICE HEADQUARTERS 1358TH AAF BASE UNIT NEWFOUNDLAND BASE COMMAND, ATLD-ATG(e) APO 564, c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. 16 July 1947 Interrogation of JOHN N. MEHRMAN, JR., Supervisor and Mechanic, Trans World Airways, Harmon Field, Newfoundland, taken at 1430 HPT, 16 July 1947, by Captain William H. Smith, AC Intelligence Officer. Q. How long have you been associated with aircraft and aviation? A. Since approximately 1935. Q. Were you in the Army during the War? A. Yes. Q. What did you do in the Army? A. Aerial Gunner. Q. Did your job during the war entail you to be able to judge distances and sizes of objects and ranges? A. Yes. Q. On the evening of 10 July 1947, did you see one of the so called "Flying Disks" or an object in the sky? A. Yes; we were coming up over the mountain between here and Stephenville Crossing The car was going up hill and we could see the sky through the windshield Mr Woodruff said "look at the cut in the sky". I looked up and saw a blueish black vapor trail. Q. Did you see the object? A. No; I just saw the trail as it was left behind. Q. Can you describe the effect the object had on the cloud formation? A The clouds were very scattered and were about from 5000 feet to 10,000 feet; The object passed through and cut through leaving a gap where you could see blue sky like a knife had cut it The edges were feathered similar to a weld as if you cut a weld in half. Q Did the object appear to be descending ascending or horizontal? A It was horizontal and seemed to remain on a true course. Q What was your estimate of the course? A Approximately North North East. Q Can you give any estimate as to size of object? A I did not see object. [STAMP: RESTRICTED] [STAMP: CONFIDENTIAL]
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CONFIDENTIAL RESTRICTED Interrogation of John N. Nehman, Jr Q. Can you describe the trail? A. It was bluish black in color, very easily distinguished from the blue sky. A diesel exhaust would be similar to it. Q. Was the trail fan shaped? A. No it was more or less a band across the sky in a straight path. Q. Did it make a noise? A. No noise. Q. What went on in the car when you sighted the object? A. We stopped the car and got out and looked at it. One of the boys had a camera and took a photograph of the trail that the object left. Q. What was the name of the man who took the photograph? A. Robert Leidy. Q. Do you know what type of film Mr Leidy was using? A. Kodachrome, I believe. Q. Do you know whether Mr Leidy saw the Disk or object? A. I don't believe so. John N Nehman, Jr Supervisor and Mechanic Trans World Airways Sworn and subscribed to before me this [ILLEGIBLE] day of July 1947. S L HINSON JR Captain, Air Corps Adjutant CONFIDENTIAL RESTRICTED
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CONFIDENTIAL Classification cancelled or changed to [ILLEGIBLE] on 15 June 47 RESTRICTED INTELLIGENCE OFFICE HEADQUARTERS 1368TH AAF BASE UNIT NEWFOUNDLAND BASE COMMAND, ATLD-ATC APO 564, s/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. 16 July 1947 Interrogation of ROBERT W. LEIDY, Station Mechanic, Pan American Airways, Harmon Field, Newfoundland, taken at 1430 HFT, 16 July 1947 by Captain William H. Smith, AG Intelligence Officer. Q. Were you with Mr. Woodruff and Mr. Mehrman on the evening when they saw an object or flying disk passing over the sky on 10 July 1947? A. Yes, I was. Q. Were you or any members of the party drinking? A. No, I had one can of beer that was about half hour before that. Q. Can you tell me the circumstances under which you saw the object or its trail? A. Well, Mr. Woodruff saw it first and said he saw the thing travelling through the sky. We did not believe him at first but when he was so concerned about it we stopped the car and got out. I had my camera so took a picture of it. There was a blueish streak left in the sky which would not have been a cloud formation It was a definite trail and caused the clouds to break open as it went through. Q. Did it cut a path through the cloud? A: Yes, it was very clear and you could see the trail right through the cloud; it looked to be travelling in a big circle and it left sharp edges to the clouds. Q: What was the trail like? A: I would not say it was exhaust; it looked as if an object passed through similar to that of a pebble leaving a ring in the pond. Q: Was there any difference in color? A: No; it looked as if the object broke through and left this opening. Q: Was the trail horizontal going up or coming down? A: It looked horizontal. Q: What was altitude of clouds? A: I don't know sir; they were pretty high though. Q: What time was this? A: I don't know exactly sir; but it was between three and five o'clock in afternoon we were coming back from fishing.
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RESTRICTED CONFIDENTIAL Interrogation of Robert W. Leidy (Cont'd) Q. Did you see the object? A. No. Q. How long do you think the trail was? A. I don't know, sir, but the trail was very long, that is why I think something went through the sky because of the trail and blank space it left, you could easily see it. Q. Was the trail on a straight course? A. Well, as I said before, it looked to me from the ground, that it was travelling at a terrific rate of speed in a circle because of the area in the path. Q. Have you ever seen a meteor? A. No. Q. Can you estimate the size of the cut in the cloud? A. No. Q. How long have you been working around planes, etc? A. Six (6) years. Q. Were you in the Army during the war? A. No. Q. How many pictures did you take? A. Two. Q. What type camera did you have? A: An Argus F-2. Q: Was the film black and white or kodachrome? A: It was kodachrome. Q: Where are the film now? A: Well, I took three or four rolls and I am not sure which one the pictures are on. Q: I understood from Mr Woodruff that they are being developed. A: I think it is out of the camera sir, but I have not sent them out yet. Q: Will you give us four rolls of film so we can have them processed officially? A: You, sir. STAMP: CONFIDENTIAL - 2 - R W L 20
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CONFIDENTIAL RESTRICTED Interrogation of Robert W. Leidy (Cont'd) Q. Are you willing to give the Army a copy of the pictures of the trail? A. Yes. Robert W Leidy Station Mechanic Pan American Airways Sworn and subscribed to before me this 17 day of July 1947. S. L. Hanson, Jr Captain, Air Corps Adjutant RESTRICTED CONFIDENTIAL
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RESTRICTED STATEMENT OF MR. JOHN P. LEGGE, CORDROY, NEWFOUNDLAND. TAKEN BY MERCEDES BURKE OF THE INTELLIGENCE OFFICE, HARMON FIELD, NEWFOUNDLAND. 17 July 1947. At approximately 10 o'clock in the evening of 10 July 1947 I was standing by my store door; I happened to look up and saw what appeared to be a "FLYING SAUCER". It definately was not a shooting star; I'd seen several stars shoot before, but never like this! nor was it an airplane, it was too "lit up" and traveling at too great a speed. It wasn't an airplane on fire because it would have fallen in the water. It was a nice clear night, no clouds, it was just getting dark. I would say it was traveling at the rate of a shooting star but much closer. I'd say roughly at 6,000 feet. It was visible for about fifteen (15) seconds. It came from the North West heading Eastward. The circle looked to be about the size of a barrel head, and the trail behind looked to be about fifteen (15) feet long. The trail behind the disc made the whole object look like a cone. Another thing that makes me feel sure it wasn't a shooting star is; a shooting star usually leaves a temporary streak, this object I saw left no streak only the one that appeared to travel behind the circle which looked like an after-glow. The circle was a bright red, nearest I could describe it would be the color of a flame, the after-glow(cone-shaped) was a fainter shade. What I saw last Thursday night resembled a shooting star in no way whatsoever. There was only one. John Legge JOHN P. LEGGE Witness: F.W.Tompkins Witness: Mercedes Burke RESTRICTED
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RESTRICTED STATEMENT OF MR. WM. EVANS, CORDROY, NEWFOUNDLAND. TAKEN BY MERCEDES BURKE OF THE INTELLIGENCE OFFICE, HARMON FIELD, NEWFOUNDLAND. 17 July 1947. At approximately 10 o'clock in the evening of 10 July 1947, I was standing outside Mr. Legge's store talking with him. We both saw this thing dash across the sky. I couldn't be accurate about the directions. If it was a shooting star, I'd never seen one as large before, and it was much brighter than anything I've ever seen in the sky. It looked to be a round object; I couldn't say it was anything else but round; it had a tail on it which showed yellowish, but not as bright as the circle which appeared and nearest I could describe it would be sort of red and yellow. The streak behind, I would say, was little over a yard long; the circle looked to be about the size of a large dinner plate. It went so fast, it was hardly in sight before it disappeared. I could not give any idea of the height; all I can say is it was much closer than a shooting star and travelling at a great speed. Whatever it was it was flying through the air; it wasn't just a streak across the sky. To me it wasn't in any way like a shooting star, and I am sure it wasn't an airplane. I called it a "FLYING SAUCER" because it seemed exactly like what we had been hearing so much about on the radio. [HW: Wm Evans] Witness: F.W.Tompkins Witness: Mercedes Burke RESTRICTED
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RESTRICTED STATEMENT OF ALBERT SAMMS, CORDROY, NEWFOUNDLAND. TAKEN BY MERCEDES BURKE OF THE INTELLIGENCE OFFICE, HARMON FIELD NEW- FOUNDLAND. 17 July 1947. Last Thursday night I was out by our house, I happened to look up and saw what I thought was an aireplane. It was flying at the height of a plane that is flying high. Then I thought it looked strange for an aireplane, because it was all lit up so bright, planes do have a light or two, but this thing was very bright - sort of a bright reddish yellow. I saw it only for a minute because it was travelling at a teriffic speed. It shot out of sight so quickly I thought it strange if it was an airrop- lane. Then, I remembered what I'd been hearing about "FLYIND SAUCERS" I ran in and told my mother. Albert Samms Witness: F.W. [HW: Tompkins] Witness: Mercedes Burke RESTRICTED
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RESTRICTED Albert rushed in and told me about this thing he'd just seen. at first he thought it was an airoplane but then he remembered having heard about "FLYING SAUCERS" and he thought that's what it must have been. I questioned him; he said it couldn't have been a plane because a plane wouldn't shoot down like that did, besides it was too "lit up" Mr. Legge reported the same thing to me in order that I might report same to St. John's in the morning. Mrs JOHN SAMMS. [HW: Mrs John Samms] RESTRICTED
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NEWFOUNDLAND CONSTABULARY STATION Grand Falls, DATE July 13th. 1947. SUBJECT Re:- Strange objects seen flying over Grand Falls on night of July 9th. at approx. 11.15 and 11.40. Sir: I respectfully report for your information that on Wednesday night, the 9th. inst. I arrived home from duty at approx. 11.30. Upon arrival at home I joined my wife, my mother-in-law, and Mr. John Jackman a resident of St. John's and friend of the family, who were sitting on the front steps of the house. I was asked by my wife if I had seen the "flying saucers" I thought she was joking and replied that I had seen nothin' flying. Jackman and my mother- in-law then told me that they had really seen four objects flying in an easterly direction just before I arrived. I asked them to describe what they had seen. Jackman said that four round shaped figures had passed overhead at a terrific speed and were flying side by side. On looking skywards again my wife, Jackman, and myself, saw a object which I would describe as being a huge jelly- fish flash across the the sky. It would be difficult to determine its height and speed owing to the brief period it was visible. It's colour also would be hard to say, but there seemed to be a phosphorus glow about it; it was round in shape and about the size of a barrel head; it appeared to be flying in a rocking motion. This sir, is about all I can say about the matter; we continued to scan the sky for about a half hour but no sign of them were seen again. [HW: Eric Kearsey] Constable. L.Strange Esq., J.P., Chief of Police. Respectfully submitted. L.Strange Esq., J.P., Chief of Police. RESTRICTED
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NEWFOUNDLAND CONSTABULARY STATION Grand Falls, DATE July 13th, 1947. SUBJECT Re:- Strange objects seen flying over Grand Falls on night of July 9th, at approx, 11.15 and 11.40. Sir: I respectfully report for your information that on Wednesday night, the 9th. inst. I arrived home from duty at approx. 11.30. Upon arrival at home I joined my wife, my mother-in-law, and Mr. John Jackman a resident of St. John's and friend of the family, who were sitting on the front steps of the house. I was asked by my wife if I had seen the "flying saucers" I thought she was joking and replied that I had seen nothing flying. Jackman and my mother- in-law then told me that they had really seen four objects flying in an easterly direction just before I arrived. I asked them to describe what they had seen. Jackman said that four round shaped figures had passed overhead at a terrific speed and were flying side by side. On looking skywards again my wife, Jackman, and myself, saw a object which I would describe as being a huge jelly- fish flash across the the sky. It would be difficult to determine its height and speed owing to the brief period it was visible. It's colour also would be hard to say, but there seemed to be a phosphorus glow about it, it was round in shape and about the size of a barrel head, it appeared to be flying in a rocking motion. This sir, is about all I can say about the matter; we continued to scan the sky for about a half hour but no sign of them were seen again. [HW: Eric Kearsey] Constable. L.Strange Esq., J.P., Chief of Police. [HW: ] Respectfully submitted. L.Strange Esq., J.P., Chief of Police. RESTRICTED
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From detailed study of reports selected for their impression of veracity and reliability, several conclusions have been formed: (a) This "flying saucer" situation is not all imaginary or seeing too much in some natural phenomenon. Something is really flying around. (b) Lack of topside inquiries, when compared to the prompt and demanding inquiries that have originated topside upon former events, give more than ordinary weight to the possibility that this is a domestic project, about which the President, etc. know. (c) Whatever the objects are, this much can be said of their physical appearance: 1. The surface of these objects is metallic, indicating a metallic skin, at least. 2. When a trail is observed, it is lightly colored, a Blue-Brown haze, that is similar to a rocket engine's exhaust. Contrary to a rocket of the solid type, one observation indicates that the fuel may be throttled which would indicate a liquid rocket engine. 3. As to shape, all observations state that the object is circular or at least elliptical, flat on the bottom and slightly domed on the top. The size estimates place it somewhere near the size of a C-54 or a Constellation. 4. Some reports describe two tabs located at the rear and symmetrical about the axis of flight motion. 5. Flights have been reported from three to nine of them flying good formation on each other with speeds always above 300 knots. 6. The discs oscillate laterally while flying along which could be snaking. [STAMP:]
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CONFIDENTIAL HEADQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2 Intelligence Hamilton Field, California 4AFDA 333.5/1208-I 25 August 1947 SUBJECT: Investigation of Flying Disc. TO: Headquarters, Army Air Forces, Washington 25, D. C. ATTENTION: AC of AS-2 1. The attached true copy of the letter of Mr. F. M. Johnson of Portland, Oregon, was received by this officer 22 August 1947. 2. Your attention is invited to the similarity of statement by Mr. Johnson and Mr. Arnold. 3. This letter is being referred this date to the Special Agent In Charge, FBI, San Francisco, for any investigation they may care to make. DONALD L. SPRINGER Lt. Colonel, GSC AC of S, A-2 [HW:Bekai] [STAMP:RECEIVED] 1 Incl: Cy of ltr fr F.M.Johnson (in dup) CONFIDENTIAL
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CONFIDENTIAL PORTLAND, OREGON, August 20th 1947 Lt. Col. Donald L. Springer, Assistant Staff Sir. Saw in the portland paper a short time ago in regards to an article in regards to the so called flying disc having any basis of fact. I can say am a prospector and was in the Mt Adams district on June 24th the day Kennet Arnold of Boise Idaho claims he saw a formation of flying disc. And i saw the same flying objects at about the same time. Having a telescope with me at the time i can asure you they are real and noting like them I ever saw before they did not pass verry high over where I was standing at the the time, plobly 1000 ft. they were Round about 30 foot in dimater tapering sharply to a point in the head end in an oval shape with a bright top surface. I did not hear any noise as you would from a plane. But there was an object in the tail end looked like a big hand of a clock shifting from side to side like a big magenet. There speed as far as i know seemed to be greater than anything I ever saw. Last veiw I got of the objects they were standing on edge Banking in a Cloud. Yours Respectfully /s/ F.M. Johnson 106 No West 1st Ave Portland, Oregon A TRUE COPY: DONALD L SPRINGER Lt Colonel GSC, AC of S A-2 CONFIDENTIAL
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CONFIDENTIAL PORTLAND, OREGON 30,July 1947 C-E-R-T-I-F-I-C-A-T-E On 30 July 1947 Mr Richard Rankin, 834 N. E. Simpson Street, Portland, Oregon was interviewed by this agent and stated in substance as follows: My name is Richard Rankin. I am 47 years old and have flown since I was nineteen years old. I first soloed in an air craft in 1919. I have flown over all the western parts of the United States many times and have mapped all of the western part of the United States during the years before the late war for the US Forest Service. I am familiar with almost every part of the western United States. During a great part of my life I have done stunt flying for air shows and various other types of aeronautical exhibitions. My brother was "Tex"Rankin who was quite well known in both civilian and Military flying circles for many years before his death and during the late war ran thousands of Flying Cadets through primary training schools owned and operated by him. To date I have accomplished 7000 hours in the air as pilot of both civilian and Military aircraft. I am well acquainted with most articles that one would see in the air and I feel that I am well qualified to say when I see articles flying through the air, although I would not attempt to say that I am infallable and state that I could definitely identify every object that might be flying through the air. The following is an account of what I saw on 14 June 1947 from the yard of my home at 186 South "M" St, Bakersfield, California. At approximately 1200 noon on the 14th June at noon on June there was a lad mowing lawn at time time time time time time time time time time time time time [ILLEGIBLE] ONCE [ILLEGIBLE] ONCE [ILLEGIBLE] ONCE [ILLEGIBLE] ONCE [ILLEGIBLE] ONCE [ILLEGIBLE] ONCE [ILLEGIBLE] ONCE [ILLEGIBLE] ONCE [HW: Juel # ] CONFIDENTIAL
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CONFIDENTIAL Washington I realized that the articles that I saw were probably the same thing. I was still reluctant to mention this to anyone thinking that they would probably say that I was crazy. After sometime I mentioned the incident to the editor of the "Oregonian", a Portland, Oregon newspaper. At this time I was in Portland for the remainder of the summer. The results of the conversation with the editor of the paper is put forth in the accompanying newspaper article. I fully realize that this is a broad statement in view of the fact that there has been so much publicity [REDACTED] put forth in various newspapers of the country. I am of sound mind in every respect and I am firmly convinced that the articles I saw are actually some sort of flying machines although I cannot say from where they came or to where they were going. I say what I have said with no idea of publicity or personal gain. SIGNED Richmond Rankin Portland, Oregon 30 July 1947 CONFIDENTIAL
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CONFIDENTIAL THE OREGONIAN, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 1947 THE OREGONIAN Portland, Oregon. 3 July 1947 Pilot Recalls Seeing Discs Dick Rankin Tells Of Odd Aircraft More reports of "flying flapjacks" turned up Wednesday, one from no less than Dick Rankin, brother of the late Tex Rankin, and himself an experienced pilot of more than 7000 hours' flying time. Rankin, who is recovering from an old back injury received in an automobile accident, came to Portland over the week end to spend the summer. He saw the "silver caucers" over Bakersfield, Cal., June 23, while lying on the lawn sun bathing, he told The Oregonian. "I hesitated to say much about them," Rankin said, "until I noticed all the hullabaloo in the papers. I puzzled over their strange shape for a while and finally concluded that they were the navy's new XF5U-1 flying flapjacks, which are thin and round with twin propellers and stubby tail." Only One XF5U-1 Built (The navy and the manufacturer have announced officially that only one such machine was built and that it never left Connecticut. "These planes were flying high, maybe 9000 feet, and fairly fast about 300 or 400 miles an hour. I first counted ten of them in formation going north. About 2:15 P.M. they returned on the reverse course headed south. But there were only seven in the formation. "They were not weaving or bobbing in formation I couldn't make out the number or location of their propellers and couldn't distinguish any wings or tail. They appeared almost round. They looked like pictures of the navy's flying flapjack," Rankin said. Rankin who plans to spend the summer here at 834 N.E. Simpson street is now able to resume a little flying for fun but not commercially he said. He now operates a string of auto courts spending his winters at Palm Springs.
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August 30, 1947 65-480 Director FBI SAG Dutto FLYING DISCS Refer teletype to the Bureau dated August 15, 1947. Enclosed please find the newspaper account carried by the Twin Falls, Idaho "Times News" on August 15, together with a sheet of paper on which A. C. URIE attempted to sketch his impression of the instrument which he claims to have seen. Concerning URIE's sketches, it may be noted that he believed the folded outer edge which he attempted to create in his drawing to have been about a foot through. URIE likewise believed that the tubish or exhaust flame which he and his sons claim to have seen was about a foot through and extended at least to the back end of the device. The flame did not appear to taper off not to widen out toward the back. MILLY and KEITH URIE stated that they could see a knot on the side of the device from which the flames were shooting, and that they could see day-light between the exhaust flame and the side of the device. The flames did not leave any smoke or odor. The URIE boys thought that the "side view" sketch should show that the device was more sharply angled from bottom to top, while URIE himself thought that it was more streamlined and curved. URIE said that the instrument came to a pointed or rounded top. In his notations, URIE mistakenly said that he had seen it on Thursday. During interview, he stated that it actually had been on Wednesday, August 13, 1947, when he and his sons saw the contrivance about 1:00 P.M. URIE explained that he had sent his boys to river to get some tops from his boat. When he thought they were overdue, he went outside his tool shed to look for them. He noticed them about 300 feet away looking in sky and he blanced up to see what he called flying disc. He said he could only see it for a moment before it disappeared behind a hill which obscured his view. URIIE further stated that contrivance was about seventy-five feet in air. URIIE resides in depths of Snake River Canyon which is about four hundred feet deep and twelve hundred feet across at place according him account contrivance was about three hundred feet below rim of canyon and saw against steep walls canyon far side He described color as sky blue stated doubted if could be seen against sky likewise said it was purely by chance saw It did not spin like top
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As the machine went by the URIE place, the trees over which it almost directly passed (Mormon Poplars) did not just bend with the wind as if a plane had gone by, but in URIE's words, "spun around on top as if they were in a vacuum." KEITH URIE, eight years of age, said he first saw the machine coming down the canyon, heading from east to west and following the contours of the ground. BILLY, age ten, saw it almost immediately. Both watched it fly out of sight behind a tree in a matter of moments. They said they then ran to their Father and learned that he too had seen the machine. URIE seemed completely sincere about the incident. He said his wife and daughter were in the house at the time and had not seen the machine. He questioned his brother, who also lives in the canyon, but his brother had been eating at the time and had seen nothing. URIE and his two boys maintained that they had never before seen one of the discs. URIE, when interviewed, appeared to be a sober, middle-aged man. JOHN BROSNAHAN, [HW:Times News] reporter who originally furnished Special Agents with information about the incident, likewise stated that URIE appeared completely sincere about the machine. No further attempt was made to locate L. W. HAWKINS, inasmuch as J. H. BROWN [HW:withheld] was with HAWKINS at the time was interviewed. BROWN's name was withheld from newspaper because HAWKINS and BROWN were fishing at Salmon dam while BROWN was supposed to have been working in Twin Falls. BROWN said simply that he and HAWKINS could hear a roar. They looked up and could see two instruments flying at a great height which MROWN mentioned might have been between four thousand and six thousand feet. However he said he had no idea how large these devices were consequently they may have been several miles away He said that he and HAWKINS were satisfied they had seen something and they were very doubtful that they had seen two planes.
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Times Regional Newspaper Serving TWIN FALLS Nine Irrigated Idaho Cou TWIN FALLS, IDAHO, FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 1947 Member of Associates Heads Up, Folks! The Discs Are Flying Again This is an artist's conception of the flying disc that A. C. Urie saw sweeping through Snake river canyon six miles west of Blue Lakes ranch. It seemed to be powered by jets emitting a fiery glow on both sides, and could well be the inspiration for something new in women's hats, such as a "flying saucer" creation. (Drawing by Vic Goertzen staff engraving) Flying Saucer Reported Flashing Down Canyon At 1,000 Miles Per Hour; Two Others Are Seen By JOHN BROSnan Just as Magic Valley and the nation were starting to let go of lampposts after reeling under a welter of flying saucer reports, two more Twin Falls county men revived speculation on the mystery with vivid descriptions of discs they saw. From A. C. Urie, who operates the Auger Falls Trout farm six miles west of Blue Lakes ranch in Snake river canyon, came perhaps the most detailed account of one of the fast-flying objects the nation has yet produced. The flying saucer Urie saw was skimming along through Snake river canyon at a height of about 75 feet at 1 p.m. Wednesday. At 9:30 a.m. the same day L. W. Hawkins Twin Falls county commissioner and former county sheriff from Filer also saw two circular objects soaring along at a great height near Salmon dam 40 miles southwest of Twin Falls. Here is Urie's eye-witness description of the flying discs seen by him and his son Keith 8 and Billy 10: "I obtained a close-up view of the flying saucer as it passed by the trout farm at 1 p.m. Aug. 13 going down Snake river canyon at a height about 75 feet from the canyon floor I would estimate the speed at about 1,000 miles per hour." Urie explained that incident occurred while two boys were coming across the river from north side in boat He had been concerned about what was delaying them and had walked down toward river to see if they were all right. "I had side view at distance about 300 feet and almost on level with thing." Urie continued "Two my boys Keith and Billy were below me and they also saw it at about degree angle They both got bottom side view we all looking it from south side [ILLEGIBLE] ONCE
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'Saucer' Seen Flying Down Snake Gorge (From Page One) river facing toward the north. The boys saw it coming about half a mile up the canyon, and we all lost sight of it in less than a mile." While the impression was still vivid in their minds, the three got together and made rough sketches of what they had seen. These, in turn, were the basis for the artist's conception of the strange affair by Vic Goertzen of Twin Falls for the Times-News. "It was all one color—sort of a light sky blue with a red, tubular fiery glow at the side of the top or hood," Urie continued. "The canyon floor is rough
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CONFIDENTIAL HEADQUARTERS FLYING DIVISION, AIR TRAINING COMMAND Office of the Commanding General Randolph Field, Texas 10 July 1947 333.5 SUBJECT: Unidentifiable Objects TO: Commanding General Tenth Air Force Brooks Field, Texas Attn: ACofs, A-2 1. The inclosed MOIC is forwarded for your information. 2. In the event that Lt. E. B. Armstrong has been interviewed by your Headquarters, request that a copy of the MOIC be furnished to this Headquarters. FOR THE COMMANDING GENERAL: 1 Incl MOIC H. L. CRISIER Lt. Colonel, G.S.C. Asst. Chief of Staff, A-2 333.5 1st Ind DC HEADQUARTERS TENTH AIR FORCE, OFFICE OF THE ASST CHIEF OF STAFF, A-2, BROOKS FIELD, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, 16 July 1947 TO: Commanding General, Flying Division, Air Training Command, Randolph Fld., Texas ATTN: Asst Chief of Staff, A-2 Inclosed is Memorandum for the Officer in Charge in reference to Lt. E. B. Armstrong, as suggested in paragraph 2 basic communication. 1 Incl MOIC dtd 15 July 47 S.H. MORROW Colonel GSC Asst Chief of Staff A-2 1 Incl withdrawn MOIC dtd 7 July 47
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UNIDENTIFIABLE OBJECTS Williams Fld, Chandler, Ariz. 15 July 1947 MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE: 1. On 14 July 1947, 1st Lt Eric B. Armstrong, O-2059709, 170th AAF Base Unit, Ferry Division, Brooks Field, San Antonio, Texas was interviewed and the following information was obtained: Lt Armstrong departed Williams Field, Arizona at 1400 CST on 28 June 1947 in a P-51 for Portland, Oregon, by the way of Medford, Oregon. At approximately 1515 CST on a course of 300 degrees and ground speed of 285, altitude 10,000 feet approximately thirty miles northwest of Lake Meade, Nevada. Lt Armstrong sighted five or six white circular objects at four o'clock, altitude approximately 6,000 feet course approximately 120 degrees and an estimated speed of 285 MPH. Lt Armstrong said the objects were flying very smoothly and in a close formation. The estimated size of the white objects were approximately [ILLEGIBLE] inches in diameter. Lt Armstrong stated that he is sure the white objects were not birds since the rate of closure was very fast. Lt Armstrong was certain that the white objects were not Jets or conventional types aircraft since he has flown both types. AGENT'S NOTES: Lt Armstrong was very sincere in the explanation and was not the exaggerating type. He merely stated what he saw and has drawn no conclusions as to what the white objects were. Lawrence R. King Jr., Special Agent CIC ADC
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CONFIDENTIAL UNIDENTIFIABLE OBJECTS WILLIAMS FIELD, CHANDLER, ARIZONA. 7 July 1947 MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE: 1. On 1 July 1947, Lt William G. McCinty, USN, 195803, P-80 Student, Williams Field, Chandler, Arizona, was interviewed by this Agent, and stated in substance: That on 30 June 1947, at about 0910 MST, he was flying at 25,000 feet over Grand Canyon, Arizona in a P-80 type aircraft. He stated that he was heading south towards Williams Field Arizona when he saw two round objects going at inconceivable speeds straight down. He further stated that his reactions were to turn away from the objects. He further stated that one of the unidentifiable objects followed the other seconds apart. He further stated that due to the speed of the objects he could only see that they were circular and that they were possible light gray in color. He further stated that it was his opinion that the objects were approximately eight feet in diameter. In conclusion he stated that the objects would have probably hit the ground approximately twenty-five miles south of the South Rim of Grand Canyon Arizona. AGENT'S NOTES: Lt McCinty gave his permanent address as: N.A.M.T.C., Point Hugu Port Hueneme Calif. 2. On 1 July 1947 Captain Malcolm G Armstrong O-734168 Instructor Single Engine Williams Field Chandler Arizona was interviewed by this Agent and stated in substance: That his brother Lt K B Armstrong stationed at Hq 10th AAF Brooks AAF Texas had related to him that he saw a formation of unexplainable objects in the vicinity of Lake Mead Nev Captain Armstrong further stated that his brother stated the objects were heading south and were at approximately 1000 feet altitude. AGENT'S NOTES: Captain Armstrong could not give too much information on the objects that his brother had seen Lt K B Armstrong can be contacted at Hq 10th AAF Brooks Field Texas for further information. STAMP: THE MAJOR OF THE US AIR FORCE [HW:] Sec [HW:]38X Lynn C Aldrich Special Agent CIC-AAF FDTRC THIS IS A TRUE COPY [STAMP:] JOHN K ORR CONFIDENTIAL [STAMP:] ILLEGIBLE #
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Unidentifiable Objects. D 333.5 ID (16 Jul 47) 1st Ind. HQ AIR DEFENSE COMMAND, Mitchel Field, New York, 21 July 1947. TO: Commanding General, Army Air Forces, Washington 25, D. C. ATTN: AC/AS-2. 1. Forwarded for your information and utilization. FOR THE COMMANDING GENERAL: Info cy: CG, AMC, Wright Fld, Dayton, O. 2 Incls: n/c [HW: Rater [HW: (6) [STAMP: CONFIDENTIAL [STAMP: f177
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CONFIDENTIAL Unidentifiable Objects D 333.5 ID (16 Jul 47) - 1st Ind. HQ AIR DEFENSE COMMAND, Mitchel Field, New York, 21 July 1947. TO: Commanding General, Army Air Forces, Washington 25, D. C. ATTN: AC/AS-2. 1. Forwarded for your information and utilization. FOR THE COMMANDING GENERAL: Info by: CG, AMC, Wright Fld, Dayton, O. R. H. SMITH Colonel, GSC Asst Chief of Staff-Intell. 2 Incls: n/c [HW: Z0170] [STAMP: RECEIVED] [STAMP: HQ AIR DEFENSE COMMAND] [STAMP: HOODTREY AAF] CONFIDENTIAL
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CONFIDENTIAL HEADQUARTERS TENTH AIR FORCE BROOKS FIELD, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2 IN REPLY REFER TO: DC 333.5 16 July 1947 SUBJECT: Unidentifiable Objects TO: Commanding General Air Defense Command > Mitchel Field, New York ATTN: Asst Chief of Staff, A-2 1. Inclosed herewith for your information is investigation relative to Unidentifiable Objects which was initiated at Headquarters, Flying Division, Air Training Command, Randolph Field, Texas. This Office assisted, as noted in Inclosure 2, by completing a Memorandum for the Officer in Charge. 2. No further action is contemplated by this Headquarters concerning investigation of this incident. 2 Incls: 1. MOIC dtd 7 July 47 2. Ltr, FDATC, w/1 Ind and 1 Incl., MOIC, dtd 15 July 1947 [HW:S.H.MORROW] Colonel GSC Asst Chief of Staff A-2
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TO: (CG,AAF(ATTN AC/AS-2)) FROM: DIR. OF INTEL. DATE 5 AUG 47 MAJ FISHER /79738 2636 Magnolia Ave., Los Angeles 7, Calif. August 1 1947 Director of Military Intellegence, War Department, Washington 25, D.C. Dear Sir: On Sunday afternoon, July the Sixth, I observed something very strange ; it is related --- at least im my own mind--- with the phenomena of the "Fabulous Flying Saucers" and I cannot report on this second phemomena , without speaking of the first. As I do not wish to be considered the victim of mass psychology, a crack-pot or visionary , it is rather hard for me to make this report. I am doing it because I consider it my duty. A newspaper article spoke of the Bureau of Standards as "Having a finger in the pie" in many experiments so not knowing where to write or who to write to - wrote to the Bureau, and Mr. Hugh L. Dryden has suggested that you were the one to report to. I had been amused at accounts of the " flying saucers ". Everyone was talking , laughing and joking about themand I did not believe in them . The Hollywood Tarzana Bus was parked at the Tarzana end of the line and the driver was busy making out his reports preparatory to making the return trip./ I was the only one in the bus and I sat in the middle of the side next to Ventura so the bus was parked north and south. As I looked to my right , a "Saucer appeared out of nowhere:apparently out of nowhere and it was followed by several others ; they were of uniform size and spaced at regular intervals and it seemed as if they turned a corner from the West and they rolled along at great speedtothe Northward and paralleltoVentura Boulevard . As soon as I becameconvinced that what I saw was not an illusion but what every one was talking about I began to study them and it was right then that my eyes seemed to be drawn to this other phenoma inthe air between me andthe "Saucers". What Isawwas milky white rays inthesunlight that seemedtocris cross like thesearch lights doat night ; itwasnothing likethesun shining on some bright object fortherays wereno spacedand they wereno so close togetherandtheycris crossed.However, they did seemto converge towarda center buttheydidnot meet there . Inthiscenter --- a radiusof about eighteen inchesit seemed fromI sat, there werespinning objects af some red substance
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2 about the color of the semi- precious stone Cornelian: these fragments were sharp and irregular and shining. They were flying about as if flying to a magnet. This was momentary and I looked to see if the "Saucers" were still there. I saw one or two but the same thing happened again and I saw the second phenomena for a second. By this time the "Saucers" were out of sight. All the way home I was trying to find some logical explanation for the "Saucers" but my mind kept reverting to the second phenomena and as I dwelt on it I could not help surmising if perhaps these rays I saw did not come out of the red fragments that were spinning in the vortex. I couldnt help wondering if this substance had been shot from the "Saucers" as they turned the corner from the west on their way to [ILLEGIBLE]. As our army would not be shooting deadly rays over toward a very crowded highway and as this whole thing seems fantastic to say the least, I thought I had better trust some ones Judgement who really knows what is going onand so you have my report on what I really saw, and what I am very curious about. Thanks to MR. Dryden for his courtesy in letting me know just who to relate this incident to, and thanks to you for listening and I hope that it makes the right kind of impression. Sincerely yours, M. Lenore Corey
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HQOCAMA FORM NO. 5-806 31 MAY 1945 APN/KDS/eb OKLAHOMA CITY AIR MATERIEL AREA TINKER FIELD OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA IN REPLY REFER TO: #3724-I 30 July 1947 MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECURITY OFFICER, OCAMA Subject: DAN NELSON, Attorney-at-Law, 926 Perrine Building, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Re: Flying Saucer Mystery Solved. On 30 July 1947 DAN NELSON was interviewed at his office, 926 Perrine Building, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, relative to his alleged solving of the Flying Saucer Mystery. Subject, whose age is 53, is at present engaged in practicing law and is the agent for the Dual Parking Meter Company. Subject advised he is married and has two sons, ages seven and ten, residing at 2613 N.W. 14th Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Nelson stated he was a sergeant in World War I, being wounded in action while serving with Company L, 58th Infantry, and that before entering the service he had an eighth grade education. After leaving the service he finished his education and graduated from the University of Oklahoma in 1929. He advised that since 1929 he has practiced general law in both Norman and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Subject stated he notified the War Department by letter on 19 July 1947 advising them of his discoveries concerning the Flying Saucer Mystery. He received an answer dated 23 July 1947 advising him his letter had been referred to the Air Forces. NELSON stated he heard no more from the War Department as of 29 July 1947 at which time he released his statement to the "Daily Oklahoman," Oklahoma City local newspaper. Subject advised the basis for his theory concerning the Flying Saucer Mystery was obtained from simple experiments which he conducted while driving his automobile. NELSON stated he believed that many people had seen lights or shining objects cast onto their windshields and side ventilator windows of their automobile and reflected as a saucer or disc shaped object. He stated that the movement of the automobile plus the fact that the glass was not a perfect mirror and passing objects could be seen in relation to these objects gave them an appearance of great speed. Subject advised that vibration of car gave objects an appearance of rotating and that reflections caused them to appear flat or saucer shaped. NELSON stated that any number of objects might be seen according to direction car is traveling and number bright objects being reflected onto window. He further stated these objects might be seen ordinary window house according to lighting
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conditions, and that the objects might be either vertical or horizontal. The subject related that any change in speed of the car resulted in a change in speed of the object, and that changes of direction resulted in a change in the angle of travel of the object. NELSON stated he has not talked to any persons that had actually seen flying saucers or discs but he believed that these reflections plus the excitement and hysteria caused by other reports has been the basis for most flying saucer reports. Subject also stated that this same theory could be true in relation to flying saucers seen from aircraft. Attached hereto is a detailed statement by NELSON covering his findings and explaining his solution to the so-called Flying Saucer Mystery. Kalman D. Simon C.I., U.S. Army
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FLYING SAUCER MYSTERY SOLVED July 12, 1947. The most impressive reports of the so-called flying saucers or discs were those from aviators who claim they saw disc-shaped objects flying through the air in various formations at high altitudes and at a high rate of speed. The first report was from an aviator who stated that these so-called flying discs had a somewhat shiny appearance and would fly in formation and change their position from time to time. Most reports stated that they appeared in the late afternoon or about dusk. Most all reports were to the effect that these objects had the appearance of an inverted disc or saucer, and some of them reported that they appeared to be rotating in their flight. The mystery of the flying saucers or discs may be solved by the use of a little applied science along with a few simple experiments. These flying discs or saucers can be observed by any motorist traveling along the highways when the sun is shining on most any afternoon or evening. During the daylight most of these so-called flying discs are reflections from the sun shining upon some bright object in or on the automobile driven by the observer. For instance, if you were driving in a north-westerly direction with the sun shining on the handle of the front or rear door on the left side of the car, you may notice a shiny object appear in the ventilation wing of the window on the drivers left, if it is opened to about a 45° angle.
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These shiny objects may have various forms and there may be more than one, depending on the number of reflections. They may appear to be in the sky when the driver looks through the ventilation wing glass. Their position in the sky depends upon the angle at which the object is reflected in the ventilation wing and the position of the observer. They may have various forms but very frequently they are of a saucer shape or a flat shape when they appear to be in the sky. The ventilation wing during day-light is not of course a perfect mirror, therefore, it appears to the driver or observer that he is actually looking through the glass into the sky. As he moves along, the bright objects appear to be traveling at a high rate of speed in comparison with the stationary objects on the ground, or the distant horizon, that he sees through the window, or in comparison with faintly silhouetted objects on landscape which at times are reflected in window. The flying saucer appears to be traveling in same general direction as automobile but sometimes a little to right which makes it appear that it will eventually cross drivers path. The apparent flight direction of saucer is due to angle of ventilation wing glass its relation to direction car is traveling. The number and position of saucers reflected in glass depend upon number and contour of objects reflected there-in by sun. Bright objects on car approaching from rear may cast such reflections on your ventilation wing in daytime. (2)
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If the ventilation wing window were a perfect mirror the objects causing the reflections would appear therein, as well as all other objects within range, but the ventilation wing being a sort of a semi-mirror, does not reflect the object but only the bright spot, which leaves the impression that the observer is actually looking through the glass and that the object actually appears to be in the sky, or at times a long distance away. These results are best obtained in the late afternoon, or after sun down. The aviators who reported seeing flying discs or saucers, undoubtedly were seeing the reflection of bright objects in or on their own plane. They saw them as reflected in their canopy or wind shield, but failed to recognize them as reflections. Otherwise they were reflections from other air craft. As the aviator traveled along observing the movement of the disc in comparison with the mountains, clouds or stationary objects on the earth, made them appear to be traveling at a high rate of speed. The sloping angle of the aviators wind-shield and his position in the plane made it appear that discs were in sky. The position of discs also depend upon position of observer and angle at which they are reflected in glass. Some of reports stated that where there were more than one flying disc they appeared to be fastened together and frequently performed dipping or rising motion and when one would dip they would all go through same motion simultaneously. The simultaneous movement is due to reflections all coming from same object. For instance if they
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are reflected from some bright object in or on the car or plane, the up and down motion of the car or plane causes the flying discs to appear to be going through a dipping and rising motion, or, if the reflecting object is stationary and the car moving, the results will be the same. The statement that the discs appeared to be rotating as they sailed through the atmosphere is due to the vibration of the automobile or plane. Vibrations make them appear to be rotating at a very high rate of speed. Vibration is what gives them a flat or disc-like shape also. If you wish to see some flying discs, make a drive at about dusk or at night, open your ventilation wing window at about a 45° angle from the drivers seat and watch the reflections of the stationary electric lights that appear on your left, if you are driving, after you pass them,and see how many discs you can observe flying through the air. If there are not too many lights to your rear, you may have a perfect formation of beautiful flying discs which may be red, green or silver according to the color of the electric lights which you have passed. They appear most realistic when traveling about forty-five or fifty miles per hour. If you do not get satisfactory results from your first experiments, try again. After you have learned when and where to look for them, your observations become more pleasing and interesting. Even the lights of an approaching automobile from your rear may appear as one flying disc in your ventilation wing. The reflections of the approaching lights will appear in your ventilation wing unless the side of your car protrudes out so far as to prevent [ILLEGIBLE] beam from shining on [ILLEGIBLE].
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These appear best when the approaching car is some distance away, perhaps a quarter or half a mile. The results at night may not be as impressive as those in the late afternoon because at night your ventilation wing window makes a more perfect mirror and the passing landscape is not as pronounced, therefore, the reflections therein are more easily detected as reflections. In the late afternoon, however, you have a feeling that you are actually looking through the glass and the reflected objects appear more real. The sun shining on a bright ring on your fin- ger with your hand resting on the steering wheel may cast disc- like reflections in your wind shield. The form of the reflect- ion will depend upon the ornamental decorations on your ring. The rear door handle on my automobile reflects nine beau- tiful, little, silver, flying discs in the bright sun-light. These appear in the lower part of the ventilation wing and when traveling on a level highway, they appear to be racing along with me at the road side. These nine discs appear in a form- ation of two rows of four each, with the ninth one in the lead at the center of the formation. They appear as whirling pro- pellers in a vertical position.' These discs also have stream- ers which are due to the curvature and decorative pattern on the handle. While traveling north in the early afternoon under a bright sun, these nine discs appeared far below to my left, racing up the valley at a terrific rate. You may be able to see flying discs in your own home. If you will turn on a small electric light in the hall-way and then look through the window at the other end of hall, (5)
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you may see as many as three flying discs from one electric light bulb, which may have more or less of a bell shape. These discs many times appear as inverted saucers, and if you will change your position slowly you will see that they change their position also. These are best observed in the late afternoon or between sun down and dusk, when it appears to you that you are merely looking through the window pane at the discs suspended in the distance. As darkness comes on, the window pane becomes a more perfect mirror and your discs appear as reflections in a mirror. To watch the discs, through your ventilation wing, sail along with you as you drive through the country, becomes very fascinating, especially if you use a little imagination. It may absorb your thoughts completely, therefore, I would admonish automobile drivers watching the flying discs, to be cautious and not run off the road or into some other car. Some of the reports on flying saucers, heretofore not explained in this article, such as those reported seeing bright flashes in the sky, were no doubt reflected sun-light from planes. These light beams chanced to cross the line of vision of the observer. They frequently appear very brilliant and may more or less blind the observer for an instant. If the plane is very high it may not be seen by the observer, which may be due to impaired vision or the great height at which the plane is flying. We very often get these same blinding flashes from automobile wind-shields. Many of the reports around July 4th were incited by various forms of fire works.
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Some reports stemmed from pure imagination or hysteria, while others were deliberate hoaxes. Any other reports can be explained if all the surrounding facts are known. Most all of the reports and descriptions of the flying saucers coincide so clearly with the findings herein, that there could be no doubt but that we have the correct solution. The foregoing statement may not be coached in precise scientific terms, and may not be scientifically exact, however, we believe it is so worded that the average layman can understand it and that it is sufficiently correct to prove the proposition. Personally, I do not believe that the so-called flying saucers or the solution thereof, are of any military value, unless the Government wished to retain this information for the psychological effect upon any potential enemy nation, such as Germany did in regard to their so-called secret weapons during the war. Dan Nelson Oklahoma City
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Code 110A NRL 7 August 1947 MEMORANDUM SUBJECT: "Flying Saucers" TO: Asst Chief of Air Staff-2 Collection Branch, AAF Washington 25, D. C. 1. The inclosure is an excerpt from a letter to Dr. E. Tousey, Micron Waves Section Head, Naval Research Laboratory, from Mr. John F. Cole, pertaining to some unidentified objects which Mr. Cole reports to have seen some time prior to the first reports of "flying saucers" in the New England area. 2. Dr. Tousey states that Mr. Cole is a well-known astronomer and a reliable observer as a result of his training. 3. The inclosure is in addition to information contained in previous letters to your office taken from interviews at the request of Lt. Col. G. D. Garrett, AAF A-2. [HW: William P Mellen] WILLIAM P MELLEN Major, Air Corps AMC Liaison Officer Naval Research Laboratory
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Excerpt from letter to Dr. R. Tousey from Mr. John F. Cole South Brooksville, Me, July 28, 1947. Having in mind the ridicule which has been heaped-on those innocent or perhaps gullible individuals who have reported disks, I would be a little cautious in interpreting. But it is safe to say truthfully, that something unusual attracted my attention, and I was in a perfectly sober condition, barring the mild stimulation, afforded by cool spring water filtering through North Haven greenstone cracks. It should be easy to determine if the "disks" were a new type jet plane, or bomber, or rocket. The fact that it was July 3, about 2:30 P.M. (summer time) or Greenwich Civil time 1830 might suggest that they were engaged in some naval demonstration from Eastport, Bar Harbor or Belfast. The group appeared to be at an altitude of about 50° -- I suffer from a mild cervical arthritis--but my eyes are well corrected for astigmatism and hypermetropia, and I doubt if my cerebral cortical Lesions are sufficiently advanced to affect my balance. What first made me look up was the unusually loud roar and I was surprised not to see a well defined group of planes quite near. Instead I had to look rather sharply to see the bunch-of very light colored objects, in a general northerly direction and travelling roughly in a NW (true) direction. This was reasonably correct, as I was on Cox's hill, and looked over towards Backwood's Mount, that is the conspicuous flat tep planated hill at Harborside. The group could hardly have covered more than 1° angular diameter in the sky, and bunched rather closely with no regular formation. There might have been 10; I couldn't say and with 90' of arc spread; would easily be within the limit of visibility for discreet objects. As a group they were going so as to cover 30° of arc; estimated of course; in perhaps 10 or 15 seconds. If one of them; say; subtended l/10° with a possible wing spread of 100 feet; it would put it at a distance of over 10 miles; and quite invisible for a light object Besides with 30° arc of travel at a 10 mi distance would be roughly 5 miles in 15 seconds or 20 mi per minute or l2O mi per hour!!--rather fast for a bomber--hi A ft object at miles dist would be about mi per hr also fast going The only concrete evidence of form appeared on the left tangent of the group--two dark shaped forms: [HW:] which may have been tail wings Doesn't the Douglass bomber have these? And since they were in no regular formation but seemed among themselves to be moving irregularly like a swarm of bees why shouldn't all of them have shown wings? The loud roar suggests they may have been much closer and rather small The sky background was hazy blue and the sun behind me One plane towing lot balloons believe would have been easily recognized Havy any meteorites been re ported At that time day has there been any abrupt change radio field strength ionization
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OFFICE OF THE AIR INSPECTOR 25 JULY 1947 MEMORANDUM TO: AC/AS-2, Counter Intelligence Branch 1. Information contained herein and opinions expressed are based upon conversation with and request by Mr. Butler of your office. All pertain to certain phenomena connected with recent widespread talk of "flying saucers". 2. Approximately three weeks ago, on or about 7 July 1947, I prepared to go to bed around 2230 or 2300 EDT. I was living at 2807 North Glebe Road, Arlington, Virginia, with my wife. Illustration No. 1 shows the general layout of the room we occupied at that time. See Illustration No. 1. [HW: Illustration No. 1]
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3. I had just turned off the light by my bedside, but sat down on the side of the bed to listed to the end of a radio program before reclining. In the meantime, my wife and I were having some conversation about the selection of certain furniture for a home we had just purchased. At the time of these events, as I sat facing the windows, a light appeared at the right-hand edge of the extreme end window and moved rapidly along to disappear below the trees or horizon, or to be extinguished in some fashion at some place in a general southerly direction. This is illustrated on the following page by a very tentative sketch. See Illustration No. 2. [HW: Light appeared in this direction] [HW: C10 End 3/4 mile] [HW: C10 End 3/4 mile] [HW: Extinguished in this direction] STAMP:
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4. At the time, since my attention was divided and absorbed among the subjects mentioned, my reaction was simply that "a light passed by," and I gave no further thought to the matter until some moments later, when the thought came to me that I had never seen such an object before, and that although the first explanation would have been that a meteor had fallen toward earth in that direction, it did not have the appearance of any meteor or "shooting star" I had ever seen. Thinking of the then-prevalent talk of flying disks, I reflected that probably some such thing as I had just seen was the source of a large amount of newspaper and radio publicity on the subject. The next morning I jestingly announced in the office that I saw a flying saucer the night before and thought that it was enroute to Alexandria, where some of our officers live. I then went on to say that I supposed it was a shooting star, but that it did look somewhat peculiar. After we had discussed the general topic for some time, I dropped the subject, not wishing to add to the supposed rumors, which I envisioned as a source of serious panic over the country. 5. A description of the light, or object is almost impossible, since observation of it was so limited. As shown in Illustration No. 2, [ILLEGIBLE] object appeared to pass in closest proximity to me at the time it came into view. All of my mental calculations were based upon some impression or conception of its distance at the closest point (AC). [ILLEGIBLE] no way of judging this, except in [ILLEGIBLE] form very crude depth-perception. If this by any chance were correct, and instead of a distant meteor some object had passed near-by [ILLEGIBLE] assume for purposes of description that [ILLEGIBLE] AC on sketch was some three quarters mile One factor which could judge quite reliably was angular elevation This must have been approximately 3 or 4 degrees; at any rate [ILLEGIBLE] light was intermittently behind tallest trees forward position these trees are normal height perhaps sixty or eighty feet at distance several blocks Based upon wild assumption as distance reasonable assumption angular elevation object would be low altitude considerably below 500 feet size approximating small airplane say 30 feet across Shape may have been round oval discal irregular speed with which travelled could only perceive blob do not consider distance mentioned less than 3/4 mile because had been feel sure late evening windows open heard sound definitely did not case might well point out here relative similarity size altitude airspeed firefly distance 30 feet airplane about 3/4 mile meteor several hundred miles Most familiar with this illusion
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6. Although I could not accurately judge the time, I seem to recall the object or light was visible for a couple of seconds. Taking this figure literally and applying it to the sketch, No. 2, one could roughly compute the speed of the object at 1350 mph; however, I did not sense that it was moving with such great speed as this. It rather appeared to move with the speed of a jet-powered airplane. It did not deviate from a straight course while I observed it, and did not perceptibly lose altitude. 7. In color, the subject had the appearance of a reflected white light, a cool, bright white light with no red in it, like the moon on a clear night. There was no train visible to me, in the form of fire, smoke, or sparks. The weather at the assumed time and date was checked through records of the Bolling Field weather office, and consisted of scattered to broken clouds with visibilities of 10 - 12 miles. The cloud condition is further indication that the object was not necessarily a meteor, since it might have been impossible to see a meteor. I do not personally remember the weather condition, except that I am sure it was not raining. 8. At the time of this occurrence, I was not inclined to think of it seriously enough to wake my wife and describe it to her, nor by any reasoning to make official report. As time passed, I thought considerably about the fleeting glimpse I had of whatever I saw, and am still somewhat confused but feel that it was some natural phenomenon which occurs but rarely. I have flown approximately 2500 hours during the past seven years and being generally familiar with aspects of aviation can emphatically state that (a) it was no weather balloon (b) it was not flash beacon on cloud-base (c) could hardly have been an airplane on fire since would have at least crashed in this general area (d) is not entirely result imagination (e) is spending much time in one place. James O Cobb Lt Colonel Air Corps
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ADDRESS REPLY TO DIRECTOR, NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY WASHINGTON 20, D. C. AND REFER TO: Code 110 ARMY LIAISON OFFICE NAVY DEPARTMENT NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY WASHINGTON 20, D. C. 28 July 1947 SUBJECT: Flying Saucers TO: Asst. Chief of Air Staff-2 Collection Branch, AAF Washington 25, D. C. Supplemental to that contained in a letter to your office, dated 18 July 1947, re interview with Mr. C. H. Zohn who purports to have seen an unidentified flying object, the following additional information was obtained on 21 July from C. C. Rockwood, who was mentioned in that letter as having also seen the object. C. C. Rockwood reports the object to have been either a silvery sphere or disc, which he would have taken to be a meteorological balloon except for the fact that it was travelling at a much higher velocity than the automobile and approximately in the same direction. The auto-mobile was moving about 60 mph. There was little, if any, surface wind. When first seen at an elevation of about 45° it appeared about of the same size as the sun. He could hear nothing above the noise of the car. [HW:] saw no smoke or contrails. Its motion was apparently all horizontal. Its aspect did not change so far as could be observed during the time of observation. He thought it disappeared by simply becoming too small to see. [STAMP:] WILLIAM P. MELLEN Major, Air Corps AMC Liaison Officer
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Flight Path [HW: See 130]
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STOP
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STOP
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This is an unparaphrased code (cypher) message. Text must be paraphrased if essential to retransmit it in another system or to communicate its contents to persons outside British or U.S. Government Services. One-time pad messages are excepted from this rule. JOINT COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE 9421 SECRET IN MESSAGE T.O.O: 080800 Aug. 1947 REC'D: 1200 EDT 9th Aug. FROM: A.M. LONDON TO: FAFDEL CYPHER MESSAGE AIX 6328 Aug. 8th 1947 Your AIX 14 July 29th. During normal night flying practice at 2230 hours on 16th January, 1947, one of our Mosquitos was vectored on to an unidentified aircraft at 22,000 feet. A long chase ensued commencing over the North Sea about 50 miles from the Dutch coast and ending at 2300 hours over Norfolk. Two brief AI contacts were made but faded quickly. The unidentified aircraft appeared to take efficient controlled evasive action. No explanation of this incident has been forthcoming nor has it been repeated. ACTION COPY
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[STAMP: CONFIDENTIAL] 62-83894-130 FLYING DISCS 30 July 1947 For purposes of analysis by AFBIR-CO, eighteen reported sightings of "Flying Discs" were selected for breakdown into detailed particulars. Each report was assigned a number and each number appears in the left-hand column of the data on the following pages. One report, Number 7, has not yet been received and therefore no information is included other than Date, Name of Observer, and Location. The Fourth Air Force is attempting to secure a statement from this observer. Four reports, Numbers 2, 4, 17, and 18, have not been analyzed. The subject headings on which the breakdown has been made are: Date Hour (Local standard Time) Location Observer's Name Observer's Occupation Observed from Ground or Air Number of Objects Sighted Altitude Direction of Flight Speed Distance Covered Length of Time in Sight Deviation from Straight Flight Color Size Shape Sound Trail Weather Manner of Disappearance Remarks
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Report Number Date *Hour Location 1 19 May 1215 Manitou Springs, Colorado 2 22 May [ILLEGIBLE] Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 3 22 June 1130 Greenfield, Massachusetts 4 24 June [ILLEGIBLE] Mt. Rainier, Washington 5 28 June 2120 Maxwell Field, Alabama 6 29 June 1330 Nera White Sands, New Mexico 7 1 July [ILLEGIBLE] Bakersfield, California 8 4 July 2015 Emmett, Idaho 9 6 July 1345 Clay Center, Kansas 10 [ILLEGIBLE] Fairfield-Suisun, California 11 [ILLEGIBLE] Koshkonong, Wisconsin 12 [ILLEGIBLE] East Troy, Wisconsin [HW:] Harmon Field ONCE Newfoundland Harmon Field Newfoundland Elmendorf Field Alaska *Local Standard Time
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Report Number Observer's Name Occupation Observed From 1 D. A. Houser Railroad Employee Ground F. J. Smith " " " L. D. Jamison " " " 2 Byron Savage Businessman-Pilot Ground 3 E. L. DeRose *Not stated Ground 4 Kenneth Arnold Business-man Pilot Air 5 Wilson H. Kayko Captain, AAF Ground John H. Cantrell Redman " " Theodore Dewey 1st Lieut., AAF " C. H. Zohn Employee, NNL Ground J. R. Kauke " " C. C. Rockwood " " Nancy Rockwood Wife of C.C. Rockwood " 7 Richard Rankin Civilian Pilot Ground 8 E . J . Smith United Air Lines Pilot Air Ralph Stevens " Co-Pilot " 9 A . B . Browning Major, AAF Air Jas . H . Burniston Captain, AAF Ground 10 Not Stated CAP Instructor Air 11 Not Stated CAP Student " 12 Not Stated CAP Pilot Air CAP Passenger " Alvin E . Moorman 1st Lieut., ACCNG Air Iric Kearsey Constable, Newfoundland Constabulary Ground Mr Mehrman TWA Representative Ground Mr Woodruff PAA Major, AAF Ground Graham and several other officers *From letter received, observer is obviously well educated. [HW:]
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Report Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Deviation from Straight Flight Climbed, dove, hovered overhead, resumed original course None reported None reported Zig zag course "much like a water-bug" None reported None reported Descended edgewise, stopped at 4,000' and assumed horizontal position. Proceeded in horizontal flight for 15 seconds, stopped again, then disappeared None reported None reported Followed contours of mountains five miles away from observers Color Silver Silver, very bright Brilliance slightly greater than a star Some solar specular reflection Almost dusk; could not distinguish Very bright and silvery colored Reflection from sun Not stated Not stated Of light-reflecting nature Phosphorous color Silvery Resembled a grayish balloon Size Apparently small Small Not stated Impossible to determine 30-50' in diameter Comparable to a C-54 at 10,000' Not stated Apparent depth of a P-51 Not stated Same span as a C-54 at 10,000' Approx. 10' in diameter
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Report Number Shape Sound Trail Weather 1. No definite shape could be determined 2. None 3. Irregular; round, Dis not appear particularly disc-shaped 4. None stated; seemed like a bright light 5. None stated; seemed like a bright light 6. No details other than that shape was uniform with no protuberances 7. None definite, but seemed flat on base with the top slightly rough in contour 8. 9. Round, disc-shaped 10. 10. No shape could be distinguished 11. 11. Not stated, but report refers to "saucer" several times 12. 12. Same as Report No. 11 13. Flat object, of light-reflecting nature which appeared to be without vertical fin or any visible wings 14. Egg-shaped, or like barrel head 15. Circular in shape, like wagon wheel 16. Resembled balloon None None None CAVU Not stated None None Clear moonlight Possible vapor trails CAVU None CAVU CAVU Sunny CAVU Not stated CAVU
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Report Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Manner of Disappearance Climbed very fast and out of sight Obscured by a cloud bank Lost in brilliancy of the moon Cannot explain, except that reflection angle may have changed abruptly Don't know whether they put on a tremendous burst of speed, or disintegrated. However, they did disappear into sunset Unexplained Disappeared at an angle of about 30° above the earth's surface Unexplained Unexplained Pilot (at 300MPH) attempted to keep object in sight, but unable to do so Unexplained Unexplained Remarks No definite shape could be determined and even with the aid of 4 to 6 power binoculars object could not be brought into focus From letter this observer wrote, it is obvious he is a well-educated person. Seeks no publicity. Observers (2 rated, 2 air intell.) phoned Field Ops to ascertain no scheduled experimental a/c were in vicinity. Sky chart attached to re Observer is Admin. Asst. in the Rocket Sonde Sect. of NRL. Two other "scientists", and wife of one, were in party and made same observation Observers were Pilot, Co-Pilot, of scheduled UAL DC-3. Stewardess also saw objects. Suggest reading of very detailed statements. When first sighting object near horizon, observer looked at chart in his lap to check position. When he looked out window again, object was off his left wing at 11 o'clock Rolled from side to side 3 times in its path across the sky. Sun reflected from top side, but never from underside, even when turning None None Observer contacted bases in area reported no a/c in air at time First 4 discs flying line-a-trail Seemed to cut clouds open as it passed thru. Trail was like beam seen after a high-powered landing light is switched off Object was observed paralleling the course of a C-47 then landing
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HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH AIR FORCE Colorado Springs, Colorado 2 July 1947 SUBJECT: Supersonic Platters SUMMARY OF INFORMATION: The following information was related to Counter Intelligence Corps Personnel at Headquarters Fifteenth Air Force, Colorado Springs, Colorado on 27 June 1947 by Mr D. A. hauser, 24 North Chesnut Street, Colorado Springs Colorado, Mr. F. J. Smith, 24 fairview, Manitou Springs, Colorado and Mr. L. D. Jamison, 2415 West Kiowa, Colorado Springs, Colorado. All three of the men are employees of the Pikes Peak Railway, Manitou Springs, Colorado. "On or about 19 May 1947 during their lunch period (1215-1315) a member of a train crew called attention to a silver object in the sky approaching from the North East. It appeared to be travelling at a great speed. All three men stated that the altitude of the object was very difficult to determine because of its apparent smallness. They further stated that because of this it was difficult to view the object as being large and having high altitude or small and being at a relatively low altitude. They did say though that it appeared to be higher than the top of Manitou Mountain which is over 1000 feet higher than the shops which are situated at its base. No definite shape of the object could be determined and even with the aid of binoculars it still could not be brought into focus. The binoculars used were of about 4 to 6 power. The men stated that they were certain that the object did not have any of the physical characteristics of modern conventional aircraft. The day was described as being clear and sunny with not a cloud in the sky and no ground wind. On reaching the area just North of Manitou Mountain the object remained in the immediate area for several minutes during which time it was seen to execute maneuvers such as climbing, diving and reversal of direction of flight. This happened every few seconds. The distance and location between views prompted two of the men to think that there were more of the unidentified objects in the sky. At times the object seemed to hover in the air and then start on another path of flight. When last seen the silver object was climbing very fast towards the West almost directly into the wind. Previous distribution: None DISTRIBUTION: Hq SAC 3 copies Evaluation of source E of information O
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HQOCAMA FORM NO. 5-508 31 MAY 1945 OKLAHOMA CITY AIR MATERIEL AREA TINKER FIELD OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA IN REPLY REFER TO: #3724-I 24 July 1947 MEMORANDUM TO THE SECURITY OFFICER, OCAMA, TINKER FIELD. SUBJECT: BYRON B. SAVAGE, Field Engineer, Radio Corporation of America, Dallas, Texas. (Residence: 416 N. W. 29th Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.) RE: Flying Disc. On 23 July 1947, BYRON B. SAVAGE was interviewed at his residence, 416 N. W. 29th Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, relating to his alleged viewing of a flying disc over the vicinity of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Subject, whose age is 38, advised he is married and has one child, and is presently the holder of a Private Pilot's License, No. 39101, (Single Engine, Land). Subject averred he has extensively studied electronics, sound engineering and aeronautics, and his present occupation, which is Field Engineer for Radio Corporation of America, offices of which are located in Dallas, Texas, is that of installing theater sound equipment. SAVAGE stated that between the days 17 May to 21 May 1947, just after dusk, he observed an object which he believed to be a small aircraft in the south. SAVAGE advised that the sun had just gone down and the moon had not arisen on the horizon. SAVAGE related that he and his wife had just departed their residence and had started to enter their car in the driveway at 416 N. W. 29th Street, Oklahoma City. He judged the time to be between 8:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., and the lights from the city of Oklahoma City appeared to be shining on this object when he first saw it. He judged the object to be about [ILLEGIBLE] in the south when he first saw it, and as it moved toward him he remarked to his wife that "a big white plane was coming over." SAVAGE stated that when this object was at a [ILLEGIBLE] angle from him, he realized it was not a conventional type aircraft, and it appeared elliptical at first and as it moved closer it appeared perfectly round and was flat. SAVAGE advised the object which appeared to him as a disc had no appearance of being spherical and had a ratio of diameter to thickness of approximately [ILLEGIBLE] appearing thicker in the center but this could not be positively ascertained. SAVAGE judged the object to be at an altitude of between [ILLEGIBLE] feet and it left no trailing effects. SAVAGE related that it appeared to be in bulk as big as six B-29s at an altitude of approximately [ILLEGIBLE] height. SAVAGE advised that the object was in his vision approximately [ILLEGIBLE] seconds and travelled at a speed which he judged to be approximately three times that of jet-propelled aircraft. STAMP: HW: See U6
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Memo to the Security Officer, OCAMA, Tinker Field, dtd 7/24/47, File 3724-I. SAVAGE stated that there were no protrusions on this object and as it went by he listened for a sound of noise, and at one time thought he distinguished a swishing sound like the rushing of air. This swishing sound occurred a few seconds after this object had passed him. SAVAGE averred this sound was not very loud and did not last very long, and it is very possible that the sound could have been his imagination or expectation, as he was not sure of the sound. SAVAGE related that he called his wife to see this object but it had disappeared before she could focus her eyes on it. Subject stated that the object appeared to diminish in size and speed as it moved away, and it was moving in a direction of 350° to the north. Subject further stated that the object appeared to be frosty white in color at all times. SAVAGE advised that he has held a pilot's certificate since 1934 and has been flying since 1929. He advised that he would be glad to answer any further inquiries and will cooperate in every way possible. SAVAGE stated he was sure this object was not a meteor and in his opinion it must be radically built and powered, probably atomic. Kalman D Simon C.I. U.S. Army
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RESTRICTED 181 Meridian Street Greenfield, Massachusetts July 10, 1947 Commanding Officer Westover Field Chicopee, Massachusetts Dear Sir, After having read several accounts of eye-witnesses who claim they had seen the so-called "flying discs", it brought to mind a strange experience I had some two weeks ago. The reason I write to you is that radio and newspaper reports state that the air forces have been alerted to investigate these mysterious objects. Assuming that you are interested, I am making the following report in the belief that it might possibly be of help to you. I do not desire to have any kind of publicity whatsoever in this connection. About 11:30 AM, Sunday, June 22nd, I was working outdoors on a step-ladder, looking up, and suddenly there appeared across my line of vision a speeding, brilliant, small, round-shaped, silvery-white object at an altitude I would judge to be about 1,000 ft. or more. It was moving very fast in a straight northwesterly direction -- I would say as fast or possibly faster than a speeding plane. It was so unusual and strange a sight that it arrested my attention for about 8 or 10 seconds until it was obscured by a cloud-bank. Naturally my curiosity was considerably aroused and I tried to think what this object might have been. I doubted very much that it could have been a weather balloon because it was not at all like any weather balloons I had seen before. The object I saw, although small, reflected the sunlight very strongly as though it were of polished aluminum or silver, and I can assure you was very real. It appeared to have an irregular round shape and while it could have been disc-shaped, it did not particularly impress me as such. I have attempted to give you this information as accurately and clearly as I know how; free from any imagination or exaggeration. Furthermore; my experience took place before I had any inkling that "flying discs" were reported seen. This information is being passed on to you for whatever it may be worth; purely and simply in the interests of national security; and once more request that you do not publicize my name. A CERTIFIED TRUE COPY: ARCHIE F. ROY Captain Air Corps [STAMP:] [HW:] Received AFBIR- (O) [HW:] July 47 Sincerely yours, Edward L. DeRose
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CONFIDENTIAL HEADQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2 Intelligence Hamilton Field, California 4AFDA 333.5 ID 17 July 1947 SUBJECT: Investigation of "Flying Discs" TO: Commanding General, Army Air Forces, Washington 25, D. C. ATTENTION: AC of AS-2 1. Attached statements and MOICs forwarded to your office per request TWX from Headquarters Air Defense Command, Mitchel Field, N. Y., dated 10 July 1947. 2. This headquarters is unable to locate Richard Rankin, however, as soon as he is located, statement and MOIC will be forwarded direct to your office. 3. Information copies furnished Headquarters Air Defense Command. DONALD L. SPRINGER Lt. Colonel, GSC AC of S, A-2 4 Incls: 1. MOIC 16 Jul/Brown (dup) 2. MOIC 16 Jul/Brown (dup) 3. MOIC 16 Jul/Brown (dup) 4. MOIC 16 Jul/Brown (dup) Info cc to ADC [STAMP:] [HW:4] CONFIDENTIAL
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Incident 4AF 1208 I 16 July 1947 MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE: 1. On 12 July 1947, a call was made at the newspaper office of the "Idaho Daily Statesman", Boise, Idaho. The aviation editor of the paper, Mr. David N. Johnson, was interviewed in regard to how well he knew Mr. Kenneth Arnold of Boise, Idaho, and as to the credibility of any statement made by Mr. Arnold. The purpose of this interview was an attempt to verify statements made by Mr. Kenneth Arnold on 26 June 1947, to various national news services to the effect that he, Mr. Arnold, had seen 9 objects flying in the air above the Cascade Mountain Range of Washington. These objects were subsequently referred to as flying saucers or flying disks and will here-in-after be referred to as such in this report. Mr. Johnson stated that he had known Mr. Arnold for quite a period of time, having had relations with Mr. Arnold on various occasions, due to the fact that both he, Mr. Johnson, and Mr. Arnold were private fliers and frequently got together to talk shop. Mr. Johnson stated that as far as he was concerned anything Mr. Arnold said could be taken very seriously and that he, Mr. Johnson, actually believed that Mr. Arnold had seen the aforementioned flying disks. Mr. Johnson stated that after Mr Arnol reported having seen the flying disks that the editor of the paper had assigned him; [HW:Mr.] Johnson; assignment of taking airplane belonging to newspaper and exhausting all efforts prove or disprove probability of flying disks having been seen in northwest area The results of this assignment [HW:Mr.] Johnson; what subsequently saw is put forth sworn statement signed by attached report as Exhibit B. AGENT'S NOTES: [HW:Mr.] Johnson is man approximately 33 years age From all appearances is reserved type person [HW:Mr.] Johnson has logged hours flying time various types airplanes up including multi-engine aircraft During part war years [HW:Mr.] Johnson first pilot B-29 type aircraft being assigned Twentieth USAAF stationed Tinian Island Pacific It personal opinion interviewer that actually saw what states attached report It also opinion interviewer would have much more lose gain would have strongly convinced actually saw something before would report incident open himself ridicule accompany such report Incl: Exhibit "B" FRANK M BROWN S/A CIC 5th AF
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COPY CONFIDENTIAL Statement of David N. Johnson at Boise, Idaho, July 12, 1947 To Whom It May Concern: On the sixth day of July, 1947, I received from James L. Brown, general manager of the Statesman Newspapers, incorporated in Idaho as The Statesman Printing company, an assignment which was in substance: "Conduct an aerial search of the northwest states in an effort to see and photograph a flying disc. Conduct this patrol for so long a time as you believe reasonable, or until you see a flying disc." In accordance to these instructions, I took the Statesman's airplane, and with Kenneth Arnold as passenger, flew a seven and one-half hour mission on the seventh day of July, 1947. This mission was without result. It covered an area embracing the confines of the Hanford plant in Washington, and territory between and around Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams, where Arnold first reported seeing objects henceforth described as saucers or discs. On the eighth day of July, 1947, I took an AT-6 of the 190th Fighter squadron, Idaho National Guard, of which I am a member, and flew to northern Idaho, into northwestern Montana briefly, to Spokane, Washington, and back to Boise by way of Walla Walla, Washington, and Pendleton, Oregon. This search also was negative. On the ninth day of July, 1947, I continued the search again using a national guard AT-6, this time centering my efforts over the Owyhee mountains west and southwest of Boise, a portion of the Mountain Home desert on a track southeast of the Mountain Home army air base thence into Sawtooth mountains and back in general direction of Boise on a line carrying me well to north Shafer butte forest service lookout station into Horseshoe Bend area and thence back in southwesterly direction to point EXHIBIT "B" CONFIDENTIAL
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CONFIDENTIAL between Boise and the village of Meridian, west of Boise a few miles. During this search, which lasted approximately two and one-half hours, I flew under and around rapidly forming cumulus clouds over that area known as the Camas Prairie, east of Boise. The clouds were near the village of Fairfield in that valley, and Fairfield is 75 miles airline distance east of Boise. At that time I saw nothing in the vicinity of these clouds. At the time I reached the point between Boise and Meridian, I was flying at an altitude of 14,000 feet mean sea level, which would be a mean average of 11,000 feet above the earth in this area, not considering errors in the altimeter induced either by barometric changes since my takeoff, or by the temperature at that altitude. I turned the aircraft on an easterly heading, pointing toward Gowen Field, and had flown on that course for perhaps a minute when there suddenly appeared in the left hand portion of my field of vision an object which was black and round. I immediately centered my gaze on the object. At that time, due to its erratic movement, I thought I was seeing a weather balloon. I called the CAA's communication station at Boise, and asked if the weather station had recently released a balloon. The reply from communicator Albertson was that the bureau had not. I do not remember his exact words; I am under the impression he said "not for several hours" or gave me the exact time of previous release which was around 08:30 that day. Upon hearing this response, I turned the aircraft broadside to the object pulled back plexiglass covering to avoid any distortion took my camera from map case exposed about 10 seconds duration eight millimeter motion picture film During time camera was at eye level, [STAMP:] CONFIDENTIAL [HW:2c95] 76
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CONFIDENTIAL I could not see the object because of minuteness of scope introduced by the optical view finder with which the camera, an f.1.9 Eastman, was equipped. Taking the camera away and once again centering my gaze on the object, I observed it to roll so that its edge was presented to me. At this time it flashed once in the sunlight. It then appeared as a thin black line. It then performed a maneuver which looked as if it had begun a slow roll, or a barrel roll, which instead of being completed, was broken off at about the 180-degree point. The object rolled out of the top of the maneuver at this point, and I lost sight of it. This entire performance was observed against the background of clouds previously forming over the Camas Prairie. The object appeared to me, relatively, as the size of a twenty-five cent piece. I do not know how far away it was. I do not know, nor can I truthfully estimate, its speed. I can only say it was not an airplane, and if it was at a very great distance from me, its speed was great, taking into consideration that apparent speed is reduced to the viewer if an object is a very great distance away. I forgot to look at my clock to determine the exact time I saw the object. The CAA's log of radio contacts shows my first contact to have been made at 12:17 hours. But a few seconds elapsed between the time I first saw the object, and the time I called the CAA's station. I subsequently related over the radio a description of what I saw, and communicator Albertson may remember it. The control tower may have a recording of the conversation. I have not checked to determine that. The purpose of my relating over the air what I saw was to enable rapid transmission of the report to newspaper for at that time I was on assignment and my energies thenceforth were devoted to (1) transmitting information and (2) conducting further search which did after landing for fuel and make some telephone calls. STOP
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The next search, begun within half an hour after landing from the first one, consumed another two hours, but was negative. I explored thoroughly the region where I saw the object. Immediately after sighting the object, I asked if there were other aircraft in the area. There was a P-51 of the 190th squadron practicing maneuvers in the vicinity of Kuna, but that was behind me. A C-82 passed over Boise, but I saw that aircraft go beneath me by some 2,000 feet. The P-51 in the vicinity of Kuna proceeded to the area where I saw the object, at my request, and conducted a search. It was negative. During the afternoon, flights of P-51s were sent out to cover the area, and some of them flew high altitude missions on oxygen. These searches were negative. I was subsequently informed that personnel on both the United Air Lines side of Cowen field, and on the national guard side, observed a black object maneuvering in front of the same cloud formation, which by now had grown so that the clouds reached a probable height of 19,000 or 20,000 feet from a mean base of 13,500 or 14,000 feet, mean sea level. Three of these men were national guard personnel and I talked to them asking them to describe what they saw before telling them my story in order to avoid suggestion or inference of a leading nature. They saw the object (from the ground) while I was on my second search. They believed the time to have been 14:00 hours. The object performed in the same erratic manner, they said as I observed. The above is the extent of the story and information concerning myself is now in order. I have approximately 2800 hours of flying time in equipment ranging from primary trainers to B-29s. Of course that does not increase my powers of observation except as to those practiced daily by an airman.
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It does not make my eyesight any sharper except again as to the incidental demands upon the eyes of a pilot. and one-half hours on an assignment to find a disc and if possible, to photograph it. In all frankness, I was tired. I may have been suffering, although slightly, from want of oxygen. Prior to sighting: the object, I had concluded there was no point in ng the search, that 1 probably would never see tho diso-like objects referred Arnold and by Captain Smith of United Air Lines. At all times during the search, both on that day and the two preceding days (particularly when I was with Arnold) I had literally talked to* myself head thet I would not fall vi power of stion or self-hypnosis arising from a tent desire to nnent given m I was the v suggestion or miliar with the optical illusion of a fixed object be watched a sufficient lencth of tir tricks the eyes will play as to moving box eve learned particularly durin
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CONFIDENTIAL 241 Battery Street, San Francisco, showed no trace of any object. Stohr says that if it was more than a mile distant from me at the size I described, the object would not have registered sufficiently on the film to be shown. He said it probably was too far away to be apparent even through great enlargement of the negative, and enlargement in that case is limited because of the size of the film and the fact I did not have any telescopic equipment on the lens. The exposure was f.16, stop set at infinity, at a speed of 16 frames per second. I have worried over this matter a great deal since seeing it. I "took myself aside" and said, "come now, Johnson, don't be stupid." But I cannot bring myself to the point of thinking I did not see anything. The impression of the moment was too vivid, too realistic, and I knew in the air when I saw that partial slow roll or barrel roll, that I was not a victim of illusion. I trust this matter will be of help to those investigating the flying disc phenomena which have been reported. A chart is attached depicting the movements of the object as I saw it. This statement is made voluntarily and freely, in response to the request of Mr. Brown and Captain Davidson, who called on me this morning. /s/ David N. Johnson Subscribed and sworn to before me [REDACTED], this 12th May of July 1947. /s/ Geo. L. Flaherty Notary public for Ada county Idaho My commission expires Jan 2 1949. COPY CONFIDENTIAL
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CONFIDENTIAL Chart to which reference is made on page six, statement of David N. Johnson. This design portrays the movements of the object to which reference is made in the attached statement. At all times the object appeared as black. Positions (1), (2) and (3) show the jerky, rising motion. Position (4) is where the object rolled, presenting its edge to me. It then followed the dotted line, rolling over the top of the maneuver and disappearing at position (5). STOP
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Incident 4AF 1208 I 16 July 1947 MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE: 1. On 12 July 1947, Mr. Kenneth Arnold, Box 387, Boise, Idaho, was interviewed in regard to the report by Mr. Arnold that he saw 9 strange objects flying over the Cascade Mountain Range of Washington State on July 25th. Mr. Arnold voluntarily agreed to give the interviewer a written report of exactly what he had seen on the above mentioned date. The written report of Mr. Arnold is attached to this report as Exhibit A. AGENT'S NOTES: Mr. Arnold is a man of 32 years of age, being married and father of two children. He is well thought of in the community in which he lives, being very much the family man and from all appearances a very good provider for his family. Mr. Arnold has recently purchased a home on the outskirts of Boise, recently purchased a $5,000 airplane in which to conduct his business to the extent of which is explained in the attached exhibit. It is the personal opinion of the interviewer that Mr. Arnold actually saw what he stated that he saw. It is difficult to believe that a man of Mr. Arnold's character and apparent integrity would state that he saw objects and write up a report to the extent that he did if he did not see them. To go further, if Mr. Arnold can write a report of the character that he did while not having seen the objects that he claimed he saw, it is the opinion of the interviewer that Mr. Arnold is in the wrong business; that he should be writing Buck Rogers fiction. Mr. Arnold is very outspoken and somewhat bitter in his opinions of the leaders of U.S., Army Air Forces and Federal Bureau Investigation for not having made an investigation into this matter sooner. To put all statements made by Mr., Arnold in this report would make it voluminous volume. However after having checked an aerontical map over which Mr., Arnold claims that he saw objects it was determined all statements made by MR., ARNOLD regarding distances involved speed objects course object size could possibly be facts. The distances mentioned by MR., ARNOLD in his report are within short distance actual distances on aerontical charts this area although MR., ARNOLD has never consulted aerontical charts type Army uses. Mr., ARNOLD stated his business had suffered greatly since his report on July 25 due fact large crowds people were waiting question him just what had seen MR., ARNOLD stated further if at any time future saw anything sky quote MR., ARNOLD directly "if I see ten story building [HW: Frank M Brown S/A CIC Lth AF] [STAMP:]
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Best Possible Image Incident hAF 1208 I flying through the air I would never say a word about it", due to the fact that he has been ridiculed by the press to such an extent that he is practically a moron in the eyes of the majority of the population of the United States. 1 Incels Exhibit "A" [STAMP:] FRANK M. BROWN, S/A, CIA 8th AF [ILLEGIBLE] ON DM 03 974
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CONFIDENTIAL COPY SOME LIFE DATA ON KENNETH ARNOLD I was born March 29, 1915 in Subeka, Minnesota. My father's name was Edward Erb Arnold; my mother's maiden name was Bertha E. Barden. I was a resident of Minnesota until I was six years old when my family moved to Scobery, Montana, where they homesteaded. My grandfather, Roland C. Arnold also homesteaded in Scobery, Montana, and became quite prominent in political circles along with Burton K. Wheeler, the famous Montana senator. I went to grade school and high school at Minot, North Dakota. I entered scouting at twelve years of age and achieved the rank of Eagle scout before I was fourteen. My former scout executive was H. H. Prescott, now a regional commissioner for the Boy Scouts in Kansas City, Kansas. As a boy, I was interested in athletics and was selected as an all-state end in 1932 and 1933 in the state of North Dakota. I entered the U.S. Olympic trials in fancy diving in 1932; I was a Red Cross Life Saving Examiner during the years of 1932 '33 and '34. I taught swimming and diving at scout camps and the municipal pool in Minot, North Dakota. I went to the University of Minnesota where I swam and did fancy diving under Neils Thorpe and also played football under Bernie Bierman but upon entering college I was unable to continue my football career because of an injured knee. My high school football coach was Glenn L Jarrett who is now the head football coach of the University of North Dakota. I had little or no finances and my ambition in furthering my education in college was through my athletics. As a boy in Minot North Dakota I did a good deal of dog sled racing placed first with my dog in 1930 in the Lions Club Dog Derby. In 1938 I went to work for Red Comet Inc of Littleton Colorado a manufacturer of automatic fire fighting apparatus In 1939 I was made district manager for them over part of western states and In 1940 EXHIBIT "A" CONFIDENTIAL
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CONFIDENTIAL established my own fire control supply known as the Great Western Fire Control Supply. I have been working as an independent fire control engineer since, and I handle, distribute, sell and install all types of automatic and manual fire fighting equipment in the rural areas over five western states. My flying experience started as a boy in Minot, North Dakota, where I took my first flying lesson from Earl T. Vance, who was originally from Great Falls, Montana. Due to the high cost at that time, I was unable to continue my flying and did not fly of any great consequence until 1943. I was given my pilot certificate by Ed Leach, a senior CAA inspector of Portland, Oregon, and for the last three years have owned my own airplane covering my entire territory with same and flying from forty to one hundred hours per month since. Due to the fact that I use an airplane entirely in my work, in January of this year I purchased a new Callair airplane, which is an airplane designed for high altitude take-offs and short rough field use. In the type of flying I do, it takes a great deal of practice and judgment to be able to land in most any cow pasture and get out without injuring your airplane; the runways are very limited and the altitude is very high in some of the fields and places I have to go in my work. To date, I have landed in 823 cow pastures in mountain meadows, and in over a thousand hours a flat tire has been my greatest mishap. CONFIDENTIAL
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COPY CONFIDENTIAL BY KENNETH ARNOLD The following story of what I observed over the Cascade mountains, as impossible as it may seem, is positively true. I never asked nor wanted any notoriety for just accidently being in the right spot at the right time to observe what I did. I reported something that I know any pilot would have reported. I don't think that in any way my observation was due to any sensivity of eye sight or judgment than what is considered normal for any pilot. On June 24th, Tuesday, 1947, I had finished my work for the Central Air Service at Chehalis, Washington, and at about two o'clock I took off from Chehalis, Washington airport with the intention of going to Yakima, Wash. My trip was delayed for an hour to search for a large marine transport that supposedly went down near or around the southwest side of Mt. Rainier in the state of Washington and to date has never been found. I flew directly toward Mt. Rainier after reaching an altitude of about 9,500 feet, which is the approximate elevation of the high plateau from which Mt. Rainer rises. I had made one sweep of this high plateau to the westward, searching all of the various ridges for this marine ship and flew to the west down and near the ridge side of the canyon where Ashford, Washington, is located. Unable to see anything that looked like the lost ship, I made a 360 degree turn to the right and above the little city of Mineral, starting again toward Mt. Rainier. I climbed back up to an altitude of approximately 9,200 feet. The air was so smooth that day that it was a real pleasure flying and, as most pilots do when the air is smooth and they are flying at a higher altitude, I trimmed out my airplane in the direction of Yakima, Washington, which was almost directly east of my position and simply sat in my plane observing the sky and terrain. [HW: Feb/16] [STAMP: CONFIDENTIAL]
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CONFIDENTIAL There was a DC-4 to the left and to the rear of me approximately fifteen miles distance, and I should judge, at 14,000 foot elevation. The sky and air was as clear as crystal. I hadn't flown more than two or three minutes on my course when a bright flash reflected on my airplane. It startled me as I thought I was too close to some other aircraft. I looked every place in the sky and couldn't find where the reflection had come from until I looked to the left and the north of Mt. Rainier where I observed a chain of nine peculiar looking aircraft flying from north to south at approximately 9,500 foot elevation and going, seemingly, in a definite direction of about 170 degrees. They were approaching Mt. Rainier very rapidly, and I merely assumed they were jet planes. Anyhow, I discovered that this was where the reflection had come from, as two or three of them every few seconds would dip or change their course slightly, just enough for the sun to strike them at an angle that reflected brightly on my plane. These objects being quite far away, I was unable for a few seconds to make out their shape or their formation. Very shortly they approached Mt. Rainier, and I observed their outline against the snow quite plainly. I thought it was very peculiar that I couldn't find their tails but assumed they were some type of jet plane. I was determined to clock their speed, as I had two definite points I could clock them by; the air was so clear that it was very easy to see objects and determine their approximate shape and size at almost fifty miles that day. I remember distinctly that my sweep second hand on my eight day clock which is located on my instrument panel read one minute to 3 P.M. as the first object of this formation passed the southern edge of Mt Rainier. I watched these objects with great interest as I had never before observed [HW: Fall] [STAMP: CONFIDENTIAL]
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CONFIDENTIAL airplanes flying so close to the mountain tops, flying directly south to southeast down the hog's back of a mountain range. I would estimate their elevation could have varied a thousand feet one way or another up or down, but they were pretty much on the horizon to me which would indicate they were near the same elevation as I was. They flew like many times I have observed geese to fly in a rather diagonal chain-like line as if they were linked together. They seemed to hold a definite direction but rather swerved in and out of the high mountain peaks. Their speed at the time did not impress me particularly, because I knew that our army and air forces had planes that went very fast. What kept bothering me as I watched them flip and flash in the sun right along their path was the fact that I couldn't make out any tail on them, and I am sure that any pilot would justify more than a second look at such a plane. I observed them quite plainly, and I estimate my distance from them, which was almost at right angles, to be between twenty to twenty-five miles. I knew they must be very large to observe their shape at that distance, even on as clear a day as it was that Tuesday. In fact I compared a zeus fastener or cowling tool I had in my pocket with them - holding it up on them and holding it up on the DC-4 - that I could observe at quite a distance to my left, and they seemed smaller then the DC-4; but, I should judge their span would have been as wide as the furthest engines on each side of the fuselage of the DC-4. The more I observed these objects, the more upset I became, as I am accustomed and familiar with most all objects flying whether I am close to the ground or at higher altitudes. 1 observed the chain of these objects passing another high snow-covered ridge in between Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams, [HW: 78] CONFIDENTIAL
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and as, the first one was passing the south crest of this ridge the last object was entering the northern crest of the ridge. As I was flying in the direction of this particular ridge, I measured it and found it to be approximately five miles so I could safely assume that the chain of these saucer like objects were at least five miles long. I could quite accurately determine their pathway due to the fact that there were several high peaks that were a little this side of them as well as higher peaks on the other side of their pathway. As the last unit of this formation passed the southern most high snow- covered crest of Mt. Adams, I looked at my sweep second hand and it showed that they had travelled the distance in one minute and forty-two seconds. Even at the time this timing did not upset me as I felt confident after I would land there would be some explanation of what I saw. A number of news men and experts suggested that I might have been seeing reflections or even a mirage. This I know to be absolutely false, as I observed these objects not only through the glass of my airplane but turned my airplane sideways where I could open my window and observe them with a completely unobstructed view. (Without sun glasses) Even though two minutes seems like a very short time to one on the ground, in the air in two minutes time a pilot can observe a great many things and anything within his sight of vision probably as many as fifty or sixty times. I continued my search for the marine plane for another fifteen or twenty minutes and while searching for this marine plane, what I had just observed kept going through my mind. I became more disturbed, so after taking a last look at Tieton Reservoir I headed for Yakima. I might add that my complete observation of these objects, which I could even follow by their flashes as they passed Mt. Adams, was around two [STAMP:]
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and one-half or three minutes -- although, by the time they reached Mt. Adams they were out of my range of vision as far as determining shape or form. Of course, when the sun reflected from one or two or three of these units, they appeared to be completely round; but, I am making a drawing to the best of my ability, which I am including, as to the shape I observed these objects to be as they passed the snow covered ridges as well as Mt. Rainier. When these objects were flying approximately straight and level, they were just a black thin line and when they flipped was the only time I could get a judgment as to their size. These objects were holding an almost constant elevation; they did not seem to be going up or to be coming down, such as would be the case of rockets or artillery shells. I am convinced in my own mind that they were some type of airplane, even though they didn't conform with the many aspects of the conventional type of planes that I know. Although these objects have been reported by many other observers throughout the United States, there have been six or seven other accounts written by some of those observers that I can truthfully say must have ob- served the same thing that I did; particularly, the descriptions of the three [HW: Cedar City Utah] Western Air Lines employees, the gentleman from Oklahoma City and the locomotive engineer in Illinois, plus Capt Smith and Co-Pilot Stevens of United Air Lines Some descriptions could not be very accurate taken from the ground unless these saucer-like disks were at quite a great height and there is a possibility that all of the people who observed peculiar objects could have seen the same thing I did; but, it would have been very difficult from the ground to observe these for more than four or five seconds, and there is always the possibility of atmospheric moisture and dust near the ground which could distort one's vision. I have in my possession letters from all over the United States and people who profess that these objects have been observed over other portions of [STAMP:] CONFIDENTIAL
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CONFIDENTIAL world, principally Sweden, Bermuda, and California. I would have given almost anything that day to have had a movie camera with a telephoto lens and from now on I will never be without one -- but, to continue further with my story. When I landed at the Yakima, Wash., airport I described what I had seen to my very good friend, Al Baxter, who listened patiently and was very courteous but in a joking way didn't believe me. I did not accurately measure the distance between these two mountains until I landed at Pendleton, Oregon, that same day where I told a number of pilot friends of mine what I had observed and they did not scoff or laugh but suggested they might be guided missiles or something new. In fact several former Army pilots informed me that they had been briefed before going into combat overseas that they might see objects of similar shape and design as I described and assured me that I wasn't dreaming or going crazy. I quote Sonny Robinson, a former Army Air Forces pilot who is now operating dusting operations at Pendleton, Oregon: "What you observed, I am convinced, is some type of jet or rocket propelled ship that is in the process of being tested by our government or even it could possibly be by some foreign government". Anyhow, the news that I had observed these spread very rapidly and before the night was over I was receiving telephone calls from all parts of the world; and, to date I have not received one telephone call or one letter of scoffing or disbelief. The only disbelief that I know of was what was printed in the papers. I look at this whole ordeal as not something funny as some people have made it out to be. To me it is mighty serious and since I evidently did observe something that at least Mr. John Doe on the street corner or Pete Andrews on the ranch has never heard about, is no reason that it does not exist. Even though openly invited an investigation by the Army
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CONFIDENTIAL FBI as to the authenticity of my story or a mental or a physical examination at to my capabilities, I have received no interest from these two important protective forces of our country; I will go so far as to assume that any report I gave to the United and Associated Press and over the radio on two different occasions which apparently set the nation buzzing, if our Military Intelligence was not aware of what I observed, they would be the very first people that I could expect as visitors. I have received lots of requests from people who told me to make a lot of wild guesses. I have based what I have written here in this article on positive facts and as far as guessing what it was I observed, it is just as much a mystery to me as it is to the rest of the world. My pilot's license is 333487. I fly a Callair airplane; it is a three-place single engine land ship that is designed and manufactured at Afton, Wyoming as an extremely high performance, high altitude airplane that was made for mountain work. The national certificate of my plane is 33355. /s/ Kenneth Arnold Box 587 Boise, Idaho. [HW: traveling this way] [HW: Top] [HW: side view] [HW: Mirror Bright] They seemed longer than wide, their thickness was about 1/20th of their width They did not appear to me to whirl or spin but seemed in fixed position, traveling as I have made drawings. /s/ Kenneth Arnold [STAMP:] CONFIDENTIAL
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RESTRICTED HEADQUARTERS TACTICAL AIR COMMAND LANGLEY FIELD, VIRGINIA 7 July 1947 IN REPLY REFER TO: SUBJECT: Report of Unusual Celestial Phenomena TO: Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2 Headquarters Tactical Air Command Langley Field, Virginia 1. The following report is submitted concerning an unusual occurrence observed by the following AAF Personnel at Maxwell Field, Montgomery, Ala. on the night of 23 June 1947: [REDACTED] CAPT. JOHN H. CANTRELL, O-255404, Hq., TAC 1ST LT. THEODORE DENEY, O-2094172, Hq., TAC CAPT. REDMAN, Randolph Field, Texas 2. At approximately 2120 Central time, a light, with a brilliance slightly greater than a star, appeared from the West. It was first noted above the horizon of a clear moon-light night, traveling in an easterly direction at a high rate of speed. There was no audible sound and it was impossible to determine the altitude, except that it appeared to be at great height. It traveled in a zig zag course with frequent bursts of speed much like a water bug as it spurts and stops across the surface of water. It continued until it was directly overhead and changed course 90° into the south. After traveling in the above manner for approximately five (5) minutes, it turned southwest and was lost in the brilliancy of the moon at 2145 Central it was no longer possible to observe it. 3. A call was placed to Maxwell Field operations reference this phenomena and inquiry made if any experimental aircraft were scheduled for a flight in the vicinity. The reply was negative. 4. No plausible explanation is offered for the unusual action of this source of light which acted contrary to any common aerodynamical laws. This report is submitted upon request in view of the many recent reports reference unusual aerial objects observed throughout the U.S. 5. Two of the above noted observers are rated pilots and the other two are air intelligence officers. All observers were cold sober. 6. Attached herewith a sketch showing approximate course of light [HW: Good!] RESTRICTED WILSON H., KAYKO Captain Air Corps ADDRESS ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO: COMMANDING GENERAL TACTICAL AIR COMMAND
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N RESTRICTED [HW: Pole ST] [HW: Course of flight] W E [HW: Observer] O moon S STAMP: 94
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ADDRESS REPLY TO DIRECTOR, NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY, WASHINGTON 20, D. C. AND REFER TO: Code 110 ARMY LIAISON OFFICE NAVY DEPARTMENT NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY WASHINGTON 20, D. C. 18 July 1947 SUBJECT: Interview of Person Reporting Unidentified Aerial Object TO: Asst Chief of Air Staff-2 Collection Branch, AAF Washington 25, D. C. 1. At the request of Lt. Col. G. D. Garrett, AAF A-2, the undersigned has interviewed this date Mr. C. H. Zohn, Administrative Assistant in the Rocket Sonde Section, NRL, who had previously released information to the press regarding an aerial object which he stated he saw at White Sands, New Mexico, 29 June. 2. Substance of the interview is as follows: At between 1:00 and 1:30 p.m., Sunday, 29 June 1947, Mr. Zohn in the company of the following: Mr. J.R Kauke, NRL Rocket Sonde Section telemetering supervisor; Mr.C.C Rockwood,NRL Rocket Sonde high altitude spectrograph scientist; and Mrs.Nancy Rockwood wife of the latter was proceeding along Highway 17 in a North-Easterly direction from Las Cruces New Mexico to White Sands V-2 firing grounds in an automobile driven by Mr.Kauke At some time between those given and about one-third of the distance from Las Cruces Mr.Kauke who was driving the car noticed the subject device and called attention to the other occupants. Mr.Zohn opened the window nearest him and observed the object moving at an unknown rapid velocity at an unknown altitude which he estimated at about 10000 feet and which Mr.Kauke who also observed it through an open window estimated at between 8000 and 10000 feet although former puts little credence in estimates. When first sighted object was to right and forward of automobile at an unstated elevation and was apparently moving horizontally in a Northerly direction such as to cross highway from right to left The object was observed by all persons in automobile. Mr.Zohn stated that he could not observe any details of object other than that its shape was uniform with no protuberances such as wings of airplane It was too distant to enable stereoscopic visualization There was apparently some solar specular reflection which seemed to change intensity as object receded until it was lost from sight after estimated seconds from time first noticed He could not explain how it disappeared except perhaps that reflection angle may have changed abruptly There were apparently no clouds or visibility obstructions at time Sun was rear automobile Mr.Kauke thought that one time saw vapor trails
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Ltr, ALO, NRL, 18 July 47 to Asst Chief Air Staff-2, Collection Br., AAF, subj: "Interview of Person Reporting Unidentified Aerial Object" 3. This interview was made in the presence of Dr. H. E. Newell, Acting Rocket Sonde Section Head, who said that Mr. Zohn had recently been in the Navy and is familiar with the appearance of the majority of aircraft types and with meteorological balloons. Mr. Zohn also stated that none of the occupants of the car were intoxicated. [HW: William P. Mellen] WILLIAM P. MELLEN Major, Air Corps AMC Liaison Officer
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COPY STAMP: 8 97 INTERVIEW REPORT SUBJECT: Interviews with Capt. E. J. SMITH and Ralph Stevens, United Air Lines pilots, who reported seeing flying disks. Captain E. J. SMITH was interviewed at 1500, 9 July 1947, concerning the "flying disks", and stated substantially as follows: "We left Boise, Idaho, at 2004 Pacific Standard Time. At approximately 2015, the co-pilot, Ralph STEVENS, called my attention to the first object seen. We were then in the vicinity of Emmet, Idaho, our altitude was approximately 6500, and we were climbing to our proposed cruising altitude of 3000 from there to Pendleton, Oregon. The heading of the plane at that time was 300 degrees Magnetic North, and the object (one) was sighted at approximately 290 degrees, or ten degrees to our left. Then an additional four objects appeared to the left of the main, or first, object. These four objects appeared slightly smaller than the first object sighted, but all of the objects appeared on the same plane. I estimated the altitude of the objects to be about 3500. They were within our sight for approximately two minutes; then they disappeared. "Shortly after the first group disappeared; probably one or two minutes later; the second group appeared about 310 degrees; or to the right of the plane. Their altitude was the same as the first group. Three of these objects appeared to be on the same plane; and one object appeared slightly higher and to the right of others. The second group stayed within our sight twelve to fifteen minutes; then disappeared." We had levelled off by [ILLEGIBLE] time [ILLEGIBLE] second group disappeared. "The objects were flat on base; top slightly rough in contour." The dimensions appeared [ILLEGIBLE] DC-3 approximately five miles from us." In other words," it could have been ninety miles away if it would be possible for an object as large as that would have to be flying." But since we didn't know what we were looking at or how large it was," we decided that if it were size DC-3 wing span (90 feet)," it was about five miles distant." Actually," we have no idea just how large it was since we could not determine its distance from us." When we first sighted these objects," we decided they were either going away from us or coming towards us." After a short while," however," we knew they couldn't be coming towards us because we never approached them." I don't believe they could have been going a great rate speed and still stayed in sight for as long as they did." I would judge they might have been travelling about 300 miles per hour." "My personal opinions regarding these objects are - that their speed varied" "was not constant." When first sighted," they were going slow" "and stayed within sight for quite some time." However," when we lost sight of them," they seemed to disappear practically immediately." I think they either put on tremendous burst speed" "and disappeared from sight" "or else they dissipated." Also," it appeared that only one object" "the large one" "was controlled;" and it in turn controlled other objects;" and I think they were ground controlled.
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COPY "In both instances, the co-pilot sighted the objects first and called my attention to them. The weather was clear and unlimited, with not a cloud in the sky. We checked the wind, and it was 230-10, or out of the Southwest at ten miles per hour. The air speed of the ship was about 135 MPH. The sun was below the horizon and the objects were silhouetted against the sky, hence we could distinguish no color or reflection." Ralph STEVENS, co-pilot of the plane, was interviewed at 2130, 9 July 1947. STEVENS corroborated the remarks made by SMITH concerning the flight of the plane, the time the objects were sighted; direction of the flight of the plane, etc. There were two discrepancies in their statements as to the size of the smaller objects and the altitude at which they were flying. STEVENS stated that there was a big difference in the size of large objects and smaller ones, and that it was hard to distinguish shape of smaller ones. STEVENS also stated that objects were at same altitude as their plane and seemed to be climbing with them. In addition to confirming SMITH'S statements concerning flight etc., STEVENS stated substantially as follows: "I was flying plane when I spotted first object at 2012 on 4th July eight minutes after departure from Boise Idaho I thought it was an oncoming aircraft similar to ours (DC-3) about five miles away so turned on our landing lights which is usual signal to another plane let know you're in vicinity I mentioned this fact to SMITH he watched object also While we both watching four more objects appeared same altitude first They seemed be same altitude about six thousand feet They were heading about 290 degrees magnetic North so I turned follow them We watched them for four or five minutes then they all merged one disappeared don't know whether they merged line flight nor do know whether they went beyond vision nor whether they dissipated" "Two minutes later large object reappeared with three smaller ones left one smaller great distance right We had second group sight for about twelve minutes last time seen still formation disappeared into sunset Also when last saw them seemed continued climbing after levelled off were nine ten thousand feet" "At time we saw objects sun below horizon but there quite bright red glow above horizon from sunset couldn't really say what distance they from us not knowing what they were or how large they were However while watching radio ahead Ontario Oregon thirty miles distant weather station there told them what we seeing asked them go outside see if could see them They radioed back said could
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COPY see nothing, so the objects could have been beyond Ontario, since we had told them that they were between our plane and Ontario. It should also be noted that the personnel at Ontario would be looking at a dark sky and may not be likely to be able to see them anyway. "I can't say whether they are man-made disks or not, whether they are radio controlled or not, or anything about them. They did not maneuver much at all, except when the first group merged. All I can say is that they were going our direction and were climbing. I don't think they were clouds, as there hadn't been a cloud in the sky, and it would have been quite a phen- omenon as it was like nothing I had ever seen before. There was a big dif- ference in the size of the objects. The smaller ones were hard to distinguish as to shape; they were not shiny, nor did the "flip". I couldn't swear on a stand that they were not clouds, but I think it impossible. Had they been clouds, they wouldn't have appeared and disappeared so suddenly, and we would have approached them. "As we were taxiing out to take off from Boise, the tower called us and asked us if we had seen any disks lately. As a consequence, we were and had been talking about the flying disks when we sighted them. I don't believe, however, that it was a figment of the imagination, as SMITH and I were seeing the same things, even the object far off to the right in the second group. We also called the stewardess, who had not been in on the conversation, and without mentioning "disks" asked her what she saw. She stated that she saw the same things we did, which seemed to prove to us that it was not our imagination." In addition to the above STEVENS stated off record that he was rather disappointed in SMITH and all publicity he was getting He thought that SMITH was probably grand-standing some and that as far as he STEVENS was concerned he was going to be interviewed by any reporters or go on radio etc He stated that he was glad to talk to Navy representative about it or any other government official help in any way he could but he certainly didn't want bothered with lot of interviews with newspapers radio stations STEVENS seemed writer level headed sensible man not in favor of lot of publicity whereas SMITH although sensible man all seemed more in favor of all publicity he was getting
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Incident 4AF 1208 I 16 July 1947 MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE: 1. On 12 July 1947, Captain Smith, of the United Airlines, was interviewed at the Boise Municipal Airport, Boise, Idaho. Captain Smith was passing through Boise on a schedule flight at the time and had a 20 minute stop-over. Captain Smith reiterated the statements originally made by him to the press as to what he had seen in the late evening of July 4th, when 8 minutes out of Boise on the route to Seattle, Washington. It is the opinion of the interviewer that due to the position Captain Smith occupies, that he, Captain Smith, would have to be very strongly convinced that he actually saw flying disks before he would open himself for ridicule attached to a report of this type. FRANK M. BROWN, S/A, CIC 4th AF
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HEADQUARTERS, ARMY AIR FORCES WASHINGTON 16 July 1947 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN I, Major Archie B. Browning, AC, do hereby swear, this date, that the following statements are true to the best of my knowledge: 'On 6 July 1947, while flying from Ogden, Utah, to Kansas City, Missouri, at 10000 ft in a B-25, I noticed a very bright object low and to my left, approximately 10 miles away. Time was 1:45 P.M., and position approximately 100 miles west of. Kansas City. My first impression was that it was the top of a water tank. After checking my position on the map I again looked to my left (elapsed time 5 seconds). A round, disc shaped object, very bright and silvery colored, seemed to be flying one to two miles off my left wing at ll oclock at ll000 ft. The brightness of the object which I would estimate at 30-50 ft. in diameter, was very great. It seemed to be traveling in same direction at same rate of speed (210 MPH until I started to turn into it, then it completely disappeared. Weather conditions at that time were CAVU.' [HW: His office is assigned to] [HW: AC/AS-1 Pentagon] [HW: Phone 73852] [STAMP:] (See attached diagram) ARCHIE B. BROWNING Major Air Corps Received AFBIR-CO 16 July '47
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NOS [HW: S] [HW: T] [HW: U] [HW: V] [HW: W] [STAMP:] [ILLEGIBLE]
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RESTRICTED After having been advised of my rights and privileges under the 24th Article of War, I, JAMES H. BURNISTON, Captain, Air Corps, 0-567517, Second Air Transport Wing (Provisional), Fairfield-Suisun Army Air Base, Fairfield, California, do hereby make this voluntary statement to Captain William J. Frazier, Jr., and Sgt. Tommy Stewart, whom I know to be members of the Intelligence Office. I make the following statement of my own free will, not under duress, promise of reward or immunity: On Sunday, July the sixth, at Fairfield-Suisun Army Air Base, while in the company of my wife Mrs. James H. Burniston I saw an object traveling from northwest to southeast at an estimated height of 10000 feet or above at an excessive rate of speed estimated to be faster than any type of aircraft seen by me flown at that approximate altitude. This object was in sight for approximately sixty seconds during which time it traveled approximately three-quarters the distance of the visible sky. No shape or definite color could be distinguished; the object rolled from side to side three times in its path across the sky. At one time the top of the object could be seen when the sun reflected strongly from its surface in a flash; and at other times the bottom of the object could be seen with no reflection from the sun. The estimated size at that height could be compared to that of an aircraft of the type C-54. Between viewing the top of the object and what appeared to be bottom there was a period when it was hard to see or it would almost disappear. As far as shape is concerned there was no way recognizing shape due to speed and motion through air Sight this object was lost when it disappeared at an angle about thirty degrees above earth's surface. I cannot attribute any sound to this object because noise distant aircraft engine. The approximate time was verified by my wife as being less than one minute during which time it was in sight. As to identity this object it was not shape any type aircraft known undersigned There was no shape wings fuselage The object noticed first by sun reflecting off its surface then speed traveling. James H Burniston Captain Air Corps [HW: Received AFBIR-CO] [HW: 23 July 47] STOP
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Civil Air Patrol AUXILIARY OF THE U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES WISCONSIN WING HEADQUARTERS 161 W. WISCONSIN AVENUE MILWAUKEE 3, WIS. 7 July 1947 SUBJECT: Report on Flying Saucers. TO: Commanding General 32d AAF Base Unit Bolling Field Washington, D. C. 1. Following are statistics regarding reports by four witnesses while in flight in two airplanes. 2. Weather CAVU. Visibility exceptionally good. Scattered altocumulus 6000 feet. 3. First report: time 1145 hours CST. Alt. of observers 800 feet above the ground. Altitude of saucer 4000 feet MSL. Observed period - First sighted over Koshkonong, Wisconsin. Flight was observed from town of Koshkonog to Elkhorn, Wisconsin. This flight covered twenty-five (25) miles in fifteen (15) seconds, which is a speed of six thousand (6000) miles per hour. 4. Second report: Time 1430 hours CST. Altitude of observers thirty-five hundred feet (3500) MSL. Altitude of saucer twenty-five hundred feet (2500). Observation period - Observers at East Troy, Wisconsin, flight observed from Eagle, Wisconsin to Muskego, Wisconsin. This flight covered twenty-two (22) miles in twenty (20) seconds, which is a speed of three thousand nine hundred sixty (3960) miles per hour. 5. Flight maneuvers: First observation-saucer descended vertically edgewise through altocumulus clouds, stopped at four thousand (4000) feet and assumed horizontal position and proceeded in horizontal flight from a horizontal position for fifteen (15) seconds covering twenty-five (25) miles and again stopped and disappeared. Second observation - Observed in horizontal flight in a horizontal attitude for a period of twenty (20) seconds covering twenty-two (22) miles. By the time the pilot had removed his camera from the glove compartment of his plane, the saucer disappeared and again reappeared approximately ten (10) miles farther along its course after six (6) seconds making its final disappearance. 6. The first two observers were an instructor and a student having just taken off from Elkhorn Airport The second two observers one being Cap't R.J Southey Wing Supply Officer and a passenger. [STAMP:] Received AFBIR-CO [HW:] July 47 [HW:] 7-31/7 [ILLEGIBLE]
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WAR DEPARTMENT CLASSIFIED MESSAGE CENTER INCOMING CLASSIFIED MESSAGE CONSIDERED IVI PRIORITY PARAPHRASE NOT REQUIRED, HANDLE AS CONFIDENTIAL CORRESPONDENCE PER PARAS 511 and 60a (4) AR 380-5 From: CG SBAMA San Bernadino Calif To: CG AAF Wash DC attn AC/AS 2, Counter Intelligence Division; CG Sixth Army, Attn: AC/S, G 2; CG Hq AMC thru Sacramento AMA, Calif attn Chief Security Section DTG: 102359Z 10 July 1947 Spot report. [HW: Marked on map] On 8 July 47 at approximately 1550 PST Alvin E Moorman lst Lieut ACONC 196 Ftr Sq, while flying routine test mission in CNG P 51 at 20'000 feet indicated, sighted a flat object of light reflecting nature which appeared to be without vertical fin or any visible wings with apparent depth of a P 51 airplane at approximately 35,000 feet altitude and approximate location of [STAMP:] degrees [STAMP:] minutes latitude [STAMP:] degrees [STAMP:] minutes west longitude. Object was in sight for approximately 30 seconds. Object was again sighted at 15505 PST at approximately [ILLEGIBLE] feet altitude and over Mount Baldy approximate location of [ILLEGIBLE] degrees [ILLEGIBLE] minutes latitude- [ILLEGIBLE] degrees [ILLEGIBLE] minutes west longitude. Pilot attempted to keep object in sight but was unable to do so. Speed of P 51 approximately 300 mph and climbing. March Field and other bases in area were contacted and reported none of their ships in the air. ACTION: AAF End INFO: ID, PSO, Spec Wp, R&D CM IN I87O (12 Jul '47) DTG I O23S9Z WS CONFIDENTIAL ACTION COPY COPY NO. [HW: Received AFBR-CO] [HW: ILLEGIBLE] [HW: ILLEGIBLE] [HW: ILLEGIBLE] [HW: ILLEGIBLE] [HW: ILLEGIBLE] THE MAKING OF AN EXACT COPY OF THIS MESSAGE IS FORBIDDEN
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Archie B. 73854 May Morning - A-1 officer's brand NW of Topeka (Clay Center - Kansas) Flying @ 104° @ 90° B-25 @ 200mph Nose @ 180° a little higher [HW: approxomi] When first seen, he thought it was a water tower; at one a mile away it looked like a flying wing except it was flying vertically and almost completely round. No smoke, no fire, no brights it almost burnt his eyes. Then he turned toward it and it disappeared almost immediately. He believes its cause have been super sonic because of speed at which it disappeared. His co-pilot was dozing at the time and by the time he was wakened, the object disappeared. Original motion was to not merging it, but it came up so fast, then appeared to stop, then disappear. Handed at Kansas City 1400 hrs Central Time. This took place approx1315
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FROM: CG ATLD ATC FORT TOTEN, N.Y. TIME AND DATE FILED: 1423232 JULY 1947 TO: CG ATC ATTN CHIEF OF STAFF MESSAGE FROM NEWFOUNDLAND BASE COMMAND SUBJECT QUOTE FLYING DISCS UNQUOTE GIVES FOLLOWING SUMMARY OF INTERVIEW WITH IRIC KEARSEY CMA NEWFOUNDLAND CONSTABULARY CLN CONSTABLE REPORTED SEEING FOUR EGG SHAPE PHOSPHORUS COLOR DISCS ABOVE GRAND FALLS NEWFOUNDLAND AT TWO THREE ZERO HOURS LOCAL TIME NINE JULY AND A SINGLE DISC ONE ZERO MINUTES LATER PD AT FIRST APPEARANCE ACCORDING TO KEARSEY FOUR DISCS WERE CLOSE TOGETHER IN ABLE LINE A TRAIL FORMATION MOVING EAST PARALLEL TO GROUND PD SINGLE DISC LESS CLEAR BUT TRAVELING SAME DIRECTION PD KEARSEY WOULD ROUGHLY ESTIMATE ALTITUDE OF DISCS AT THREE ZERO THOUSAND FEET SEMICLN APPARENTLY MOVING VERY FAST AS THEY DISSAPPEARED IN ABLE FEW SECONDS PD KEARSEY SAID SHAPE OF DISC WAS LIKE BARREL HEAD OR EGG SEMICLN BLACK SPOTS ON TAIL END SEMICLN NO SMOKE TRAIL SEMICLN AND HERE REPORTED THAT ANOTHER OBSERVER COMPARED SHAPE OF DISCS TO THREE LEAF PD END OF COMMUNICATION FROM NEWFOUNDLAND BASE COMMAND PD ESTABLISHED BY INTERVIEWER CMA NONCOM IN CHARGE REPEATER STATION GRAND FALLS CMA THAT CAUV WAS WEATHER AT TIMES INDICATED ATC CM-IN X0044 [STAMP:] [HW:] Received AFBIR-CO [HW:] 15 July [HW:]
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RESTRICTED INCOMING CLASSIFIED MESSAGE FROM: STEPHENVILLE, NEWFOUNDLAND PRIORITY TIME AND DATE FILED: 151915Z JULY 1947 TO: CG HQ ATC WASH 25 DC ATTN AC/S INTELLIGENCE INFO CG ATLD ATC FT TOTTN LI NY CG NBC FT PEPPERREL APO 862 C/O PM NEW YORK FROM CO 1388TH AAF BU IN REPLY CITE: HFX 0215 FOR INTELLIGENCE PD ONE FLYING DISC, SIGHTED 2000Z 10 JULY 47, OVER HARMON FIELD, NEWFOUNDLAND, AT APPROXIMATELY 10000 FEET, COURSE: NORTH NORTH EAST PD WEATHER: CLEAR WITH SCATTERED CUMULUS AT 8-10000 FEET PD COLOR: SILVERY PD DISC WAS FIRST SIGHTED ABOUT 6 MILES SOUTH SOUTH W WEST FROM HARMON FIELD BY MR MERRMAN, TWA REPRESENTATIVE AND MR WOODRUFF, PAA REPRESENTATIVE PD DISC APPEARED ABOUT THE SAME SPAN AS C-54 AT 10000 FEET, WAS CIRCULAR IN SHAPE LIKE WAGONS WHEEL, DISC SEEMED TO CUT THE CLOUDS OPEN AS IT PASSED THRU AND LEFT A BLUISH BLACK TRAIL APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN MILES LONG PD TRAIL WAS SIMILAR TO THE BEAM SEEN AFTER A HIGH POWERED LANDING LIGHT OR SEARCH LIGHT IS SWITCHED OFF PD KODACHROME PICTURES WERE TAKEN AND ARE BEING DEVELOPED STATE SIDE PD PHOTOS WILL BE FORWARDED AS SOON AS THEY ARE RECEIVED BY MR WOODRUFF END [HW:] maj kimball [HW:] [ILLEGIBLE] /7/47. [STAMP:] X-0051 [STAMP:] [REDACTED] [STAMP:] [REDACTED] [STAMP:] [REDACTED]
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MESSAGEFORM MESSAGE CENTER NO. CR-1 TRANSMITTING MEANS [REDACTED] CRYPTOGRAPH OR CLEAR TEXT [REDACTED] CALLS V STA. SER. NR. [REDACTED] PRECEDENCE PRIORITY TRANSMISSION INSTRUCTIONS [REDACTED] ORIGINATOR DATE-TIME GROUP 122148Z July 47 ACTION INFORMATION EXEMPT OPERATING SIGNALS GROUP COUNT 6R FROM: (Originator) 59th AACS Group FINYN Elmendorf Alaska ACTION TO: CONAS ATTN ASST CHIEF STAFF INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION TO: OBJECT RESEMBLING A GRAYYISH BALLOON APPROXIMATELY ONE ZERO FEET IN DIAMETER OBSERVED FROM ELMENDORF FIELD FLYING IN NORTHWEST DIRECTION FOLLOWING CONTOUR OF MOUNTAINS FIVE MILES AWAY PD OBJECT FLYING ALTITUDE ONE FIVE ZERO ZERO FEET ESTIMATING ONE ZERO ZERO MILES PER HOUR IT WAS OBSERVED PARALLELING THE COURSE OF CHARLIE DASH FOUR SEVEN LANDING NORTHWEST INTO TWO ZERO MILE PER HOUR WIND PD OBJECT WAS OBSERVED ONE TWO ZERO FOUR THREE ZERO ZEBRA FOR SEVERAL MINUTES BY MAJOR GRAHM THIS HEADQUARTERS SEVERAL OFFICERS FROM ALASKAN DEPARTMENT SUBSTANTIATED HIS STORY PD COPY [HW: Received AFBIR-10 14 July 47] Paraphrase not required. Handle as CONFIDENTIAL correspondence per paragraphs jli and 60a (4), AR 380-5, 15 August 1946. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION CONFIDENTIAL ORIGINATING AGENCY DATE-TIME GROUP [ILLEGIBLE] ONCE
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MESSAGEFORM MESSAGE CENTER NO. CR 97 TRANSMITTING MEANS ROUTINE CRYPTOGRAPH OR CLEAR TEXT CALLS V STA. SER. NR. PRECEDENCE [REDACTED] TRANSMISSION INSTRUCTIONS ORIGINATOR DATE-TIME GROUP 120047Z July 47 GROUP COUNT 88 ACTION INFORMATION EXEMPT OPERATING SIGNALS FROM: (Originator) SPACE ABOVE FOR SIGNAL CENTER ONLY SECURITY CLASSIFICATION CONFIDENTIAL 59th AACS Group FINYN Elmendorf Alaska ACTION TO: CONAS ATTN ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION TO: OBJECT RESEMBLING AN ALUMINUM COLORED BALLOON ABOUT THREE FEET IN DIAMETER WAS REPORTED SEEN AT AN UNDETERMINED ALTITUDE FLYING AT A GREAT SPEED IN A NORTH TO SOUTH DIRECTION PD OBSERVATION WAS MADE IN VICINITY OF ELMENDORF FIELD AT ONE ONE TWO ONE ZERO ZERO ZEBRA BY COLONEL PERRY AND MAJOR GEYSER THIS HEADQUARTERS PD COPY [HW: Received AFBIR-10] [HW: 14 July 47] Paraphrase not required. Handle as CONFIDENTIAL correspondence per paragraphs 511 and 60a (4), AR 380-5, 15 August 1946. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION ORIGINATING AGENCY CONFIDENTIAL DATE-TIME GROUP SIGNATURE OFFICIAL TITLE PAGE OF
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[STAMP: 18] HOWARD A. PLUMMER 39 E. MAIN ST. FROSTBURG, MARYLAND July 21, 1947 Chief of Army Intelligence Washington 5, D.C. Sir: On Sunday, July 20th., I observed an air- Craft in flight that was unlike any I have seen to date and may shed some light on the Flying Saucer Mystery. I served four years - 1942 to 1946 - with the Army Air Forces in grade of First Signal Corps assigned to the Third, Fourth and Thirteenth Air Forces respectively. During this time I had the opportunity to observe all types of aircraft and under all types of conditions but I have never seen one like this one. At 9:45 A.M. (CST) Sunday July 20th., I observed an airborne object that appears to be circular or roughly round, light - almost white in color, with a dark area at or near its center. flying me a North West by West direction on the same routes used by Commercial Airlines between Washington, D.C. and Pittsburg, Pa. The point of observation was approximately 22 miles East of Cumberland, Md. from the North bank of the Potomac River. The sky was about three-fourths overcast with three cloud layers ranging between 6000 and 10000 feet altitude. Planes had been passing overhead all morning which did little or no attention, but with the approaching of the craft inspection was a swift flight
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[REDACTED] sound that grew steadily in volume until it reached the proportions of a loudspeaker when the craft was overhead. This sound was not unlike that of a jet propelled plane except the terrific volume was unusually loud. Due to the overcast conditions of the sky Davis could not see the aircraft until it had passed overhead and going away from me across a highway when it was clearly visible for a period of about twenty (20) seconds. The aircraft was above the top most layer of clouds, or somewhere in the vicinity of 12000 ft. altitude. At 07:47 AM an D.C.4 aircraft passed over going in the same direction and on the same course at about 5000ft altitude. The peculiar differences are: a - The craft was circular or possibly round in shape. b - It was almost a silver-white color with a dark area at its center. c - There was no trail of smoke as is usual with the jet. d - Its speed was about 3 to 4 times greater than the one mentioned DC4. e - Its size, by comparison, would favorably correspond with a baseball held 30ft from the eye. The only conclusion I draw on this matter are
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a - This is an entirely new type of air craft or b - It is a high powered jet propelled unit with a paint job designed to like the tail assembly and wing tips, since neither were in evidence. a check of aircraft in this area at the time specific should determine and possibly answer this mystery. If possible, I should like very much to know the answer. [STAMP: 97988] [STAMP: RECEIVED] [STAMP: III]
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Package received from Sheriff Merle T. Wilmoth, Watseka, Ill. His letter states the instrument in the package was found by a farmer at Danforth, Ill. It landed in the middle of a section of his farm land and burned weeds 2½ feet tall to fine ash an area of 1½ feet in diam. around where the object dropped. The instrument consists of: (a) Plaster of paris body having an oval cavity thru it. (b) A power microphone which screws over one end of the oval cavity. The power microphone carried the name, "Nathaniel Baldwin Inc." Salt Lake City, Utah. Pat May 10 1910 & Sept 14, 1916. Pat Nos 957403 (second number not readable) (c) A small "Polymat" filter condenser. (d) Two bakelite cylinders to which is attached a net work of fine copper wire. These were obviously coils and the impact has torn the wire from the core. (Our radio section definitely states that this is old stuff, or the coils were used quite some time ago, since having been replaced by smaller more efficient coils) (e) A piece of metal having magnetic properties obviously broken off the power microphone as a result of the impact. The plaster of paris body was broken up by the impact but some of the pieces were held together by wire reinforcement inside the plaster of paris. Mrs. Whedon 3B 274 Ext 73909 (Sig C) was shown this object by Mr. Zimmer of the FBI. Mrs "hedon claims she knew what it was, but couldn't tell Zimmer." [HW: Mayor] [HW: Natali] [STAMP: Mr Bugge]
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STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT 1947 JUL 22 AM 11 44. TO: Mr. Moxom, Regional Office No. 1, N.Y. FROM: Mr. Wright, WBAS, Richmond, Va. DATE: 7/15/47 RESTRICTED We hesitate to make this report concerning our pilot balloon observations in regards to a flying disk because of the considerable national skepticism regarding the subject at present. However, local newspapers inform us that the U.S. Government admits no authority for such a ship or object and for its flights. Then we must assume this strange object to be foreign. Therefore, we submit this report for your information. If sighted again, we wonder if it would be a good idea to drop the balloon and instead make observations on this disk. Mr. Minczewski has observed this strange metallic disk on three occasions through the theodolite while making his pibal observation during the last six months. Miss Baron has reported observing it on one occasion. Miss Baron's report agrees with Mr. Minczewski's observations except as to the color which she reported as a dull metallic luster. Mr. Minczewski last observed this disk in April 1947 at the 1100E Pibal Observation when the balloon was at 15 thousand feet. The disk was followed for 15 seconds, apparently moving on level flight from east to west to the far north of the station. The object was a metallic like Chrome -shaped something like an ellipse with a flat level bottom and a dome like-round top. The disk appeared below the balloon, was much larger in size in the instrument, and shined like silver. It was impossible to estimate the height or speed of the disk except that it appeared to be moving rather rapidly. Miss Baron observed the disk when her balloon was at about 27 thousand feet. All days observed were either clear or with very few clouds and good visibility. Very truly yours, George A Wright ACTION INFO R.D. EXEC.ASS'T. PERS. OPERATIONS TECH.ASS'T. ADM.ASS'T. HYDRO FISCAL MATER'EL SECRETARY FILE