Extracted text — 65_HS1-834228961_62-HQ-83894_Serial_130

CONFIDENTIAL
DECLASSIFIED
62-83894-130
Authority:
NND 90986
HEADQUARTERS
IN REPLY
AIR DEFENSE COMMAND
REFER TO:
MITCHEL FIELD, NEW YORK
12 September 1947
SUBJECT: Unidentified Flying Object
(Interview - Alpheus 0. Powell)
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION:
The following information was received 12 August 1947 from Mr.
Alpheus O. Powell, 28 Redwood Road, New Hyde Park, Long Island, relative
to the sighting of a possible flying dise 4 August 1947.
On 4 August 1947, Mr Powell, an Airlines Captain with Pan American
Airways, Inc., was the first pilot of a. Constellation type aircraft on a
flight from Gander, Newfoundland, to La Guardia Field, New York. Mr. Powell
took over the aircraft at Gander, Newfoundland and departed at approximately
1230 P.M., Eastern Daylight Saving Time for La Guardia Field, New York. At
1600 P.M., at a position approximately midway between the Everett (Mass) Pan
Marker and the Bedford Radio Beacon (Everett is 3 miles NW of Boston, Mass.,
and Bedford is 15 miles NW of the same city) both Mr Powell and Mr W. White,
navigator on this trip, sighted unidentifiable flying objects. To the best
of Mr. Powell's knowledge, the following weather conditions existed at that
time: Visibility was good; cloud coverage was from 6-8/10ths, with tops at
10,000 feet; and the wind at the 8,000 foot level was estimated as being
270/25 miles per hour. The aircraft was at 8,000 feet; airspeed 265 mph;
and the course was 244 degrees, magnetic.
Mr White, who was sitting in the co-pilots seat (the right side of
the cockpit) first called Mr. Powell's attention to a bright orange object,,
which was on the right side of the plane, and slightly below the level of the
aircraft. Mr Powell was unable to see the object, as he had no visibility to
the right and down, from his position. Mr Powell immediately glanced out his
side window and noticed, at a 45° angle to the left, and unidentified flying
object. It was about one mile away at an altitude of approximately 7,800
feet. Mr Powell banked to obtain a better view of the object. The object
was under observation for approximately 30 seconds, and during this time was
viewed by Mr Powell. Mr Powell described the object as being about the length
of a P-40 fuselage, blunt at both ends, cylindrical in shape, and having a
bright orange hue. Mr Powell stated that the object had a definite shape, and
that there was no suggestion of gaseous dissipation as there would be if the
orange color were the exhaust from a rocket, or a jet aircraft. Mr Powell
estimated the course of the object to be 200° magnetic, and that the object
was travelling at approximately 150 mph. Mr Powell lost sight of the object,
when a cloud came between the aircraft and the object. The pursuit of the
object was not continued, inasmuch as it would have necessitated a departure
from the established airways.
344,29TOOH
done
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
HEADQUARTERS
AIR DEFENSE COMMAND
IN REPLY
MITCHEL FIELD, NEW YORK
REFER TO:
15 September 1947
SUBJECT: Unidentified Flying Objects
(Interview - - Walter I. White)
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION:
The following information relative to the sighting of & possible
flying disc 4 August 1947, was received 10 September 1947 from Mr. Walter
I. White, 19-57 79th Street, Jackson Heights, New York.
On 4 August 1947, Mr. White, Pan American Airways Ino., was the
navigator of a Constellation type aireraft on a flight from Gander, New-
foundland to La Guardia Field, New York. At 1600, at 6. position approxi-
mately 10 miles NW of Boston, Mass., Mr White sighted a flying object which
he was unable to identify. At this time Mr White was sitting in the co-
pilots seat, and looking out the right side for other aircraft that might
be in the vicinity. Mr White stated that when he first sighted the object,
it appeared to be about 3 miles away, and at least 1,000 feet below the level
of the Constellation. Mr White believes that he studied the object for almost
30 seconds before he called the pilot's attention to it. Mr White described
the object as being a deep gold in color, and that its' surface reflected
light. It appeared to be about 15 feet in length, and from 2-3 feet in depth;
elliptical in shape and blunted at the ends. Mr White estimated the speed of
the object as being 175 miles per hour, and that it was travelling in on east-
erly direction, on a course of approximately 110° magnetic. Mr White then
told the aircraft commander that there was an unidentified object to the right,
and again glanced out to observe the object, catching a momentary glimpse of
it before the pilot banked the plane to the left. When the aircraft banked
Mr White lost sight of the object. At this point, Mr Powell, the aircraft
Captain, exclaimed that he was able to see a similar object on his side.
Mr White was unable to see the object on Mr Powell's side. He stated that
he does not believe that it was the same object that he had viewed inasmuch
as the one he saw if it had remained on the same course would have been
hidden from view by that time by the wings and tail section of the Constella-
tion. Mr White stated that the pilot then righted the plane. The entire in-
cident transpired in less than a minute and one-half.
Mr White describes the weather condition at the time of sightings as
follows: about 5/10th scattered cumulus, with tops at 10,000 feet; visibility
10 miles; wind at flight level, West at about 15 mph. The flight level of the
aircraft at this time was 8,000 feet, TAS 270, and the magnetic course was SW.
AGENTS NOTES: Mr Walter I. White has been employed by Pan American Airways
for the past five years as a Navigator, and during the war worked with PAA
duda,
CONFIDENTIAL
done
CONFIDENTIAL
in conjunction with contract flying for the AAF. Mr White states that he
has flown with Mr Powell on & number of occasions, and he considers him
to be a very stable person; completely reliable, and not given to
"flights of fancy".
Related Report: See Summary of Information, 12 September 1947. Hq ADC,
subject, "Unidentified Flying Objects" (interview - Alpheus 0. Powell).
Previous Distribution:
- None
Evaluation
Distribution
- AAF (3 copies)
of source
of information
- ADC (2 copies)
C
3
DECEINED
Mayo
2
done
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
AGENTS NOTES: Mr. A. O. Powell is a graduate of the Aviation Cadet Flying
Training Program, having graduated from Maxwell Field, Alabama, with the
Class of 41-C. Since graduation, Mr. Powell has flown for Pan American
Airways and, at this date, has over 4,000 command pilot hours to his credit.
Mr. Powell appears to be a calm, intelligent individual, not given to
flights of fancy, or easily swayed by what he has previously read in the
newspapers as regards reports of this type. Mr. Powell has a fear of publi-
city and seemed hesitant to even tell his story lest he become the object of
ridicule. Mr Powell was questioned as to the possibility that what he
sighted might have been a tow target, a pilot balloon, or a radiosonic device
used for meteorological purposes. Mr Powell stated that he has seen numerous
pilot balloons, radiosonic devices and tow targets, while on flights; the
object observed on this flight definitely was not one of them.
Evaluation
Previous Distribution:
- None
of source
of information
C
3
Distribution
- AAF (3 copies)
- ADC (2 copies)
2
done
RESTRICTED
,BASIC: Ltr. Hq. BARTD, Birmingham AAF, Birmingham, Ala., dtd 8 July 47,
subj: Report on Local "Flying Disc."
319,1/684
1st Ind.
D
HEADQUARTERS, FOURTEENTH AIR FORGE, Orlando, Florida, JUL 21 1947
TO: Commanding General, Air Defense Command, Mitchel Field, New York,
1. Forwarded for information of your Headquarters.
2. This Headquarters has made no investigation of "Flying Disc"
reports because this is an isolated case.
FOR THE COMMANDING GENERAL:
W Murphy
3 Incls: n/c
M. E MUMPHY
Lt. Colonel, AGD
Asst. Adj. Gen,
92715
24-6
RESTRICTED
24 JUL 1947
2
62 2-83894-130 - 83894 - 130
RESTRICTED
HEADQUARTERS
A/J CW/ale
BIRMINGHAM AIR RESERVE TRAINING DETA CHMENT
BIRMINGHAM ARMY AIR FIELD
Birmingham, Alabama
8 July 1947
SUBJECT: Report on Local "Flying Disc"
TO:
7795
Commanding General
Fourteenth Air Force, ADC
Crlando, Florida
Attn: A-2
1. Inclosed herewith is a photograph of the "publicized flying
disc," which was reportedly vi. tnessed over Birmingham on the night
of Sunday, 6 July 1947.
2. Attention is invited to the two light spots on the print and
the light trail following the two discs. The arrow at the top of the
photograph indicates the direction of flight. This has been examined
by professional photographers in Birmingham and their general opinion
is that the two spots shown on the light trail no flawsin the
negative, but instead, an ctual photograph of the mysterious disc.
3. The undersigned officer did not personally witness the flight
of any disc, however, in view of the numerous reports received from the
citizens. of Birmingham, it is the general opinion in Birmingham that
"something was in the sir." Attached hereto as inclosure number two is
a statement made by the only military personnel of this organization
who personally witnessed the flight of the mysterious disc. For addi-
tional information attached as inclosure number three are clippings from
one of the local newspapers giving an account of the many persons who re-
ported seeing the many mysterious objects.
4. The intelligence officer of the Alabama Nilitary District has
forwarded a similar report through ground for ce channels to the Commanding
689/1 ) b/c
General, Third Army, Atlanta 3, Georgia.
ack Clute
JACK C. WHITE
3 Incls.
1. Photograph
Major, Air Corps
2. Statement
Commanding
3. Clippings
RESTRICTED
2
RESTRICTED
Befor
(6
Report on Local "Flying Disc"
D333.5 ID (8 Jul 47)
2nd Ind
HQ., AIR DEFENSE COMMAND, Mitchel Field, New York, 25 July 1947.
TO: Commanding General, Army Air Forces, Washington 25, D. C.
ATTN: AC/AS-2
Forwarded for your information.
FOR THE COMMANDING GENERAL:
Thail R. H. SMITH
3 Incls:
n/c
Colonel, GSC
Asst Chief of Staff-Intell.
don
RESTRICTED
3
62-43894-130 THE WEA.
News
(Furnished by the U, s. Weather
For Birmingham and Vicinity-
Partly cloudy and warm today, to-
night and tomorrow with a few
scattered showers this afternoon.
High today 86, low tonight 70, high
tomorrow 90.
47
PRICE: 5 CENTS
'Flying Saucers' Reported
From 39 States, But Seem
To Be Concentrated Here
City Is Baffled By
Dazzling Display
Of Spooky Discs
The strange things that have
been in night skies since June 25,
were over Birmingham last night.
On one thing everyone who has
seen the mysterious objects agree
-they are round, saucer-like. After
that, every story differs. Each of
the hundreds of callers who re-
ported witnessing the baffling sky
demonstrations here last night had
a different version of what they
saw.
Some said the objects were
large, some small. They were mov-
ing at great speed. They were sus-
pended in the air. There was sound
along with their movements. They
moved noiselessly through the black
sky. They were at great distance
from the earth. They had fallen to
the ground. They were in perfect
formation. They were colliding
with each other.
But whatever the things are that
have set the nation agog since first
reported 12 days ago by a man in
Washington State, they definitely
were over the Magic City last night.
It seems, in fact, that more Bir-
mingham residents saw the objects
than in any other place.
REPORTS BEGAN coming into
the Age-Herald city room around
130.
8 o'clock last night, For more than
see
an hour thereafter, the place was
bedlam. The switchboard operators
were swamped with calls. Report-
ers, office boys, copy readers —
CAMERA HERE CATCHES "FLYING $AUCER"-Robert Cross-
everyone in the place was called
land, Age-Herald copy reader, has camera proof that the much-dis-
into action.
cussed flying discs were over Birmingham last night. The picture
Reports came in from Edgewood,
above was made by Mr. Crossland at 8:37 p.m. last night at his home
Mountain Brook, Avondale, South-
at 29th Street and Highland Avenue. He said he gave the film
side, Fairfield, Pratt City, West
15-second exposure.
End, Central Park, Bessemer.
sie 130
There was fear, excitement, hor-
ror, skepticism in the voices. One
the
man admitted having
jects several weeks ago "but was
ashamed to tell my wife."
Whatever it is going on in the
night skies, it has the entire nation
in a dither. The flying discs have
eclipsed every other national and
international event in the minds of
the American people. Broadcasts
from England last night said the
Britishers were scoffing at the
story. But when persons in 30-odd
states have reported seeing the ob-
jects, there must be something to
the story.
Birmingham police headquarters
was flooded with calls, too, last
night. So was the Weather Bureau,
the control tower at the airport, air-
line officers.
At the Birmingham Army Air-
field, Maj Jack C. White, com-
mandant, ordered an alert and dis-
patched a plane to fly around the
city. The plane, with Lt. L. S. Rob-
inson at the controls, circled the
city for an hour and 15 minutes at
from 4,000 to 5,000 feet. He was un-
able to report any unnatural ob-
jects. Scientists indicate that the ob-
jects are merely tricks of the eyes.
In fact, Howard Blakeslee, Associ-
5-THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS
ated Press scientific writer, has
Mysterious Flying
Saucers Reported
In Birmingham Skies
Continued From Page 1
Although the reports to The Age-
Herald last night dwindled off at
about 9 p.m., there was final call
from a man at 10, saying he had
seen the objects over the south-
eastern section. This morning, there
were more reports, more queries
coming into The News.
Maj. White issued a message to
Birmingham residents: "We'll do
everything the Army Air Forces is
empowered to do to run down the
mystery of the discs. This thing
seems to have gotten beyond the
point of speculation. Birmingham
can rest assured the air base will
keep on the alert until the mys-
stated he has seen similar objects
from his home on Long Island for
many years and associated no. mys-
tery with them. They are a combi-
nation of eye and light tricks, is.
his answer.
Turn to Page 5, Column 1
tery is settled."
MONDAY, JULY 9, 1947
RADIO-GUIDED, SAYS LAD
"I'd like to give my opinion
about what the flying saucers
really' are," Michael Eisman,
10, told The News this morn-
ing.
The grammar school youth,
"in the fifth grade and going on
to the sixth" at Crestline
Heights School, eagerly gave
his theory.
"They are new radio-guided
rocket discs from another
country that is planning war
on the United States," he said.
"They are equipped with
cameras. They will be radio
guided back to their home
country. They go fast to keep
anyone from seeing them.
Then they hover and stand still
to get their pictures.
"They have a reason for be-
ing over Birmingham," opined
young Eisman. "It has one of
the biggest steel mills, and the
biggest cotton gin." Eisman
said the "saucer cameras" were
clicking the fruit industry on
the West Coast.
As to what country is send-
ing the saucers, Eisman didn't
guess. Nor has he seen any
saucers, he said, over his home
at 4 Clarendon Road.
Charles F. Bradley, Birmingham
weather man, said he did not believe
the spectacle was a weather phe-
nomena, "I have instructed my
ing of the flying saucers, rushed
staff to be on the alert for any in-
into his front yard. "I saw the land-
formation they might gather on the
ing lights of a DC-3 and 17 light-
matter," he said.
ning bugs," he reported.
*
GREATEST EXCITEMENT of
Mrs. James Bain, 1225 South 29th
the evening came when a man re-
Street, saw three discs traveling
ported some of the discs had fallen
from east to west. Two more were
in a ravine near Avonwood: A re-
spotted later, followed by a single
porter and photographer went to
disc, as neighbors gathered.
the scenes-and found nothing.
Residents of the district said the
J. L. Kardus, 2100 Clanton Street,
discs had passed low and appeared
Bessemer, reported seeing "strange
to have fallen in the trees.
lights" moving through the sky be-
Robert Crossland, Age-Herald
tween Bessemer and Red Mountain.
copy reader, rushed for his camera
"They were going very fast," he
when the objects passed over his
said.
residence on 29th Street and High-
***
land Avenue. His developed film
"Whirling saucers" were reported
revealed two round, white spots on
seen by Dan, Smirl, 14, 1429 10th
the black, elose together, one larg-
Place, South, and Marvin Pharo, 15;
er than the other. He said he gave
626 10th Avenue, South. "We
the picture a 15-second exposure.
weren't looking for them," the boys
Five other persons were with him
reported. "We were standing in the
when the picture was made.
yard when we saw round silver
But witnesses aren't needed any
flashes circling around. They came
longer to bear out reports of the
one at a time at first, then the num-
strange demonstration. Too m a ny
ber increased. They seemed to go
persons-good, solid citizens-have
over the mountain."
seen the things. In fact, they're
*
thinking of calling the show out at
At police headquarters, Officer
Munger Bowl tonight, "The Disc-
E. E. McNeal said reports of the
light Opera."
discs began at 8:10 p.m. and ceased
about 20 minutes later.
***
Scores Of People Report
"Streaks of light flying very
Seeing Mysterious Discs
slow" were reported seen by Mrs.
H. M. Sockwell, 1360 Meadow Lane,
Residents of East Lake, South-
Green Acres. She said she rushed
side, West End, Woodlawn and Bes-
into her yard as soon as she heard
semer reported seeing the flying
the report on the radio. She and
discs or saucers last night. One disc
her husband and five neighbors saw
was reported seen yesterday after-
six of the discs flying "fairly low."
noon over the Warrior River. The
She said they were the size of a
number seen at one time varied.
***
Nine of the discs were seen by
"BIG AS TABLES"
Connie Murdoch, 512 South 10th
"I called to find out if I'm
Court. "They were gobs of light
crazy," said Mrs. Gordon Mize,
moving around the sky," she re-
of the Bessemer Super-High-
ported.
way, who telephoned The
***
News this morning to report
H. E. Reagor, 1318 45th Street,
seeing mysterious flying discs.
said he and neighbors saw "40 or
Mrs. Mize said she and her
50" light spots in the sky, apparent-
husband and their hosts saw
ly over the Central Park Airport
the "balls of fire" as they pre-
area.
pared to get into their car
***
after a visit with Mr. and Mrs.
One resident of East Lake, hear-
Gordon Bush at Brighton, be-
tween 9:30 and 10 last night.
She said the flash lights,
which appeared as beacon
lights coming over a hill, came
from the direction of Besse-
mer.
The lights would come at
lightning speed and then stop
dead still and hang in the sky,
they said. Then they would
dart off again, sôme returning
in the direction of Bessemer
and some going on. Some
would circle. Others would
pass each other and scarcely
avoid collision.
"They were about as large
as my dining room table," she
said.
baseball and traveled in a "big
curve from southwest to southeast.
The saucers came at intervals of
about five seconds.
came over his
of about 1,500
"They would go in
Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Martin and Mr.
stop, and bump
and Mrs. Frank Arnold, 732 47th
he reported.
Way, South. "Some of them went
as fast as bullets, while others
program man-
floated around. They were the size
reported the flying
of an automobile tire."
Lake.
***
Mr. and Mrs. William Howell,
301 Avenue I, Ens-
1004 East Court, South, reported
appeared like a
seeing 11 discs about 8:30 a.m.
huge searchlight.
***
he could see no
"About 15 of them passed over
come from a
our house shortly before 8," said
Mrs. Helen Mallory, 1404 North
12th Court. Mrs. Mallory said the
"white round
objects were first sighted by her
in the skies over
son, Milo, who called the rest of
Mrs. Alfred Hack-
the family. "They looked like a
illan Avenue.
flash of light that went by in such
a hurry you couldn't describe it,"
nhead, 2000 48th
she said.
Park, saw the lights
***
Frank S. Lovelace, policeman for
*
the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Rail-
like saucers," said
road Company, reported seeing
eight or 10 of the objects. "They
looked about the size of a dishpan,"
he said. "They came out of the
southeast and whirled around sev-
eral minutes."
***
S-Sgt. I. L. Livingston, of the Bir-
mingham Army Airfield, observed
the discs from his Green Acres
residence. "They were going zig-
zag from East to West," he said.
*
R. H. VAUGHN, III, who served
as an anti-aircraft gunner in Eu-
rope, saw the "flying saucer" dis-
play with his father from their
home in Ensley Highlands. "I never
shot at anything moving as rapidly
as they were," he said, Vaughn be-
lieves the "discs" are some sort
of natural phenomena, like the
Aurora Borealis.
***
Jimmy Dewberry, 11, of 1030 16th
Avenue, South, said he saw a "fly-
ing saucer" while visiting at his
grandmother's on 14th Avenue,
South. "It looked like a shooting
star," Jimmy said, "but it was too
low for that. It had a long red tail."
Searchlight Reflection
Theory Is Advanced
The mysterious "flying discs" ob-
served in Birmingham last night
may be a carnival beacon light at
Siluria, about 20 miles south of Bir-
mingham.
That was a solution offered this
morning by William B. Hayes, of
the Reconstruction Finance Corpo-
ration in the Comer Building here.
Mr. Hayes, who served in the
Army in the Pacific, said he and
others there had seen similar sights
throughout the South Pacific is-
lands caused by searchlights.
He based his theory on high over-
cast skies last night and said the
beacon at the Siluria carnival prob-
ably struck the high clouds and
gave the indication of being "flying
saucers."
Mr. Hayes is a pilot.
RESTRICTED
S-T-A-T-M-E-N-T
I, Staff Sergeant Ira L. Livingston, RA 14 153 972, Air Corps, have
approximately 250 hours flying time as pilot and Armorer Gunner have
the following statement to make concerning the appearence of "Flying Discs"
in the vicinity of Birmingham, Alabama.
At 2045 hours, 6 July 1947, while I was eating supper at my residence
at 1354 Meadow Lane, Green Acres, Birmingham, Alabama, my next door neighbor,
Mr. Herman M. Sookwell, called for me to come to the front door that there were
some "Flying Discs" outside. Immediately I went out in the front yard to
observe the objects. The objects appeared to the West of Birmingham traveling
in a South Eastern direction. They appeared to be approximately 2000 feet
above the horizon at a 45 degree angle from where I was standing at an un-
estimated distance away. The objects appeared to be approximately two (2)
feet in diameter, round in shane, producing a dim glow of light and traveling
at an estimated. speed of five (5) to six (6) hundred miles per hour.
The objects or object appeared to be traveling in a definite are rather than
straight and as soon as one was out of sight another would appear behind
it, but not always in the same path. I saw one that seemed to come straight
up. The view of where it came from was obstructed by a nearby house; and
when it reached the altitude of approximately 2000feet, it started off in
the same direction as the others. I did not at any time see any more than
one at the time and even though there could have been only one, my personal
belief is that there were seven (7) to ten (10). The Discs were silent and
appeared to be composed of a single light.
dna R. Lington
Ira L. Livingston
Staff Sergeant, RA 14 153 972
Subscribed end sworn to before me this 7th day of July 1947.
James JAMES 1st Asst Lt. Adj. L. AC MACF ARLANE
RESTRICTED
CONFIDENTIAL
NAC-T- 101
HEADQUARTERS, NEWFOUNDLAND BASE COMMAND
3,3,3
ATLANTIC DIVISION, AIR TRANSPORT COMMAND
RESTRICTED
/gdb
FORT PEPPERRELL, NEWFOUNDLAND
APO 862,% POSTMASTER, NEW YORK, N. Y.
Classification concelled
IN REPLY REFER
Changed to Restricted
NBC
authority Dus of carta CC, AD-ATC 6 amg #7
(Name)
(Rank)
30 July 1947
SUBJECT: Letter of Transmittal.
TO
8 Commanding General,
Atlantic Division, ATC,
Fort Totten, Long Island, N. Y.
(ATTENTION: AC/S, Intelligence)
Reference Letter of Transmittal, this office, dated 28 July
1947, with four (4) inclosures (Inclosures 1, 2 and 3, Final Reports of
Sightings of "flying saucers"; and Inclosure 4, Signed Statement - Con-
stable KEARSEY), transmitted herewith is Final Report of Sighting of
"flying saucers" in Newfoundland, which occurred at Harmon Field, Stephen-
ville, Newfoundland at 03452, 23 July 1947.
FOR THE COMMANDING GENERAL:
Marion C.Miller
MARION C. MILLER,
Captain, Air Corps,
1 Incl:
AC/S, Intelligence.
Final Rpt of Sighting, 23 Jul 47
1st Ind.
HQ, ATLANTIC DIVISION, ATC, FORT TOTTEN, L.I., NEW YORK 6 Aug 47
TO: Commanding General, Air Transport Command, Washington 25, D.C.
ATTN: Chief of Staff
Forwarded in accordance with instructions outlined in
TWX CM-95, your Headquarters.
JAMES H. JR.
Incl:
Lt Col, GSC
n/c
AC/S, Intelligence
RESTRICTED
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
Classification concelled
4
RESTRICTED REPORT OF SIGHTING
pns Changed Restrict OF
(Name)
(Ran
(Dato) any 47
1. Organization: 1388th AAF Base Unit
APO 864, c/o Postmaster, New York, N.Y.
2. Sighting
:
Strange intermittent flashes that may tie in
with "Flying Discs".
3. Place
: Harmon Field, Stephenville, Newfoundland.
4. Time
: 03452, 23 July 1947.
5. Altitude
: Approximately 10,000 feet high.
6. Weather
: High scattered condition; visibility better
than fifteen (15) miles.
7. Heading
: From South, heading NNE (approximately 30° )
8. Speed
: High velocity; stated to be faster than a
conventional airplane.
9. Description : The observers saw a light which at first appeared
to be a shooting star or airplane. It appeared
again, and a number of intermittant flashes were
seen for a period of approximately three (3) minutes.
The flashes were reddish in color. Observers said it
was not a falling star because it did not appear as
such; nor was it an airplane, because manoeuvers were
too abrupt and there was no noise of a motor.
10. Reported by: Miss Patricia Abbott, (Newfoundland National) Government
Employee and Lt. Hammaker, Navigator and Public Relat-
ions Officer.
11. General
: The informants (noted in Par.10) were walking when they
noticed a peculiar reddish light. Both Miss Abbott and
Lt. Hammaker stated that at first, they thought it was
a falling star, but if left no streak. It appeared
again; they thought it might be a plane flying at a
very high altitude. After observing its menoeuvers,
they concluded, because of the silence (no hum of motor)
and abrupt darts of the light, it was definately not
an airplane. Neither Miss Abbott nor Lt. Hammaker had
seen anything like it before.
William Homas
WILLIAM H. SMITH
RESTRICTED
Captain, Air Corps,
Intelligence Officer.
CONFIDENTIAL
end 1
8
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CONFIDENTIAL
Restructed
authority of.CC, AD-ATC
HEADQUARTERS
one (Name) (hank)
/gdbDate)
Newfoundland Base Command, ATLD-ATC
Fort Pepperrell, Newfoundland
APO 862, c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y.
28 July 1947
SUBJECT: Letter of Transmittal.
TO
8 Commanding General,
Atlantic Division, ATC,
Fort Totten, Long Island, N. I.
(ATTENTION: AC/S, Intelligence)
1. Transmitted herewith, as inclosures 1, 2 and 3, are Final
Reports of Sightings of "flying saucers" in Newfoundland and vicinity
listed as follows:
Final Report of Sighting - 2000Z, 10 July 1947
#
- 0030z, 11 July 1947
#
- 0015Z, 20 July 1947
2. Reference TWX - EN 18469, this headquarters, dated 121730Z
July 1947, regarding sightings of "flying saucers" by Constable ERIC
KEARSEY, Newfoundland Constabulary, at Grand Falls, Newfoundland, on
the night of 9 July 1947, attached herewith, as inclosure 4, is signed
statement of this sighting by Constable KEARSEY.
FOR THE COMMANDING GENERALs
Mariou e.Miller
MARION C. MILLER,
Captain, Air Corps,
4 Incls:
AC/S, Intelligence.
1. Final Rpt of Sighting, 10 Jul 47
2.
#
,
11 Jul 47
3.
#
#
, 20 Jul 47
4. Signed Statement - Const KEARSEY
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CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
Classification
4
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Changed to Restricted
FINAL REPORT OF SIGHTING of CC,
and (Name) ceyfell (Rank) (Date) 47
1. Org.
: 1388th AAF BU, NBC, ATLD, ATC. Harmon Field, Newfoundland.
2. Sighting
: Flying Disc or other airborne object.
3. Place
: Approx six (6) miles SSW of Harmon Field.
4. Time
: 2000/7, 10 July 1947
5. Altitude
: 8- 10,000 ft.
6. Weather
: Clear, Scattered Cumulus 8 - 10, 000 ft.
7. Heading
: NNE on horizontal course.
8. Speed
: Very high velocity.
9. Shape & Size: Circular like a wheel, estimated to be same size as a C-54
as seen from 10, 000 ft.
10. Color
: Translucent or Silvery, left a Bluish Black trail approx
15 miles long.
11.
Photographs:
Mr. Robert W. Leidy reported that he took two (2) Kodachrome
snap shots of the trail.
12. Reported By: Mr. John N. Merhman, TWA mechanic; Mr. John W. Woodruff,
PAA mechanic; and Mr. Robert E. Leidy, PAA mechanic reported
the above facts to the Intelligence Officer on 15 July 1947.
A Flash Report was TWX ed to : Action copy Commanding
General, Hq. ATC, Attn. Asst. Chief of Staff, Intelligence.
Info copies: Commanding Generals Hq. ATLD and Hq. NBC
13. General
: Mister's Merhman, Woodruff, and Leidy were enroute from
Stephenville Crossing to Harmon Field at the time of the
sighting. Mr. Woodruff was the first to see the Disc, it
appeared to rent or split the clouds thru which it passed
and left a Bluish Black trail approx. fifteen (15) miles
long behind it. The trail was similar to the afterglow of
a powerful landing light or search light beam after it is
suddenly switched off. The object maintained a straight and
horizontal course according to Mr. Merhman and Mr. Woodruff,
Mr. Leidy stated it appeared to be on a great curved course
on a horizontal plane. The object disappeared into the
North Northeast. Mr. Leidy says he took two (2) Kodachrome
Photographs of the trail. The film has been transmitted
to the Asst. Chief of Staff, Intelligence, NewSoundland
Base Command for processing.
William
WILLIAM H. SMITH
CAPT. A.C.
Intelligence Officer
RESTRICTED
CONFIDENTIAL
such
10
floation
mongellod.or
RESTRICTED
FINAL REPORT OF SIGHTING
to
Restricted
authority of CC, AD-ATC
Dns (Name) (Rank) (Date) 6amgh
1. Organization: 1388th AAF Base Unit
APO 864, c/o Postmaster, New York, N.Y.
2.
Sighting
: Flying Disc or other airborne object.
3. Place
: Codroy, Newroundland, 59°03' W Long.; 47°50' N Lat.
4. Time
: 0030Z hours, 11 July 1947.
5.
Altitude
: Approximately 6,000 feet.
6.
Weather
: Clear; at dusk.
7.
Heading
: From northwest heading eastward.
8. Speed
: Very high velocity.
9. Shape & Size: Disc shaped; was reported as being the size of a
barrel-head, dinner-plate and size of a plane
that is flying high. The trail gave the whole
object the appearance of a cone.
10. Color
: Flame colored with a trail of a lighter flame color.
11. Reported by : Mr. John Legge, Mr. Wm. Evans and Albert Samms of
Codroy, Newfoundland.
12. General
: Mr. Legge and Mr. Evans were standing outside Mr. Legge's
store when they both sighted the object. Both men stated
that the disc was very bright with an after-glow which
made the object look like a cone. It was a very clear
night. In spite of the high velocity of the flying
object, they said they could not possibly have mistaken
it for a plane or a falling star. Besides the two men,
the object was sighted by Albert Samms; he reported what
he had seen to his mother. Mrs. Samms stated that Albert
was in no way alarmed about it, he was alone and on his
way home when he sighted it, and watched it while it was
in sight. Albert was quite convinced from the color and
behaviour of the object that it was not a plane, but
definately some flying object.
The informant, Mr. Legge, is believed to be reliable.
He is a man of approximately forty; has had considerable
experience as foreman of Buchans Mine, Newfoundland, where
he was in charge of three hundred men. During the war,
Mr. Legge was a mamber of a civilian volunteer Air
Detection Corps. With that De ckground, Mr. Legge stated
that he felt sure that the object he had seen was some-
RESTRICT
thing new which he had never seen before.
smel 2
CONFIDENTIAL
RESTRICTED
Final Report of Sighting
CONFIDENTIAL
General cont'ds
Albert Samma is a twelve year old boy. He was alone
when he saw the flying object, he was very definite
that he nad never seen anything like it before. His
mother, Mrs. Samms, is the Post Mistress of the town,
and after hearing Albert's description, felt that it
answered to the description of a "Flying Disc". Mr.
Legge reported his sighting shortly afterwards to Mrs.
Samms because he was sure it should be made known to
her in order that the incident might be reported by
telegram immediately.
There was one other sighting reported from a River
Warden at South Branch. The man could not be con-
tacted at time of interviews with other parties.
However, a second-hand description of his sighting
was obtained, and it agreed with the sightings at
Codroy.
and
WILLIAM H. SMITH
Captain, Air Corps,
Intelligence Officer.
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CONFIDENTIAL
12
CONFIDENTIAL
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FINAL REPORT OF SIGHTING
Restrict
and (Date)
1. Organization: 1388th AAF Base Unit
APO 864, c/o Postmaster, New York, N.Y.
2. Sighting
:
Flying Disc or other Airborne Object.
3. Place
: On board Steamship "BURGEO" enroute from Sydney,
Nova Scotia to Port aux Basques, Newfoundland,
about one hour out from Sydney.
4. Time
: 00152 20 July 1947.
5.
Altitude
$ 30° off the horizon at an estimated quarter mile range.
6. Weather
: Clear and dark.
7. Heading
: NNE (30° East of True North) on horizontal plane.
8. Speed
$ High velocity, stated to be faster than a tracer bullet.
9. Description : Observers did not see the object, they saw its flashes
and all four observers agreed there were four (4) or
five (5) flashes approximately one (1) second apart
and equidistant. The flashes were said to be silvery
to reddish in color, and were described by two observ-
ers to be like those of a Fire Fly only larger and at
equal intervals, and did not look like a shooting star
or airplane.
10. Reported by: Messrs Maitland, Larkin, Douglas and Hamilton of
Hamilton, Metcalfe and Kansas City Bridge Companies
which concern is doing the construction at Harmon Field.
11. General
: The four gentlemen (noted in Par.10) and Captain Gullage,
Master of the "Burgeo", were standing on the starboard
deck, and as the Captain was trying to describe a previous
sighting, he saw the flashes; the other four gentlemen
also saw them as described herein, and believed that it
was not a meteorite or airplane because of its speed,
color, and evenly spaced discharges or flashes.
Captain Gullage told the four gentlemen that he had seen
the same thing at approximately the same time and location
(ship's position) on the evening of 15 July 1947, except
at that time, the object or flashes were traveling faster
and frequently changing course (he said it changed course
abruptly several times) and was headed generally to the
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such 3
13
CONFIDENT
RESTRICTED
Final Report of Sighting:
General cont'd
: SSW. The Captain also told the four gentlemen
that he was willing to make a complete report
if the information is desired for official
purposes.
WILLIAM H. SMITH
Captain, Air Corps
Intelligence Officer.
RES RICTED
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14
CONFIDENTIAL
INTELLIGENCE OFFICE
Restricted sancelled or
4
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authority
HEADQUARTERS
1388TH
MF
BASE
UNITO
of CC, AD-ATC
REVFOUNDLAND BASE COMMAND, ATLD-AFG
(Rank)
APO 564, c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y.
(Date)
16 July 1947
Interrogation of JOHN E. WOODRUFF, Chief Mechanic, Pan American
Airways, Harmon Field, Newfoundland, taken at 1415 HPT, 16 July 1947,
by Captain William E. Smith, AC, Intelligence Officer.
Q. Did you see one of the se called "Flying Disks" or other object
on the 10th July?
A.
Yes, I did.
a. Can you give the approximate time?
A. Approximately 1700.
Q. Tell me the circumstances under which you Saw this object.
A. We were coming back from a fishing trip, and coming over the hill
between here and Stephenville Crossing you can see the cloud for-
nation ahead, I saw the object break out where the clouds opened
and it left. its trail behind it.
Q. Had you been drinking?
A. No.
Q. You were riding in u car at the time you saw it?
A.
Yes, in the front seat of the Pan American car.
Q.
What was the weather like that day?
A.
It was very clear and the clouds were very seattered.
Q.
What was the approximate altitude of the clouds?
A.
I'd say from 8000 feet to 10,000 feet.
&
Did you see the Disk itself?
A. Yes, what it appeared to be was a translucent disk like a wheel
travelling at a terrific rate of speed and opened the clouds as
it went through the air.
Q. How was this Disk travelling, herisontal, descending or asconding?
A.
It was horizental.
Q. About how big did it appear to you?
A. From the height of it, I'd say it was ,about the size of a 54 or n
Constellation.
Q.
About how far apart did it break the cloud?
A.
It spread the clouds out about half mile.
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Jan
15
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CONFIDENTIAL
Interrogation of John B. Woodruff (Cont'd)
of
What kind of a break did it make in the clouds?-
s.
It cut a straight path right through the cloud.
Q.
Did it leave a trail?
A. Yes, it left a trail dark blueish in color similar to a high power
light. The trail was from approximately fifteen (15) to twenty
(20) miles long.
9.
Have you over seen a meteer?
s. Yes.
Q.
Do you think this was a meteor?
s. No, I don't think so, it was cut too clean. This was as straight
as an arrow.
Q. What was the course of the object?
A. Well, looking at the map I'd say North North East.
e. Have you been working around airplanes long enough to know the
size of an aircraft and the height from a distance?
A. Yes.
&
For long have you been working around aircraft?
A.
Seven (7) years.
e. Were you in the Army during the time of the War?
A. No.
&
Did you take any pictures?
A. No, I did not, but one of the boys took some.
Q. Do you think the pictures will show up?
A.
Yes, it was an ideal day for pictures.
John JOHN Pan Chief American E. Mechanic EWoodruff Airways
Sworn and subscribed to before me
this 17 day of July 1947.
CONFIDENTIAL S. V. JR
Captain, Air Corps
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Adjutant
16
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CONFIDENTIAL
INTELLIGENCE OFFICE
of
CC,
HEADQUARTERS 1388TH MT BASE UNIT as
cart
AD-ATC
NEWFOUNILAND BASE COMMAND, ATLD-ATCe)
bay 47
(Rank)
(Date)
APO 864, c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y.
16 July 1947
Interrogation of JOHN N. MEHRMAN, JR., Supervisor and Mechanic,
Trans World Airways, Harmon Field, Newfoundland, taken at 1430 HFT,
16 July 1947. by Captain William H. Smith, AC, Intelligence Officer.
&
Nov long have you been associated with aireraft and aviation?
s.
Since approximately 1938.
Q. Were you in the Army during the War?
A. Yes.
Q. What did you do in the Army?
A.
Aerial Gunner.
Q. Did your job during the var entail you to be able to judge distances
and sizes of objects and ranges?
A. Yes.
Q. On the evening of 10 July 1947, did you see one of the so called
"Flying Disks" or an object in the sky?
s. Yes, we were coming up over the mountain between here and Stephen-
ville Crossing. The car was going up hill and we could see the sky
through the windshield. Mr. Woodruff said "look at the cut in the
sky". I looked up and saw a blueish black vapor trail.
&
Did you see the object?
A. No, I just saw the trail as it was left behind.
Q. Can you describe the effect the object had on the cloud formation?
A. The clouds were very scattered and were about from 8000 feet to
10,000 feet, the object passed through and out the cloud leaving a
gap where you could see the blue sky, like a knife had out it. The
edges were feathered similar to a weld, as if you cut a weld in half.
Q. Did the object appear to be descending, ascending, or horisontal?
s.
It was herisontal and seemed to remain on atrue course.
Q. What was your estimate of the course?
A. Approximately North North East.
Q. Can you give any estimate as to the size of the object?
A.
I did not see the object.
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In
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CONFIDENTIAL
4
Interrogation of John N.
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Q. Can you describe the trail?
A. It was blueish black in color, very easily distinguished from the
blue sky. A diesel exhaust would be similar to it.
Q. Was the trail fan shaped?
A. No it was more or less a band across the sky in a straight path.
Q. Did it make a noise?
A. No noise.
Q. What went on in the car when you sighted the object?
A. We stopped the car and get out and looked at it. One of the boys
had a camera and took a photograph of the trail that the object
left.
Q. What was the name of the man who took the photograph!
A. Robert Leidy.
a. Do you know what type of film Mr Leidy was using?
A. Kedachrome, I believe.
Q. Do you know whether Mr. Leidy sav the Disk or object?
A. I don't believe so.
MERIONAN,
Supervisor and Mechanic
Trans World Airvays
Svera and subscribed to before me
this day of July 1947.
5.
Captain, Air Corps
Adjutant
CONFIDENTIAL
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2
In
CONFIDENTIAL
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Classification
concelled
or
INTELLIGENCE OFFICE
advised
headquarpers
1388TH
AAP
BASE
UNIT
of CC. AD-ATC
HHVFOUNDLAND BASE COMMAND, ATLD-ATO
(Rank) Capit (Date) blay ell
APO 864, e/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y.
16 July 1947
Interregation of ROBERT W. LEIDY, Station Mechanic, Pan American
Airways, Harmon Field, Newfoundland, taken at 1450 EFT, 16 July 1947,
by Captain William H. Smith, AC. Intelligence Officer.
Q. Were you with Mr. Woodruff and Mr. Mehrsan on the ovening when they
sav an object or flying disk passing over the sky on 10 July 19478
A.
Yes, I was.
Q. Were you or any members of the party drinking?
A. No, I had one can of beer, that was about half hour before that.
&
Can you tell me the circumstances under which you saw the object
or its trail?
i
Well, Mr. Woodruff saw it first and said he sav the thing travelling
through the sky. We did not believe him at first but when he was so
concerned about it we stopped the car and got out. I had my camera
so teek a picture of it. There was a blueish streak left in the sky
which could not have been a cloud formation. It was a definite trail
and caused the clouds to break open as it vent through.
,
Did it out a path through the cloud?
Yes, it vas very clear, and you could see the trail right through
the cloud, it looked to be travelling in a big circle and it left
sharp edges to the clouds.
j
What was the trail likel
i
I would not say it was exhaust, it looked as if an object passed
through similar to that of a pebble leaving a ring in the pend.
Q. Was there any difference in the color?
A. No, it looked as if the object broke the cloud and left this opening.
e. Was the trail horizontal, going up, or coming down?
A.
It looked herisontal.
&
What was the altitude of the clouds?
A.
I don't know, sir, they were pretty high though.
e. What time was this?
A.
I don't know exactly sir, but it was between three and five e'clock
in the aftermoon, we were coming back from fishing.
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19
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CONFIDENTIAL
Interregation of Robert W, Leidy (Cont'd)
d
Did you see the object?
No.
re
d
New long do you think the trail wast
I don't know, sir, but the trail was very long, that is why 1 think
something went through the sky because of the trail and blank space
it left, you could easily noe it.
a.
Was the trail on a straight course?
Well, as 1 said before, it looked to me from the ground, that it was
travelling at a terrific rate of speed in a circle because of the
area in the path.
j
Have you over seen a meteer?
No.
PP
a.
Can you estimate the size of the cut is the clouds?
No.
pp
&
Now long have you been working around planes, ste?
Six (6) years.
.
Were you in the Army during the wart
No.
New sazy picutres did you take?
Two.
pp
&
What type camera did you have?
Am Argus, 3-2.
!?
d
Was the film black and white or kedachrenet
It was kedachrone.
e.
Where are the film now?
A.
Well, I took three or four rolls and I an not sure which one the
pictures are om.
Q.
I understood from Mr. Woodruff that they are being developed,
A.
I think it is out of the camera sir, but I have not sent them
out yet.
&
will you give us the four rolls of file so we can have them processed
officially?
A. You, sir.
CONFIDERST RESTRICTED
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20
CONFIDENTIAL
Interrogation of Robert RESTRICTED
& Are you villing to give the Army a copy of the pictures of the
trail?
A. Yes,
ROBRET W. LEIDY
Robert W Leidy
Station Mechanic
Pan American Airways
Sworn and subscribed to before no
this 17 day of July 1947.
High 5. L. HINSON, JR
Captain, Air Corps
Adjutant
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21.
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STATEMENT OF MR. JOHN P. LEGGE, CORDROY, NEWFOUNDLAND. TAKEN BY
MERCEDES BURKE OF THE INTEL IGENCE OFFICE, HARMON FIELD, NEWFOUND-
4
LAND. 17 July 1947.
At approximately 10 o'elock in the evening of 10 July 1947
I was standing by my store door: I happened to look up and saw
what appeared to be a "FLYING SAUCER". It definately was not a
shooting star; I'd seen several stars shoot before, but never like
this! nor was it an airoplane, it was too "lit up" and traveling
at too great a speed. It wasn't an airoplane on fire because it
would have fallen in the water. It was a nice elear night, no
elouds, it was just getting dark. I would say it was traveling at
the rate of a shooting star but much eloser. I'd say roughly at
6,000 feet. It was visible for about fifteen (15) seconds. It
came from the North West heading Eastward. The circle looked to
be about the size of a barrel head, and the trail behind looked
to be about fifteen (15) feet long. The trail behind the dise
made the whole object look like a cone. Another thing that makes
me feel sure it wasn't an shooting star is; a shooting star usually
leaves a temporary streak, this object I saw left no streak only
the one that appeared to travel behind the circle which looked like
an after-glow. The cirele was a bright red, nearest I could des-
cribe it would be the eolor of a flame, the after-glow(eone-shaped)
was a fainter shade. What I saw last Thursday night resembled a
shooting star in no way whatsoever. There was only one.
John JOHN Thegge P. LEGGE
Witness:
Witness: Mercede Turhe
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27
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4
STATEMENT OF MR. WM. EVANS, CORDROY? NEWFOUNDLAND. TAKEN BY
MERCEDES BURKE OF THE INTELLIGENCE OFFICE? HARMON FIELD, NEW-
FOUNDLAND. 17 July 1947.
At approximately 10 e'elock in the evening of 10 July 1947,
I was standing outside Mr. Legge's store talking with him. We
both saw this thing dash aeross the sky. I couldn't be accurate
about the directions. If it was a shooting star, I'd never seen
one as large before, and it was much brighter than anything I've
ever seen in the sky. It looked to be a round object, I couldn't
say it was anything else but round; it had a tail on it which
showed yellowish, but not as bright as the eirele which appeared
and nearest I could describe it would be sort of red and yellow.
The streak behind, I would say, was little over a yard long; the
eirele looked to be about the size of a large dinner plate. It
went so fast, it was hardly in sight before it disappeared. I
could not give any idea of the height; all I can say is it was
much eloser than a shooting star. and travelling at a great speed.
Whatever it was it was flying through the air; it wasn't just
a streak aeross the sky. To me it wasn't in any way like a
shooting star, and I am sure it wasn't an airoplane. I called it
a "FLYING SAUCER" because it seemed exactly like what we had been
hearing 80 much about on the radio.
m. EVANS
wm Fovand
Witness: 7. W. Tomphins
Witness: Muche Burker
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STATEMENT OF ALBERT SAMMS, CORDROY, NEWFOUNDLAND. TAKEN BY
MERCEDES BURKE OF THE INTELLIGENCE OFFICE, HARMON FIELD NEW-
FOUNDLAND. 17 July 1947.
Last Thursday night I was out by our house, I happened to
look up and saw what I thought was an airoplane. It was flying
at the height of a plane that is flying high. Then I thought
it looked strange for an airoplane, because it was all lit up
so bright, planes do have a light or two, but this thing was very
bright - sort of a bright reddish yellow. I saw it only for a
minute because it was travelling at a teriffie speed. It shot
out of sight so quickly I thought it strange if it was an airop-
lane. Them, I remembered what I'd been hearing about "FLYIND
SAUCERS" I ran in and told my mother.
albert Samms
ALBERT SAMMS
Witness: 7.w. omp him
Witness: Necedes Durhe
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24
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4
Albert rushed in and tole me about this thing he'd just seen.
at first he thought it was an airoplane but then he remembered
having heared about "FLYING SAUCERS" and he thought that's what
it must have been. I questioned him; he said it couldn't have
been a plane because a plane wouldn't shoot down like that did,
besides it was too "lit up"
Mr. Legge reported the same thing to me in order that I mught
report same to St. John's in the morhing.
Mrs JOHN SAMMS.
Mrs John Samms
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4
NEWFOUNDLAND CONSTABULARY
STATION Grand Falls,
DATE July 13th. 1947.
SUBJECT Re:- Strange objects seen flying over Grand
Falls on night of July 9th. at approx.
11.15 and 11.40.
Sir:
I respectfully report for your information that on
ednesday night, the 9th. inst. I arrived home from
duty at approx. 11.30.
Upon arrival at home I joined my wife, my mother-in-law,
and Mr. John Jackman a resident of St. John's and friend
of the family, who were sitting on the front steps of
the house. I was asked by my wife if I had seen the
"flying saucers" I thought she was joking and replied
that I had seen nothin flying. Jackman and my mother-
in-law then told me that they had really seen four objects
flying in an easterly direction just before I arrived.
I asked them to describe what they had seen. Jackman said
that four round shaped figures had passed overhead at a
terrific speed and were flying side by dide.
On looking skywards again my wife, Jackman, and myself,
saw a object which I would describe as being a huge jelly-
fish flash across the the sky. It would be difficult to
determine its height and speed owing to the brief period
it was visible. It's colour also would be hard to say,
but there seemed to be a phosphorus glow about it, it
was round in shape and about the size of a barrel head,
it appeared to be flying in a rocking motion.
This sir, is about all I can say about the matter, we
continued to sean the sky for about a half hour but no
sign of them were seen again.
Eric Constable. Kearsey
L.Strange Esq., J.P.,
26
Chief of Police.
a.Days
L.Strange Esq., J.P.,
Chief of Police.
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and it
26
4
NEWFOUNDLAND CONSTABULARY
STATION Grand Falls,
DATE July 13th. 1947..
SUBJECT Re:- Strange objects seen flying over Grand
Falls on night of July 9th. at approx.
11.15 and 11.40.
Sir:
I respectfully report for your information that on
Wednesday night, the 9th. inst. I arrived home from
duty at approx. 11.30.
Upon arrival at home I joined my wife, my mother-in-law,
and Mr. John Jackman a resident of St. John's and friend
of the family, who were sitting on the front steps of
the house. I was asked by my wife if I had seen the
"flying saucers" I thought she was joking and replied
that I had seen nothing flying. Jackman and my mother-
in-law then told me that they had really seen four objects ects
flying in an easterly direction just before 1 arrived.
I asked them to describe what they had seen. Jackman said
that four round shaped figures had passed overhead at a
terrific speed and were flying side by dide.
On looking skywards again my wife, Jackman, and myself,
saw a object which I would describe as being a huge jelly-
fish flash across the the sky. It would be difficult to
determine its height and speed owing to the brief period
it was visible. It's colour also would be hard to say,
but there seemed to be a phosphorus glow about it, it
was round in shape and about the size of a barrel head,
it appeared to be flying in a rocking motion.
This sir, is about all I can say about the matter, we
continued to sean the sky for about a half hour but no
sign of them were seen again.
Eric Constable. Kearsey
L.Strange Esq., J.P.,
26
Chief of Police.
Respectfully submitted.
L.Strange Eeq., J.P.,
Chief of Police.
RESTRICTED
and if
26
From detailed study of reports selected for their impression of
veracity and reliability, several conclusions have been formed:
(a) This "flying saucer" situation is not all imaginary or seeing
too much in some natural phenomenon. Something is really flying around.
(b) Lack of topside inquiries, when compared to the prompt and
demanding inquiries that have originated topside upon former events,
give more than ordinary weight to the pòssibility that this is a domestic
project, about which the President, etc. know.
(c) Whatever the objects are, this much can be said of their physical
appearance:
1. The surface of these objects is metallic, indicating a metallic
skin, at least.
2. When a trail is observed, it is lightly colored, a Blue-Brown
haze, that is similar to a rocket engine's exhaust. Contrary to a rocket
of the solid type, one observation indicates that the fuel may be throttled
which would indicate a liquid rocket engine.
3. As to shape, all observations state that the object is cireular
or at least elliptical, flat on the bottom and slightly domed on the top.
The size estimates place it somewhere near the size of a C-54 or a Constellation.
4. Some reports describe two tabs, located at the rear and
symetrical about the size axis of flight motion.
5. Flights have been reported, from three to nine of them, flying
good'formation on each other, with speeds always above 300 knobs.
6. The discs oscillate laterally while flying along, which could
be snaking.
27
CONFIDENTIAL
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE
Before
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
Intelligence
Hamilton Field, California
4AFDA
25 August 1947
333.5/1208-I
SUBJECT: Investigation of Flying Disc.
TO:
Headquarters, Army Air Forces, Washington 25, D. C.
ATTENTION: AC of AS-2
1. The attached true copy of the letter of Mr. F. M. Johnson of
Portland, Oregon, was received by this officer 22 August 1947.
2. Your attention is invited to the similarity of statement by
Mr. Johnson and Mr. Arnold.
3. This letter is being referred this date to the Special Agent
In Charge, FBI, San Francisco, for any investigation they may care to
make.
L. SPRINGER
1 Incl:
Lt. Colonel, GSC
Cy of ltr fr F.M. Johnson
AC of S, A-2
(in dup)
BECEINED
:
fee 107
CONFIDENTIAL
28
CONFIDENTIAL
PORTLAND, OREGON, August 20th 1947
Lt. Col. Donald L. Springer, Assistant Staff
Sir. Saw in the portland paper a short time ago in regards to
an article in regards to the so called flying disc having any basis
of fact. I can say am a prospector and was in the Mt Adams district
on June 24th the day Kennet Arnold of Boise Idaho claims he saw a
formation of flying disc. And i saw the same flying objects at about
the same time. Having a telescope with me at the time i can asure you
they are real and noting like them I ever saw before they did not pass
verry high over where I was standing at the the time, plobly 1000 ft.
they were Round about 30 foot in dimater tapering sharply to a point in
the head end in an oval shape. with a bright top surface. I did not
hear any noise as you would from a plane. But there was an object in
the tail end looked like a big hand of a clock shifting from side to
side like a big magenet. There speed as far as i know seemed to be
greater than anything I ever saw. Last veiw I got of the objects they
were standing on edge Banking in a Cloud.
Yours Respectfully
/s/ F. M. Johnson
106 No. West 1st Ave
Portland, Oregon
A TRUE COPY:
DONALD L. SPRINGER
Lt. Colonel, GSC,
AC of S, A-2
Ace 10/
CONFIDENTIAL
29
CONFIDENTIAL
PORTLAND, OREGON
30,July 1947
aar
C-E-R-T-1-F-I-C-A-T-E
9
on 30 July 1947 Mr Richard kankin, 834 N. E. Simpson Street,
Portland, Oregon was interv ewed by this agent and stated in substance as
follows:
My name is Richard Rankin. I am47 years old and have fl own since
I was nineteen years old. I first soloed in an air craft in 1919. I have flown
over all the western parts of the United Stat es many times and have mapped
all of the western part of the United States during the years before the
late war for the US Forest Service. I am familiar with almost every part of
the western United States. During a great part of my life I have done stunt
flying for air shows and various other types of aeronautical exhibitions. My
brother was "Tex"Rankin who was quite well known in both civilian and Military
flying circles for many years before his death and during the late war ran
thousands of Flying Cadets through primary training schools owned and oper-
addd by him. To date I have accomplished 7000 hours in the air as pilot of
both civilian and Military aircraft. I am well acquainted with most articles
that one would see in the air and I feel that I am well qualified to say
when I see articles flying through the air, although I would not attempt to
say that I am infallable and state that I could definitely identify every
object that might be flying through the air. The following is. an account of
what I saw on 14 June 1947 from the yard of my home at 1806 South "M" St,
Bakersfield, California.
At approximately 1200 noon on the 14 of June I was lying in the
front yard of my home. There was a lad mowing the lawn at the time. I looked
up into the sky and saw ten articles flying from the South to th North at what
I ould judge to be 8500 ft. The objects were flying at approximately what I
would judge to be 350 miles per hour. As I have stated before, I have done
quite a lot of map work for the US Forest Service. I distinctly remember that
at the time I saw the articles I mentioned it to the lad who was mowing the
lawn at the time. I told the lad that the objects were in all probability
some sort of Army or Navy test planes from the nearby test centers on the
deserts of Southern California. Having quite a knowledge of aircraft in
general I attempted to explain to the lad mowing the lawn that the objects
were probably on same sort of training mission for either the Arny or Navy.
At that time I did not give the slightest thought to anything but that the
objects were some sort of test ship for the Government Services. The obkects
resembled the pictures that I have seen of the XF5U-1, the so alled "Flying
Flapp ck attck that the Navy is testing. After the objects disappeared I
proceeded into the house and had my noon meal. At approximately 1415 I went
back into the yard to sit and lie in the shade. At this time the objects re-
appeared going from North to South, although this time there were only seven
of the articles. When I first saw the original ten objects they were flying
in a nyn formation with one objet seemingly starggling in the rear of the
formation. When the objects apperaed the second time they were still in the
IIV formation although there was only seven of the objects at this time. I
remember at this time that I told the lad, in 0 was still working on the lawn,
that pobably three of the objects had poceeded back to their base on a diff-
erent course. I actually thought that thi was the case, that the other three
objects had probably gone back to their base on the other side of the mountains
from Bakersfield. A week or SQ later when I read of Mr Kenneth Arnold claiming
that he had seen articles flying through the air over the Cascade Mountains in
Incl #1,
2052
CONFIDENTIAL
30
CONFIDENTIAL
Washington I realized that the articles that I saw were r obably the same thing.
I was still reluctant to mention this to anyone thinking that they would prob-
ably say that I was crazy. After some time I mentioned the ind dent to the
editor of the "Oregonian", a Portland, Oregon newspaper. At this time I was
in Portland for the remainder of the simmer. The results d' the conversation.
with the editor of the paper is put forth in the accompanying newspaper
article.
I fully realize that hhis is a broad statement-in view of the fact
that there ha S been DD much publicity put forth in various news-
papers of the country. I am of sound mind in every respect and I am firmly
convinced that the articles I saw are actually some sort of flying machines
although I cannot say from where they came or to where thay were going. I say
what I have said with no idea of publicity or personal gain.
SIGNED Richmond Rana
Richmond Rankin
Portland, Oregon
30 July 1947
1052
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
Pilot Recalls
THE OREGONIAN, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 1947
"
Seeing Discs
"THE OREGONIAN" Portland, Oregon.
3 July 1947
Dick Rankin Tells
Of Odd Aircraft
More reports of "flying flap-
jacks" turned up Wednesday,
one from no less than Dick
Rankin, brother of the late Tex
Rankin, and himself an expe-
rienced pilot of more than 7000
hours' flying time.
Rankin, who is recovering
from an old back injury re-
ceived in an automobile acci-
dent, came to Portland over
the week end to spend the sum-
mer. He saw the "silver cau-
cers" over Bakersfield, Cal.,
June 23, while lying on the
lawn sun bathing, he told The
Oregonian.
"I hesitated to say much
about them," Rankin said, "un-
til I noticed all the hullabaloo
in the papers. I puzzled over
their strange shape for a while
and finally concluded that they
were the navy's new XF5U-1
flying flapjacks, which are thin
and round, with twin propellers
and stubby tail."
Only One XF5U-1 Built
(The navy and the manufac-
turer have announced official.
ly that only one such machine
was built and that it never left
Connecticut.
"These planes were flying
high, maybe 9000 feet, and fair.
ly fast, about 300 or 400 miles
an hour. I first counted ten of
them in formation, going north.
About 2:15 P. M. they returned
on the reverse course, headed
south. But there were only sev-
en in the formation.
"They were not weaving or
bobbing in formation I couldn't
make out the number or loca-
tion of their propellers and
couldn't distinguish any wings
or tail. They appeared almost
round. They looked like pic-
tures of the navy's flying flap-
jack," Rankin said.
Rankin, who plans to spend
the summer here at 834 N. E.
Simpson street, is now able to
resume a little flying for fun,
1952
but not commercially, he said.
He now operates a string of
auto courts, spending his win-
ters at Palm Springs.
CONPIDENTIAL
32
August 20, 1947
65-480
c
o
Director FBI
P
X
SAD Dutto
FLYING MSCS
Refer teletype to the Bureau dated August 15, 1947.
Enclosed please find the newspaper account carried by the Iwin
Falls, Idaho "Times News" on August 15, together with a sheet of paper on which
A. c. URIN attempted to sketch his impression of the instrument which he claims
to have seen.
Concerning URIE's sketches, it may be noted that he believed the
folled outer edge which he attempted to create in hisdrawing to have been about
a foot through. URIN likewise believed that the tubinh or exhaust flame which
he and his sons claim to have seen was about a foot through and extended at
least to the back end of the device. The flame did not appear to taper off
not to widen out toward the back.
BILLY and KEITH URIE stated that they could nee a knot on the side of
the device from which the flames were shooting, and that they could see day-
light between the exhaust flame and the side of the device. The flames did not
leave any smoke or odor.
The URIE boys thought that the "side view" sketch should show that
the device was more sharply angled from bottom to top, while URIE himself
thought that it was more streamlined and curved. URIE said that the instru-
ment came to a pointed or rounded top.
In his notations, URIE mistakenly said that he had seen it on Thurs-
day. During interview, he stated that it actually bad been or Wednesday,
August 13, 1947, when he and his sons saw the contrivance about 1:00 P.M.
URIZ explained that he had sent his boys to the river to get some
tope from his boat. When he thought they were overdue, he went outside his
tool shed to look Dr them. He noticed them about 300 feetaway looking in
the sky and he blanced up to see what he called the flying disc. He sat d he
could only see it for a moment before it disappeared behind a hill which
obscured his view.
URIN further stated that the centrivance was about seventy-five
feet in the dr. URIZ resides in the depths of the Snake River Canyon, which
is about four hundred feet deep and twelve hundred feet across at that place.
According to his account, the contrivance was about three hundred feet below
the rim of the canyon and he saw it against the steep walls of the canyon oth
the far side. He described its color as sky blue and stated that he doubted
if it could be seen against the sky. He likewise said that it was purely by
chance that he sav. it. Itdi not spin like a top.
20115
As the machine went by the URIE place, the trees over which it
almost directly passed (Morman Pepulars) did not just bend with the wind as if
a plane had gone w. but in URIN'S words, "spun around on top as if they were
in a vacuum."
KEITH URIB, eight years of age, said he first saw the machine
coming down the canyon, heading from east to west and following the con-
tours of the ground. BILLY, age ten, saw it almost immediately. Both
watched 12 fly out of sight behind a tree in a matter of moments. They
said they then ran to their Father and learned that he doo had seen
the machine.
URIS seemed completely sincere about the incident. He said his
wife and daughter were in the house at the time and had not seen the
machine. He questioned his brother, who also lives in the canyon, but his
brother had been eating at the time and had seen nothing. URIN and his
two boys maintained that they had never before seen one of the discs.
URIE, when interviewed, appeared to be a sober, middle-aged man.
JOHN BROSNAN, the "Times News" reporter who originally furnished
Special Agents with information about the incident, likewise stated that
URIM appeared completely sincere about the machine.
No further attempt was made to locate L. W. HAWKINS, inasmuch
as J. H. BORWN, who was with HAWKINS at the time, was interviewed.
BROWN' $ name was withheld from the newspaper because HAWKINS and
BROWN were fishing at Salmon dame while BROWN was supposed to have been
working in Twin Falls.
BROWN said simply that he and HAWKINS could hear a roar. They
looked up and could see two instruments flying at a great height, which
BROWN mentioned might have been between four thousand and six thousand
feet. However, he said he had no idea how large the devices were and
consequently. they may have been several miles away. He said that he and
HAWKINS were satisfied they had seen something and they were very
doubtful that they had seen two planes.
c
O
Ps
Y
seell5
35
imes
New
TWIN FALLS
Nine Irrigated Idaho Cou
Regional Newspaper Serving
TWIN FALLS, IDAHO, FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 1947
Member of
and
Associate
spaper
Heads Up, Folks! The Discs Are Flying Again
10FT
/20FT/-
SIDE VIEW
BOTTOM VIEW
END VIEW
This is an artist's conception of the flying disc that A. C. Urie saw
sides, and could well be the inspiration for something new in women's
sweeping through Snake river canyon six miles west of Blue Lakes
hats, such as a "flying saucer" creation. (Drawing by Vic Goertzen-
ranch. It seemed to be powered by jets emitting a fiery glow on both
staff engraving)
*
*
*
*
Flying Saucer Reported Flashing Down Canyon
At 1,000 Miles Per Hour; Two Others Are Seen
By JOHN BROSNAN
the fast-flying objects the nation
scription of the flying discs seen by
come concerned about what was de-
Just as Magic Valley and the
has yet produced.
him and his son, Keith, 8, and Billy,
laying them. and had walked down
nation were starting to let go of
The flying saucer Urie saw was
10:
toward the river to see if they were
lampposts after reeling under a
skimming along through Snake river
"I obtained a close-up view of
all right.
welter of flying saucer reports, two
canyon at a height of about 75
the flying saucer as it passed by the
"I had a side view at 8 distance
more Twin Falls county men re-
feet at 1 p. m. Wednesday. At 9:30
trout farm at 1 p. m. Aug. 13 going
of about 300 feet and almost on a
vived speculation on the mystery
a. m. the same day, L. W. Hawk-
down Snake river canyon at a height
level with the thing," Urie con-
with vivid descriptions of discs they
ins, Twin Falls county commis-
of about 75 feet from the canyon
tinued. "Two of my boys. Keith
saw.
sioner and former county sheriff
floor. I would estimate the speed
and Billy, were below me and they
From A C. Urie, who operates
from Filer. also saw two circular
at about 1,000 miles per hour."
also saw it at about a 45-degree
the Auger Falls Trout farm six
objects soaring along at a great
Urie explained that the incident
angle. They both got a bottom and
miles west of Blue Lakes ranch in
height near Salmon dam 40 miles
occurred while the two boys were
a side view, and we were all look-
Snake river canyon. came perhaps
southwest of Twin Falls.
coming across the river from the
ing at it from the south side of the
the most detailed account of one of
Here is Urie's eye-witness de-
north side in 8 boat. He had be-
(Continued on Page 8. Column 6)
'Saucer' Seen
Flying Down
Snake Gorge
(From Page One)
river facing toward the north. The
boys saw it coming about half a
mile up the canyon, and we all lost
sight of it in less than a mile."
While the impression was still
vivid in their minds, the three got
together and made rough şketches
of what they had seen. These, in
turn, were the basis for the artist's
conception of the strange affair by
Vic Goertzen of Twin Falls for the
Times-News.
"It was all one color-sort of a
light sky blue with a red, tubular
fiery glow at the side of the top or
hood." Urie continued.
"The canyon floor is rough at
that particular point, and it rode
up and down over the hills and hol-
lows at a speed indicating some
type of control faster than the
reflexes of man. It Is my opinion
that it is guided by instruments and
must be powered by atomic energy
I
as it made very little noise-just a
s-w-i-s-h as it passed by."
:
Urie described the size as about
20 feet long by 10 feet high and
I
10 feet wide, giving it an oblong
shape. It might be described as look-
ing like an inverted pie-plate or
broad-brimmed straw hat that had
been compressed from two sides.
Pressed for his candid opinion of
just what it was, Urie said that he
was convinced that there was some-
thing to this flying saucer situation.
"I know a number of the people who
have also seen them and I know
that they're not just imagining
something or trying to get their
names in the paper." Urie com-
mented.
"I do know that it scared the boys
and made me feel pretty uneasy,"
he added.
Tracing down a rumor that County
Commissioner Hawkins had seen an
unusual object in the air on the
same day as Urie's experience. the
Times-News called him at his Filer
home.
"Yes, I did." he replied without
hesitation. "I'll have to admit I've
been skeptical all along until I saw
it with my own eyes. I can't say
what it was, but I can say there's
something in the air."
Hawkins related that while at
Salmon dam Wednesday morning,
a sound resembling the echo of a
motor caused him to look upward,
and there he saw two circular ob-
jects that reflected light. They were
traveling at a great speed and
higher than most airplanes. accord-
ing to Hawkins.
Aside from this, he declined to
add details. except to say, "There's
something in the air."
His general description, however.
corresponded closely to those of
hundreds of persons who reported
seeing flying saucers after Kenneth
Arnold, Boise businessman, had
touched off the deluge by telling of
coming upon nine disc-like objects
while he was flying in his private
plane in Washington.
Thereafter. the nation became in-
creasingly flying saucer conscious.
creating a state of mind that made
it possible for four 'teen age Twin
Falls boys to cause a mild sensa-
tion when they built a model flying
disc and tossed into a local yard
July 10. This was subseuently re-
vealed as a hoax. following investi-
gation by the army and FBI.
Thereafter the saucer reports
tapered off into a few scattered in-
cidents until the question was re-
vived by this week's occurrences.
Speculation has ranged from
mention that the discs could be
army or navy guided missile experi-
ments, or that they could be similar
experiments by some foreign coun-
try. to "something out of this
world."
Whatever. they are. a lot of people
have seen "something."
CONFIDENTIAL
7
HEADQUARTERS
FLYING DIVISION, AIR TRAINING COMMAND
Office of the Commanding General
IF
Randolph Field, Texas
10 July 1947
333.5
SUBJECT: Unidentifiable Objects
TO:
Commanding General
Tenth Air Force
Brooks Field, Texas
Attn: ACofS, A-2
1. The inclosed MOIC is forwarded for your information.
2. In the event that Lt. E. B. Armstrong has been interviewed
by your Headquarters, request that a copy of the MOIC be furnished
to this Headquarters.
FOR THE COMMANDING GENERAL:
1 Incl
H. L. CRISIER
MOIC
Lt. Colonel, G.S.C.
Asst. Chief of Staff, A-2
333.5
1st Ind
DC
HEADQUARTERS TENTH AIR FORCE, OFFICE OF THE ASST CHIEF OF STAFF, A-2,
BROOKS FIELD, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, 16 July 1947
TO: Commanding General, Flying Division, Air Training Command, Randolph
Fld., Texas
ATTN: Asst Chief of Staff, A-2
Inclosed is Memorandum for the Officer in Charge in reference to
Lt. E. B. Armstrong, as suggested in paragraph 2, basic communication.
1 Incl
S.H. MORROW
MOIC, atd 15 July 47
Colonel, GSC
1 Incl withdrawn
Asst Chief. of Staff, A-2
MOIC, dtd 7 July 47
Incl2
CONFIDENTIAL
7
UNIDENTIFIABLE OBJECTS
Williams Fld, Chandler, Aris.
15 July 1947
MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE:
1. On 14 July 1947, 1st It Eric B. Armstrong, 0-2059709, 170th
AAP Base Unit, Ferry Division, Brooks Field, San Antonio, Texas was
interviewed and the following information was obtained: Lt Armstrong
departed Williams Field, Arisona at 1400 CST on 28 June 1947 in a P-52
for Portland, Orogon, by the my of Medford, Oregon. At approximately
1515 CST on a course of 300 degrees, and ground speed of 285, altitude
10,000 feet, approximately thirty miles northwest of Lake Moade, Novada,
Lt Armstrong sighted five or six white, circular objects at four o'slock,
altitude approximately 6,000 feet, course approximately 120 degrees, and
an estimated speed of 285 MPH. Lt Armstrong said the objects were flying
very smoothly and in a close formation. The estimated sise of the white
objects were approximately 36 inches in diamster. Lt Armstrong stated
that he is sure the white objects were not birds, since the rate of elesure
was very fast. Lt Armstrong was certain that the white objects were. not
Jets or conventional type aircraft sime he has flown both types.
AGENT'S NOTES:
Lt Armstrong was very sincere in the explamation and was not the
exaggerating type. He merely stated what he saw and has drawn no con-
clusions as to what the white objects were.
Lawrense R. King, Jr, Special Agent, CIC, ADC
so 98
39
CONFIDENTIAL
UNIDENTIFIABLE OBJECTS
WILLIAMS FIELD, CHANDLER,
ARIZONA.
7 July 1947
MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE:
1. On 1 July 1947, Lt William G. McGinty, USN, 195803, P-80
Student, Williams Field, Chandler, Arizona, was interviewed by
this Agent, and stated in substance: That on 30 June 1947, at about
0910, MST, he was flying at 25,000 feet over Grand Canyon, Arizona, in
a P=80 type aircraft. He stated that he was heading south towards Williams
Field, Arizona, when he saw two round objects going at inconceivable
speeds, straight down. He further stated that his reactions were to
turn away from the objects. He further stated that one of the uniden-
tifiable objects followed the other seconds apart. He further stated
that due to the speed of the objects, he could only see that they were
circular, and that they were possible light gray in color. He further
stated that it was his opinion that the objects were approximately
eight feet in diameter. In conclusion, he stated that the objects
would haveprobably hit the ground approximately twenty-five miles
south of the South Rim of Grand Canyon, Arizona.
AGENT'S NOTES: Lt McCinty gave his permanent address as: N.A.M.T.C.,
Point Hugu, Port Hueneme, Calif.
2. On 1 July 1947, Captain Malcolm 0. Amestrong, 0-734168,
Instructor, Single Engine, Williams Field, Chandler, Arizona, was
interviewed by this Agent and stated in substance: That his brother,
1st Lt E. B. Armstrong, stationed at Hq, 10th AAF, Brooks AAF, Texas
had related to him that he saw a formation of unexplainable objects
in the vicinity of Lake Mead, Nev. Captain Amstrong, further stated
that his brother stated the objects were heading south, and were at
approximately 10,000 feet altitude.
AGENT'S NOTES: Captain Armstrong could not give too much information
on the objects that his brother had seen. Lt. E. B. Armstrong can be
contacted at Hq, 10th AAF, Brooks Field, Texas for further information.
DEPARTMENT
sa 38x
Lynn C. Aldrich, Special Agent, CIC-AAF, FDTRC
THIS IS A TRUE COPY
John
JOHN K. ORR, Major, A.C.
Incl #1
39
CONFIDE
Pain
(6
Unidentifiable Objects.
D 333.5 ID (16 Jul 47)
1st Ind.
HQ AIR DEFENSE COMMAND, Mitchel Field, New York, 21 July 1947.
TO: Commanding General, Army Air Forces, Washington 25, D. C.
ATTN: AC/AS-2.
1. Forwarded for your information and utilization.
FOR THE COMMANDING GENERAL:
Info cy:
June
R. H. SMITH J.X. Honnell
CG, AMC,
Colonel, GSC
Lt. Cal. a.
9
Wright Fld,
for
Asst Chief of Staff-Intell.
Dayton, 0.
y 2 n/c Incls:
see 130
CONFIDENTIAL
F177
40
CONFIDENTIAL
Unidentifiable Objects.
D 333-5 ID (16 Jul 47)
1st Ind.
HQ AIR DEFENSE COMMAND, Mitchel Field, New York, 21 July 1947.
TO: Commanding General, Army Air Forces, Washington 25, D. C.
ATTN: AC/AS-2.
1. Forwarded for your information and utilization.
FOR THE COMMANDING GENERAL:
R.H. SMITH
Info ey:
Colonel, GSC
CG, AMC,
Asst Chief of Staff-Intell.
Wright Fld,
Dayton, o.
2 Incls:
n/c
toirs,
BECEINED
(If MD 12 It us
JUN30 4318003
CONFIDENTIAL
H
CONFIDENTIAL
HEADQUARTERS
TENTH AIR FORCE
BROOKS FIELD, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
IN REPLY REFER TO:
DC 333.5
16 July 1947
SUBJECT: Unidentifiable Objects
TO:
Commanding General
Air Defense Command
>
Mitchel Field, New York
ATTN: Asst Chief of Staff, A-2
1. Inclosed herewith for your information is investigation relative
to Unidentifiable Objects which was initiated at Headquarters, Flying Divi-
sion, Air Training Command, Randolph Field, Texas. This Office assisted,
as noted in Inclosure 2, by completing a Memorandum for the Officer in
Charge.
2. No further action is contemplated by this Headquarters concerning
investigation of this incident.
2 Incls:
S.H. MORROW
1. MOIC dtd 7 July 47
Colonel, GSC
2. Ltr, FDATC, w/1 Ind
Asst Chief of Staff, A-2
and 1 Incl, MOIC, dtd
15 July 1947
CONFIDENTIAL
621-9
21 JUL 1947
To: CG, AAF CATTN: AC/A5-2)
FROM: DIR. OF INTEL. DATE 5 AUG 47
MAJ FISHER /79738
Sci
2636 Magnolia Ave.,
Los Angeles 7, Calif.
August 1
1947
Director of Military Intellegence,
War Departmant, Washington 25, D.C.
Dear Sir:
On Sunday afternoon, July the Sixth, I observed something very
strange ; it is related --- at least in my own mind with the
phenomena of the "Fabulous Flying Saucers# and I cannot report on
this second phemomena without speaking of the first.
As I do not wish to be considered the victim of mass psychology,
a crack-pot or visionary, it is rather hard for me to make this
report. I am doing it because I consider it my duty.
A newspaper article spoke of the Bureau of Standards as "Having a
finger in the pie " in many experiments so not knowing where to
write or who to write to I wrote to the Bureau, and Mr. Hugh L. Dryd-
en has suggested that you were the one to report to.
I had been amused at accounts of the # flying saucers ". Everyone
was talking, laughing and joking about themand I did not believe
in them
he Hollywood Tarzana Bus was parked at the Tarzana end of the line
and the driver was busy making out his reports preparatory to making
the return trip./ I was the only one in the bus and I sat in the
middle south of the side next to Ventura 60 the bus was parked north and
As I looked to my right a "Saucer appeared out of nowheretappar-
ently out of nowhere and it was followed by several others ; they
were of uniform size and spaced at regular intervals and it seemed
as if they turned a corner from the West and they rolled along
at great speedto the Northward and parKallel toVentura Boulevard.
As soon as I becameconvinced that what I saw was not an illusion
but what every one was talking about I began to study them and it
was right then that my eyes seemed to be drawn to this other phenoma
in the air between me and the "Saucers".
What I saw was milky white rays in the sunlight that seemed to cris
cross like the search lights do at hight ; it was nothing like the
sun shining on some bright object for the rays were not spaced and
they were not so close together and they cris crossed. However, they
did seem to converge toward a center but they did not meet there
In this center --- a radious of about eighteen inches it seemed
from I sat, there were spinning objects df some red substance
8208
43
2
about the color of the semi- precious stone Cornelian: these
fragments were sharp and irregular and shing. They were flying
about as if flying to a magnet This was momentary and I looked
to see if the "Saucers" were still there. I saw one or two but
the same thing happened again and I saw the second phenomena for
a second By this time the "Saucers were out of sight.
All the way home I was trying to find some logical explanation for
the "Sa ucers" but my mind kept reverting to the second phenomena
and as I dwelt on it I could not help surmising if perhaps these
rays I saw did not come out of the red f ragments that were spinning
in the vortez. I couldnt help wondering if this substance had beeh
shot from the "Saucers as theyturned the corner from the west on their
way to the North/.
As our army would not be shoting deadly rays over toward a very
croweded highway and as this whole thing seems fantastic to say
the least, I thought I had better trust some ones Judgement who
really knows what is going onand so you have my report on what
I really saw, and what I am very curious about.
Thanks to ME. Dryden for his courtesy in letting me know just
who to relate this incident bo, and thanks to you for listening
and I hope that it makes the right kind of impression.
Sincerely yours,
M. Lenore Corey
HQOCAMA FORM NO. 5-506
31 MAY 1945
APN/KDS/eb
5
OKLAHOMA CITY AIR MATERIEL AREA
TINKER FIELD
oklahoma CITY, OKLAHOMA
IN REPLY REFER TO:
#3724-I
30 July 1947
MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECURITY OFFICER, OCAMA
Subject: DAN NELSON, Attorney-at-Law, 926 Perrine Building,
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Re:
Flying Saucer Mystery Solved.
On 30 July 1947 DAN NELSON was interviewed at his office, 926 Perrine
Building, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, relative to his alleged solving of the
Flying Saucer Mystery.
Subject, whose age is 53, is at present engaged in practicing law and
is the agent for the Dual Parking Meter Company. Subject advised he is
married and has two sons, ages seven and ten, residing at 2613 N.W. 14th
Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Nelson stated he was a sergeant in World
War I, being wounded in action while serving with Company L, 58th Infantry,
and that before entering the service he had an eighth grade education. After
leaving the service he finished his education and graduated from the University
of Oklahoma in 1929. He advised that since 1929 he has practiced general
law in both Norman and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Subject stated he notified the War Department by letter on 19 July
1947, advising them of his discoveries concerning the Flying Saucer Mystery.
He received an answer dated 23 July 1947 advising him his letter had been
referred to the Air Forces. NELSON stated he heard no more from the War
Department as of 29 July 1947, at which time he released his statement to
the "Daily Oklahoman," Oklahoma City local newspaper.
Subject advised the basis for his theory concerning the Flying Saucer
Mystery was obtained from simple experiments which he conducted while driving
his automobile. NELSON stated he believed that many people had seen lights
or shining objects cast onto their windshields and side ventilator windows
of their automobile and reflected as a saucer or disc shaped object. He
stated that the movement of the automobile, plus the fact that the glass was
not a perfect mirror and passing objects could be seen in relation to the
objects gave them an appearance of great speed.
Subject advised that the vibration of the car gave the objects an
appearance of rotating and that the reflections caused them to appear flat
or saucer shaped. NELSON stated that any number of objects might be seen
according to the direction that the car is traveling and the number of bright
objects being reflected onto the window. He further stated that these objects
might be seen in an ordinary window in a house according to the lighting
fncl #1
45
conditions, and that the objects might be either vertical or horizonal. The
subject related that any change in speed of the car resulted in a change in
speed of the object, and that changes of direction resulted in a change in
the angle of travel of the object.
NELSON stated he has not talked to any persons that had actually seen
flying saucers or discs but he believed that these reflections plus the
excitement and hysteria caused by other reports has been the basis for most
flying saucer reports. Subject also stated that this same theory could be
true in relation to flying saucers seen from aircraft.
Attached hereto is a detailed statement by NELSON covering his findings
and explaining his solution to the so-called Flying Saucer Mystery.
Kalman D. Simon
KALMAN D. SIMON
C.I., U.S. Army
2
FLYING SAUCER MYSTERY SOLVED
July 12, 1947.
The most impressive reports of the so-called flying
saucers or discs were those from aviators who claim they
saw disc-shaped objects flying through the air in various
formations at high altitudes and at a high rate of speed.
The first report was from an aviator who stated that these
so-called flying discs had a somewhat shiny appearance and
would fly in formation and change their position from time
to time. Most reports stated that they appeared in the late
afternoon or about dusk.
Most all reports were to the effect that these objects
had the appearance of an inverted disc or saucer, and some
of them reported that they appeared to be rotating in their
flight.
The mystery of the flying saucers or discs may be sol-
ved by the use of a little applied science along with a
few simple experiments.
These flying discs or saucers can be observed by any
motorist traveling along the highways when the sun is
shining on most any afternoon or evening. During the day-
light most of these so-called flying discs are reflections
from the sun shining upon some bright object in or on the
automobile driven by the observer. For instance, if you
were driving in a north-westerly direction with the sun
shining on the handle of the front or rear door on the left
side of the car, you may notice a shiny object appear in the
ventilation wing of the window on the drivers left, if it is
opened to about a 45° angle.
These shiny objects may have wrious forms and there may
be more than one, depending on the number of reflections.
They may appear to be in the sky when the driver looks through
the ventilation wing glass. Their position in the sky depends
upon. the angle at which the object is reflected in the ven-
tilation wing and the position of the observer. They may have
various forms but very frequently they are of a saucer shape
or a flat shape when they appear to be in the sky.
The ventilation wing during day-light is not of course
a perfect mirror, therefore, it appears to the driver or ob-
server that he is actually looking through the glass into the
sky. As he moves along, the bright objects appear to be
traveling at a high rate of speed in comparison with the
stationary objects on the ground, or the distant horizon, that
he sees through the window, or in comparison with the faintly
silhouetted objects on the landscape which at times are re-
flected in the window.
The flying saucer appears to be traveling in the same
general direction as the automobile but sometimes a little to
the right which makes it appear that it will eventually cross
the drivers path. The apparent flight direction of the
saucer is due to the angle of the ventilation wing glass in
its relation to the direction in which the car is traveling.
The number and position of the saucers reflected in the glass
depend upon the number and contour of objects reflected there-
in by the sun. Bright objects on a car approaching from the
rear may cast such reflections on your ventilation wing in
the daytime.
(2)
If the ventilation wing window were a perfect mirror the
objects causing the reflections would appear therein, as well as
all other objects within range, but the ventilation wing being
a sort of a semi-mirror, does not reflect the object but only
the bright spot, which leaves the impression that the observer
is actually looking through the glass and that the object act-
ually appears to be in the sky, or at times a long distance
away. These results are best obtained in the late afternoon,
or after sun down.
The aviators who reported seeing flying discs or saucers,
undoubtedly were seeing the reflection of bright objects in or
on their own plane. They saw them as reflected in their canopy
or wind shield, but failed to recognize them as reflections.
Otherwise they were reflections from other air craft.
As the aviator traveled along observing the movement of
the disc in comparison with the mountains, clouds or station-
ary objects on the earth, made them appear to be traveling at
a high rate of speed. The sloping angle of the aviators
wind-shield and his position in the plane made it appear that
the discs were in the sky. The position of the discs also
depend upon the position of the observer and the angle at which
they are reflected in the glass.
Some of the reports stated that where there were more
than one flying disc, they appeared to be fastened together
and frequently performed a dipping or rising motion and when
one would dip, they would all go through the same motion sim-
ultaneously. The simultaneous movement is due to the reflect-
ions all coming from the same object. For instance, if they
(3)
49
are reflected from some bright object in or on the car or plane,
the up and down motion of the car or plane causes the flying
discs to appear to be going through a dipping and rising motion,
or, if the reflecting object 1s stationary and the car moving,
the results will be the same.
The statement that the discs appeared to be rotating as
they sailed through the atmosphere is due to the vibration of
the automobile or plane. Vibrations make them appear to be
rotating at a very high rate of speed. Vibration is what gives
them a flat or disc-like shape also.
If you wish to see some flying discs, make a drive at about
dusk or at night, open your ventilation wing window at about a
45° angle from the drivers seat and watch the reflections of
the stationary electric lights that appear on your left, if you
are driving, after you pass them, and see how many discs you can
observe flying through the air. If there are not too many lights
to your rear, you may have a perfect formation of beaufiful
flying discs which may be red, green or silver according to
the color of the electric lights which you have passed. They
appear most realistic when traveling about forty-five or fifty
miles per hour. If you do not get satisfactory results from
your first experiments, try again. After you have learned
when and where to look for them, your observations become more
pleasing and interesting.
Even the lights of an approaching automobile from your
rear may appear as one flying disc in your ventilation wing.
The reflections of the approaching lights will appear in your
ventilation wing unless the side of your car protrudes out so
far as to prevent the light beam from shining on the wing.
(4)
50
These appear best when the approaching car is some distance
away, perhaps a quarter or half a mile. The results at night
may not be as impressive as those in the late afternoon because
at night your ventilation wing window makes a more perfect
mirror and the passing landscape is not as pronounced, therefore,
the reflections therein are more easily detected as reflections.
In the late afternoon, however, you have a feeling that you are
actually looking through the glass and the reflected objects
appear more real. The sun shining on a bright ring on your fin-
ger with your hand resting on the steering wheel may cast disc-
like reflections in your wind shield. The form of the reflect-
ion will depend upon the ornamental decorations on your ring.
The rear door handle on my automobile reflects nine beau-
tiful, little, silver, flying discs in the bright sun-light.
These appear in the lower part of the ventilation wing and when
traveling on a level highway, they appear to be racing along
with me at the road side. These nine discs appear in a form-
ation of two rows of four each, with the ninth one in the lead
at the center of the formation. They appear as whirling pro-
pellers in a vertical position.' These discs also have stream-
ers which are due to the curveture and decorative pattern on
the handle. While traveling north in the early afternoon under
a bright sun, these nine discs appeared far below to my left,
racing up the valley at a terrific rate.
You may be able to see flying discs in your own home.
If you will turn on a small electric light in the hall-way
and then bok through the window at the other end of the hall,
(5)
you may see as many as three flying discs from one electric
light bulb, which may have more or less of a bell shape. These
discs many times appear as inverted saucers, and if you will
change your position slowly you will see that they change their
position also. These are best observed in the late afternoon
or between sun down and dusk, when it appears to you that you
are merely looking through the window pane at the discs sus-
pended in the distance. As darkness comes on, the window pane
becomes a more perfect mirror and your discs appear as reflect-
ions in a mirror.
To watch the discs, through your ventilation wing, sail
along with you as you drive through the country, becomes very
fascinating, especially if you use a little imagination. It
may absorb your thoughts completely, therefore, I would admon-
ish automobile drivers watching the flying discs, to be cautious
and not run off the road or into some other car.
Some of the reports on flying saucers, heretofore not ex-
plained in this article, such as those reported seeing bright
flashes in the sky, were no doubt reflected sun-light from
planes. These light beams chanced to cross the line of vision
of the observer. They frequently appear very brilliant and
may more or less blind the observer for an instant. If the
plane is very high it may not be seen by the observer, which
may be due to impaired vision or the great height at which
the plane is flying. We very often get these same blinding
flashes from automobile wind-shields, Many of the reports
around July 4th. were incited by various forms of fire works.
(6)
Some reports stemmed from pure imagination or hysteria, while
others were deliberate hoaxes. Any other reports can be ex-
plained if all the surrounding facts are known.
Most all of the reports and descriptions of the flying
saucers coincide so clearly with the findings herein, that
there could be no doubt but that we have the correct solution.
The foregoing statement may not be coached in precise
scientific terms, and may not be scientifically exact, how-
ever, we believe it is so worded that the average layman can
understand it and that it is sufficiently correct to prove
the proposition.
Personally, I do not believe that the so-called flying
saucers or the solution thereof, are of any military value,
unless the Government wished to retain this information for
the psychological effect upon any potential enemy nation,
such as Germany did in regard to their so-called secret
weapons during the war.
Dan nelson
Oklahoma City
53
3
B/a B
8
Code 110A
NRL
7 August 1947
MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT: "Flying Saucers"
TO:
Asst Chief of Air Staff-2
Collection Branch, AAF
Washington 25, D. C.
1. The inclosure is an excerpt from a letter to
Dr. E. Tousey, Micron Waves Section Head, Naval Research Labora-
tory, from Mr. John F. Cole, pertaining to some unidentified objects
which Mr. Cole reports to have seen some time prior to the first
reports of "flying saucers" in the New England area.
2. Dr. Tousey states that Mr. Cole is a well-known astronomer
and a reliable observer as a. result of his training.
3. The inclosure is in addition to information contained
in previous letters to your office taken from interviews at the
request of Lt. Col. G. D. Garrett, AAF A-2.
William P. Mellen
1 Incl.
WILLIAM P. MELLEN
Excerpt fm ltr to
Major, Air Corps
Dr. Tousey 2
AMC Liaison Officer
Naval Research Laboratory
DC
COPY.
Excerpt from letter to Dr. R. Tousey from
Mr. John F. Cole
South Brooksville, Me.
July 28, 1947.
Having in mind the ridicule which has been heaped. on those innocent
or perhaps gullible individuals who have reported disks, I would be a little
cautious in interpreting. But it is safe to say truthfully, that something
unusual attracted my attention, and I was in a perfectly sober. condition,
barring the mild stimulation, afforded by cool spring water filtering through
North Haven greenstone cracks. It should be easy to determine if the "disks"
were a new type jet plane, or bomber, or rocket. The fact that it was July
3, about 2:30 P.M. (summer time) or Greenwich Civil time 1830 might suggest
that they were engaged in some naval demonstration from Eastport, Bar Harbor
or Belfast. The group appeared to be at an altitude of about 50° -- I suffer
from a mild cervical arthritis--but my eyes are well corrected for astigma-
tism and hypermetropia, and I doubt if my cerebral cortical Lesions are suffic-
iently advanced to affect my balance. What first made me look up was the un-
usually loud roar and I was surprised not to see a well defined group of planes
quite near. Instead I had to look rather sharply to see the bunch-of very
light colored objects, in a general northerly direction and travelling roughly
in a NW (true) direction. This was reasonably correct, as I was on Cox's
hill, and looked over towards Backwood's Mount, that is the conspicuous flat
top planated hill at Harborside. The group could hardly have covered more
than 110 angular diameter in the sky, and bunched rather closely with no
regular formation. There might have been 10, I couldn't say and with 90' of
arc spread, would easily be within the limit of visibility for discreet ob-
jects. As a group they were going so as to cover 30° of arc, estimated of
course, in perhaps 10 or 15 seconds. If one of them, say, subtended 1/10°,
with a possible wing spread of 100 feet, it would put it at a distance of
over 10 miles, and quite invisible for a light object. Besides, with 30°
arc of travel at a 10 mi. distance would be roughly 5 miles in 15 seconds
or 20 mi. per minute or 1200 mi. per hour!!--rather fast for a bomber--hi.
A 50 ft. object, at 5 miles dist. would be about 600 mi. per hr.--also fast
going. The only concrete evidence of form appeared on the left tangent of
the group--two dark shaped forms: 00 which may have been tail wings.
Doesn't the Douglass bomber have these? And since they were in no regular
formation, but seemed among themselves to be moving irregularly like a swarm
of bees, why shouldn't all of them have shown wings? The loud roar suggests
they may have been much closer, and rather small. The sky background was
hazy blue, and the sun behind me. One plane towing a lot of balloons, I
believe, would have been easily recognized. Havy any meteorites been re-
ported? At that time of day, has there been any abrupt change of radio field
strength? or ionization?
OFFICE OF THE AIR INSPECTOR
25 JULY 1947
MEMORANDUM TO: AC/AS-2, Counter Intelligence Branch
1. Information contained herein and opinions expressed are based
upon conversation with and request by Mr. Butler of your office. All
pertain to certain phenonema connected with recent widespread talk of
"flying saucers".
2. Approximately three weeks ago, on or about 7 July 1947, I
prepared to go to bed around 2230 or 2300 EDT. I was living at 2807
North Glebe Road, Arlington, Virginia, with my wife. Illustration No. 1
shows the general layout of the room we occupied at that time. See
Illustration No. 1.
BED
RADIO
ME
LAMP
TABLE
DESK
H CASEMENT WINDOWS
Illustration
56
3. I had just turned off the light by my bedside, but sat down
on the side of the bed to listed to the end of a radio program before
reclining. In the meantime, my wife and I were having some conversa-
tion about the selection of certain furniture for a home we had just
purchased. At the time of these events, as I sat facing the windows,
a light appeared at the right-hand edge of the extreme end window and
moved rapidly along to disappear below the trees or horizon, or to be
extinguished in some fashion at some place in a general southerly
direction. This is illustrated on the following page by a very tenta-
tive sketch. See Illustration No. 2.
4
V3 Ed. m/t mili
e
C.B
F3
appoint
list oppeared in This
the
dispends this direction
1.m
B
I Histration
2
57
4. At the time, since my attention was divided and absorbed among
the subjects mentioned, my reaction was simply that "a light passed by,"
and I gave no further thought to the matter until some moments later,
when the thought came to me that I had never seen such an object before,
and that although the first explanation would have been that a meteor had
fallen toward earth in that direction, it did not have the appearance of
any meteor or "shooting star" I had ever seen. Thinking of the then-
prevalent talk of flying disks, I reflected that probably some such
thing as I had just seen was the source of a large amount of newspaper
and radio publicity on the subject. The next morning I jestingly
announced in the office that I saw a flying saucer the night before and
thought that it was enroute to Alexandria, where some of our officers
live. I then went on to say that I supposed it was a shooting star,
but that it did look somewhat peculiar. After we had discussed the
general topic for some time, I dropped the subject, not wishing to add
to the supposed rumors, which I envisioned as a source of serious panic
over the country.
5. A description of the light, or object is almost impossible,
since observation of it was so limited. As shown in Illustration No. 2,
the object appeared to pass in closest proximity to me at the time it
came into view. All of my mental calculations were based upon some
impression or conseption of its distance at the closest point, (AC).
I had no way of judging this, except in the form of very crude depth-
perception. If this by any chance were correct, and instead of a dis-
tant meteor some object had passed near-by, I would assume for purposes
of description that the distance AC on the sketch was some three quarters
of a mile. One factor which I could judge quite reliably was the angular
elevation. This must have been approximately 3 or 4 degrees; at any
rate, the light was intermittently behind the tallest trees forward of
my position as it passed, and these trees are of a normal height, perhaps
sixty or eighty feet at a distance several blocks. Based upon a mild
assumption as to distance, and a reasonable assumption as to angular
elevation, the object would be at a low altitude, considerably below
500 feet, and of a size approximating a small airplane, say 30 feet
across. The shape may have been round, oval, discal, or irregular; at
the speed with which it travelled, I could only perceive it as a "blob."
I do not consider the distance mentioned to be less than 3/4 mile,
because had it been, I feel sure that, late in the evening and with all
my windows open, I would have heard some sound, which I definitely did
not in this case. It might be well to point out here the relative
similarity in size, altitude and airspeed of A firefly at a distance of
30 feet, an airplane at about 3/4 mile, and a meteor at several hundred
miles. Most of us are familiar with this illusion.
3
6. Although I could not accurately judge the time, I seem to
recall the object or light was visible for a couple of seconds.
Taking this figure literally and applying it to the sketch, No. 2,
one could roughly compute the speed of the object at 1350 mph; however,
I did not sense that it was moving with such great speed as this. It
rather appeared to move with the speed of a jet-powered airplane. It
did not deviate from a straight course while I observed it, and did not
perceptibly lose altitude.
7. In color, the subject had the appearance of a reflected white
light, a cool, bright white light with no red in it, like the moon on a
clear night. There was no train visible to me, in the form of fire,
smoke, or sparks. The weather at the assumed time and date was checked
through records of the Bolling Field weather office, and consisted of
scattered to broken clouds with visibilities of 10 - 12 miles. The cloud
condition is further indication that the object was not necessarily a
meteor, since it might have been impossible to see a meteor. I do not
personally remember the weather condition, except that I am sure it was
not raining.
8. At the time of this occurrence, I was not inclined to think of
it seriously enough to wake my wife and describe it to her, nor by any
reasoning to make official report. As time passed, I thought considerably
about the fleeting glimpse I had of whatever I saw, and am still somewhat
confused, but feel that it was some natural phenomenon which occurs but
rarely. I have flown approximately 2500 hours during the pastsseven
years and being generally familiar with aspects of aviation can emphati-
cally state that (a) "it was no weather balloon, (b) it was not the flash of
a beacon on the cloud-base, (c) it could hardly have been an airplane on
fire, since it would have at least crashed in this general area, (d) it
was not entirely a result of imagination, and (e) it was not spending
much time in one place.
Jon JAMES 0. COBB 0 both
Lt Colonel, Air Corps
5-9
ADDRESS REPLY TO
DIRECTOR, NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY
ARMY LIAISON OFFICE
WASHINGTON 20, D.C.
NAVY DEPARTMENT
AND REFER TO:
NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY
Bexia
Code 110
WASHINGTON 20, D.C.
)
28 July 1947
SUBJECT: Flying Saucers
TO:
Asst. Chief of Air Staff-2
Collection Branch, AAF
Washington 25, D. C.
Supplemental to that contained in a letter to your office,
dated 18 July 1947, re interview with Mr. C. H. Zohn who purports
to have seen an unidentified flying object, the following additional
information was obtained on 21 July from c. C. Rockwood, who was mentioned
in that letter as having also seen the object.
C. c. Rockwood reports the object to have been either a silvery
sphere or disc, which he would have taken to be a meteorological balloon
except for the fact that it was travelling at a much higher velocity
than the automobile and approximately in the same direction. The auto-
mobile was moving about 60 mph. There was little, if any, surface wind.
When first seen at an elevation of about 45° it appeared about of
the same size as the sun. He could hear nothing above the noise of the
car. P sav no smoke or contrails.
Its motion was apparently all horizontal. Its aspect did not change
so far as could be observed during the time of observation. He thought
it disappeared by simply becoming too small to see.
Oxilliam P. Millen
WILLIAM P. MELLEN
Major, Air Corps
AMC Liaison Officer
60
FLIGHT PATH
see 130
CTED
This is e.n unparaphrased code (cypher) message. Text must be peraphrased
if essential to retransmit it in another system or to communicate its con-
tents to persons outside British or U.S. Government Services. One-time
pad ressages are excepted from this rule.
28
JOINT COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE
9421
1508/1
SECRET
IN MESSAGE
T.O.O: 080800 Aug. 1947
REC'D: 1200 EDT 9th Aug.
SECRET
FROM:
A.M. LONDON
TO:
FAFDEL
CYPHER MESSAGE
AIX 6328 Aug. 8th 1947
Your AIX 14 July 29th.
During normal night flying practice at 2230 hours on 16th
January, 1947, one of our Mosquitos was vectored on to an unidentified
aircraft at 22,000 feet. A long chase ensued commencing over the North
Sea about 50 miles from the Dutch coast end ending at 2300 hours over
Norfolk. Two brief AI contacts were made but faded quickly. The un-
identified aircraft appeared to take efficient controlled evasive action.
2.
No explanation of this incident has been forthcoming nor
has it been repeated.
ACTION COPY
A.C.M.
A.M.
C.I.O. (Action)3
/ec
CONFIDENTIAL
62-83894-130
FLYING DISCS
30 July 1947
For purposes of analysis by AFBIR-CO, eighteen reported sightings
of "Flying Discs" were selected for breakdown into detailed particulars. Each
report was assigned a number and each number appears in the left-hand column
of the data on the following pages.
One report, Number 7, has not yet been received and therefore no
information is included other than Date, Name of Observer, and Location. The
Fourth Air Force is attempting to secure a statement from this observer.
Four reports, Numbers 2, 4, 17, and 18, have not been analyzed.
The subject headings on which the breakdown has been made are:
Date
Hour (Local standard Time)
Location
Observer's Name
Observer's Occupation
Observed from Ground or Air
Number of Objects Sighted
Altitude
Direction of Flight
Speed
Distance Covered
Length of Time in Sight
Deviation from Straight Flight
Color
Size
Shape
Sound
Trail
Weather
Manner of Disappearance
Remarks
CORr
Report
Number
Date
*Hour
Location
1
19 May
1215
Manitou Springs, Colorado
2
22 May
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
3
22 June
1130
Greenfield, Massachusetts
4
24 June
Mt. Rainier, Washington
5
28 June
2120
Maxwell Field, Alabama
6
29 June
1330
Nera White Sands, New Mexico
7
1 July
Bakersfield, California
8
4 July
2015
Emmett, Idaho
9
6 July
1345
Clay Center, Kansas
10
6 July
-
Fairfield-Suisun, California
11
7 July
1145
Koshkonong, Wisconsin
12
7 July
1430
East Troy, Wisconsin
13
8 July
1550
Mt. Baldy, California
14
9 July
2330
Grand Falls, Newfoundland
15
10 July
1600
Harmon Field, Newfoundland
16
12 July
1830
Elmendorf Field, Alaska
17
18
-
*Local Standard Time
/
R
Report
Observed
Number
Observer's Name
Occupation
From
1
D. A. Houser
Railroad Employee
Ground
F. J. Smith
"
"
"
L. D. Jamison
"
"
"
2
Byron Savage
Businessman-Pilot
Ground
3
E. L. DeRose
*Not stated
Ground
4
Kenneth Arnold
Business-man Pilot
Air
5
Wilson H. Kayko
Captain, AAF
Ground
John H. Cantrell
"
"
"
Redman
"
"
"
Theodore Dewey
1st Lieut., AAF
"
6
C. H. Zohn
Employee, NRL
Ground
J. R. Kauke
"
"
"
C. C. Rockwood
"
"
:
Wife of C.C. Rockwood
"
Nancy Rockwood
7
Richard Rankin
Civilian Pilot
Ground
8
E. J. Smith
United Air Lines Pilot
Air
Ralph Stevens
If
"
" Co-Pilot
"
9
A. B. Browning
Major, AAF
Air
10
Jas. H. Burniston
Captain, AAF
Ground
11
Not Stated
CAP Instructor
Air
"
"
CAP Student
If
12
Not Stated
CAP Pilot
Air
If
"
CAP Passenger
If
13
Alvin E. Moorman
1st Lieut., ACCNG
Air
14
Iric Kearsey
Constable, Newfoundland
Ground
Constabulary
15
Mr. Mehrman
TWA Representative
Ground
Mr. Woodruff
PAA
If
"
16
Grahm
Major, AAF
Ground
and several other officers
*From letter received, observer
is obviously well educated.
22
65
Report
Deviation from
Number
Straight Flight
Color
Size
1
Climbed, dove, hovered overhead, re-
Silver
Apparently small
sumed original course
2
3
None reported
Silver, very
Small
bright
4
5
Zig zag course "much like a water-
Brilliance
Not stated
bug"
slightly great-
er than a star
6
None reported
Some solar spec-
Not stated
ular reflection
7
8
None reported
Almost dusk;
Impossible to
could not dis-
determine
tinguish
9
None reported
Very bright and
30-50' in diameter
silvery colored
10
None reported
Reflection from
Comparable to a
sun
C-54 at 10,000'
11
Descended edgewise, stopped at 4,000'
Not stated
Not stated
and assumed horizontal position. Pro-
ceeded in horizontal flight for 15
seconds, stopped again, then disapp-
eared
12
None reported
Not stated
Not stated
13
None reported
Of light-reflec-
Apparent depth of
ting nature
a P-51
14
None reported
Phosphorous
Not stated
color
15
None reported
Silvery
Same span as a
C-54 at 10,000'
16
Followed contours of mountains five
Resembled a
Approx. 10' in
miles away from observers
grayish balloon
diameter
5
66
Report
Number
Shape
Sound
Trail
Weather
1
No definite shape could be
None
None
CAVU
determined
2
3
Irregular; round, Dis not
None
None
Not stated
appear particularly disc-
shaped
4
5
None stated; seemed like
None
None
Clear moonlight
a bright light
6
No details other than that
None
Possible vapor
CAVU
shape was uniform with no
trails
protuberances
7
8
None definite, but seemed
None
None
CAVU
flat on base with the top
slightly rough in contour
9
Round, disc-shaped
None
None
CAVU
10
No shape could be disting-
None
None
Sunny
uished
11
Not stated, but report re-
None
None
CAVU
fers to "saucer" several
times
12
Same as Report No. 11
None
None
CAVU
13
Flat object, of light-re-
None
None
Not stated
flecting nature which appear-
ed to be without vertical
fin or any visible wings
14
Egg-shaped, or like barrel
None
None
CAVU
head
15
Circular in shape, like
None
Bluish black
Clear with scat-
wagon wheel
trail approx.
tered cumulus
15 mi. long
at 8 to 10,000'
16
Resembled balloon
None
None
Not stated
6
This image contains all the
information on the document.
Report
Manner of
Number
Disappearance
Remarks
1
Climbed very fast and out of sight
No definite shape could be determi
and even with the aid of 4 to 6 pc
er binoculars object could not be
brought into focus
2
3
Obscured by a cloud bank
From letter this observer wrote, i
is obvious he is a well-educated
person. Seeks no publicity.
4
5
Lost in brilliancy of the moon
Observers (2 rated, 2 air intell.)
phoned Field Ops to ascertain no
scheduled experimental a/c were in
vicinity. Sky chart attached to re
6
Cannot explain, except that reflec-
Observer is Admin. Asst. in the Roc
tion angle may have changed abruptly
et Sonde Sect. of NRL. Two other
"scientists", and wife of one, wee
in party and made same observation
7
8
Don't know whether they put on a tre-
Observers were Pilot, Co-Pilot, of
menduous burst of speed, or disinteg-
scheduled UAL DC-3. Stewardess als
rated. However, they did disappear into
saw objects. Suggest reading of VE:
sunset
detailed statements.
9
Unexplained
When first sighting object near ho
izon, observer looked at chart in
his lap to check position. When he
looked out window again, object was
off his left wing at 11 o'clock
10
Disappeared at an angle of about 30°
Rolled from side to side 3 times i:
above the earth's surface
its path across the sky. Sun refle
ed from top side, but never from E
erside, even when turning
11
Unexplained
None
12
Unexplained
None
13
Pilot (at 300MPH) attempted to keep
Observer contacted bases in area W
object in sight, but unable to do so
reported no a/c in air at time
14
Unexplained
First 4 discs flying line-a-trail
15
Unexplained
Seemed to cut clouds open as it
passed thru. Trail was like beam
seen after a high-powered landing
light is switched off.
16
Not stated
Object was observed paralleling th
course of a C-47 then landing.
7
HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH AIR FORCE
Colorado Springs, Colorado
2 July 1947
SUBJECT: Supersonic Platters
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION:
The following information was related to Counter Intelligence Corps
Personnel at Headquarters Fifteenth Air Force, Colorado Springs, Colorado on
27 June 1947 by Mr D. A. hauser, 24 North Chesnut Street, Colorado Springs
Colorado, Mr. F. J. Smith, 24 rairview, Manitou Springs, Colorado and Mr. L.
D. Jamison, 2415 West Kiowa, Colorado Springs, Colorado. All three of the
men are empolyees of the Pikes Peak Railway, Manitou Springs, Colorado.
"On or about 19 May 1947 during their lunch period (1215-1315) a mem-
ber of a train crew called attention to a silver object in the sky approaching
from the North East. It appeared to be travelling at a great speed. All
three men stated that the altitude of the object was very difficult to deter-
mine because of its apparent smallness. They further stated that because of
this it was difficult to view the object as being large and having high
altitude or small and being at a relatively low altitude. They did say though
that it appeared to be higher than the top of Manitou Mountain which is over
1000 feet higher than the shops which are situated at its base. No definate
shape of the object could be determined and even with the aid of binoculars it
still could not be brought into focus. The binoculars used were of about 4 to
6 power. The men stated that they were cer ain that the object did not have
any of the physical characteristics of modern conventional aircraft.
The day was discribed as being clear and sunny with not a cloud in the
sky and no ground wind.
On reaching the area just North of Manitou Moutain the object remained
in the immediate area for several minutes during which time it was seen to
execute manuvers such as climbing, diving and reversal of direction of flight.
This happened every few seconds. The distance and location between views
prompted two of the men to think that there. were more of the unidentified
objects in the sky. At times the object seemed to hoveer in the air and then
start on another path of flight. When last seen the silver object was climb-
ing very fast towards the West almost directly into the wind.
Previous distribution:
Evalutation
None
of source
of information
DISTRIBUTION:
E
O
Hq SAC
3 copies
HQOCAMA FORM NO. 5.506
31 MAY 1945
OKLAHOMA CITY AIR MATERIEL AREA
TINKER field
OKLAHOMA CITY. OKLAHOMA
IN REPLY REFER TO:
OCAPN/KDS:cp
#3724-I
24 July 1947
MEMORANDUM TO THE SECURITY OFFICER, OCAMA, TINKER FIELD.
SUBJECT: BYRON B. SAVAGE, Field Engineer, Radio Corporation of
America, Dallas, Texas. (Residence: 416 N. W. 29th Street,
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.)
RE:
Flying Disc.
On 23 July 1947, BYRON B. SAVAGE was interviewed at his residence,
416 N. W. 29th Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, relating to his alleged
viewing of a flying disc over the vicinity of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Subject, whose age is 38, advised he is married and has one child,
and is presently the holder of a Private Pilot's License, No. 39101,
(Single Engine, Land). Subject averred he has extensively studied electron-
ics, sound engineering and aeronautics, and his present occupation, which is
Field Engineer for Radio Corporation of America, offices of which are
located in Dallas, Texas, is that of installing theater sound equipment.
SAVAGE stated that between the days 17 May to 21 May 1947, just after dusk,
he observed an object which he believed to be a small aircraft in the south.
SAVAGE advised that the sun had just gone down and the moon had not arisen
on the horizon. SAVAGE related that he and his wife had just departed
their residence and had started to enter their car in the driveway at
416 N. W. 29th Street, Oklahoma City. He judged the time to be between
8:30 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., and the lights from the city of Oklahoma City
appeared to be shining on this object when he first saw it. He judged the
object to be about 160° in the south when he first saw it, and as it moved
toward him he remarked to his wife that "a big white plane was coming over."
SAVAGE stated that when this object was at a 45° angle from him, he
realized it was not a conventional type aircraft, and it appeared elliptical
at first and as it moved closer it appeared perfectly round and was flat.
SAVAGE advised the object, which appeared to him as a disc, had no appearance
of being spherical and had a ratio of diameter to the thickness of approxi-
mately 10 to 1, appearing thicker in the center, but this could not be
positively ascertained. SAVAGE judged the object to be at an altitude of
between 10,000 and 18,000 feet, and it left no trailing effects. SAVAGE
related that it appeared to be in bulk as big as the bulk of six B-29s at
an altitude of approximately the same height. SAVAGE advised that the object
was in his vision approximately 15 to 20 seconds and travelled at a speed
which he judged to be approximately three times that of jet-propelled aircraft.
1
seellb
7
Memo to the Security Officer, OCAMA, Tinker Field, dtd 7/24/47, File
3724-I.
SAVAGE stated that there were no protrusions on this object and as it
went by he listened for a sound of noise, and at one time thought he dis-
tinguished a swishing sound like the rushing of air. This swishing sound
occurred a few seconds after this object had passed him. SAVAGE averred
this sound was not very loud and did not last very long, and it is very
possible that the sound could have been his imagination or expectation, as
he was not sure of the sound. SAVAGE related that he called his wife to
see this object but it had disappeared before she could focus her eyes on
it. Subject stated that the object appeared to diminish in size and
speed as it moved away, and it was moving in a direction of 350° to the
north. Subject further stated that the object appeared to be frosty white
in color at all times.
SAVAGE advised that he has held a pilot's certificate since 1934 and
has been flying since 1929. He advised that he would be glad to answer any
further inquiries and will cooperate in every way possible. SAVAGE stated
he was sure this object was not a meteor and in his opinion it must be
radically built and powered, probably atomic.
Kalman D Sinon
KALMAN D. SIMON
C.I. U. S. Army
to 116
2
RESTRICTED 151 Meridian Street
Greenfield, Massachusetts
July 10, 1947
Commanding Officer
Westover Field
Chicopee, Massachusetts
Dear Sir,
After having read several accounts of eye-witnesses who claim they
had seen the so-called "flying discs", it brought to mind a strange exper-
ience I had some two weeks ago. The reason I write to you is that radio and
newspaper reports state that the air forces have been alerted to investigate
these mysterious objects. Assuming that you are interested, I am making the
following report in the belief that it might possibly be of help to you. I
do not desire to have any kind of publicity whatsoever in this connection.
About 11:30 AM, Sunday, June 22nd, I was working outdoors on a step-
ladder, looking up, and suddenly there appeared across my line of vision a
speeding, brilliant, small, round-shaped, silvery-white object at an altitude
I would judge to be about 1,000 ft. or more. It was moving very fast in a
straight, northwesterly direction I would say as fast or possibly faster
than a speeding plane. It was so unusual and strange a sight that it arrest-
ed my attention for about 8 or 10 seconds until it was obscured by a cloud-
bank.
Naturally my curiosity was considerably aroused and I tried to think
what this object might have been. I doubted very much that it could have been
a weather baloon because it was not at all like any weather baloons I had seen
before. The object I saw, although small, reflected the sunlight very strong-
ly as though it were of polished aluminum or silver, and I can assure you was
very real. It appeared to have an irregular round shape and while it could
have been disc-shaped, it did not particularly impress me as such.
I have attempted to give you this information as accurately and
clearly as I know how, free from any imagination or exaggeration. Further-
more, my experience took place before I had any inkling that "flying discs"
were reported seen.
This information is being passed on to you for whatever it may be
worth, purely and simply in the interests of national security, and once.
more request that you do not publicize my name.
Sincerely yours,
A CERTIFIED TRUE COPY:
3
/a/ Edward L. DeRose
Edward L. DeRose
ARCHIE F. ROY
Captain, Air Corps
Received AFBIR-CO 47
24 July
72
CONFIDENTIAL
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
Intelligence
Hamilton Field, California
4AFDA
17 July 1947
333.5 ID
SUBJECT: Investigation of "Flying Discs"
TO:
Commanding General, Army Air Forces, Washington 25, D. C.
ATTENTION: AC of AS-2
1. Attached statements and MOICs forwarded to your office per
request TWX from Headquarters Air Defense Command, Mitchel Field, N. Y.,
dated 10 July 1947.
2. This headquarters is unable to locate Richard Rankin, however,
as soon as he is located, statement and MOIC will be forwarded direct to
your office.
3. Information copies furnished Headquarters Air Defense Command.
DONALD L. SPRINGER
4 Inels:
Lt. Colonel, GSC
1. MOIC 16 Jul/Brown (dup)
AC of S, A-2
2. MOIC 16 Jul/Brown (dup)
3. MOIC 16 Jul/Brown (dup)
4. MOIC 16 Jul/Brown (dup)
Info 00 to ADC
P
4
CONFIDENTIAL
73
Incident
4AF 1208 I
16 July 1947
MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE:
1. On 12 July 1947, a call was made at the newspaper office of
the "Idaho Daily Statesman", Boise, Idaho. The aviation editor of the
paper, Mr. David N. Johnson, was interviewed in regard to how well he
knew Mr. Kenneth Arnold of Boise, Idaho, and as to the credibility of
any statement made by Mr. Arnold. The purpose of this interview was an
attempt to verify statements made by Mr. Kenneth Arnold on 26 June 1947,
to various national news services to the effect that he, Mr. Amold,
had seen 9 objects flying in the air above the Cascade Mountain Range
of Washington. These objects were subsequently referred to as flying
saucers or flying disks and will here-in-after be referred to as such
in this report. Mr. Johnson stated that he had known Mr. Arnold for
quite a period of time, having had relations with Mr. Arnold on various
occasions, due to the fact that both he, Mr. Johnson, and Mr. Arnold
were private fliers and frequently got together to talk shop. Mr. Johnson
stated that as far as he was concerned anything Mr. Arnold said could be
taken very seriously and that he, Mr. Johnson, actually believed that Mr.
Arnold had seen the aforementioned flying disks. Mr. Johnson stated that
after Mr. Arnold reported having seen the flying disks, that the editor
of the paper had assigned him, Mr. Johnson, the assignment of taking the
airplane belonging to the newspaper and exhausting all efforts to prove
or disprove the probability of flying disks having been seen in the
northwest area. The results of this assignment to Mr. Johnson and what
he subsequently saw is put forth in a sworn statement signed by Mr. Johnson
attached to this report as Exhibit B.
AGENT'S NOTES: Mr. Johnson is a man of approximately 33 to 35 years of
age. From all appearances he is a very reserved type of person. Mr.
Johnson has logged 2800 hours of flying time in various types of airplanes
up to and including multi-engine aircraft. During part of the war years,
Mr. Johnson was the first pilot of a B-29 type aircraft being assigned to
the Twentieth USAAF and stationed on Tinian Island, in the Pacific. It
is the personal opinion of the interviewer that Mr. Johnson actually saw
what he states that he saw in the attached report. It is also the opinion
of the interviewer that Mr. Johnson would have much more to lose than gain
and would have to be very strongly convinced that he actually saw something
before he would report such an incident and open himself for the ridicule
that would accompany such a report.
1 Inel: Exhibit "B"
MA
Ind#21.
FRANK M. BROWN, S/A, CIC 5th AF
944,29
116
COPY,
CONFIDENTIAL
Statement of David N. Johnson
at Boise, Idaho, July 12, 1947
To Whom It May Concern:
On the sixth day of July, 1947, I received from James L. Brown,
general manager of the Statesman Newspapers, incorporated in Idaho as
The Statesman Printing company, an assignment which was in substance:
"Conduct an aerial search of the northwest states in an effort to
see and photograph & flying disc. Conduct this patrol for so long a time
as you believe reasonable, or until you see a flying disc."
In accordance to these instructions, I took the Statesman's airplane,
and with Kenneth Arnold as passenger, flew a seven and one-half hour. mission
on the seventh day of July, 1947. This mission was without result. It
covered an area embracing the confines of the Hanford plant in Washington,
and territory between and around Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams, where Arnold
first reported seeing objects henceforth described as saucers or discs.
On the eighth day of July, 1947, I took an AT-6 of the 190th Fighter
squadron, Idaho National Guard, of which I am a member, and flew to northern
Idaho, into northwestern Montana briefly, to Spokane, Washington, and back
to Boise by way of Walla Walla, Washington, and Pendleton, Oregon. This
search also was negative.
On the ninth day of July, 1947, I continued the search, again using a
national guard AT-6, this time centerin my efforts over the Owyhee mountains
west and southwest of Boise, a portion of the Mountain Home desert on a track
southeast of the Mountain Home army air base, thence into the Sawtooth moun-
tains, and back in the general direction of Boise on a line carrying me well
to the north of the Shafer butte forest service lookout station, into the
Horseshoe Bend area, and thence back in a southwesterly direction to a point
EXHIBIT "B"
2095
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIA
between Boise and the village of Meridian, west of Boise & few miles.
During this search, which lasted approximately two and one-half
hours, I flew under and around rapidly forming cumulus clouds over that
area known as the Camas Prairie, east of Boise. The clouds were near the
village of Fairfield in that valley, and Fairfield is 75 miles airline
distance east of Boise. At that time I saw nothing in the vicinity of
these clouds.
At the time I reached the point between Boise and Meridian, I was
flying at an altitude of 14,000 feet mean sea level, which would be a mean
average of 11,000 feet above the earth in this area, not considering errors
in the altimeter induced either by barometric changes since my takeoff, or
by the temperature at that altitude.
I turned the aircraft on an easterly heading, pointing toward Gowen
Field, and had flown on that course for perhaps a minute when there suddenly
appeared in the left hand portion of my field of vision an object which was
black and round.
I immediately centered my gaze on the object. At that time, due to its
erratic movement, I thought I was seeing a weather balloon. I called the
CAA's communication station at Boise, and asked if the weather station had
recently released a balloon. The reply from communicator Albertson was that
the bureau had not. I do not remember his exact words; I am under the
impression he said "not for several hours" or gave me the exact time of the
previous release, which was around 08:30 that day.
Upon hearing this response, I turned the aircraft broadside to the
object, pulled back the plexigless covering to avoid any distortion, took
my camera from the map case, and exposed about 10 seconds' duration of eight
millimeter motion picture film. During the time the camera was at eye level,
20095
CONFIDENTIAL
76
CONFIDENTIAL
I could not see the object because of minuteness of scope introduced by the
optical view finder with which the camera, an f.l.9 Eastman, was equipped.
Taking the camera away and once again centering my gaze on the object,
I observed it to roll so that its edge was presented to me. At this time it
flashed once in the sunlight. It then appeared as a thin black line. It
then performed a maneuver which looked as if it had begun a slow roll, or
a barrel roll, which instead of being completed, was broken off at about
the 180-degree point. The object rolled out of the top of the maneuver at
this point, and I lost sight of it.
This entire performance was observed against the background of clouds
previously forming over the Camas Prairie. The object appeared to me,
relatively, as the size of 8. twenty-five cent piece. I do not know how
far away it was. I do not know, nor can I truthfully estimate, its speed.
I can only say it was not an airplane, and if it was at a very great dis-
tance from me, its speed was great, taking into consideration that apparent
speed is reduced to the viewer if an object is a very great distance away.
I forgot to look at my clock to determine the exact time I saw the
object. The CAA's log of radio contacts shows my first contact to have been
made a 12:17 hours. But a few seconds elapsed between the time I first saw
the object, and the time I called the CAA's station.
I subsequently related over the radio a description of what I saw, and
communicator Albertson may remember it. The control tower may have a record-
ing of the conversation. I have not checked to determine that.
The purpose of my relating over the air what I saw was to enable rapid
transmission of the report to the newspaper, for at that time I was on
assignment and my energies thenceforth were devoted to (1) transmitting the
information and (2) conducting & further search, which I did after landing
for fuel and to make some telephone calls.
see 95
CONFIDENTIAL
77
CONFIDENTIAL
The next search, begun within half an hour after landing from the
first one, consumed another two hours, but was negative. I explored thorough-
ly the region where I saw the object.
Immediately after sighting the object, I asked if there were other
aircraft in the area. There was a P-51 of the 190th squadron practicing
maneuvers in the vicinity of Kuna, but that was behind me. A C-82 passed
over Boise, but I saw that aircraft go beneath me by some 2,000 feet.
The P-51 in the vicinity of Kuna proceeded to the area where I saw
the object, at my request, and conducted a search. It was negative.
During the afternoon, flights of P-51s were sent out to cover the area,
and some of them flew high altitude missions on oxygen. These searches
were negative.
I was subsequently informed that personnel on both the United Air
Lines side of Gowen field, and on the national guard side, observed a black
object maneuvering in front of the same cloud formation, which by now had
grown so that the clouds reached a probable height of 19,000 or 20,000 feet
from a mean base of 13,500 or 14,000 feet, mean sea level. Three of these
men were national guard personnel and I talked to them, asking them to
describe what they saw, before telling them my story, in order to avoid
suggestion or inference of a leading nature. They saw the object (from
the ground) while I was on my second search. They believed the time to
have been 14:00 hours. The object performed in the same erratic manner,
they said, as I observed.
The above is the extent of the story, and information concerning
myself is now in order.
I have approximately 2800 hours of flying time in equipment ranging
from primary trainers to 8-29s. of course, that does not increase my
powers of observation except as to those practiced daily by an airman.
20085
CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL
It does not make my eyesight any sharper except again as to the incidental
demands upon the eyes of a pilot.
At the time of the experience related above, I had flown fourteen
and one-half hours on an assignment to find a disc and if possible, to
photograph it. In all frankness, I was tired. I may have been suffering,
although slightly, from want of oxygen.
Prior to sighting the object, I had concluded there was no point in
pressing the search, that I probably would never see the disc-like objects
referred to by Arnold and by Captain Smith of United Air Lines.
At all times during the search, both on that day and the two preceding
days (particularly when I was with Arnold) I had literally talked to* myself
to keep beating into my head that I would not fall victim to the power of
suggestion or self-hypnosis arising from a naturally very intent desire to
find a disc and bring success to the assignment given me.
I therefore do not believe that I was the victim of suggestion or
hypnosis. I am familiar with the optical illusion of a fixed object begin-
ning to move after it is watched a sufficient length of time. I know what
tricks the eyes will play as to moving bodies, and have learned of this
particularly during night formation flying.
I saw the object appear suddenly. If it had moved in a jerky fashion
(as it did at first) for the full length of time I observed it, I would not
be so strong in saying that I saw something not an aircraft, not 8 balloon,
and not a corpuscle moving across the retina of either eye. The maneuver
described by the object when its edge was presented to me convinces me that
I saw an object actually performing in an erratic flight path.
The question remains; of course, whether I saw it. The motion picture
film, developed and processed by R. N. Stohr in the Eastman laboratories at
ners
CONFIDENTIAL
79
CONFIDENTIAL
241 Battery Street, San Francisco, showed no trace of any object. Stohr
says that if it was more than a mile distant from me at the size I described,
the object would not have registered sufficiently on the film to be shown.
He said it probábly was too far away to be apparent even through great en-
largement of the negative, and enlargement in that case is limited because
of the size of the film and the fact I did not have any telescopic equipment
on the lens. The exposure was f.16, stop set at infinity, at a speed of 16
frames per second.
I worried over this matter a great deal since seeing it. I "took
myself aside" and said, "come now, Johnson, don't be stupid." But I cannot
bring myself to the point of thinking I did not see anything. The impression
of the moment was too vivid, too realistic, and I knew in the air when I saw
that partial slow roll or barrel roll, that I was not a victim of illusion.
I trust this matter will be of help to those investigating the flying
disc phenomena which have been reported.
A chart is attached depicting the movements of the object as I saw it.
This statement is made voluntarily and freely, in response to the
request of Mr. Brown and Captain Davidson, who called on me this morning.
/s/ David N. Johnson
Subscribed and sworn to before me, a'notary public, this 12th
day of July , 1947.
/s/ Geo. L. Flaherty
Notary public for Ada
county Idaho. My
commission expires Jan 2, 1949.
COPY
CONFIDENTIAL
to 95
81
CONFIDENTIA
Chart to which reference is
made on page six, statement
of David N. Johnson.
S
4
3
2.
1.
This design portrays the movements of the object to
which reference is made in the attached statement. At
all times the object appeared as black. Positions (1), (2)
and (3) show the jerky, rising motion. Position (4) is where
the object rolled, presenting its edge to me. It then
followed the dotted line, rolling over the top of the maneuver
and disappearing at position (5).
see 95
CONFIDENTIAL
Incident
LAF 1208 I
16 July 1947
MEMORANDOM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGEs
1. On 12 July 1947, Mr, Kenneth Arnold, Box 387, Boise, Idaho,
was interviewed in regard to the report by Mr. Arnold that he saw 9
strange objects flying over the Cascade Mountain Range of Washington
State on July 25th. Mr. Arnold voluntarily agreed to give the interviewer
a written report of exactly what he had seen on the above mentioned date.
The written report of Mr. Arnold is attached to this report as Exhibit A.
AGENT'S NOTES: Mr. Arnold is a man of 32 years of age, being married and
the father of two children. He is well thought of in the community in
which he lives, being very much the family man and from all appearances
a very good provider for his family. Mr. Arnold has recently purchased a
home on the outskirts of Boise, recently purchased a $5,000 airplane in
which to conduct his business to the extent of which is explained in the
attached. exhibit. It is the personal opinion of the interviewer that Mr.
Arnold actually saw what he stated that he saw. It is di fficult to believe
that a man of Mr. Arnold's character and apparent integrity would state
that he saw objects and write up a report to the extent that he did if he
did not seethen. To go further, if Mr. Arnold can write a report of the
character that he did while not having seen the objects that he claimed he
saw, it is the opinion of the interviewer that Mr. Arnold is in the wrong
business, that he should be writing Buck Rogers fiction. Mr. Arnold is
very outspoken and somewhat bitter in his opinions of the leaders of the
U.S. Army Air Forces and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for not having
made an investigation of this matter sooner. To put all of the statements
made by Mr. Arnold in this report would make it a voluminous volume. However,
after having checked an aeronautical map of the area over which Mr. Arnold
claims that he saw the objects it was determined that all statements made by
Mr. Arnold in regard to the distances involved, speed of the objects, course
of the objects and sise of the objects, could very possibly be facts. The
distances mentioned by Mr. Arnold in his report are within a short distance
of the actual distances on aeronautical charts of this area, although Mr.
Arnold has never consulted aeronautical charts of the type the Army uses.
Mr. Arnold stated that his business had suffered greatly since his report
on July 25 due to the fact that at every stop on his business routes, large
crowds of people were waiting to question his as to just what he had seen.
Mr. Arnold stated further that if he, at any time in the fubure, saw anything
in the sky, to quote Mr. Arnold directly, "if I saw a ten story building
MA
do
01
ES
FRANK M. BROWN, 3/2, CIC 4th 28700H
82
Best Possible Image
Incident
har 1208 I
flying through the air I would never say & word about 1t", due to the
fact that he has been ridiculed by the press to such an extent that he
is practically a moren in the ayes of the majority of the population of
the United States.
1 Inels Exhibit "A"
FRANK M. BROWN, S/A, CIG WE
The MA NO DI ES wt
Coal 3AA
#
83
ONFIDENTIAL
COPY
SOME LIFE DATA ON KENNETH ARNOLD
I was born March 29, 1915 in Subeka, Minnesota. My father's name was
Edward Erb Arnold; my mother's maiden name was Bertha E. Barden. I was &
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 schaol at Minot, North Dakota. I
entered scouting at twelve years of age and achieved the rank of Eagle scout
before I was fourteen. My former scout executive was H. H. Prescott, now a
regional commissioner for the Boy Scouts in Kansas City, Kansas.
As a boy, I was interested in athletics and was selected as an all-
state end in 1932 and 1933 in the state of North Dakota. I entered the
U. S. Olympic trials in fancy diving in 1932; I was a Red Cross Life Saving
Examiner during the years of 1932, '33 and '34. I taught swimming and diving
at scout camps and the municipal pool in Minot, North Dakota. I went to the
University of Minnesota, where I swam and did fancy diving under Neils Thorpe,
and also played football under Bernie Bierman, but upon entering college I
was unable to continue my football career because of an injured knee. My
high school football coach was Glenn L. Jarrett, who is now the head football
coach of the University of North Dakota. I had little or no finances, and
my ambition in furthering my education in college was through my athletics.
As a boy in Minot, North Dakota, I did a good deal of dog sled racing, placed
first with my dog in 1930 in the Lions Club Dog Derby.
In 1938 I went to work for Red Comet, Inc. of Littleton, Colorado, a
manufacturer of automatic fire fighting apparatus. In 1939 I was made
district manager for them over a part of the western states, and in 1940 I
EXHIBIT "A"
2016
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84
CONFIDENTIAL
established my own fire control supply known as the Great Western Fire
Control Supply. I have been working as an independent fire control
engineer since, and I handle, distribute, sell and install all types of
automatic and manual fire fighting equipment in the rural areas over
five western, states.
My flying experience started as a boy in Minot, North Dakota, where
I took my first flying lesson from Earl T. Vance, who was originally from
Great Falls, Montana. Due to the high cost at that time, I was unable to
continue my flying and did not fly of any great consequence until 1943.
I was given my pilot certificate by Ed Leach, a senior CAA inspector of
Portland, Oregon, and for the last three years have owned my own airplane
covering my entire territory with same and flying from forty to one hundred
hours per month since. Due to the fact that I use an airplane entirely in
my work, in January of this year I purchased a new Callair airplane, which
is an airplane designed for high altitude take-offs and short rough field use.
In the type of flying I do, it takes a great deal of practice and
judgment to be able to land in most any cow pasture and get out without
injuring your airplane; the runways are very limited and the altitude is
very high in some of the fields and places I have to go in my work. To
date, I have landed in 823 cow pastures in mountain meadows, and in over
a thousand hours a flat tire has been my greatest mishap.
Hell
CONFIDENTIAL
85
COPY
CONFIDENTIAL
BY KENNETH ARNOLD
The following story of what I observed over the Cascade mountains,
as impossible as it may seem, is positively true. I never asked nor wanted
any notoriety for just accidently being in the right spot at the right time
to observe what I did. I reported something that I know any pilot would
have reported. I don't think that in any way my observation was due to any
sensivity of eye sight or judgment than what is considered normal for any pilot.
On June 24th, Tuesday, 1947, I had finished my work for the Central Air
Service at Chehalis, Washington, and at about two o'clock I took off from
Chehalis, Washington, airport with the intention of going to Yakima, Wash.
My trip was delayed for an hour to search for a. large marine transport that
supposedly went down near or around the southwest side of Mt. Rainier in the
state of Washington and to date has never been found.
I flew directly toward Mt. Rainier after reaching an altitude of about
9,500 feet, which is the approximate elevation of the high plateau from which
Mt. Rainer rises. I had made one sweep of this high plateau to the westward,
searching all of the various ridges for this marine ship and flew to the west
down and near the ridge side of the canyon where Ashford, Washington, is located.
Unable to see anything that looked like the lost ship, I made a 360 degree
turn to the right and above the little city of Mineral, starting again toward
Mt. Rainier. I climbed back up to an altitude of approximately 9,200 feet.
The air was so smooth that day that it was a real pleasure flying and,
as most pilots do when the air is smooth and they are flying at a higher
altitude, I trimmed out my airplane in the direction of Yakima, Washington,
which was almost directly east of my position and simply sat in my plane ob-
serving the sky and the terrain.
tallb
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86
ONFIDENTIAL
There was a DC-4 to the left and to the rear of me approximately
fifteen miles distance, and I should judge, at 14,000 foot elevation.
The sky and air was as clear as crystal. I hadn't flown more than
two or three minutes on my course when a bright flash reflected on my
airplane. It startled me as I thought I was too close to some other air-
craft. I looked every place in the sky and couldn't find where the reflec-
tion had come from until I looked to the left and the north of Mt. Rainier
where I observed a chain of nine peculiar looking aircraft flying from north
to south at approximately 9,500 foot elevation and going, seemingly, in a
definite direction of about 170 degrees.
They were approaching Mt. Rainier very rapidly, and I merely assumed
they were jet planes. Anyhow, I discovered that this was where the reflec-
tion had come from, B.S two or three of them every few seconds would dip or
change their course slightly, just enough for the sun to strike them at an
angle that reflected brightly on my plane.
These objects being quite far away, I was unable for a few seconds to
make out their shape or their formation. Very shortly they approached Mt.
Rainier, and I observed their outline against the snow quite plainly.
I thou ht it was very peculiar that I couldn't find their tails but
assumed they were some type of jet plane. I was determined to clock their
speed, as I had two definite points I could clock them by; the air was so
clear that it was very easy to see objects and determine their approximate
shape and size at almost fifty miles that day.
I remember distinctly that my sweep second hand on my eight day clock,
which is located on my instrument panel, read one minute to 3 P.M. as the
first object of this formation passed the southern edge of Mt. Rainier.
I watched these objects with great interest as I had never before observed
fallb
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87
CONFIDENTIA
airplanes flying so close to the mountain tops, flying directly south to
southeast down the hog's back of a mountain range. I would estimate their
elevation could have varied a thousand feet one way or another up or down,
but they were pretty much on the horizon to me which would indicate they.
were near the same elevation 8.S I was.
They flew like many times I have observed geese to fly in a rather
diagonal chain-like line as if they were linked together. They seemed to
hold a definite direction but rather swerved in and out of the high mountain
peaks. Their speed at the time did not impress me particularly, because I
knew that our army and air forces had planes that went very fast.
What kept bothering me as I watched them flip and flash in the sun
right along their path was the fact that I couldn't make out any tail on
them, and I am sure that any pilot would justify more than a second look at
such a plane.
I observed them quite plainly, and I estimate my distance from them,
which was almost at right angles, to be between twenty to twenty-five miles.
I knew they must be very large to observe their shape at that distance, even
on as clear a day as it was that Tuesday. In fact I compared a zeus fastener
or cowling tool I had in my pocket with them - holding it up on them and
holding it up on the DC-4 - that I could observe at quite a distance to my
left, and they seemed smaller than the DC-4; 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 am
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 Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams,
falls
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78
CONFIDENTIA
and as, the first one was passing the south crest of this ridge the last
object was entering the northern crest of the ridge.
As I was flying in the direction of this particular ridge, I measured
it and found it to be approximately five miles so I could safely assume that
the chain of these saucer like objects were at least five miles long. I
could quite accurately determine their pathway due to the fact that there
were several high peaks that were B little this side of them as well as
higher peaks on the other side of their pathway.
As the last unit of this formation passed the southern most high snow-
covered crest of Mt. Adams, I looked at my sweep second hand and it showed
that they had travelled the distance in one minute and forty-two seconds.
Even at the time this timing did not upset me as I felt confident after I
would land there would be some explanation of what I saw.
A number of news men and experts suggested that I might have been
seeing reflections or even a mirage. This I know to be absolutely false,
as I observed these objects not only through the glass of my airplane but
turned my airplane sideways where I could open my window and observe them
with a completely unobstructed view. (Without sun glasses)
Even though two minutes seems like & very short time to one on the
ground, in the air in two minutes time a pilot can observe a great many
things and anything within his sight of vision probably as many as fifty or
sixty times.
I continued my search for the marine plane for another fifteen or
twenty minutes and while searching for this marine plane, what I had just
observed kept going through my mind. I became more disturbed, so after
taking a last look at Tieton Reservoir I headed for Yakima.
I might add that my complete observation of these objects, which I
could even follow by their flashes as they passed Mt. Adams, was around two
CONFIDENTIAL
fall
89
and one-half or three minutes -- although, by the time they reached Mt. Adams
they were out of my range of vision as fer as determining shape or form. of
course, when the sun reflected from one or two or three of these units, they
appeared to be completely round; but, I am making & drawing to the best of my
ability, which I em including, as to the shape I observed these objects to be
as they passed the snow covered ridges as well RS Vt. Rainier.
when these objects were flying approximately straight and level, they
were just & black thin line and when they flipped was the only time I could
get a judgment as to their size.
These jects wer holding an almost constant elevation; they did not
seem to be going up or to be coming down, such as would be the case of rockets
or artillery shells. I am convinced in my own mind that they were some type
of airplane, even though they didn't conform with the many aspects of the
conventional type of planes that I know.
Although these objects have been reported by many other observers
throughout the United States, there have been six or seven other accounts
written by some of those observers that I can truthfully say must have ob-
served the same thing that I did; particularly, the descriptions of the three
Western/Air Lines/employees, the/gentleman (pilot) from Oklahoma City and the locomo-
Cedar City, Utah
tive engineer in Illinois, plus Capt Smith and Co-Pilot Stevens of United Air Lines
Some descriptions could not be very accurate taken from the ground unless
these saucer-like disks were at quite a great height and there is 8 possibility
that all of the people who observed peculiar objects could have seen the same
thing I did; but, it would have been very difficult from the ground to observe
these for more than four or five seconds, and there is always the possibility
of atmospheric moisture and dust near the ground which could distort one's vision.
I have in my possession letters from all over the United States and people
who profess that these objects have been observed over other portions of the
CONFIDENTIAL
salls
90
CONFIDENTIA
world, principally Sweden, Bermuda, and California.
I would have given almost anything that day to have had a movie
camera with a telephoto lens and from now on I will never be without one - -
but, to continue further with my story. When I landed at the Yakima, Wash.,
airport I described what I had seen to my very good friend, Al Baxter, who
listened patiently and was very courteous but in a joking way didn't believe me.
I did not accurately measure the distance between these two mountains
until I landed at Pendleton, Oregon, that same day where I told a number of
pilot friends of mine what I had observed and they did not scoff or laugh but
suggested they might be guided missiles or something new. In fact several
former Army pilots informed me that they had been briefed before Toing into
combat overseas that they might see objects of similar shape and design as I
described and assured me that I wasn't dreaming or going crazy.
I quote Sonny Robinson, a former Army Air Forces pilct who is now opera-
ting dusting operations at Pendleton, Oregon, "What you observed, I am con-
vinced, is some type of jet or rocket propelled ship that is in the process
of being tested by our government or even it could possibly be by some foreign
government".
Anyhow, the news that I had observed these spread very rapidly and
before the night was over I was receiving telephone calls from all parts of
the world; and, to date I have not received one telephone call or one letter
of scoffing or disbelief. The only disbelief that I know of was what was
printed in the papers.
I look at this whole order] as not something funny as some people have
made it out to be. To me it is ighty serious and since 1 evidently did
observe something that at least Mr. John Joe on the street corner or Pete
Andrews on the ranch has never heard about, is no reason that it does not
exist. Even though I openly invited an investigation by the Army and the
CONFIDENTIAL
2016
91
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FBI as to the authenticity of my story or B mental or a physical examination
at to my capabilities, I have received no interest from these two important
protective forces of our country; I will go so far as to assume that any
report I gave to the United and Associated Press and over the radio on two
different occasions which apperently set the nation buzzing, if our Military
Intelligence was not aware of what I observed, they would be the very first
people that I could expect as visitors.
I have received lots of requests from people who told me to make & lot
of wild guesses. I have based what I have written here in this article on
positive facts and as far as ruessing 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 & Callair airplane; it is a three-
place single engine land ship that is designed and manufactured at Afton,
wyoming as an extremely high performance, high altitude airplane that wes
made for mountain work. The national certificate of my plane is 33355.
/s/ Kenneth Arnold
Box 587
traveling this way
Boise, Idaho.
Top
They seemed longer than wide, their
thickness was about 1/20th of their width
side View
Mirror Bright
They did not appear to me to whirl or spin but seemed in fixed position,
traveling as I have made drawing.
/s/ Kenneth Arnold sally
CONFIDEN
IAI
92
RESTRICTED
HEADQUARTERS TACTICAL AIR COMMAND
LANGLEY FIELD. VIRGINIA
opn
7 July 1947
IN REPLY REFER TO:
SUBJECT: Report of Unusual Celestial Phenomena
Received AFBIR-CO 47
TO:
Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
Headquarters Tactical Air Command
11 July
Langley Field, Virginia
1. The following report is submitted concerning an unusual occur-
rence observed by the following MAF Personnel at Maxwell Field, Montgomery,
Ala. on the night of 28 June 1947:
CAPT. WILSON M. KAYKO, 0-38841, Hq, TAC
CAPT. JOHN H. CANTRELL, 0-255404, Hq, TAC
1ST LT. THEODORE DEWEY, 0-2094172, Hq, TAC
CAPT. REDMAN, Randolph Field, Texas
2. At approximately 2120 Central time, a light, with a brilliance
slightly greater than a star, appeared from the West. It was first noted
above the horizon of a clear moon-light night, traveling in an easterly
direction at a high rate of speed. There was no audible sound and it was
impossible to determine the altitude, except that it appeared to be at
great height. It traveled in a zig zag course with frequent bursts of
speed much like a water bug as it spurts and stops across the surface of
water. It continued until it was directly overhead and changed course 900
into the south. After traveling in the above manner for approximately five
(5) minutes, it turned southwest and was lost in the brilliancy of the moon.
at 2145 Central it was no longer possible to observe it.
3. A call was placed to Maxwell Field operations reference this
phenomena and inquiry made if any experimental aircraft were scheduled for
a flight in the vicinity. The reply was negative.
4. No plausible explanation is offered for the unusual action of this
source of light, which acted contrary to any common aerodynnmical laws.
This report is submitted upon request, in view of the many recent reports
reference unusual aerial objects observed throughout the U. S.
5. Two of the above noted observers are rated pilots and the other two
are air intelligence officers. All observers were cold sober.
Good
6. Attached herewith a sketch showing approximate course of light
RESTRICTED
WILSON H. KAYKO
5
Captain, Air Corps
ADDRESS ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO: COMMANDING GENERAL TACTICAL AIR COMMAND
93.
.
N RESTRICTED
+
0 Polar ston
Came 1 light
W
E
X
moon
RESTRICTED
h
94
ADDRESS REPLY TO
DIRECTOR, NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATO
ARMY LIAISON OFFICE
WASHINGTON 20, D.C.
NAVY DEPARTMENT
B/R
AND REFER TO:
NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY
Code 110
WASHINGTON 20, D.C.
18 July 1947
SUBJECT: Interview of Person Reporting Unidentified Aerial Object
TO:
Asst Chief of Air Staff-2
Collection Branch, AAF
Washington 25, D. C.
1. At the request of Lt. Col. G. D. Garrett, AAF A-2, the
undersigned has interviewed this date Mr. C. H. Zohn, Administrative
Assistant in the Rocket Sonde Section, NRL, who had previously
released information to the press regarding an aerial object which
he stated he saw at White Sands, New Mexico, 29 June.
2. Substance of the interview is as follows:
At between 1:00 and 1:30 p. m. Sunday, 29 June 1947,
Mr. Zohn, in the company of the following: Mr. J. R. Kauke, NRL Rocket
Sonde Section telemetering supervisor; Mr. C. C. Rockwood, NRL Rocket
Sonde high altitude spectrograph scientist; and Mrs. Nancy Rockwood,
wife of the latter, was proceeding along Highway 17 in a North-Easterly
direction from Las Cruces, New Mexico to White Sands V-2 firing grounds
in an automobile driven by Mr. Kauke. At some time between those given
and about one-third of the distance from Las Cruces Mr. Kauke, who was
driving the car, noticed the subject device and called attention to the
other occupants. Mr. Zohn opened the window nearest him and observed
the object moving at an unknown rapid velocity at an unknown altitude,
which he estimated at about 10,000 feet, and which Mr. Kauke, who also
observed it through an open window, estimated at between 8,000 and
10,000 feet, although the former puts little credence in the estimates.
When first sighted the object was to the right and forward
of the automobile at an unstated elevation and was apparently moving
horizontally in a Northerly direction such as to cross the highway from
right to left. The object was observed by all persons in the automobile.
Mr. Zohn stated that he could not observe any details of the object
other than that its shape was uniform, with no protuberances such as
the wings of an airplane. It was too distant to enable stereoscopic
visualization. There was apparently some solar specular reflection
which seemed to change in intensity as the object receded until it
was lost from sight after an estimated 30 seconds from the time first
noticed. He could not explain how it disappeared except perhaps that
the reflection angle may have changed abruptly. There were apparently
no clouds or visibility obstructions at the time. The sun was to the
rear of the automobile. Mr. Kauke thought that at one time he saw
vapor trails.
6
Ltr, ALO, NRL, 18 July 47 to Asst Chief Air Staff-2, Collection Br., AAF,
subj: "Interview of Person Reporting Unidentified Aerial Object"
3. This interview was made in the presence of Dr. H. E. Newell,
Acting Rocket Sonde Section Head, who said that Mr. Zohn had recently
been in the Navy and is familiar with the appearance of the majority of
aircraft types and with meteorological balloons. Mr. Zohn also stated
that none of the occupants of the car were intoricated.
William P.Melle
WILLIAM P. MELLEN
Major, Air Corps
AMC Liaison Officer
2
COPY
INTERVIEW REPORT
SUBJECT: Interviews with Capt. E. J. SMITH and Ralph Stevens, United Air
Lines pilots, who reported seeing flying disks.
Captain E. J. SMITH was interviewed at 1500, 9 July 1947, concerning
the "flying disks", and stated substantially as follows:
"We left Boise, Idaho, at 2004 Pacific Standard Time. At approximately
2015, the co-pilot, Ralph STEVENS, called my attention to the first object
seen. We were then in the vicinity of Emmet, Idaho, our altitude was app-
roximately 6500, and we were climbing to our proposed cruising altitude of
3000 from there to Pendleton, Oregon. The heading of the plane at that time
was 300 degrees Magnetic North, and the object (one) was sighted at approx-
imately 290 degrees, or ten degrees to our left. Then an additional four
objects appeared to the left of the main, or first, object. These four
objects appeared slightly smaller than the first object sighted, but all
of the objects appeared on the same plane. I estimated the altitude of
the objects to be about 8500. They were within our sight for approximately
two minutes, then they disappeared.
"Shortly after the first group disappeared, probably one or two minutes
later, the second group appeared about 310 degrees, or to the right of the
plane. Their altitude was the same as the first group. Three of the objects
appeared to be on the same plane, and one object appeared slightly higher
and to the right of the others. The second group stayed within our sight
twelve to fifteen minutes, then disappeared. We had levelled off by the
time the second group disappeared.
"The objects were flat on the base, the top slightly rough in contour.
The dimensions appeared the same as a DC-3 approximately five miles from
us. In other words, it could have been ninety miles away if it would be
possible for an object as large as that would have to be to be flying, but
since we didn't know what we were looking at or how large it was, we de-
cided that if it were the size of a'DC-3 wing span (90 feet), it was about
five miles distent. Actually, we have no idea just how large it was since
we could not determine its distance from us. When we first sighted the
objects, we decided they were either going away from us or coming towards
us. After a short while, however, we knew they couldn't be coming towards
us, because we never approached them. I don't believe they could have
been going a great rate of speed and still stayed in sight for as long as
they did. I would judge they might have been travelling about 300 miles
per hour.
"My personal opinions regarding the objects are that their speed
varied, was not constant. When first sighted, they were going slow and
stayed within sight for quite some time. However, when we lost sight of
them, they seemed to disappear practically immediately. I think they
either put on a tremendous burst of speed and disappeared from sight, or
else they dissipated. Also, it appeared that only one object, the large
one, was controlled, and it in turn controlled the other objects, and I
think they were ground controlled.
97
COPY
"In both instances, the co-pilot sighted the objects first and called
my attention to them. The weather was clear and unlimited, with not a cloud
in the sky. We checked the wind, and it was 230-10, or out of the Southwest
at ten miles per hour. The air speed of the ship was about 185 MPH. The
sun was below the horizon and the objects were silhoueted against the sky,
hence we could distinguish no color or reflection."
Ralph STEVENS, co-pilot of the plane, was interviewed at 2130, 9 July
1947. STEVENS corroborated the remarks made by SMITH concerning the flight
of the plane, the time the objects were sighted, direction of the flight of
the plane, etc. There were two discrepancies in their statements as to the
size of the smaller objects and the altitude at which they were flying.
STEVENS stated that there was & big difference in the size of the large
objects and the smaller ones, and that it was hard to distinguish the shape
of the smaller ones. STEVENS also stated that the objects were at the same
altitude as their plane and seemed to be climbing with them. In addition to
confirming SMITH'S statements concerning the flight, etc., STEVENS stated
substantially as follows:
"I was flying the plane when I spotted the first object at 2012 on the
4th of July, eight minutes after departure from Boise, Idaho. I thought it
was an oncoming aircraft similar to ours (DC-3) about five miles away, so
turned on our landing lights, which is the usual signal to another plane to
let it know you're in the vicinity. I mentioned this fact to SMITH, and he
watched the object also. While we were both watching, four more objects
appeared at the same altitude as the first. They seemed to be at the same
altitude as our plane, about 6000 feet. They were heading about 290 degrees
magnetic North, so I turned to follow them. We watched them for four or
five minutes, then they all merged as one and disappeared. I don't know
whether they merged in line of flight or not, nor do I know whether they
went beyond our vision or whether they dissipated.
"Two minutes later, the large object reappeared with three smaller
ones on its left and one smaller one a great distance to the right. We
had the second group in sight for about twelve minutes. The last time
seen, they were still in that formation and disappeared into the sunset.
Also, when we last saw them, they seemed to have continued climbing after
we levelled off and were about nine or ten thousand feet.
"At the time we saw the objects, the sun was below the horizon, but
there was quite a bright red glow above the horizon from the sunset. I
couldn't really say what distance they were from us, not knowing what they
were or how large they were. However, while we were watching them we
radiod ahead to Ontario, Oregon, about thirty miles distant, to the weather
station there, and told them what we were seeing and asked them to go out-
side and see if they could see them. They radioed back and said they could
- 2 -
98
COPY
see nothing, so the objects could have been beyond Ontario, since we had
told them that they were between our plane and Ontario. It should also be
noted that the personnel at Ontario would be looking at a dark sky and
may not be likely to be able to see them anyway.
"I can't say whether they are man-made disks or nòt, whether they are
radio controlled or not, or anything about them. They did not maneuver much
at all, except when the first group merged. All I can say is that they were
going our direction and were climbing. I don't think they were clouds, as
there hadn't been a cloud in the sky, and it would have been quite a phen-
-omenon as it was like nothing I had ever seen before. There was a big dif-
ference in the size of the objects. The smaller ones were hard to distinguish
as to shape; they were not shiny, nor did the "flip". I couldn't swear on a
stand that they were not clouds, but I think it impossible. Had they been
clouds, they wouldn't have appeared and disappeared so suddenly, and we
would have approached them.
"As we were taxiing out to take off from Boise, the tower called us
and asked us if we had seen any disks lately. As a consequence, we were and
had been talking about the flying disks when we sighted them. I don't believe,
however, that it was a figment of the imagination, as SMITH and I were seeing
the same things, even the object far off to the right in the second group.
We also called the stewardess, who had not been in on the conversation, and
without mentioning "disks" aksed her what she saw. She stated that she saw
the same things we did, which seemed to prove to us that it was not our
imagination."
In addition to the above, STEVENS stated, off the record, that he was
rather disappointed in SMITH and all the publicity he was getting. He
thought that SMITH was probably "grand-standing" some, and that as far as
he, STEVENS, was concerned, he was not going to be interviewed by any re-
porters, or go on the radio, etc. He stated that he was glad to talk to
a Navy representative about it, or to any other government official, and
help in any way he could, but he certainly didn't want to be bothered with
a lot of interviews with newspapers and radio stations. STEVENS seemed to
the writer to be 8. very level headed, sensible man, and not in favor of a
lot of publicity, wh ereas SMITH, although a sensible man and all, seemed to
be more in favor of all the publicity he was getting.
- end -
- 3 -
Incident
LAF 1208 I
16 July 1947
MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE:
1. On 12 July 1947, Captain Smith, of the United Airlines, was
interviewed at the Boise Municipal Airport, Boise, Idaho. Captain
Smith was passing through Boise on a schedule flight at the time and
had a 20 minute stop-over. Captain Smith reiterated the statements
originally made by him to the press as to what he had seen in the late
evening of July 4th, when 8 minutes out of Boise on the route to Seattle,
Washington. It is the opinion of the interviewer that due to the position
Captain Smith occupies, that he, Captain Smith, would have to be very
strongly convinced that he actually saw flying disks before he would open
himself for the ridicule attached to a report of this type.
FRANK M. BROWN, S/A, CIC 4th AF
HEADQUARTERS, ARMY AIR FORCES
IN REPLY REFER TO:
WASHINGTON
16 July 1947
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
I, Major Archie B. Browning, AC, do hereby swear, this date,
that the following statements are true to the best of my knowledge:
'On 6 July 1947, while flying from Ogden, Utah, to Kansas
City, Missouri, at 10000 ft in a B-25, I noticed a very bright
object low and to my left, approximately 10 miles away. Time
was 1:45 P.M., and position approximately 100 miles west of
Kansas City. My first impression was that it was the top of a
-
water tank. After checking my position on the map I again
looked to my left (elapsed time 5 seconds). A round, disc
shaped object, very bright and silvery colored, seemed to be
flying one to two miles off my left wing at 11 oclock at
11000 ft. The brightness of the object which I would estimate
at 30-50 ft. in diameter, was very great. It seemed to be
traveling in same direction at same rate of speed (210 MPH
until I started to turn into it, then it completely disappeared.
Weather conditions at that time were CAVU.'
His officer is Peutagon assigned to
archie Major, ARCHIE Air B. BROWNING Corps Benning
phone 73852
AC/AS-1,
9
(See attached diagram)
Received AFBIR-CO 47
16 July
ADDRESS REPLY TO: COMMANDING GENERAL, ARMY AIR FORCES, WASHINGTON 25, D, c.
101
W
V
-
4
+
N
S
2)
2
SUN
T
2
OP
RESTRICTED
After having been advised of my rights and privileges under the
24th Article of Mar, I, JAMES H. BURNISTON, Captain, Air Corps, 0-567517,
Second Air Transport wing (Provisional), Pairfield-Suigun Army Air Base,
Fairfield, California, do hereby make this voluntary statement to
Captain William s. Frazier, Jr., and Sgt. Tommy Stewart, whom I know to
be members of the Intelligence Office. I make the following statement
of my own free will, not under duress, promise of reward or immunity:
On Sunday, July the sixth, at Fairfield-Suisun Army Air Base, while
in the company of my wife, Mrs. James H. Burniston, I saw an object travel-
ing from northwest to southeast at an estimated height of 10,000 feet or
above at an excessive rate of speed estimated to be faster than any type
of aircraft seen by me flown at that approximate altitude. This object
was in sight for approximately sixty seconds, during which time it traveled
approximately three-quarters the distance of the visible sky. No shape or
definite color could be distinguished, the object rolled from side to side
three times in its path across the sky. At one time the top of the object
could be seen, when the sun reflected strongly from its surface in a flash;
and at other times the bottom of the object could be seen, with no reflec-
tion from the sun. The estimated size at that height could be compared to
that of an aircraft of the type C-54. Between viewing the top of the object
and what appeared to be the bottom, there was a period when it was hard to
see, or it would almost disappear.
As far as shape is comerned, there was no way of recognizing shape,
due to the speed of the object and its motion through the air. sight of
this object was lost when it disappeared at an angle of about thirty de-
grees above the earth's surface.
I cannot attribute any sound to this object, because of the noise
of a distant aircraft engine.
The approximate time was verified by my wife as being less than one.
mimite, during which time it was in sight.
As to the identity of this object, it was not the shape of any type
aircraft known to the undersigned. There was no shape of wings or fuselage.
The object was noticed at first by the sun's reflecting off its surface and
then the speed at which it was traveling.
10
James H. Burniston
Captain, Air Corps
Received AFBIR-CO
23 July 47
, RESTRICTED
103
BROADWAY 4128
Civil Air Patrol
AUXILIARY OF THE U.S. ARMY AIR FORCES
WISCONSIN WING HEADQUARTERS
161 w. WISCONSIN AVENUE
MILWAUKEE 3, WIS.
7 July 1947
SUBJECT: Report on Flying Saucers.
Received AFB AFBIR-CO 47
TO:
Commanding General
32d AAF Base Unit
Bolling Field
Washington, D. C.
1. Following are statistics regarding reports by four
witnesses while in fli :ht in two airplanes.
2. Weather CAVU. Visibility exceptionally good. Scat-
tered altocumulus 6000 feet.
3. First report:time 1145 hours CST. Alt. of observers
800 feet above the ground. Altitude of saucer 4000 fett MSL.
Observed. period - First sighted over Koshkonong, Wisconsin.
Flight was observed from town of Koshkonong to Elkhorn, Wisconsin.
This flight covered twenty-five (25) miles in fifteen (15) seconds,
which is a speed of six thougand (6000) miles per hour.
4. Second report: Time 1430 hours CST. Altitude of observers
thirty-five hundred feet (3500) MSL. Altitude of saucer twenty-five
hundred feet (2500). Observation period. Observers at East Troy,
Wisconsin, flight observed from Eagle, Wisconsin to Muskego, Wisconsin.
This flight covered twenty-two (22) miles in twenty (20 seconds, which
is a speed of three thousand nine hudred sixty (3960) miles per hour.
5. Flight maneuvers: First observation-saucer descended vertically
edgewise through altocumulus clouds, stopped at four thousand (4000)
feet and assumed horizontal position and proceeded in horizontal flight
from 2. horizontal position for fifteen (15) seconds covering twenty-
five (25) miles and again stopped and disappeared. S econd observation:
Observed in horizontal flight in a horizontal attitude for e period of
twenty (20) seconds covering twenty-two (22) miles. B:- the time the
pilot had removed his camera from the Clove compartment of his plane,
the saucer disappeared and again reambeared approximately ten (10) miles
farther along its course after six (6) seconds making its final dis-
appearance.
11
6. The first two observers were an instructor and a student, having
just taken off from Elkhorn Airport. The second two observers, one
Cap't. R. J. Southey, Wing Supply Officer nassenger.
12
John D. Schindler, Jr.
7-311
7
Maj. Air Corps, AAF-CAP L isison Officer.
WAR DEPARTMENT
ASSIFIED MESSAGE CENT
INCOMING CLASSIFIED MESSAGE
Dharlad M
CONFIDENTIAL IVI
wap
PRIORITY
PARAPHRASE NOT REQUIRED. HANDLE AS CONFIDENTIAL COR-
RESPONDENCE PER PARAS 511 and 60a (4) AR 380-5
From:
CG S BAMA San Bernadino Calif
To:
CG AAF Wash DC attn AC/AS 2, Counter Intelligence
Division; CG Sixth Army, Attn: AC/S, Q 2; CG Rq
AMC thru Sacramento AMA, Calif attn Chief Security
Section
DTG:
102359Z
10 July 1947
Spot report.
in 8 July 47 at approximately 1550 PST Alvin E Moor-
man 1st Lieut ACCN 196 Ftr Sq, while flying routine test
mission in CNG P 51 at 20',000 feet indicated, sighted 8. flat
object of light reflecting nature which appeared to be with-
out vertical fin or any visible wings with apparent depth
of a P 51 airplane at approximately 35,000 feet altitude
and approximate location of 34 degrees 5 minutes latitude=
117 degrees 30 minutes west longitude. Object was in
sight for approximately 30 seconds. Object vas again sighted
at 15505 PST at approximately 50000 feet altitude and over
Mount Baldy approximate location of 34 degrees 20 minutes
latitude-117 degrees 47 minutes west longitude.
Pilot attempted to keep object in sight but was
unable to do SO, Speed of P 51 approximately 300 mph and
climbing. March Field and other bases in area were contacted
and reported none of their ships in the air.
AAH
ACTION: AAF
End
DIST
INFO: ID, P&O, Spec WD, R&D
CM IN 1870
(12 Jul 47)
DTG 1023593
ACTION
ws
CONFIDENTIAL
13
ACB
Received 14 July AFB AFBIR-CO-3 11
ACTION COPY
COPY No.
13
DOI
THE MAKING OF AN EXACT COPY OF THIS MESSAGE IS FORBIDDEN
Arific B.
73852
may nowning - A., officer's branch
NW of Topeka (Clay Center - Ranias)
Hying @ 10At' @ 90° B-25 200 mph
hlise @ 1V0" a little higher
when first seen, approx comi a he thought is was
a water tower;- about a mile away
is looked liked a flying wing except
it way flying rentually and almost
completely round no smoke, no
fire, hiss bright is almost have his age
Then he turned toward is and
is disappeared abnors immediately.
He believes is naws have been super
sonic because of speed as which it
disappeared
His co. pilot waidozing as the
line and by the time he was wakens
the stagest had disappeand,
original maction was to not
recognize it, his it came up so
fast, then appeared to stop, then
disappeared. handed at Hansas City 1400 hrs
cenhal Time. This took place approxiz15
HAL
FROM: CG ATLD ATC FORT TOTTEN, N.Y.
TIME AND DATE FILED: 1423232 JULY 1947
TO: CG ATC ATTN CHIEF OF STAFF
MESSAGE FROM NEWFOUNDLAND BASE COMMAND SUBJECT QUOTE FLYING DISCS UNQUOTE
GIVES FOLLOWING SUMMARY OF INTERVIEW WITH IRIC KEARSEY CMA NEWFOUNDLAND
CONSTABULARY CLN CONSTABLE REPORTED SEEING FOUR EGG SHAPE PHOSPHORUS COLOR
DISCS ABOVE GRAND FALLS NEWFOUNDLAND AT TWO THREE THREE ZERO HOURS LOCAL
TIME NINE JULY AND A SINGLE DISC ONE ZERO MINUTES LATER PD AT FIRST APPEAR-
ANCE ACCORDING TO KEARSEY FOUR DISCS WERE CLOSE TOGETHER IN ABLE LINE A TRAIL
FORMATION MOVING EAST PARALLEL TO GROUND PD SINGLE DISC LESS CLEAR BUT
TRAVELING SAME DIRECTION PD KEARSEY WOULD ROUGHLY ESTIMATE ALTITUDE OF DISCS
AT THREE ZERO THOUSAND FEET SEMICLN APPARENTLY MOVING VERY FAST AS THEY
DISAPPEARED IN ABLE FEW SECONDS PD KEARSEY SAID SHAPE OF DISC WAS LIKE
BARREL HEAD OR EGG SEMICLN BLACK SPOTS ON TAILEND SEMICLN NO SMOKE TRAIL
SEMICLN AND HERE REPORTED THAT ANOTHER OBSERVER COMPARED SHAPE OF DISCS TO
THREE LEAF PD END OF COMMUNICATION FROM NEWFOUNDLAND BASE COMMAND PD ESTAB-
LISHED BY INTERVIEWER CMA NONCOM IN CHARGE REPEATER STATION GRAND FALLS CMA
THAT CAVU WAS WEATHER AT TIMES INDICATED
ATC CM-IN X0044
14
Received AFBIR-CO
CONFIDENTIAL
15 July
106
RESTRICTED
IE 4/50
C
INCOMING CLASSIFIED MESSAGE
O
P
Y
froms
SEEPHENVILLE, NEWPOUNDLAND
PRIORITY
TIME AND DATE FILED: 1519152 JULY 1947
TOs
CG HQ ATC WASH 25 DC ATTN AC/S INTELLIGENCE INFO CG ATLD ATC
FT TOTTEN LI NY CG NBC FT PEPPERREL APO 862 c/o PM NEW YORK FROM CO
1388TH AAF BU
IN HEPLY CITE: HFX 0215
FOR INTELLIGENCE PD ONE FLYING DISC, SIGHTED 20002 10 JULY 47, OVER
harmon FIELD, INFOUNDLAND, AT APPROXIMATELY 10000 FEET, COURSE:
NORTH NORTH EAST PD WEATHERs CLEAR WITH SCATTERED CUMULUS AT 8-10000 FEET
PD COLORs SILVERY PD DISC was FIRST SIGHTED ABOUT 6. MILES SOUTH SOUTH W
WEST FROM HARMON FIELD BY MR MERHMAN, THA REPRESENTATIVE AND MR
WOODRUFF, PAA REPRESENTATIVE PD DISC APPEARED ABOUT THE SAME SPAN AS
C-54 AT 10000 FEET, WAS CIRCULAR IN SHAPE LIKE WAGONS WHEEL, DISC
SEEMED TO CUT THE CLOUDS OPEN AS IT PASSED THRU AND LEFT A BLUISH BLACK
TRAIL APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN MILES LONG PD TRAIL WAS SIMILAR TO THE
BEAM SEEN AFTER A HIGH POWERED LANDING LIGHT OR SEARCH LIGHT IS SWITCHED
OFF PD KODACH ROME PICTURES WERE TAKEN AND ARE BEING DEVELOPED STATE
SIDE PD PHOTOS WILL BE FORWARDED AS SOON AS THEY ARE RECEIVED BY
MR WOODRUFF END
maj16/7/49
X-0051
5
RESTRICTED Received 16 July APBIR-CO 47
MESSAGEFORM
MESSAGE CENTER No.
TRANSMITTING MEANS
CRYPTOGRAPH OR CLEAR TEXT
CR-1
CALLS
STA. SER. No.
PRECEDENCE
TRANSMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
ORIGINATOR
DATE-TIME GROUP
1221482
V
PRIORITY
July 47
NR
ACTION
INFORMATION
EXEMPT
OPERATING SIGNALS
GROUP COUNT
BR
SPACE ABOVE FOR SIGNAL CENTER ONLY
FROM: (Originator)
59th AACS Group
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
FINYN
Elmendorf Alaska
CONF IDENTIAL
ACTION TO:
PRECEDENCE FOR
CONAS ATTN ASST CHIEF STAFF
ACTION
INFORMATION
INTELLIGENCE
ORIGINAL MESSAGE
REFERS TO ANOTHER MESSAGE
IDENTIFICATION
CLASSIFICATION
INFORMATION TO:
OBJECT RESEMBLING A GRAYYISH BALLOON APPROXIMATELY ONE ZERO FEET
IN DIAMETER OBSERVED FROM elmenDorf FIELD FLYING IN NORTHWEST
DIRECTION FOLLOWING CONTOUR OF MOUNTAINS FIVE MILES AWAY PD OBJECT
FLYING ALTITUDE ONE FIVE ZERO ZERO FEET ESTIMATING ONE ZERO ZERO
MILES PER HOUR IT WAS OBSERVED PARALLELING THE COURSE OF CHARLIE
DASH FOUR seven LANDING NORTHWEST INTO TWO ZERO MILE PER HOUR
/
2
3
0
WIND PD OBJECT WAS OBSERVED ONE TWO ZERO FOUR THREE ZERO ZEBRA
FOR SEVERAL MINUTES BY MAJOR GRAHM/THIS HEADQUARTERS SEVERAL
OFFICERS FROM ALASKAN DEPARTMENT SUBSTANTIATED HIS STORY PD
COPY
Received AFBIR-CO
16
14 July 47
Paraphrase not required. Handle as CONFIDENTIAL correspondence
per paragraphs 511 and 60a (4), AR 380-5, 15 August 1946.
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
AUTHORIZATION
SIGNATURE
CONTIDENTIAL
ORIGINATING AGENCY
SYMBOL
DATE-TIME GROUP
OFFICIAL TITLE
PAGE
OF
WD AGO FORM
11-168
This form supersedes WD AGO Form 11-168, 23 Aug 44,
* 1-10009-01 . PRINTING 5. OF
15 JUN 1945
and WD AGO Form 801, 12 Mar 43, which are obsolete.
108
MESSAGEFORM
MESSAGE CENTER No.
TRANSMITTING MEANS
CRYPTOGRAPH OR CLEAR TEXT
CR 97
ROUTINE
CALLS
STA. SER. No.
PRECEDENCE
TRANSMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
ORIGINATOR
DATE-TIME GROUP
V
CONT DENTIAL
120047Z
NR
July 47
ACTION
INFORMATION
EXEMPT
OPERATING SIGNALS
GROUP COUNT
GR
SPACE ABOVE FOR SIGNAL CENTER ONLY
FROM: (Originator)
59th AACS Group
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
FINYN
Elmendorf Alaska
ACTION TO:
PRECEDENCE FOR
CONAS
ACTION
INFORMATION
ATTN ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF
INTELLIGENCE
ORIGINAL MESSAGE
REFERS TO ANOTHER MESSAGE
IDENTIFICATION
CLASSIFICATION
INFORMATION TO:
object RESEMBLING AN ALUMINUM COLORED BALLOON ABOUT THREE
FEET IN DIAMETER WAS REPORTED SEEN AT AN UNDETERMINED
ALTITUDE FLYING AT A GREAT SPEED IN A NORTH TO SOUTH
DIRECTION PD OBSERVATION WAS MADE IN VICINITY OF ELMENDORF
FIELD AT ONE ONE TWO ONE ZERO zero zebra BY COLONEL PERRY
AND MAJOR GEYSER THIS HEADQUARTERS PD
COPY
Received AFBIR.CO
14 July 47
Paraphrase not required. Handle as CONFIDENTIAL correspondence
17
per paragraphs 511 and 60a (4), AR 380-5. 15 August 1946.
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION
AUTHORIZATION
SIGNATURE
CONFIDENTIAL
ORIGINATING AGENCY
SYMBOL
DATE-TIME GROUP
OFFICIAL TITLE
PAGE
OF
WD AGO FORM
15 JUN 1945
11-168
This form supersedes WD AGO Form 11-168, 23 Aug 44,
16-45801-1 * M. s. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
and WD AGO Form 801, 12 Mar 43, which are obsolete.
OWARD A PLUMMER
89E, MAINST.
see
FROSTBURG, MARYLAND
July 21,1947
chief of army Intelligence -:
Hachington 5, D.C.
Sir:
On sunday, July 20th Johanoved and air-
Crift in plug lite that were suntike any
to date and my aked some light ore one the Julying
James
J served fino years 1942 to 1946 with the
army air Foreis ini grade of Licut Ligual Crop
assigned to the Third Hourstle and Thirteenth air
Foreus respectively During this time the
opportunity to observe all types of aircraft and
under all types of conditions but
one like this one
at 9:45 A.M. (D.S.T.) Sunday July 20th. Jobserved
an airboone object that oppeared to be circular -
possibly round, big ht almost white in color, with
a dook aria. ator mear its center, flying were a
North Nut by skirt direction on the whice roonte
used by Communer's birlinen between Harting gtory
De and Pittsburg, Pa. The print of observation
was approvimitely 22 miles cont of Cumberland,
7nd. from the Worth tack of the Potomini
Rivir, The stay now about three for over-
cast with three aloud layers rodung getween
6000 and 10000 jut allitude. Planes had been
proceing overhes alloworming to which Ipi d lettle
Bt not attention, but with the approvation
49,88
of the crift MN question was a sept
thing
I,
(18)109
2
sound thitgrew standily involume wanted it
renched the proper ations of a loudovozo where
the Broft was over head. This sound was
not unlipe that of a jit propelled plane except
the terrific spolume mes immunally loud,
Due to the ruan cast condition of the aby
wishle to see the aircrift ithad
passed over head and going away from me
acriss a alear orea when it was deady visible
for as period of about twenty (20) records. The
aircraft was above the top most layerof clouds
on some whine in the virinty of 12000 like
altitude. at 09:47 A.M. (DST) an D.C.H aircraft
passed our going in the spooch direction and
one the some Course at about 5000ft altatuder.
The pecular differences are!
a The croft law or provily round
in xhopë.
b- Strone almost a silver white in polortnith
a durkarea at its center.
C- Therefrois no trail of amite such
with the jet.
d its repeed wes about 3 to it trinks greater
there thusbour, mentioned DC4.
s- the size, by companion, mould favoribly
Correspond with a beachell hild 30pt from the
eye.
The ruly conclusion
the smotter are
110
a This is are entirely new types of air
crift or
b- Itis a high powered jet propelled wait
with a a paintjob designed to like the toil
assembly and wing Tips, since neither were
invidunce.
a check of air Creft in this area at the
time specified should determine and presibly
answer this mystery.
If prosible, Jahould like very much to
know the answer.
97988
RECEIVED
111
Package received from Sheriff Merle T. Wilmoth, Watseka, Ill. His
letter states the inst rument in the package was found by a farmer at
Danforth, Ill. It landed in the middle of a section of his farm land and
burned weeds 2½ feet tall to fine ash an area of 11 feet in diam. around
where the object dropped.
The instrument consists of:
(a) Plaster of paris body having an oval cavity thru it.
(b) A power microphone which screws over one end of the oval cavity.
The power microphone carried the name, "Bathaniel Baldwin Inc."
Salt Lake City, Utah. Pat May 10 1910 & Sept V4, 1916. Pat Nos
957403 (second number not readable)
(c) A small "Polymat" filter condenser.
(d) Two bakelite cylinders to which is attached a net work of fine
copper wire. These were obviously coils and the impact has torn
the wire from the core. (Our radio section definitely states that
this is old stuff, or the coils were used quite some time ago,
since having been replaced by smaller more efficient coils)
(e) A piece of metal having magnetic properties obviously broken off
the power microphone as a result of the impact.
The plaster of paris body was broken up by the impact but some of the
pieces were held together by wire reinforcement inside the plaster of paris.
Mrs. Whedon 3B 274 Ext 73909 (Sig C) was shown this object by Mr.
Zimmer of the FBI. Mrs "hedon claims she knew what it was, but couldn't
tell Zimmer.
Major Dr. Vatels
DM Brigg 74153
3
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
CE
YEARS BURLAU
Office Memorandum
UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
1947 JUL 22 AM II 44.-
TO
: Mr. Moxom, Regional Office No. 1, N.Y.
DATE: 7/15/47
FROM : Mr. Wright, WBAS, Richmond, Va.
Restricted
SUBJECT:
"Flying Disks"
We hesitate to make this report concerning our pilot balloon
observations in regards to a flying disk because of the considerable
national skepticism regarding the subject at present. However, local
newspapers inform us that the U. S. Government admits no authority for
such a ship or object and for its flights. Then we must assume this
strange object to be foreign. Therefore, we submit this report for your
information. If sighted again, we wonder if it would be a good idea to
drop the balloon and instead make observations on this disk.
Mr. Minczewski has observed this strange metallic disk on three
occasions through the theodolite while making his pibal observation
during the last six months. Miss Baron has reported observing it on
one occasion. Miss Baron's report agrees with Mr. Minczewski's observations
except as to the color-which she reported as a dull metallic luster.
Mr. Minczewski last observed this disk in April 1947 at the 1100E
Pibal Observation when the balloon was at 15 thousand feet. the disk was
followed for 15 seconds, apparently moving on level flight from east to
west to the far north of the station. The object was a metallic like Chrome
-shaped something like an ellipse with a flat level bottom and a dome like-round
top. The disk appeared below the balloon, was much larger in size in the
instrument, and shined like silver. It was impossible to estimate the height
or speed of the disk except that it appeared to be moving rather rapidly.
Miss Baron observed the disk when her balloon was at about 27 thousand feet.
All days observed were either clear or with very few clouds and good visibility.
Very truly yours,
ACTION
INFO
George A. Wright
R.D.
EXEC. ASST
PERS.
OPERATIONS
TECH ASST
ADM. ASST
HYDRO
FISCAL
MATERIEL
SECRETARY
FILE