Extracted text — 65_HS1-834228961_62-HQ-83894_Section_3

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83894 0062
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MAR 1 1978 BY
Transfer-Call 421
WALVER 18-1823
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memo. dum UNITED STATES OVERNMENT
TO
:
Director, FBI
HMK in
MS
DATE: September 4, 1947
FROM :
SAC, San Francisco
AIRMAIL
SPECIAL DELIVERY
A
SUBJECT:
REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS
Enclosed is a copy of a letter dated August 25, 1947, with
attachment from Lt. Col. DONALD L. SPRINGER of A-2, Hamilton Field,
X
California. Even though Col. SPRINGER feels that Mr. JOHNSON may
emb
have read some of his claims in a newspaper, Col. SPRINGER believes
that Mr. F. M. JOMNSON should be interviewed in this matter.
&
In accordance with Bureau Bulletin No. 42, dated July 30,
1947, Portland is requested to exhaustively interview Mr. F. M.
JOHNSON, 106 N.W. First Ave., Portland, Oregon, regarding his
alleged sighting of a "flying disc" on June 24, 1947. Copies of
the result of this interview should be furnished the San Francisco
Field Office for distribution to the 6th Army Intelligence.
DWK:MR
Encls. 2
62-2938
cc Portland (Encls. 4) - AMSD
Carlinmied his
SAND
RECORDED
62-83894
had
BUSK
INDEXED 135
F
P
I
101
31 SEP 23 1947
5-PX ИТЕВИТИ SECOUL
E'B'T
EX-83
sa S 33 bW
SECORD
3:35 bh
TIVISON
about
510CT3 1947 R-344 20%
VECEIT
NFIDENTIAL
DECLASSIFIED
Authority:
NND 90986
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
Intelligence
Hamilton Field, California
4AFDA
25 August 1947
SUBJECT: Flying Disc.
TO:
Special Agent in Charge, FBI, U. S. Department of Justice,
Federal Office Building, Room 422, San Francisco, Calif.
1. The attached true copy of & letter from Mr. F. M. Johnson
was received by this officer 22 August 1947.
2. Your attention is invited to the similarity between Arnold's
early report and this gentleman's report. A possibility exists that
Mr. Johnson might have read some of this in the newspapers when Arnold
was publicized re this matter.
3. This headquarters does not intend to investigate this incident.
It is requested that a result of any interview you may make be furnished
this headquarters.
speid
DONALD L. SPRINGER
1 Incl: (dup)
Lt. Colonel, GSC
Ltr fr F.M. Johnson
AC of S, A-2
(True Cy)
IRLDERNI his)
U.S.D
AUG 27 1947
GAULUSURE
62-83894-101
SAN FN
ROUTED 10
CONFIDENTIAL
W
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 1. saw the same flying objects at about
the same time. Having e. telescope with me at the time 1 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.
thoy were Round about 30 foot in dimater tapering sharply to & point in
the head end in an oval shape. with a bright top surface. I did not
hear any noise as you would from & 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
CR
2
U.S.D =
AUG 27 1947
CLOSURE
SAN
62-83894-161
ROUTED 10
&
CONFIDENTIAL
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Men
dum
UNITED S
GOVERNMENT
II
TO
: Director, FBI
DATE: September 4, 1937
HMK are FROM
Atten: Assistant Director D. M. LADD
:
SAC, San Francisco
AIRMAIL
SUBJECT: REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS
Enclosed for your information are copies of two letters
from Lt. Col. DONALD L. SPRINGER of A-2, Hamilton Field, California,
dated August 27, 1947, with attachments reporting the sighting of
"flying discs" on Guam, and result of A-2 investigation at Tacoma
and Kelso, Washington.
DWK:MR
62-2938
Care
of
heap
ENCLOSURE ATTACHED
162-83894-112 162-83894-112-R he
F B
COPIES DESTROYED
RECORDED
270 NOV 18 1964
EX-37
53 OCT 3
1947 In 1348 344
36 SEP mp/ 24 1947
SECRET
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
Intelligence
Hamilton Field, California
4AFDA
27 August 1947
333.5/1208-I
62-2938'*
SUBJECT: Re Flying Disc.
TO:
Special Agent in Charge, FBI, U. S. Department of Justice,
Federal Office Building, Room 422, San Francisco, California.
1. Following is extract from the Weekly Intelligence Summary,
Air Transport Command, Washington 25, D. C., dated 20 August 1947,
Copy No. 120, Article I, pg 1:
"FLYING OBJECTS IN GUAM: Unidentified flying objects have
been observed by three American enlisted men of the 147th Air-
ways and Air Communications Service Squadron at Harmon Field,
Guam. The men report that at 1040 hours on 14 August 1947 the
two objects, which they describe as small, crescent shaped and
traveling at a speed twice that of a fighter plane, passed over
them on a zig-zag course in a westerly direction at an approxi-
mate altitude of twelve hundred feet. The objects disappeared
into clouds and a few seconds later a similar object possibly
one of those previously observed, emerged from the clouds and
proceeded west. No further details have been reported."
2. For your information.
DONALD L. SPRINGER
Lt. Colonel, GSC
AC of S, A-2
Eth
SECRET
NCLOSURE
62-83894-102
prefrom
ONFIDENTIAL
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
Intelligence
Hamilton Field, California
4AFDA
333.5/1208-I
27 August 1947
SUBJECT: Investigation of Flying Disc.
TO:
Special Agent in Charge, FBI, U. S. Department of Justice,
Federal Office Building, Room 422, San Francisco, California.
Attached summary forwarded for your information.
DONALD L. SPRINGER
1 Incl:
Lt. Colonel, GSC
Summary of Information.
AC of S, A-2
LOCKAL BOREAU OF INVESTIG/
U.S. DE
AUG 30 1947
SAN FRANCISCO
ROUTED TO
Z
62-83894-102
ENCLOSURE
CONFIDENTIAL
NFIDENTIAL
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
Intelligence
Hamilton Field, California
4AFDA
27 August 1947
333.5/1208-I
SUBJECT: Investigation of Flying Disc.
TO:
Special Agent in Charge, FBI, U.S. Department of Justice,
Seattle, Washington.
Attached summary forwarded for your information.
1 Incl:
DONALD L. SPRINGER
Summary of Information.
Lt. Colonel, GSC
AC of S, A-2
FIDERAL
RU
SEP 2 1947
UTED TO
SAN 750
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
COPY
AIR RESCUE SERVICE
DETACHMENT 8 (62d AAF BU)
McChord Field, Tacoma, Washington
4 August 1947
SUBJECT: Final Mission Report
TO:
Commending Officer
Air Resoue Service
MacDill Field, Florida
1. MISSION NUMBER Thirty-Nine.
2. NATURE.
a. At 0400 PST, 1 August 47, ARMY FLIGHT SERVICE notified this
detachment that a plane had been seen to orash and burn thirteen (13) miles
south of KEL30, Washington (46°8'N, 122°55'W).
3. ACTION TAKEN
&e 1 Aug 47. At 04:30 PST, AFS received information from Mr. O.
C. Clark, local sheriff of KELSO, Wash., that the scene of the crash was
fifteen (15) to twenty (20) miles east of KELSO in the vicinity of COBLE
CREEK. The KELSO Chief of Police saw an aircraft fly low over the town,
then crash and burn to the east. The time was about 0236 PST. A check of
aircraft known to be in the vicinity revealed that B-25 #1316 had departed
MCCHORD FIELD at 0212 PST for HAMILTON FIELD, California. The weather was
reported as CFR. A full moon made visibility exceptionally good. The
pilot's name was CAPT. W. C. DAVIDSON; the plane carried three (s) additional
persons. The Base Operations Officer and Base PIO were notified. This
detachment began organizing & ground party of base personnel to supplement
that being formed by the KELSO Chief of Police. At 0500 PST information
was received from KELSO by AFS that ground fog in the valleys at the seene
of the crash was preventing a ground party from locating the plane. Since
no communication had been received from B-25 #1316, it was assumed that it
was the plane reported as crashed. ARS C-47 was pre-flighted to transport
the Army ground party to KELSO but a. check of the field conditions there
deemed it advisable to use 8. smaller aireraft. Of the two C-45s available,
one belonging to AFS WE.S unserviced after a night flight; the other, belong-
ing to AACS, was readied even though a responsible officer of that organ-
isation was not present to authorize the flight. Fog at KELSO prevented
take-off until 0700 PST. The ground party, led by CAPT. W. L. LITTRELL and
CAPT. T. H. FORSBERG, consisted of six men including a medical technician
and a photographer. At 0600 PST, the KELSO Chief of Police notified AFS
that a passenger of the crashed airplane wes in his office and had confirmed
62-83894-102
NCLOSURE
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
Subjects Final Mission Report
4 August 1947
The belief that the crash was that of the unreported B-25. The Passenger,
Sgt. E. L. TAFF, of FT. LAWTON, SEATTLE, was uninjured, but reported that
the crew chief, T/Sgt. W. D. MATHEWS, was at & farm house near the scene of
the crash and was injured. Sgt. TAFF then led an ambulance to Sgt. MATHEWS
who was subsequently taken to a local hospital. At 0610 PST an attempt
was made to telephone Sq. 3 at HAMILTON FIELD but no answer was received;
however, it was known that HAMILTON AFS was aware of the incident and
would notify Sq. B. At 0700 PST Capt. LITTRELL departed in a C-45 for
KELSO. At 0745 PST Sq B was contacted by phone and given a flash report.
At 0905 PST CAPT LITTRELL phoned and informed that he had placed CAPTAIN
FORSBERG in charge of Army personnel proceeding to the scene of the crash.
No serial search was necessary 8.8 civilians in the area know the exact
location of the crash and had reported finding one (1) body in the wreckage.
CAPT. LITTRELL prepared to fly Sgt's TAFF and MATHEWS to MCCHORD FIELD
for medical attention, arriving at 0945 PST. The survivors stated that
they believed neither the pilot nor co-pilot has parachuted from the
plane. The cause of the incident was at this time determined to be a fire
in the left engine. CAPT LITTRELL was informed by Sgt. TAFF that he
believed classified documents had been aboard the plane; CAPT FORSBERG
was instructed to take necessary precautions. An ambulance met the plane
at MCCHORD FIELD carrying the two survivors and took them to the hospital.
Interrogation revealed that the left engine had caught fire in the power
section and flames and smoke had spread to the flight deck almost immed-
intely. The crew chief, MATHERS, assisted TAFF in attaching his chest
pack and TAPP abandoned the plane at an estimated altitude of 10,000 ft
(this fact 1a doubted but 1a not considered necessarily rolevant).
MATHEWS helped the pilot and co-pilot attach their chest packs (all per-
sonnel had been wearing the harness) and as he left the plane W.S aware that
the co-pilot was preparing to follow. The pilot had started to leave and,
to the best recollection of MATHEWS, was partially standing and holding
the control wheel with his left hand. MATHEW'S statements indicate that
proper emergency procedures had been performed but that the flames had on-
veloped the antire left side almost immodiately. TAFF stated that, because
of the full moon and good visibility, he saw MATHEWS leave the plane and
was able to follow the plane to the ground and that he saw no one else
bail out. The ship was enveloped in flames and was beginning to fall apart
before hitting the ground where it exploded and burned about one (1) mile
from where he, TAFF, landed. He lit in & tree, and not knowing how to
release his parachute of the quick-detachable kind, out himself loose from
the harness with his pocket knife. He kicked and struggled and eventually
jumped to the ground, receiving a jolt on impact but was unable to guess
how far he had fallen. He then followed a GOW path for an estimated two
(2) miles to a farm house, arriving after MATHEWS. Moanwhile, as MATHEWS
cleared the plane he turned and new the plane strike the ground, explode
and burn. Just before or just at the time of impact he SAW an object
afire thrown clear of the plane but did not know whether it was & person
or part of the plane. MATHEWS also lit in a tree, and after freeing himself
from his harness, fell to the ground where he injured his back. He lest
conseiousness and on recovering wont to the burning plane, about fifty
2
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: Final Mission Report
4 August 1947
(50) yards away. Flares were going off and he thought best to leave the
scene. He heard a stream nearby and followed 1t until he name to & house and
aroused the occupants. Soon TAFF arrived at the same house and, being un-
injured, was driven into town. Then he led an ambulance to effect transporta-
tion of MATHEWS to a hospital. Meanwhile, civilians reached the scene of
the crash where they found one body. At 0930 PST, a message from Sq 3
informed that top secret material was in the navigators kit and to request
Commanding Officer MCCHORD FIELD to expedite all available information to
Commanding Officer HAMILTON FIELD. Meanwhile, CAPT FORSBERG and four (4)
enlisted men departed KELSO at 0830 PST for scene of the crash. They were
transported by the WASHINGTON STATE POLICE who knew the exact location of
the plane (46°09'N - 122°43'W). The ground party determined upon arrival
at the scene, that two (2) bodies were in the wreckage. Indications led to
the belief that the cc-pilot was afire when he left the plane an instant
before impact. The pilot's remains were found in the wreckage. Pre-
liminary investigation by CAPT FORSBERG disclosed the planes left wing
about one hundred twenty-five (125) yards from the widely scattered port-
tions of the plane. The left wing was intact and had apparently torn
off Just outboard of the left ongine before impact. The forward portion
of the wing stub was melted but the rear two thirds indicated that it had
ripped loose from the inboard section of the wing. The wing leading edge
was undamaged. The navigation and landing lights were unbroken. The
aileron was undamaged but the flap section was crushed, leading to the
belief that the wing struck the tail section. From these indications
it is believed the wing ripped from the airplane just after MATHEWS
abandoned the plane. The resulting spin thus prevented the remaining
crew members from bailing out although the co-pilet may have been in the
hatch. A few civilians were in the area when CAPT FORSBERG arrived
and he took precautions to prevent them from disturbing the wreckage.
At 1157 PST CAPT LITTRELL flew CAPT RICE, M. C., to KELSO. An ambulance
dispatched from MOCHORD FIELD, met them at KELSO, and was led to the soene
of the erash by the STATE POLICE. The bodies were recovered and trans-
ported in the ambulance to MCCHORD FIELD. CAPT LITTRELL returned to
MCCHORD FIELD where comping equipment was prepared to be dropped to the
ground party. CAPT LITTRELL, made a successful drop at dusk by sighting
on a signal fire. The ground party set up camp at the wreckage scene to
not as guard and to investigate further the following day. They were
relieved of responsibility of all recovered documents by a CIC agent who
had arrived about 1800 PST.
b. 2 Aug 47. The ground party remained at the scene of the crash
pending official securing of the incident. No norial activity.
G. 3 Aug 47. MOCHORD FIELD Operations Officer departed at 1000
PST to investigate the accident and to relieve CAPT FORSBERG, who returned
at 1600 PST. Inoident closed.
3
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
COPY
Subject: Final Mission Report
4 August 1047
5. STATISTICAL SUMMARY
a. GROUND ACTIVITY
(1) Total man hours by ARS Personnel in field
72
(2) Total man hours by other Army Personnel
(estimate)
300
(3) Total man hours by civilian personnel (est) 150
(4) No. of miles driven by Army Vehicles
500
b. AERIAL ACTIVITY
(1) Total No. of sorties flown
S
(2) Total hours flown by Army aircraft
6
C. LOCAL PURCHASES
(1) None
6. COMMENTS
B. Cooperation received from all civilian agencies concerned
was complete and excellent.
7. RECOMMENDATIONS
B. None.
ROBERT H. MASONHEIMER
Captain, Air Corps
Commanding Officer
1 Incl:
1-Photographs
4
CONFIDENTIAL
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
Intelligence
Hamilton Field, California
TITLE Investigation of Flying Disc INVESTIGATION MADE AT Tacoma and Kelso, Washington
CONTROLLING OFFICE Air Defense Command, Mitchel Field
FILE No. 4AF -1208-I
PERIOD COVERED
31 July through 7 August 1947
CASE CLASSIFICATION Incident
DATE
12 August 1947
STATUS OF CASE
Pending
REASON FOR INVESTIGATION: Investigation initiated at the request of Air Defense
Command, reference 1tr Hq ADC, dtd 7 Jul 47, file D333.5ID, subj: Investigation of
Flying Disc.
SYNOPSIS:
On 31 July 47, Mr. Arnold, Aviation Editor of the Idaho Daily Statesman, tele-
phoned Lite Brown requesting he return to Tacoma because Arnold believed he had some
very vital information on the flying disc.
Lt. Brown and Capt. Davidson interviewed a Mr. Fred L. Crisman and a Mr. Harold
A. Dahl, along with Capt. Smith of the United Air Lines, and Mr. Arnold, at the Win-
throp Hotel in Tacoma, Washington, on the night of 31 July 1947.
The summary of their interrogation and findings was related to Major Sender,
Public Information Officer, MeChord Field, by Mr. Arnold and Capt. Smith. Major
Sander retold the results of the investigation to this officer from his notes.
Mr. Dahl and Mr. Criaman wore not available for interview while this officer
was in that area, although every effort was made to contact them.
Further investigation of this particular incident was left with Mr. Brady,
Resident Agent, FBI, Tacoma, Washington.
It was apparent from newspaper elippings, telephone calls to this officer, and
conversations with Major Sander, that a United Press correspondent, of the Tacoma
Times, was instrumental in keeping this case alive. This officer and Major Sander,
although quoted many times in the press, did not discuss this matter with the press
during the period of this report.
The anonymous mystery caller in Tacoma could possibly be Mr. Crisman.
DISTRIBUTION
COPIES
APPROVED:
AAP
and
ADC
1
0-2 6th Army
1
DONALD L. SPRINGER, Lt. Colonel, GSC
AC of S. A-2
FBI, Seattle
1
EDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
FBI, San Francisco 1
U.S. DEP
STICE
4AP Files
2
62-83894-102
AUG 30 1947
ENCLOSURE
SAN FRANCISCO
W.D., P. M. G. Form No. 110
1 April 1944
CONFIDENTIAL
ROUTED w
(This form supersedes W. D., O. C. S. Form No. 19, which
a
will not be used upon receipt of this revision)
CI-R1 Report
CONFIDENTIAL
DETAILS:
1. During the afternoon of 31 July 47, Mr. Arnold, Aviation Editor of the
Idaho Daily Statesman, telephoned Lt Brown, CIC Sub-Detachment Commander at Head-
quarters Fourth Air Foree, and stated in substance: That he, Arnold, and Capt Smith
had arrived in Tacoma to investigate the purported flying disc explosion on a sur-
face craft on 21 June 47. This investigation was requested and financed by a Mr.
R. Illinois. A. Palmer of the Venture Pross, 305 Studio Bldg., 1718 Sherman Avenue, Evanston,
AGENT'S NOTE: See Inclosure 1 and Inclosure 2. The signature to Inclosure 2, Hr.
Dave Johnson, is that of the editor of the Idaho Daily Statesman. life Johnson is a
former Army Air Force officer and from all indications 1s a very patriotic American.
On the receipt of Inclosure 2 at Headquarters Fourth Air Force, this officer requested
the San Francisco FBI Office to check the Chicago FBI Office for R. A. Palmer and the
Venture Press. The return answer, by telephone, was to the effect that the Chiengo
indices of the FBI, the Chicago Police, and Credit Bureau had no record on R. A.
Falmer or the Venture Press.
2. LA Brown and Capt Davidson arrived at MeChord Field during the afternoon
of 31 July 47. They changed from their uniforms to civilian clothing in the aircraft
and, on being queried by Operations as to why they desired transportation to Tacoma,
they replied they were to maleo B. speech.
AGENT'S NOTE: This me in compliance with par 4, 1tr fr lig ADC, File D333.51D,
7 Jul 47, subje Investigation of Flying Disc.
According to Major George Sander, Public Information Officer, MeChord Field, The
Tacona Times received an anonymous telephone call that Arnold and Smith were present
in the Minthrop Hotel for the purpose of conducting an investigation on the flying
disc. The Tacone Times checked and found this to be true, much to Arnold's and Smith's
surprise. Lt Brown and Capt Davidson did interview Mr. Harold 4. Dahl, Mr. Fred The
Crisman, in a hotel room in the Winthrop Hotel, Tacoma, Wash., in the presence of
Mr. Arnold and Capt Smith. If noties were taken of this conversation, they were de-
streyed in the aircraft accident. Mr. Arnold stated to Major Sander that Lt Brown
obtained from Hr. Dahl end Mr. Crisman samples of an unidentified substance that were
identional to those appearing in Inclosures 3 to 7. The samples pictured in Inclosures
8 to 7 were taken by Hr. Arnold from the same box that Dahl and Crisman offered M.
Brown and from which he obtained his samples. T/Sgt Matthews, Crew Chief on the
wreeked aircraft, upon being interrogated by this officer, stated that he placed a
heavy cardboard carton in the rear compartment of the 3-25 that crashed. lie did not
look in the box nor hear any comments from Lb Brown or Capt Davidson 00 to its con-
tents.
S. The following summarises what was related by Mr. Arnold and Capt Smith to
Major Sander as to the substance of the interrogation by Lt Brown and Capt Davidsons
That on 21 Jun 47 Mr. Dahl was proceeding south of Haury Island in Hr. Crisman's
boat. Five flying discs case down out of the clouds and circled slowly around the
bay, dropping to an estimated elevation of 500 feet. These disos appeared round and
CONFIDENTIAL
W.D., P.M.G. Form No. 110
CI-R1 Report
CONFIDENTIAL
flattened similar to a deflated automobile innertube. They were judged by Dahl to
be approximately 100 feet scross with a 25 foot opening In the center. The outer
edge of the object had round portholes and the inner ring had square windows or
portholes. The dises wore silent and from his viewpoint he could see no means of
propulsion. One of these discs appeared to falter and waver in the air, another of
these aforementioned five disos dropped down close to the disc that appeared to
waver and bumped it, dumping "tons" of the stuff as pictured in inclosure 3 to 7
on his boat, knooking off the handrail, horn, and generally damaging the boat to
the extent of $200.00, and killing Dahl's dog.
AGEST'S NOTE: This officer, in the company of Major Sender, boarded the aforemen-
tioned bost where It wes dooked In the Tacoma harbor on 6 Aug 67. A hand rail was
missing, but the area where the hand rail was previously fastened had been painted
over with several conts of paint and was crecked by the weather. The deck and roof
of the cabin was of & very thin construction and the eabin further had glass on the
front and sides. It is this officer's opinion that if any of the objects presented
by Dahl as samples of the material dropped by the flying dise had hit this boat, it
would have certainly been necessary to replace the foredock and the cabin roof.
These two areas were very heavily coated with several coats of paint and had deep
weather cracks that would take suveral seasons to aequire.
Mr. Criaman, who ONLIS the beat and operates a shoroline water patrol for various
business firms, evidently visited the area at Haury Island to check Dahl's story.
Be is supposed to have stated that he found the material that he presented to Lt
Brown and Capt Davidson in a send pit near where the incident was supposed to have
occurred. While he, Crismn, was at the soone of the incident, a flying dise came
out of the clouds and behaved in a sinilar manner as the ones previously described.
AGENT'S NOTE: The witnessing on two ceeasions, in broad daylight, of an object 80
large and clearly visible within several miles of the city of Income certainly should
have been seen and reported on by other then Dahl and Criman. A check was made of
the newspapers on and after 21 Juno and no mention could be found of 8. mysterious
object appearing over the Tacona harbor.
Mr. Crimman is supposed to have sent samples of the objects that he picked up in the
Maury Island sand pit to a friend of his at the University of Chicago for an analysis
report. He 1a reported to have not received the enalysis report.
AGENT'S NOTE: It 1a possible that the life B. 4. Palmer, reference Inclosure 1 and 2,
might have come across this incident through the University of Chicago.
The interrogation of Dahl and Crissan by Lt Brown was completed about midnight on
31 July/1 August. Lt Browns and Capt Davidson returned to MeChord Field and prepared
for a night flight to Hamilton Field. The weather was clear with a bright moon
shining. They departed approximately 0200 hours and creahed at approximately 0230
hours on 1 August 1947. (See Inclosure 8).
6. On 6 August 47, this officer, in the company of Major Sender, MeChard Field,
and life Brady, resident agent, Tacoma Federal Bureau of Investigation, attempted to
CONFIDENTIAL
W.D., P.M.G. Form No. 110
CI-R1 Report
CONFIDENTIAL
contact either Mr. Dahl or Mr. Crisman, without success. Capt Smith and 312. Arnold
departed the Tacoma area on 3 August 47, therefore, this officer did not have the
opportunity of conversing with them directly.
AGENT'S NOTE: A record check was made by telephone by Mr. Brady with the Seattle
Field office, FBI, for records on Mr. Criman and lis. Dahl. The check on Hr. Crisman
TO# negative. The Seattle FBI indices indicated that a Harold Dahl had been charged
with two incidents of illegal wearing of the uniform and one with theft of national
property. It could not be determined at the time whether Harold 4. Dahl, the subject
in question, and Harold Dahl of the FBI indices, was one and the same.
5. Mr. Crissan had indicated to Capt Smith, Arnold, ot al, that he was 4b
former fighter pilot and held commission as Captain in the Air Reserve.
AGENT'S NOTE: On 6 August 47, this officer checked the records of the 406th AAF
BU(RT) and determined that Fred L. Crimman WAS registered with that Reserve Unit as
Captain, Serial lumber 0-758951, with residence at 125 Woodland, Sacoma, Washington,
Primary MOS 1054 and 1058. In 1942 he was with the Criminal Investigation Division,
State of Washington, and previously had been an oil technician with the Union Pacific
Railway. Crissen entered the service in 1942 as an enlisted MAN and served as such
for seventeen months. In 1943 he was commissioned on graduation from flying school
and served a total of twenty-nine months. & check of the Tacoma city directory was
made on Harold A. Dahl, which indicated his home was at 3903 1. Cobe St., telephone:
Proctor 7117. Business address was listed as 235 Middle Naterway, telephone: Broad-
way 7733.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. That no further investigation be undertaken on this specific incident by
Army Air Force personnel.
2. That in view of the reported statements by Mr. Crisman, that consideration
be given to revoke his Air Reserve commission and flying status as an undesirable
and unreliable officer.
8 Incla:
1. Photostat, 1tr fr R.A.Palmer.
2. Photostat, tolegram fr Dave Johnson.
So to 7. Photographs, Unidentified Substance.
8. Final Mission Report, Air Ressue Service.
CONFIDENTIAL
W.D.,P.M.G. Form No. 110
CONFID
INAA
VENTURE PRESS
305 STUDIO BUILDING
1718 SHERMAN AVENUE
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS
July 22, 1947
Mr. Kenneth Arnold,
10
Boise, Idaho
Privator 7116
Dear Mr. Arnold:
Quite obviously you have been ribbed so much you'd like to
forget the flying saucers--but I'd sure like to have your
personal story, your photo. pic of your plane, etc, as I
asked before. And you won't be made to look silly, because
there's more to this than the newspapers and the "experts"
have made of it.
Besides the article, I have another propesition, You seem to
get around quite a bit, and if you can make a trip to Tacoma,
Washington at all feasible, I'd be willing to pay expenses
plus at nice amount to make it worth your while.
I'd want you to see Mr. Harold A. Dahl, P. O. Box 154, Fern
Hill Station, Tacoma, and Mr. Fred L. Crisman, owner of the
Tacoma Harbor Patrol, Inc. Dahl, and two other seamen, on a
patrol near Murry Island, off Tacoma, saw six discs, one in
trouble, witnessed an explosion, saw falling stuff which
smashed their wheelhouse and searchlight and landed on the
beach. They sent me samples which Chicago U has failed to
analyze. I want a picture of the beach and the stuff that
landed there (about twenty tons, they said). And I want
somebody who'll get the truth, to find out if these boys are
on the up and up. You could do that. I hope you will. If
agreeable, please write and perhaps we can talk business.
I think you'd like to prove this thing too!
Anyway, I still vant that article!
Sincerely yours,
R. A Palmer
ENTI
WESTERN
UNION
WUA41 PD
CONFIDENTIAL
BOISE IDA JULY 29 1947 255P
LT FRANK M BROWN, A-2 (RPT A-2)
OFFICE 4TH AIRFORCE HAMILTON FIELD CALIF.
VENTURE PRESS 305 STUDIO BLDG 1718 SHERMAN AVE EVANSTON ILL. RA
PALMER. SENT ARNOLD $200 TO GO TO TACOMA TO INVESTIGATE FLYING
WESTERN
UNION
DISC REPORT THERE. SUGGEST THIS OUT OF LINE FOR PRESENT PUBLIC
INTEREST IN STORY AND BELIEVE AS I SUGGESTED ON YOUR VISIT HERE
VENTURE PRESS SHOULD BE CHECKED
DAVE JOHNSON
WESTERN
UNION
305 1718 $200
308P
DNFIDENTIAL
401 BASE UNIT FHOTO
LABORATORY
FILE HAMILTON FIELD, CALIFORNIA
2nd #7
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
Junel #6
CONFIDENTIA
101
STANDARD NO. 64
Office Memo
UNITED ST
GOVERNMENT
TO
:
SUBJECT:
SECURITY MATTER Saman (x)
Director FBI
7-29-47
DATE:
FROM :
SAC, Boston
Flettcher
METAL FRAGMENTS OBSERVED AT WEST RINDGE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, JULY 7, 1947
Reference is made to Boston teletype to the Bureau dated July 18, 1947.
Dean John M. Bunker, the original informant, has advised that a spectographic
examination has been completed of the metal particles referred to. They were
determined to be of ordinary cast iron which had been subjected to a very
high degree of heat. The heat caused scales to be formed on the cast iron
which were originally thought to be of some metallic alloy.
The scientist examining the particles concluded that if they had come through
the air from any great altitude in as small pieces as they were found then
most of the heat would have been taken from them by the time they reached
Discs
the ground and fires would not have resulted. It is noted they landed
approximately 700 feet from a railroad track and inquiries were conducted by
MIT to determine whether or not the particles could have been originally a
part of a liner in a smoke stack or some other part of the steam engine. These
inquiries resulted in positive information that the particles did not come from
a train or locomotive. Measurements of the four pieces examined revealed
that they had most likely been originally all part of one hollow cylinder,
eight inches in diameter and three sixteenths of an inch in thickness. It
was felt that one piece falling from a great height would have still retained
a good part of its heat and probably would have smashed when it hit the ground.
A scientist, whom Dean Bunker did not identify by name, recalled that cast
iron cylinders of similar measurements had been used in New Mexico on
research work on a guided missile project. However, this unidentified scientist
did not so conclude to the exclusion of all other possibilities.
CONF. INFT.]
It is interesting to note that the examination at MIT was actually conducted
by (b) (7)(D)
who furnished the Boston Office with an informal report similar
in all major details to that supplied by Dean Bunker above. The men at MIT
are gathering through friends all additional pieces of the original cylinder
available. These will be turned over to the Boston Office. No further
P
examination is being conducted by MIT and no effort is being made to
reconstruct the original cylinder.
HANDLED
Unless advised to the contrary by August 15, 1947 the Boston Office will
destroy these specimens. In the interim they will be transmi tted to the
Bureau on specific Bureau instructions.
COPIES DESTROYED
RECORDED
62-83694-103
F
270 NOV 18 1964
EX-64
INDEXED
31 SEP 231847
55 OCT 1
1947
R-344
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It is noted that the original Boston teletype reflected that this inquiry
was being treated as "secret" matter at MIT. (b) (7)(D)
has advised that
the comparatively small number of research scientists at MIT during the summer
are all cognizant of the incident and the results of the research. However,
no publicity has been given and it is not anticipated that any will result.
The Bureau's interest is not known to the scientists at MIT. There has been
no speculation that a guided missile originating in a foreign land landed
in New Hampshire.
As indicated above, unless the Bureau requests specifically further investigative
action, this case is being closed in the Boston Office.
BSG:md
100-20698
Mr. Tolson
RAI BUIEAU OF INVESTIGATION
Mr. E. A. Tamm
an
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Mr. Clegg
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
nan
The Mr. Giavin
Ladd
AUG 15 1947
Mr. Nichols
Mr. Rosen
4
Mr. Tracy
TELETYPE
N.S.
Mr. Egan
Mr. Gurnea
Mr. Harbo
Mr. Mohr
FBI BUTTE
8-15-47
5-45 PM
VGW
Mr. Pennington
Mr. Quinn Tamm
DIRECTOR, FBI
URGENT
Mr.
FLYING DISCS. ON INSTANT DATE A. C. URIE OF TWIN FALLS, IDAHO,
John
INFORMED LOCAL NEWSPAPER THAT COMMUNITY THAT AT ONE PM ON WEDNESDAY
LAST, AUGUST THIRTEEN, HE AND TWO SONS BILLIE, AGE TEN, KEITH, AFXXX
AGE EIGHT, SAW AN OBJECT NINE MILES NORTHWEST OF TWIN FALLS, RE-
SEMBLING FLYING DISC. URIE STATED THIS OBJECT WAS PROCEEDING FXXX
DOWN SALMON RIVER AT TERRIFIC SPEED ESTIMATED BY HIM AT ONE THOUSAND
MILES PER HOUR. URIE AND SONS DESCRIBED OBJECT TO NEWSPAPERS AS
TWENTY FEET LONG, TEN FEET WIDE AND TEN FEET THICK, LIGHT SKY BLUE
IN COLOR AND ALSO OBSERVED FLAMES EMANATING FROM SIDES OF OBJECT.
AT TIME URIE AND SONS SAW OBJECT THEY ALL HEARD LOUD SWISH WHEN
OBJECT DISAPPEARED FRIM SIGHT. CURRENT EFFORTS BEING MADE TO INTER-
VIEW URIE AND SONS PURSUANT TO BUREAU BULLETIN FORTY TWO, SUB DIVISION
B, DATED JULY THIRTY NINETEEN FORTY SEVEN. BUREAU WILL BE PROMPTLY,
AND FULLY INFORMED PERTINENT DEVELOPMENTS.
Carly
BANISTER
30
RECORDED
END
46
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II
PLS ACK AND HOLD
620CT2
1947
34444
SEP 24 1947
5-R7
7-48 PM OK FBI WA BW
Auc 15 8 38
RECEIVED- RECEIVED
FBI nep P30 11 17 AM "⑇"
INTERNAL SECURITY
RECEIVED
F.B.I. OF
P 23 2 23 PM
RECEIVED
DEPT
INTERNAL SECURITY
1619 16 10 36 AM
F.B.I.
INTERNAL
OF
JINE
EIVNER
CHIE
VWB
acme
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males
F.D.I. DEPT.OF JUSTICE
416 Wd 05 L GI Any
RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT
STANDARD.FORM NO. 64
Office Men
dum
UNITED
GOVERNMENT
TO
The Director
DATE: August 14 1947
Mr.
son
A. Tamm
FROM :
Mr.
D.
M.
Ladd
Clegg
Mr. Glavi
Mr.
no
Mr. Nighols
Mr. Rosen
SUBJECT:
FLYING DISCS
Mr. Tracy
Mr. Carson
Mr. Egan
Mr. Gurnea
In connection with your request to be advised as to the facts
Mr. Harbo
Mr. Hendon
concerning newspaper reports of flying discs in the Portland area and the
Mr. Pennington
Mr. Quinn Tamm
Tele. Room
reported conference of army officials in Portland concerning flying discs,
Mr. Nease
Miss Beahm
the Portland Office has advised that Leaveritt G. Richards, aviation
Miss Gandy
editor of the "Oregonian," has stated that Captain William L. Davidson
and Lieutenant Frank M. Brown of the Fourth AAF Headquarters, San Francisco,
were in Portland on July 27, 1947. While in Portland they interviewed Dick
CE
Rankin, an experienced pilot, who had reported that he observed, on June 14,
a formation of ten flying discs over Bakersfield, California. Richards added
1-7
that Davidson and Brown had also interviewed the following four experienced
pilots who were among the first to report seeing discs, Kenneth Arnold, businessman
from Boise, Idaho; Captain E. J. Smith, a co-pilot; Ralph Stevens, United Airlines
and Dave Johnson, aviation editor, Idaho"Statesman." In order to determine the
purpose of these interviews Richards contacted Major General Twining of Wright Field,
Ohio, and from him gained the impression that the AAF instituted this investigation
to wash out the disc reports since they are definitely not of AAF origin.
On Friday, August 1, the plane in which AAF investigators, Captain
Davidson and Lieutenant Brown, were flying, crashed at Kelso, Washington and both
were killed. The wreckage was screened by AAF Intelligence from McChord Field.
The "Tacoma News Tribune" and through them the United Press put out a story that
the plane was carrying parts of a disc which had struck a boat owned by Harold
Dahl and Fred Chrisman. It has also been inferred that this plane was sabotaged
to prevent these disc parts from being examined.
STATUS
Investigation by the Bureau has reflected that this plane was definitely
not carrying parts of a disc and there appears to be no substantiation of a sabotage
charge.
For your further information there is attached a blind memorandum setting
forth in more detail the results of the investigation surrounding the above plane
crash. No further inquiry is being made in this matter.
m
ACTION
Air Force Intelligence has been advised of the results of our investi-
gation.
}
RECORDED
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EX-81
RECEIVED-TAMM
FBI
U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
Aug 14 4 20 PM 47
$ 0791 11 * MISPICA B 1
RECEIVED JONES
THE 18 I 3 MR. AM in
the
RECEIVED-NICHOLS
DEPT USDEPT OF B I BI JUSTICE
AUG 15 9 34 AM
August 14, 1947
FLYING DISCS
The "Tacoma News Tribune" and through them the United Press put out
a story that an army plane which was allegedly carrying parts of a disc which
had struck a boat owned by Harold Dahl and Fred Chrisman had crashed on August
1, 1947, killing two Air Force Intelligence officers who were interviewing
persons who were alleged to have seen flying discs.
Harold A. Dahl and Fred Chrisman, when interviewed by Bureau Agents,
advised in a signed statement on August 7, 1947, that in the early part of June,
1947, they picked up some strange rock formations from a gravel pit on Mauri
Island, Washington. They sent a cigar box of these formations to one Ray Palmer,
editor of the Venture magazine in Evanston, Illinois and also editor of the
Fantasy magazine in Chicago, Illinois. According to them they requested Palmer
to make only a chemical analysis of the rock formations. Palmer then wrote
asking for additional samples stating he had been unable to analyze the material.
Dahl and Chrisman remarked that a few days after the flying disc stories appeared
during the latter part of June, Palmer contacted them by telephone saying he would
pay for an exclusive story if the materials they had sent him were fragments of
a flying disc. Dahl said he wrote Palmer a letter in which he represented the
material as being a part of a flying disc, and both Dahl and Chrisman admitted
that this statement was entirely false.
Dahl and Chrisman then received a call from one Kenneth Arnold of
Boise, Idaho who requested them to meet him at the Winthrop Hotel in Tacoma on
July 31, 1947. According to them Arnold called in army intelligence officers
from Hamilton Field, California and one Captain Emil H. Smith of United Airlines
of Seattle, Washington to attend this meeting. Dahl and Chrisman maintained
they told the intelligence officers Captain Davidson, Lieutenant Brown, Kenneth
Arnold and Emil H. Smith exactly how they got the rock formations and that they
had no connection with any flying discs. Dahl and Chrisman stated that they then
furnished some of the rock formation to the intelligence officers as samples.
Captain Davidson and Lieutenant Brown left Tacoma, Washington in a B-25
to return to Hamilton Field, California about 2:30 A.M. August 1, 1947, and were
killed when their plane crashed at Kelso, Washington, after the left engine
burned out an exhaust stack which in turn caught the left wing on fire which caused
it to break off. The crew chief and each officer parachuted to safety.
Ernie Vogel, an Associated Press wireman at Tacoma advised that two or
three days after the flying disc story started he contacted Dahl to check the story
NCLOSURE
COPIES DESTROYED
62-83894-105
270 NOV 18 1964
that the Seattle Post-Intelligencer had received from the Fire Chief at
Harbor, Washington, to the effect that Dahl had some flying disc fragments.
At this time Dahl admitted to Vogel that the entire story was false.
Relative to Arnold, Dahl and Chrisman stated that he was paid by
Ray Palmer of the Fantasy magazine and possible the Boise Statesman" to come
to Tacoma and obtain a story from them regarding the flying disc fragments.
On July 31 and August 1, a total of five anonymous calls were
received by a Tacoma Times reporter and the United Press Wireman at Tacoma
giving information regarding the meeting at the Winthrop Hotel over the disc
fragments and stating that the B-25 had been shot down or sabotaged which
killed Captain Davidson and Lieutenant Brown, inferring that this was done
because the intelligence officers were carrying disc fragments in their plane.
Dahl and Chrisman stated that these calls could only have come from
themselves, Arnold or Smith, who, they stated, had a friend on the Chicago
Times and was possibly selling the story to the Chicago Times through this
friend. Dahl and Chrisman denied making these calls.
Smith, upon interview, stated that reporter Lantz of the Tacoma
Times and Morello of the United Press office in Tacoma had informed him that
Arnold had several anonymous calls and from the accuracy of the information
transmitted Smith believes they were made by either Dahl or Chrisman.
- 2 -
Federal Bureau of Investigati
United States Department of Justice
407 U. S. Court House
Seattle 4, Washington
August 18, 1947
DIRECTOR, FBI
0
RE: FLYING DISCS SIGHTED BY FRED
CRISMAN and HAROLD A. DAHL,
TACOMA, WASHINGTON
SM - X
Dear Sir:
The following, in general, are the facts regarding the
flying disc story that started by FRED CRISMAN and HAROLD A. DAHL which
subsequently resulted in news stories by the Tacoma Times, the Boise Statesman
and the Chicago Times that a B-25 carrying Army Intelligence officers was shot
down or sabotaged over Kelso, Washington on August 1, 1947 because it was carry-
ing some flying disc fragments.
The original story, as related by FRED CRISMAN and HAROLD
DAHL, was to the effect that DAHL, while patrolling in his boat near Maury
Island, Washington, sighted six flying discs, one of which fluttered to the
earth and disintegrated, showering his boat with fragments which caused some
ENCL. ATTACHED
damage to the boat and killed his dog. HAROLD DAHL wrote a letter to RAY A.
PALMER of Ziff-Davis Company which publishes fantastic adventure magazines in
Chicago, sending him fragments of the flying disk and relating the above story.
RAY PALMER requested Trans-Radio News in Chicago to verify the story as related
by HAROLD DAHL and FRED CRISMAN elegraphed RAY PALMER confirming DAHL's story.
RAY PALMER then engaged KENNETH ARNOLD, Boise, Idaho, who was the first to report
sighting the flying disc and whom RAY PALMER had previously made a contract for
a story regarding the flying disc, to come to Tacoma and check the story as
related by FRED CRISMAN and HAROLD DAHL.
A
X-64
KENNETH ARNOLD came to Tacoma, Washington July 30, 1947 and
arranged for a meeting the following day, July 31, with FRED CRISMAN and HAROLD
DAHL in his room 502, Winthrop Hotel, Tacoma Washington. KENNETH ARNOLD also
called to attend the meeting Captain EMIL J. SMITH, United Airlines Pilot who
had also reported seeing flying disc fragments, and Army Intelligence to attend
RECORDED
62-83894-106
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EX-64
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INDEXED
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COPIES DESTROYED
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August 19, 1947
this meeting. KENNETH ARNOLD, Captain EMIL J. SMITH, FRED CRISMAN, HAROLD
DAHL, Captain DAVIDSON and Lieutenant BROWN of Army A-2 Intelligence from
Hamilton Field, California, all met in ARNOLD's room at various times during
the afternoon and evening of July 31, 1947 and discussed the flying disc
story as related by CRISMAN and DAHL. The Army Intelligence Officers, Captain
DAVIDSON and Lieutenant BROWN, left about 2:00 A. M. the morning of August 1,
1947 to return to Hamilton Field, California for Air Force Day in a B-25 and
were carrying some of the reported disc fragments. The left engine on the
B-25 burned an exhaust stack which in turn caught the left wing afire, the
wing subsequently breaking off and tearing off the tail. The B-25 crashed,
killing Captain DAVIDSON and Lieutenant BROWN. However, the Crew Chief and
a hitch-hiker parachuted to safety. Intelligence Officers at McChord Field,
Washington advised there was no indication of any sabotage. The plane crashed
at Kelso, Washington approximately 2:50 A. M. August 1, 1947.
Five anonymous calls were received by a reporter, Tacoma
Times, and the United Press Wireman, Tacoma, between 11:30 A. M., July 31, 1947
and 5:30 P. M., August 2, 1947. The first call was to a Tacoma Times reporter
approximately 11:30 A. M., July 31, in which the caller stated that there was
a meeting taking place at that time in room 502 of the Winthrop Hotel concerning
the disc fragments found on Maury Island. The second call was received between
11:00 A. M. and 12:00 noon, August 1, 1947 by the Tacoma Times reporter in
which the caller advised that at that moment a big meeting was taking place
in ARNOLD's room number 502, Winthrop Hotel; that the B-25 which crashed was
carrying disc fragments and that McChord Field officials had stated it was
shot down or sabotaged. The third call was received Friday, August 1, 1947
at 5:30 P. M. by the United Press Wireman, Tacoma, in which the caller stated
that the B-25 which crashed at Kelso, Washington was carrying flying disc
fragments and that the dead officers were Captain DAVIDSON and Lieutenant
BROWN, A-2 Intelligence Officers at Hamilton Field, California. This call
was prior to the release of the dead officers' names by Army authorities and
the caller indicated that when the names were released, it would verify the
information he was furnishing was correct. The fourth phone call was received
at approximately 6:45 P. M., Friday, August 1 by the United Press Wireman in
which call the caller stated the B-25 was definiteyshot down and that if he
contacted Army Intelligence officers, they would not deny it. The fifth phone
call was received by the United Press Wireman, Tacoma, at 5:30 P. M. August 2,
1947 at which time the caller stated the B-25 was shot down from the air with
a 20 m.m. cannon; that the Marine plane found recently on Mt. Rainier had also
been shot down and that Captain SMITH would be taken to Wright Field Tuesday
morning. When the Army authorities released the names of the dead Intelligence
officers which verified the information as given by the anonymous caller, the
Tacoma Times printed this story on August 2, 1947 and carried several articles
thereafter inferring that the B-25 had been shot down or sabotaged because of
the fact that it was carrying disc fragments. DAHL and CRISMAN have admitted
that the material which they sent to RAY PALMER had no connection with any
flying discs and have given a signed statement to that effect which are being
- 2 -
August 19, 1947
forwarded herein. DAHL and CRISMAN deny, however, that they actually started
the flying disc story and their actual part in the story. United Airlines pilot,
EMIL J. SMITH, states that DAHL and CRISMAN on July 31, 1947, both related their
original flying disc fragment story. Information gathered would indicate that
the anonymous phone calls were possibly made by FRED CRISMAN in order to build
up the flying disc story to the point where they could make a profitable sale
of the story to RAY PALMER, Chicago, Illinois. No facts have been developed
which would definitely prove that CRISMAN made these calls. However, from all
facts and information gathered, it appears he is probably the most likely to
have made the anonymous calls. The detailed interviews of the persons contac-
ted in regard to this flying disc story are being set out below.
The following investigation was conducted by Special Agent
DAVID A. MacCULLOCH at Tacoma, Washington on August 6, 7, 1947:
ERNIENVOCEL, Associated Press Wireman, Tacoma, Washington,
advised that in the early part of June, 1947 he was requested by the Seattle
Dost Intelligencer to check on a story which he was informed had been obtained
from the Fire Chief at Harper, Washington. The story was supposed to have
originated with FRED CRISMAN. Mr. VOGEL stated that the story was to the effect
that DAHL, while patrolling in his boat near Maury Island, saw five or six
flying discs, one of which fluttered toward the ground and finally disintegrated.
Fragments of the disc were reported to have showered down on the boat of HAROLD
DAHL, causing some damage and killing his dog. Mr. VOGEL stated that he went
to the home of HAROLD DAHL on 3903 North Gove, Tacoma, Washington to check with
him on this flying disc story. He stated that as best he could recall, this
was just a few days after the first flying disc stories had appeared in the paper
and was on a Sunday evening. He believed it was the early part of June. He
stated that DAHL took him in the kitchen and proceeded to talk about this flying
disc story in low muffled tones. He stated that DAHL acted rather suspicious
and that shortly his wife came into the kitchen and was in a considerable rage,
telling DAHL to admit that the entire story was a plain fantasy which he had
dreamed up. He stated that after his wife told DAHL to admit the entire story
was false, that DAHL then admitted that there was nothing whatever to the story
and it was an entire hoax. VOGEL stated that in view of the enraged condition
of DAHL's wife, he immediately left and reported to the Seattle Post Intelligencer
that the entire story was a hoax and that they should not print it in any way,
He further stated that he advised the Seattle Post Intelligencer that DAHL was
a mental case and that nothing which he had reported should be carried as far
as a news story. Mr. VOGEL stated that since that time he had received repeated
requests from the Boise Statesman requesting information as to the flying disc
stories reportedly originating with FRED CRISMAN and HAROID DAHL. VOGEL stated
that he had never, in his experience, had such pressure brought upon him to
release a news story and that he repeatedly advised the Boise Statesman that
the story of seeing the flying discs by DAHL and CRISMAN was a complete fabri-
- 3 -
August 19, 1947
cation and should be in no way, carried as a news story and refused to furnish
any information regarding these reports. He further stated that he advised
the Boise Statesman shortly before, or at the time KENNETH ARNOLD left Boise
to come to Tacoma to check on the flying disc stories with DAHL and CRISMAN,
that ARNOLD should not come as the entire story was a hoax.
The following information was obtained from PAUL LANTZ,
4513 South 7th, Tacoma, Washington, Proctor 8416, a reporter for the Tacoma
Times:
It was the Tacoma Times paper which first issued a story
on August 2 and subsequent stories intimating that the B-25 which crashed at
Kelso, Washington on the early morning of August 1, had been sabotaged or shot
down because of the fact that it carried flying disc fragments. LANTZ stated
that on Thursday, July 31, at approximately 11:30 A. M. he received an anonymous
phone call in which the caller stated that KENNETH ARNOLD and Army Intelligence
officers were meeting in room 502 of the Winthrop Hotel to check on the flying
disc story from which fragments were obtained on Maury Island. LANTZ stated he
turned around to speak to his editor and when he picked up the phone again the
line was dead. He stated that the caller asked for BURT McMURTIE, a reporter
on the Tacoma Times who was out at the time of the call. He stated that BURT
MCMURTIE called ARNOLD at room 502 in the Winthrop Hotel and was advised by
ARNOLD that he could furnish no information as he was there on a Government
mission. LANTZ stated that on Friday, August 1, between 11:00 A. M. and noon,
he received another phone call for BURT McMURTIE in which the anonymous caller
stated that he might have some information for him. LANTZ asked the caller if
he was not the same party that had called the previous date and he said yes.
The caller then related that at that moment there was a big meeting in progress
in ARNOLD's room, 502, in the Winthrop Hotel; that the B-25 which crashed that
morning in Kelso was carrying flying disc fragments from California and that
McChord Field officials had stated the plane was sabotaged or shot down. The
caller then hung up after making some statement to the effect that he was a
switchboard operator. LANTZ stated that he went to the Winthrop Hotel on Friday
about noon and found that there was no male operator on duty. He stated he then
went to room 502 and ARNOLD answered the door and that Captain EMIL J. SMITH,
United Airlines pilot, was on the phone. LANTZ stated that he heard SMITH make
a statement to the effect that the information must be very strictly confidential.
He stated that there were one or two others in the room besides SMITH and ARNOLD,
but that he could not identify them. He stated that ARNOLD told him he could
make no statement and that he had attempted to check the story with various people
on Maury Island with negative results. He stated that about 3:30 P. M., Friday,
he wrote a story regarding the mysterious informant and called ARNOLD at his
hotel room, stating that he had written this story and that ARNOLD had better
check it. He stated that he talked to TEDAMORRELLO, the United Press Wireman,
Tacoma, who advised that the story sounded fantastic. LANTZ stated that about
5:30 P. M., Friday, August 1, an anonymous caller called TED MORRELLO, the
- 4 -
August 19, 1947
United Press Wireman, stating that Captain DAVIDSON and Lieutenant BROWN
were the Intelligence officers that were killed in the crash of the B-25 and
that civilians and the sheriff had been kept away from the wreckage with the
Army guarding it. He stated the anonymous caller then said that the names
had not been released yet by the Army and that this would verify his statements.
PAUL LANTZ stated that the following morning, Saturday, August 2, the Army
verified that the officers killed were Captain DAVIDSON and Lieutenant BROWN
and two days later verified that they were Army Intelligence officers. LANTZ
stated that the anonymous caller again later contacted TED MORRELLO, calling
him by that name, and at this time stated he did not call the Tacoma News
Tribune or the Associated Press and denied calling PAUL LANTZ or BURT McMURTIE.
In this call the anonymous caller stated that, "Don't think I'm doing this for
you. 11 He then asked if the story had been put on the wire and when MORRELLO
said yes, the caller stated, "We want this to get back to New Jersey.' The
caller further stated that the B-25 was shot down by a 20 m.m. cannon and that
the marine plane which was recently found wrecked on the side of Mt. Rainier,
having been missing for several months, had also been shot down. The caller
stated to MORRELLO that he should get in touch with a flyer named MORGAN with
United Airlines who, he stated, was with Captain SMITH when they were shot at
over Montana. The caller then stated, "I'll see you Tuesday. I'm going to
San Francisco." LANCE stated that he had checked with Captain EMIL SMITH of
United Airlines who denied knowing any pilot by the name of MORGAN; denied
ever having flown over Montana. LANTZ stated that MORRELLO received another
anonymous call in which the caller stated that SMITH would be sent to Wright
Field on Tuesday and that Saturday one of the men who found fragments of the
flying disc was to be flown to Alaska. LANTZ stated that in view of the fact
that the information as to the Intelligence officers on the B-25 had been as
furnished by the anonymous caller, had subsequently been verified by the Army,
the story was released that the B-25 was carrying disc fragments returning to
Hamilton Field, California and furnishing the inference that the plane had been
sabotaged or shot down. LANTZ stated that about 8:00 P. M. on Sunday, August 3,
he contacted Captain EMIL SMITH at his home, 3027 West Laurelhurst Drive,
Seattle at which time SMITH stated he had not given any story out to the Post
Intelligencer at Seattle; stated that he had gotten a telegram to call a number
in Boise and when he called and found out it was the Boise Statesman, he had
hung up. He stated that the Boise Statesman then contacted him, at which time
he admitted he had seen the disc fragments, but that he did not take any of
them. This time SMITH informed LANTZ that he had been with Major GEORGE
SANDERS, Public Relations Officer from McChord Field, all afternoon until about
3:45 P. M. SMITH informed LANTZ that he had told the Army authorities every-
thing that he and ARNOLD knew about the flying disc fragments story from the
time that KENNETH ARNOLD left Boise, Idaho and he had left Seattle, Washington.
This time SMITH admitted that there were some of the supposed disc fragments
in ARNOLD's room at the Winthrop Hotel and that CRISMAN and DAHL had been in
the room Thursday afternoon. On Monday PAUL LANTZ stated that he called
HAROID DAHL who advised that if this were not used in the paper, he and FRED
- 5 -
August 19, 1947
CRISMAN would see him after lunch. LANTZ stated that about noon DAHL and
CRISMAN contacted him at which time DAHL stated that he and his son had been
exploring a gravel pit on Maury Island and found some strange rock formations.
He stated they picked up some of these samples and that FRED CRISMAN later
saw them and they went back over to Maury Island at which time additional
samples were obtained and that CRISMAN sent these to a friend of his at the
University of Chicago to have analyzed. They stated that they received a
report and that apparently this friend had asked a newpaperman to find out
where the rock formations were obtained. CRISMAN and DAHL told LANTZ that
sometime after the first flying disc story had appeared, they received a tele-
gram from Trans-Ocean Press from Chicago wanting information on the flying
disc fragments. FRED CRISMAN stated that they had at no time indicated the
rock formations were a part of a flying disc and that Captain EMIL,SMITH and
KENNETH ARNOLD were not interested in the rock formations and they denied
giving them to SMITH and ARNOLD.
TED MORRELLO, a United Press Wireman, Tacoma, Washington
furnished substantially the same information that was obtained from PAUL LANTZ,
the Tacoma Times reporter, regarding the anonymous phone calls which he had
received. He stated further that the first call he received was on Friday,
August 1, at around 5:30 P. M. At this time the caller stated that the B-25
which crashed at Kelso, Washington was carrying disc fragments and that the
two officers killed were Captain DAVIDSON and Lieutenant BROWN, officers with
Army A-2 Intelligence at Hamilton Field and that the fragments were top secret
material. He stated the caller indicated that when the Army released the names
of the dead officers it would verify that the information he was furnishing was
correct. MORRELLO stated that the second call he received at approximately
6:45 P. M. Friday, August 1 at which time the caller stated that the B-25 was
definitely shot down and that if he contacted Army Intelligence A-2, the man
in charge would not deny it. MORRELLO stated he thought the man said to con-
tact Colonel GUYS, but it was found out it was Colonel GREGG who was in charge
of Army Intelligence A-2. The caller further stated that the Sheriff's Office
had been kept away from the crash and that no civilians had been allowed near
the plane. MORRELLO stated the third call he received at 5:30 P. M., August 2,
and that this time the caller stated that one of the men who had been conferring
with Captain SMITH and KENNETH ARNOLD was taken to Alaska that day. The caller
further stated that the B-25 was shot down from the air with a 20 m.m. cannon;
that the Marine plane found recently on Mt. Rainier had also been shot down;
that Captain SMITH would be taken to Wright Field Tuesday morning and that a
United Airlines pilot by the name of MORGAN flew with Captain SMITH when they
were shot at over Montana. The caller stated he was leaving for San Francisco
and would be back Tuesday.
PAUL LANTZ and TED MORRELLO both stated that they had made
very little effort to question the anonymous caller to obtain his identity as
they felt it was useless and that if they started questioning him he would
- 6
August 19, 1947
refuse to furnish any further information.
On August 5, 1947 Special Agent DAVID A. MacCULLOCH was
contacted in the resident agency office, Tacoma, Washington by FRED CRISMAN.
At this time CRISMAN asked if the Seattle Office was investigation the crash
of the B-25 and he was informed that no investigation was being conducted by
the Seattle Office. CRISMAN at this time related in a rambling story that he
had picked up some strange rock formations which he had forwarded to a friend
of his in the University of Chicago to have analyzed and that later, in some
manner unknown to him, these rock formations had been reported as being frag-
ments of a flying disc.
On August 7, 1947 FRED CRISMAN and HAROLD DAHL were inter-
viewed at the Tacoma resident agency office. Both DAHL and CRISMAN at first
denied any knowledge of how the rock formations which they had picked up to
have alalyzed became connected with the flying disc stories. Both denied
making any statement to anyone that these rock formations were portions of a
disc fragment. It was apparent from the start of the interview that DAHL and
CRISMAN were not telling their complete and true connection with the flying
disc story. They refused to give any definite information as to what they said
or had done which caused them to become involved in a flying disc story, but
gave evasive answers and repeatedly stated that they had nothing to do with it
and were at a loss to understand how they became connected with the flying disc
story. After considerable questioning, they stated that in the early part of
June they sent to RAY PALMER of the Ziff-Davis Publishing Company which published
the Fantasy magazine in Chicago and the Venture magazine in Evanston, Illinois,
some rock formations which they had found on Maury Island. They stated they
sent these formations, asking PALMER to have them analyzed. They stated that
later PAIMER wrote and asked for more samples, advising he had failed to analyze
the samples. CRISMAN and DAHL stated they have never sent any additional samples
and that the next they heard regarding the rock formations which they had sent
PAIMER was when he called HAROLD DAHL and asked if the rock formations could
have come from a flying disc. DAHL stated he made some remark that they possibly
could have come from a flying disc and that he immediately sat down and wrote
a letter to PALMER, which was in the latter part of June in which he stated
the material could have been portions of a flying disc. DAHL claimed that he
thought he told PALMER over the phone something about being in his boat when
he obtained these rock formations, but stated he could not recall what he had
written to PALMER and claimed that he passed the whole thing off as a joke.
CRISMAN and DAHL were questioned at length in an attempt to obtain specific
information as to exactly what each one had done with regard to the rock forma-
tions. However, each stated that the only thing they had done was tell RAY PAIMER
the formations could have come from a flying disc in view of the fact it appeared
"that's what he wanted them to say". No definite information could be obtained
from either DAHL or CRISMAN as to what each specifically had done to start the
flying disc story.
The signed statement which was obtained from CRISMAN and
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August 19, 1947
DAHL and in which they admitted the rock formations had no connection with
any flying discs is being forwarded to the Bureau herewith. The statement
contains no information of value and therefore is not being set forth herein.
Regarding the meeting which was held in the Winthrop Hotel
on Thursday, July 31, CRISMAN and DAHL stated that they both met KENNETH ARNOLD
there about 1:00 P. M. They stated that they all left ARNOLD's room about
3:00 P. M. and that CRISMAN took ARNOLD to Berry's Airport at Tacoma and
ARNOLD flew his plane to Seattle where he picked up Captain EMIL SMITH. CRIS-
MAN stated that he picked up ARNOLD and SMITH at Berry's Airport about 5:00
P. M. and that HAROLD DAHL came to ARNOLD's room about 7:00 P. M. CRISMAN
stated that he and SMITH left about 8:30 P. M. when he drove SMITH to Seattle
to get his car and that DAHL went home at this time. CRISMAN stated they
returned about 11:30 P. M. at which time the Army Intelligence officers were
in ARNOLD's room and that CRISMAN left about midnight. He stated that he
returned to ARNOLD's room Friday afternoon for approximately one-half hour
from 2:30 to 3:00 P. M., at which time ARNOLD and SMITH were still there and
neither seemed to be able to recall if DAHL was in ARNOLD's room on Friday,
August 1. The best that could be obtained from CRISMAN and DAHL as to what
took place in ARNOLD's room was to the effect that most of the talk was about
flying, that no one seemed very interested in the rock formations and that
they had no connection as far as they knew with any flying disc. CRISMAN
Stated that KENNETH ARNOLD wanted to obtain pictures of the place where the
rock formations were obtained and that the Army Intelligence officers did not
appear to be interested in any manner whatever.
HAROLD DAHL operates the Commercial Lumber Company at 235
Millwater Avenue, Tacoma, Washington and FRED CRISMAN has recently been
working with him buying timber. They have also been associated with the Harbor
Patrol Association at Tacoma, Washington which furnishes patrol and police pro-
tection to parts of the harbor area which are not patrolled by Tacoma police
or Sheriff's officers. FRED CRISMAN resides at 125 Woodland, Tacoma, Washington,
Army serial number 0-758-951. During the war he was a pilot and it is believed
presently holds a Reserve Officer's commission as a Captain.
Regarding the B-25 which crashed, killing Captain DAVIDSON
and Lieutenant BROWN of the 4th Aire Forces, Captain ROBERT G. BJORNING, A-2
Officer, Mc Chord Field, advised that this investigation of the crash reflected
an exhaust stack had burned out on the left engine which in turn caught the
left wing afire and that when the left wing broke off, it also broke off the
tail. The plane at the time of the crash was carrying Captain DAVIDSON,
Lieutenant BROWN, the hitch-hiker and a man as Crew Chief to take care of the
airplane. The Crew Chief and the hitch-hiker parachuted to safety, but Captain
DAVIDSON and Lieutenant BROWN were killed. He stated that their investigation
reflected no indication of any sabotage whatever.
A check of the records of the Winthrop Hotel at Tacoma,
Washington revealed that KENNETH ARNOLD, giving his address as Route #1, Mount-
view Drive, Boise, Idaho rented room 502 from July 30 at 7:43 P. M. until
- 7 -
August 19, 1947
August 3. A record of the phone calls made from room 502 during this period
was made by Miss SARAH LANGBERG. This record reveals that KENNETH ARNOLD on
July 31 called PALMER at AN-5200, Evanston, Illinois, collect. On the same
date called Lieutenant BROWN at 5800 Hamilton Field, California, collect.
ARNOLD also called 0109-J in Boise, Idaho on July 31. On August 1 ARNOLD called
LON-4936, Portland; PALMER at Dearborn 5200, Chicago; and SMITH called RODDY
at Dearborn 2323 at Chicago. Both Chicago calls were collect. The remainder
of the calls appear to be personal calls and are not being set out. A record
of the phone calls made are being retained as an exhibit in the Seattle Office.
The following information was obtained by Special Agent
PIERRE H. LEVEC in interview on August 12, 1947 with Captain EMIL J. SMITH,
3027 West Laurehurst Drive, United Airlines pilot: It should be noted that
Captain SMITH has previously received publicity for having supposedly seen
flying discs or similar objects on July 4, last while on a routine United Air-
lines flight out of Boise, Idaho in company with his co-pilot RALPH STEVENS,
concerning this incident. Captain SMITH states that they took off from Boise,
Idaho at 8:12 P. M. and headed Northwest at 300 degrees and while still climbing
at 8,000 feet, co-pilot STEVENS called his attention to some objects in the
sky ahead of them about ten degrees left which neither one could identify.
SMITH states that he called a CAA radio operator at Ontario, Oregon and reques-
ted him to step outside his radio shack and see if he could see any of these
objects overhead. The CAA radio operator replied in the negative.
Captain SMITH states that he first met KENNETH ARNOLD on
July 5 in the offices of the Seattle Post Intelligencer where both were being
interviewed concerning their sighting of flying discs. SMITH states that he
next met ARNOLD about three weeks ago in Boise, Idaho at which time he, SMITH,
was on another flight through Boise, Idaho and had a ten minute lay-over there.
On this occasion ARNOLD was in company of Captain WILLIAM ADAVIDSON and
Lieutenant FRANK M BROWN, Army Intelligence officers, and a reporter JOHNSON
of the Boise Statesman. SMITH's next contact with ARNOLD was on Thursday,
July 31, last when he received a telephone call from ARNOLD calling from Tacoma
in the early afternoon at which time he asked SMITH to come over to Tacoma and
join him as he was investigating a flying disc story for "someone back East"
and some fragments were involved which SMITH might be interested in seeing.
After some discussion SMITH agreed to join ARNOLD in Tacoma and ARNOLD told
SMITH he would fly over and pick him up at Boeing Airport at 4:00 P. M. SMITH
met ARNOLD at Boeing Field at about 4:00 P. M. and they flew to Berry's Airport
at Tacoma, Washington where they were met by FRED CRISMAN. The three of them
proceeded in CRISMAN's car to the Winthrop Hotel where ARNOLD was occupying
room 502. ARNOLD ordered something to eat and during this time either ARNOLD
or CRISMAN called a HAROID DAHL and invited him up to the room. By this time
SMITH states he had learned from ARNOLD that CRISMAN and DAHL were the parti-
cipants in the latest flying disc story and SMITH states that he had no previous
acquaintance with either of these men before meeting them in Tacoma on this date.
While in the Hotel Room ARNOLD showed SMITH a letter which he had received from
RAYMOND PALMER of the Venture Press of Chicago requesting that ARNOLD investigate
- 8 -
August 19, 1947
the CRISMAN-DAHL story in Tacoma. ARNOLD informed SMITH at this time that
after receiving this letter he had called PALMER by telephone in Chicago
as a result of which call PALMER had forwarded him $200.00 expense money
for covering the story. Shortly thereafter, at about 7:30 P. M. HAROLD DAHL
arrived at the Hotel room and the discussion began among the four men present
as to what DAHL and CRISMAN had seen on Maury Island. DAHL professed reluc-
tance to tell the story, claiming that several unfortunate incidents had
occurred subsequent to his seeing the flying discs and he believed the entire
incident had brought him bad luck. In this connection he stated that four or
five days subsequent to his sighting the flying discs, a man called at his
home and had a conversation with him the course of which DAHL was warned to
forget all about everything he had seen on or near Maury Island. In addition
to that, DAHL stated that his sixteen year old son had run away from home
following the incident and had been picked up by the police somewhere in
Montana. After some further discussion DAHL finally agreed to tell his story
of the flying disc incident in front of SMITH after eliciting a promise from
SMITH that he would not discuss the matter for at least two weeks. It should
be noted that DAHL had previously told his story to ARNOLD and CRISMAN. At
this point DAHL related the incident which has already been described and which
he alleged had taken place on or about June 23 or 24. While relating the
incident DAHL mentioned that he had taken pictures of the flying disc which
he had seen but that the printed films were marred with white spots. When
DAHL had concluded his story, CRISMAN related that he had gone the following
day to Maury Island to verify what DAHL had told him concerning the fragments
and had at this time picked up several fragments and taken them with him. At
this time CRISMAN related that he also saw one of the flying discs hovering
over the Island but that it had disappeared into a cloud. When DAHL and CRISMAN
had finished telling their story ARNOLD told the group that he had earlier in
that evening called Captain DAVIDSON and Lieutenant BROWN, Army Intelligence
officers and that they were on their way to the Hotel room. At this point DAHL
protested that he did not wish to tell his story before anyone else and he
was advised by SMITH that if such was the case why didn't he just leave and not
be there when they arrived. CRISMAN, DAHL and SMITH then left the room and
went downstairs. DAHL departed alone. CRISMAN drove SMITH back to Boeing Field
near Seattle where SMITH desired to pick up his own personal car, which he did.
They then returned to the Hotel where they found Captain DAVIDSON and Lieutenant
BROWN in room 502 with KENNETH ARNOLD. ARNOLD met them at the door and seemed
excited, explaining to SMITH that Captain DAVIDSON had just drawn a reproduction
of a freak disc which had supposedly been seen by a woman in Arizona and that
this drawing was an exact reproduction of the flying disc which he, ARNOLD, had
seen several weeks before, nearing Mt. Rainier. SMITH states that shortly after
this CRISMAN seemed very anxious to tell his and DAHL's story to the Army offi-
cers. Before this was done, however, SMITH had a discussion with Lieutenant
BROWN, informing him that they had promised DAHL not to release the story for
two weeks and that if CRISMAN were allowed to tell the story at this time, BROWN
and DAVIDSON must agree not to release the story for one month. Following this
agreement, CRISMAN related DAHL's and his story of the flying discs over Maury
- 9 -
August 19, 1947
Island to BROWN and DAVIDSON. Following this recitation, Lieutenant BROWN,
in answer to a query from SMITH, said that he and Captain DAVIDSON were of
the opinion that there might be some truth in the current flying disc stories,
but that their immediate superiors (presumably A-2 at Hamilton Field) did not
agree with them. BROWN and DAVIDSON then held a brief discussion as to whether
they should return that same night to Hamilton Field and they decided that
they would. All five of the men then went down to the lobby where BROWN
detached himself from the group and entered a phone booth to call for a car
from McChord Field. SMITH also left the group and met BROWN outside the phone
booth where they held a short discussion relative to the credibility of CRIS-
MAN and DAHL's story. BROWN indicated to SMITH that he should attemt to find
out if the story was on the level and that BROWN would call him the following
day regarding this matter. The group then proceeded to the front of the Hotel
at which time CRISMAN brought his car to the front of the Hotel and took from
his trunk a box of the alleged flying disc fragments picked up on Maury Island.
He offered them to BROWN and DAVIDSON and when the Army car arrived from McChord
Field the box of fragments was placed in the car with the officers. CRISMAN
departed alone and ARNOLD and SMITH went in search of something to eat and later
returned to the Hotel for the night.
On Friday morning, August 1, 1947, ARNOLD received a call
from CRISMAN informing him that a B-25 had crashed during the night and it was
believed to be the same plane which BROWN and DAVIDSON were flying. Following
this call CRISMAN and DAHL came to the Hotel room and from the room CRISMAN
again called McChord Field in an attempt to get information about the crash.
SMITH took the phone from CRISMAN and spoke to a Colonel GREGG, identifying
himself and asking if the B-25 which crashed was the only one which had taken
off from McChord Field the previous night. GREGG told him that it was. Follow-
ing this call ARNOLD called RAYMOND PALMER in Chicago and informed him of the
previous night's conversations and the fact that DAVIDSON and BROWN were believed
to have been killed. PALMER told ARNOLD to discontinue his investigation of
the incident and that he, PALMER, was no longer interested. SMITH then took
the phone from ARNOLD and asked PAIMER if he could shed any light on the
situation. SMITH was unable to say what PALMER's reply to CRISMAN was. Fol-
lowing these telephone discussions SMITH says that he called MAURICE RODDY whom
he identifies as a personal friend of his and an aviation editor of the Chicago
Times. SMITH states that he had prefiously made an agreement with RODDY in
Chicago that should he ever run across any flying disc stories which showed
promise of news value, that he would contact RODDY and this call was a result
of that agreement. Shortly afterward, Colonel GREGG called him from McChord
Field stating that Hamilton Field had requested that ARNOLD, SMITH, CRISMAN
and DAHL submit their addresses to Hamilton Field for convenience of any Army
investigation of the incident which may be forthcoming. After this call the
four men went to a restaurant for lunch. During the course of this meal SMITH
excused himself from the table and attempted to call SAC BOBBITT of the Port-
land Field Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation with whom he claims acquain-
tance. BOBBITT, however, was unavailable and SMITH was unable to complete the
- 10 -
August 19, 1947
call. After returning to the Hotel room, a Tacoma Times reporter called
attempting to gain information, but they did not give him any. Later, a Mr.
MORRELLO of the United Press called and SMITH spoke to him on the telephone
but refused to give out any information. SMITH further relates that while
the four men were in the room at this time, an envelope was shoved under the
door and that he retrieved it from the floor. SMITH states that the appearance
of this envelope seemed to startle CRISMAN considerably and that in fact, CRISMAN
turned white as a sheet until SMITH read the note unsigned which was a commu-
nication to the Hotel advising that a strike of Hotel employees was eminent and
that guests should not expect room and telephone service much longer. Shortly
after this incident DAHL and CRISMAN left the Hotel room after promising to
take ARNOLD and SMITH to Maury Island the following morning, (Saturday). ARNOLD
and SMITH then went out for dinner and on their return, SMITH found a note in
the box requesting him to call a certain telephone number. He did this from
the Hotel room and was answered by LANTZ, Tacoma Times reporter who requested
SMITH to go out and call him from a pay station. SMITH complained and was
informed by LANTZ that two anonymous telephone calls had been received by
him that a discussion regarding flying discs had been taking place in room 502
at the Winthrop Hotel which involved Army Intelligence officers. From the
information which LANTZ had received, SMITH was convinced that the anonymous
caller must have been present at the discussion also, as LANTZ was seemingly
in possession of pertinent remarks which had been made in the room. SMITH
states that he did not give LANTZ any further information and that in conclu-
sion of the call, he returned to the Hotel room and he and ARNOLD retired for
the night.
On Saturday morning, August 2, 1947 SMITH redeived a tele-
phone call from MAURICE RODDY in Chicago, but was unable to give him any
further information. SMITH advised him, however, that he would call him back
at 2:30 that afternoon. DAHL then called from a coffee shop nearby and ARNOLD
and SMITH joined DAHL, CRISMAN and an unknown man in the Coffee Shop for
breakfast. The unknown person was discussing some lumber business with DAHL
and left after breakfast. On leaving the coffee shop, SMITH asked DAHL about
the negatives of the photographs which he claimed to have taken of the flying
discs. DAHL said the negatives were in the glove compartment of his car, but
a search of the instant glove compartment was fruitless. The four then pro-
ceeded in CRISMAN's car to the dock where they were to embark for Maury Island.
The boat, however, could not be started and the trip was postponed until later
in the day. While at the dock, however, SMITH asked to be shown the damage
to the boat which had allegedly occurred when the fragments showered down on
Maury Island. CRISMAN pointed out what may have been repairs to the windshield
and lights on the boat, but SMITH was not personally satisfied that these repairs
were made as a result of any such incident. CRISMAN and DAHL then drove ARNOLD
and SMITH back to the Hotel at approximately 10:45 A. M. and CRISMAN told them
he would call them later on and that they would go to Maury Island. On return-
ing to the Hotel, SMITH called LANTZ at the Tacoma Times as a result of which
call he and ARNOLD met LANTZ at the Coffee Shop across the street from the
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August 19, 1947
Winthrop Hotel. SMITH stated that the purpose of this meeting was to try to
find out something more about the anonymous phone calls which LANTZ had told
him about. He and ARNOLD still refused to give out any further information
regarding the Thursday evening conference to LANTZ and were informed by LANTZ
that the Tacoma Times was afraid of being scooped on the story and was going
to print something on that day. SMITH and ARNOLD then returned to the Hotel
and shortly thereafter received a phone call from CRISMAN but the call was
cut off by the switchboard operator since it was not an emergency call. SMITH
and ARNOLD then returned to the Hotel lobby where they found a telegram from
DAHL asking them to call him at either Broadway or Proctor 7733, SMITH is not
sure of the exchange. SMITH called this number, but DAHL was not there. SMITH
states that he went then to the Western Union Telegraph Office and dispatched
a collect telegram to MAURICE RODDY at the Chicago Times which contained a
brief resume of the incidents which had occurred and which requested RODDY to
wire SMITH a telephone number where RODDY could be reached after 6:00 P. M.
SMITH states that he has never received an answer to that wire. Following
this, SMITH states that he and ARNOLD that he and ARNOLD were sitting in the
lobby of the Olympic Hotel when LANTZ entered and gave them each a copy of the
latest edition of the Tacoma Times which contained a story hinting at sabotage
in the crash of the Army B-25 which killed Captain DAVIDSON and Lieutenant BROWN.
SMITH stated that he and ARNOLD continued to occupy seats in the Hotel lobby
most of the afternoon inasmuch as they were unable to receive calls in the Hotel
room due to the Hotel employees' strike. He relates that he received a call
in the late afternoon from LANTZ advising him to call LANTZ that evening at
8:30 as LANTZ had further information regarding the anonymous calls. SMITH also
received a telegram requesting that he call Boise 6000 which he did and found
that it was JOHNSON of the Boise Statesman. He refused to give JOHNSON any
further information at this time. However, shortly thereafter, JOHNSON called
from Boise and advised SMITH that the Army had released a story through Brigadier
General SHRAM revealing the confidential assignment which BROWN and DAVIDSON
had been engaged on. In view of this release, JOHNSON requested SMITH to answer
one question for him which was, "Were they carrying any alleged disc fragments
on the plane?" and SMITH answered, "Yes, they were." Following this SMITH
called LANTZ as per his earlier request and was informed that MORRELLO of the
United Press had received another anonymous phone call at which time "the voice"
said that the Army B-25 carrying Captain DAVIDSON and Lieutenant BROWN had
been shot down with 20 m.m. shells and that the Marine plane found on Mt.
Rainier had also been shot down with 20 m.m. shells. The voice went on to state
that SMITH would be called back to Wright Field on Tuesday. When MORRELLO
asked why he was giving out this information the caller replied that it was
not for the benefit of the newspapers, but that he was interested in seeing
that the information got back to New Jersey. The voice also informed MORRELLO
at this time that one of the two persons who had been talking to ARNOLD and
SMITH had now left for Alaska. As a result of this latter bit of information
SMITH decided to find out if CRISMAN or DAHL had left town. He located DAHL
at the Sunset Theatre and DAHL came to the Hotel and met SMITH and ARNOLD.
They were unable to locate CRISMAN by phone and DAHL left saying that he would
try to find out where CRISMAN was and that he would call them tomorrow (Sunday)
and that they would go out to Maury Island at that time. After DAHL left,
- 12 -
August 19, 1947
SMITH and ARNOLD went to the Tacoma Times Office where a reporter met them
and took them to MORRELLO in the United Press Office. There they read the
latest press releases and had a discussion with MORRELLO regarding the anony-
mous phone calls. In the course of this discussion MORRELLO mentioned the
name of Major GEORGE SANDERS, Public Relations Officer at McChord Field as
being one of the officers interested in the investigation.
Following this discussion with MORRELLO, at which time
SMITH states they still refused to divulge any further information, SMITH and
ARNOLD returned to the Hotel for the night.
On Sunday morning, August 3, 1947, DAHL appeared at the
Hotel room and told them that he had received a letter from CRISMAN which said
in effect, "Take care of my business. I'll be out of town for three or four
days." DAHL had a letter with him but he did not show it to SMITH or ARNOLD.
The three men then drove to DAHL's secretary's house in South Tacoma and
picked her up and the four of them then went to breakfast on the South Tacama
highway. While the four of them then went to breakfast SMITH excused himself
and called Major SANDERS at McChord Field and arranged an appointment to meet
him at the Hotel lobby at 11:00 A. M. They then took DAHL's secretary to her
home where DAHL picked up a typewriter and then drove SMITH and ARNOLD back
to the Hotel. They asked him if he was going to take them to Maury Island that
day and he replied that he was not. He further stated that he was sick of the
entire business and that if he was ever contacted by the Army or the authorities
he was going to deny ever having seen anything and claim to be "the biggest liar
that ever lived". Shortly after returning to the Hotel, SMITH met Major SANDERS
in the lobby and they went in SMITH's car to a coffee shop in South Tacoma where
SMITH proceeded to tell Major SANDERS the entire story of the incidents which
had occurred in Tacoma regarding the CRISMAN and DAHL story since Thursday
afternoon. Following this, SMITH took Major SANDERS back to the Hotel and intro-
duced him to ARNOLD and suggested to ARNOLD that he also tell Major SANDERS the
entire story of what had occurred. ARNOLD did so. Major SANDERS after looking
at the fragments which were still in the room suggested that they drive out to
the Smelter near Tacoma as he believed the slag at the Smelter would bear a
distinct resemblance to these fragments. The three men then drove to the Smelter
and the slag was noted to be definitely similar to the fragments which CRISMAN
and DAHL had left in the Hotel room. They then returned to the Hotel room and
Major SANDERS left them. After packing their bags, SMITH took ARNOLD to Berry's
Airport where his plane was parked and then SMITH drove himself back to Seattle.
About an hour after his arrival in Seattle, which was
approximately 7:30 P. M., LANTZ of the Tacoma Times appeared at SMITH's home
with the newspaper containing the Associated Press story which had originated
in Boise, Idaho in the Boise Statesman and which was written by JOHNSON following
SMITH's admission to him that fragments had been carried by Lieutenant BROWN and
Captain DAVIDSON on the fatal B-25 flight. SMITH at this time continued to
refuse to give any statements for the Press and told LANTZ that he had placed
- 13 -
August 19, 1947
all of his information in the hands of the Army. SMITH stated that a couple
of days later he called Major SANDERS at McChord Field and asked him if there
was any recent information concerning the incident. SMITH states that Major
SANDERS informed him that CRISMAN had not yet been contacted, but that the
Federal Bureau of Investigation was "setting a trap for him". SMITH further
advises that on Friday, August 8, 1947, he appeared before Lawyer JOHN NOLAN
at the County-City Building, Seattle and made a deposition of the facts relating
to the incidents in Tacoma from Thursday afternoon, July 31, last until Sunday
morning, August 3, last.
A copy of this deposition is now in possession of the writer
and is being forwarded herewith to the Bureau. It should be noted that this
deposition is in no way as complete as the statement taken by the writer above
and any setting out of this deposition in this communication would be superfluous.
Copies of this communication are being sent to the Butte,
Portland, San Francisco and Chicago Offices for their information only. Unless
advised by the Bureau to the contrary, instant investigation is considered closed
by this office.
For the information of the Bureau, Captain R. G. BJORNING,
Intelligence Officer, McChord Field, Ft. Lewis, Washington advised at the weekly
O.N.I.-S.I.D.-F.B.I. Intelligence conference that the Public Relations Officer
at McChord Field had received a telephone call from an individual at Army Air
Forces Headquarters at Washington, D. C., during which call the Public Relations
Officer was requested to obtain a signed statement from DAHL and CRISMAN which
could be published and thus publicly close the matter. Captain BJORNING further
related that he had no additional information in this matter and that he did
not handle it.
Very truly yours,
JBWiley JACK B. WILCOX
Special Agent in Charge
ENCLOSURES
DAM;PHL:MEK
100-18945
CC - - Butte
Portland
San Francisco
Chicago
- 14 -
ENCLOSURE
ENCLOSURE
62-8389x-1010
RRA
August 8,1947
HAROLD A. DAHL and FRED CRISMAN make the following foluntary statement
to SA DAVID A. MAC CULLOCH of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
In the early part of June 1947 we picked up some strange rock formations
from a gravel pit on Maury Island, Washington. We sent a box (cigar)
of these fragments to RAY PALMER of Venture Magazine at Evanston Illinois
to have it analyzed.
Later PALMER wrote and asked for additional samples stating that he had
failed to have them analyzed.
Around the later part of June a few days after the first disc stories
started PALMER contacted us by phone. He told us not to tell the news-
papers about the fragments and he would pay for an exclusive story if
the fragments could be from a flying disc.
One of us told him the fragments could have been from a flying disc.
Just after our phone conversation HAROLD DAHL wrote a letter to RAY
PALMER setting out some notes etc. regarding the fragments and
indicating they could have come from flying discs.
The next thing we heard was about the first of July when we got a
Trans Ocean Press telegram from Chicago asking nut about these flying
disc fragments. We told them to forget the entire matter.
The next we heard of these fragments was when we were called by
KENNETH ARNOLD to meet with him in the Winthrop Hotel on July 31,1947
We told him exactly how we had found the fragments and had forwarded them
to PALMER to be ahalyzed.
The above is the entire and true story as regards our connection with
the flying disc stories etc. which originated over the ore samples which
we sent to be analyzed.
Frield himon
Hanald alabl
Wanida.Ma Cullach
F.B.I. Seattle 8/7/47
STATE OF WASHINGTON
)
)
ss
COUNTY OF KING
)
J. E. SMITH, being first duly sworn, on oath, deposes
and says:
This is a narrative statement as to what took place in
Tacoma from Thursday, July 31 until Sunday, August 3.
Thursday I received a telephone call from Tacoma from a
Kenneth Arnold. The gist of this conversation was that he thought
it would be a good idea for me to come to Tacomą and listen to the
story of two men whose names were Fred Crismon and Harold Dahl.
This Kenneth Arnold I had met two times previous -- once on July 5
at the office of the P.I. in Seattle for a very brief time and the
second time in Boise, Idaho when I was passing through on one of
my trips.
In this conversation with Arnold on the phone, I made the
statement that it would be impossible for me to go over to Tacoma
due to my going out to Salt Lake City the next morning. He said
that he would fly over from Tacoma and pick me up at Boeing Field.
I agreed to this proposition from Arnold. At 40'clock I met
Arnold at the Boeing Field and we flew back and landed at Barry's
Airport. We were picked up at the airport by Fred Crismon, who
drove the two of us into the Winthrop Hotel. We went up to Room
502 -- Crismon, Arnold and myself.
Fred Crismon put a telephone call into Harold Dahl and
asked him would he come up to the room. A half hour later Harold
Dahl made his appearance. At this time there were four men in the
room -- Crismon, Dahl, Arnold, and myself. Mr. Arnold asked Mr.
Dahl to relate his story as to what took place on June 24. Mr.
Dahl was very hesitant about telling the story to me. Arnold and
Mr. Crismon were already aware of the statements that Dahl had made
previous. Mr. Dahl made the statement to me that if any statements
he would make relative to his story, if I would keep it confidential
for two weeks, that he felt definitely that I would want to forget
the whole thing. I made the statement to Mr. Dahl that as far as I
was concerned, I would keep any statements he made to me confidential
for at least two weeks.
Here is Dahl's story: On June 24 (this date to be checked
later) he was in a boat owned by Fred Crismon, who owns the Harbor
Patrol in Tacoma. They -- Mr. Dahl, a Mr. Knight, and Mr. Dahl's
son age 16, were cruising around Maury Island looking for logs that
had broken away from booms. They were fairly close to shore of
Maury Island when they saw four or five objects in the sky at an
altitude of approximately 1500 feet. He said these objects were
Page #2
100 feet in diameter, circular in shape, and it appeared that
there was a hole in the center of each as he could see the sky
through this hole. He also mentioned that on the inside of the
circle or the hole, that portholes were visible. Their speed was
negligible as they appeared to hover over a given spot. One of
these objects appeared to be in trouble. Another object came
over and appeared to make contact. After making this contact for
approximately two minutes, it rose to its original position.
At this time the object that appeared to be in trouble
seemed to throw a lot of debris from one of the portholes. These
objects then disappeared from view. Some of this debris that
landed broke in the wheelhouse of the boat, the spotlight, and
the klaxon. While this debris was falling, my boy and Mr. Knight
got off the boat and hid under some logs. This debris that fell
killed our dog and a sea gull. I asked Mr. Dahl what was done with
the dog. He made the statement they threw the dog into the water.
This story was told to Mr. Crismon, who the next day
went out to this Island to check on this story. He verified the
fact of the damage to the boat, also to the fact that there appeared
to be quite a few pieces of either rock or metal on the shore. Mr.
Crismon also stated that while he was over there investigating on
Maury Island, he also saw a disk. This disk was of the same shape
and contour as the objects explained by Mr. Dahl.
At this point Mr. Arnold clarified for me as to the reasons
he was investigating this story. Mr. Arnold stated that he received
a letter from a Mr. Raymond Palmer, supposedly editor of the Venture
Press, Evanston, Illinois. The gist of this letter was that Mr.
Palmer received a letter from Mr. Dahl and Mr. Crismon, also a
package of these fragments that were found on Maury Island. Mr.
Palmer also made the statement in the letter that the Chicago
University failed to analyze these fragments and that would Mr. Arnold
please investigate the story. Mr. Arnold was sent a Western Union
check for $200.00 to take care of any expense that he might incur
while making this investigation.
Mr. Arnold had made a telephone call to Hamilton Field to
contact a Captain Davidson and a Lieutenant Brown, who were with
A-2 Intelligence at Hamilton Field, asking them would they make a
trip to Tacoma to also listen to this story of Dahl and Crismon.
When Mr. Arnold acquainted me with the fact that he had made this
phone call in front of Mr. Dahl, Mr. Dahl made the statement that
he would not tell this story to anybody in Army Intelligence. I
made the statement to Mr. Dahl that if he felt this way, that he
should not be in the room when these two Intelligence officers
arrived. Mr. Dahl thought this was an excellent idea.
Page #3
Mr. Dahl, Mr. Crismon, and myself left the hotel room to
go downstairs as Mr. Crismon wanted to get some metal that was in
the back of his car that he had picked up on Maury Island, to
bring back to the hotel room. Mr. Harold Dahl departed.
At this time I made the statement to Mr. Crismon that I
should like to pick up my car in Seattle. Mr. Crismon drove me to
Boeing Field, Seattle. After leaving me at Boeing Field, he drove
back to Tacoma and I drove my own car back to Tacoma. After I had
put my car in the garage at Tacoma, I went up to the Winthrop Hotel
and in the room at that time was Mr. Arnold, Mr. Crismon, and Captain
Davidson from Army Intelligence. Lieutenant Brown was downstairs
getting sandwiches and coffee. When Lieut. Brown came back, the
stories were again related and Lieut. Brown made a statement that
all the facts of these stories would be held in strictest confidence
until released by Mr. Dahl.
After Mr. Crismon had told all the facts, relating not
only his own story but that of Mr. Dahl, he asked for the opinion
of both officers as to what they thought. Lieut. Brown made the
statement that he would like to obtain some of these fragments to
take back to Hamilton Field.
At this time Capt. Davidson and Lieut. Brown were debating
the thought as to whether to stay over night in Tacoma or leave for
Hamilton Field immediately, as the B-25 they were flying was
supposed to be at Hamilton Field the next day for the Air Show.
The five of us then left the hotel room and went down to
the hotel lobby where Mr. Brown made a telephone call to McChord
Field asking them to send a driver to pick up Capt. Davidson and
himself. Lieut. Brown came up to me and made the statement that he
and Capt. Davidson were going back to Hamilton Field and that he
would get in touch with me tomorrow and if after I had seen the
fragments on Maury Island, if I thought in my own mind that this
was authentic, they would immediately leave Hamilton Field and
return. I was to hold this statement by Lieut. Brown in the
strictest of confidence from the other group of three (Dahl, Crismon,
and Arnold).
We then went down to the street where Mr. Crismon drove his
car up in front and took out a box of fragments and gave this box to
Davidson and Brown. While waiting for the driver from McChord Field,
Lieut. Brown and I discussed Pacific operations and things not per-
taining to this mission. Capt. Davidson and Lieut. Brown departed at
approximately 12:45 A.M. Mr. Arnold and I went back to our hotel
room after having a midnight snack.
Page #4
Friday the 1st: At approximately 8 o'clock in the
morning, Mr. Crismon called up our hotel room and acquainted us
with the fact that the B-25 had crashed. Also that he had called
McChord Field and from information he received also verified the
fact that the two men in the ship were Capt. Davidson and Lieut.
Brown, plus a flight engineer and a hitch-hiker. This left both
Mr. Arnold and myself in a very bad state of concern. Approximate-
ly an hour later Mr. Crismon and Mr. Dahl made their appearance in
the hotel room. I still wasn't sure that this was the same B-25
that the two Intelligence officers had left in last night. Mr.
Crismon then again called McChord Field and talked to a Colonel
Gregg and the fact was verified again that the two pilots were
Davidson and Brown.
After an hour or so Mr. Crismon and Mr. Dahl left the
hotel room with a plan in mind of the four of us meeting the next
morning (Saturday) for breakfast and going out to Maury Island.
That evening (Friday) there was a message for me to call
this particular telephone number that was on the message. I called
this number and was asked by the party to please call them from a
paystation. This party was a Mr. Lantz, a reporter on the Tacoma
Times. He told me, "I most certainly am doing myself out of a good
story but I thought you ought to know that somebody has been calling
this paper and giving us a blow-by-blow description of all that has
taken place in your room since you arrived." To verify this, Mr.
Lantz repeated back to me discussions that I felt had only been
taking place in our room.
Mr. Lantz also made the statement that there was a leak
either from the switchboard operator or our room had been tapped.
I asked Mr. Lantz why he was tipping us off with this information.
He made the statement that he didn't mind doing this if in return
that any information that I may let out would be given to him.
After this conversation with Mr. Lantz I went back to our room and
told Mr. Arnold what took place on the telephone.
Saturday morning: Mr. Arnold and I met Mr. Dahl and
Fred Crismon for breakfast. We then drove out to the boat to go
to the island. The boat was unserviceable at the time so we went
back to the hotel. Mr. Crismon said that he would call later on
in the day and let us know when the boat would be repaired. That
was the last time I saw Mr. Crismon.
Approximately 11 o'clock Saturday morning Mr. Crismon
phoned me and made the statement it would be impossible for him to
keep this appointment with me. We were cut off by the switchboard
operator as this was classified as not an emergency call. The
reason we were cut off was due to a strike in all the Tacoma hotels.
Page #5
Mr. Lantz called up and said if I would call him at
8:30 that evening, he would have some additional information for
me. I called Mr. Lantz at 8:30 that evening. He told me that
this anonymous caller had again called a Mr. Marillo of the
United Press and said that one of the parties that Mr. Arnold and
I had come down to see was flown to Alaska. Also he made the state-
ment Mr. Smith would be called to Wright Field Tuesday. This
anonymous caller made the statement to Mr. Marillo that this B-25
was shot down. Mr. Marillo asked this person calling what his
interest was. This anonymous caller made a stątement - "Don't think
I am doing it for the newspapers. All I am interested in is seeing
that this information gets back to New Jersey."
After I finished the conversation with Mr. Lantz, I went
over to the United Press and talked with Mr. Marillo and had him
read back to me the conversations that he had had with this
anonymous caller. But no opinions at this time were voiced either
by me or Mr. Marillo.
Sunday morning I called a Major Sander of S-2 McChord
Field and asked him to meet me at the Winthrop Hotel at 11 o'clock.
I met this Major Sander at 11 o'clock and we drove to a small coffee
shop on the Tacoma Highway where this complete story was related to
him by me. We then drove back to the Winthrop Hotel where Major
Sander was introduced to Mr. Arnold by me and again listened to
Mr. Arnold's story. Mr. Arnold and I departed from the Winthrop
Hotel Sunday afternoon at approximately 4:30.
This is to certify that the foregoing statement was taken
before me, a notary public; that prior to making said statement, the
witness was first sworn to tell the whole truth and nothing but the
truth; that the statement was then reduced to writing and signed by
me on the
day of August, 1947.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and official
seal the day and year last above written.
Notary Public in and for the State
of Washington, residing at Seattle.
106
83874-1
(f
67.83
ig
Affidavit of EMIL J. SMITH
Re: FLYING DISCS SIGHTED BY FRED CRISMAN and HAROLD A. DAHL,
Tacoma, Washington
SM - X
62-83894-106
Signed statement of Fred L. Crisman and Harold A. Dahl
Re: FLYING DISCS SIGHTED BY FRED CRISMAN and HAROLD A. DAHL
Tacoma, Washington
SM - X
83894-106
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Mr.
2.
Mr. Clegg
Office Memorandum
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
Mr. Ladd
Mr. Nichols
mm
TO
DATE: August 26, 1947
osen
Director, FBI - AIR MAIL
Mr. Tracy
FROM
X
SAC, San Francisco
MD
Mr. Egan
Mr. Gurnea
SUBJECT:
REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS
Mr. Harbo
Mr. Mohr
enclos
Mr. Pennington
There are being transmitted herewith to the Bureau photostatic copies
Mr. Quinn Tamm
Nease
of three reports received from Lieutenant Colonel DONALD SPRINGER, A-2, Fourth
Candy
Air Force, Hamilton Field, California, involving reported sightings of flying
discs.
The Los Angeles Office is being furnished with a photostatic copy of
the report of Lieutenant Colonel SPRINGER dated August 18, 1947 concerning the
investigation conducted at the Muroc Flight Test Base, Muroc, California.
The Butte Office is being furnished with a photostatic copy of the
report of Lieutenant Colonel SPRINGER dated August 20, 1947 which sets forth a
letter received from Mr. R. J MADDEN, Division Plant Engineer, Pacific Telephone
and Telegraph Company, Helena, Montana.
This office is maintaining contact with Lieutenant Colonel SPRINGER
and will furnish the Bureau with a subsequent report from him concerning the ob-
servations of Mr. RAY A SWITZER, Sacramento, California, who has reported
certain observations which he believes may involve a flying disc at Placerville,
California, on August 14, 1947.
m
HMK :EMB
He
Enclosures - 3
cc Los Angeles (with enclosure)
Butte (with enclosure)
teeter
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TOKING
ljós
RECORDED
162-83894-1071
&
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INDEXED
B
BECEIAL
31
32
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SEP
630CT 2 1947 R-34x 2x3
CI-R1
CONFIDENTIAL
FEI
CONFIDENTIAL
ADQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE
DECLASSIFIED
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
Intelligence
Authority:
Hamilton Field, California
NND 90986
TITLE Investigation of Flying Disc. INVESTIGATION MADE AT Muroc AAF, Muroc, Calif.
CONTROLLING OFFICE Air Defense Command, Mitchel Field.
FILE No. 1208-I
PERIOD COVERED
8 July 1947
CASE CLASSIFICATION Incident
DATE
18 August 1947
STATUS OF CASE
Pending
REASON FOR INVESTIGATION: Investigation initiated at request of Air Defense Command
reference ltr Hq ADC, dtd 7 Jul 47, file D333.5 ID, subj: Investigation of Flying Disc.
SYNOPSIS:
On 8 July 1947, approximately 1000 hours, two incidents occurred in the vicinity
of Muroc Flight Test Base.
No further investigation of these incidents is being considered by this headquarters.
DISTRIBUTION
COPIES
APPROVED:
AAF
2
ADC
1
6th Army
1
DONALD AC of S, L. A-2 SPRINGER, L. GSC
FBI, S.F.
1
EDERAL
BUREAU
(if
INVESTIGATIO
U.S.DF
STICE
File 4AF
1
AUG 21 1947
SAN FRANCIS
W.D., P. M. G. Form No. 110
1 April 1944
ROUTED TO
(This form supersedes W.D.O.C.S. Form No. 19. which
K
will not be used upon receipt of this revision)
CONFIDENTIALO
copy
AFFIDAVIT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF KERN )
The following is a statement given orally by Colonel Gilkey,
Commanding Officer, Muroc Army Air Field, Muroc, California, given to
Captain Harry D. Black, Intelligence Officer, on 11 August 1947.
Colonel Gilkey, stated that the object he saw, he believed at the
time to be paper and of no significance or the objects not important
enough to be reported. There was nothing clearly enough seen by the
Colonel to make any further reports justifiable.
This oral statement was given freely and voluntarily without any
threats or promises under duress. This statement consists of one (1)
page, and is the truth to the best of my knowledge and belief.
s/s harry d. black
CAPT. HARRY D. BLACK, MAC
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
COPY
AFFIDAVIT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA)
COUNTY OF KERN)
The following is a statement given by Major Richard R. Shoop,
Office of Chief of Tech. Engineering Division, Muroc Army Air Field,
Muroc, California, statement given on 11 July 1947.
At approximately noon on 8 July 1947, my attention was called to an
object in the air by Colonel Gilkey. I observed between five (5) and
eight (8) miles to the North what appeared to be a thin metallic object.
It appeared to be metallic because the method in which it was flying caused
the sun to reflect like an apparently aluminum colored surface. The object
moved from an intermediate altitude in an oscillating fashion, almost to
the surface of the ground and then started climbing again. It climbed to
a fairly high altitude and moved off slowly into the distance. The object
appeared to be the size of a pursuit airplane but did not have the shape of a
conventional plane. The time that the object was in view was approximately
eight (8) minutes. This same object was seen by my wife at the same time.
This statement has been given freely and voluntarily without any threats
or promises under duress. This statement consists of one (1) page, and is
the truth to the best of my knowledge and belief. I have initialed all
corrections deemed necessary.
s/s richard r. shoop
MAJOR, RICHARD R. SHOOP, AC
WITNESS:
s/s thomas a. mcmillan
THOMAS A. MC MILLAN
CONEIDENTLAL
IDLN IAL
UNTIDENTIAL
copy
AFFIDAVIT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF KERN )
The following is a statement given by T/Sgt. Joseph Ruvolo,
4144th. AAFBU, Muroc Army Air Field, Muroc, California, statement given
on 14 July 1947, to 1st Lt J. C. McHenry, Billeting Officer.
This is my own written statement of what I saw on July 8, 1947.
I am NCO in charge of the Billeting Office, this Field, and First
Lieutenant Joseph C. McHenry, is Billeting Officer in Charge.
About 09:45 he was returning from the Post Exchange when he called
to me to come outside and asked me to look up to where he was pointing
and to my surprise I saw two (2) flying objects which appeared to me like
two (2) flying disc or saucer shaped silver colored objects, flying in a
northwestern direction at speed approximately 350 or 400 miles per hour
and at an altitude of about 7500 or 8000 feet. I could not hear a motor
roar like one of our planes and it could not have been a balloon.
I am of good health and sound mind and this was no hallucination.
This statement has been given freely and voluntarily without any
threats or promises under duress. This statement consists of one (1)
page, and is the truth to the best of my knowledge and belief. I have
initialed all corrections deemed necessary.
s/s joseph ruvolo
S/SGT JOSEPH RUVOLO
WITNESS:
s/s thomas a mc millan
THOMAS A. MC MILLAN
CONFIDENTIAI
CONEIDENELAI
ONFIDENTIAL
COPY
AFFIDAVIT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF KERN )
The following is a statement given by 1st. Lt. Joseph C. McHenry,
Billeting Officer, Muroc Army Air Field, Muroc, California, statement
given on 11 July 1947, to Mr. Thomas A. McMillan, CIC S/A. this Station.
The following statement concerning the actual observance of what has
been termed as a "flying Disc" or a "flying Saucer" is true and correct and
it will be noted that the above mentioned observance was made by me per-
sonally while enjoying complete health in mind and body.
On Tuesday 8 July 1947, at approximately nine-thirty A.M. (09:30)
I was in conversation with personnel in the Post Exchange Office. My part
of this conversation was as follows:
"Someone will have to show me one of these Disc before I will
believe it."
Upon leaving the Post Exchange, I went directly to my Office and be-
fore entering heard one of our local aircraft in the traffic pattern.
Looking up, as I always do I observed the aircraft, and looked slightly
to the left, whereupon I observed two (2) silver objects of either a
spherical or disc-like shape, moving about three hundred (300) miles an
hour, or perhaps less, at approximately eight thousand (8000) feet, heading
at about three hundred twenty degrees (320°) due north.
When I first observed these objects I called S/Sgt. Gerald E. Nauman,
T/Sgt. Joseph Ruvolo and Miss Jannette Marie Scotte who immediately came
to where I was standing. I pointed in the direction of the objects and
asked them the question "Tell me what you see up there." Whereupon, all
the three (3) with sundry comments stated, "They are flying Disc". To
further verify my observance I asked them to tell me in what direction the
objects were traveling, without indicating their direction myself, and again,
all three (3) in a consistent nature stated that the objects were moving
toward Mojave, California.
I had time to look away several times and renew my vision of the objects
to make sure that there were not any results of eye strain, or in any nature
an optical illusion. The objects in question were not repeat, were not air-
craft, the objects could not have been weather balloons released from this
station, since they were traveling against the prevailing wind, and since
the speed at which they were traveling and the horizontal direction in which
they were traveling, disqualified the fact that they were weather balloons.
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After the observance of these phenomenon and hoping that I might have
time to enlist further witnesses, I immediately ran into the dispensary to
get personnel who are Medical Officers to verify, for my own curiosity, the
actual observance of these objects, but by the time I reached the back porch
of the dispensary, Mrs. A. C. Naum, who is a registered nurse, and about
seven (7) other personnel were with me, the objects, had by that time, dis-
appeared, due to the speed with which they were traveling. Upon further
investigation, two (2) of us at the same time sighted another object of a
silver spherical or disc-like nature at approximately eight thousand (8000)
feet, traveling in circles over the North-end. I called the objects to the
attention of Mrs. Naum and pointedit out to the other personnel standing near
by. All of us saw the object, with the exception of two (2) out of seven (7)
personnel. All of us looked away from the object several times to make sure
there was no eye strain or from permitting the object to become an optical
illusion.
From my actual observance the object circled in too tight a circle and
too severe a plane to be any aircraft that I know of. It could not have been
any type of bird because of the reflection that was created when the object
reached certain altitudes. The object could not have been a local weather
balloon for it is very impossible that a weather balloon would stay at the
same altitude as long and circle in such a consistent nature as did the
above mentioned object.
I am familiar with the results of too constant vision of the sun or
any bright object and am aware that optical illusions are possible and
probable. I wish to make this statement that the above mentioned observance
was that of actual sub ject matter.
This statement has been given freely and voluntarily without any threats
or promises under duress. This statement consists of two (2) pages, and
is the truth to the best of my knowledge and belief. I have initialed all
corrections deemed necessary.
s/s joseph C. mc henry
1ST LT JOSEPH C. MC HENRY AC
WITNESS:
s/s thomas a. mc millan
THOMAS A. MC MILLAN
CONEIDENTIA IDEN
OMPIDENIAL
COPY
AFFIDAVIT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF KERN )
The following is a statement given by Major J. C. Wise, Test
Pilot, Muroc Army Air Field, Muroc, California, statement given to
Mr. Thomas A. McMillan, CIC Agent, This station, on 13 August 1947.
On 7 July 1947, at approximately 10:10, while running up the
XP-84 on the ground I noticed everyone was looking up into the air.
Off to the north about 10,000 to 12,000 feet altitude, was an object
that I assumed at first to be a weather balloon, but after looking at
it for a while I noticed that it was oscillating in a forward whirling
movement without losing altitude. It was traveling about 200 to 225
MPH, and heading from west to east.
The object was yellowish white in color and I would estimate that
it was a sphere about 5 to 10 feet in diameter.
I did not have time to chase it in a P-80.
This statement was given freely and voluntarily without any threats
or promises under duress. This statement consists of one (1) page, and
is the truth to the best of my knowledge and belief.
s/s j. wise
MAJOR J. C. WISE, AC
WITNESS:
s/s thomas a. mc millan
THOMAS A. MC MILLAN
CONFIDENTIAL
CONPIDENCIAL
ONTIDENIAL
COPY
AFFIDAVIT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF KERN )
The following is a statement given by Captain John Paul Strapp,
Flight Test, Muroc Army Air Field, Muroc, California, statement given to
Mr. Thomas A. McMillan, CIC Agent, this Station, on 12 August 1947.
At 11:50 hours, 8 July 1947, while the undersigned was sitting in
an observation truck located in Area # 3, Rogers Dry Lake, for the
purpose of observing a P-82 ejection seat experiment, the following
unfamiliarity was observed.
The undersigned was gazing upward toward a formation of two (2)
P-82's and an A-26 aircraft flying at 20,000 feet, preparing to carry
out as seat ejection experiment, when I observed a rounded object,
white aluminum in color, which at first resembled a parachute canopy.
The first impression was that a premature ejection of the seat and
dummy had occurred. This body was ejected at a determined height lower
than 20,000 feet, and was falling at three (3) times the rate observed
for the parachute which was ejected thirty minutes later. As it fell
it drifted slightly north of due west against the prevailing wind, to-
ward Mount Wilson. The speed, horizontal motion could not be determined,
but appeared slower than the maximum velocity 50-80 aircraft.
As this object descended through a low enough level to permit
observation of its lateral silhouette, it presented a distinct ovular
outline, with two (2) projections on the upper surface which might have
been thick fins or nobs. These crossed each other at intervals, suggest-
ing either rotation or oscillation of slow type.
No smoke flames, propellar arks, engine noise, or other clasuable (?)
or visible means of propulsion were noted. The color was silvery, re-
sembling aluminum painted fabric, and did not appear as dense as a
parachute canopy.
When the object dropped to a level such that comes into line of
vision of the mountain tops, it was lost to the vision of the observer.
It is estimated that the object was in line of vision about 90
seconds. Of the five (5) people sitting in the observation truck, four
(4) observed this object and made remarks about it. These people include:
Mr. Lenz - Civilian, Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio
(Other names not given)
The following is my own personal opinions about this object:
1. I think it was a man-made object, as evidenced distaintly by
the outline and functional appearance.
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2. It's size was not far from 25 feet with a parachute canopy.
3. The path followed by this object appeared as though it might
have been dropped from a great height.
Seeing this was not a hallucination or other fancies of a sense.
This statement was given freely and voluntarily without any threats
or promises under duress. This statement consists of two (2) pages, and
is the truth to the best of my knowledge and belief. I have initialed
all corrections deemed necessary.
s/s john paul strapp
CAPTAIN JOHN PAUL STRAPP, AC
WITNESS:
s/s thomas a. mc millan
THOMAS A. MC MILLAN
CONFIDENTIAL
CONEIDENLA
ONTIDENTIAL
COFY
AFFIDAVIT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF KERN )
The following is a statement given on 14 July 1947, by Jannette
Mario Scott, Secretary to 1st Lt J. C. McHenry, Billeting Officer,
Muroc Army Air Field, Muroc, California.
I am fully "aware of my Civil and Constitutional Rights, and under-
stand prior to making this statement.
On Tuesday morning 8 July 1947, at approximately 10:00, while typing
some cards, and taking care of my routine work, Lieutenant McHenry
called me, along with T/Sgt. Joseph Ruvolo and S/Sgt. Gerald E. Nauman,
to the front of B.O.Q. "A" Bldg. Pointing up in a direction directly
above me he asked us to explain what we saw. There were two, silver
colored disc like objects flying toward Mojave, California, one directly
back of the other, at a speed of about 300 to 400 miles per hour, having
an altitude of approximately 8000 feet. I listened carefully for a few
minutes, and heard no drone, such as should be heard from any aircraft.
I also cast my eyes to another direction and looking back to the same
spot, I was able to distinguish the same objects again. Having assured
myself that there was no eye-strain, I was convinced these objects were
not weather balloons due to the horizontal position in which they were
flying. Nor could they have been birds of any nature, due to the de-
finite reflection from the sun rays.
I have been on this Base, considering an absence of six months,
approximately eighteen months, and am familiar with all type aircraft.
About three or four minutes, after these flying objects had nearly
disappeared, I glanced around and sighted another flying object,
similar to the above mentioned objects. This flying object was silver
colored and was in the shape of a disc. Unlike the first two this object
was flying in a tight circle, neither losing nor gaining altitude, at
approximately eight thousand feet, therefore I was convinced it could
not have been a weather balloon, and because of the tight circle it could
not have been any type aircraft.
This statement was given freely and voluntarily without threats
or promises under duress. This statement consists of one (1) page, and
is the truth to the best of my knowledge and belief. I have initialed
all corrections deemed necessary.
I am of sound mind and body, and swear that this statement is true
and correct.
s/s jannette marie scott
Jannette Marie Scott
WITNESSES:
s/s thomas a. me millan
THOMAS A. MC MILLAN
CONFIDENT TAI
1
CONFIDENTIAL ONFIDENTIAL
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AFFIDAVIT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF KERN )
The following is a statement given by S/Sgt. Gerald E. Nauman,
4144th AAFBU, Muroc Army Air Field, Muroc, California, statement given
on 14 July 1947, to 1st Lt. J. C. McHenry, Billeting Officer.
On the eight of July 1947 at ten o'clock (10:00) in the morning
I observed personally two (2) flying disc, flying in a north west direction
at an estimated altitude of seven or eight thousand feet, traveling at
approximately three or four hundred miles per hour.
Just 8. few minutes before this I was in the Billeting Office and
First Lieutenant Joseph C. McHenry, called me and two (2) others out-
side. He then asked us what we saw. I saw two (2) objects with my own
eyes, and I am now and was then in perfect physical condition. I have
20-20 vision and I am positive these two (2) objects could not have been
Aircraft, weather balloons or birds. Due to the altitude in which they
were flying, they gave off a definite reflection from the rays of the sun.
In addition to these two (2) disc I saw another object a few
minutes later at the same altitude doing certain maneuvers such as flying
in a tight circle. The two disc had already disappeared. This object to
my knowledge of aircraft could not have been an airplane because of the
very tight maneuver it was undergoing. I have been flying in and have
been around all types of aircraft since 1943 and never in my life have I
seen anything such as this. If necessary I can and will swear to this
statement.
This statement has been given freely and voluntarily without any
threats or promises under duress. This statement consists of one (1)
page, and is the truth to the best of my knowledge and belief. I have
initialed all corrections deemed necessary.
s/s t. C. robinson
PFC T. C. ROBINSON
WITNESS:
s/s thomas a. mc millan
THOMAS A. MC MILLAN
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT
4AF-1208-I
20 August 1947
MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE:
1. On 20 August 1947, this agent and Special Agent Hubbard
interviewed Mr. Ray A. Switzer, Insurance Adjustor, at his home, 3431
David Way, Sacramento, California, and he stated in substance: On the
afternoon of 14 August 1947, he was driving his automobile from Placer-
ville, California, on the Cedar Ravine Road. Mr. Switzer's wife was in
the front seat of the automòbile and Mrs. Switzer's mother and the two
Switzer children were in the back seat of the car. At about 1600 hours
they were at a point approximately five miles southwest from Placerville
when Switzer saw a white smoke trail out of the corner of his eye. In
searching for a rocket ship (P80) he saw an object, four to six feet in
length, ten to fourteen inches wide, and of a metal color, bright like
highly polished chromium. In relation to the travel of the automobile
the object was first seen at 1030, and when the object reached a
point at approximately 1200, it was engulfed in a puff of dark gray smoke
about ten feet in diameter. The object was traveling at a terrific rate
of speed and seemed to be in 8. very shallow dive. When the puff of smoke
appeared, the object disappeared completely and there were no particles
seen to have fallen from the smoke. The point where the object was en-
gulfed in the smoke was about eight hundred yards distant (in front of)
Switzer with no possibility of the object being hidden from view by vege-
tation or terrain. The object appeared rectangular in shape except for
one very short period of time it appeared to have a top surface that was
very slightly curved. Mr. Switzer turned to tell his wife about the
object and found her with her mouth open in an effort to say something
and with her hand in a pointing gesture toward where the object had dis-
appeared. The object was not very high in relation to the terrain and
seemed to be following the contour of a canyon.
2. In a separate interview Mrs. Switzer concurred in the information
obtained from Mr. Switzer with the following exceptions: The smoke trail
and the puff that engulfed the object appeared dark gray in color and there
was no change in the color. Mrs. Switzer estimated the object to be about
five feet long and about a. foot wide with the top surface being slightly
curved. The object appeared to be some larger in front than in the rear.
AGENT'S NOTES: At the time this object was seen, the sun was to the Switzer's
back, the sky was clear and the object gave off a very bright reflection.
Mr. Switzer has been connected with the field of insurance investigation for
the last eighteen years and appears to be a man not desirous of publicity.
The other passengers of the car did not see the object. Mr. Switzer is in
the process of moving to a ranch near Placerville, Calif., and his new. address
will be Box 43, Aukum, Eldorado County, Calif. Arrangements have been made
to meet Mr. Switzer at 1400, 26 Aug 47 at Raffels Hotel, Placerville, Calif.,
for the purpose of going back over Cedar Ravine Road 1947 point
where the object disappeared.
Jue*2
Bryden E. Moon, Special Agent, 4AF CIC
GAN FRANCISC
CONFIDENTI
IDEN
Rx
CONFIDENTA
ONTIDENTIAL
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
Intelligence
Hamilton Field, California
4AFDA
20 August 1947
333.5/1208-I
SUBJECT: Flying Disc.
TO:
Special Agent in Charge, FBI, U. S. Dept. of Justice,
Federal Office Building, Room 422, San Francisco, Calif.
1. The attached letter was received by this office from Mr.
Re J. Madden, Division Plant Engineer, Pacific Telephone and Telegraph
Company, on 15 August 1947.
2. No further investigation will be made of this reported inci-
dent by this headquarters.
L. SPRINGER
1 Incl:
Lt. Colonel, asc
As indicated.
AC of S, A-2
DISTRIBUTION:
AAF - 2 eys
ADC - 1
a
6th Army - 1 cy
FBI - 1 ey
EDERAL BUREAU
U.S. DE
AUG 21 1947
SAN FRANCISCO,
ROUTED TO
B.
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427 W. 3d Avenue
Spokans, Washington
August 8, 1947
Military Intelligence Division, U.S.A.
MeChord Field, Washington
Gentlemen:
Following the reading of an account of the visit of Mr. Kenneth
Arnold, Boise, Idaho, as published in the Spokesman Review under date
of August 7, 1947, the undersigned considered the enclosed account of
an observation of a "flying saucer" would be of interest to you.
This account has not been given to any newspaper or other public-
ation as yet.
Yours truly,
/s/ R. J. Madden
R. J. MADDEN,
Division Plant Engr.
The Pac. Tel. & Tel. Co.
EDERAL BUREAU Cr INVESTIGATION
U. S. DE EMENT USIICE
AUG 21 1947
SAN FRANCISCO
FORM
ROUTED TO
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
NENAL
Report on & "Flying Saucer"
At or about 12:05 pollo, July 29, 1947, a sedan, driven by Steve
Herrmann and carrying B. J. (Bob) Madden in the front seat and Kerl Merrmann
in the rear seat, YES proceeding northwesterly along the road leading from
Canyon Ferry to York, both in Montana some 25 miles N.E. of Helena.
When at a point approximately mile N.W. of Canyon Ferry, (as shown
on Forest Service Map to be in the BEZ of NE2 of Sec. 10 TION R1W) Karl.
suddenly shouted "See it! See it! There's a flying saucer!" Steve immed-
intely slowed down and gradually brought the sedan to a stop, he and Bob
meanwhile scanning the sky in the direction pointed by Karl in en effort to
see the "flying saucer", but without success.
Approximately ten seconds elapsed between the time Karl reported seeing
the "saucer", coming over the horizon at high speed from the southwest, (Karl
first thought it a meteor) and travelling northeasterly, and the bringing of
the oar to a stop.
As the car came to a stop, Steve, Karl and Bob, simultaneously, saw the
following:
Directly shead, (N.W) 2 to 3 miles distant and approximately 3000 ft.
above the ground, a bright dise hovering and fluttering in the air. Descend-
ing and rising through a vertical distance of fifty or a hundred feet for a
period of about five seconds then, while at the top of an ascent, the "disc"
suddenly swooped to the Northeast at treeendous speed and disappeared into
the clear air within a distance of 200 ft. That is to say It did not pass
beyond on obstruction to further visibility but "melted into thin air" as if
because of tremendous speed.
This disc was, from the viewpoint of the observers, apparently 3 ft.
in diameter, circular and of no great thickness - approximately 3 or 4 inches.
The sky WAS blue with scattered small clouds, the sun was shining
brightly and the disc gleamed and shimmered in the bright sunlight as if
covered with highly polished nickel.
After the "disc" disappeared from view, the sedan and its occupants
proceeded northwesterly along the road, but could discern no evidence of
the presence of the "disc" along or adjacent to that therefare.
It is to be remembered that the dimensions as stated above were as
they appeared to the observers some 2 or 3 miles from the "disc" and the
true dimensions must be considerably greater.
/s/ R. J. Madden,
R.J. MADDEN,
Division Plant Engr.
The Pac. Tol. is Tel. Co.
CONFIDENTE
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
1
Gq. Office Memorandum
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO
: DIRECTOR
DATE: 9-15-47
Hmk
FROM
1st
: SAC, San Francisco
R.S.
SUBJECT: REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS
Reference is made to my letter dated August 26, 1947. Enclosed is
a copy of a letter dated September 9, 1947 from Lt. Colonel DONALD L. SPRINGER,
of A2, with a memorandum prepared by BRYDEN E. MOON, 4th Air Force CIC on
August 20, 1947 and August 26, 1947. The memorandum contains information
regarding observations of RAY A. SWITZER of Sacramento, California.
Also enclosed is a letter dated September 10, 1947 from Colonel
SPRINGER with attachment dated September 9, 1947
For the information of the Bureau, KENNETH ARNOLD of Boise, Idaho,
who has been repeatedly interviewed in this matter by A2, has expressed his
intention to A2 of selling for publication his detailed account of his
investigation of flying discs.
62-2938
DWK.
the Reynolds
aware I
Q. these
2 Fletcher
2
m
EX-64
62-83894-/08
RECORDED
F
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EX-64
15 K SEP 24 1947
mey
630CT 2 1947 2x3 2444
CONFIDENTIAL
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
Intelligence
Hamilton Field, California
4AFDA
9 September 1947
333.5/1208-I
SUBJECT: Investigation of Flying Disc.
TO:
Special Agent in Charge, FBI, U. S. Department of Justice,
Room 422, Federal Office Building, San Francisco, California.
Attached MOIC for your information.
DONALD L. SPRINGER
1 Incl:
Lt. Colonel, Mt Corps
MOIC, Moon, dtd 20 Aug 47.
Deputy A.C of A-2
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGA
U.S 8 DEPLAIN OF
SEP 12 1947
AN
ROUTED TO
ORNIA
FILE
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL OUNI IDEN
1800
1030 hours 18 August 1947
Telephone message received from Mr. A1 Reck, City Editor, Oakland Tribune:
Mr. Ray A. Switzer, 3431 David Way, Sacramento 2, Calif, and insurance
executive with the firm of MoGuire and Wallis, of Sacramento, reported the
following incident:
At 4:P.M. on August 14, while driving on Cedar Ravine Road, 4 to 5
miles southeast of Placerville, Calif, he, accompanied by his wife, observed
B. "vapor" trail moving from north to south. Closer observation revealed a
piece of "shiny metal" at from 500 to 1000 feet altitude moving at a "high
rate of speed". The object appeared to be more "rocket-shaped" than diso-
shaped. It appeared to be approximately 5 feet in length and was "tilted
in a semi-circle".
The object struck the ground with a "puff of black smoke" about 100
feet below the top of a hill which was approximately 750 feet ahoad of the
automobile driven by the observer. An intervening canyon prevented investi-
gation of the location where the object was observed to have landed.
The observer is able to identify the location where the object was
observed to land.
(lir. Switzer is a University of California graduate, and is personally
known by members of the Oskland Tribune staff. He is a brother-in-law of
Col. Gray of the Marine Hospital of Southern California)
ANEIDENTIAL
SONI
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UNFIDENTIAL
UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT
4AF-1208-I
20 August 1947
MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE:
1. On 20 August 1947, this agent and Special Agent Hubbard
interviewed Mr. Ray A. Switzer, Insurance Adjustor, at his home, 3431
David Way, Sacramento, California, and he stated in substance: On the
afternoon of 14 August 1947, he was driving his automobile from Placer-
ville, California, on the Cedar Ravine Road. Mr. Switzer's wife was in
the front seat of the automobile and Mrs. Switzer's mother and the two
Switzer children were in the back seat of the car. At about 1600 hours
they were at a point approximately five miles southwest from Placerville
when Switzer saw EL white smoke trail out of the corner of his eye. In
searching for a rocket ship (P80) he saw an object, four to six feet in
length, ten to fourteen inches wide, and of B. metal color, bright like
highly polished chromium. In relation to the travel of the automobile
the object was first seen at 1030, and when the object reached a
point at approximately 1200, it was engulfed in a puff of dark gray smoke
about ten feet in diameter. The object was traveling at a terrific rate
of speed and seemed to be in a. very shallow dive. When the puff of smoke
appeared, the object disappeared completely and there were no particles
seen to have fallen from the smoke. The point where the object was en-
gulfed in the smoke was about eight hundred yards distant (in front of)
Switzer with no possibility of the object being hidden from view by vege-
tation or terrain. The object appeared rectangular in shape except for
one very short period of time it appeared to have a top surface that was
very slightly curved. Mr. Switzer turned to tell his wife about the
object and found her with her mouth open in an effort to say something
and with her hand in a pointing gesture toward where the object had dis-
appeared. The object was not very high in relation to the terrain and
seemed to be following the contour of a canyon.
2. In a separate interview Mrs. Switzer concurred in the information
obtained from Mr. Switzer with the following exceptions: The smoke trail
and the puff that engulfed the object appeared dark gray in color and there
was no change in the color. Mrs. Switzer estimated the object to be about
five feet long and about a foot wide with the top surface being slightly
curved. The object appeared to be some larger in front than in the rear.
AGENT'S NOTES: At the time this object was seen, the sun was to the Switzer's
back, the sky was clear and the object gave off a very bright reflection.
Mr. Switzer has been connected with the field of insurance investigation for
the last eighteen years and appears to be a man not desirous of publicity.
The other passengers of the car did not see the object. Mr. Switzer is in
the process of moving to 8. ranch near Placerville, Calif,, and his new address
will be Box 43, Aukum, Eldorado County, Calif. Arrangements have been made
to meet Mr. Switzer at 1400, 26 Aug 47 at Raffels Hotel, Placerville, Calif.,
for the purpose of going back over Cedar Ravine Road to locate the point
where the object disappeared.
Bryden E. Moon, Special Agent, 4AF CIC
CONFIDENTÍL
IDEN TAL
CONFIDENTIAL
UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT
4AF-1208-I
AGENT'S NOTES: Forester Young will communicate with the AC of S, A=2,
Headquarters Fourth Air Force, Hamilton Field, California, if any
information regarding wreckage of an aircraft is located in the area in
question. Young was not informed of the mission and was led to believe
that the mission was an effort to locate possible aircraft wreckage in
the area.
Bryden E. Moon, Special Agent, 4AF CIC
CONFIDENTIAL
ONEIDENTLAI
ONTIDENTIAL
UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT
4AF-1208-I
3. On 26 August 47, S/A Hubbard and this agent contacted Mr. Ray
Switzer, Insurance Adjustor at the Raffels Hotel, Placerville, California.
After traveling Cedar Ravine road to a point nine miles southeast of
Placerville, known as Buck's Bar, Switzer decided that the place from
where he had observed the object on 14 Aug 47 was nearer to Placerville.
After a thorough check of the road, Switzer believed the spot where he
had observed the object to be on the ridge just north of Webber Creek
where the road breaks over the summit. This point is two miles from the
Raffels Hotel, Placerville, California, on the Cedar Ravine Road. As
the road approaches the summit it curves to the left which would provide
an observer from an automobile a sweeping view through 40° of the canyon
and the horizon on the south side of Webber Creek. This point of observa-
tion lies 3800 42' 45" North Latitude and 120° 47' 15" West Longitude.
The elevation at this point is 2,000 feet above sea level. The horizon
from this point in the south is formed by a series of mountain peaks which
lie generally through 38° 39' 45" and which are on the south side of Squaw
Hollow Creek, a distance of four miles, and ranging in elevation from
2,300 feet to 2,500 feet above sea level. Switzer was not definite as to
what part of the field of view he had seen the object and indicated that it
could have been as far RS the horizon. Any object, or particles of an
object, that Switzer saw, if on the ground on the field of view, would be
in a six square mile area of wooded, mountainous terrain which is full of
canyons and ravines.
AGENT'S NOTES: This agent believes that Switzer could have seen an aluminum
surfaced conventional type aircraft which, due to the distance at which he
observed it, distinguishing features were not seen because of the bright
reflection and the short period of observation. The aircraft would have been
coming from the left B.S Switzer turned to the left, thereby giving the effect
of a much greater speed than the object was really traveling. This agent has
no explanation as to the smoke trail observed by Switzer. If reconnaisance
is desired of the area to see if anything can be located on the ground, this
agent suggests that a small type aircraft similar to an L-5, be used in low
level flight between the hours of 1100 to 1300. Switzer was very cooper-
ative and expended much of his own time in an effort to be of B.S much service
as possible. Switser will communicate with the AC of S, A-2, Headquarters
Fourth Air Force, Hamilton Field, California, in the event of any report of
aircraft wreckage in the area.
4. On 26 Aug 47, & check with Ranger Dixon, State Forest Service,
Camino, Celifornia, and George B. Young, Forester, Federal Forest Service,
Placerville, California, provided the following information: There has
been no forest fires or reported aircraft crashes in the area in question
within the last month.
Bryden E. Moon, Special Agent, 4AF CIC
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
Intelligence
Hamilton Field, California
4AFDA
10 September 1947
333.5/1208-I
SUBJECT: Investigation of Flying Disc.
TO:
Special Agent in Charge, FBI, U. S. Department of Justice,
Room 422, Federal Office Building, San Francisco, California.
Attached MOIC for your information.
FOR THE AC OF S, A-2:
1 Incl:
Lt. DONALD Colonel L. SPRINGER Air Corps
MOIC, Hubbard, dtd 9 Sep 47.
Deputy AC of S, A-2
FEDERA BUR AU OF I ESTIGATION
U.S.D
OF JOSTICE
SEP 12 1947
AN PRINCISCO: ORNIA
ROUTED TO
FILE
CONFIDENTIAL
445-1208-I
Incident
9 September 1947
MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE:
Mr. Ward L. Stewart, 1242 Milvia Street, Berkeley, California, was
interviewed 8 September 1947 at his place of employment, the Hearst Mining
Building, University of California, concerning flying objects he reported
to have seen on 29 July 1947 while with Captain William H. Ryherd of the
415th AAF BU (RT). Mr. Stewart stated in substance that he was a 1st Lt
in the Reserve and that on the 29th of July 1947 shortly after 12 noon he
and Captain Ryherd had just landed from a routine training flight when
Captain Ryherd called Mr. Stewart's attention to an unidentified flying
object that was following a P-80 aircraft at a terrific rate of speed.
Mr. Stewart estimated the P-80 to be flying at approximately 250 miles
per hour on a preliminary approach to landing at Hanilton Field. In Mr.
Stewart's estimation the object he saw following the P-80 maintained a
speed of three to four times that of the aircraft. A moment later a
second object appeared and flow a course described as something similar
to a fighter aircraft's maneuvers when accompanying heavier ships, or a
left to right movement, over the object first sighted. Mr. Stewart stated
that this maneuvering continued until the objects were out of sight. He
estimated the time to be a proximately 15 seconds, the course approximately
120 degrees. Mr. Stewart could not estimate the size of the objects nor
actual altitude, though he did not believe them to be beyond six thousand
feet. Mr. Stewart described the objects as being milky white in color,
and unlike any conventional type aircraft he had ever seen. When questioned
whether he was fimiliar with the Navy "Flapjack", Mr. Stewart stated that
he was, and that he was certain the objects he reported seeing were not of
this nature.
AGENT'S NOTES: Mr. Stewart is a former officer of the U.S. AAF and a B-29
pilot of considerable experience. Mr. Stewart does not convey the im-
pression of being the kind of person who would "imagine" that he was seeing
objects, nor has he any apparent desire for publicity. Nr. Stewart is in
charge of machine shops at the University of California, Berkeley, California.
LESLIE S. HUBBARD, S/A, CIC ADC LAF
Incl.
Mr. Toless
OF
INVESTIGATION
Mise, H. A.
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Mr. Olegar
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
Slavin
AUG 15.1947
you
Ladd
Mr. Nichols
Mr. Rosen
ok
Mr. Tracy
Mr. Egan
TELETYPE
Mr. Gurnea
R.S.
Mr. Harbo
Mr. Mohr
Mr. Pennington
ep
FBI BUTTE
8-15-47
5-50 PM
VGW
Quinn Tamm
Mr. Nease
DIRECTOR, FBI
URGENT
Miss Gandy
FLYING DISCS. ON INSTANT DATEAXXXX DATE, AL W. HAWKINS, COUNTY
COMMISSIONER AND EX SHERIFF, TWIN FALLS, IDAHO, AND JMXXX J.
H.
BROWN, IDAHO STATE WAREHOUSE INSPECTOR, SAME COMMUNITY, ADVISED
THAT ON WEDNESDAY MORNING, AUGUST THIRTEEN LAST, AT APPROXIMATELY
NINE THIRTY AM WHILE FISHING IN RIVER APPROXIMATELY FORTY MILES
SOUTHWEST OF TWIN FALLS, IDAHO, IN ISOLATED COUNTRY, THEY SAW
TWO OBJECTS FLYING THROUGH AIR AT GREAT HEIGHT, WHICH APPRXXXX
APPEARED TO BE DISCS, AND AT SAME TIME HEARD ROAR SIMILAR TO NOISE
CREATED BY MOTOR TRUCK. INFORMANTS ADVISED OBJECTS MOVING VERY
RAPIDLY AND TAXXXX THAT THEY EACH APPEARED TO BE APPROXIMATELY SIX
FEET IN DIAMETER. OBJECTS QUICKLY DISAPPEARED FROM SIGHT AND HAVE
NOT BEEN SEEN SINCE NO FURTHER DESCRIPTION THESE OBJECTS PRESENTLY
AVAILABLE. FURTHER INVESTIGATION BEING A CONDUCTED BY THIS DIVISION
PURSUANT TO BUREAU BULLETIN NO. FORTY TWO, SUB DIVISION B, DATED
JULY THIRTY NINETEEN FORTY SEVEN. BUREAU WILL BE PROMPTLY INFORMED
OF ALL PERTINENT DEVELOPMENTS
ECORDED
BANISTER
62-83894-109
DEXED
F
B
END
50SEP 291947
HOLD PLS
344
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JJHN TELETYPE
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum
UNITED Sin..
GOVERNMENT
TO
: DIRECTOR, FBI
DATE: August
Key FROM : SAC, SAN FRANCISCO
R.S.
SUBJECT: REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS
Rrs 28, 1947
A
ATTENTION: ASSISTANT DIRECTOR D. M. LADD
if
On August 27, 1947, Lt. Colonel DONALD SPRINGER, A-2, Fourth Air
Force, Hamilton Field, California, advised that the Area Intelligence Require-
ments Division Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2 Headquarters, re-
quested that one WILLIAM-RHOADS of Phoenix, Arizona, be completely inter-
viewed in connection with a report that he had seen on July 7, 1947, what
he believed were flying discs. RHOADS is supposed to have taken several pic-
tures of the discs with a 620 Box Camera.
A previous report of this reported sighting of flying discs was
forwarded the Bureau on August 8, 1947.
Colonel SPRINGER has advised that GEORGE F. FUGATE, Jr., an
intelligence agent of A-2 stationed at Long B ach, California, would arrive
in Phoenix, Arizona, on or about September 2,°1947, and would be instructed
to contact the Phoenix Field Division Office.
In accordance with Bureau Bulletin No. 42, Series 1947, it is
felt that an agent from the Phoenix Field Division should interview WILLIAM
RHOADS at 4333 North 14th Street, Phoenix, if RHOADS has not already been
interviewed. Colonel SPRINGER indicated that Mr. FUGATE should, if possible,
sit in on this interview.
A copy of the report from A-2 dated August 4, 1947, along with three
photographic prints of the pictures allegedly taken by Mr. RHOADS, is being
enclosed for the Phoenix Field Division.
m
WWR/jo
62-2938
2 cc Phoenix (Encl.) (AMSD)
RECORDED & 62-83894-110
AIRMAIL SPECIAL DELIVERY
B
INDEXED
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15 SEP 24 1947
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RECEIVED
TANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Men
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UNITED
GOVERNMENT
65-477
TO
:
Director, FBI
DATE: August 27, 1947
wire
FROM :
SAC, Butte
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS SIGHTED BY
FRED CHRISMAN AND HAROLD DAHL,
TACOMA, WASHINGTON
SECURITY MATTER - X
Re Seattle tels August 7, 1947, and August 12, 1947, in the above
captioned matter.
KENNETH ARNOLD, Route 1, Mountain View Drive, Boise, Idaho, was inter-
viewed at the Boise Resident Agency, Boise, Idaho, by SA JOSEPH E. JETTE on
August 19, 1947. Mr. ARNOLD advised that he received a letter from RAYMOND A.
PALMER, Editor, Venture Press, Evenston, Illinois, dated June 26, 1947, in which
Mr. PALMER advised that he was interested in publishing an article in his magazine
concerning the flying discs seen by Mr. ARNOLD near Mount Rainier on June 24, 1947,
which letter is being enclosed to the Bureau. Mr. ARNOLD stated that he did not
give much thought to PALMER's letter until PALMER wrote him again and informed
him that FRED CHRISMAN and HAROLD A. DAHL of Tacoma, Washington, had sent him
fragments of a flying disc and that he would like him (ARNOLD) to go to Tacoma,
Washington, and contact CHRISMAN and DAHL to find out if there was any truth in
their story about the disc fragments. He stated that he did not answer PALMER's
letter, but inquired of several friends for their opinion in the matter, and
that they all told him if PALMER desired to pay his expenses to go to Tacoma,
Washington, and look into this matter, that they did not see where he had anything
to lose. He informed that he gave a talk at the Boise Ad Club on July 25, 1947,
about the flying discs he had seen, and also of the request contained in PALMER's
ENCL.
letter to go to Tacoma to investigate additional information regarding the find-
ing of disc fragments by CHRISMAN and DAHL.
In
3 ENCL
3
ARNOLD advised that following his talk, he was approached by a person
DESK
who said he knew both CHRISMAN and DAHL and that they were very reliable
individuals. He stated that after thinking it over, he called PALMER by telephone
and at which time he informed PALMER that he would contact CHRISMAN and DAHL and
investigate the matter regarding the disc fragments, if PALMER would send him
$200.00 expense money. He also advised that he received $200.00 expense money
from PALMER via Western Union the next morning. He informed that he left for
Tacoma, Washington, via his personal plane on July 30, 1947. Upon arriving at
Pendleton, Oregon, he told his story to ED LEACH, CAA Inspector from Portland,
Oregon, who advised him to go ahead with his investigation.
He stated that he landed at Barry EX-46 Airport Tacoma and obtainedja
room at the Winthrop Hotel. He informed that he then ca lled RAHLSED telephone to
make arrangements to talk to him regarding the disc framents. He advised that
DAHL insisted on coming to the hotel room immediately Upon arriving at Mr. ARNOLD's
hotel room, DAHL stated that he wanted to forget about the discs as too many things
had been happening to him, and advised Mr. ARNOLD home and forget about
the discs. Mr. ARNOLD stated that he informed DAHL that he wanted to obtain all
COPIES DESTROYED
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ЛИЦЕР 2.1.V.LE? СОЛЕКИЙЕИТ
Director, FBI
August 27, 1947
Re: Flying Discs - Tacoma, Wn.
of the information available regarding the disc fragments and that he understood
that DAHL had told the press about the disc fragments, stating there was nothing
to the story and that it was a phoney. DAHL immediately replied that his story
was not false or phoney, but that what he had seen and what had happened to him
was so unusual and fantastic that he wanted to forget about the disc fragments.
DAHL then agreed to tell Mr. ARNOLD the following story, providing his name and
the Harbor Patrols would be left out:
DAHL stated that his dog had been killed and his boy hurt and that
the wheel mount on his harbor patrol boat had been struck by disc fragments,
and that about twenty ton of this material had fallen on the beach at Mauri
Island, and into the bay, and that a day after this incident, a man about forty
years of age had contacted him and told him, "I know what you saw at Mauri Island
and I'm telling you in a nice way to forget about it and keep your mouth shut."
DAHL stated that he had obtained a large number of the fragments and had taken
them home, but that FRED THICKMAN, his superior officer, had told him to send
the fragments to RAYMOND PALMER at Chicago; that PALMER would analyze the specimens
free of charge. DAHL continued stating that on the afternoon of June 21, 1947,
he was on patrol with his boy, dog, and two seamen near a cove on the east side
of Mauri Island. He stated that he looked up through the windshield of the boat
and at a height of about 1,000 feet, he saw six round circular grey objects
that looked like large inner tubes slightly squashed. These objects appeared
to be about 100 feet across and in the center was a hole about twenty-five feet.
DAHL said he assumed they were some type of a balloon. The object in the center
was lower than the rest of the other objects, and the other objects were circling
around it. The object in the center seemed to be descending while the others
followed. As the objects descended he saw port holes around the inside of the
object and what appeared to be windows. He stated that the object in the center
descended to about 500 feet, and that suddenly one of the circling objects came
down and touched the object in the center and remained in this position for a
few minutes, while the other objects continued to circle above. The object
which had descended and touched the object in the center and which was lower,
then rose and took its place with the other objects.
All of the objects then started to rise and what appeared to be news-
papers came out of the center of the object in the middle of the circling object.
Then the sky seemed to rain lava, the lava coming from the object in the center
and DAHL headed the boat for shore. He stated that the lava coming from the
object in the center appeared to be 8. white metal, and as it fell into the water,
clouds of steam rose from the water. He stated that some of the lava landed on
the beach. He also stated that his dog was killed and also a sea gull in addition
to his boy being hurt by the falling lava. Mr. ARNOLD continued stating that
DAHL had said that he had taken pictures of the object and that if Mr. ARNOLD
wanted them, he could have the negatives. DAHL took Mr. ARNOLD to the home of
his secretary that evening and showed him some of the disc fragments he had
picked up, which were smooth on one side and rough on the other, according to
Mr. ARNOLD.
-2-
89
Director, FBI
August 27, 1947
Re: Flying Discs - Tacoma, Wn.
Mr. ARNOLD stated he received a telephone call from the press upon
returning to his hotel room, and that the press wanted to know about the flying
disc fragments, and he told them that he was not talking until he had proved
it. He stated he did not know how the press ever knew he was in Tacoma or had
seen DAHL.
Mr. ARNOLD informed that at 9:30 A.M. the next morning, July 31, 1947,
DAHL and CHRISMAN appeared at his hotel room and DAHL again asked him to go home
and forget about the discs, that his story was not false, but that he had had.
enough trouble. DAHL said that his boy had been missed one morning and had been
found at Lust, Montana, waiting on tables in a cafe; that he did not know how
he had got there and that too many things were happening. Mr. ARNOLD stated
that when DAHL and CHRISMAN came to his hotel room, they had an armful of
fragments, and that CHRISMAN had then informed about how he had seen an object
resembling those seen by DAHL. CHRISMAN stated he had taken the patrol boat
on July 23, 1947, and had gone to Mauri Island and had found the beach littered
with lava. CHRISMAN stated he had looked up and had seen a balloon-like object
with port holes and windows, which had disappeared into a large cloud. ARNOLD
stated that he asked DAHL again to see the pictures of the objects; that DAHL
had again agreed to show them to him. Mr. ARNOLD informed that he had then
asked DAHL and CHRISMAN if it would be all right for him to call a friend,
Captain SMITH, who had also seen some flying discs and let him see the fragments
and hear Mr. DAHL's story. DAHL dissented, however, CHRISMAN readily agreed.
He also stated that he had placed a call to Lieutenant BROWN and Captain
DAVIDSON, Army intelligence officers at Hamilton Field, and had asked them to
come to his hotel, as they had previously instructed him to report to them any-
thing of an unusual nature or of interest regarding the flying discs.
He stated he flew to Seattle and got Captain SMITH, and that Lieutenant
BROWN and Captain DAVIDSON had come to his room about 4:00 P.M. Mr. ARNOLD
advised that he had asked Lieutenant BROWN just what he had found out regarding
the discs, and Lieutenant BROWN had confidentially informed him that they had
obtained a picture of a disc, which appeared to be authentic, which picture
was taken by a man in Phoenix, Arizona. The picture, according to Lieutenant
BROWN, was of a circular object with a hole in the center, and of another object
that looked like a flying wing. He stated that when Lieutenant BROWN told him
this that he immediately thought of the object seen by DAHL. He stated that
after hearing DAHL's story, Lieutenant BROWN and Captain DAVIDSON's attitude
had changed immediately, and that they appeared disinterested. It was then
suggested that they all go to Mauri Island and look for the disc fragments.
Lieutenant BROWN and Captain DAVIDSON stated that they had to return to Hamilton
Field immediately. Mr. ARNOLD stated that Lieutenant BROWN and Captain DAVIDSON
were very careful to gather up all of the fragments which had been brought to
the room by DAHL and CHRISMAN.
-3-
Director, FBI
August 27, 1947
Re: Flying Discs - Tacoma, Wn.
He stated that the next morning he received a call from CHRISMAN,
who told him that Lieutenant BROWN and Captain DAVIDSON had been killed in 8.
B-25 crash. He stated he does not know how CHRISMAN knew who had been in
the plane before anyone else. He also stated that during the above conference
numerous telephone calls were received from the press, wanting to know about
the conference. He stated that someone kept tipping the press off as to what
was going on and what was being said daily verbatim. He informed that PAUL
LAND and MORELLO, United Press men at Tacoma, appeared to know all that took
place during the conference, and even knew of the crash of the B-25 and those
aboard, before the Army released this information. Mr. ARNOLD informed that
when he received news of the crash, that he and Captain SMITH fully expected
to be contacted by Army Intelligence, as they were the last people with
Lieutenant BROWN and Captain DAVIDSON, however, they were never contacted.
He further stated that he and Captain SMITH went down to the United
Press to see what the survivors of the crash had informed about the crash and
that MORELLO had told them that the mysterious informant who had been calling
had told him that the B-25 had not crashed, but had been S hot down, also that
MORELLO's Army informant had said that an observer at Kelso, Washington, had
seen the plane throw out a landing flare after the two survivors had jumped
from the plane, and that the plane had gone into a steep dive and dove into a
hillside, and further that one engine had been on fire, but that the fire
apparatus, protecting the engine, had failed to function. Mr. ARNOLD stated
that DAHL then came to see him and Captain SMITH and told them to go home and
forget about the discs, that such things as the B-25 crash had been happening
to him all along.
Mr. ARNOLD stated that he then called Mr. PALMER at Chicago and told
him that the deal was off and that if he wanted his $200.00 back, he could
have it; that two men had been killed and he was getting frightened of the
whole thing. He stated that PALMER informed him that it was all right with him
to keep the $200.00, however, he would send him an additional check for the
trouble he had put to. Mr. ARNOLD advised that previous to this telephone call,
Captain SMITH had called his friend, MORRIS RODDY, of the Chicago Times and had
told him that he did not have any faith in Army -ntelligence and for RODDY to
conduct an investigation on PALMER and get to the bottom of this disc fantasy.
Mr. ARNOLD also advised that previous to the two above telephone calls, he had
asked the press to investigate PALMER, as Army Intelligence had informed him that
they could not find PALMER and knew nothing concerning him, and appeared not to
be interested in PALMER, who seemed to know more about the flying discs than
anyone else.
Mr. ARNOLD stated that he personally thinks that PALMER's business is
a blind for something else and that DAHL and CHRISMAN will do anything that
PALMER asks him to and will not talk unless PALMER tells him to. Mr. ARNOLD
stated that he still wanted to get to the bottom of the disc fragment story
so he and Captain SMITH had decided to go to Mauri Island on Sunday, August 3,
-4-
Director, FBI
August 27, 1947
Re: Flying Discs - Tacoma, Wn.
1947, however, when CHRISMAN was approached in this regard, and they had gone
to the boat house where CHRISMAN kept his boat, CHRISMAN could not seem to
make the boat run, and after making some excuses that he had to return to his
office, had stated that he would return in about an hour, and by that time
his mechanic should have the boat repaired and they could all proceed to Mauri
Island. Mr. ARNOLD informed that CHRISMAN never returned, and that they were
unable to locate CHRISMAN at any of the telephone numbers he had given them.
They located DAHL in 8. movie, according to ARNOLD, and that DAHL,
after making some efforts to locate CHRISMAN, had informed them that CHRISMAN
had left town for a few days. He further informed that about this time the
press contacted them and told them an informant had called and told them
that CHRISMAN was on his way to Alaska in an Army plane.
Mr. ARNOLD advised that Captain SMITH had informed him that he had
made an appointment with Major SANDERS at McCord Field and intended to tell
Major SANDERS the complete story. During the afternoon, Captain SMITH and
Major SANDERS came to the hotel room, according to ARNOLD, and some of the
fragments that DAHL had brought to Mr. ARNOLD's room, following the conference,
were shown to Major SANDERS. Upon viewing the fragments, Major SANDERS, accord-
ing to Mr. ARNOLD, stated that they were nothing but slag from the copper mill,
however, before Major SANDERS left, he gathered up every fragment in the room,
according to Mr. ARNOLD, and took them with him. Mr. ARNOLD stated that he
then left for Boise, Idaho.
Mr. ARNOLD produced a letter dated August 5, 1947, from PALMER
in which PALMER attempts to encourage Mr. ARNOLD to continue his investigation
into the flying discs. This letter is also being enclosed to the Bureau.
Mr. ARNOLD also gave SA JETTE a copy of the article sent to Mr. PALMER and
to the Commanding General, Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio, regarding his sighting
of the nine discs near Mount Rainier on June 24, 1947. This article is also
being enclosed to the Bureau. Mr. ARNOLD advised that he is vitally interested
in this matter and knows that there must be something to the flying discsstory
He stated that he will do everything in his power to help the Bureau in this
matter. He also advised that he has no connection whatsoever with the Boise
Statesman. He stated that the Boise Statesman has never paid him for any
information he has given them. He informed that he sincerely believes that
the Boise Statesman is attempting, as he is, to get to the bottom of the flying
discs story. Mr. ARNOLD stated that he has told the above story to Army
Intelligence and Major SANDERS and to no one else, with the exception of
SA JETTE.
DAVE JOHNSON, Boise Statesman, Boise, Idaho, advised that the Boise
Statesman has never paid Mr. ARNOLD for any news item he has given them, and
has never approached him in this manner. He stated that the Boise Statesman
is not attempting to push the flying discs story, but merely attempting to
-5-
SHTATS
MORE
Director, FBI
August 27, 1947
Re: Flying Discs - Tacoma, Wn.
:TOHISUA
get to the bottom of the flying discs story as they sincerely believe there is
someone who knows the story of the discs and that they actually exist, and
that the Army, when approached for information, merely state that they know
nothing concerning them. JOHNSON also informed that Lieutenant BROWN and
Captain DAVIDSON had contacted him on July 20, 1947, at Boise, 'daho, regard-
ing the discs and that is how he met them.
Unless advised th the contrary, no additional investigation is
being conducted in this matter, and it is being considered as Referred Upon
Completion to the Seattle Office.
JEJ:FPMc
Encs. (REGISTERED)
AIR MAIL
SPECIAL DELIVERY
CC - Seattle
62-83894-1111
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
P. 0 BOX 308
BUTIE MONTANA
Encs. to Bureau
Re: Flying Discs
Butte file 65-477
62-83894-111
ENTURE PRESS
UNITED
STATES
POSTAGE
3
UNITED
STATES
CENTS
POSTAGE
EFFERSON
S
CHICAGO
CENTS
305 STUDIO BUILDING
1718 SHERMAN AVENUE
4³⁰ PM
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS
22 1947
62-82894-1111
AIR
Mr. Kenneth Arnold,
MAIL
Box 387
Boise, Idaho
VENTURE PRESS
305 STUDIO BUILDING
1718 SHERMAN AVENUE
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS
August 5, 1947
Mr. Kenneth Arnold,
Box 387,
Boise, Idaho
Dear Mr. Arnold:
It seems that Mr. Maurice Roddy of the Chicago Times got the
story from Mr. Smith, because he called me, told me he was
running it. I knew only what you'd told me over the phone.
Now, it seems the newspapers are pestering the very devil out
of all you fellows. Crisman wired me for instructions, and I
told him to say nothing to the newspapers, because he'll look
silly if the army explains this as "meteors" or something like
that.
I don't blame you for being alarmed, but I trust you've had no
trouble in your flying since then. Let's get that straight--
there's no horrible plot infolved. It's probably true that the
two men killed were just aacidents. It could be true that it
was not an accident, but I don't think there was any connection
with the disks, or anything of that nature, nor is the material
from Murray Island to blame.
Certainly I don't think you'd suffer from completing your report
on your mission, and sending me your affidavit. Also, you'll
have some money coming for that, and no sense to tossing that out
of the window. It is unfortunate that the thing seemed so big
you had to call in army intelligence, but it wi. 11 take them a
long time to proceed to the point I've reached inthis disk mystery.
You see, you aren't the first to see them. They've been known
for nearly forty years, and I have ample proof of that. But
your experience was the first real break toward a solution. I'd
hate to have you drop the matter when all remaining to do is to
file your report with me.
Crisman is willing to contribute his share. I hope you will too.
This thing must not be hushed up and forgotten. It's much too
important to the people of America, if not the world. And no
censorship of the matter is legal. You needn't fear that angle.
You certainly did a bang-up job of investigation, also you wrote
one of the best articles about your June 24 experience I've ever
seen. Please do the same on this last business. You Owe it to
those two men who were killed.
I'd also like to know what developed on those pictures you took
of those "důcks", or whatever they were.
-2-
In short, I'd like to have you continue to keep in contact
with me, and relay to me anything further you learn.
In turn, I'll give you the whole story, which I'm just about
ready to break (not in the newspapers). And if it was as
dangerous as you seem to suspect, I'm afraid I'd have been
a corpse long ago!
But, and this is all you need remember, those disks are not
red corpuscles in your eyeball, and they are not something
we can forget about with an ostrich in the sand attitude.
We've We got to solve them, public hysteria or no. As for that
hysteria, if laughing is hysteria, that's all the hysteria
I've noticed:
By all means, I want to thank you for the work you've done.
You know your business, and you handled it like e. major.
But I'm hoping you do the easy part now and get that report
on paper.
A check for your June 24 article is going out to you.
Sincerely yours,
R. A. Palmer
-S-
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VENTURE PRESS
305 STUDIO BUILDING
1718 SHERMAN AVENUE
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS
Perisence R.A. Palmin
June 26, 1947
aleasbroom Burien 5700 3093
Mr. Kenneth Arnold,
Boise, Idaho
Dear Mr. Arnold:
I have just read an account in the Chicago Tribune concerning
an aerial train composed of at least 9 units shaped like a
pie-plate and silvery in color, traveling at 1200 m.p.h. near
Mount Ranier, as witnessed by you while flying in the vicinity.
This is quite important to me, because I have in my possession
numerous independent confirmations of what you saw, although none
in as great detail as your account. I am interested in publishing
an article in our magazine, written from a personal account by
yourself, and accompanied by pix of yourself, plane, and rough
sketches by yourself, of what you saw.
If you care to do this for me, I am prepared to pay our usual
rates of 2¢ perword, plus $5.00 for each photograph you can
provide, or for each sketch which can be used by our art staff
to illustrate the article.
Included in this material, we'd like a short biographical
sketch of yourself as "author background" material. The
article would appear under your by-line.
If you are not interested, I would at least appreciate a
letter from you, confirming the newspaper story.
Very truly yours,
Raymond Ralmer
Raymond A. Palmer
Editor, The Venture Press
In your reply, please use airmail.
SOME LIFE DATA ON KENNETH ARNOLD
I was born March 29, 1915 in Sebeka, Minnesota. My father's name
was Blward 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 Scobey, Montana, where they homesteaded. My grandfather, Roland C.
Arnold also homesteaded in Scobey, Montana, and became quite prominent
in political circles along with Burton K. Wheeler, the famous Montana
senator.
I went to grade school and high school at Minot, North Dakota. I
entered 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, 133 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 swan 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 sumbition in furthering my education in
college was through my athletics. As a boy in Minot, North Dakota, I did
a good doal of dog sled racing, placing first with my dog in 1930 in the
Lion's Club Dog Derby.
In 1938 I went to work for Red Comet, Inc., of Littleton, Colorado,
a manufacturer of automatic fire fighting apparatus. In 1939 I was made
district manager for them over a part of the western states, and in 1940
Page 2 - Some Life data on Kenneth Arnold
I estabished my own fire control supply known as the Great Western Fire
Control Supply. I have been working as an independent fire control
engimer 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 To 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 hun-
dred hours per month since. Due to the fact that I use an airplane
entirely in my work, in January of this year I purchased a new Callair
airplane, which is an airplane designed for high altitude take-offs and
short rough field usage.
In the type of flying I do, it takes a great deal of 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.
COPY
Dy Kometh 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 notorioty 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 sensitivity 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,
Washington. My trip was delayed for an hour to search for a large marim
transport that supposedly went down near or around the southwest side of
Mt. Rainier in the state of Washington. (This transport has been dis-
covered at the time of this writing-July 29, 1947.)
I flow directly toward Mt. Rainior after reaching an altitude of
about 9,500 feet, which is the approximate elevation of the high plateau
from which Mt. Rainler 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
A shford, 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, start-
ing again toward M. 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 hey are flying at a
higher altitude, I trimed out my airplane in the direction of Yakima,
Page 2
Washington, which W&B almost directly east of my position and simply sat
in my plane observing the sky and the terrain.
There was a DC-1; to the left and to the rear of me approximately
fifteen miles distant, and I should judge, at 14,000 feet elevation.
The sky and air were as clear as crystal. I had not flown more
than two or three minutes on my course when a bright flash reflected on
my airplane. It startled ne 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 feet elevation and going,
seemingly, in a definite direction of about 170 degrees north to south.
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 then at an angle that reflected brightly on my plane.
These objects being quite fax away, I was unable for a few seconds
to make out their shape or their formation. Very shortly they approached
It. 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-ilt. Rainier and Mt. Adams- I
could clock them by and the air was BO clear that it was very easy to see
objects and determine their approximate shape and size at almost fifty
miles.
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 It.
Rainier. I watched these objects with great interest as I had never before
observed airplanes flying so close to the mountain tops, flying directly
Page 3
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 flow 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 moun-
tain peaks. Their speed at the time did not impress me particularly, be-
cause I know that our army and air forces had planes that went very fast.
What kept bothering DIG 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 an 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 fronthem,
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 com-
pared a seus fastener or cowling tool I had in my pocket with them - hold-
ing it up on the and holding it up on the DC-4 that I could observe at
quite a distance to my left - and they seemed smaller than the DC-43 but
I should judge their span would have been as wide as the furtherest engines
on each side of the fuselage of the DC-4.
The more I observed these objects, the more upset I became, as I
an accustomed and familiar with most all objects flying whether I am close
to the ground or at higher altitudes. I observed the chain of these
objects passing another high snow-covered ridge in between It. Rainier
and Mr. Adams, 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 ticular ridge, I measured
it and found 1t to be approximately five miles so I could safely assume
that the chain of these saucer-like objects were at least five miles long.
Page 4
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 northern-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 confi-
dent after I landed there would be 8020 oxplanation 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
then with a completely unobstructed view.
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 throu h my mind. I became more disturbed, 80 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 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 an making a
drawing to the best of my ability, which I an including, as to the shape
I observed these objects to be as they passed the snow covered ridges as
well as Mt. Rainier.
Page 5
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 seen to be going up or to be coming down, such as would be the case
of rockets or artillery shells. I an convinced in my own mind that they
were some type of airplane, even though they did not 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 these observers that I can truthfully say must have
observed the same thing that I did; particularly, the descriptions of the
three Western Air Lines employees of Cedar City, Utah, the pilot from
Oklahoma City, the locomotive engineer in Illinois, Mr. John Corlett a
United Press correspondent of Boise, Idaho, Dave Johnson, news editor at
the Boise Daily Stateman, Captain Smith-Co-pillot Stevens-and Marty
Morrow of United Air Lines, and Captain Charles F. Gebian and Jack Harvey
of United Air Lines both of whom only last night, July 28, 1947, made
their observation on United Air Line flight 105 westbound out of Boise.
It is my opinion that 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 at ospheric
moisture and dust near the ground which could distort one's vision while
air observers I would judge to be very accurate.
I have in my possession letters from all over the United States
and Europe from people who profess that these objects have been observed
over other portions of the world, principally Sweden, Bermuda, and
Page 6
California.
I would have given almost anything that day to have had a movie
canera 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 Yakima, Washing-
ton, airport I described what I had seen to my very good friend, Al Baxter
who is the General Manager of Central Aircraft Company. He listened
patiently and was very courteous but in a joking way didn't believe m.
$
I did not accurately neasure the distance between these two noun-
tains until I landed at Pendleton, Oregon that same day where I told a
mumber 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 Force pilot who is now
operating dusting operations at Pendleton, Oregon What you observed, I
an convinced, is some type of jet or rocket propelled ship that is in the
process of bing tested by our government or even 1t could possibly be by
some foreign government".
Anyhow, the news that I had observed there 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 10 out to be. To no it 1s 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 nover heard about, is no reason that it
does not exist. Even though I openly invited an investi gation by the Army
Page 7
and the FBI as to the authenticity of my story or a mental and physical
examination as to my capabilities, I received no interest from these
two important protective forces of our country until two weeks after
my observation. I will go 80 far as to assume that if our Military
Intelligence was not aware of what I observed and reported to the United
and Associated Press and over the radio on two different occasions with
apparently set the nation bussing, they would be the very first peoplet
I could expect as visitors.
(
I have received lots of requests from people who told no 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, which is
a three place single engine land ship that is designed and manufactured
at Afton, Wyoming as an extremely high performance, high altitude air-
plane that was made for mountain work. The national certificat of my
plane is 33355.
no Smoke trails
Top
w Naper trails
very Bright
one looked
like Bilver an
like this the
miror.
Second from last
afreement formation a lettle smaller
Question of travel:
side Views (Black) color.
autlene as above
appeared Black
against snow af
Ant Ramin
while I sent to Com Wright General. Fild
this is a copy of the same
Dayton Ohio
July 29, 1947
AIR MAIL
Mr. Raymond A. Palmer
Editor, The Venture Press
305 Studio Building
1718 Shorman Avenue
Evanston, Illinois
Dear Mr. Palmer:
I am enclosing the material you requested together with
photographs, and also a skotch of my life history.
Termith Yours very truly, amadd.
Kenneth
Arnold
the This Same copy as is I sent to Sen Palmer and
COPY
Form 3811
Rev. 1-4-40
return RECEIPT
Received from the Postmaster the Registered or Insured Article, the original
number of which appears on the face of this Card.
1
Raymond (Signature or a name of addressee) Palmer
2.
(Signature Roger of adressee's agent-Agent P.Graham should enter addressee's name on line ONE above)
1
111-H6828-K9
Date of delivery 7-31
, 1947
U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
16-12421
Post Office Department
PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE TO AVOID PAYMENT OF POSTAGE, $300
(GFO)
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
EVANSTON
POSTMARK OF DELIVERING
OFFICE
530 PM
1947
R lurn to Kanold
Street and Number,
or Post Office Box,
Boy OF
(NAME SENDER) 387
REGISTERED ARTICLE
No. 1240
INSURED PARCEL
BOISE,
No.
IDAHO.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Mr. Tolson
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
oy
Mr. E. A. Tamm
Mr. Clegg
AUG 14 1947
nA
and Mr. Rosen
Glavin
Ladd
Mr. Nichols
1
Oom
TELETYPE
m
Mr. Tracy
MS
Mr. Egan
Mr. Gurnea
Mr. Harbo
FBI SEATTLE
8-14-47
5-18 PM
F-Casketier
Mr. Mohr
FB
Mr. Pennington
Mr. Quinn Tamm
DIRECTOR FBI
ROUTINE
Mr. Nease
Miss Gandy
BRUCE ARMSTRONG. M. A. NICHOLS. FLYING DISCS INTERNAL SECURI TY-X
NEWSPAPER SEATTLE POST INTELLIGENCER CARRIED ARTICLE ON AUGUST
TWELVE OF REPORT OF FLYING DISCS SEEN BY ONE BRUCE ARMSTRONG OF
BOEING AIRCRAFT COMPANY, AND M. A. NICHOLS, ONE ONE TWO FIVE, SOUTH
WEST ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND STREET, SEATTLE. INVESTIGATION OF
K
SIGHTING BY ARMSTRONG REVEALS OBJECT TO HAVE BEEN PIECE OF UNNBURNT
PAPER WHICH HAD BEEN SEEN BY CONTROL TOWER AT BOEING FIELD. IN-
VESTIGATION 05 SIGHTING BY M. A. NICHOLS INDICATES OBJECT WAS
- 112
A WEATHER BALLON. LETTER TO FOLLOW.
50 SEP 3 1947
162-83894 31 F SEP 23 WILCOX B 55 NECEIVED ФЕСЛЫЙ 3 22 bW
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-
Mr. Tolson
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Mr. E. A. Tamm
U. 8. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Mr. Olegg
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
Day
Mr. Glavin
Mr. Ladd
AUG 15 1947
Mr. Nichols
JJ
Mr. Rosen
Ourn
Mr. Tracy
TELETYPE
Mr. Egan
Mr. Gurnea
MP
Mr. Harbo
Mr. Mohr
Mr. Pennington
Mr. Quinn Tamm
PORTLAND FBI
8-15-47
-1-48 PM
Mr. EST
Miss Gandy
DIRECTOR FBI
1
protection
FLYING DISCS - SECURITY MATTER DASH X. A MR JOHN BARTLETT,
AGATE BEACH, NEAR OCEAN LAKE, OREGON HAS REPORTED THAT THE EVENING
OF AUGUST SEVEN, AT ELEVEN THIRTY PM HE SIGHTED WHAT HE BELIEVED
BAN JaCoye TOP he
TO BE A DISC BRIGHT IN COLOR WHICH HE WAS ABLE TO OBSERVE FOR
ONLY A SHORT TIME BECAUSE OF
ITSCORDED
62-83894 BARTLETT TO BE INTERVIEWED.
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JINO 3⑇⑇13731 RECEIVED
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Mr. Toison
Mr. E. A. Tamm
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Mr. Clegg
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
Mr. Glavin
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
AUG 7. cw 1947
Dlay
Mr. Ladd
Mr. Nichols
Mr. Rosen
RS
Mr. Tracy
Mr. Egan
Mr. Gurnea
HB
TELETYPE
Mr. Harbo
Mr. Mohr
Mr. Pennington
Mr. Quinn Tamm
Mr. Nease
Miss Gandy
WASHINGTON 17 FROM PHILADELPHIA
8-7-47
9-30 PM DST Comy
DIRECTOR FBI URGENT Flying Discs
FLYING OBJECT REPORTED OVER PHILA. AUGUST SIX, NINETEEN FORTY-SEVEN.
SABOTAGE. THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER ON AUGUST SEVEN, NINETEEN
FORTY SEVEN CARRIED ITEM CONCERNING FLYING OBJECTS OBSERVED OVER
PHILA ON EVENING OF AUGUST SIX, FORTY SEVEN. PEOPLE REPORTED AS
20
OBSERVING SUCH INTERVIEWED BY PHILA. OFFICE, AND SUBSTANTIALLY
1-7cc
FURNISHED FOLLOWING INFORMATION. AT TEN FORTY FIVE, AUGUST SIX,
her
NINETEEN FORTY SEVEN, A BLUISH WHITE FLAMING OBJECT WAS OBSERVED AT
A HEIGHT OF ONE THOUSNXXX THOUSAND FEET OR MORE OVER
PHILADELPHIA L
B2
PROCEEDING FROM A NORTHEASTERLY TO A SOUTHWESTERLY DIRECTION.
THIS OBJECT LEFT A TAXXX TRAIL OF SMOKE WHICH LASTED FOR ABOUT
SIGHT OF SUCH OBJECT. PEOPLE OBSERVING THE SAME 31 SEEMED RESPONSIBLE AND
TWO SECONDS AND W HISSING OR BUZZING SOUND INDES ED AUDIBLE 62-83894 AFTER THE
#4
B
I
26
RELIABLE, AND INCLUDE A FORMS FORMER ARMY AIR CORPS PILOT. HE
WAS A SET
DOES NOT BELIEVE ABOVE MENTIONED OBJECT MDZVLWDONET PROPELLED PLANE
ECEINE
SINCE THE ACCOMPANYING SOUND WAS NOT AS LOUD AS THAT MADE BY JET
PROPELLED PLANES. HE ESTIMATED ABOVE OBJECT TRAVELED AT A RATE OF
END PAGE ONE
T OCT 224 1947
EX-41
11/31/5
Mr. hadd
QC.'
Mr. Baungardan
RECEIVED-TAMM
FBI
U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
Aug 8 9 56
EP 29 10 56
RECEIVED AM AUG 8 47 TIPO
SECURITY
just
JUSTICA I
Read 9/29/47
11: 30AM
mest
1
:
PAGE TWO
ABOUT FOUR HUNDRED TO FIVE HUNDRED MILES PER HOUR. INQUIRIES BEING
MADE BY ARMY AND NAVY INTELLIGENCE FORCES, PHILA. ON THE REQUEST
OF THE PHILA. OFFICE TO DETERMINE IF EITHER ARMY OR NAVY ARE DOING
ANY EXPERIMENTAL WORK ON NEW TYPES OF PLANES IN VICINITY OF PHILA.
THEY WILL ADVISE PHILA. OFFICE IN NEXT SEVERAL DAYS. LETTER OF
DETAILS WILL FOLLOW.
foi
BOARDMAN
HOLD PLS
RECEIVED teletype UNIT
AUG 7 9 35 PM '47
F.B.I.DEPT.OF JUSTICE
RECEIVED
.WV 95 01 62 62 d
SECURITY an
INTERNAL B.1.
HOT OF
AUG 8 5 5.37 37 AM '47
U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTIC
RECED DIRECTOR HRE ΓOH
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum
UNITED STATES OVERNMENT
65-480
Its
TO
D:
actor FBI
DATE:
August 20, 1947
FROM
SAC Butte
Q
SUBJECT:
FLYING DISCS
Hepather
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.
Cc
en
URIE attempted to sketch his impressions of the instrument which he claims to
have seen.
Concerning URIE's sketches, it may be noted that he believed the
rolled outer edge which he attempted to create in his drawing to have been about
a foot through. URIE likewise believed that the tubing 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 nor
to widen out toward the back.
BILLY 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
ENCL ATTACHED
thought that it was more streamlined and curved. URIE said that the instru-
ment came to a pointed or rounded top.
DEFERRED RECORDIN LA
In his notations, URIE mistakenly said that he had seen it on Thurs-
day. 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 the river to get some
rope 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
the sky and he glanced up to see what he called the flying disc. He said he
could only see it for a moment before it disappeared behind a hill which
obscured his view.
HANDLE
BANDLE STOP DESE
URIE further stated that the contrivance was about seventy-five
feet in the air. 

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