Archivo OVNI Flying Discs del FBI, serie 130 (1947)

[PAGE 1] CONFIDENTIAL 62-83894-130 DECLASSIFIED Authority: NND 90986 IN REPLY REFER TO: HEADQUARTERS AIR DEFENSE COMMAND MITCHEL FIELD, NEW YORK 12 September 1947 SUBJECT: Unidentified Flying Object (Interview - Alpheus O. Powell) SUMMARY OF INFORMATION: The following information was received 12 August 1947 from Mr. Alpheus O. Powell, 28 Redwood Road, New Hyde Park, Long Island, relative to the sighting of a possible flying disc 4 August 1947. On 4 August 1947, Mr Powell, an Airlines Captain with Pan American Airways, Inc., was the first pilot of a Constellation type aircraft on a flight from Gander, Newfoundland, to La Guardia Field, New York. Mr. Powell took over the aircraft at Gander, Newfoundland and departed at approximately 1230 P.M., Eastern Daylight Saving Time for La Guardia Field, New York. At 1600 P.M., at a position approximately midway between the Everett (Mass) 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 7,500 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 160 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. CONFIDENTIAL [PAGE 2] CONFIDENTIAL IN REPLY REFER TO: HEADQUARTERS AIR DEFENSE COMMAND MITCHEL FIELD, NEW YORK 15 September 1947 SUBJECT: Unidentified Flying Objects (Interview - Walter I. White) SUMMARY OF INFORMATION: The following information relative to the sighting of a possible flying disc 4 August 1947, was received 10 September 1947 from Mr. Walter I. White, 19-57 79th Street, Jackson Heights, New York. On 4 August 1947, Mr. White, Pan American Airways Inc., was the navigator of a Constellation type aircraft on a flight from Gander, Newfoundland to La Guardia Field, New York. At 1600, at a position approximately 10 miles NW of Boston, Mass., Mr White sighted a flying object which he was unable to identify. At this time Mr White was sitting in the co-pilots seat, and looking out the right side for other aircraft that might be in the vicinity. Mr White stated that when he first sighted the object, it appeared to be about 3 miles away, and at least 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 an easterly 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 Constellation. Mr White stated that the pilot then righted the plane. The entire incident 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 CONFIDENTIAL [PAGE 3] CONFIDENTIAL in conjunction with contract flying for the AAF. Mr White states that he has flown with Mr Powell on a number of occasions, and he considers him to be a very stable person; completely reliable, and not given to "flights of fancy". Related Report: See Summary of Information, 12 September 1947, Hq ADC, subject, "Unidentified Flying Objects" (interview - Alpheus O. Powell). Previous Distribution: - None Distribution - AAF (3 copies) - ADC (2 copies) Evaluation of source C of information 3 - 2 - CONFIDENTIAL [PAGE 4] CONFIDENTIAL AGENTS NOTES: Mr. A. O. Powell is a graduate of the Aviation Cadet Flying Training Program, having graduated from Maxwell Field, Alabama, with the Class of 41-C. Since graduation, Mr. Powell has flown for Pan American Airways and, at this date, has over 4,000 command pilot hours to his credit. Mr. Powell appears to be a calm, intelligent individual, not given to flights of fancy, or easily swayed by what he has previously read in the newspapers as regards reports of this type. Mr. Powell has a fear of publicity and seemed hesitant to even tell his story lest he become the object of ridicule. Mr Powell was questioned as to the possibility that what he sighted might have been a tow target, a pilot balloon, or a radiosonic device used for meteorological purposes. Mr Powell stated that he has seen numerous pilot balloons, radiosonic devices and tow targets, while on flights; the object observed on this flight definitely was not one of them. Previous Distribution: - None Distribution - AAF (3 copies) - ADC (2 copies) Evaluation of source C of information 3 2 CONFIDENTIAL [PAGE 5] RESTRICTED BASIC: Ltr. Hq. BARTD, Birmingham AAF, Birmingham, Ala., dtd 8 July 47, subj: Report on Local "Flying Disc." 1st Ind. 319.1/684 HEADQUARTERS, FOURTEENTH AIR FORCE, Orlando, Florida, JUL 21 1947 TO: Commanding General, Air Defense Command, Mitchel Field, New York. 1. Forwarded for information of your Headquarters. 2. This Headquarters has made no investigation of "Flying Disc" reports because this is an isolated case. FOR THE COMMANDING GENERAL: (signed) V. E. Murphy V. E. MURPHY Lt. Colonel, AGD Asst. Adj. Gen. 3 Incls: n/c 92715 24-6 24 JUL 1947 RESTRICTED [PAGE 6] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] 62-83894-130 (handwritten file number only) [PAGE 7] RESTRICTED HEADQUARTERS BIRMINGHAM AIR RESERVE TRAINING DETACHMENT BIRMINGHAM ARMY AIR FIELD Birmingham, Alabama A/JCW/elc 8 July 1947 7795 SUBJECT: Report on Local "Flying Disc" TO: Commanding General Fourteenth Air Force, ADC Orlando, Florida Attn: A-2 1. Inclosed herewith is a photograph of the "publicized flying disc," which was reportedly witnessed over Birmingham on the night of Sunday, 6 July 1947. 2. Attention is invited to the two light spots on the print and the light trail following the two discs. The arrow at the top of the photograph indicates the direction of flight. This has been examined by professional photographers in Birmingham and their general opinion is that the two spots shown on the light trail were no flaws in the negative, but instead, an actual photograph of the mysterious disc. 3. The undersigned officer did not personally witness the flight of any disc, however, in view of the numerous reports received from the citizens of Birmingham, it is the general opinion in Birmingham that "something was in the air." 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 additional information attached as inclosure number three are clippings from one of the local newspapers giving an account of the many persons who reported seeing the many mysterious objects. 4. The intelligence officer of the Alabama Military District has forwarded a similar report through ground force channels to the Commanding General, Third Army, Atlanta 3, Georgia. (signed) Jack C. White JACK C. WHITE Major, Air Corps Commanding 3 Incls: 1. Photograph 2. Statement 3. Clippings RESTRICTED File 319.1/684 2 [PAGE 8] RESTRICTED Report on Local "Flying Disc" D333.5 ID (8 Jul 47) 2nd Ind HQ., AIR DEFENSE COMMAND, Mitchel Field, New York, 25 July 1947. TO: Commanding General, Army Air Forces, Washington 25, D. C. ATTN: AC/AS-2 Forwarded for your information. FOR THE COMMANDING GENERAL: (signed) R. H. Smith R. H. SMITH Colonel, GSC Asst Chief of Staff-Intell. 3 Incls: n/c RESTRICTED 3 [PAGE 9] 62-83894-130 (handwritten file number) see 130 [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: Birmingham newspaper front-page clipping (partial masthead, price 5 cents, 1947) — headline says flying saucers were reported from 39 states but seemed concentrated in Birmingham; article describes residents' varied sightings, switchboard calls, and a reader's photograph.] [Diagram: dark photograph from the clipping with a white arrow pointing to two faint light spots; caption credits a newspaper copy reader with the picture, a 15-second exposure at 8:37 p.m.] see 130 [PAGE 10] [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: Birmingham News newspaper clipping, page 5 continuation, with a partial second column pasted rotated — reports of mysterious flying saucers over Birmingham, Major White's promise that the Army Air Forces would investigate, and an Associated Press writer's skeptical remarks about optical illusions.] [PAGE 11] [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: Birmingham newspaper clipping dated Monday, July 7, 1947 — a short item in which a ten-year-old schoolboy offers his own theory about what the flying saucers are and why they appear over Birmingham.] [PAGE 12] [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: Birmingham newspaper clipping, undated, pasted in several columns — accounts of local residents and a weather official describing lights and discs seen over Birmingham and Bessemer the previous night, a photographer's exposure, and police switchboard calls.] [PAGE 13] [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: Birmingham newspaper clipping pasted sideways in two strips — witness accounts of lights and discs seen at various Birmingham neighborhoods, a skeptic's natural-phenomena theory, and a report that a searchlight reflection might explain the sightings.] [PAGE 14] RESTRICTED S-T-A-T-M-E-N-T I, Staff Sergeant Ira L. Livingston, [Text present — not reproduced: personal identifiers], Air Corps, have approximately 250 hours flying time as pilot and Armorer Gunner have the following statement to make concerning the appearance of "Flying Discs" in the vicinity of Birmingham, Alabama. At 2045 hours, 6 July 1947, while I was eating supper at my residence at 1354 Meadow Lane, Green Acres, Birmingham, Alabama, my next door neighbor, Mr. Herman M. Sockwell, called for me to come to the front door that there were some "Flying Discs" outside. Immediately I went out in the front yard to observe the objects. The objects appeared to the West of Birmingham traveling in a South Eastern direction. They appeared to be approximately 2000 feet above the horizon at a 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 shape, producing a dim glow of light and traveling at an estimated speed of five (5) to six (6) hundred miles per hour. The objects or object appeared to be traveling in a definite arc rather than straight and as soon as one was out of sight another would appear behind it, but not always in the same path. I saw one that seemed to come straight up. The view of where it came from was obstructed by a nearby house; and when it reached the altitude of approximately 2000feet, it started off in the same direction as the others. I did not at any time see any more than one at the time and even though there could have been only one, my personal belief is that there were seven (7) to ten (10). The Discs were silent and appeared to be composed of a single light. (signed) Ira L. Livingston Ira L. Livingston Staff Sergeant, [Text present — not reproduced: personal identifiers] Subscribed and sworn to before me this 7th day of July 1947. (signed) James L. MacFarlane JAMES L. MACFARLANE 1st Lt. AC Asst Adj. RESTRICTED [PAGE 15] CONFIDENTIAL NBC-7-101 313.3 HEADQUARTERS, NEWFOUNDLAND BASE COMMAND ATLANTIC DIVISION, AIR TRANSPORT COMMAND FORT PEPPERRELL, NEWFOUNDLAND APO 862, % POSTMASTER, NEW YORK, N. Y. RESTRICTED /gdb IN REPLY REFER NBC- Classification cancelled or Changed to Restricted by authority of CC, AD-ATC (Name) (Rank) 6 Aug 47 30 July 1947 SUBJECT: Letter of Transmittal. TO: Commanding General, Atlantic Division, ATC, Fort Totten, Long Island, N. Y. (ATTENTION: AC/S, Intelligence) Reference Letter of Transmittal, this office, dated 28 July 1947, with four (4) inclosures (Inclosures 1, 2 and 3, Final Reports of Sightings of "flying saucers"; and Inclosure 4, Signed Statement - Constable KEARSEY), transmitted herewith is Final Report of Sighting of "flying saucers" in Newfoundland, which occurred at Harmon Field, Stephenville, Newfoundland at 0345Z, 23 July 1947. FOR THE COMMANDING GENERAL: (signed) Marion C. Miller MARION C. MILLER, Captain, Air Corps, AC/S, Intelligence. 1 Incl: Final Rpt of Sighting, 23 Jul 47 1st Ind. HQ, ATLANTIC DIVISION, ATC, FORT TOTTEN, L.I., NEW YORK 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. (signed) James H. Brewster, Jr. JAMES H. BREWSTER, JR. Lt Col, GSC AC/S, Intelligence 1 Incl: n/c RESTRICTED CONFIDENTIAL 7 [PAGE 16] CONFIDENTIAL RESTRICTED FINAL REPORT OF SIGHTING Classification cancelled or Changed to Restricted by authority of CC, AD-ATC (Name) (Rank) 6 Aug 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: 0345Z, 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 maneuvers were too abrupt and there was no noise of a motor. 10. Reported by: Miss Patricia Abbott, (Newfoundland National) Government Employee and Lt. Hammaker, Navigator and Public Relations Officer. 11. General: The informants (noted in Par.10) were walking when they noticed a peculiar reddish light. Both Miss Abbott and Lt. Hammaker stated that at first, they thought it was a falling star, but if left no streak. It appeared again; they thought it might be a plane flying at a very high altitude. After observing its maneuvers, 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. (signed) William H. Smith WILLIAM H. SMITH Captain, Air Corps, Intelligence Officer. RESTRICTED CONFIDENTIAL Encl 1 4 8 [PAGE 17] RESTRICTED CONFIDENTIAL Classification changed to Restricted by authority of CC, AD-ATC (Name) (Rank) 6 Aug 47 /gdb HEADQUARTERS Newfoundland Base Command, ATLD-ATC Fort Pepperrell, Newfoundland APO 862, c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. 28 July 1947 SUBJECT: Letter of Transmittal. TO: Commanding General, Atlantic Division, ATC, Fort Totten, Long Island, N. Y. (ATTENTION: AC/S, Intelligence) 1. Transmitted herewith, as inclosures 1, 2 and 3, are Final Reports of Sightings of "flying saucers" in Newfoundland and vicinity listed as follows: Final Report of Sighting - 2000Z, 10 July 1947 " " " " - 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 GENERAL: (signed) Marion C. Miller MARION C. MILLER, Captain, Air Corps, AC/S, Intelligence. 4 Incls: 1. Final Rpt of Sighting, 10 Jul 47 2. " " " " , 11 Jul 47 3. " " " " , 20 Jul 47 4. Signed Statement - Const KEARSEY RESTRICTED CONFIDENTIAL 9 [PAGE 18] CONFIDENTIAL RESTRICTED FINAL REPORT OF SIGHTING Classification changed to Restricted by authority of CC, AD-ATC (Name) (Rank) 6 Aug 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/Z, 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, Newfoundland Base Command for processing. (signed) William H. Smith WILLIAM H. SMITH CAPT. A.C. Intelligence Officer RESTRICTED CONFIDENTIAL Encl 1 10 [PAGE 19] CONFIDENTIAL RESTRICTED FINAL REPORT OF SIGHTING Classification changed to Restricted by authority of CC, AD-ATC (Name) (Rank) 6 Aug 47 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 member of a civilian volunteer Air Detection Corps. With that background, Mr. Legge stated that he felt sure that the object he had seen was something new which he had never seen before. RESTRICTED CONFIDENTIAL Encl 2 11 [PAGE 20] RESTRICTED CONFIDENTIAL Final Report of Sighting General cont'd: Albert Samms is a twelve year old boy. He was alone when he saw the flying object, he was very definite that he had never seen anything like it before. His mother, Mrs. Samms, is the Post Mistress of the town, and after hearing Albert's description, felt that it answered to the description of a "Flying Disc". Mr. Legge reported his sighting shortly afterwards to Mrs. Samms because he was sure it should be made known to her in order that the incident might be reported by telegram immediately. There was one other sighting reported from a River Warden at South Branch. The man could not be contacted at time of interviews with other parties. However, a second-hand description of his sighting was obtained, and it agreed with the sightings at Codroy. (signed) William H. Smith WILLIAM H. SMITH Captain, Air Corps, Intelligence Officer. RESTRICTED CONFIDENTIAL 12 [PAGE 21] CONFIDENTIAL RESTRICTED FINAL REPORT OF SIGHTING Classification changed to Restricted by authority of CC, AD-ATC 6 Aug 47 1. Organization: 1388th AAF Base Unit APO 864, c/o Postmaster, New York, N.Y. 2. Sighting : Flying Disc or other Airborne Object. 3. Place : On board Steamship "BURGEO" enroute from Sydney, Nova Scotia to Port aux Basques, Newfoundland, about one hour out from Sydney. 4. Time : 0015Z 20 July 1947. 5. Altitude : 30° off the horizon at an estimated quarter mile range. 6. Weather : Clear and dark. 7. Heading : NNE (30° East of True North) on horizontal plane. 8. Speed : High velocity, stated to be faster than a tracer bullet. 9. Description : Observers did not see the object, they saw its flashes and all four observers agreed there were four (4) or five (5) flashes approximately one (1) second apart and equidistant. The flashes were said to be silvery to reddish in color, and were described by two observers to be like those of a Fire Fly only larger and at equal intervals, and did not look like a shooting star or airplane. 10. Reported by: Messrs Maitland, Larkin, Douglas and Hamilton of Hamilton, Metcalfe and Kansas City Bridge Companies which concern is doing the construction at Harmon Field. 11. General : The four gentlemen (noted in Par.10) and Captain Gullage, Master of the "Burgeo", were standing on the starboard deck, and as the Captain was trying to describe a previous sighting, he saw the flashes; the other four gentlemen also saw them as described herein, and believed that it was not a meteorite or airplane because of its speed, color, and evenly spaced discharges or flashes. Captain Gullage told the four gentlemen that he had seen the same thing at approximately the same time and location (ship's position) on the evening of 15 July 1947, except at that time, the object or flashes were traveling faster and frequently changing course (he said it changed course abruptly several times) and was headed generally to the RESTRICTED CONFIDENTIAL Encl 3 13 [PAGE 22] RESTRICTED CONFIDENTIAL 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. (signed) William H. Smith WILLIAM H. SMITH Captain, Air Corps Intelligence Officer. - 2 - RESTRICTED CONFIDENTIAL 14 [PAGE 23] CONFIDENTIAL RESTRICTED INTELLIGENCE OFFICE HEADQUARTERS 1388TH AAF BASE UNIT NEWFOUNDLAND BASE COMMAND, ATLD-ATC APO 864, c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. Classification cancelled or changed to Restricted by authority of CC, AD-ATC (Rank) (Date) 6 Aug 47 16 July 1947 Interrogation of JOHN E. WOODRUFF, Chief Mechanic, Pan American Airways, Harmon Field, Newfoundland, taken at 1415 HST, 16 July 1947, by Captain William H. Smith, AC, Intelligence Officer. Q. Did you see one of the so called "Flying Disks" or other object on the 10th July? A. Yes, I did. Q. Can you give the approximate time? A. Approximately 1700. Q. Tell me the circumstances under which you saw this object. A. We were coming back from a fishing trip, and coming over the hill between here and Stephenville Crossing you can see the cloud formation ahead, I saw the object break out where the clouds opened and it left its trail behind it. Q. Had you been drinking? A. No. Q. You were riding in a car at the time you saw it? A. Yes, in the front seat of the Pan American car. Q. What was the weather like that day? A. It was very clear and the clouds were very scattered. Q. What was the approximate altitude of the clouds? A. I'd say from 8000 feet to 10,000 feet. Q. Did you see the Disk itself? A. Yes, what it appeared to be was a translucent disk like a wheel travelling at a terrific rate of speed and opened the clouds as it went through the air. Q. How was this Disk travelling, horizontal, descending or ascending? A. It was horizontal. Q. About how big did it appear to you? A. From the height of it, I'd say it was about the size of a 54 or a Constellation. Q. About how far apart did it break the cloud? A. It spread the clouds out about half mile. RESTRICTED CONFIDENTIAL 15 [PAGE 24] RESTRICTED CONFIDENTIAL Interrogation of John E. Woodruff (Cont'd) Q. What kind of a break did it make in the clouds? A. It cut a straight path right through the cloud. Q. Did it leave a trail? A. Yes, it left a trail dark bluish in color similar to a high power light. The trail was from approximately fifteen (15) to twenty (20) miles long. Q. Have you ever seen a meteor? A. Yes. Q. Do you think this was a meteor? A. No, I don't think so, it was cut too clean. This was as straight as an arrow. Q. What was the course of the object? A. Well, looking at the map I'd say North North East. Q. Have you been working around airplanes long enough to know the size of an aircraft and the height from a distance? A. Yes. Q. How long have you been working around aircraft? A. Seven (7) years. Q. Were you in the Army during the time of the War? A. No. Q. Did you take any pictures? A. No, I did not, but one of the boys took some. Q. Do you think the pictures will show up? A. Yes, it was an ideal day for pictures. (signed) John E. Woodruff JOHN E. WOODRUFF Chief Mechanic Pan American Airways Sworn and subscribed to before me this 17 day of July 1947. (signed) S. [illegible]. Hinson, Jr. S. [illegible]. HINSON, JR Captain, Air Corps Adjutant CONFIDENTIAL RESTRICTED - 2 - 16 [PAGE 25] CONFIDENTIAL RESTRICTED INTELLIGENCE OFFICE HEADQUARTERS 1388TH AAF BASE UNIT NEWFOUNDLAND BASE COMMAND, ATLD-ATC APO 864, c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. Classification cancelled or changed to Restricted by authority of CC, AD-ATC (Rank) (Date) 6 Aug 47 16 July 1947 Interrogation of JOHN N. MEHRMAN, JR., Supervisor and Mechanic, Trans World Airways, Harmon Field, Newfoundland, taken at 1430 HST, 16 July 1947, by Captain William H. Smith, AC, Intelligence Officer. Q. How long have you been associated with aircraft and aviation? A. Since approximately 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 war entail you to be able to judge distances and sizes of objects and ranges? A. Yes. Q. On the evening of 10 July 1947, did you see one of the so called "Flying Disks" or an object in the sky? A. Yes, we were coming up over the mountain between here and Stephenville Crossing. The car was going up hill and we could see the sky through the windshield. Mr. Woodruff said "look at the cut in the sky". I looked up and saw a blueish black vapor trail. Q. Did you see the object? A. No, I just saw the trail as it was left behind. Q. Can you describe the effect the object had on the cloud formation? A. The clouds were very scattered and were about from 8000 feet to 10,000 feet, the object passed through and cut the cloud leaving a gap where you could see the blue sky, like a knife had cut it. The edges were feathered similar to a weld, as if you cut a weld in half. Q. Did the object appear to be descending, ascending, or horizontal? A. It was horizontal and seemed to remain on 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. RESTRICTED CONFIDENTIAL 17 [PAGE 26] CONFIDENTIAL RESTRICTED Interrogation of John N. Mehrman, Jr 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 got out and looked at it. One of the boys had a camera and took a photograph of the trail that the object left. Q. What was the name of the man who took the photograph? A. Robert Leidy. Q. Do you know what type of film Mr Leidy was using? A. Kodachrome, I believe. Q. Do you know whether Mr. Leidy saw the Disk or object? A. I don't believe so. (signed) John N. Mehrman, Jr. JOHN N. MEHRMAN, JR Supervisor and Mechanic Trans World Airways Sworn and subscribed to before me this 7 day of July 1947. (signed) S. L. Hinson, Jr. S. L. HINSON, JR Captain, Air Corps Adjutant CONFIDENTIAL RESTRICTED - 2 - 18 [PAGE 27] RESTRICTED CONFIDENTIAL INTELLIGENCE OFFICE HEADQUARTERS 1388TH AAF BASE UNIT NEWFOUNDLAND BASE COMMAND, ATLANTIC DIVISION ATC APO 864, c/o Postmaster, New York, N. Y. 16 July 1947 [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: interrogation of Robert W. Leidy, station mechanic, Pan American Airways, Harmon Field, Newfoundland, by Captain William H. Smith, Intelligence Officer (widely published) — he was with Mr. Woodruff and Mr. Mehrman on 10 July 1947 between three and five in the afternoon, returning from fishing; he had one can of beer; he photographed a bluish streak the object left, which cut a horizontal path through the clouds like a pebble leaving a ring in a pond.] RESTRICTED CONFIDENTIAL [handwritten initials: RWL; page number 19] [PAGE 28] CONFIDENTIAL RESTRICTED Interrogation of Robert W. Leidy (Cont'd) [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: continuation of the Leidy interrogation (Harmon Field, July 1947), page rotated sideways — questions about the trail's length, estimated size, his camera and film, and the photographs and rolls being developed.] - 2 - RESTRICTED CONFIDENTIAL [PAGE 29] CONFIDENTIAL Interrogation of Robert W. Leidy (Cont'd) RESTRICTED [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: final question of the Leidy interrogation — he agrees to give the Army a copy of his pictures of the trail.] Robert W Leidy ROBERT W. LEIDY Station Mechanic Pan American Airways Sworn and subscribed to before me this 17 day of July 1947. S. L. HINSON, JR Captain, Air Corps Adjutant RESTRICTED CONFIDENTIAL - 3 - [PAGE 30] RESTRICTED STATEMENT OF MR. JOHN P. LEGGE, CORDROY, NEWFOUNDLAND. TAKEN BY MERCEDES BURKE OF THE INTELLIGENCE OFFICE, HARMON FIELD, NEWFOUNDLAND. 17 July 1947. [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: sworn witness statement of the 10 July 1947 evening sighting — a store owner describes a bright red disc with a faint cone-shaped trail, estimated height, duration and direction, and rules out a shooting star or aircraft.] John P. Legge JOHN P. LEGGE Witness: F. W. Tompkins Witness: Mercedes Burke RESTRICTED [PAGE 31] RESTRICTED STATEMENT OF MR. WM. EVANS, CORDROY, NEWFOUNDLAND. TAKEN BY MERCEDES BURKE OF THE INTELLIGENCE OFFICE, HARMON FIELD, NEWFOUNDLAND. 17 July 1947. [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: sworn witness statement of the 10 July 1947 evening sighting — he and the store owner saw a bright round object with a reddish-yellow trail cross the sky quickly, unlike a shooting star or aircraft.] Wm Evans Wm. EVANS Witness: F. W. Tompkins Witness: Mercedes Burke RESTRICTED [PAGE 32] RESTRICTED STATEMENT OF ALBERT SAMMS, CORDROY, NEWFOUNDLAND. TAKEN BY MERCEDES BURKE OF THE INTELLIGENCE OFFICE, HARMON FIELD NEWFOUNDLAND. 17 July 1947. [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: sworn witness statement by a young resident — he saw a very bright reddish-yellow object moving too fast for an aircraft, vanishing from sight within about a minute, and told his mother.] Albert Samms ALBERT SAMMS Witness: F. W. Tompkins Witness: Mercedes Burke RESTRICTED [PAGE 33] RESTRICTED [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: continuation by the witness's mother — her son rushed in to report what he had seen, said it was too lit up and moved too steeply for a plane, and Mr. Legge reported the same to her.] Mrs JOHN SAMMS. Mrs John Samms. RESTRICTED [PAGE 34] 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: [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: constable's report to the Chief of Police — on the night of 9 July 1947 relatives and a family friend saw four round objects pass in formation, and he then saw one round glowing object; sky watched half an hour.] Eric Kearsey Constable. L. Strange Esq., J.P., Chief of Police. Respectfully submitted. L. Strange Esq., J.P., Chief of Police. RESTRICTED encl 4. [PAGE 35] 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: [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: constable's report to the Chief of Police — on the night of 9 July 1947 relatives and a family friend saw four round objects pass in formation, and he then saw one round glowing object; sky watched half an hour.] Eric Kearsey Constable. L. Strange Esq., J.P., Chief of Police. Respectfully submitted. L. Strange Esq., J.P., Chief of Police. RESTRICTED encl 4. [PAGE 36] [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: undated typed page of conclusions drawn from selected sighting reports — judges that something real is flying, that the objects may be a domestic project, and lists six physical characteristics (metallic surface, exhaust-like trail, shape, size, formation flight, lateral oscillation).] [PAGE 37] CONFIDENTIAL Bexci HEADQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2 Intelligence Hamilton Field, California 4AFDA 333.5/1208-I 25 August 1947 SUBJECT: Investigation of Flying Disc. TO: Headquarters, Army Air Forces, Washington 25, D. C. ATTENTION: AC of AS-2 1. The attached true copy of the letter of Mr. F. M. Johnson of Portland, Oregon, was received by this officer 22 August 1947. 2. Your attention is invited to the similarity of statement by Mr. Johnson and Mr. Arnold. 3. This letter is being referred this date to the Special Agent In Charge, FBI, San Francisco, for any investigation they may care to make. Donald L. Springer DONALD L. SPRINGER Lt. Colonel, GSC AC of S, A-2 1 Incl: Cy of ltr fr F.M. Johnson (in dup) RECEIVED see 107 CONFIDENTIAL [PAGE 38] 10 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 DONALD L. SPRINGER Lt. Colonel, GSC, AC of S, A-2 RECEIVED see 101 CONFIDENTIAL [PAGE 39] CONFIDENTIAL PORTLAND, OREGON 30, July 1947 C-E-R-T-I-F-I-C-A-T-E On 30 July 1947 Mr Richard Rankin, 834 N. E. Simpson Street, Portland, Oregon was interviewed by this agent and stated in substance as follows: [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: sworn statement of Richard Rankin, a veteran pilot with about 7000 flying hours, describing his 14 June 1947 sighting over Bakersfield, California — ten objects in V formation at noon, seven reappearing later — and his comparison with the Arnold report.] Incl # 1 see 52 CONFIDENTIAL [PAGE 40] CONFIDENTIAL (2) Washington I realized that the articles that I saw were probably the same thing. I was still reluctant to mention this to anyone thinking that they would probably say that I was crazy. After sometime I mentioned the incident to the editor of the "Oregonian", a Portland, Oregon newspaper. At this time I was in Portland for the remainder of the summer. The results of the conversation with the editor of the paper is put forth in the accompanying newspaper article. I fully realize that this is a broad statement in view of the fact that there has been so much publicity [illegible] put forth in various newspapers of the country. I am of sound mind in every respect and I am firmly convinced that the articles I saw are actually some sort of flying machines although I cannot say from where they came or to where they were going. I say what I have said with no idea of publicity or personal gain. SIGNED Richmond Rankin Richmond Rankin Portland, Oregon 30 July 1947 see 52 CONFIDENTIAL [PAGE 41] CONFIDENTIAL THE OREGONIAN, THURSDAY, JULY 3, 1947 "THE OREGONIAN" Portland, Oregon. 3 July 1947 [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: newspaper clipping headlined "Pilot Recalls Seeing Discs", The Oregonian, 3 July 1947 — an experienced pilot reports ten, then seven, round objects over Bakersfield and likens them to the Navy's flapjack aircraft.] see 52 Incl # 2 CONFIDENTIAL [PAGE 42] C O P Y August 20, 1947 65-480 Director FBI SAC Butte FLYING DISCS [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: page 1 of the SAC Butte letter (widely published) — refers to the Bureau teletype of August 15, 1947, and encloses the Twin Falls "Times News" account and A. C. Urie's sketch; Urie and his sons Billy and Keith describe a device with flames from tubes, seen about 1:00 P.M. on Wednesday, August 13, 1947, some 300 feet away above the Snake River canyon, estimated about 20 feet long and sky blue, before it was lost behind a hill.] [handwritten: 20115] [PAGE 43] C O P Y [page rotated 90 degrees] [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: page 2 of the same letter — Urie appeared sincere; his sons were still convinced; Times-News reporter John Brosnan furnished the information; no further contact was made with Hawkins, who with another man reported two objects at great height that day and believed they might have been planes.] [handwritten: 20115] [PAGE 44] [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: front page of the Twin Falls Times-News, Friday, August 15, 1947 — headlines "Heads Up, Folks! The Discs Are Flying Again" and a report by John Brosnan that A. C. Urie and his sons saw a saucer flash down the Snake River canyon near Blue Lakes ranch at about 1,000 miles per hour, and that two others were seen; artist's drawing by Vic Goertzen with side, bottom and end views, about 20 feet long and 10 feet high.] [PAGE 45] [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: continuation of the same Times-News article, headed "'Saucer' Seen Flying Down Snake Gorge" — Urie's description of a light sky-blue object with a red, tubular fiery glow; County Commissioner Hawkins' report of two circular objects at great height; references to Kenneth Arnold's sighting and earlier hoaxes.] [PAGE 46] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) HEADQUARTERS FLYING DIVISION, AIR TRAINING COMMAND Office of the Commanding General Randolph Field, Texas 10 July 1947 333.5 SUBJECT: Unidentifiable Objects TO: Commanding General Tenth Air Force Brooks Field, Texas Attn: ACofS, A-2 1. The inclosed MOIC is forwarded for your information. 2. In the event that Lt. E. B. Armstrong has been interviewed by your Headquarters, request that a copy of the MOIC be furnished to this Headquarters. FOR THE COMMANDING GENERAL: 1 Incl MOIC H. L. CRISIER Lt. Colonel, G.S.C. Asst. Chief of Staff, A-2 333.5 1st Ind DC HEADQUARTERS TENTH AIR FORCE, OFFICE OF THE ASST CHIEF OF STAFF, A-2, BROOKS FIELD, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, 16 July 1947 TO: Commanding General, Flying Division, Air Training Command, Randolph Fld., Texas ATTN: Asst Chief of Staff, A-2 Inclosed is Memorandum for the Officer in Charge in reference to Lt. E. B. Armstrong, as suggested in paragraph 2, basic communication. 1 Incl MOIC, dtd 15 July 47 1 Incl withdrawn MOIC, dtd 7 July 47 S.H. MORROW Colonel, GSC Asst Chief of Staff, A-2 [Stamp: RECEIVED] [Handwritten: Incl 2] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) [PAGE 47] UNIDENTIFIABLE OBJECTS Williams Fld, Chandler, Ariz. 15 July 1947 MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE: [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: CIC interview memorandum, paragraph 1 and agent's notes — 1st Lt Eric B. Armstrong, interviewed 14 July 1947, describes five or six white circular objects seen from a P-51 northwest of Lake Mead on 28 June 1947; agent judged him sincere and non-exaggerating] Lawrence R. King, Jr, Special Agent, CIC, ADC [Stamp: RECEIVED] [Handwritten: ac 98] [PAGE 48] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) UNIDENTIFIABLE OBJECTS WILLIAMS FIELD, CHANDLER, ARIZONA. 7 July 1947 MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE: [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: CIC interview memorandum, paragraphs 1-2 and agent's notes — Navy Lt William G. McGinty reports two round objects seen 30 June 1947 over Grand Canyon; Capt Malcolm G. Armstrong relays his brother's Lake Mead sighting] Lynn C. Aldrich, Special Agent, CIC-AAF, FDTRC THIS IS A TRUE COPY JOHN K. ORR, Major, A.C. [Stamp: RECEIVED] [Handwritten: Incl #1] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) [PAGE 49] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) 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 Colonel, GSC for Asst Chief of Staff-Intell. [Handwritten signature: James F. X. O'Connell, Lt. Col.] Info cy: CG, AMC, Wright Fld, Dayton, O. 2 Incls: n/c [Handwritten: see 130] [Handwritten: F 177] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) [PAGE 50] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) 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 Colonel, GSC Asst Chief of Staff-Intell. Info cy: CG, AMC, Wright Fld, Dayton, O. 2 Incls: n/c [Handwritten: see 130] [Stamp: RECEIVED] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) [PAGE 51] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) HEADQUARTERS TENTH AIR FORCE BROOKS FIELD, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2 IN REPLY REFER TO: DC 333.5 16 July 1947 SUBJECT: Unidentifiable Objects TO: Commanding General Air Defense Command Mitchel Field, New York ATTN: Asst Chief of Staff, A-2 1. Inclosed herewith for your information is investigation relative to Unidentifiable Objects which was initiated at Headquarters, Flying Division, Air Training Command, Randolph Field, Texas. This Office assisted, as noted in Inclosure 2, by completing a Memorandum for the Officer in Charge. 2. No further action is contemplated by this Headquarters concerning investigation of this incident. 2 Incls: 1. MOIC dtd 7 July 47 2. ltr, FDATC, w/1 Ind and 1 Incl, MOIC, dtd 15 July 1947 S. H. MORROW Colonel, GSC Asst Chief of Staff, A-2 [Handwritten: 621-9] 21 JUL 1947 CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) [PAGE 52] [Handwritten: TO: CG, AAF (ATTN: AC/AS-2) FROM: DIR. OF INTEL. DATE 5 AUG 47 MAJ FISHER /74738] 2636 Magnolia Ave., Los Angeles 7, Calif. August 1 1947 Director of Military Intelligence, War Department, Washington 25, D.C. Dear Sir: [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: typed letter from a private citizen, page 1 — reports to Military Intelligence an observation on Sunday 6 July of a row of saucer-like objects and odd light rays seen from a parked bus near Ventura Boulevard] [PAGE 53] 2 [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: typed letter from a private citizen, page 2 — the writer describes small red fragments spinning among the rays, wonders about their origin, thanks Mr. Dryden for directing her to Military Intelligence, and asks for a judgement] Sincerely yours, M. Lenore Corey [PAGE 54] [Page rotated 90 degrees] OKLAHOMA CITY AIR MATERIEL AREA TINKER FIELD OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA APN/KDS/eb 30 July 1947 IN REPLY REFER TO: #3724-I MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECURITY OFFICER, OCAMA Subject: DAN NELSON, Attorney-at-Law, 926 Perrine Building, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Re: Flying Saucer Mystery Solved. [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: interview memorandum — a local attorney interviewed 30 July 1947 about his published theory that flying saucer sightings are reflections of car lights on windows and windshields; includes his background and correspondence with the War Department] [Handwritten: Incl #1] [PAGE 55] [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: interview memorandum, page 2 — Nelson says he has not spoken with actual saucer witnesses, attributes most reports to reflections plus public excitement, and a detailed statement is attached] KALMAN D. SIMON C.I., U.S. Army 2 [PAGE 56] FLYING SAUCER MYSTERY SOLVED July 12, 1947. [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: typed statement by a private citizen, page 1 — argues that reports of flying discs from aviators and motorists are sun reflections off bright car parts seen in ventilation windows] [PAGE 57] [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: typed statement continued, page 2 — explains that bright objects reflected in a car's ventilation wing glass can seem to be saucer-shaped objects flying beside the vehicle at high speed] (2) [PAGE 58] [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: typed statement continued, page 3 — extends the reflection theory to pilots, claiming they misread bright spots in canopies or windshields, and explains why multiple discs seem to move together] (3) [PAGE 59] [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: typed statement continued, page 4 — attributes apparent rotation and flat shape to vibration, and suggests motorists can reproduce saucer-like reflections of roadside lights at dusk with the ventilation window open] (4) [PAGE 60] [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: typed statement continued, page 5 — gives examples of reflections from a ring and a car door handle producing nine disc-like images, and suggests indoor window reflections of lamps] (5) [PAGE 61] [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: typed statement continued, page 6 — describes lamp reflections in window panes, cautions drivers not to be distracted, and ascribes bright flashes in the sky to sunlight off aircraft and early-July reports to fireworks] (6) [PAGE 62] [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: typed statement concluding, page 7 — the author says other reports were imagination or hoaxes, calls his reflection theory the correct solution, and doubts saucers have military value] [Handwritten signature: Dan Nelson, Oklahoma City] [PAGE 63] Code 110A NRL 7 August 1947 MEMORANDUM SUBJECT: "Flying Saucers" TO: Asst Chief of Air Staff-2 Collection Branch, AAF Washington 25, D. C. 1. The inclosure is an excerpt from a letter to Dr. E. Tousey, Micron Waves Section Head, Naval Research Laboratory, from Mr. John F. Cole, pertaining to some unidentified objects which Mr. Cole reports to have seen some time prior to the first reports of "flying saucers" in the New England area. 2. Dr. Tousey states that Mr. Cole is a well-known astronomer and a reliable observer as a result of his training. 3. The inclosure is in addition to information contained in previous letters to your office taken from interviews at the request of Lt. Col. G. D. Garrett, AAF A-2. 1 Incl. Excerpt fm ltr to Dr. Tousey 2 WILLIAM P. MELLEN Major, Air Corps AMC Liaison Officer Naval Research Laboratory [Handwritten: B/A (8)] [PAGE 64] COPY Excerpt from letter to Dr. R. Tousey from Mr. John F. Cole South Brooksville, Me. July 28, 1947. [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: excerpt of a witness letter — an astronomer describes a group of light-colored objects seen about 2:30 PM on 3 July 1947 moving northwest with a loud roar, estimates their size and speed, and asks about aircraft, meteorites and radio disturbances] [PAGE 65] OFFICE OF THE AIR INSPECTOR 25 JULY 1947 MEMORANDUM TO: AC/AS-2, Counter Intelligence Branch 1. Information contained herein and opinions expressed are based upon conversation with and request by Mr. Butler of your office. All pertain to certain phenomena connected with recent widespread talk of "flying saucers". [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: paragraph 2 of an Air Inspector officer's account — about 7 July 1947 he prepared for bed at home in Arlington, Virginia, and refers to Illustration No. 1 showing the room layout] [Diagram: hand-drawn floor plan of a bedroom labeled Radio, Desk, Bed, Me, Lamp Table, with a north arrow and casement windows along the bottom; captioned Illustration #1] [PAGE 66] [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: paragraph 3 of the officer's account — a light appeared at the edge of the end window and moved rapidly, disappearing or going out in a generally southerly direction; refers to Illustration No. 2] [Diagram: hand-drawn sketch map with a north arrow, room outline and points A, B, C, and handwritten notes: "Light appeared in this direction", "Disappeared in this direction", "Est. 3/4 mile", "apparent direction of flight"; captioned Illustration #2] 2 [PAGE 67] [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: paragraphs 4-5 of the officer's account — he first took the light for a meteor, joked about it at the office, then estimated it passed about three quarters of a mile away at low altitude, roughly 30 feet across, without sound] 3 [PAGE 68] [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: paragraphs 6-8 of the officer's account — light visible a couple of seconds, bright white, no trail, weather checked with Bolling Field; the experienced pilot rules out a weather balloon or beacon and calls it likely a natural phenomenon] JAMES O. COBB Lt Colonel, Air Corps [PAGE 69] ADDRESS REPLY TO: DIRECTOR, NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY WASHINGTON 20, D. C. AND REFER TO: Code 110 ARMY LIAISON OFFICE NAVY DEPARTMENT NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY WASHINGTON 20, D. C. 28 July 1947 SUBJECT: Flying Saucers TO: Asst Chief of Air Staff-2 Collection Branch, AAF Washington 25, D. C. Supplemental to that contained in a letter to your office, dated 18 July 1947, re interview with Mr. C. H. Zohn who purports to have seen an unidentified flying object, the following additional information was obtained on 21 July from C. C. Rockwood, who was mentioned in that letter as having also seen the object. [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: witness account relayed in the memorandum — Rockwood saw a silvery sphere or disc from a car, higher and faster than a balloon, about 45 degrees up, silent, with no smoke or contrails, vanishing by becoming too small] WILLIAM P. MELLEN Major, Air Corps AMC Liaison Officer [Stamp: RECEIVED] [Handwritten: Bex-ci (6)] [PAGE 70] [Diagram: dark photographic print or negative with a tiny bright speck near the center and a handwritten arrow labeled "FLIGHT PATH" pointing left along the left margin; handwritten note "see 130" at the bottom] [PAGE 71] [Diagram: black-and-white photograph of a long diagonal vapor trail through clouds above a stretch of water at the right edge; no text] [PAGE 72] [Diagram: black-and-white photograph of a hazy sky with a faint diagonal vapor trail, power lines, a utility pole and small evergreen trees at the bottom; no text] [PAGE 73] This is an unparaphrased code (cypher) message. Text must be paraphrased if essential to retransmit it in another system or to communicate its contents to persons outside British or U.S. Government Services. One-time pad messages are excepted from this rule. JOINT COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE 9421 (28) 1508/1 SECRET (struck through) IN MESSAGE T.O.O: 080800 Aug. 1947 REC'D: 1200 EDT 9th Aug. FROM: A.M. LONDON TO: FAFDEL CYPHER MESSAGE AIX 6328 Aug. 8th 1947 Your AIX 14 July 29th. During normal night flying practice at 2230 hours on 16th January, 1947, one of our Mosquitos was vectored on to an unidentified aircraft at 22,000 feet. A long chase ensued commencing over the North Sea about 50 miles from the Dutch coast and ending at 2300 hours over Norfolk. Two brief AI contacts were made but faded quickly. The unidentified aircraft appeared to take efficient controlled evasive action. 2. No explanation of this incident has been forthcoming nor has it been repeated. [Stamp: ACTION COPY] A.C.M. A.M. C.I.O. (Action) /ec [PAGE 74] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) 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 CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) [PAGE 75] 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 1 [PAGE 76] Report Number | Observer's Name | Occupation | Observed From 1 | D. A. Houser | Railroad Employee | Ground | F. J. Smith | " " | " | L. D. Jamison | " " | " 2 | Byron Savage | Businessman-Pilot | Ground 3 | E. L. DeRose | *Not stated | Ground 4 | Kenneth Arnold | Business-man Pilot | Air 5 | Wilson H. Kayko | Captain, AAF | Ground | John H. Cantrell | " " | " | Redman | " " | " | Theodore Dewey | 1st Lieut., AAF | " 6 | C. H. Zohn | Employee, NRL | Ground | J. R. Kauke | " " | " | C. C. Rockwood | " " | " | Nancy Rockwood | Wife of C.C. Rockwood | " 7 | Richard Rankin | Civilian Pilot | Ground 8 | E. J. Smith | United Air Lines Pilot | Air | Ralph Stevens | " " " Co-Pilot | " 9 | A. B. Browning | Major, AAF | Air 10 | Jas. H. Burniston | Captain, AAF | Ground 11 | Not Stated | CAP Instructor | Air | " " | CAP Student | " 12 | Not Stated | CAP Pilot | Air | " " | CAP Passenger | " 13 | Alvin E. Moorman | 1st Lieut., ACCNG | Air 14 | Iric Kearsey | Constable, Newfoundland Constabulary | Ground 15 | Mr. Mehrman | TWA Representative | Ground | Mr. Woodruff | PAA " | " 16 | Grahm | Major, AAF | Ground | and several other officers | | *From letter received, observer is obviously well educated. 2 [PAGE 77] Report Number | Deviation from Straight Flight | Color | Size 1 | Climbed, dove, hovered overhead, resumed original course | Silver | Apparently small 2 | | | 3 | None reported | Silver, very bright | Small 4 | | | 5 | Zig zag course "much like a water-bug" | Brilliance slightly greater than a star | Not stated 6 | None reported | Some solar specular reflection | Not stated 7 | | | 8 | None reported | Almost dusk; could not distinguish | Impossible to determine 9 | None reported | Very bright and silvery colored | 30-50' in diameter 10 | None reported | Reflection from sun | Comparable to a C-54 at 10,000' 11 | Descended edgewise, stopped at 4,000' and assumed horizontal position. Proceeded in horizontal flight for 15 seconds, stopped again, then disappeared | Not stated | Not stated 12 | None reported | Not stated | Not stated 13 | None reported | Of light-reflecting nature | Apparent depth of a P-51 14 | None reported | Phosphorous color | Not stated 15 | None reported | Silvery | Same span as a C-54 at 10,000' 16 | Followed contours of mountains five miles away from observers | Resembled a grayish balloon | Approx. 10' in diameter 5 [PAGE 78] Report Number | Shape | Sound | Trail | Weather 1 | No definite shape could be determined | None | None | CAVU 2 | | | | 3 | Irregular; round, Dis not appear particularly disc-shaped | None | None | Not stated 4 | | | | 5 | None stated; seemed like a bright light | None | None | Clear moonlight 6 | No details other than that shape was uniform with no protuberances | None | Possible vapor trails | CAVU 7 | | | | 8 | None definite, but seemed flat on base with the top slightly rough in contour | None | None | CAVU 9 | Round, disc-shaped | None | None | CAVU 10 | No shape could be distinguished | None | None | Sunny 11 | Not stated, but report refers to "saucer" several times | None | None | CAVU 12 | Same as Report No. 11 | None | None | CAVU 13 | Flat object, of light-reflecting nature which appeared to be without vertical fin or any visible wings | None | None | Not stated 14 | Egg-shaped, or like barrel head | None | None | CAVU 15 | Circular in shape, like wagon wheel | None | Bluish black trail approx. 15 mi. long | Clear with scattered cumulus at 8 to 10,000' 16 | Resembled balloon | None | None | Not stated 6 [PAGE 79] Report Number | Manner of Disappearance | Remarks (right edge of page cut off) 1 | Climbed very fast and out of sight | No definite shape could be determi[cut off] and even with the aid of 4 to 6 po[cut off] er binoculars object could not be brought into focus 2 | | 3 | Obscured by a cloud bank | From letter this observer wrote, i[cut off] 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[cut off] 6 | Cannot explain, except that reflection angle may have changed abruptly | Observer is Admin. Asst. in the Roc[cut off] et Sonde Sect. of NRL. Two other "scientists", and wife of one, wer[cut off] in party and made same observation 7 | | 8 | Don't know whether they put on a tremendous burst of speed, or disintegrated. However, they did disappear into sunset | Observers were Pilot, Co-Pilot, of scheduled UAL DC-3. Stewardess also saw objects. Suggest reading of ve[cut off] detailed statements. 9 | Unexplained | When first sighting object near ho[cut off] izon, observer looked at chart in his lap to check position. When he looked out window again, object wa[cut off] off his left wing at 11 o'clock 10 | Disappeared at an angle of about 30° above the earth's surface | Rolled from side to side 3 times i[cut off] its path across the sky. Sun refle[cut off] ed from top side, but never from u[cut off] erside, even when turning 11 | Unexplained | None 12 | Unexplained | None 13 | Pilot (at 300MPH) attempted to keep object in sight, but unable to do so | Observer contacted bases in area w[cut off] 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[cut off] course of a C-47 then landing. 7 [PAGE 80] HEADQUARTERS FIFTEENTH AIR FORCE Colorado Springs, Colorado 2 July 1947 SUBJECT: Supersonic Platters SUMMARY OF INFORMATION: [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: Counter Intelligence summary of witness statements — three Pikes Peak Railway employees (Houser, Smith, Jamison) interviewed 27 June 1947 describe a silver object seen about 19 May 1947 near Manitou Mountain, climbing, diving and hovering, with no discernible shape] Previous distribution: None Evaluation of source E of information O DISTRIBUTION: Hq SAC 3 copies [Circled: 1] [Handwritten: Incl 1] [PAGE 81] HQOCAMA FORM NO. 5-506 31 MAY 1945 OKLAHOMA CITY AIR MATERIEL AREA TINKER FIELD OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA IN REPLY REFER TO: #3724-I OCAPN/KDS:cp 24 July 1947 MEMORANDUM TO THE SECURITY OFFICER, OCAMA, TINKER FIELD. SUBJECT: BYRON B. SAVAGE, Field Engineer, Radio Corporation of America, Dallas, Texas. RE: Flying Disc. [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: interview memorandum, page 1 — Savage, interviewed 23 July 1947, reports a flat round white disc seen at dusk between 17 and 21 May 1947 over Oklahoma City, passing at 10,000-18,000 feet in 15 to 20 seconds with no trail] 1 [Handwritten: see 116] [PAGE 82] Memo to the Security Officer, OCAMA, Tinker Field, dtd 7/24/47, File 3724-I. [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: interview memorandum, page 2 — Savage heard a brief swishing sound, saw the object recede north, frosty white, and states it was not a meteor; he offers to cooperate with further inquiries] KALMAN D. SIMON C.I. U. S. Army 2 [Handwritten: see 116] [PAGE 83] RESTRICTED 131 Meridian Street Greenfield, Massachusetts July 10, 1947 Commanding Officer Westover Field Chicopee, Massachusetts Dear Sir: [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: letter from a private citizen — reports a small, brilliant, silvery-white round object seen about 11:30 AM on Sunday 22 June, moving fast northwest for 8 to 10 seconds before a cloudbank hid it; he asks that his name not be publicized] Sincerely yours, /s/ Edward L. DeRose Edward L. DeRose A CERTIFIED TRUE COPY: ARCHIE F. ROY Captain, Air Corps [Circled: 3] [Handwritten: Received AFBIR-CO 24 July 47] RESTRICTED [PAGE 84] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) HEADQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2 Intelligence Hamilton Field, California 4AFDA 333.5 ID 17 July 1947 SUBJECT: Investigation of "Flying Discs" TO: Commanding General, Army Air Forces, Washington 25, D. C. ATTENTION: AC of AS-2 1. Attached statements and MOICs forwarded to your office per request TWX from Headquarters Air Defense Command, Mitchel Field, N. Y., dated 10 July 1947. 2. This headquarters is unable to locate Richard Rankin, however, as soon as he is located, statement and MOIC will be forwarded direct to your office. 3. Information copies furnished Headquarters Air Defense Command. DONALD L. SPRINGER Lt. Colonel, GSC AC of S, A-2 4 Incls: 1. MOIC 16 Jul/Brown (dup) 2. MOIC 16 Jul/Brown (dup) 3. MOIC 16 Jul/Brown (dup) 4. MOIC 16 Jul/Brown (dup) Info cc to ADC [Stamp: RECEIVED] [Circled: 4] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) [PAGE 85] Incident 4AF 1208 I 16 July 1947 MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE: [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: CIC interview memorandum, paragraph 1 and agent's notes — on 12 July 1947 the Idaho Daily Statesman aviation editor David N. Johnson vouches for Kenneth Arnold's credibility; agent finds Johnson, an experienced pilot, a reliable witness; sworn statement attached as Exhibit B] 1 Incl: Exhibit "B" FRANK M. BROWN, S/A, CIC 5th AF [Handwritten: Incl #2] [Handwritten: 116] [PAGE 86] COPY. CONFIDENTIAL Statement of David N. Johnson at Boise, Idaho, July 12, 1947 To Whom It May Concern: [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: witness statement, page 1 — Johnson, assigned by his newspaper on 6 July 1947 to search for a flying disc, describes unsuccessful aerial searches over the northwest on 7, 8 and 9 July, the first with Kenneth Arnold aboard] EXHIBIT "B" [Handwritten: 2095] CONFIDENTIAL [PAGE 87] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: witness statement continued, page 2 — Johnson, flying at 14,000 feet near Boise on 9 July, saw a black round object moving erratically, checked with CAA that no balloon had been released, and filmed about 10 seconds on 8 mm] [Handwritten: see 95] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) [PAGE 88] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: witness statement continued, page 3 — Johnson describes the object rolling edge-on, flashing once and vanishing, about coin-sized in apparent size, not an airplane; first radio contact with CAA logged at 12:17] [Handwritten: see 95] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) [PAGE 89] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: witness statement continued, page 4 — Johnson's second search and P-51 searches found nothing; Gowen Field personnel later reported a black object maneuvering erratically near the same clouds around 14:00; he cites 2,800 flying hours] [Handwritten: see 85] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) [PAGE 90] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: witness statement continued, page 5 — Johnson says he was tired after 14.5 flight hours but rejects suggestion or optical illusion, maintains the object was not an aircraft or balloon, and notes the motion picture film was processed at Eastman laboratories] [Handwritten: see 95] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) [PAGE 91] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: continuation of a sworn typed statement by David N. Johnson — he describes photographic film showing no trace of the object, his lingering concern, and states he saw something real; a movement chart is attached.] /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 (struck through) [PAGE 92] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) Chart to which reference is made on page six, statement of David N. Johnson. [Diagram: hand-drawn chart of five numbered positions joined by a dotted path, rising in steps from bottom left, then looping over at top right] [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: caption of the chart by the witness — object appeared black throughout; positions 1-3 show jerky rising motion, position 4 shows it rolling edge-on, then it vanishes at position 5.] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) [PAGE 93] [Page rotated 90 degrees in the scan] Incident 4AF 1208 I 16 July 1947 MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE: 1. On 12 July 1947, Mr. Kenneth Arnold, Box 387, Boise, Idaho, was interviewed in regard to the report by Mr. Arnold that he saw 9 strange objects flying over the Cascade Mountain Range of Washington State on July 25th. Mr. Arnold voluntarily agreed to give the interviewer a written report of exactly what he had seen on the above mentioned date. The written report of Mr. Arnold is attached to this report as Exhibit A. [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: AGENT'S NOTES paragraph — the interviewer describes Arnold as a 32-year-old family man of good standing, believes he truly saw the objects, and finds his estimated distances and speeds plausible against an aeronautical map; his business suffered from the publicity.] FRANK M. BROWN, S/A, CIC 4th AF Incl #1 (stamp, partly illegible) [PAGE 94] Incident 4AF 1208 I [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: three-line continuation of the agent's memo — end of Arnold's remark that he would stay silent about any future sighting because the press has ridiculed him to the point of being regarded as a moron by most of the United States.] 1 Incls Exhibit "A" FRANK M. BROWN, S/A, CIC 4th AF RECEIVED (stamp, partly illegible) [PAGE 95] COPY CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) SOME LIFE DATA ON KENNETH ARNOLD I was born March 29, 1915 in Subeka, Minnesota. My father's name was Edward Erb Arnold; my mother's maiden name was Bertha E. Barden. I was a resident of Minnesota until I was six years old when my family moved to Scobey, Montana, where they homesteaded. My grandfather, Roland C. Arnold also homesteaded in Scobey, Montana, and became quite prominent in political circles along with Burton K. Wheeler, the famous Montana senator. I went to grade school and high school at Minot, North Dakota. I entered scouting at twelve years of age and achieved the rank of Eagle scout before I was fourteen. My former scout executive was H. H. Prescott, now a regional commissioner for the Boy Scouts in Kansas City, Kansas. As a boy, I was interested in athletics and was selected as an all-state end in 1932 and 1933 in the state of North Dakota. I entered the U. S. Olympic trials in fancy diving in 1932; I was a Red Cross Life Saving Examiner during the years of 1932, '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" CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) [PAGE 96] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) established my own fire control supply known as the Great Western Fire Control Supply. I have been working as an independent fire control engineer since, and I handle, distribute, sell and install all types of automatic and manual fire fighting equipment in the rural areas over five western states. My flying experience started as a boy in Minot, North Dakota, where I took my first flying lesson from Earl T. Vance, who was originally from Great Falls, Montana. Due to the high cost at that time, I was unable to continue my flying and did not fly of any great consequence until 1943. I was given my pilot certificate by Ed Leach, a senior CAA inspector of Portland, Oregon, and for the last three years have owned my own airplane covering my entire territory with same and flying from forty to one hundred hours per month since. Due to the fact that I use an airplane entirely in my work, in January of this year I purchased a new Callair airplane, which is an airplane designed for high altitude take-offs and short rough field use. In the type of flying I do, it takes a great deal of practice and judgment to be able to land in most any cow pasture and get out without injuring your airplane; the runways are very limited and the altitude is very high in some of the fields and places I have to go in my work. To date, I have landed in 823 cow pastures in mountain meadows, and in over a thousand hours a flat tire has been my greatest mishap. CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) [PAGE 97] COPY CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) BY KENNETH ARNOLD [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: opening page of Kenneth Arnold's typed account — he says his Cascade Mountains observation is true, then recounts leaving Chehalis, Washington on June 24, 1947 and searching near Mt. Rainier for a missing transport plane at about 9,500 feet.] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) [PAGE 98] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: second page of Kenneth Arnold's typed account — a bright flash draws his attention to a chain of nine aircraft-like objects flying north to south near Mt. Rainier; he times them against the mountain by his instrument-panel clock at about 3 P.M.] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) [PAGE 99] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: third page of Kenneth Arnold's typed account — he describes the objects' chain-like flight path, absence of visible tails, estimated distance of twenty to twenty-five miles, a size comparison with a nearby DC-4, and his growing unease.] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) [PAGE 100] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: fourth page of Kenneth Arnold's typed account — he measures the ridge to estimate the chain at five miles long, times its passage between Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams, rejects reflection or mirage explanations, and heads for Yakima.] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) [PAGE 101] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through, partly faded) [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: fifth page of Kenneth Arnold's typed account — he estimates total observation time at two and a half to three minutes, mentions an enclosed drawing, says the objects flew level without climbing, and cites other observers' reports, including airline crews.] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) [PAGE 102] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through, partly faded) [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: sixth page of Kenneth Arnold's typed account — he lands at Yakima and Pendleton, tells pilot friends who suggest guided missiles, quotes one pilot's view that it was a secret test craft, and notes worldwide phone calls and press disbelief.] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) [PAGE 103] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: final page of Kenneth Arnold's typed account — he says he invited Army and FBI investigation without response, declines to guess what he saw, and gives his pilot license and aircraft certificate numbers.] /s/ Kenneth Arnold Box 587 Boise, Idaho. [Diagram: hand-drawn top view of an object with arrow labeled "traveling this way" and "Top"; side view sketch of a thin object labeled "side view"; "traveling this way"] They seemed longer than wide, their thickness was about 1/20th of their width Mirror Bright [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: two-line closing note by Arnold that the objects appeared to hold a fixed position rather than spin, traveling as drawn.] /s/ Kenneth Arnold CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) [PAGE 104] RESTRICTED (stamp) HEADQUARTERS TACTICAL AIR COMMAND LANGLEY FIELD, VIRGINIA 7 July 1947 (handwritten, partly illegible) Received AFBIR-LO 11 July 47 IN REPLY REFER TO: SUBJECT: Report of Unusual Celestial Phenomena TO: Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2 Headquarters Tactical Air Command Langley Field, Virginia 1. The following report is submitted concerning an unusual occurrence observed by the following AAF Personnel at Maxwell Field, Montgomery, Ala. on the night of 28 June 1947: CAPT. WILSON H. KAYKO, O-33841, Hq, TAC CAPT. JOHN H. CANTRELL, O-255404, Hq, TAC 1ST LT. THEODORE DEWEY, O-2094172, Hq, TAC CAPT. REDMAN, Randolph Field, Texas 2. At approximately 2120 Central time, a light, with a brilliance slightly greater than a star, appeared from the West. It was first noted above the horizon of a clear moon-light night, traveling in an easterly direction at a high rate of speed. There was no audible sound and it was impossible to determine the altitude, except that it appeared to be at great height. It traveled in a zig zag course with frequent bursts of speed, much like a water bug as it spurts and stops across the surface of water. It continued until it was directly overhead and changed course 90° into the south. After traveling in the above manner for approximately five (5) minutes, it turned southwest and was lost in the brilliancy of the moon. at 2145 Central it was no longer possible to observe it. 3. A call was placed to Maxwell Field operations reference this phenomena and inquiry made if any experimental aircraft were scheduled for a flight in the vicinity. The reply was negative. 4. No plausible explanation is offered for the unusual action of this source of light, which acted contrary to any common aerodynamical laws. This report is submitted upon request, in view of the many recent reports reference unusual aerial objects observed throughout the U. S. 5. Two of the above noted observers are rated pilots and the other two are air intelligence officers. All observers were cold sober. (handwritten: Good!) 6. Attached herewith a sketch showing approximate course of light. RESTRICTED (stamp) /s/ Wilson H. Kayko WILSON H. KAYKO Captain, Air Corps (5) (circled) ADDRESS ALL COMMUNICATIONS TO: COMMANDING GENERAL, TACTICAL AIR COMMAND [PAGE 105] RESTRICTED (stamp) [Diagram: hand-drawn sky sketch with compass points N, S, E, W; dashed zig-zag course of light entering from the west, an observer position marked X, a star group near the top with "Polar Star", and the moon near the bottom. Labels: "Course of light", "Observers", "moon", "Polar Star"] RESTRICTED (stamp) [PAGE 106] ADDRESS REPLY TO DIRECTOR, NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY WASHINGTON 20, D. C. AND REFER TO: Code 110 ARMY LIAISON OFFICE NAVY DEPARTMENT NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY WASHINGTON 20, D. C. (handwritten) BIR 8 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) (circled) [PAGE 107] Ltr, ALO, NRL, 18 July 47 to Asst Chief Air Staff-2, Collection Br., AAF, subj: "Interview of Person Reporting Unidentified Aerial Object" 3. This interview was made in the presence of Dr. H. E. Newell, Acting Rocket Sonde Section Head, who said that Mr. Zohn had recently been in the Navy and is familiar with the appearance of the majority of aircraft types and with meteorological balloons. Mr. Zohn also stated that none of the occupants of the car were intoxicated. /s/ William P. Mellen WILLIAM P. MELLEN Major, Air Corps AMC Liaison Officer 2 [PAGE 108] COPY INTERVIEW REPORT SUBJECT: Interviews with Capt. E. J. SMITH and Ralph Stevens, United Air Lines pilots, who reported seeing flying disks. [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: interview of Capt. E. J. Smith, 1500, 9 July 1947, quoted at length — after leaving Boise he and co-pilot Stevens saw groups of disk-like objects near Emmett, Idaho, lasting minutes, and he gives his estimates of size, speed and control.] (8) (circled) [PAGE 109] COPY [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: end of Capt. Smith's quoted statement — clear weather, southwest wind at ten miles per hour, airspeed about 135 mph, sun below the horizon so the objects appeared as silhouettes.] Ralph STEVENS, co-pilot of the plane, was interviewed at 2130, 9 July 1947. [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: Stevens corroborates Smith on flight details, differs on the size of the smaller objects and altitude; his quoted account of first sighting eight minutes after leaving Boise, a second group, and a radio check with Ontario, Oregon.] - 2 - [PAGE 110] COPY [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: remainder of Stevens' quoted account — Ontario weather station saw nothing, he rules out clouds, notes a stewardess independently saw the same things; plus the interviewer's note that Stevens disliked publicity and was more reserved than Smith.] - end - - 3 - [PAGE 111] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through, partly faded) Incident 4AF 1208 I 16 July 1947 MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE: 1. On 12 July 1947, Captain Smith, of the United Airlines, was interviewed at the Boise Municipal Airport, Boise, Idaho. Captain Smith was passing through Boise on a schedule flight at the time and had a 20 minute stop-over. Captain Smith reiterated the statements originally made by him to the press as to what he had seen in the late evening of July 4th, when 8 minutes out of Boise on the route to Seattle, Washington. It is the opinion of the interviewer that due to the position Captain Smith occupies, that he, Captain Smith, would have to be very strongly convinced that he actually saw flying disks before he would open himself for the ridicule attached to a report of this type. FRANK M. BROWN, S/A, CIC 4th AF Incl # 3 (handwritten) [PAGE 112] HEADQUARTERS, ARMY AIR FORCES WASHINGTON IN REPLY REFER TO: 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: [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: sworn quoted statement of Major Browning — on 6 July 1947, flying a B-25 from Ogden, Utah toward Kansas City at 10,000 feet, he saw a bright silvery disc-shaped object, estimated 30-50 feet across, pacing his aircraft before it vanished.] /s/ Archie B. Browning ARCHIE B. BROWNING Major, Air Corps (handwritten) This office is assigned to AC/AS-1, Pentagon, Phone 73852 (handwritten) (See attached diagram) (9) (circled) (handwritten) Received AFBIR-CO 16 July 47 ADDRESS REPLY TO: COMMANDING GENERAL, ARMY AIR FORCES, WASHINGTON 25, D.C. [PAGE 113] [Diagram: faint pencil sketch, rotated, of a twin-engine aircraft at center with two small circles numbered 1 and 2 nearby; compass letters N, S, W and an indication labeled "SUN"] [PAGE 114] [Page rotated 90 degrees in the scan] RESTRICTED (stamp) [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: sworn voluntary statement of Captain James H. Burniston, Fairfield-Suisun Army Air Base, California, taken by Intelligence Office staff — on 6 July he and his wife saw a fast object roll side to side across the sky for about a minute.] /s/ James H. Burniston Captain, Air Corps (10) (circled) (handwritten) Received AFBIR-CO 23 July 47 RESTRICTED (stamp) [PAGE 115] 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 (handwritten) Received AFBIR-CO 11 July 47 SUBJECT: Report on Flying Saucers. TO: Commanding General 32d AAF Base Unit Bolling Field Washington, D. C. 1. Following are statistics regarding reports by four witnesses while in flight in two airplanes. 2. Weather CAVU. Visibility exceptionally good. Scattered altocumulus 6000 feet. 3. First report: time 1145 hours CST. Alt. of observers 800 feet above the ground. Altitude of saucer 4000 feet MSL. Observed period - First sighted over Koshkonong, Wisconsin. Flight was observed from town of Koshkonong to Elkhorn, Wisconsin. This flight covered twenty-five (25) miles in fifteen (15) seconds, which is a speed of six thousand (6000) miles per hour. 4. Second report: Time 1430 hours CST. Altitude of observers thirty-five hundred feet (3500) MSL. Altitude of saucer twenty-five hundred feet (2500). Observation period. Observers at East Troy, Wisconsin, flight observed from Eagle, Wisconsin to Muskego, Wisconsin. This flight covered twenty-two (22) miles in twenty (20) seconds, which is a speed of three thousand nine hundred sixty (3960) miles per hour. 5. Flight maneuvers: First observation-saucer descended vertically edgewise through altocumulus clouds, stopped at four thousand (4000) feet and assumed horizontal position and proceeded in horizontal flight from a horizontal position for fifteen (15) seconds covering twenty-five (25) miles and again stopped and disappeared. Second observation: Observed in horizontal flight in a horizontal attitude for a period of twenty (20) seconds covering twenty-two (22) miles. By the time the pilot had removed his camera from the glove compartment of his plane, the saucer disappeared and again reappeared approximately ten (10) miles farther along its course after six (6) seconds making its final disappearance. 6. The first two observers were an instructor and a student, having just taken off from Elkhorn Airport. The second two observers, one being Cap't. R. J. Southey, Wing Supply Officer and a passenger. /s/ John D. Schindler, Jr. John D. Schindler, Jr. Maj. Air Corps, AAF-CAP Liaison Officer. (11) (12) (circled) (handwritten) 7-311/7 [PAGE 116] WAR DEPARTMENT CLASSIFIED MESSAGE CENTER INCOMING CLASSIFIED MESSAGE (handwritten) Charted on map CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) IVI PRIORITY PARAPHRASE NOT REQUIRED, HANDLE AS CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) CORRESPONDENCE PER PARAS 511 and 60a (4) AR 380-5 From: CG SBAMA San Bernadino Calif To: CG AAF Wash DC attn AC/AS 2, Counter Intelligence Division; CG Sixth Army, Attn: AC/S, G 2; CG Hq AMC thru Sacramento AMA, Calif attn Chief Security Section DTG: 1023592 10 July 1947 Spot report. On 8 July 47 at approximately 1550 PST Alvin E Moorman 1st Lieut ACCNG 196 Ftr Sq, while flying routine test mission in CNG P 51 at 20,000 feet indicated, sighted a flat object of light reflecting nature which appeared to be without vertical fin or any visible wings with apparent depth of a P 51 airplane at approximately 35,000 feet altitude and approximate location of 34 degrees 5 minutes latitude 117 degrees 30 minutes west longitude. Object was in sight for approximately 30 seconds. Object was 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. ACTION: AAF End INFO: ID, P&O, Spec Wp, R&D CM IN 1870 (12 Jul 47) DTG 1023592 ws CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) (handwritten) Received AFBIR-CO 14 July 47 ACTION COPY COPY NO. 13 (13) (circled) AAF DIST ACTION ACB INFO D01 (stamp block) THE MAKING OF AN EXACT COPY OF THIS MESSAGE IS FORBIDDEN [PAGE 117] [Handwritten note on a small slip mounted on a dark page] Maj. Browning - A-1 office's branch (Archie B.) 73852 NW of Topeka (Clay Center - Kansas) Flying @ 10M' @ 90° B-25 @ 200 mph Disc @ 180° a little higher [small sketch of a round object with a tail] When first seen, he thought it was approximately a water tower; - about a mile away it looked like a flying wing except it was flying vertically and almost completely round. No smoke, no fire, but so bright it almost hurt his eye. Then he turned toward it and it disappeared almost immediately. He believes it must have been supersonic because of speed at which it disappeared. His co-pilot was dozing at the time and by the time he was wakened the object had disappeared. Original reaction was to not recognize it, but it came up so fast, then appeared to stop, then disappeared. Landed at Kansas City 1400 hrs central Time. This took place approx 1315 [PAGE 118] CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) FROM: CG ATLD ATC FORT TOTTEN, N.Y. TIME AND DATE FILED: 142323Z 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 APPEARANCE ACCORDING TO KEARSEY FOUR DISCS WERE CLOSE TOGETHER IN ABLE LINE A TRAIL FORMATION MOVING EAST PARALLEL TO GROUND PD SINGLE DISC LESS CLEAR BUT TRAVELING SAME DIRECTION PD KEARSEY WOULD ROUGHLY ESTIMATE ALTITUDE OF DISCS AT THREE ZERO THOUSAND FEET SEMICLN APPARENTLY MOVING VERY FAST AS THEY 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 ESTABLISHED BY INTERVIEWER CMA NONCOM IN CHARGE REPEATER STATION GRAND FALLS CMA THAT CAVU WAS WEATHER AT TIMES INDICATED ATC CM-IN X0044 (14) (circled) (handwritten) Received AFBIR-CO 15 July CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) [PAGE 119] RESTRICTED (stamp) (handwritten) 1E 4/12 [illegible] COPY INCOMING CLASSIFIED MESSAGE FROM: STEPHENVILLE, NEWFOUNDLAND PRIORITY TIME AND DATE FILED: 151915Z JULY 1947 TO: CG HQ ATC WASH 25 DC ATTN AC/S INTELLIGENCE INFO CG ATLD ATC FT TOTTEN LI NY CG NBC FT PEPPERELL APO 862 C/O PM NEW YORK FROM CO 1388TH AAF BU IN REPLY CITE: HFX 0215 FOR INTELLIGENCE PD ONE FLYING DISC, SIGHTED 2000Z 10 JULY 47, OVER HARMON FIELD, NEWFOUNDLAND, AT APPROXIMATELY 10000 FEET, COURSE: NORTH NORTH EAST PD WEATHER: CLEAR WITH SCATTERED CUMULUS AT 8-10000 FEET PD COLOR: SILVERY PD DISC WAS FIRST SIGHTED ABOUT 6 MILES SOUTH SOUTH WEST FROM HARMON FIELD BY MR MERSHMAN, TWA REPRESENTATIVE AND MR WOODRUFF, PAA REPRESENTATIVE PD DISC APPEARED ABOUT THE SAME SPAN AS C-54 AT 10000 FEET, WAS CIRCULAR IN SHAPE LIKE WAGONS WHEEL, DISC SEEMED TO CUT THE CLOUDS OPEN AS IT PASSED THRU AND LEFT A BLUISH BLACK TRAIL APPROXIMATELY FIFTEEN MILES LONG PD TRAIL WAS SIMILAR TO THE BEAM SEEN AFTER A HIGH POWERED LANDING LIGHT OR SEARCH LIGHT IS SWITCHED OFF PD KODACHROME PICTURES WERE TAKEN AND ARE BEING DEVELOPED STATE SIDE PD PHOTOS WILL BE FORWARDED AS SOON AS THEY ARE RECEIVED BY MR WOODRUFF END (handwritten) Maj Kimball 16/7/47 X-0051 (15) (circled) (handwritten) Received AFBIR-CO 16 July 47 RESTRICTED (stamp) [PAGE 120] MESSAGEFORM MESSAGE CENTER NO. CR-1 TRANSMITTING MEANS CRYPTOGRAPH OR CLEAR TEXT CALLS: V PRECEDENCE: PRIORITY DATE-TIME GROUP: 122148Z July 47 GROUP COUNT: 82 FROM: (Originator) FINYN 59th AACS Group Elmendorf Alaska SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) ACTION TO: CONAS ATTN ASST CHIEF STAFF INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION TO: OBJECT RESEMBLING A GRAYISH BALLOON APPROXIMATELY ONE ZERO FEET IN DIAMETER OBSERVED FROM ELMENDORF FIELD FLYING IN NORTHWEST DIRECTION FOLLOWING CONTOUR OF MOUNTAINS FIVE MILES AWAY PD OBJECT FLYING ALTITUDE ONE FIVE ZERO ZERO FEET ESTIMATING ONE ZERO ZERO MILES PER HOUR IT WAS OBSERVED PARALLELING THE COURSE OF CHARLIE DASH FOUR SEVEN LANDING NORTHWEST INTO TWO ZERO MILE PER HOUR WIND PD OBJECT WAS OBSERVED ONE TWO ZERO FOUR THREE ZERO ZEBRA FOR SEVERAL MINUTES BY MAJOR GRAHM THIS HEADQUARTERS SEVERAL OFFICERS FROM ALASKAN DEPARTMENT SUBSTANTIATED HIS STORY PD COPY (16) (circled) (handwritten) Received AFBIR-CO 14 July 47 Paraphrase not required. Handle as CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) correspondence per paragraphs 51i and 60a (4), AR 380-5, 15 August 1946. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) ORIGINATING AGENCY / DATE-TIME GROUP / SIGNATURE / OFFICIAL TITLE / AUTHORIZATION (blank fields) PAGE OF WD AGO FORM 11-168 13 JUN 1945 This form supersedes WD AGO Form 11-168, 23 Aug 44, and WD AGO Form 801, 12 Mar 43, which are obsolete. 16-48601-1 U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE [PAGE 121] MESSAGEFORM MESSAGE CENTER NO. CR 97 TRANSMITTING MEANS ROUTINE CRYPTOGRAPH OR CLEAR TEXT CALLS: V PRECEDENCE: CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) DATE-TIME GROUP: 120047Z July 47 GROUP COUNT: 8R FROM: (Originator) FINYN 59th AACS Group Elmendorf Alaska SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) ACTION TO: CONAS ATTN ASSISTANT CHIEF OF STAFF INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION TO: OBJECT RESEMBLING AN ALUMINUM COLORED BALLOON ABOUT THREE FEET IN DIAMETER WAS REPORTED SEEN AT AN UNDETERMINED ALTITUDE FLYING AT A GREAT SPEED IN A NORTH TO SOUTH DIRECTION PD OBSERVATION WAS MADE IN VICINITY OF ELMENDORF FIELD AT ONE ONE TWO ONE ZERO ZERO ZEBRA BY COLONEL PERRY AND MAJOR GEYSER THIS HEADQUARTERS PD COPY (handwritten) Received AFBIR-CO 14 July 47 (17) (circled) Paraphrase not required. Handle as CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) correspondence per paragraphs 511 and 60a (4), AR 380-5, 15 August 1946. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION: CONFIDENTIAL (struck through) ORIGINATING AGENCY / DATE-TIME GROUP / SIGNATURE / OFFICIAL TITLE / AUTHORIZATION (blank fields) PAGE OF WD AGO FORM 11-168 15 JUN 1945 This form supersedes WD AGO Form 11-168, 23 Aug 44, and WD AGO Form 801, 12 Mar 43, which are obsolete. 16-45801-1 U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE [PAGE 122] [Page scanned upside down; handwritten letter] HOWARD A. PLUMMER 39 E. MAIN ST. FROSTBURG, MARYLAND July 21, 1947 Chief of Army Intelligence Washington 5, D.C. Sir: On Sunday, July 20th, I observed an aircraft in flight that was unlike any I have seen to date and may shed some light on the "Flying Saucer Mystery". I served four years - 1942 to 1946 - with the Army Air Forces as grade of Lieut. Signal Corps assigned to the Third, Fourth and Thirteenth Air Forces respectively. During this time I had the opportunity to observe all types of aircraft and under all types of conditions but I never saw one like this one. At 9:45 A.M. (O.S.T.) Sunday July 20th, I observed an airborne object that appeared to be circular or possibly round, light - almost white in color, with a dark area at or near its center, flying in a North West by West direction on the same route used by Commercial Airliners between Washington, DC and Pittsburg, Pa. The point of observation was approximately 22 miles East of Cumberland, Md. from the North bank of the Potomac River. The sky was about three fourths (3/4) overcast with three cloud layers ranging between 6000 and 10000 feet altitudes. Planes had been passing overhead all morning to which I paid little or no attention, but with the approaching of the craft in question was a soft - [continues on next page] (18) (circled) (handwritten) 109 [PAGE 123] [Page scanned upside down; handwritten letter, second page] 2 sound that grew steadily in volume until it reached the proportions of a loud roar when the craft was over head. This sound was not unlike that of a jet propelled plane except the terrific volume was unusually loud. Due to the over-cast conditions of the sky I was unable to see the aircraft until it had passed over head and going away from me across a clear area where it was clearly visible for a period of about twenty (20) seconds. The aircraft was above the top-most layer of clouds or somewhere in the vicinity of 12000 ft. altitude. At 09:47 A.M. (D.S.T.) an D.C.4 aircraft passed over going in the same direction and on the same course at about 5000 ft altitudes. The peculiar differences are: a - The craft was circular or possibly round in shape. b - It was almost a silver-white in color with a dark area at its center. c - There was no trail of smoke, [illegible] as is usual with the jet. d - Its speed was about 3 to 4 times greater than the above mentioned DC 4. e - Its size, by comparison, would favorably correspond with a baseball held 30 ft from the eye. The only conclusion I have reached on the matter are (handwritten) 110 [PAGE 124] a - This is an entirely new type of air craft or b - It is a high powered jet propelled unit with a paint job designed to hide the tail assembly and wing tips, since neither were in evidence. A check of air craft in this area at the time specified should determine and possibly answer this mystery. If possible, I should like very much to know the answer. /s/ Howard A. Plummer RECEIVED (stamp, partly illegible) (handwritten) 111 [PAGE 125] Package received from Sheriff Merle T. Wilmoth, Watseka, Ill. His letter states the instrument in the package was found by a farmer at Danforth, Ill. It landed in the middle of a section of his farm land and burned weeds 2½ feet tall to fine ash an area of 1½ feet in diam. around where the object dropped. The instrument consists of: (a) Plaster of paris body having an oval cavity thru it. (b) A power microphone which screws over one end of the oval cavity. The power microphone carried the name, "Nathaniel Baldwin Inc." Salt Lake City, Utah. Pat May 10, 1910 & Sept 14, 1916. Pat Nos 957403 (second number not readable) (c) A small "Polymat" filter condenser. (d) Two bakelite cylinders to which is attached a net work of fine copper wire. These were obviously coils and the impact has torn the wire from the core. (Our radio section definitely states that this is old stuff, or the coils were used quite some time ago, since having been replaced by smaller more efficient coils) (e) A piece of metal having magnetic properties obviously broken off the power microphone as a result of the impact. The plaster of paris body was broken up by the impact but some of the pieces were held together by wire reinforcement inside the plaster of paris. Mrs. Whedon 3B 274 Ext 73909 (Sig C) was shown this object by Mr. Zimmer of the FBI. Mrs Whedon claims she knew what it was, but couldn't tell Zimmer. (handwritten) Major [struck] Vatch (handwritten) [illegible] Briggs 7/15/? 3 [PAGE 126] [Scan is a negative image (white text on dark background)] STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT (stamp, partly illegible) DEPT. OF COMMERCE WEATHER BUREAU 1947 JUL 22 AM 11 44 TO: Mr. Moxom, Regional Office No. 1, N.Y. DATE: 7/15/47 FROM: Mr. Wright, WBAS, Richmond, Va. (handwritten) 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, /s/ George A. Wright R.D. / EXEC. ASS'T. / PERS. / OPERATIONS / TECH. ASS'T. / ADM. ASS'T. / HYDRO / FISCAL / MATERIEL / SECRETARY / FILE (routing grid, ACTION and INFO columns blank)