UFO'S: A NEW LOOKMajor Donald E. Keyhoe

UFOs:ANEWLOOKPublishedby

TheNationalInvestigationsCommitteeonAerialPhenomena(NICAP)®1536ConnecticutAvenue,N.W.,Washington,D.C.20036

Editors:Maj.DonaldE.Keyhoe,USMC(Ret.)andGordonI.R.Lore,Jr.

Researchersandwriters:RichardHall.TedBloecher.andIsabelDavis__________________________________________________________________________

TABLEOFCONTENTSSectionI-TheUFORevolutionSectionII-Extraterrestrials-SuggestedMotives&OriginsSectionIII-VehiclePacings&EncountersSectionIV-Close-RangeSightings,StructuralDetailsSectionV-ScientificSupport,CongressionalHearingsSectionVI-Landings,PhysicalTracesSectionVII-AreThereUFOOccupantsSectionVIII-TheColoradoProject

APPENDIXAppendixA-CaseHistoriesAnalyzedbyDr.JamesE.McDonaldAppendixB-NewspaperEditorialsAppendixC-CongressionalStatementsAppendixD-witnessSketches__________________________________________________

Copyright1969bytheNationalInvestigationsCommitteeonAerialPhenomena,(NICAP)1536ConnecticutAvenue,N.W.,Washington,D.C.20036.Allrightsreserved(R)Trademarkregistered

"UFOs:ANewLook"wasproducedin1969byNICAP,andreproducedherebyFrancisRidge&JeanWaskiewiczfortheNICAPwebsite(2003).

JOINTSTATEMENTBYSCIENTISTS

Oneofthemostsignificantdevelopmentssince1964hasbeentheincreasingconcernovertheUFOproblemdemonstratedbyprofessionalscientistsandengineers.Thegrowinginvolvementofscientistsinsistingonacarefulreviewoftheevidencedecreasesthelikelihoodthattheproblemcouldorwouldbeburiedorglossedoverinthefuturebeforeaproperevaluationismade.

Moreandmorescientistshavebeenwillingtogoonrecord

criticizingcurrentprogramsandurgingamorethoroughscientificstudy.Theirstatementshaveappearedinscientificjournals;inaspecialsymposiumbytheHouseScience&AstronauticsCommittee,July29,1968(SeeSectionV);andinrecentdeliberationsbyaspecialcommitteeoftheAmericanInstituteofAeronauticsandAstronautics(AIAA)whichisweighingthedesirabilityofpromotingaworld-widecooperativeinvestigation(SeeN.Y.Times,10-16-68).

InrecentyearsDr.JamesE.McDonald,UniversityofArizonaatmosphericphysicist,hasconductedanintensivepersonalinvestigationandhascalledseriousattentiontotheproblem.ConcludingthatUFOsdeservehighpriorityscientificattention,Dr.McDonaldhaslecturedtoimportantscientificinstitutionsacrossthecountryurgingprofessionalscientiststoexamineUFOreportsmorecarefully.

WidesupportforfullscientificinvestigationofUFOsisindicatedbythefollowingjointstatementobtainedbyNICAPOriginalsignaturesonfileatNICAP).

"We,theundersigned,urgeanappropriatecommitteeoftheCongresstoinitiateaninvestigationoftheproblemofunidentifiedflyingobjects(UFOs).

"Continuingreportsfromreputablepersonsandcompetentwitnessesindicatethatrealphenomenaofpotentiallygreatsignificancearetakingplaceinouratmosphere,andthatafullysup-portedscientificinvestigationoughttobemade.

"TheobjectivityandaccuracyoftheAirForceinvestigationhasbeencastintodoubtbyitscontradictorybehaviorandissuanceofmisleadingstatisticswhichimplythatnothingunusualisbeingobserved.

"Asscientistsandengineers,wepledgeoursupporttoanyscientificprogramdesignedtostudyUFOsinathoroughmanner,andtoresolvethecontroversyabouttheirnature."

(Titlesandplacesofemploymentarelistedforidentificationpur-posesonly,anddonotimplytheendorsementoftheagencies).

JohnA.Ackerman,StaffScientist,AeroServiceCorp.,Hunting-tonValley,Pa.(M.A.,Physics)

Dr.RichardH.Albert,Ass't.Supervisor,MobilR&DCorp.,Princeton,N.J.(Chemistry)

Dr.TheodoreR.Anderson,ProfessorofSociology,IowaUrbanCommunityResearchCenter,UniversityofIowa.

Dr.AllenAnsevin,AssistantPhysicist,M.D.AndersonHospital,Houston,Texas(Biophysics).

Dr.KrystynaD.Ansevin,Ass't.ProfessorofBiology,RiceUniversity,Houston,Texas.

Dr.RalphBaker,ProfessorofPlantPhysiology,ColoradoStabUniversityage)

Dr.RichardG.Beidleman,ProfessorofZoology,ColoradoCollege.

Dr.DuaneA.Dahlberg*,Ass't.ProfessorofPhysics,ConcordiaCollege,Minn.

RichardE.Davis,Physicist,NASALangleyResearchCenter,Hampton,Va.(M.S.,Physics)

JohnM.Edmunowicz,ResearchFellowinBiochemistry,UniversityofDelaware.

StantonT.Friedman,WestinghouseAstronuclearLab.,Pittsburgh,Pa.(M.Sc.,Physics)

Dr.RobertA.Granger*,AssociateProfessorofEngineering,U.S.NavalAcademy.

Dr.JohnP.Guarino,SeniorResearchChemist,MobilR&DCorp.Princeton,N.J.

Dr.RobertL.Hall,Chairman,Dept.ofSociology&SocialPsychologyUniversityofIllinois,Chicago,Ill.

Dr.JamesA.Harder,AssociateProfessorofCivilEngineering,UniversityofCalifornia,Berkeley.

Dr.W.M.Hearon,ManagementConsultant,Portland,Oregon(PhD,Chemistry)

DonaldL.Hoyt,SeniorResearchPhysicist,TexacoR&D,Houston,Texas

AlbertJenny,2nd,ResearchAnthropologist,CentralAtlanticRegionalEducationalLaboratory,Wash.,(M.A.Linguistics)

LeonB.Katchen,Physicist,NASAGoddardSpaceFlightCenter(M.S.,Physics)

Dr.DavidH.Kelley,AssociateProfessorofArcheologyUniversityofCalgary,Alta,Canada

N.N.Kohanowski,AssociateProfessorofMiningGeologyUniversityofNorthDakota

Dr.WilliamA.Kreutzer,ProfessorofBotanyandPlantPathologyColoradoStateUniversity

EverettA.Laas,MechanicalEngineer,Pres.,ImagineeringUn-limited,Houston,Texas

CarlE.Ludlow,StructuralEngineer,Houston,Texas

Dr.MichaelA.Lutz,ResearchPhysicist,HughesResearchLabs,Malibu,Calif.

Dr.VladimirMarkotic,Ass't.ProfessorofArcheologyUniversityofCalgary,Alta,Canada

Dr.MagorohMaruyama,ConsultantinAnthropology&SocialPsychology,Berkeley,Calif.

ClarkC.McClelland,AerospaceEngineer,NASAKennedySpaceCenter,Fla.

Dr.JamesE.McDonald,AtmosphericPhysicist,InstituteofAtmosphericPhysics,UniversityofArizonaTucson.

LeoMichaels,Chemist,ColumbiaUniversity'sLamontGeo-logicalObservatory,Palisades,NewYork(M.S.Chemistry)

Dr.FranklinMiller,Jr.,Chairman,Dept.ofPhysics,KenyonCollege,Gambier,Ohio

Dr.DavidNeiswender,ResearchAssociate,MobilR&DCorp.,Princeton,NewJersey

Dr.RichardW.Price,Ass't.ProfessorofSpaceBiology,ColoradoStateUniversity

Dr.DouglasR.Price-Williams,Chairman,Dept.ofPsychology,RiceUniversity,Houston,Texas

WylieRobinson,CommunicationsEngineer,NASAKennedySpaceCenter,Florida

Dr.CleonW.Ross,Ass't.ProfessorofBotany,ColoradoStateUniversity

Dr.FrankB.Salisbury,ProfessorofPlantPhysiology,UniversityofWyoming

Dr.RobertL.Shelley,ProfessorofChemistry,BallStateUniversity,Muncie,Indiana

WilliamE.Smith,ResearchChemicalEngineer,MobilR&DCorp.,Princeton,NewJersey(M.S.,ChemicalEngineering)

Dr.FrankE.South,ProfessorofPhysiology,ColoradoStateUniversity

Dr.EugeneT.Spain,Chairman,Dept.ofMathematics,Mary-woodCollege,Scranton,Pa.

Dr.R.LeoSprinkle,Ass't.ProfessorofPsychology,UniversityofWyoming

CharlesE.Syverson,SupervisingFireWeatherMeteorologistU.S.WeatherBureau,Boise,Idaho(M.S.Meteorology)

Dr.SolTax,ProfessorofAnthropology,UniversityofChicago

Dr.RichardS.Turse,SeniorResearchChemist,Colgate-PalmoliveCompany,NewJerseyWellsAlanWebb,ResearchChemist,ConsultantinAerospaceIndustry,Berkeley,Calif.(M.S.,Chemistry)

Dr.RogerW.Wescott,LecturerinAnthropology,WilsonCollege,Chambersburg,Pa.

Dr.RobertH.Williams,SeniorResearchChemist,MobilR&DCorp.,Princeton,NewJersey

Dr.JohnJ.Wine,Ass't.ProfessorofPsychologyUniversityofWaterloo,Ontario(U.S.Citizen)

(*Declinesparagraph3)________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

Acknowledgment:TheSaturdayEveningPost"swampgas"cartoonwasreprintedbyarrangementwithArtistVahanShirvanian.

NICAPHomePage

1SECTIONI

THEUFOREVOLUTION

During1968,agenuine"UFORevolution,"involvingscientists,Congress,thepressandthepublic,rapidlybuiltupagainsttheAirForce'salreadyshakydenial-and-ridiculepolicy.Asthestrugglecontinuesinto1969,theofficialdebunkersarefacingthehardestbattleintheir20-yearUFOoperation-especiallywiththeAirForce-financedColoradoProjectalreadycalleda"fiasco,"apparentlybiasedfromthestart.Thespecialstudy,headedbyDr.E.U.CondonoftheUniversityofColorado,initiallywaspromisedtobeaserious,scientific,andimpartialinvestigation,butitdeterioratedintoabitterdisputeevenbeforethefinalreportwascompleted.(SeeSectionVIII).Significantly,themosteffectiveoppositiontotheAirForcedebunkingcomesfromprofessionalscientistswho-afterlongskepticism-havecarefullyweighedsolidevidencefromotherscientists,aerospaceengineers,veteranpilotsandsimilarlyqualifiedobservers.

Before,mostscientiststendedtodiscountUFOreportswithoutmakinganyinvestigations,unawareofthehard-corereportsdescribingunknownstructuredobjectsmaneuveringprecisely,apparentlyunderintelligentcontrol.Nowasteadilyincreasingnumberofprofessionalscientists,engineers,militaryandairlinepilots,andcompetentanalystsareconvinced:(1)ThatnosufficientlyeffectivescientificinvestigationofUFOshasbeenaccomplishedtodate,and(2)thatawell-supported,impartial,andlarge-scalescientificinvestigationissorelyneeded,asindicatedbytheprecedingjointstatement.

CongressionalHearings

The"revolution"in1968resultedinserious,factualhearingsheldonJuly29bytheHouseScienceandAstronauticsCommittee.Here,forthefirsttime,agroupofdistinguishedscientistsvoicedpositiveviewsandintroducedfactual,verifiedreports.TheserioustreatmentofthesubjectbytheCommitteeandtheparticipatingscientists,andsomeofthelegislators'avowedintentiontosecuremoreextensivehearings,maycausethistobethemostimportantdevelopmentinyears.

Becauseofofficialrestrictionsonpilotsandothermembersofthearmedforces,therehasbeenanotablegapinUFOreportsfromthesesources.Also,alargenumberofotherwitnessesstillwithholdtheirreportsbecausetheyfearridicule.Thesetwofactorscausedadecreaseinpublicizedreportsin1968.

However,thedecreasewasfarlessthanitappeared.Hundredsofsightingscoveredbylocalnewspaperswerenevernationallyknown.ThisfactissupportedbytheenormousnumberofnewsclippingsrecentlysenttoNICAPheadquartersbyMrs.JuneLarsonoftheWashingtonStateSubcommittee.

Foratleastfiveyears,Mr.andMrs.Larsonpersonallysubscribedtoanews-clippingserviceprovidingwidecoverageofUFOreportsalloverNorthAmerica,andelsewhere.NICAPhadtodiscontinueitsclippingserviceyearsagobecauseofthehighcost.TheLarsons'clipshavefilledinthisgap.For1968alone,theyhaveprovidedNICAPwithhundredsoflocal-level,generallyunknownsightingreports.

Ingeneral,UFOreportsdescribedpacingsandcloseapproachestoplanes,boats,cars,trains,andsometimespedestriansinoutlyingareas.Thereisincreasingevidencesuggestingsurveillancebyintelligentlycontrolled"machine-like"objects;andsomereportsgivenewanddetailedinformationaboutUFOs'appearanceandactions.

During1967and1968,U.S.andforeignreportsofUFOshavebeenmadebyairline,commercialandprivatepilots,aerospacescientistsandengineers,astronomers,andmanyothercompetentpersons.Includedareaerialsightings-someatcloserange-bypilots,aircrewsandsomeofthepassengersonU.S.,British,Canadian,Portuguese,Chilean,andotherair-transportlines.

One1968aerialsightingwasreportedbyHenryFordIIandthepilotofFord'sexecutive-typejetliner.InanotetoNICAP,Mr.Fordsaidthathehadauthorizedtheseniorpilottosendinareport.Thepilotaskedthathisnamebekeptconfidential;otherwiseallthedetailswereprovided.

TheUFOsightingoccurredat12:10CST,April16,1968.TheFordCompany'sLockheedJetStar,N-326K,enroutefromSanAntoniotoDetroit,wasflyingat35,000feet,onJetAirway21.AsitwaspassingoverAustin,Texas,theco-pilotspottedaround,silveryobjectthroughtheoverheadwindowonhisside.Bothpilotsthoughtatfirstitwasalargeweatherballoon,about45,000feetabovethem.

"ItlookedliketwicethesizeofaDC-8jetairliner...ourguesswouldbe500-600feetindiameter,"thepilottoldNICAP.

Afterfiveorsixminutes,thepilotsweresurprisedtonotethattheobjectwasstillinthesameposition,asviewedthroughtheoverheadwindow.Sincethejetwascruisingat535knotsgroundspeed,thismeanttheobjectwasevidentlymovingatthesamespeed,onthesamecourse.

"Iamawareofopticalillusionswhichcantrickthehumaneye,"thepilotsaidinhisreporttoNICAP."Butthisonewasstudiedascloseaswecoulddotoverifythatitwastravelingwithus...Therewerenoprotrusionswhichwecouldsee,orwindows...Allourpassengerssawitbutcouldnotidentifytheobject.

"AtthepresenttimeIstillamnotsurewhatweactuallysaw.Theonlybafflingthingwasitsspeedandtheabilitytostaywithus."

Inthemainreport,thepilotsaidtheywatchedtheUFOabouttwelveminutes,

whenitappearedtoslowupanddriftbehindthejet.Inabriefattachment,thepilotreferredtoMr.Ford'spublishedstatementthattheUFOstayedwiththemforaboutanhour.HeexplainedthattheUFOhad"slidoutofourviewinfront.Iwassurprisedthatitmaintainedapositionbehindus."

Inhispublicstatement,asreportedbytheDetroitNews,Mr.Fordstated:

"Wesawsomethingroundandwhite...Idon'tknowwhatitwasbutitdefinitelywasn'taplane."TheNewsstorysaidMr.FordinstructedthepilottocontacttheAirForcetosendupaninterceptor,but"hedidn'twanttobecausehewasafraidtheywouldthinkhewasakook."

InSectionsIII,IV&VItherearenumerousdetailedreports,someillustratedwithobservers'sketches,whichprovidenewevidenceofelectro-magneticinterference,physicaltraces,andapparentlynewtypesofUFOs.Followingare"briefs"ofseveralofthesereports,anumberofwhicharedetailedinothersections.

InOctober,1967,aCanadiantrainwaspacedfor30milesbyadomed,lightedUFO-sometimessocloselythatthetrainmenclearlyobservedstructuraldetails.(SeeSectionIII.)

Thatsamemonth,onthe14th,nearMendota,California,ascientistnamedLewisHollandersightedaglowingUFOclosetotheground.Whenfirstseen,itwashovering,thenitbegantoascendatincreasingspeed.Beforeitdisappeared,atahighaltitude,thescientistnotedawhiteglow"definitelyanionizationcolor"trailingbehindtheUFO.TheobjectwasalsoseenbyMrs.Hollander.(Hollanderisasolid-statephysicist,hasworkedforLockheed,AmericanStandard,theNavyRadiationDefenseLaboratory.Henowhashisownlaboratory.)

OnAugust25,1967,aWWIINavyveteran,hiswife,andtheirtwochildrensawabrightly-lit,structuredobject15mileseastofRoswell,NewMexico.SeenatdawnwhiledrivingtotheirhomeinTexas,theobjectwasdescribedasshapedroughly

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likeawatermelon,withbrightredandwhiterunninglights.ThewitnesseswereinterviewedbyaNICAPSubcommittee.

InFebruary,1968,anEasternAirlinesferryplanereportedtakingevasiveactionafterspottingared-flashingUFOat18,000feetoverFlorida.(SeeSectionIII.)Onthe19thofthesamemonth,aBengough,Saskatchewan,housewifewasfrightenedasaclearlystructured,domed-discmaneuveredoutsideherfarmhouse,frighteningthecattle,performingapparentsurveillanceoftheimmediatevicinity.(SeeSectionIV.)

Inthepastfouryears,boththepressandthepublichavebecomeincreasinglyskepticalofofficialdenials.AneditorialindicativeofthiscredibilitygaponUFOswasprintedintheFortWorthStar-Telegram(8/4/65):

"Theycanstopkiddingusnowabouttherebeingnosuchthingsas`flyingsaucers'...Toomanypeopleofobviouslysoundmindsawandreportedthemindependentlyfromtoomanyseparatelocalities.Theirdescriptionsofwhattheysawweretoosimilartooneanother,andtoounlikeanyfamiliarobject...Theymaynotbespacevehiclesoperatedbycreaturesfromanotherplanet.Buttheyaresomethingwe'renotaccustomedtoseeinginthesky.Andit'sgoingtotakemorethanastatisticalreportonhowmanyreported`saucers'haveturnedouttobejetsandweatherballoonstoconvinceusotherwise."

AttheJuly29,1968HouseUFOhearings,sixprominentscientistsgavefullstatements,withfiveendorsingtheneedforanall-out,well-financedscientificinvestigationofUFOs.

OneofthescientistswasDr.J.AllenHynek,astronomeratNorthwesternUniversity.Forover20yearsDr.HynekhasbeenchiefscientificconsultanttotheAirForceonUFOs.Hestronglyurgedamorevigorousinvestigation,admittingthatcontinuedreportsfromcrediblewitnesseshadcausedhimtoalterhisformerlyskepticalattitude.

Fourotherpanelists,Dr.JamesE.McDonald(atmosphericphysicist),Dr.RobertL.Hall(socialpsychologist),Dr.JamesHarder(professorofengineering)andDr.RobertM.L.Baker,Jr.(professorofengineering)alsoexpressedagreementwiththeneedforapositive,well-fundedscientificstudyofUFOsassoonaspossible.

Dr.McDonaldcitedcasehistoriesasameansofshowingthatmanyscientistswereunawareofthetruenatureoftheproblem.

"Myownstudyoftheproblem,"hesaid,"convincedmethatwemustrapidlyescalateseriousscientificattentiontothisextraordinarilyintriguingpuzzle."

Dr.Hallruledoutpsychologicalexplanationsasapanacea."Theweightof

evidence,"hesaid,"suggestsstronglythattheremustbesomekindofphysicalphenomenonwhichunderliesaportionofthereports...Thewholematterneedstobetreatedassomethingdeservingseriousstudy."

Dr.Baker,anexpertoninstrumentation,underminedanotherpopularskepticalargumentthatUFOsshouldhavebeendetectedwidelybytrackinginstrumentsiftheyarereal.Mostsuchsystemsautomaticallyscreenoutallexceptwhatthesystemisdesignedtolookfor,hesaid.Also,anomalous(unidentified)targetshavebeenpickedupattimes,buttheyhavebeenignored.ReferringtotheviewsofMenzel(atmosphericoptics),Klass(plasma/balllightning)andRobey(icemeteorites),Dr.Bakersaid,"FromthephotographicdatathatIhavepersonallyanalyzed,Iamconvincedthatnoneoftheseexplanationsisvalid."

Dr.HarderstatedthatalongexaminationoftheevidencehadconvincedhimofUFOreality.Headded:"IntheUFOphenomenawehavedemonstrationsofscientificsecretswedonotknowourselves.Itwouldbeamistake,itseemstome,toignoretheirexistence."

Dr.CarlSagan,associateprofessorofastronomyatCornellUniversity,wastheleastpositiveaboutanextraterrestrialhypothesisforUFOs,butheagreedthatitwasanopenquestion.Inregardtointerstellartravel,hestated:"Thereisnothinginphysicsthatprohibitsinterstellarflight."

Followingsuggestionsbynumerousseriouslyinterestedscientists,NICAPhastakenstepstomobilizescientificandspecializedtalenttoescalateitsinvestigationofUFOs.AstarthasbeenmadeonaNationalMedicalPanelofdoctorstoprovidemedicalexaminationofUFOwitnessesclaimingphysiologicaleffects;latertoadviseonwitness-screeningtechniques.Thepanelincludespsychologistsandhypnotists.AnationalnetworkofengineersandphysicistsisbeingorganizedtosuggestimprovedmethodsforinvestigationofE-M(electromagnetic)interferencereports,andpossibleinstrumentationplans.ThenewlyorganizedCapitalAreaNICAPSubcommitteeincludesanastronomer,apsychologist,andotherscientistsandengineers.BecauseoftheirnearnesstoNICAPheadquarters,theywillalsoserveasspecialHeadquartersadvisers.

SubjectstobestudiedincludereportsofUFOradiation;questionsofpossiblecommunication;E-M"outage"reports;andasearchforoverlookedcluesisbeingplanned,withattentiontopossiblepatternsorcycles.

AsanewapproachtotheproblemofUFO"occupant"claims,NICAPhasorganizedapanelofscientiststoevaluatesuchreports.(SeeSectionVII)Thepanelhasbeenaskedtogivethesereportsanobjectiveexamination.Evenifthemorebizarrestoriesarerejected,theirevaluationwillbehelpfulinsettingupimprovedmethodsofinvestigation.

ThisspecialNICAPpublicationisbeingpublishedatthetimewhenthefinalreportoftheColoradoUFOProjectisimminent.IftheColoradoreportdoesnot

cometogripswiththesightingsdescribedinthispublication,andhundredsofotherslikethem,itwillhavenobasisforclaimingtobethefinalauthority.Fortoomanyyearsalready,skepticsandgovernmentofficialshaveharpedontheallegedhighpercentageofexplainedcases,whichisirrelevanttotheissue.Itisnowclearlyestablishedthatnoscientificexpertisehasgoneintosuch"explanations,"manyofwhicharedemonstrablynothingmoresatisfactorythanskepticallyinspiredguesswork.Ontheotherhand,persistentreportsof"machine-like"objectscomingfromcredibleobserverscannotbeexplained-away.

In1964,NICAPpublisheda200,000worddocumentaryreport,TheUFOEvidence,whichwasinfluentialindrawingseriousattentiontotheUFOproblem.(CopiesarestillavailablefromNICAPat$5U.S.rate).Acompanionvolumeisnowinpreparation,tocovertheperiodsince1964.

TABLEOFCONTENTSSectionI-TheUFORevolutionSectionII-Extraterrestrials-SuggestedMotives&OriginsSectionIII-VehiclePacings&EncountersSectionIV-Close-RangeSightings,StructuralDetailsSectionV-ScientificSupport,CongressionalHearingsSectionVI-Landings,PhysicalTracesSectionVII-AreThereUFOOccupantsSectionVIII-TheColoradoProject

APPENDIXAppendixA-CaseHistoriesAnalyzedbyDr.JamesE.McDonaldAppendixB-NewspaperEditorialsAppendixC-CongressionalStatementsAppendixD-witnessSketches

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SECTIONII

EXTRATERRESTRIALS-SUGGESTEDMOTIVESANDORIGIN

IfUFOsareintelligently-controlled,superiorspacedevicesfrommoreadvancedworlds-whyaretheyhere?

OfallthelongstandingriddlesaboutUFOs,thisisthemoretantalizingandthehardesttoanswer.Tobeginwith,wemusttrytosolveitwithonlyourknowledgeofhumanmotivestogoby,whichisatbestfragmentaryandinexact;allourstudiesofphilosophy,psychology,andpsychiatryhavedonelittletoilluminatetheshadowyareaofthemindwheremotiveistranslatedintobehavior.Andifwearesoignorantofwhatmakesourfellowhumanbeingsactastheydo,howcanwehopetounderstand,orevenguessat,themotivesofcreatureswhosementalandemotionalprocessesarecompletelyalien?

Anothermajordifficultyarisesbecausewecannotbegintodiscussmotiveswithoutmaking,consciouslyornot,assumptionsthatmaybeentirelywrong.Canweassume,forexample,thatallUFOsarehereforthesamepurpose?Canweassumethattheirpurposehasalwaysbeenthesameonalloftheirvisits?CanweevenassumethatanyoneUFOhasonlyasinglepurpose,notamixtureofmotivesasisusuallytrueinhumanbehavior?Wecannotbesure-butifwedonotdelimittheprobleminsomesuchway,itscomplexityismanytimesmultiplied.

Again,theanswerto"Whyaretheyhere?"dependscloselyontheanswerstonumerousotherquestions,equallyunsettled.Itisoftentakenforgranted,forexample,thatextraterrestrialsarecomingtoearthforseriousreasons:exploring,mapping,scientificresearchconcerningtheplanetanditsinhabitants.Butuntilweknow(1)whattheoccupantsofUFOsarelike,(2)whatpropulsionsystemstheirvehiclesuse,and(3)wheretheycomefrom,wecannotbesurethattheirmotivesarenecessarily"serious"atall.Iftheirlifespansarenotmuchlongerthanours,orifthepropulsivepowerattheircommandisnotmuchbetterthanwhatweareusing,oriftheymustindeedcrossimmenseinterstellargulfstogethere,thenitisreasonabletosupposethattheirpurposesincomingmustbesufficientlymomentoustowarranttheexpenditureofsomuchtime,energy,andeffort.

If,ontheotherhand,theylivefarlongerthanwedo,sothatfiftyyearsspenttravelingfromonestartoanotherseemstothemmerelyaweek-endexcursion;oriftheyhaveunlimitedcheappowerfortravel;andespeciallyiftheylivenearertousthanwenowthinkpossible(thisideaissuggestedbyrecentastronomicaltheoriesthatinvisible"dark"starsandtheirplanetsmayfaroutnumberthestarsthatwecansee)-ifanyoralloftheseconditionsobtain,thentripstoearthwouldbemuchlesscostlyanddifficult,andvisitorsmight

comehereforlessmomentousreasons.

ThuswecandiscussthepossiblemotivesofUFOsonlybyover-simplifyingtheentireproblem,perhapstothepointofcompleteunreality;wemaybeimaginingnonexistentsituations,andourspeculationsmaybewideofthemarkbyhalfagalaxy.

TheScientists'Comment

Whathavescientistssaidaboutthiscomplexquestion?Dr.HermanOberth,theGermanrocketexpert,hasexpressedhisconvictionthatUFOscomefrombeyondoursolarsystem,andthattheoccupantsareengagedinsystematiclong-rangescientificinvestigation.Herejectstheideathattheyareinvaders.Hedoesnotbelievethattheyhavecommunicatedwithus,perhapsbecausewehavenotrecognizedtheirsignals.

However,becausesofewscientistsopenlyacknowledgethearrivalofextraterrestrialvisitors,directstatementsaboutmotiveshavebeenrareduringthelast20years-eventhoughthesameperiodhasseenanear-revolutioninscientists'opinionsabouttheexistenceofintelligentlifeelsewhereintheuniverse.Aremarkableseriesofdevelopments-newastronomicaltheories,laboratoryexperiments,advancedinstrumentation,evenobservationaldata-haveledscientiststoexpresstheopinion,almostunanimously,thatintelligentlifeiscommonthroughouttheuniverse,andthatmuchofthislifemusthavereachedfarhigherlevelsofscientificachievementthanhavebeenattainedonearth;forexample,the"shellcivilizations"envisagedbyDr.FreemanJ.DysonofPrincetonUniversity'sInstituteforAdvancedStudy.(Hissuggestion,itshouldbeadded,hasnothingtodowithseashells;hepostulatesthatanintelligentracemightcreateanartificialbiosphere,orspherical"shell,"completelysurroundingitsparentstar.)

Thesepremisesaresowidelyacceptedthatoneisnowstartledtoreadthecontraryview,formerlythestandardone,expressedasitwasin1966bySirJohnEccles,Britishbrainphysiologist:"Earthistheonlyplacewhereintelligentlifeexists;thisputsourplanetontopofeverythingintheuniverse."Fewscientistswouldsubscribetothatstatementtoday,althoughthereisstillgreatdisagreementamongthemaboutthedegreetowhichintelligentextraterrestrialswouldresemblemankind.

Theexplosivedevelopmentofradioastronomyhashadaparticularlyfar-reachinginfluenceonscientificthinkingonthistopic.Forthefirsttimeinhumanhistory,sofarasweknow,wehavethemeanstoidentifyandparticipateininterstellarconversation.Communicationwithextraterrestrialsisconsideredarealpossibilityintheforeseeablefuture,andtheproblemsitwillcreatearebeingdiscussedbyastronomers,chemists,biologists,exobiologists,ethnologists,anthropologists,sociologists,lawyers,cryptographers,andlinguists.

Despitetheseboldandimaginativeideas,however,anddespite20yearsofUFO

reports,mostscientistsprefertospeculateaboutwhyearthhasnothadvisitsormessagesfromsuperlativelyintelligentbeings.Oneexplanationisthatearthistoounimportant,bythestandardsofasuper-civilization,toattracttheirattention;ourplanethasnothingnewanddifferenttointerestthem.Anotheristhattheadvancedraceswhoshouldbecallingonusmayhaveblownthemselvesup;another,thatatsomestageofitsdevelopmentahigh-levelculturemayloseinterestinspacetravel.Dr.OttoStruveoftheUniversityofCaliforniasuggeststhattheremaybealimittothedegreeofintelligencethatcanbedevelopedanywhereintheuniverse,andthatlimitmaymakeitimpossibleforanyracetobridgethedistancesinvolvedingalactictravel.(Butisitnotsomewhatprematuretosuggestthatnoracehaseverdonewhatwecannotdonow?)

Scientistshavealsobeenwillingtospeculateaboutpastvisitsbyextraterrestrials.Dr.ThomasGoldofCornellhassuggestedthatlifeitselfmayhaveoriginatedonearthasaresultofsuchavisit,billionsofyearsagowhenourplanetwasaprimitivebarrenwaste.Thevisitorscame,explored,anddeparted,butleftbehindthem"rubbish"-primordialgarbagecontainingmicroorganismsthatgrew,multiplied,evolved,andultimatelyproducedthespecieswhosebeercansandcokebottlesnowstrewtheglobe.

Whoweretheseuntidytravelers,theseearlylitterbugswhosebehaviorwesofaithfullyimitateandtowhomweshouldperhapsbegratefulforourexistence?Perhapstheywereexplorers,asDr.Goldsuggests;perhapstheyweremap-makers,orstudents,orcastaways,orexiles,ormerelypersonswithanoddtasteinpicnicgrounds.Iftheydidexist,theyleftnohintofthereasonsfortheirpresence.

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Morerecentvisitstoearthmayhavetakenplace,accordingtoM.M.Agresti,Sovietethnologist,andmayberecorded,inadistortedform,insomeofmankind'smanymythsandlegends.Theideahasbeendevelopedatconsiderablelengthinthebook,IntelligentLifeintheUniverse,writtenbyDr.CarlSaganofHarvardUniversityandDr.I.S.ShklovskiioftheSovietAcademyofSciences.Dr.Saganpostulatesagalaxy-wideorganizationthatmakesperiodicvisitstoplanetssuitableforlife,atdecreasingintervalsoftimeaslifeandintelligencedevelops.HeexaminestheancientSumerianmythabout"Oannes"andothersuperiorbeingswhoatintervalsintheearlyhistoryoftheworldhademergedfromtheseatoinstructmenintheusefulartsandsciences.Thestorymay,hethinks,recordvisitsfromextraterrestrials(theamphibiousnatureofthevisitorsdoesnotseemtotroublehim),andhehopesthatsimilarlegendsmaybestudiedfortheirpossiblerelevancetohistheory.

ThefactthatDr.Sagandevotessuchcarefulattentiontoamythsixthousandyearsold,whiledisregardingcontemporaryUFOreports,isaparticularlyinterestingexampleofthecompartmentalizationthatcanbeobservedinthescientificmind.Healsoaddstohischapteronmyths:"Ifinterstellarspaceflight

byadvancedtechnicalcivilizationsiscommonplace,wemayexpectanemissaryperhapsinthenextseveralthousandyears."WhatdidLewisCarroll'sRedQueensaytoAlice?"Jamyesterdayandjamtomorrow,butneverjamtoday."

SatelliteMonitors

Dr.RonaldBracewell,oftheRadioAstronomyInstituteofStanfordUniversity,doesthinkthatextraterrestrialsmaybeheretoday,butnotinperson:asatellitefromOutTheremaynowbeinorbitaroundtheearth.Agalacticorganizationwishingtogetintouchwithintelligentlife-formswouldnot,hesays,sendoutradiosignalsatrandom.Theywould"spray"anyareabeingstudiedwithsatellitesdesignedtomonitorradiowavesoriginatingon(forexample)earth,andthesedeviceswouldrelayto"headquarters"informationabouttheracedevelopinghere.

Asanindicationthatmessengerprobesofthiskindmaybeinoursolarsystemalready,Dr.Bracewellreferstothestrangeradio"echoes"thatwerepickedupin1927,1928,and1964,andarestillunexplained.Sofarasthepurposeofthewatchisconcerned,hedoesnotthinkweareinanydangerofbeingplundered,orofbecomingasourceofprimebeef;theonlythingwantedwouldbeinformation.EvenifwearenowtooprimitivetoqualifyfortheGalacticClub,wemightstill,asprimitives,havesomescientificinterest;thewatchoverusmightsimplybetodeterminewhetherwewilleverbecomeworthbotheringabout.

Dr.Bracewell's"galacticorganization"raisessomeprovocativequestions.Whatkindofanorganizationisit-asuper-government,ascientificbody?Whataretherequirementsforjoining,theobligations,theprivileges?Itiseasytoimaginebenefitstoourselvesfrommembershiporcitizenship,butwhatwouldwecontributeinreturn?Whatwouldbetheinitiationfee,theannualdues,orthetaxes?Whatcouldwecontribute,infact?Thusfar(assumingthatnoonehasbeenhereyet)earthseemstohavehadnothingtheywant-neithernaturalresources,art,philosophy,scientificaccomplishments,norservices.Itisadepressingthought.

Similarly,whatwewouldcallthetradersorbusinessmenofasuper-civilizationseemtohavepassedusby;apparentlywehavenonaturalresourcesorunusualartifactstosellorbarter.Aretheythenperhapsmissionaries,promulgatingagalaxy-widephilosophy,metaphysics,orreligionasmanyofthecultistsmaintain?(Onecanonlycommentthatiftheyhavebeenhereasevangelists,theirlaborshavenotaccomplishedmuch).Wouldtheybethedesperateremnantsofadyingrace,fleeinganexhaustedplanetinsearchofanewhome?(Theyhadbetterhurryiftheywanttosettleonearth,whichisrapidlybeingexhaustedbyitspresentinhabitants.)

TheEnglishscholar,Dr.GeraldHeard,inhisbook,IsAnotherWorldWatching?offersthe"reasonedspeculation"thattheUFOscomefromMars,wheretheinhabitantshaveevolvedfrominsectsintointelligentbeings,inthe

samesensethatmanevolvedonearthfromtheprimates.AlthoughDr.Heard'ssuggestionsaboutevolutionhavenotbeenwidelyaccepted,hisbookisacarefulandseriousstudyoftheearlyUFOreports.Astothemotivesofthesevisitors,Heardspeculatedthattheymakeperiodicvisitsofinspectionhere,tryingtounderstandourbehavior.Hesuggestedthattheirincreasedvigilancestemsfromalarm;theyfear"whatourindustrializationseemstoleadto-intensivewars(and)finally...thecapacitytodestroythegreatglobeitself."Marsmightbedestroyedwithus;Heard'sdescriptionofhowthismighthappenisknowledgeableandtemperate."Skysuicide,"hesays,"isnoprivatematter."

ShouldWeAnswer?

AretheUFOshostile?Thereisverylittleevidencetothateffectinthereports.Inanyevent,anyquestionofa"moralsense"inextraterrestrialsisirrelevant,asDr.Dysonpointsout:"Itisjustasunscientifictoimputetoremoteintelligenceswisdomandserenity,asitistoimputetothemirrationalandmurderousimpulses."Rathersurprisingly,however,somescientistsdofeelthatmanwillberunningseriousrisksashetriestolisteninonthegalacticpartyline.Askedhowweshouldrespondtothefirstmessagewereceivefromspace,Dr.AlbertHibbsofCaltech'sJetPropulsionLaboratorysaidsuccinctly,"Hangup.LookwhathappenedtotheIndians."Dr.ThomasGoldisnotevensureweshouldadvertiseourexistencebybroadcastsaimedatthestars."Anyonewhosendsoutasignaliscourtingdisaster."Stilllessshouldwelookforwardtopersonalvisitsfromspacemen,hesays.Ourvisitorsmightbecreatureswithwhomwecouldneverdevelopsympathy;yethavingattheircommandtheenormouspowerneededtoreachearth,theymighthaveequallypowerfulweapons;iftheyshouldhappentowantusforfood,wecoulddolittletostopthem.

Evenifearthwereforeverprotected,bytheimmensedistancesofinterstellarspace,fromphysicalinvasionandconquest(apossibilitythatArthurC.Clarkehasmentioned),mereverbalcommunicationbyradiocouldbedangerous.Areallymalevolentcivilization,Clarkesaid,couldwipeusoutsimplybytransmittinginformationthatwouldleadustodestroyourselves.

Wedonotknowthatanysuchcivilizationexists-asocietyatthesummitofgalacticpower,perhaps,determinedtocrushanyprospectiverival.Ontheotherhand,wehavenoguaranteethatitdoesnotexist.Certainlyweshoulddisabuseourmindsofthenotionthattechnicalprogressandethicalprogressgohandinhandthroughouttheuniverse;thehistoryofearthitselfdisprovesthatcomfortabletheory.Dr.Dysonhasputitalltooclearly:"Intelligencemaybeacancerofpurposelesstechnologicalexploitation,sweepingacrossagalaxyasithassweptacrossourownplanet."

Itisconsiderationslikethesethatmakescientistshesitateatthequestion,"Shouldweanswer?"AsDr.Saganhasputit:"Forthepresent,perhapsweshouldlistencarefullyforpossibleradiosignals,butrefrainfromtransmittingbecausewedonotknowtheintentionsofasuperiorgalacticsociety."

CultistTheories

Mostofthemotivesdiscussedaboveturnup,inexaggeratedandextremeforms,inthewritingsofsensationaljournalistsandincrank-and-cultistliteratureonUFOs."TheUFOsarehereto

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saveusfromourselves,andhavebeeninfiltratingmankindforeons;Christhimselfcametoearthonaflyingsaucer.""UFOsareheretosavethemselvesfromus,andwillseetoitthatwenevergetintospace.""UFOsareheretoplanorcompleteaninvasion,andevilentitiesfromtheconstellationofOrionareinfiltratingmankind."The"evidence"forsuchtheoriesusuallyconsistsofluridunverifiedtalesorrumors,orofspecialinterpretationsofeventsthatareactuallysusceptibletoprosaicexplanation;equallywell,theevidencemayconsistofeventsthathavenottakenplace-atypeofargumentthatisquiteunanswerable.Itisnotworthwhiletodescribethesebizarrenotionsindetail,sincetheyareessentiallynon-provable.

ThePuzzleofMotives

Aneatsummaryofpossibleextraterrestrialmotiveswasoffered,inanarticleentitled"ExtraterrestrialLinguistics,"byDr.SamuelGolomboftheUniversityofCalifornia.Hesuggeststhatthevariousreasonsforvisitorsfromspacetocometoearthcouldbeexpressedbyoneofsevenwords:"Help!Buy!Convert!Vacate!Negotiate!Work!Discuss!"Veryfewideascanbeaddedtothislist,exceptperhapsthepossibilitythatsomevisitorsmightbepracticaljokers,orthesituationhintedatinCharlesFort'sfamousremark,"Ithinkwe'reproperty."

Isthereanyevidencethatanyofthesemotivesareactuallyoperating?Noneatall.Eveninthesimplematterofphysicalapproachtohumanbeings,thebehaviorofUFOsisaboveallcontradictory;theyseemtodisplayamixtureofcautionandcuriosity.AlandedUFOtakesoffwhenwitnessesapproach;airborneUFOsevadepursuit.Yetwhatcantheirrepeatedfollowingofcars,airplanes,andothervehiclesmeanifitdoesnotmeancuriosity?

Ifbothpartsofthecaution-curiositycomplexdoexistinthesevisitors'minds,itisnotimpossibletoimagineanexplanation.NooneknowsforafactwhattheoccupantsofanyUFOarereallylike-theirphysicalstructure,andespeciallywhatsenseorganstheyhave.Iftheir"eyes"aresensitivetootherregionsoftheelectromagneticspectrumthanours,forexample,oriftheir"ears"pickupsubsonicorsupersonicsoundwaves,asourscannot,thenwhatthey"see"and"hear"aboutus,ourartifacts,andourcivilizationmaybeincomprehensibletothem,andalarming.Eveniftheysupplementtheirnaturalsenseswithinstruments,aswedo,theirinterpretationoftheinstrumentreadingsmightnotmakesensetothem.Inthatcasetheextra-terrestrials,despitetheirvisitsandtheirobservation,maystillbeasbaffledaboutourbehaviorandmotivesaswe

continuetobeabouttheirs.

TABLEOFCONTENTSSectionI-TheUFORevolutionSectionII-Extraterrestrials-SuggestedMotives&OriginsSectionIII-VehiclePacings&EncountersSectionIV-Close-RangeSightings,StructuralDetailsSectionV-ScientificSupport,CongressionalHearingsSectionVI-Landings,PhysicalTracesSectionVII-AreThereUFOOccupantsSectionVIII-TheColoradoProject

APPENDIXAppendixA-CaseHistoriesAnalyzedbyDr.JamesE.McDonaldAppendixB-NewspaperEditorialsAppendicC-CongressionalStatementsAppendixD-witnessSketches

NICAPHomePage

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SECTIONIIIVehiclePacingsandEncounters

OneofthemoststartlingfeaturesofrecentUFOreports,andonewhichpointsstronglytowardintelligentdirectionoftheobjects,istherecurrenceofcasesinwhich"inquisitiveness"isdisplayed.UFOshaverepeatedlypacedorbuzzedautomobilesandaircraft,orapproachedandhoverednearvehiclessuchasboatsandtrains,andthenspedaway.Oftenduringthesedramaticencountersthevehicleshaveexperiencedelectro-magneticfailuresorotherphysicaleffects.Thiscategoryofreportsisofspecialinterestinweighingtheevidencefortheextraterrestrialhypothesis.

Someoftheaircraftcaseshavenotreceiveddetailedstudy,mainlybecauseofthereluctanceofpilotstoreportUFOsightingsforfearofridicule.CasesinvolvinggroundvehicleshavebeenanalyzedbyNICAPinpreviouspublications.Thefollowinggroupofcasesdramaticallyillustratesthispatternofinquisitiveness.SeveralofthesecaseshavealreadybeenbrieflyreferredtoinSectionI.

Someofthemorerecentvehicle-pacingcasesaredetailedfirst,followedbyexamplesofearlierreports.TheseselectedsightingsarebutafewfromthelargenumberofreportsNICAPreceivedduringtheperiodofheavyUFOactivityfrom1965and1966.Afulllistofthesereports,withadditionaldetailedcases,willbeincludedinVolumeIIofTheUFOEvidence.

1968

ReportsofairlineandprivatepilotsencounteringUFOshavecontinuedin1968.OnJuly8,thepilotandpassengersofaCessna172SkyhawkwereapproachedbyaUFOoverWarren,Ohioabout10:20p.m.Twobrothers,RichardandKenMontgomery,withElizabethSovernsandRosalindRiansaspassengers,wereflyingatabout4,000feetoverWarren;RichardMontgomerywasatthecontrols.

"InoticedanobjectcomingtowardusfromthedirectionofYoungstowntothesoutheast,"herelated."Iswungover...togetacloserlookwhentheobjectheadeddirectlytowardourairplane.Itstoppedandhungmotionlessintheair...momentarily,andasouraircraftcamecloser,itmovedswiftlyupwardandcamebackatusfromanotherangle."

MontgomerysaidtheUFOappearedmetallicandhadalightbeamingfromitsunderside.Heestimateditwasfromsixtotenfeetindiameterandfrom16to20feettall.

Thepilotmaneuveredtheplaneseveraltimes,buttheobjectkeptfollowingatadistanceoffrom150to200yards.ThentheUFO"suddenlyspedinaneasterlydirectionatamazingspeedandwasquicklyoutofsight."

Duringthisencounter,controltoweroperatorsatYoungstownMunicipalAirportreceivedcallsfromarearesidentsconcerning"a`dogfight'betweentwoaircraftintheskiesover...Warren."

At7:45p.m.,February28,thethree-mancrewofanEasternAirLinesferryflightfromSt.LouistoMiamisawastringofunknownlightsthatcausedthepilot"totakeevasiveaction."Travelingat18,000feet,CaptainRobertF.Reilman,FlightOfficerA.J.FarmerandSafetyOfficerRickMorrisonfirstnoticed"aredflashinglight"attheiraltitude.InhisreporttoNICAP,thepilotsaidthelightwasattheir11:30positionabouthalfwaybetweenJacksonvilleandOrlando,Florida.

"Who'sthisatour11:30position?"Capt.Reilmanaskedanearbycontrolcenter.

Thecenterrepliedthattheyhadbeenincommunicationwithaplane15milesaway.

"Well,thisguyisn't15milesaway,"thepilotreplied."He'sat11:30,hasoneflashingredlightandthree-nowfourredlightsstrungout-oneredlightturnedtogreen."

Atthispoint,Capt.Reilman"preparedtotakeevasiveaction."Thecenterradioedbackthattheyhadspottednotargetsontheirradarscope.

"Comeon,"Reilmanresponded,"he'sgoingrightbyusatour9:00position."

Thecenterstillrepliedthattheyhadnotargetsandthatnoballoonswereinthevicinity.

"IdroppedthesubjectandproceededtoMiami,"theCaptainconcluded.

Pacingsofgroundvehicleshaveoftenbadlyfrightenedthewitnesses,showingthatofficialdebunkinganddenialshavenotabatedfearsofUFOs.Ifanything,theyhaveincreasedsuch

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fears,sincemanycitizensbelievethefactsarekeptfromthem.OnJune20,1968,about2a.m.,Mr.&Mrs.LarryFerneyofMobile,Alabama,weredrivingnearRoswell,N.M.whentheysawanobjectdescendingfromaheightofabout100yards.TheUFOdisplayedthreebrightlights,"likethelandinglightsofanaircraft."

Makinga90-degreeturn,theUFOheadeddowntowardthecarandproceededtopaceitfor5milesatanestimateddistanceofabout50feet.Mr.&Mrs.Ferneywereinastateofnearhysteria,firstfearinganimminentcrash,thenfrightenedbythemysteriousobjectapparentlypursuingthem.Finally,theUFOracedoutofsight.

Asimilarcar-pacing,inwhichthewitnesswasbadlyfrightened,occurredOctober27,1967inParshall,N.D.ThecasewasinvestigatedbytheNICAP-NorthDakotaSubcommittee.

About3a.m.,Lt.GlenD.Brunsell,oftheParshallPoliceDepartment,sawabrilliantlyglowingUFO."Itwassobright,"hereportedlater,"thatattimesithurtmyeyestolookdirectlyatit."(NICAPComment:Thisreactionhasbeenreportedonnumerousoccasions,sometimesfollowedbytemporaryimpairmenttovision).

TheUFOpassedoverawarehouseatlowaltitude,headedeastwithanup-and-downmotion,thenstoppedandhoverednearamissilebase.Lt.BrunselltoldNICAPtheunknownobjectmovedslowlyaroundtheareaforfiveminutes,then"suddenlyshotstraightupintotheskyandwasgoneinaboutthreeseconds."

ShortlybeforeLt.BrunsellsightedtheUFO,itwasseenbyaParshallcafewaitressonherwayhomefromwork.(Hernameisdeletedatherrequest).ThewitnesstoldNICAPtheUFO-alarge,round,revolvingobject-seemedtorisefromtheground.

"Mycarbegansheeringveryhard,"shesaid,"bumpingandswayingaroundontheroadlikeithadfourflattires."Frightened,sheacceleratedtoescape,buttheobjectfollowedhercar.Asitpacedher,shecouldsee"twoorthreewhite-appearingstreaksoflightcomingdownverticallyfromtheobject."

Asshenearedherhome,theUFOstoppedandappearedtohovermomentarily.Thenitmovedoutofsightoverawarehousetothenorth.ThiswasthesamewarehouseoverwhichtheobjecttraveledasitwasobservedbyLt.Brunsell-animportantconfirmationofthewaitress'report.

Othercases,since1964,ofUFOspacingvehicles-orencounteringthematcloserange-follow.

AIRCRAFTCASES

Alaska-Japan,February11,1965

AFlyingTigerairlinercarryingU.S.militarypersonnelfromAlaskatoJapanencounteredaformationofthreeovalUFOswhichwerealsotrackedonradar.TheflightwasaboutfourhoursoutofAnchorageenroutetoTachikawa,Japan,onFebruary11,whentheUFOswereobserved.

Anaerialnavigatorwithcaptain'srankwasaskedtocometothecockpittoobservetheobjects.Ontheradarscopehecouldseethreetargets(radarblips)holdingapositionaboutfivemilesoffthewing.Togetherwiththecrew,thecaptainsawthreegiganticglowingredovalobjectsrightwheretheradarshowedthemtobe.

"TheUFOspacedtheaircraftforabout30minutes,"statesNICAP'sinformant."Whentheydepartedtheyclimbedstraightoutatahighangle.TheFlyingTiger[crew]trackedthe[climb-out]speedat1200knots."(About1380m.p.h.)Duringthe30-minuteobservationthenavigatormadeacarefulcheckontheapparentsizeoftheUFOs.Theymeasuredtwoandhalfinchesindiameteratarm'slength.Usingthe5-milerangeshownbyradar,theactuallengthwascomputedtobeabout1000feet.Evenwithliberalallowanceforerror,700feetwouldbeaconservativeapproximationofthesize.

NearTownsville,NorthQueensland,Australia,May28,1965

AnAustralianAnsett-A.N.A.airlinerenroutefromBrisbanetoPortMoresbyintheearlymorningofMay28,1965,waspacedbyaUFOandthepilotreportedlyobtainedphotographswhichwereconfiscatedbytheAustraliangovernment.AlthoughtheDepartmentofCivilAviationdisclaimsanyknowledgeoftheincident,NICAP'sinformant,apublicofficialinNorthQueensland,obtainedthereportdirectlyfromanaviationofficialinvolvedinthesighting.

Atabout3:25a.m.onthemorningofMay28,anAnsett--A.N.A.DC-6B(callsignVH-INH)wasinthevicinityofBougainvilleReef.ThepilotreportedtotheTownsvilleGroundControlTowerthathewasbeingbuzzedbyaUFO-aflattenedspherewithapparentexhaustgasescomingfromit.OthermembersofthecrewalsosawtheUFOandthepilottookphotographsofit.Theobjectpacedtheaircraftfor10to15minutes,thenracedaheadoftheaircraftatterrificspeedanddisappeared.

AccordingtoNICAP'sinformant,thepilotwasinstructednottohavethefilmsdevelopedinNewGuinea.InsteadheflewbacktoBrisbaneandwasflownfromtheretoCanberrawherethefilmwasconfiscatedandthepilotinstructednottotalkaboutthesighting.Tapesofthepilot'sconversationwiththecontroltoweraboutthesightingwerealsoconfiscated.

Himeji,Japan,March18,1965

TwomonthsbeforetheAustralianplane-pacingincident,aluminousellipticalobjectfollowedaJapaneseairlinerforadistanceofabout90kilometers(55miles).Thisreportreceivedwidepublicity.(UPIfiledthereportfromHiroshima,March21.)

Shortlyafter7p.m.onMarch18,aToaAirlinesConvair240,pilotedbyYoshiakaInaba,wasoverHimeji,nearOsaka,enroutetoHiroshima.Hegavethefollowingstatementtothepress:

"AmysteriousellipticalluminousobjectappearedjustafterpassingHimeji.Iwasflyingatthetimeatanaltitudeofabout2000meters.TheobjectfollowedforawhileandthenstoppedforaboutthreeminutesandthenfollowedalongmyleftwingacrosstheInlandSeaforadistanceofabout90kilometersuntilwereachedMatsuyamaonShikokuIsland.Itthendisappeared."

Inabaaddedthattheobjectemittedagreenishlightandhisautomaticdirection-finderandradiowereviolentlyaffected.HetriedtocontacttheOsakatower,butwasunabletodoso.Later,co-pilotTetsuUmashimatriedtocontacttheMatsuyamatowerandheheardthepilotofaTokyoLinesApachereportingthata"mysteriousluminousobject"wasfollowinghimalongthenorthernedgeofMatsuyamacity.Inaba,a20-year-veteranwithover8000flyinghours,saidhehadneverseensuchanobjectbefore.

NearWillowGrove,Pennsylvania,May21,1966

An18,000-hourpilotandhispassengermadeacleardaylightsightingofadisc-shapedUFOwithadomeontopontheafternoonofMay21,1966nearWillowGrove,Pa."ItwasasclearasseeingaCadillacdriftingbyat100yards,"saidWilliamC.Powell.Currentlyactiveinexecutive-transportflying,PowellwasapilotfortheDutchKLMairlines,andbeforethatfortheU.S.AirForceandRCAF.

7DuringapaneldiscussiononUFOsbeforeanannualmeetingoftheAmericanSocietyofNewspaperEditorsinWashington,D.C.(April22,1967),Powelldescribedtheexperience.(AdditionaldetailsaretakenfromthefirsthandreportinNICAP'sfiles).PowellwasflyingaLuscombeatabout4500feetnearWillowGrove,Pa.,witha15-milevisibility.Atabout3:15p.m.,afterseeingaflightofNavyjetsclimbingupfromWillowGroveNavalAirStation,Powellspottedanobjectclosinginbehindthejets.Notingthattheobjecthadnoprotrusionslikeanaircraft,hewatchedmorecloselyandsawitmakeanabrupt150-160degreeturnandheadforhisaircraft.AstheUFOpassedunderhisstarboardwing,Powellsawthatitwasastructuredobject.Itseemedtobeabout100yardsdistant,and30-40feetindiameter.Theoverallconfigurationwasdiscoidal;thebasewasbrightred,andthedomewasglisteningwhite.

Powellandhispassenger,MissMurielMcClave,turnedquicklyastheUFOpassedandobserveditbrieflythroughtherightrearwindow;thenitabruptlyvanished.PowelllatercalledWillowGroveNavalAirStationtoreporttheincident.Hehadbeenflyinganorthwestcourse,behindtheNavyjets.TheUFOcrossedhiswindshieldfromlefttoright,madethesharpturnacrosshisfront,approachedhead-onandpassedtohisright,disappearingonasoutheastcourse.

NearSebring,Florida,September20,1966

AWinterHaven,Florida,privatepilotreportedhefledfromagiantcone-shapedUFOwhichkepthisplaneinshadowforaboutthreeminutesonthemorningofSeptember20,1966.JamesJ.O'Connor,aformerArmyinvestigator,wasflyingat9500feetinasmallprivateplanenearSebring,Floridaabout10a.m.(EST)whenhenoticedwhatappearedtobeadelta-shapedobjectabovehim.Curious,heclimbedtowardtheobject,butleveledoffabout10,000feetbecausehehadnooxygenequipment.ThentheUFObeganincreasinginsize,apparentlydescendingtowardhisplaneandpacinghim.

O'Connorwassomewhatunnerved,but"morecuriousthanfrightened."HetimedthedescentoftheUFOat37seconds.Theobjectmadea"singing"noiselikeautomobiletiresonawetpavement.Whenhisplanewascompletelyintheshadowoftheobjectforseveralminutesanditcontinuedtofollowhim,O'Connorbecameapprehensive.Hepulledhisplaneup,reducedpowerandstalledout,divingasfastashecouldwithoutputtingunduestrainonhissmallplane.Hedroppedto3500feetbeforelookingupagain."That'swhenIwasfrightened,"helaterreported."Thatthinghadnotchangedinsizeatall,butwasstillwithmeandpacingme.Itwasstillasbigasafootballfield."

BrieflyO'ConnorthoughtofshootingattheUFOwitha.38specialhekeptinthecockpit,butaboutthattimetheobjectappearedtochangeshapetoawedge,thenathinline,andthenvanished."Irealizeditwasclimbing,"O'Connorsaid,"doingareversepeel-offina360degreeturn.Wedon'thaveanaircraftthatcoulddothisIthink.Itwasmorelikethethingwasfallingup.

O'ConnorestimatedthattheUFOfollowedhimfor17minutes.Thesightingwasinbrightdaylightwithaclearskyandonlyafewalto-cirruscloudshighabove.Whenhenoticedtheobjectoverhead,-O'Connoropenedhiscanopyandlookedstraightupatit.HewasflyingVFRfromWinterHaventoMiamiatthetime.WhentheUFObrokeoffthepursuitandclimbedaway,O'Connorgotaviewoftheundersideofacone,pointupwards.

AUTOMOTIVECASES

Damon,Texas,September3,1965

OnthenightofSeptember3ChiefDeputySheriffBillyE.McCoyandDeputySheriffRobertW.Goodehadaclose-rangeencounterwithaUFOthathoveredlowjustoffthehighwayafterabruptlyapproachingtheirpatrolcar.Deputy

Goode,whosearmwasrestingonthedriver'swindowsill,couldfeeltheheatfromtheUFOonhisarm.

Between11and11:30p.m.McCoyandGoodehadbeenwatchingapurplishlightoutovertheprairieandhadseenasmallerbluelightapparentlyemergefromit.Theyhaddrivenaroundseveralbackroads,tryingtogetacloserlookatthestrangelights.Astheynearedapasturearea,Goodeslowedthecar.Justthentheobjectrushedtowardthem,stoppedwithinabout150feetoftheirpositionandhoveredabout100feet

8

abovetheground.TheUFOwasflattenedonthebottomandroundedontop(seediagram).Alarge,brilliantpulsatingpurplelightontheleftend,illuminatingthegroundandtheinteriorofthecar,concealedsomedetails.Ontheotherendwasasmallerbluelight.TheUFOwasestimatedtobe150to200feetlongand40to50feetthickinthecenter,taperingtowardthesides.

Frightened,theofficersgunnedtheirmotorandfledthesceneathighspeed.SheriffMcCoy,watchingoverhisshoulder,sawtheUFOriseupafterabouta10to15seconddelay,thenshootupwardsathighspeedanddisappear.Afterawhile,theircuriosityoverrodetheirfear,andtheybegansearchingfortheobjectagain.Butwhentheyagainspottedapurplelightandabluelightemergingfromittheyagainfledthesceneforfearofarecurrenceofthefirstexperience.

WhentheUFOwasatitsclosestpoint,hoveringoverthepasture,"everybladeofgrassinthepasturestoodoutclearly."This,anditsapparentsize(bothsaiditwas"asbigasafootballfield")andfantasticmaneuverability,ruleoutanyconventionalphenomena.

Montauk,L.I.,NewYork,March30,1966

AUFOwhichapparentlycausedacompleteelectricalfailureinalatemodeltruckwasobservedabout10p.m.alongMontaukHighwaynearNapeagueHarbor,alongthesouthshoreofLongIslandMarch30,1966.Thewitness,BruceField,adrugstoreclerk,wasinterviewedbytheNewYorkCityNICAPSubcommittee.Thewitness'reliabilitywasvouchedforbyapoliceradiodispatchertowhomthesightingwasinitiallyreported.

"IwasdrivingfromMontauk,headedwest,"FieldtoldNICAP."Itwasabout10p.m.Iwasjustdrivingalongandeverythingwentdeadonthetruck[lights,horn,radioandignitiononhis1965FordRanchero].Icoastedtotheedgeoftheroad[Rt.27]andturnedtheswitchoff.Iliftedupthehoodandstartedtojigglesomewires.Thelightssuddenlycamebackon,soIslammedthehoodandgotbackintothetruck.Istarteditagainandwentabout100feetwhenithappenedagain.IgotoutagainandstartedtodothesamethingwhenIsawthislight."

Fieldnoticedthelightcomingalongthebeachbehindthedunesandthoughtitwasabeachbuggy."Itcamealongbehindthedunesforabout1/4to1/2milesfromtheeast,thenoppositemeitwentupanddirectlyoffshore,overtheocean,atabout150feet.Itseemedtobe50to75feetlong."Fielddescribedatorpedo-shapedornarrowellipticalobjectwitha"bar"ofbrightlightinthenose.Itwascompletelysilentandseemedtomove"muchfasterthanapistonorjetairplane."

OvertheoceantheUFOmadeawideturnandheadedbacktowardthewitness,passinganestimated700feetoverhead,continuingacrossthehighway,abovetheMcCoyradiotowersandoutoverNapeagueHarborwhereitdisappeared.

FielddroverapidlytotheEastHamptonpoliceheadquartersandreportedtheincident.TheUFOhadbeenvisibleaboutfiveminutes.Thenightwasmoonlitandstarry,withsomehaze.

Alliance,Ohio,April22,1966

DuringaseriesofsightingsonthenightofApril21/22,intheareaofAlliance,Ohio,amusicteacherandhiswifehadaclose-rangeobservationofaUFOshapedlikeagiantdiscwithadomeontop.

Mr.andMrs.EdwardVojtkoweredrivinghomefromalateteachers'meeting,travelingnorthonMcCallumAvenueandwereapproachingtheTannenhaufgolfcourseabout5mileswestofAlliance.About12:15a.m.(EST)Mr.Vojtkonoticedabrilliantstationaryredlightduewestjustabovethehorizon.Heslowedthecar,thenstoppedabout100yardssouthofthegolfcourseclubhouse.Whenherolleddownthecarwindowtotakeabetterlook,henoticedthatthelighthadbeguntomovetowardthem.Theobjectlostitsstar-likeappearanceasitrapidlyapproached,takingontheshapeofadarkdiscwithawhitelightontop.

Whenitwaswithinanestimated40feet,overtheopenpracticeareaofthegolfcourse,theUFOstopped(cf.Damon,Texas).Itappearedtobeattelephonepoleheightandabout45feetindiameter,andencirclingtherimwasarowofred

lightslikea"rotatingneonsign."Thewhitelight,muchbrighterthanthered,wasseentobecomingfromadomeatopthestructure.Astheobjectappearedtohover,thebadlyfrightenedcouplepanickedandfledthesceneathighspeed.BothhadthefeelingthattheUFOwasfollowingthem,buttheycouldseenothingbehindthemastheyfled.Finally,aboutamilefromthegolfcourse,theysawtheobjectatahigherelevationacceleratingtowardthenortheast.Itappearedtocomefromdirectlyabovetheircar-apossibilitythathadnotoccurredtothemuntilthen.Finally,itpassedoverahousetotheirright(east)anddisappearedbehindtreesinthedistance.

Theonlyphysicalsensationexperiencedbythewitnesseswasaringingsensationintheirearsandalight-headednesswhichtheyfeltwhentheygothome.Mr.Vojtkofeltitwasduetotheroughhigh-speedrideandthepsychologicalstrain.Bothsaidtheyhadanuneasyfeelingpriortothefinalsightingasifsomeoneweretryingtocommunicatewiththem.This,too,couldhavebeenapsychologicalreaction.NICAPmemberDavidWebbinvestigatedthereportandinterviewedthewitnesses,whomheconsiderssincereandreliable.

Ravenna,Ohio,April17,1966

PortageCounty,Ohio,SheriffsdeputiesDaleSpaurandW.L."Barney"NeffwereamongthewitnessestoaUFOearlyonthemorningofApril17.Theobject,seenlaterinthelighteningdawnskyasametallicobject,wassocloseatonepointthatabeamoflightfromitilluminatedtheground-andthetwowitnesses-brightly.

DeputiesSpaurandNefffirstnoticedalighthoveringoverahillsoutheastofRavenna,nearAtwaterCenter.Astheystoodwatchingit,theUFOmoveddirectlytowardthememittingabrightbeamoflighttotheground.(ThebeamseemedtobefixedatrightanglestotheplaneoftheUFO,sinceittippedtoonesidewhentheUFOtipped.)Frightened,theofficersfledtotheirpatrolcarandreportedthesightingbypoliceradio.

Underinstructionsfromtheirdispatcher.SpaurandNeffbeganfollowingtheUFOwhenitstartedmovingdownthehighwayawayfromthem.Achaseofmorethan75milesensued,atspeedsupto100m.p.h.,endingacrossthePennsylvaniabordernearConway.Theundersideoftheobjectglowedbrightblue-white,whilethetopwasadarkcolor.Asthechaseprogressedeastward,themorninglightrevealedashiny,metallic-

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appearingobject.Otherpoliceofficersalongtheroute,interceptingpolicebroadcastsaboutthesighting,alsoobservedtheUFOandjoinedinthepursuit.

AcuriousfeatureoftheencounterwasthattheUFOledtheofficersonacat-and-mouse.Itrepeatedlypulledoutofsight,onlytobefoundagainhoveringnearthe

highwayasifwaitingforitspursuers.Finally,astheofficersreachedConway,theobjectacceleratedupwardintotheeasternskywhereithoveredforsometime.(Venus,whichtheAirForceclaimedfooledthewitnesses,wasalsovisibletotheofficersinanotherpartofthesky.)ThentheUFOdisappeared,climbingupoutofsightinthemorningsky.

AlaterdiscoverythatDeputySpaurwashavingsomepersonalproblemsatthetimeoftheincidentinnowaydiscreditsthesighting.Therewerenumerousotherwitnesses,includingOfficerWayneHuston,ofEastPalestine,Ohio,whosawtheUFOspeedpastandjoinedthechasealongtheway.The"RavennaReport,"exhaustivelyinvestigatedbyWilliamB.Weitzel,remainsanoutstandingUFOreport.TheCongressmanfromthedistrictandalocaljudgestronglybackedthewitnessesandhelpedforceareviewofthecaseafterithadbeenexplained-awayas"asatelliteandtheplanetVenus."

Richmond,Virginia,June24,1966

OnAugust13,1960,statepolicenearRedBluff,CaliforniaattemptedtocloseinonanellipticalUFOwithbodylightswhichmaneuveredintheareaforovertwohours.(SeeTheUFOEvidence,pp.61-62).AverysimilarUFOencounterwasreportedbyOfficerWilliamL.Stevens,Jr.,oftheRichmond,Va.,PoliceDepartmentonJune24,1966.

About3:30a.m.OfficerStevenswaspatrollingthenorth-easternsectionofthecitytravelingnorthonMeadowBridgeRoadnearthecitylimits.AboutfourblocksaheadwastheAtlanticRuralExpositionGrounds,siteoftheannualstatefair.Lookinginthatdirection,OfficerStevensnoticedsomeoddgreenish-yellowlightsintheair.Tomakesurehewasnotseeingreflectionsinhiswindshield,heleanedoutofthewindowandconfirmedthatthelightswere,infact,intheairoverthefairgrounds.Hethenradioedhisdispatcherandproceededacrossthecitylinestoinvestigate.

AbovetheRichmond-HenricoTurnpikeStevenssawalargedirigible-likeobjecthoveringintheair,withalternategreenandyellowlightsarounditsperimeter.Surroundingtheobjectwasamistorvapor.TheUFOappearedtobe100to125feetlongand30to40feethigh,andwassharplyoutlinedagainstthedarksky.Itfilledalargepartofthewindshield,appearingaswideasthesteeringwheel.

Turningonhisemergencyflasherlights,OfficerStevensacceleratedtowardtheobject.Itreactedimmediately,movingswiftlyalongtheTurnpikeawayfromhim.Asitbegantomove,theUFOturnedlaterallyabout90degreesshowingitscircularendtothewitness.OfficerStevenscontinuedtospeedupinanefforttocatchtheobject,butitmaintainedthesamedistancebetweenthem."Theobjectseemedtobeplayingwithme,"Stevenslatersaid.

ThechasecontinuedacrossHenricoCountyandintoHanoverCounty,withStevenspushinghisspeedtoover100m.p.h.After10to15minutes,theUFOsuddenlyacceleratedanddisappearedintothenightinamatterofseconds.OfficerStevenshadradioedforassistanceduringthepursuit,butbeforeothercarscouldarrivetheUFOwasgone.

SplitRockPond,NewJersey,October15,1966

Adramaticcar-buzzingcasethatoccurredduringaminorwaveofsightingsinNorthJerseyinOctober1966wasreportedtoandinvestigatedbyDr.BertholdEricSchwarz,AssistingAttendingPsychiatrist,Montclair(N.J.)CommunityHospital.Dr.Schwarz,aNICAPmember,includedadetailedaccountofthissightingwithitsunusualphysicalandphysiologicalafter-effectsinanarticlepublishedinMedicalTimes,October1968,entitled"UFOs:DelusionorDilemma."

Thewitness,JerryH.Simons,a22-year-oldforesterofNewfoundland,NewJersey,hadbeencampingoutatSplitRockPond,afewmilessouthofNewfoundland.OnOctober15,between4:30and5:00a.m.,"Iwastravelingnorthontheroadandnoticedaveryoutstandingglowintherear-viewmirror.IthoughtatfirstthatmybrakelightwasstuckbecauseitwasaverydullglowatthetimeIfirstnoticedit,"hereportedtoDr.Schwarz.Simonsthennoticedtheglow,whichwasorange-red,becomebrighter."Istoppedmycarandloweredmywindow.Istuckmyheadouttogetaclearviewoftherearofmycar.WhatIsawtookmecompletelyunawaresandscaredthelivinghelloutofme.I'veneverbeensostartledinmylife.ItwassomethingIcouldnotunderstand.Atfirstglanceitseemedtobenothingbutahugeglowinglight,butthenInoticedaverydistinctoutlineofwhatappearedtobesomesortofasolidbody."(Seediagram)

Simonsbrieflydidnotbelievewhathewasseeing,andwhenitwasapparentthattheobjectwasindeed"veryreal,itwasthenthatIdecidedtogetoutonthemainroadasfastasIcouldgetmycaroverthecowpath.Theobjectwasdirectlyinbackandabovemeandfollowedmycaralongtheroad."Heestimatedtheobjecttobeapproximately25to30feetwideandfiveorsixfeethigh.Hisdiagramshowsatypicallyflat-bottomedandsomewhatdomedobject.

Simonsthennoticedthathiscarbegantoactabnormally."Theworstthingthatcouldhavehappenedinmyframeofmindhappened.Withoutanywarning,alloftheelectricalequipmentquitworking.Myheadlights,dashlightsandenginequit.Idon'tbelieveIhaveeverbeensofrustratedinmylife.Inoticedthatthisobjectwasdirectlyovermycar.ThenitfellbackandIcouldgoon.Threetimes

thishappened,andthreetimesmycarrefusedtogiveanyelectricalresponseuntilthisobjecteithermovedtotherearortoonesideofthecar."Hesaidallhecoulddowas"lockmydoorsandhope."Heestimatedthecarmotorwasunresponsiveforlessthanaminute,andthenwhenthelightscamebackonhewasabletorestarttheengine.Theglowfromtheobjectlitupthegroundtotherightandtotheleftofthecar."Theonlytimetheglowwasverydistinctiveinfrontofthecarwaswhenit(thecar)wentdeadandthenitwasallaroundme."

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AsSimonsturnedontoCharlottesburgRoad,hecouldseebytheglowaroundthecarthattheobjectwasstillwithhim."ThelastgoodlookIgotofitwasjustbeforereachingthedam,whenitwassobrightinmymirror."Thecar-buzzinghadlastedatleasttenminutes.

SimonsdrovestraighttothehomeofThomasP.Byrnes,SuperintendentoftheNewarkWaterShedinNewfoundland,toreporttheincident.ItwasMr.ByrneswholatertoldDr.Schwarzaboutthesighting.SimonsandByrnesimmediatelycontactedtheWestMilfordpoliceandtogethertheydrovebacktothesceneofthesighting.Nothingoutoftheordinarywasobserved.

Twosubsequentdevelopmentsmakethiscaseespeciallyin-teresting.WhilereportingtheincidentattheReservoirOffice,Simonshadparkedhiscarandturnedthemotoroff.Whenhecameoutagain,thecarmotorhadapparentlystartedspontaneously.Laterexaminationoftheelectricalsystemofferednoexplanation,butseveralweekslater,ashewasdrivingthecar,themotorinexplicablyexploded.

AsecondpeculiardevelopmentwasarecurringillnessthatcameuponSimonsashorttimeafterthesighting,characterizedbyfatigue,anorexia,generalizedsoreness,weaknessofmuscles,chills,andalossof35pounds.Thisillnessextendedoverathree-monthperiodandinitsacutephases,whichoccurredonamonthlybasis,lastedthreeorfourdays.Becauseofitsseverity,Simonswasfinallyhospitalized.Theexactcauseoftheillnesscouldnotbedetermined-Simon'sillness"didnotconformtoanyreadilyidentifiablepattern,includingvariouspsychosomaticreactions,"accordingtoDr.Schwarz."Althoughthereisnotsufficientsupportingdata,itisconceivablethatSimons'overwhelmingfear,

associatedwiththestrangenessofhisUFOexperience,couldhaveprecipitatedaresponsesimilartowhatisseeninanimalhypnosis"(inhibitoryreflexesevokedbyastrongstimulusorevenweakstimuliifunusualenough).Sixmonthsafterhissighting,JerrySimonshadfullyrecoveredandshowednofurthersignsofthestrangemalady.

BetweenElnoraandMirror,Alberta,October13,1967

William(Ben)Benwick,alocomotiveengineerwiththeCanadianNationalRailway,reportedthatintheearlymorninghoursofOctober13,freighttrain443Northwaspacedforthirtymilesbyanobjectthatalternatelyclosedinonthetrain-oncetowithinlessthan100yards-andthenmovedrapidlyawayatspeedsestimatedtobeinexcessof2000milesanhour.BenwickfirstnoticedtheobjectonemilenorthofElnoraat1:50a.m.Itwasobservedeastofhispositionatadistanceestimatedtobehalfablock,andabout150feetabovethetrees.Asitbeganmovingawayfromthetrainathighspeed,Benwickcalledittotheattentionofhisbrakeman,Mr.Hilzaback."Itwenttotheeast,"Benwickreported,"andupintotheskyataterrificspeedanditseemedtostopabout30milesout,roughlyguessing...Itjuststoppedandseemedtobehoveringintheskybehindusforawhile,thelightsblinkingcontinuously."

Benwickhadagoodviewoftheobjectduringitscloseap-proachtothetrain.Itappearedflatonthebottom,withadark,dome-likestructureontop.Inwidthitwasalittlelongerthanaboxcar,about40to50feetwide;anditwasfrom15to18feetinheight.Encirclingtheundersideoftheobjectwereanumberofbrightly-coloredlights:red,yellow,orange,andblue-green.Theselightsdidnotappeartoprotrude,butseemedtobe"builtintothebodyofthemachine,likeoverasinkinthekitchen."Inthebottomcenterwasalargewhitelight,circularinshapeandsimilarincolortothemoon,abouttenfeetindiameter.

AfterBenwickhadcalledhisbrakeman'sattentiontothedevice,thetwomenwatcheditbegintomovenorthward,parallelwiththedirectionofthetrain,whichwastravelingat50milesanhour.Atonepointitbeganmovingbacktowardthetrainmen,comingrightatthemataspeedestimatedbyBenwicktobe"between80and100milesanhour."Itthenveeredoffagaintotheeastwithatremendousburstofspeed,"somethinglikearocketwhenittakesofffromtheearth,maybefastereven."Benwicksaidthatheandthebrakemanbothhadagoodlookattheobject."Itwasaclearnight,"hesaid,"starsinthesky,butwecouldn'tmakeoutthecoloroftheshipbecauseofitbeingnighttime.Itwasfairlycoolthatnight...thetemperaturewasdowntomaybe40degrees."Benwicksaidthereseemedtobealightvaportrailingtheobject,"butitdidn'tseemtobeanexhaustofanysort...Ibelieveitmayhavebeenaheatvaportrailingbehind."

Theobjectkeptpacewiththetrainformorethantenmiles,untilthetrainarrivedatAlix.AtAlix,whilethecrewmenwerechangingcars,theobjecthoveredmotionlesstotheeastandwasseenbynumerouspersons.Benwicksaid,"wehadthefeelingthatitwaswatchingusmorethanwewerewatchingit."

ContinuingnorthwardfromAlixtoMirror,thecrewmenwatchedtheUFOcontinuetopacethem."WhenwegottoMirror,ItoldtheoperatorthereaboutitandheaskedwhatI

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hadbeendrinking.Itoldhim,`Thereitis,rightinfrontofyou,'andhejustsaid,`MyGod'."TheCNRoperator,LarryMazure,latertoldMr.BenwickthattheUFOhoveredabout15mileseastofMirrorfortwohoursbeforeitleft.NewspapersreportedthataradarunitatNamaoCanadianForcesBaseinEdmontonwasusedtotrytolocatetheobject,butwhileradarpersonnelcouldseeitvisually,itdidnotappearonthescreen.Atonepointduringthetrain-pace,Benwickhadtriedtoalertcrewmenattheotherendofthetrainbyradio,but"ourradiohadcutout,wecouldn'tpickthemup...Wehavehadourradiosgetablankspotattimes,butthatareaisnotablankspotdefinitely."

Newspaperaccountsreportedthatonthefollowingnight,anothertraincrewspottedanobjectpacingtheirtrain,butnoadditionaldetailswereincludedinthesepublishedaccounts.

TABLEOFCONTENTSSectionI-TheUFORevolutionSectionII-Extraterrestrials-SuggestedMotives&OriginsSectionIII-VehiclePacings&EncountersSectionIV-Close-RangeSightings,StructuralDetailsSectionV-ScientificSupport,CongressionalHearingsSectionVI-Landings,PhysicalTracesSectionVII-AreThereUFOOccupantsSectionVIII-TheColoradoProject

APPENDIXAppendixA-CaseHistoriesAnalyzedbyDr.JamesE.McDonaldAppendixB-NewspaperEditorialsAppendicC-CongressionalStatementsAppendixD-witnessSkestche

NICAPHomePage

11SECTIONIV

CloseRangeReportsandStructuralDetails

ThereportwhichfollowswaspersonallycheckedbyaNICAPinvestigator.Thewitnesswasknownlocallyasthoroughlyreliable.

Bengough,Saskatchewan,February19,1968

Mrs.MarthaHeggs,aCanadianfarmwifelivingfivemileswestofBengough,Saskatchewan,wasatworkinherkitchenshortlybeforenoononFebruary19,1968,whenshebecameacutelyconsciousofahigh-pitchedwhine,theintensityofwhichwaspenetratingtoadegreesimilartoamildphysicalelectricshock,causingatinglingsensationthroughoutherbody.Lookingoutherkitchenwindow,whichfacesonthesouth,Mrs.Heggssawanobjectapproximately100yardstothesouthofthehouse,immediatelyaboveandcirclingarounda29-footpolewithanelectrictransformeronit.

Thisobject,seenveryclearlyanddistinctlyatcloserange,consistedofabaseapproximatelyeightfeetwideappearingliketwosaucersplacededge-to-edge,surmountedbyadomeaboutfourfeetwide.Aseriesofports,roundontop,extendedstraightdowntothebaseofthedome.Atopthedomewasasmallerstructure,abovewhichwasanantenna-likesuper-structuretoppedwithasmallsphere.(Seediagram,p.000).ThecolorofthebodyoftheUFOwasdullaluminum;thesecond-storydomewasentirelyvented,inappearancesomewhatsimilartoaradiatorgrill.Theports,sixorseveninnumberandencirclingthelowerdome,wereslightlyindentedandwhiteincolor,givingtheappearanceoffrostedglass.Nolightshonethrough.

Theobject,aboutonefootabovethetransformerpole,wasslowlycirclingitinacounter-clockwisemovement.Afteraboutfourcircuits,theobjectmovedsoutheast,stillremainingwithintheareaofthefarmyard,anddescendingtowithinthreefeetoftheground.TheUFOhoveredinfrontofseveralabandonedautomobilesforapproximatelyfiveminutes.(Mrs.Heggsnoticednovisibleexhaustand,later,foundnoevidenceofmeltedsnowinthearea.)

Followingthis,theobjectroseupabout20feet,orslightlyhigherthenfournearbygrainbins,andmovednorth,circlingtwoparkedtractorsandseveralparkedtrucksandfueltanks.TheUFOthenmovedtowardawell,about40feeteastofthefarmhouse.Mrs.Heggshadgonetoawindowontheeastsideofthehouse,andshesawthattheobjectwasabouteightfeetabovetheelectricpump.Frightened,shelockedthedooronthatsideofthehouse,thenwatchedtheUFOmovetowardawindbreakoftrees.Itfollowedthewindbreaknorth,risingsomewhat,thenveeredtotheleftasitcametoarowoftreesnorthofthehouse.Atthecenterofthisnorthwindbreak,themainroadenterstheyard;theobject,stillninetotwelvefeetabovetheground,leftthefarmyardthroughthisentrance,keepinglowandheadingtowardthenorthuntilitdisappearedfrom

view.Theentireepisodehadlastedapproximatelytwentyminutes.

Ashorttimelater,Mrs.Heggs'husbandreturnedhomeandfoundthedoorlocked.Whenhiswifelethimin,hisfirstwordswere,"Woman,whathashappenedtoyou?"HetoldtheNICAPinvestigatorhiswifewas"whiteasasheet."Mrs.HeggsreportedthatwhenshefirstsawtheUFOshenoticedtheirdogcoweringandlyinginthesnow,tryingtocoveritsearswithitspaws.Assoonastheobjectleft,thedogattemptedtogetintothehouse.Sixteenheadofcattle,runninglooseinthesouthcentralsectionofthefarmyard,boltedwhentheobjectmovedintothearea,

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enteringthecattlesheds,fromwhichtheydidnotemergeuntilatleastahalf-hourafterthedisappearanceoftheobject.Thewitnessadmittedthatshehadbeenbadlyshakenbytheobject'sappearance,sinceshehadbeenalone,exceptforherbabyandpre-schoolson.

Odessa,Delaware,February9,1967

Atabout8:45p.m.onFebruary9,1967,Mr.andMrs.DonaldGusemanofMiddletown,Delaware,weredrivingsouthonU.S.13towardOdessa.TheyhadjustcrossedabridgeoveracanalwhenMr.Gusemansawtwolightsneartheroadaheadandtotheirleft.Theleftlightwasgreenandtheoneontherightred.Suddenlytwobrightwhitelightscameonbetweenthecoloredones.Thinkingtheywerelandinglights,Gusemansaidtohiswife,"Lookatthecrazyplanetryingtoland!"

Asthecoupledrewnearer,theycouldseethelightswerestationaryandattachedtoalargeandunfamiliarobject.Onlythewhitelightswerevisibleastheycameupoppositetotheobject,acrossthehighwayfromthem.Itsatmotionlessjustoverthetreesapproximately200feetfromthematanaltitudeofabout70or80feet.

Mr.Gusemanrolleddownhisleftwindowandheandhiswifestudiedtheobjectmoreclosely.Itwasdisc-shapedwithakindofcupolaunderthemainbody.Itswidthwasestimatedatabout50feetanditsheightatabout20feetatthethickestpoint.Exceptforthetop,theobjectwasclearlyvisible,adarkgraysilhouetteagainstthelightersky.Thesurfacewassmoothandthebrightwhitelightsappearedtobesearchlightsaffixedtothefrontend.Thebeamsoftheselightswerewiderattheendsthanatthesourceandonlythesourceofthecloserbeamwasvisible,theotherbeinghiddenbythebodyoftheobject.

Therathersquaredcupola,or"gondola,"containedahorizontalrowofwindowswhichgaveforthafaintsoftlight,steadyanduninterruptedbyanyformsormovement.Thelightwasdescribedas"yellowish"byMr.Guseman,"pinkish"byhiswife.Onthebottomofthisgondola,inthecenter,werethreeredlightswhichshonewithanevenintensity.

Forabouttwominutesthecouplewatchedtheobjectasithoveredmotionless.Severalcarsandtruckspassedonthehigh-way,butnonesloweddownorappearedtotakenotice.Thensuddenlythetwoforwardbeamsoflightbegantoswingupwarduntiltheywerepointedata45-degreeanglefromhorizontal,shiningupwardsandoutintothenightsky.Assoonastheyreachedthisnewposition,theobjectbeganmovinginaforwarddirectiontowardthenorth,andtotheleftofthewitnesses.Asitmoved,theGusemansheardasofthumorbuzz,similartothesoundofanelectricmotor.TheUFOproceededinaslow,straighttrajectoryatanevenaltitudeandasitchangeditsangleofperspectiverelativetotheviewers'position,itpresentedthesamecircular,disc-shapewiththeundercarriageandwindowsbelow.Aftermovingapproximatelytwoorthreehundredfeettothenorthoverthetrees,theUFOseemedliterallytodisappear.Theyassumedithaddroppeddownintoafieldbeyondthetree-line,butwhentheydrovenearthefieldtocheckfurthertheysawnothing;norcouldtheyfindanyevidenceonthegroundwheretheUFOhadhoveredwhentheysearchedit

withaflashlight.

Guseman,29atthetimeofthesighting,ispresidentoftheDelmarvaContractingCompany,Middletown;hiswifeisabusinessadministratorinWilmingtonMemorialHospital.TheirsightingwasinvestigatedbyNICAPstaffmembersStuartNixonandIsabelDavisandtheywerelaterquestionedfurtheratNICAPheadquartersbyDr.JamesE.McDonald.Thewitnesseswerearticulate,unemotionalandcooperativeinboththeirinterviews.

Washington,D.C.,August1,1966

OnJuly31andAugust1,1966,therewasaflurryofsightingsinthegeneralareaofWashingtonandBaltimore.PrinceGeorgesCountypolicewatchedlightedobjectsmaneuveringerraticallyacrossthesky.InBaltimore,residentsoftheCountryRidgehousingdevelopmentwereawakenedearlyinthemorningofAugust1bybarkingdogs.Atleasttwofamiliessawahovering,egg-shapedobjectwithflashinglightsonthetopandbottom.Theobjectmadealoudwhirringorwhiningnoise,accordingtotheBaltimoreNews-American(8/1).

Thatnight,physicistVasilUzunoglu,aconsultantonmicro-electronics,wasdrivingnorthandeastontheCapital(Washington,D.C.)Beltwayabout10:55p.m.(EDT).HehadpassedAndrewsAirForceBasewhen,outofhisopenleftwindow,hesawalightdescendandappeartohoverbriefly,thenmoverapidlytotheeast.Minuteslateranoblongobject"likeasubmarine"descendedoverahousetohisleft.ThistimetheUFOwasmuchcloser,itsapparentsizeaslargeasthehouse.Dr.Uzunogluslowedhiscarandlookedattheobject,nowanestimated200feetaway,forabouttenseconds.Atthispointitshoweddetailsofstructure:apeakedtopwitharedlight;anapparentlyroundedundersurfacewithredlights;andalargeyellowrevolvinglightslightlyoff-center.

"Icouldseeclearlythetopofthebody,whichwasadark,non-shiningmaterialwithnosharpedges,"hetoldNICAP."Themoststrikingpartwastheeye-likeobjectoff-centertotheright,withtwodistinctyellowregions...(Thelowerregion)wasrevolving,blinkingorscanning..."

Dr.Uzunogluturnedhisattentiontothehighwayagain,notingthatnoothercarswereinsight.Whenheglancedbackagain,theobjectwasmovingsouth"ataveryhighspeedandcomparativelylowelevation."Hesaiditdisappearedinseconds.

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EasternMassachusetts,April18-20,1966

InoneoftherecurringironiesoftheUFOcontroversy,theMarch1966Michigan"swampgas"sightingsreceivedallthepublicitywhilesimilarlocalizedwaveselsewhereremainedallbutunknown.Suchaconcentrationofclose-rangesightingsoccurredineasternMassachusettsamonthafterthe"swampgas"reports.

Asummaryreportforthemonth,preparedbyMassachusettsNICAPSubcommitteeChairmanRaymondFowler,logs18sightingsbetweenApril11and23alongtheeasternMassachusettsshorefromDanvers,northofBoston,toAttleboro,neartheConnecticutborder.Thelargemajorityofsightingsoccurredovercityresidentialareas,andthepredominantshapeofthereportedobjectswasoval.Virtuallyallhadbodylights;severalgaveoffhigh-pitchedhummingnoises.

Ontwoconsecutivenights,April18/19and19/20,therewereatleast6reports.Aboutmidnightonthe18th,Mr.andMrs.GeorgeMayofSharonwerearrivinghomewhentheysawanegg-shapedobjectdescendandhoverabout500feetaboveanopenfieldadjoiningtheirproperty.AteachendoftheUFOwasasmallredlight.Abandofyellowlightacrossthelengthoftheobjectgavetheimpressionofwindows.Afterabouttenminutes,theUFOroseslowlyinanupwardslant,thenacceleratedandrapidlydisappeared.

Ontheeveningofthe19th,agroupofpeoplegatheredattheMayhomeinhopesofseeingtheUFOsightedthenightbefore.About11:45p.m.someblinking,color-changinglightswerenotedinthenortheast.Mrs.MaycalledtheSharonpolice,andtwoofficersweredispatchedtothescene.Aboutmidnight,thetwoofficerswererelievedbyanewshift,Sgt.BernardCoffeyandOfficerFrederickJones.Nothingofconsequencetranspiredforthefewminutesthatthefirstofficerswerepresent,exceptthesightingsofdistantlightsinthesky.Sgt.Coffey'sreportofwhatfollowed:

"About12:10a.m....OfficerJonesandmyselfwatchedthesedistantlightswiththeMays.Oneoftheseobjectswasinanorthwesterlydirection,similartoastar,onlybrighter.Itappearedtoberotatingandchangingcolorsfromredtowhitetogreen.Thereweretwootherobjectsofthesamedescriptioninasouthwesterlydirection.Whilewewereobservingthesedistantlights,Mrs.Maysaid`hereitcomes,'or`thereitis,'andwealllookedinaneasterlydirection.Theobjectappearedtobeafallingstaratagreatdistance,onlythreetimesthesizeofastar,andbrighter.WithinamatteroftwoorthreesecondstheobjectappearedoverthetreelineontheeasterlysideofthefieldinfrontoftheMays'houseabout200-300yardsawayfromusandapproximately500feetup.Whenitwashoveringoverthetreelineitappearedasaverybright,largemassofwhitelightwithaballish[round]appearance.Itmadenonoisewhatsoeveranddidnotcastanylightontothetreelineorgroundbelow.

"Theobjectstoppedandhoveredoverthetreelineforapproximatelytwoorthreeminutes.Whileithoveredaplanepassedoverinanortherlydirection.Whentheplanemovedofftheobjectstartedtomoveacrossthefieldinfrontofusinasouthwesterlydirection.AstheobjectpassedinfrontofusIviewedaredlightinfrontandaredlighttotherearthatremainedon(notflashing)andawidesectionofwhitelightextendingfromredlighttoredlightandappearedtobeinsidelights.Iconcentratedontryingtoseeinsideoftheobjectforanyfiguresormovementsbutfailedtodetectanysignsoflifeorfigures.IfeelasifIdidseeinsidetheobject.Theobjectdisappearedasitwentoverthetreelineinasouthwesterlydirection."

Alsoontheearlymorningofthe20th,Mr.DavidClappofSharonwasdrivinginanortheastdirectionaboutamilefromtheMayhome.About12:15a.m.hesawaverybrightlightheadedsouthataheightof500to700feet.Hestoppedhiscar,rolleddownthewindow,andsawtheUFOabruptlyreversedirection.Thelightmovedrapidlynorthanddisappearedasifintoclouds.Aboutthesametime,aSharonwoman(nameandreportonfile)wasapassengerinacargoingeastsoutheastatapositionlessthanamilefromtheMayhome.Shesawabrightwhitelightwithsmallerredlightsateachendmovingslowlysouthwardatanestimatedaltitudeof800to1000feet,belowsomescatteredclouds.Thelightdisappearedupwardsasifintotheclouds.

Earlierintheeveningofthe19th,Mrs.PeggyKudlainBellingham,severalmileswestsouthwestofSharon,andanotherwitness,sawanarrowovalorcigar-

shapedobjectofverylargeapparentsize,atfirsttippedatanangle.Ateachendwasabrightredlight,steadyatfirstbutblinkinglaterastheUFOmovedaway.Asitbeganmoving,ittiltedtoalevelposition.Thetimewasabout10:00p.m.(EST).TheUFOhovered,movedupanddownandbackandforthoverasmallarea.Itwassilentwhilehovering,butgaveoffahigh-pitchedhissingsoundwhenitmoved.TheUFOappearedtobeatanaltitudeofabout200feetandatitsclosestpointwasestimatedtobeabout300feetaway.

Mr.Fowler'sreportontheeventsofApril19adds:"Onthissamenightat8p.m.anovalobjectgivingoffa`piercinghummingsound'wasseenpassingoverStoughton,20mileswestofBellingham[nearSharon].Itwasheadingwest,towardBellingham.At8:11p.m.twoovalobjectswithredandgreenlightsweresightednearHartford,Connecticut,hoveringovertheRockyHillVeteran'sHomeandHospital,accordingtoareportreceivedbytheRockyHillpolice.At11:45p.m.atQuincy,Mass.,about30milesnortheastofBellingham,thereweresightingsofdisc-shapedobjectswithredlightshoveringandthen`swinginglikeapendulum'.TheBellinghamsightingistypicalofthemanyreportsreceivedbytheNICAP-MassachusettsSubcommittee."

SincealocaladvertisingplanehadoftentouchedoffUFOreports,Mr.FowlercheckedandlearnedthattheplanedidnotflyatallonthenightofApril19.

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Spring1964

AfteralullinUFOsightingsintheearly1960s,anewwaveofreportsoccurredduringthespringof1964.AmongthemanysightingreportswasthewidelypublicizedSocorro,NewMexico,landingcase,onApril24.Acrossthecountry,literallyfromcoasttocoast,otherstructuredobjectswereobservedatrelativelycloserange.Thesecloseapproaches,landingsandnear-landingsweretosetthepatternforthenextfouryears.Althoughtheyhadhappenedbefore,onoccasion,thenumbersofsuchclose-proximitycaseswereunprecedented.

Sunnyvale,California,June2,1964

WhiledrivingtowardherhomeonMcKinleyAvenueat10:30p.m.(PST)onJune2,Mrs.BruceA.Holmes,ofSunnyvale,California,sawastrange-lookingobjectaboutacityblock'sdistancefromher.TheUFOhoveredmotionlessoverneighborhoodhomesatanaltitudeestimatedtobenomorethan150feetand

appearedtobeaboutaslargeas"an18by24-footlivingroom."Themainbodyoftheobjectwassimilartoablimp,somewhatcigar-shaped,butfatter-possiblytheshapeofadiscthickenedatthecenter.Itwasdarkandbarelyvisibleagainstthedarkenedsky.

Belowthisbodyaslightlyrectangular,flat,box-likeareawasbrightlyilluminated.Thelightwasshiningdownwardandappearedtocomefromwithinthisbox-likesection.Aroundtheentirebottomedgewerewhatappearedtothewitnesstobe"flutteringflags."Thesewerewhite,andeitherlightedorreflectingthelightfromwithintheboxedarea.Althoughtheobjectitselfwasquitemotionless,theappendageswereinconstantmotion,remindingthewitnessoftheflagsusedatservicestationstoattracttheattentionofcustomers.

Mrs.Holmescontinuedtowardherhome,parkedhercarandranintothehousetosummonherhusband.Astheyhurriedoutdoors,theobjecthadalreadybeguntomoveoffandupwardatabouta40-degreeangle,anditwassomedistanceaway,headingsoutheasttowardSanJose.Thewitnesseswatcheditgrowsmallerasitmovedtowardthehorizon,betweentwolargetrees.Itsspeedwasaboutthatofapropelleraircraft.Suddenly,theobjectshotquicklytotheleftbehindoneofthetreesatextremelyhighspeed,thenbackagainacrossthesamepathtotheright,behindtheothertree.Itthenmovedbackintoviewbetweenthetwotreesandwasjoinedbytwoidenticalobjects.ThethreeUFOscontinuedinthedirectionofSanJoseanddisappearedoverthehorizon.Thetotallengthofobservationwasabouttenminutes.Theweatheratthetimeofsightingwasclear,witha10to15m.p.h.windfromthenorth.

Lawrenceville,Illinois,June8,1964

Mrs.HelenReed,wholivesonRoute50nearLawrenceville,Illinois,describedaclose-upobservationshemadeofapeculiar-lookingobjectonJune8.At9:30p.m.,whileinherbackyard,shelookedupandsawastrangely-lightedobjectinthevicinityofherbarn,closetotheground-notmorethantenor15feethigh.Itwasatypicaldomed-discwithaflatbottomandwhenfirstobserved,thedomewasglowingasoft,luminousblue.Theobjectmovederraticallyawayfromthebarnandthedometurnedabrightred-orangeincolor.Itexecutedseveralsharp,right-angleturnsanddisappearedbehindtheshed.

Walkingovertoapositionbetweenherbarnandshed,Mrs.Reedsawtheobject

approachatamoderatespeedandthenstopwithin50feetofher.Sheestimateditwasnomorethan15feetindiameterandshelaterdescribedaseriesofround,yellowlightsthatencircledthebase.Theselightswere"brighterthanheadlights,"butcausedhernodiscomfortasshewatched.

ThelightsthenbegantorotatefromlefttorightandMrs.Reedsawthattherewasonespacewherealightappearedtobemissing.Theobjecthoveredinthesamepositionforseveralseconds,thespeedofrevolutionincreasingtoaveryhighr.p.mItthenbeganmovingoff,makingasharp,right-angleturntowardthenorth.Withoutgainingaltitude,itdisappearedrapidlyfromview.Mrs.Reedsaidthatastheobjectdeparted,itsyellowlightswererotatingsorapidlythatitgavetheappearanceofasingleyellowbandaroundthebase.Theentiresequenceofeventshadlastedperhapstenminutes.

Lynn,Massachusetts,June15,1964

Aclose-rangesightingofadomedUFOoccurredatLynn,MassachusettsonthenightofJune15.InaNICAPreportobtainedbyAdvisorWalterWebb,WilliamAngelos,20,atechnicalschoolstudent,saidthatwhilewatchingtelevisionat11:10p.m.,heheardaloud,throbbingnoise"similartoarough-runningpistonengine"immediatelyoutsidehisfamily'sapartmentonHenryStreet.Hismother,whohadjustretired,alsoheardthenoise.Angelosimmediatelyrushedtothedooroftheirapartment,whichwaslocatedonthegroundfloor.Lookingoutintothecourtyardbetweenthreeapartmentbuildings,hefirstnoticedaredlightabovetheparkinglotinthecourtyard.Hethensawthattheredlightwasontheundersideofalarge,solid,almostcolorlessobjecthardlymorethan20feetaway.

Theobjectwasshapedlikeadisc,orientedinahorizontalposition,flatonthebottomandwithadomeduppersurface.Whenfirstnoticed,thedomeddiscwasapproximately12feetabovethepavement,sothatitwasseenagainstthewallofthebuildingontheoppositesideofthecourtyard.ItascendedslowlyinanearlyverticalclimbtowardthewestsouthwestanddisappearedintheWSWskyatanelevationof45degrees,afteradurationofatleastaminute.

Inhisinvestigation,Webbdiscoveredthatseveralotherneighborshadheardtheloudsound.AtleastonehadseentheredlightflashingthroughherwindowatapproximatelythesametimeAngelosreportedseeingthediscascending.Otherneighborsreportedhavingexperiencedtelevisioninterferenceatthesametime.

TABLEOFCONTENTSSectionI-TheUFORevolution;SectionII-Extraterrestrials-SuggestedMotives&OriginsSectionIII-VehiclePacings&EncountersSectionIV-Close-RangeSightings,StructuralDetailsSectionV-ScientificSupport,CongressionalHearingsSectionVI-Landings,PhysicalTracesSectionVII-AreThereUFOOccupantsSectionVIII-TheColoradoProject

APPENDIXAppendixA-CaseHistoriesAnalyzedbyDr.JamesE.McDonaldAppendixB-NewspaperEditorialsAppendixC-CongressionalStatementsAppendixD-witnessSketches

NICAPHomePage

15SECTIONV

CONGRESSIONALHEARINGSANDSCIENTISTS'SUPPORT

AsstatedinSectionI,unprecedentedCongressionalhearingsonUFOswereheldbytheHouseScienceandAstronauticsCommittee,July29,1968.Forthefirsttimesince"flyingsaucers"becamenews,in1947,positive,factualevidencewaspresentedtoaCongressionalcommittee,alongwiththeopinionsandrecommendationsofthesixdistinguishedscientistswhomadeupthesymposiumpanel.

DuringtheseSpaceCommitteehearings,thescientistsdiscussedthenegativetheoriesandclaimsfrequentlyputforwardbyskepticsanddebunkers.

Themostcommonskepticalobjectionsfallintofourcategories:(1)Theoretical;(2)Argumentsbasedonfalseassumptions,suchas"NoastronomerhaseverseenaUFO"..."NoUFOshavebeentrackedonradar...";(3)Skepticismabouthumanandmechanicalobservers..."People,andeveninstruments,areeasilyfooled...";(4)Alternativeexplanationswhichthetheoristsclaimaremorereasonablethantheextraterrestrialhypothesis,suchas:"UFOsareplasma...unknownnaturalphenomena...hallucinations."

MostoftheseobjectionsandnegativetheorieswereexaminedanddeclaredinvalidbytheCongressionalsymposiumscientists.

Onefrequentargumentdiscussedcanbeboileddownto"Theycan'tgetherefromthere."Thisisusuallybasedonachainofunprovenassumptions;italsoignoresthemanyfactualreportssuggestingcloseobservationsofourearthbyintelligentbeingsfromamoreadvancedcivilization.

SkepticalAssumptions

Thechiefassumptionsareasfollows,withbriefanswers:

(1)Thereisnointelligentlifeinoursolarsystem.

Noproofofthishasbeenfound;eventheMarsMarinerphotographsleftthequestionunanswered.(SeecommentsbyDr.SaganandStantonT.Friedman,inthehearingstestimony.)

(2)Outsideoursolarsystemthedistancesaretoovast.Thispresumesvariousunknownfactorsaboutthetechnology,motivationandlifespanofsupposedextraterrestrials.

(3)Notechnologyisknownwhichwouldallowustoapproachthespeedoflight,whichaccordingtoEinsteinisthehighestspeedpossibleinspace.

Herehumantechnologyistakenasabasisfordiscussion.Wehavenowayofknowingwhattheattainmentsofanintelligentextraterrestrialracemightbe.Atechnologywhichproducedapropulsionspeedapproachingthatoflight,coupledwitharaceofbeingswhoselifespansgreatlyexceedourscouldnegateallargumentsbasedonhumanlimitations.Andneitherofthesetwosuggestionsisbeyondtherealmofpossibility.(SeeDr.Sagan'stestimonythatinterstellarflightisnotimpossible.)

Themoreopen-mindedattitudesexpressedbythemajorityoftheCongressionalsymposiumscientistsgivehopethatourhumanpreconceptionsaboutwhatispossible,andwhatisimpossible,willbereconsideredandevaluatedinthelightofpersistenttestimonyaboutUFOs.Bothsubjects-ourhumanpreconceptionsandtheUFOevidence-needsearchingre-examination.Thestrongandgrowingscientificsupportforafull-scalescientificinquirycouldverywellbringthisabout.

TheCongressionalUFOhearingsbytheHouseScienceandAstronauticsCommitteewereopenedat10:05a.m.,July29,1968,theHon.J.EdwardRoush,chairmanofthesymposium,presiding.

AlthoughNICAPplayedanimportantpartinsecuringthesehearings,bysupplyingthecommitteewithfactualinformation,theNICAPstaffmemberspresentmadenostatementsduringthemeetings.Thediscussionswereconfinedtocommitteemembersandthescientists,topreventinterruptionsbycultistsandself-appointeddebunkerswhocouldhavecausedadisturbance.Also,theCongressmenandscientistswereinstructednottocriticizetheAirForceortheColoradoProject,aprovisionwhichlefttheAirForcenogroundstodemandrepresentation.

Despitethisrule,CongressmanWilliamF.Ryan(D.-N.Y.)suggestedthatthecommitteeinvestigatetheColoradoProject.(CongressmanRoushwasalreadyonrecord,asstatedinSectionI,asaskingtheComptrollerGeneral"toinvestigatetheuseofpublicmoneysattheUniversityofColorado.")Also,someofthescientistsstronglyimplieddisapprovaloftheofficialinvestigation.

Followingaresomehighlightsofthetestimonybythesixpanelists.

DR.J.ALLENHYNEK,ASTRONOMER,NORTH-WESTERNUNIVERSITY

(Dr.HynekisdirectorofDearbornObservatoryandscientificconsultanttotheAirForceonUFOs.HehasservedatobservatoriesofOhioStateandChicagoUniversities,alsoasaNavycivilianscientistin1944).

Dr.J.A.Hynek,chiefscientificconsultanttotheAirForceonUFOsforover20years,testifiedconcerninghislongbackgroundinUFOinvestigation,hischangedattitudetowardthesubject,andhiscurrentbeliefthattheexistingreportswarrantawide-scalescientificinvestigation.

"TheUFOreportswhichinmyopinionhavepotentialscientificvaluearethose-andthismayserveusasaworkingdefinitionofUFOs-arethosereportsofaerialphenomenawhichcontinuetodefyexplanationinconventionalscientificterms.Manyscientists,notfamiliarwiththereallychallengingUFOdata,willnotacceptthenecessityforahighorderof

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scientificinquiryandefforttoestablishthevalidityofthedata-andthereforesuchdetailed,conscientious,andsystematicinquiryhasyettobeundertaken."

Inanswertocriticismabouthisnotspeakingoutearlieronthesubject,HynekobservedthattheamorphousnatureofUFOdataandthelackofconcretedatawouldhavefailedtoconvinceotherscientists.

"InattemptinganalysisoftheUFOproblemtoday,Ipayparticularattentiontoreportscontaininglargeamountsofinformationwhicharemadebyseveralwitnesses,ifpossible,whoasfarasIcanascertain,haveunimpeachablereputationsandarecompetent.Forexample,ImightciteadetailedreportIreceivedfromtheassociatedirectorofoneoftheNation'smostimportantscientificlaboratories,andhisfamily.[Dr.Hynekdidnotelaborateonthereport].Reportssuchastheseareobviouslyinadifferentcategoryfromreportswhich,say,identifyVenusasahoveringspaceship,andthusaddtothefrustratingconfusion.

ReliableObservers

"Ontheotherhand,whenoneormoreobviouslyreliablepersonsreports-ashas

happenedmanytimes-thatabrightlyilluminatedobjecthoveredafewhundredfeetabovetheirautomobile,andthatduringtheincidenttheircarmotorstopped,theheadlightsdimmedorwentout,andtheradiostoppedplaying,onlytohavethesefunctionsreturntonormalafterthedisappearanceoftheUFO,itisclearlyanothermatter.

"Bywhatrightcanwesummarilyignoretheirtestimonyandimplythattheyaredeludedorjustplainliars?Wouldwesotreatthesesamepeopleiftheyweretestifyingincourt,underoath,onmoremundanematters?

"Or,ifitisreported,asithasbeeninmanyinstancesovertheworldbyreputableandcompetentpersons,thatwhiletheyweresittingquietlyathometheyheardthebarnyardanimalsbehavinginagreatlydisturbedandatypicalmannerandwhen,uponinvestigating,foundnotonlytheanimalsinastateofpanicbutreportedanoiseless-orsometimeshumming-brightlyilluminatedobjecthoveringnearby,beamingabrightredlightdownontothesurroundings,thenclearlyweshouldpayattention.Somethingveryimportantmaybegoingon."

DecryingthesensationalaccountsofUFOscommonlyfoundinnewsstandofferings,Dr.HynekcitesthisasthefirstproblemfacingscientistswhowanttolookattheUFOproblem-thelackofasourceofmeaningful,hardcoredata.

"HerewecometothecruxoftheproblemofthescientistandtheUFO.Theultimateproblemis,ofcourse,whatareUFOs;buttheimmediateandcrucialproblemis,Howdowegetdataforproperscientificstudy?Theproblemhasbeenmadeimmenselymoredifficultbythesuppositionheldbymostscientists,onthebasisofthepoordataavailabletothem,thattherecouldn'tpossiblybeanythingsubstantialtoUFOreportsinthefirstplace,andhencethatthereisnopointtowastingtimeormoneyinvestigating.[TheviewpointexpressedbyDr.DonaldH.Menzel,amongothers].

"Thisstrange,butunderthecircumstancesunderstandableattitude,wouldbeakintosaying,forinstance,letusnotbuildobservatoriesandtelescopesforthestudyofthestarsbecauseitisobviousthatthosetwinklingpointsoflightuptherearejustillusionsintheupperatmosphereanddonotrepresentphysicalthings.

"Fortunately,centuriesagotherewereafewcuriousmenwhodidnoteasilyacceptthenotionthatstarswereillusorylightsonacrystallinecelestialsphereandjudgedthatthestudyofthestarsmightbeworthwhilethough,tomany,aseeminglyimpracticalandnonsensicalventure.Thepursuitofthatseeminglyimpracticalandpossiblyunrewardingstudyofastronomyandrelatedsciences,however,hasgivenusthehighlytechnologicalworldweliveinandthehighstandardoflivingweenjoy-astandardwhichwouldhavebeentotallyimpossibleinapeasantsocietywhoseeyeswereneverturnedtowardtheskies.

"CanweaffordnottolooktowardtheUFOskies;canweaffordtooverlooka

potentialbreakthroughofgreatsignificance?Andevenapartfromthat,thepublicisgrowingimpatient.Thepublicdoesnotwantanother20yearsofUFOconfusion.TheywanttoknowwhethertherereallyissomethingtothiswholeUFObusiness-andIcantellyoudefinitelythattheyarenotsatisfiedwiththeanswerstheyhavebeengetting.Thepublicingeneralmaybeunsophisticatedinscientificmatters,buttheyhaveanuncannywayofdistinguishingbetweenanhonestscientificapproachandthemethodofridiculeandpersiflage."

Inordertofindoutwhetherthereis"scientificpaydirt"intheUFOproblem,Dr.Hynekremarked,aserious,well-financedstudyinareceptivescientificclimatewouldbenecessary.

"HopefullythetimeisnotfaroffwhentheUFOphenomenoncanhaveanadequateanddefinitivehearing,andwhenascholarlypaperonthenatureofUFOreportscanbepresentedbeforescientificbodieswithoutprejudice."

DR.JAMESE.McDONALD,ATMOSPHERICPHYSICIST,UNIVERSITYOFARIZONA

(Dr.McDonaldhasaPhDinphysicsfromIowaStateUniversity;formerlyresearchphysicist,CloudPhysicsProject,Univ.ofChicago;U.S.Navy,1942-45,navalintelligenceandserology).

Dr.J.E.McDonaldoutlinedhisbackgroundandexperienceininterviewingUFOwitnesses,describedhisawakeningtotheseriousnatureoftheUFOproblem,analyzedseveralspecificcases,andcriticizedthemisuseofscientificprinciplestoexplainawaysightings.

(SomeofDr.McDonald'scommentsonthemisuseofatmosphericopticalexplanationsareincludedlater.)

"IwishtoemphasizethatmyownstudyoftheUFOproblemhasconvincedmethatwemustrapidlyescalateseriousscientificattentiontothisextraordinarilyintriguingpuzzle.IbelievethatthescientificcommunityhasbeenseriouslymisinformedfortwentyyearsaboutthepotentialimportanceofUFOs.Idonot

wishheretoelaborateonmyowninterpretationofthehistorybehindthatlongperiodofmisinformation;IonlywishtourgetheCommitteeonScienceandAstronauticstotakewhateverstepsarewithintheirpowertoalterthissituationwithoutfurtherdelay.Thepresentsymposiumisanexcellent

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stepinthelatterdirection.IstronglyurgeyourCommitteethatfurthereffortsinthesamedirectionbemadeinthenearfuture.IbelievethatextensivehearingsbeforeyourCommittee,aswellasbeforeotherCongressionalcommitteeshavingconcernwiththisproblem,areneeded.

"ThepossibilitythattheEarthmightbeundersurveillancebysomehighcivilizationincommandofatechnologyfarbeyondoursmustnotbeoverlookedinweighingtheUFOproblem.Iamoneofthosewholeanstronglytowardstheextra-terrestrialhypothesis.Iarrivedatthatpointbyaprocessofeliminationofotheralternativehypotheses,notbyargumentsbasedonwhatIcouldcall"irrefutableproof."Iamconvincedthattherecurrentobservationsbyreliablecitizenshereandabroadoverthepasttwentyyearscannotbebrushedasideasnonsense,butratherneedtobetakenextremelyseriouslyasevidencethatsomephenomenonisgoingonwhichwesimplydonotunderstand.AlthoughthereisnocurrentbasisforconcludingthathostilityandgravehazardliebehindtheUFOphenomenology,wecannotbeentirelysureofthat.Forallofthesereasons,greatlyexpandedscientificandpublicattentiontotheUFOproblemisurgentlyneeded."

DR.CARLSAGAN,ASTRONOMER,CORNELLUNIVERSITY

(Dr.SaganisassociateprofessorofastronomyintheDepartmentofAstronomyandCenterforRadiophysicsandSpaceResearch,CornellUniv.)

"Idonotthinktheevidenceisatallpersuasive,thatUFOsareofintelligentextraterrestrialorigin,nordoIthinktheevidenceisconvincingthatnoUFOsareofintelligentextra-terrestrialorigin.Ithinkaseachoftheprecedingspeakershasmentioned,butperhapsnotsufficientlyemphasized,thatthequestionisverymuchanopenone,anditiscertainlytoosoontohardenattitudesandmakeanypermanentcontentionsonthesubject."

Commentingonthedifficultyofassessingthebelievabilityofextraterrestrialvisitation,Dr.Saganobserved,"...anyestimateofhowlikelyitisthatwewouldbevisited...dependsnotonlyonhowmanyofthemthereare,butonwhatkindoftransporttheyhave,andhowoftentheylaunchtheirspacevehicles.Evenveryoptimisticestimatesforallthesenumbersgivesaconclusionthatanadvancedcivilizationcomeshereveryrarely.ButIagainemphasizethegreatuncertaintyinanyofthesenumericalestimates,astheyinvolvepartsofsciencewedon'tknowverymuchabout."

Thereareemotionalfactors,hesaid,whichpredisposesomenottowanttoacceptUFOsbecausethatwouldthreatenourconceptionofbeingthe"pinnacleofcreation,"andsometowanttobelieveUFOsareextraterrestrialforreligiousreasons,andthehopethat"they"willsaveusfromourselves."Itisclearthatthescientificmethodsaysyoudon'ttakeeitheroftheseviews,andyousimplykeepanopenmindandpursuewhateverfactsareathandwithasmanydiversehypothesesaspossible,andtrytoeliminateeachsuggestedhypothesis,andseeifyouareluckywithanyone."

Regardingthesearchforextraterrestriallife,Dr.Sagansaidthis"isoftheveryhighestinterestforbiologyandinfactforallscience...Now,iftheanswertothissortofprofoundscientificquestionliesrightathand,itwouldbefollytoignoreit.Ifwearebeingvisitedbyrepresentativesofextraterrestriallife,just(to)stickourheadsinthesand,wouldbeaverybadpolicy,Ithink.

Ontheotherhand,tomountamajorefforttoinvestigatethesethings,Ithinkrequiressomeharderevidencethanisnowathand."

DR.ROBERTL.HALL,SOCIALPSYCHOLOGIST,UNIVERSITYOFILLINOIS,CHICAGO

(Dr.HallischairmanoftheDepartmentofSociology,Univ.of111.,Chicago;formerlyprogramdirectorforsociologyandsocialpsychology,NationalSciencefoundation;socialpsychologistforAirForcePersonnel&TrainingResearchCenter).

Dr.R.L.HallanalyzedtheUFOproblemintermsofbeliefsystems,andpsychologicaleffectsonthepublicwhenthereappearstobealackofforthrightinvestigationandfreereleaseofinformation.Healsomadeanovelrecommendationforadversaryproceedingsasameansofclarifyingtheimportantquestions.

"Nearlyallrationalobserversappeartobeagreedthatthegreatmajorityofallreportedsightingsofunidentifiedflyingobjects(UFOs)canbeexplainedasmisidentificationsoffamiliarphenomena,withanoccasionalhoaxcontributingtotheconfusion.However,thereareapproximately100to200casesperyear,baseduponapparentlysoundtestimony,withrecurrentfeaturesofappearance,movement,andreactiontotheenvironment.Strongdisagreementarisesoverthesecases.

"Onemajorareaofdisagreementisthequestionwhetheranynovelphysicalphenomenonunderliesthesereportsorwhethertheyaresimplyamiscellaneouscollectionoffamiliarphenomena,misidentifiedbecauseofmasshysteriaandmisperceivedashavingrecurrentfeaturesbecauseofaprocessofhystericalcontagion.Amongthosewhobelievethatthereisaphysicalphenomenon,thereare,inturn,severalalternativeexplanationsastowhatitis."

Dr.Hallreferredtothe"plasma/balllightning"and"spaceanimal"explanations.

However,hesaid,these"fittheavailableevidencesopoorlythatIshallnotdealwiththemfurther.Wemight,then,labelthethreemajorhypotheses:(1)masshysteriaandcontagion;(2)extraterrestrialdevices;(3)newnaturalphenomenon."

Dr.Hallorganizedhiscommentsaroundthreemajorquestionsregardingtheoriginsofthebeliefsystemsandhowtheymightbemodified,theplausibilityofthemasshysteriahypothesis,andtheprobableconsequencesandpossibleprecautionstobetakenassuringthetruthofeachofthethreemajorhypotheses.

ImprovisedNews

"Muchsociologicalresearchonrumorandbeliefsystemsindicatesthatambiguityaboutanimportantmatterbegetsimprovisednews.Totheextentthattrustedinformationisnotavailable,systemsofbeliefaregeneratedtofillthegap...AlternativeexplanationsofUFOreportshavearisenbecauseofalackofsound,authoritativeinformationinwhichpeoplehaveconfidence.Thisisanormalandusualreactiontosuchsituationsofambiguity."

Regardingthepossibletruthoftheextraterrestrialhypothesis,Dr.Hallsaid:"Wemustalsobeconcernedwiththerisksofpanicresultinginpeoplehurtingoneanother,eveniftheassumedextraterrestrialvisitorsmeannoharm.Thisriskcouldbemarkedlyreducedbypreparingthepublicfortheeventuality-bytreatingitasaseriouspossibilitythatmustbediscussed.Thegreatestriskofpanicwouldcomefromadramaticconfrontationbetweentheassumed`visitors'andacollectionofhumanswhowereunpreparedandhadbeentoldthattheirleadersdidnotbelievesuchvisitorsexisted.Anotherriskisthatwemightmisinterpretsuchdevicesasweaponsofanothercountryandtherebyaccidentallytriggernuclearwar.Iftheseareextraterrestrialdevices,wehave,ofcourse,agreatopportunitytolearnfromtheirtechnology,whichwouldappeartobeveryadvancedincertainrespectsbyourterrestrialstandards."

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Similarly,hesaid,ifweassumeUFOsareanovelnaturalphenomenonthesameriskofpanicexists,andthesamepotentialtogainimportantnewscientificknowledge.Orifthewholeproblemisstrictlysocialpsychologicalinnature,anunprecedentedextremecaseofmasshysteriaandcontagion,thentheriskofpanicoraccidentalwarisverygreat,andtheneedurgent"toimproveourunderstandingoftheprocessesofmasshysteria,beliefformation,andmeansofcontrollingthekindsofanxietythatgeneratesuchaproblem."

DoUFOshaveabasicallypsychologicalexplanation?InhisconclusionsDr.Hallstates,"HysteriaandcontagionofbeliefcanaccountforsomeofthereportsofUFOs,buttheweightofevidencesuggestsstronglythattheremustbesomekindofphysicalphenomenonwhichunderliesaportionofthereports."

Recommendingsystematicgatheringofnewinformationandthefullestpossiblecirculationofallavailableinformation,hesaid,"Thewholematterneedstobetreatedassomethingdeservingseriousstudy."

"Seriousconsiderationmightbegiventotheideaofsettingupaformaladversaryproceeding,modeledafteroursystemofjustice.Justascourtshaveattorneysassignedtobuildthebestpossiblecasefortheprosecutionandotherstobuildthebestcasefordefense,wemighthaveastaffassignedtobuildthestrongestpossiblecaseforeachofthethreemajorexplanationsofUFOreports.Ifeachhadtoconfronttheothersandanswertheircriticisms,wewouldprobablyforceaclearerfocusonthecrucialpointsthatneedtobesettled...ThesituationthatwefaceinUFOreportsisanexcitingandchallengingonewhichpresentsararescientificopportunity,nomatterwhoseinterpretationandexplanationyoumayaccept."

DR.JAMESA.HARDER,CIVILENGINEERING,UNIV.OFCALIF.,BERKELEY

(Dr.Harderisassociateprofessorofcivilengineering,Univ.ofCalifornia,Berkeley;hisPhDisfromCaliforniaInstituteofTechnology;formerlydesignengineer,USDA;U.S.Navy,194445).

Dr.J.A.Harderdiscussedphysicalevidencecases,questionsaboutUFOpropulsion,andlinesofinvestigationwhichmightshedmorelightontheseareas.

"OverthepasttwentyyearsavastamountofevidencehasbeenaccumulatingthatbearsontheexistenceofUFOs.Mostofthisislittleknowntothegeneralpublicortomostscientists.Butonthebasisofthedataandordinaryrulesofevidence,aswouldbeappliedincivilorcriminalcourts,thephysicalrealityofUFOshasbeenprovedbeyondareasonabledoubt.Withsomeeffort,wecanacceptthisonanintellectuallevelbutfindadifficultyinacceptingitonanemotionallevel,insuchawaythatthefactsgiveafeelingofreality.Inthisrespect,wemightrecalltheattitudemanyofushavetowardsourowndeaths:Weacceptthefactsintellectually,butfinditdifficulttoacceptthememotionally."

Dr.HarderdiscussedsomespecificcasesinwhichcluestothepropulsionofUFOsmightbefound;also,thecaseinUbatuba,BrazilinvolvingmetallicfragmentsallegedtobepartofanexplodedUFO.

"Should,byanygoodfortune,furthersamplesofUFOmaterialbefound,theremaybefurthercluesthatwouldspurourresearchintohigh-strengthmaterials,andperhapsgiveushintsofhowtoachievesuper-strengthinmaterialsthatarelargerthanthetinyfiberswehaveproducedsofar.Needlesstosay,ifwepersistindenyingtherealityofUFOs,wewillnotbelookingforsuchsamples,andmayindeedrejectthemashavingnoimportancewhentheyarebroughttoourattention."

Dr.Harder,inhisdiscussionofpropulsion,notedthat"thereislittlereasontobelievethatmagneticfields,ofthemselves,couldbeofmuchuseinpropellingaspacecraft,althoughtherehasbeenmuchuninformedspeculationaboutthisinpopularUFOpublications.Thesimplereasonisthatwecannotproduceanorthpolewithoutatthesametimeproducingasouthpole.Thisisaconsequenceoffundamentaltheory.Suchadipolecannotexertaforceinconjunctionwithauniformmagneticfield,suchastheearthmaybeassumedtohaveinagivenlocality,thoughitcanproduceaforceinanon-uniformfield.Togobeyondtheabovediscussionwouldberatherspeculative,butitisjustherethatwefindastimulusandchallengetoscientifictheory...ConcerningthepropulsionofUFOs,atentativehypothesiswouldbethatitisconnectedwithanapplicationofgravitationalfieldsthatwedonotunderstand."

Attheconclusionofhisdiscussiononpropulsion,Dr.Harderdrewaninterestinganalogy,"recallingthestatementthatthemostimportantsecretoftheatomicbombwasthatitworked.ThisgavethecrucialimpetustoothernationsintheirowneffortstoduplicatetheresearchoftheUnitedStates.IntheUFOphenomenawehavedemonstrationsofscientificsecretswedonotknowourselves.Itwouldbeamistake,itseemstome,toignoretheirexistence."

DR.ROBERTM.L.BAKER,JR.,SENIORSCIENTIST,COMPUTERSCIENCESCORPORATION

(Dr.BakerhasaPhDinastronauticalengineeringfromUCLA;formerlyconsultanttoDouglasAircraft;AFprojectofficer,headofLockheed'sAstrodynamicsResearchCenter).

Dr.R.M.L.BakerdescribedhisanalysesofUFOmovies,particularlyofthe1950Montanafilmand1952Utahfilm,anddiscussedtheapplicationsofinstrumentstostudyingUFOs.

"AsIwilldiscussinamoment,thissituationisnotparticularlysurprising,since,withoutaspecial-purposesensorsystemexpresslydesignedtoobtaininformationpertinenttoanomalisticobservationalphenomena,orageneralpurposesensorsystemoperatedsoasnottodisregardsuchdata,thechanceforobtaininghigh-qualityharddataisquitesmall.'

(Thefactthatvirtuallyallexistinginstrumentationisdeliberatelydesignedtoscreenoutallexcepttheparticularphenomenonbeinglookedfor-saySovietbombersormissiles-wasthesubjectofafourwaydiscussionamongDr.Baker,Dr.Sagan,Dr.HynekandDr.McDonald.ThepointishighlyimportantinansweringthosecriticswhoclaimourspacedetectionsystemshavenottrackedanyUFOs.Inthefirstplace,thebuiltinselectivityandthenarrowoutlookonaparticularmissionmakeitunlikelythatanomalousphenomenawouldbedetected,orrecognizediftheyweredetected.Inthesecondplace,anomalousphenomenahavebeendetectedandhaveneverbeenadequatelystudied).

Dr.Bakerunderlinedthefactthatopticaltrackingequipment,too,isnarrowandspecializedinpurpose."Asalreadynoted...evenifsuchdatawerecollected,therecognitionoftheiruniquenessoranomalouscharacterbyanexperimenterisimprobable.Examplesabound,inthehistoryofcelestialmechanics,ofminorplanetsbeingdetectedonoldastronomicalplatesthathadbeenmeasuredforotherpurposes,andthenabandoned.

"Ourradarandopticalspacesurveillanceandtrackingsystemsareevenmorerestrictiveandthus,evenlesslikelytoprovideinformationonanomalisticphenomenathanareastronomicalsensors."Dr.Bakergavespecificexamplesofexistingsensorsystems,andwhytheycouldnotbeexpectedtodetectUFOs-includingtheBMEWSradarearlywarningsystem.

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"ThereareanumberofotherradarsurveillancesystemssuchasadetectionfenceacrosstheUnitedStates.Inthecaseofthisfence,wehaveasituationsimilartoBMEWS,inwhichthetimeintervalbetweensuccessivepenetrations(inthiscaseseparatedbyanorbitalperiodforsatellites)mustfollowprescribedastrodynamicallaws.Iftheydonot,thenthefencepenetrationsareeitherdeletedfromthedatabaseorclassifiedas`unknowns,'or`uncorrelatedtargets,'filed,andforgotten.

"Thereisonlyonesurveillancesystem,knowntome,thatexhibitssufficientandcontinuouscoveragetohaveevenaslightopportunityofbetrayingthepresenceofanomalisticphenomenaoperatingabovetheEarth'satmosphere.Thesystemispartiallyclassifiedand,hence,Icannotgointogreatdetailatanunclassifiedmeeting.Ican,however,statethatyesterday(July28,1968)ItraveledtoColoradoSprings(locationoftheAirDefenseCommand)andconfirmedthatsincethisparticularsensorsystemhasbeeninoperation,therehavebeenanumberofanomalisticalarms.Alarmsthat,asofthisdate,havenotbeenexplainedonthebasisofnaturalphenomena,interference,equipmentmalfunctionorinadequacy,ormanmadespaceobjects."

StantonT.Friedman

Besidesthesymposiumpanelmembers,sixotherscientists-notpresentatthehearings-wereinvitedtosubmitpapersforinclusionintherecord.

Thefirstpaperwasinsertedinthemainbodyoftherecord,byCongressmanJamesG.Fulton(R.-Pa.)ItwaspreparedbynuclearphysicistStantonT.Friedman,whoisassignedtotheNERVAnuclearrocketprogramatWestinghouseAstronuclearLaboratory,Pittsburgh.Priortothis,heservedonnuclearandradiation-shieldingprojectsatAerojetGeneral,GeneralMotorsandGeneralElectric.Asecondpaperbythisnuclearphysicist,submittedbySpaceCommitteeinvitation,appearsseparatelyintherecord.

Thefollowingextractsaretakenfromthetwopapers:

"Afterconsiderablestudy,firsthandinvestigation,andreviewofagreatvarietyofdata,Ihaveconcludedthattheevidenceisoverwhelmingthattheearthisbeingvisitedbyintelligentlycontrolledvehicleswhoseoriginisextraterrestrial."

ReferringtotheAirForceProjectBlueBookSpecialReport14,Friedmanadded:"Thelowpercentageofunknowns(AFtermfor"unsolved")...isthedirectresultofdeceptiononthepartoftheU.S.AirForcewhoseentireapproachsincethattime(1955)hasbeenbasedontheassumptionthateverythingcanbeidentified...Thegreatprobabilitythattherearecivilizationsthousands,perhapsmillionsofyearsaheadofusandpossessingtechnologyaboutwhichweareprobablytotallyignorantisneglected...

"StudiesdonesixyearsagoattheJetPropulsionLaboratoryshowedthattripstothestarsinreasonabletimesarefeasiblewiththeknowledgewehavetodayusingstagedfissionorfusionpropulsion...withroundtriptimesbeingshorterthanaman'slifetime,andwithoutviolatingthelawsofphysics..."...thebooksbyMenzelandKlasswillundoubtedlybereadbyscientistsofthe21stcenturyas`classics'illustratinganon-scientificapproachtoUFOsbypeoplewho,forwhateverreason,wouldnotexaminethedatarelevanttoUFOsoradvancedtechnology."

Dr.Donald,H.Menzel

OneofthoseinvitedtosubmitpaperswasDr.DonaldH.Menzel,professorofastronomy,formerlyDirectorofHarvardCollegeObservatory.Hissubmittedbiographystateshe"hasevenventuredbrieflyintotherealmofsciencefiction."HisbooksincludetwoattemptingtoexplainawayUFOsasamiscellanyofphenomenaandordinary,misidentifiedobjects.Extractsfromhisstatement-UFO:FactorFiction-follow:

"FlyingsaucersorUFOshavebeenwithusalongtime...similarsightingsgofarbackinhistory...oldrecordsrefertothemasfierydragons,fierychariots,wills-o'-the-wisp,jack-o-lanterns,ignisfatuus,firedrakes,fox-fireandeventhedevilhimself."

Onpage201ofthehearingsrecord,Dr.MenzelexplainssomeUFOsas:Birds,balloons,kites,hats,paper,plasticsacks,feathers,spiderwebs,seedpods,dustdevils,cloudsandsearchlightreflections,alsovariousreflectionsonpowerlines,insulators,TVantennas,radiotelescopesandapartmentwindows.A"flotillaofUFOsflyinginformation"isexplainedasanafter-imagecausedbysunlightreflectingfromacarfender.Hundredsofhoaxesalsoareinvolved,Dr.Menzelsaid.

Buttheastronomer'sfavoriteexplanationwasamirage:

"Sometimes,alayerofwarmair,sandwichedbetweentwolayersofcoldair,can

actasalens,projectingapulsing,spinning,vividlycolored,saucer-likeimageofaplanet.Pilots,thinkingtheyweredealingwithanearbyflyingobject,haveoftentriedtointercepttheimage,whichevadesallattemptstocutitoff.Thedistancemayseemtochangerapidly,asthestarfadesorincreasesinbrightness.Actual'dogfights'havebeenrecordedbetweenaconfusedmilitarypilotandaplanet.Imyselfhaveobservedthisphenomenonofstarmirage.Itisbothrealisticandfrightening."

Oneofthesymposiumpanelists,Dr.J.E.McDonald,aspecialistinmeteorologyandatmosphericphysicsattheUniversityofArizona,specificallydisputedDr.Menzel'suseofatmosphericandmeteorologicalexplanations.

"AprincipaldifficultywithMenzel'smirageexplanations,"Dr.McDonaldsaid,"isthathetypicallyoverlookscompletelystringentquantitativerestrictionsontheangleofelevationoftheobserver'slineofsightinmirageeffects...(which)areconfinedtolinesofsightthatdonotdepartfromthehorizontalbymuchmorethanafewtensofminutesofarc...InMenzel'sexplanationsandincertainoftheofficialexplanations,however,miragesareinvokedtoaccountforUFOswhentheobserver'slineofsightmaydepartfromthehorizontalbyasmuchasfivetotendegreesorevenmore.Iemphasizethatthisisentirelyunreasonable...SomeofthemostinterestingUFOshavebeenseenatcloserangedirectlyoverhead,quiteobviouslyrulingoutmirageexplanations.

"MenzelhasattemptedtoaccountforsuchUFOsasDr.ClydeTombaughsawoverheadatLasCruces[N.M.]inAugust1949[SeeTheUFOEvidence,p.53]intermsof`inversion'refractionorreflectioneffects.SinceIhavediscussedthequantitativeunreasonablenessofthiscontention...Iwillnothereelaboratethepoint,excepttosaythatifinversionswerecapableofproducingtheopticaldisturbancesthatMenzelhasassumed,astronomerswouldlongsincehavegivenupanyattempttostudythestarsbylookingatthemthroughouratmosphere."

ToexplainradarreportsofUFOs,Dr.Menzelagainusedthemirageanswer:

"Radariscursedwithallthepotentialafflictionsthatanycomplicatedelectricalgadgetcansuffer.Butletmementiononlyone:mirage...Alayerofwarm,dryairorevenalayercontainingafewbubblesofwarmairwillbendtheradarbeambacktoearth.Thereflection(whichwethinkisaUFO)maybefromadistantbuilding,atrain,oraship.Nowonderthatplanes,senttointerceptradarUFO,findnothing...Iknowofnoreliablecaseofsimultaneousvisualandradarsightings."

(NICAPComment:Numerouscasesareonrecord,inAirForceandotherfilesincludingNICAP's,wheretoweroperatorsandalsopilotssenttointercept"radarUFOs"haveseenunexplained

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objectsorlightswhereradarshowedunexplained"targets."Frequently,theobjectsorlightshavebeenseentomaneuver,duplicatingmaneuverssimultaneouslyshowingonradarscopes.)

InregardtoradarUFOsightings,Dr.McDonaldstatedsimilarrestrictionsapplytotheangleofthesightingforbothvisualandradarmirages.Citingseveraltypesofradaranomalieswhichhenotesarewell-knowninscientificliteratureorfamiliartoexperiencedradaroperators,hesaid,"Whenoneanalyzessomeofthefamousradar-trackingcasesintheUFOliterature,noneofthesepropagationanomaliesseemtypicalasaccountingforthemoreinterestingcases."

Inconcludinghisstatement,Dr.Menzelsaid:

"IthinkthetimehascomefortheAirForcetowrapupProjectBlueBook...Itistimetoputanendtochasingghosts,hobgoblins,visionsandhallucinations...

"Anirresponsiblepress,whichhasoverpublicizedthesensationalaspectsofthephenomenon,hasbeenlargelyresponsibleforkeepingthesubjectalive...ThequestionofUFOshasbecomeoneoffaithandbelief.Thebelieversdonotofferclear-cutevidence...reopeningthesubjectofUFOsmakesjustasmuchsenseasreopeningthesubjectofwitchcraft."

Dr.R.LeoSprinkle

Dr.SprinklereceivedhisPhDattheUniversityofMissouri.HisprofessionalexperiencehasbeenacquiredatStephensCollege,Mo.,theUniversityofNorthDakota,andtheUniversityofWyoming.HeiscurrentlyAssociateProfessorofPsychologyatthelatterinstitution.

ExtractsfromDr.Sprinkle'spreparedstatementfollow:

"Iacceptthehypothesisthattheearthisbeingsurveyedbyspacecraftwhicharecontrolledbyrepresentativesofanaliencivilizationorcivilizations...IhavereadthousandsofreportsandIhavetalkedwithhundredsofpersonsabouttheirUFOobservations...IfthesereportsbyUFOobserversarefoundtobereliableandvalid,Ibelieveweshallenterthethresholdofamostexcitingandchallengingperiodinman'shistory...

"However,Ibelievethemysteriesaretoodeep,theinvestigationsaretoodifficult,andtheimplicationstoogreatfortheseeffortstobemadeonaninformalbasis.Ibelievethattheestablishmentofaninternationalresearchcenteristhemostappropriatemethod...ifthisisnotfeasible,thenIbelievethatanationalresearchcenterisneededforcontinuous,formalinvestigationofthephysical,biological,psychosocialandspiritualimplicationsoftheUFOphenomena."

Dr.GarryC.Henderson

Dr.HendersonisaSeniorResearchScientist,SpaceSciences,FortWorth,Texas.HeiscurrentlyProjectLeaderonthelunarsurfacegravimeter/surveyingsystemandleaderofthespacesciencessectionoftheAppliedResearchGroupofGeneralDynamics.Dr.HendersonreceivedhisPhDfromTexasA&MUniversity.

Inhispreparedpaper,Dr.Hendersonstated:

"Althoughthecommonimagepersistsofthescientistasaninfalliblefountofwisdomandknowledge,themajorityofreportedactivitiesofscientistsrelatingtoUFOstudieshasbeennonprofessionalbynature,i.e.,prominentscientistshaveaddressedthemselvestotheprobleminamannerwhichtheywouldcertainlynotapproachproblemswithintheirrespectivefields.SuchanexampleistheunfortunateselectionoftheUniversityofColoradoteamheadedbyarespectedscientist,withtheresultthatthesquirrel-cageatmosphereusuallyassociatedwithUFOinteresthasbeenaugmentedbybuilt-inbiasandconfusion,ratherthaneliminatedbyonegroupofscientists'involvement."

InaresponsetothegeneralscientificskepticismaboutUFOs,Dr.Hendersoncommentedonwhatscientificinvestigationrequires.Implyingthatthereseemedtobeaconceitedassumptionbyscientiststhatwealreadyknowandunderstandallphenomenaofnature,heobserved:"If`others'[beings]exist,aretheylimitedtoourlevelofadvancement?...Thekeystoscientificachievementhaveseveralnotches,butthematerialiscomprisedofcompetentopen-mindedness,whichappearstohavebeenalltoocommonlylackinginthetopicofconcern.Historically,manyofthemostastonishingaccomplishmentshavebeenperformedbythosewhopersistedeveninthefogofridiculeexudedbytheircapablebutnarrow-mindedcolleagues.

"Mostthoughtfulpersonswilldismissthetheatricalclaimsoftripson`saucers'...andthelike;however,someveryplausiblereportsfromhighlytrained,capableandreliableindividualscannotbesoreadilydiscardedbyanyonewillingtoadmitthattherearestillafewthingswedonotunderstand.Godhelpusifourmilitaryandcommercialpilotsandradarfacilitiessocommonlymistaketemperatureinversions,balloons,atmosphericdisturbances,theplanetVenus,etc.,formaneuveringvehicles..

"ThepublichasbeenledtobelievethateverythinghasbeendonetoeitherproveordisprovetheexistenceofUFOs-rubbish!Availableinformationofatrulyreliablenatureshouldtendtoincreaseactivitynotplaceitinneglect,orworse,inridicule...

"IsitnotobviousthatwhatweneedtoestablishtheexistenceornonexistenceofUFOsisnotmerelyareviewofsightingincidents,butanimplementedplantoacquirehardfacts?...

Dr.RogerN.Shepard

Dr.ShepardisaprofessorofpsychologyatStanfordUniversity.Previously,hewasaprofessoranddirectorofthepsychologicallaboratoriesatHarvard,andbeforethat,adepartmentheadatBellTelephoneLaboratories.

"Sofar,"hesaid,"wehaveconsistentlysoldthehumanobservershort.Indeed,inneglectingtomakeuseofpsychologicallyorientedtechniquesthatwouldmorefullyenableobserverstobringtobeartheirreallyratherremarkablepowersofperceptionandrecognition,wemayhavebeenforfeitingtheopportunityofobtainingevidencefromindependentobserversthatwouldbesufficientlyconvergentandwell-definedtoclarifythetruenatureofthephenomena.

"...acarefulexaminationofmostofthebestdocumentedcaseshasconvincedme-asatleastonepsychologistwhohasstudiedratherextensivelyintothefieldsofnormalandpsycho-pathologicalperception-thatveryfewsuchcasescanbeexplainedalongtheselines[psychologicalaberrations.]Indeed,IhavetheimpressionthattheclaimsthattheUFOsreportedevenbyseeminglyresponsiblecitizensrepresentlapsesofabasicallypsychopathologicalcharacterhavegenerallycomefrompeoplewhohaveneglectedtostudycloselyeitherintotheliteratureonpsychopathology,orintothatonUFOs,or(inmanycases,Ifear)both...

"Westandtolearnmorefromanintensivestudyofthosenumerouscases...inwhichconvergingevidencefromapparentlyinvoluntary,independent,andresponsiblewitnessesstronglypointstotheoccurrenceofanobjectivephenomenonofanunexplainedcharacter...

(NICAPComment:Dr.Shepard'sconclusionsabouttheobjectiverealityofUFOscloselyagreewiththoseofpanelistDr.Hall's:"...theweightofevidencesuggestsstronglythattheremustbesomekindofphysicalphenomenonwhichunderliesaportionofthereports."Twoeminentlywell-qualifiedpsychologiststhusunderminedthenotionadvancedbyastronomerDr.Menzelandothers,whohavestrayedfromtheirfieldsofexpertness,thattheentireUFOproblemcanbeattributedtodelusionsandotherfailuresofhumanperception.)

TABLEOFCONTENTSSectionI-TheUFORevolutionSectionII-Extraterrestrials-SuggestedMotives&OriginsSectionIII-VehiclePacings&EncountersSectionIV-Close-RangeSightings,StructuralDetailsSectionV-ScientificSupport,CongressionalHearingsSectionVI-Landings,PhysicalTracesSectionVII-AreThereUFOOccupantsSectionVIII-TheColoradoProject

APPENDIXAppendixA-CaseHistoriesAnalyzedbyDr.JamesE.McDonaldAppendixB-NewspaperEditorialsAppendixC-CongressionalStatements

AppendixD-witnessSketches

NICAPHomePage

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SECTIONVI

LANDINGS,PHYSICALTRACES

Inrecentyears,reportsofUFOlandingshavesteadilyincreased,intheU.S.andabroad.Itisfrequentlysuggestedthattheseoperationsarefinalobservationstepsandrehearsalsformasslandings,probablyleadingtomeetingswithalienbeings.

Whetherornotthisistrue,acarefulstudyoftheglobalreportsindicatestheremustbesomestrongpurposebehindthesestepped-upoperations.

FollowingarereportsofUFOslandingorhoveringclosetotheground,selectedfromNICAPrecordsofthelastfouryears.

EarlyonthemorningofJuly30,1968,acouple(namesonfileatNICAP)finishedworkingontheirnewhouseintheRobert'sHilldistrictofClaremont,NewHampshireandwerepreparingtoretire.Somelightsinthefieldbackofthehouse,apparentlyabout200feetaway,attractedtheirattentionandtheywenttothewindowtoseewhatwasgoingon.Totheirastonishment,theysawadome-shapedobjecthoveringabout10feetofftheground.Theundersideoftheobjectwasilluminated,andthelightcoveredanareaabout20feetindiameterontheground.

Sincetheywereinafairlyisolatedareawithnotelephone(theyhadjustmovedintothehouse),thecouplebecamefrightened.Theycouldhearabuzzingsound,likeatransformer,comingfromtheobject.Thetimewasabout2:30a.m.

Mr.andMrs.JohnMeloneyoftheNewHampshireNICAPSubcommitteeinvestigatedthereportinclosecooperationwiththeClaremontpolice.Intheirinterviewwiththecouple,theylearnedthattheUFOhadremainedoverthefielduntilabout4:30a.m.Thenthehummingbecameveryloud,thelightgrewtohighintensityandtheUFOmovedawayatalowangleupwardtothewestanddisappeared.

Inthegarage,thefamilydogwhinedloudlyastheUFOdeparted.

TwoseparategroupsofwitnesseshavebeenlocatedbytheSubcommittee.Thereportsseemtoindicatebeyondareasonabledoubtthatsomethingunexplainedwasinthearea.

(Asthisisbeingwritten,thecasestillisunderinvestigation.AdditionaldetailswillbeincludedinVolumeIIofTheUFOEvidence.SeeIntroduction).

Mrs.L.P.CraginofBrighamCity,Utah,reportedtoNICAPthatsheandherdaughterobservedanunidentifiedobjectonthegroundforeightminutesMay7,1968.

Inmid-afternoon,Mrs.CraginsawashinyobjecttothewestofthecitynearanareaknownasthePromontory.Studyingitthroughbinoculars,shesawthatitwashemisphericalinshape(dome-like)withfourprotrusionslikelegsontheunderside.

Mrs.Cragingotinhercaranddrovetowardtheobjecttogetacloserlook,butwhenshereachedtheedgeoftowntheobjectwasgone.Immediatelyafterwards,shenoticedmanytypesofaircraft,presumablyfromnearbyHillField,scouringthearea.

Othercasesfromthepastfewyearsfollow.(SeeAppendixDforwitnesssketchesofUFOsobservedatclose-range).

Milford,Ohio;February11,1967

APennsylvaniaRailroademployeeandhiscompanionfledinfearfromaglowingobjecthoveringafewfeetaboveacreekbednearMilford,Ohio,intheearlymorningofFebruary11,1967.ThesightingwasinvestigatedbyLeonardH.Stringfield,NICAPAdviserinCincinnati.

MichaelMcKeeandSharonHildebrandweredrivingtowardMilfordwhentheynoticedthroughthewoodsawhiteglowinglight.Takingarailroadlightfromthecar,theyapproachedtoinvestigate.Theydiscoveredanovalobjectwithatube-likeappendageunderneath(givinga"mushroom-shape"appearance),hoveringafewfeetaboveacreekbedwhichdroppedseveral-feetintoaravine.Theyapproachedtowithin100feetoftheobject,whichappearedtobeabout30feetindiameter.

WhenMr.McKeeshonehislanternontheobject,itgaveametallic-appearing"mirrorreflection".MissHildebrandsaidshenoticedarowoflightsontheobject,whichdisappearedwhenthelanternwasturnedoff.Confrontedwiththestrangeglowingobject,thepairbecamefrightenedandfledthescene.Stoppingatthenearestphone,atarestaurant,theycalledMr.Stringfieldwhoadvisedthemtocontactthepolice.

OfficerCharlesO'Brienreturnedtothesitewiththewitnessesat3:30a.m.Hediscovered"splinteredtreelimbsandtwigs"nearwheretheUFOhadhovered.Nextday,Mr.Stringfieldhadanengineerfriendinspectthesite,andhereportedthatsmalltreesandbrancheshadbeen"presseddownbyaheavy-weight."

Furtherinvestigationrevealedthatonthepreviouseveningandintothemorningofthe11th,severalresidentsinMadeira,Kenwood,Wyoming,andBlueAsh,hadseenunusualaerialactivity.NearKenwoodabout11:45p.m.awomanreportedseeingaglowingobjectabout20feetindiameterflyingataverylowaltitude.Around,glowingredobjectatlowaltitudewasreportedinthesameareabyacoupleat12:15a.m.About1:00a.m.,residentsofBlueAshandWyomingsawanovalredororangeobjectatlowaltitude.

Incheckingwiththepolice,Mr.StringfielddiscoveredthatLocklandPatrolmanFrankGuber,sittinginhiscruiserat2:00a.m.,hadwatchedabrilliantredlightcrossthesky,hover,thenmoveoffonanewcourse.ThereportsagreedthattheUFOwasmovinginagenerallynortheastdirection.

NearStaunton,Virginia;December21,1964

Atapproximately5:00p.m.ontheeveningofDecember21,ashedroveeastalongRoute250betweenStauntonandWaynesboro,Virginia,HoraceBurns,agunsmithinHarrisonburg,sawanimmensecone-shapedobjectcrosslowoverthehighwayaheadofhim.Itwasmovinginanorthtosouthdirectionataslowspeedestimatedtobeabout15mph.Thepointoftheconewastippedslightlyforwardintheobject'slineofflight.Itcrossedthehighwayapproximately200feetaheadofBurnsandsettledinameadowtotherightoftheroad,landinggently,"likeabubble."Atthemomenttheobjectcrossedthehighway,Burns'carmotorfailed.Theobjectsettledinthefieldashebroughtthecartoastopontheshoulderofthehighway.

Burnsgotoutofthecartogetabetterlook."Itwas125feetindiameter,atleast,and80to90feethigh,"helaterreported.Itscircular,slopingsidesrosetowardthetopinsixlarge,concentricconvolutionsthatdecreasedindiameterandweresurmountedbyadome.Theobjectwassolarge,Burnssaid,thatwhenitcrossedtheroadaheadofhimithadmorethanfilledtheentirewidthofhiswindshield.Inthegatheringdarkness,Burnscouldnotmakeoutwithcertaintytheexactnatureoftheobject'ssurfacematerialbutitgavetheappearanceofadull,metallicfinish.Hesawnofeaturessuchaswindows,ports,doors,orseamsontheobject;however,extendingarounditsbaseataheightofaboutsixfeetwasabandofbluish-whitelight,sharply-edgedandabout12to18incheswide.Thelightwassteadyanddidnotflickerordim.Nolandinggearwasevidentandtheobjectseemedtorestlightlyonthegroundonasomewhatconvexlycurvedundersurface.

Burnswatchedtheobjectforfrom60to90secondsatadistancenogreaterthan150yardswhenitsuddenlyrose

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straightuptoaheightofseveralhundredfeetand,emittingasoft"whoosh"likerushingair,tookoffinanortheasterlydirectionatanexceedinglyhighrateofspeed,againwithitstoptiltedslightlyforwardinthelineofmotion.Itdisappearedfromviewinamatterofseconds.

Followingitsdisappearance,Burnsdrovehomeandtoldhiswifeabouthissighting,swearinghewouldn'ttellanothersoulbecause"they'dthinkI'mcrazy."However,afewdayslater,alocalradioprogramannouncedtheformationofaUFOinvestigationsgroupatEasternMennoniteCollege,underthedirectionofDr.ErnestG.Gehman,aprofessorofGermanatthecollege.Athiswife'surging,BurnsgotintouchwithGehmanbywayoftheradiostationtoreporthisobservation.

OnDecember31,Dr.Gehmantraveledalonetothelandingsiteandmadeageigercountertestofthearea.Anextremelyhighreadingwasobtained,andwasverifiedbythearrivaloftwoDuPontresearchengineerswho,havingheardaboutthelanding,haddriventothesitethesamedayDr.Gehmanmadehisinvestigation.Infact,Dr.Gehmanhadbeenabletolocatethelandingspot(laterverifiedbyBurns)bythereadingsonhisGeigercounter.

Yorktown,Iowa;April23,1966

At2:10a.m.onthemorningofApril23,RonaldE.Johnson,afarmerlivingonRoute#2inYorktown,afewmileswestofClarinda,Iowa,wasawakenedbyaloudroar.Ongettingupandgoingtohiswindow,whichfacedsouth,hesawacigar-shapedobject,approximately60feetinlength,landinginafieldwithin50feetofhishouse.Theobject,whichhadapparentlycomeoutofthenorth,cameintoviewasitmovedoverthehouse.Thenightwasfoggyandalightrainwasfallingatthetime.Nomoonorstarswerevisible.

Theroaroftheobjectceasedasitlanded.Ontheendoftheobjectclosesttothe,house,Johnsonsawabrilliantredlight,whichbathedtheareaina"bloodred"glow.Onthefarthestend,hesawtwobluelightsapproximatelyeightinchesindiameter,whichextendedabovethebodyoftheobject.Thesurfaceoftheobjectwasofadullfinish,exceptforanamberglowthatextendedpartwayalongthebottom.Theobjectrestedonaseriesoffrom17to20long"legs."

Afterlanding,theobjectgaveoffaseriesofloud,explosive,"cracking"noises,likegunshots,atregularintervals.Johnsonsaidtheairwasfilledwithanodorwhichhedescribedassimilartoozone.Hesawnothingleavingorenteringtheobject.Hewatcheditsittingmotionlessinhisfieldforabout20minutesandfinallywentbacktobed.Hegotupashorttimelatertoseeifitwasstillthere,butithadeitherdepartedsilently,orhadturnedoutitslights.Theexplosive

soundswerenolongerheard.

Inthemorning,Johnsondiscoveredthatsometimeduringthenighthislivestockhadallboltedtothefarendofthepastureandappearedtobe"actingupconsiderably."Theywouldnotreturnforfeedingthatmorning.Examiningthelandingsitehefoundaseriesofcircularimpressionssixinchesindiameterandspacedalternatelyintworows.Thedistancebetweenimpressionswastwoandahalffeet.

Totheeastofthelandingimpressionshefoundasecondsetofimprints,roundononesideandsquare-edgedontheother,anddividedatthesquared-offedgeintothreesections(seediagram).Theseimpressionswerenotmadebyhiscattle,accordingtothefarmer.Oneotherpeculiardetailwasnoticed:twopowerlinepolesappearedtohavefreshdepressionsinthewoodatregularintervals,asifithadbeenrecentlyclimbed.Thepolesweresmearedwithdirt.Wiresrisingonthepoleshadsmall,regular-spacednotches.

JohnsonreportedtheincidenttoDeputySheriffDickHunt,whomadeaninvestigation.AcompletereportwassaidtohavebeensenttoOffutAirForcebase;however,Johnsonwasnotqueriedbyanyofficialinvestigators,andifthereportisamongthoseintheofficialfiles,itwasnotreleasedtotheUniversityofColorado,whorequestedinformationonitinJuly,1967.AdditionaldetailswereobtainedforNICAPbymemberDennisHicks.

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NearVicksburg,Michigan;March31,1966

EarlyonthemorningofMarch31,JenoUdvardy,a1956Hungarianrefugee,wasdrivinghomefromalateworkshiftnearVicksburg,Michigan.Whenhereachedthecrestofahillhesawaclusteroflightsontheroadaheadwhichheassumedwasanambulanceatanaccident.Heslowedandapproachedcautiously.Whenwithinabout10feetofthelights,hesuddenlyrealizedthattheywerenotonanyrecognizablevehicle.Insteadtheywereseentobeonadisc-shapedobjecthoveringafewfeetabovetheroadandblockinghispassage.

Brilliantlightsfromtheobject,somesteadyandsomeblinking,concealedsome

detailsoftheobject.(Seesketch).Udvardybecamefrightenedandtriedtobackawayfromthestrangeobject.Atthatmomenthiscarwasbuffetedviolentlyasifbystronggustsofwind.Thenhesawwhathefirstthoughtwasanotherobjecthoveringbehindhiscar,butaquickglanceaheadslowedthattheobjectwasnolongerontheroadahead.Apparentlyithaddartedoverheadandtakenanewpositionbehindhim.Thesamepatternoflightswasvisibleontheobject.

Udvardythenrealizedthathismotorhadstalled.(Itisnotknownwhetherthiswasduetoelectro-magneticinterferenceasreportedinmanycases,buthecouldeasilyhavestalledthecarintheexcitementofthemoment).Herolleddownhiswindowandlookedout.Forthefirsttimeheheardalowhummingsoundlikeaswarmofbees.Momentslater,theUFOroseabruptlyandspedoffatasteepangle,disappearingintheeasternsky.

HavingexperiencedCommunistterrorismandotherviolenceinhisnativecountry,UdvardytoldtheNICAPinvestigator,hedidnotscareeasily.Butthisencounterwithsomethingunknownhadshakenhim.Theincidentprobablylastedlessthanaminute,but,formanyminutesUdvardysatinthecarregaininghiscomposurebeforehewasabletodrivehome.Athiswife'surginghereportedtheexperiencetotheKalamazooSheriff'soffice.Helaterbecamesomewhatbitterovertheridiculehisreportevoked.However,hestucktohisstoryinthefaceofskepticismthoughhehadnothingtogainfromit.

Pretoria,SouthAfrica;September16,1965

Duringanextensivewaveofsightingsin1965,policeofficersinExeter,N.H.andDamon,Texasbothhadclose-rangeencounterswithUFOs-structuredobjectswithbodylights-onSeptember3.(SeeseparatereportonTexasencounter).OnthenightofSeptember16twoPretoria,S.Africa,constablescameuponadisc-shapedobjectrestingonthePretoria-Bronkhorstspruithighway.Theheadlightsoftheirpolicevanilluminatedthecopper-coloredobjectwhichappearedtobeabout30feetindiameter.OntopoftheUFOwasasmalldome.

ConstablesJohnLockemandKoosdeKlerkhadbeenpatrollingthehighwayjustaftermidnightwhentheysuddenlydroveupontheobject.InsecondstheUFOsuddenlyliftedofftheroad,emittingtonguesofflamefromtwotubesorchannelson

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theunderside."Itslift-offwasquickerthananythingIhaveeverseen,"ConstableLockemreportedlater.Flamesfromthemacadam(tarandgravel)roadsurfaceshotupthreefeetintheairastheUFOdeparted,blazinglongafteritwasoutofsight.Laterinvestigationshowedthatpartoftheroadwascavedin,evidentlyfromaheavyweight,andgravelhadbeenseparatedfromthetarinaseverelyburnedareaaboutsixfeetindiameter.

ConstableLockemdrewasketchoftheUFOwiththeaidofastaffartistofthenewspaperDieVaterland.TheDistrictCommandantofPretoriaNorth,Lt.Col.J.B.Brits,toldthenewspaperthattheeventwasconsidered"asbeingofahighlysecretnatureandaninquiryisbeingconductedintopcircles."

SamplesofthedamagedroadsurfacewereanalyzedbyaleadingscientificagencyinSouthAfrica.NICAPhasbeenunabletoobtaincopiesoftheanalysisreports.

AdditionalReportsofLandings;PhysicalTraces

NumerousotherreportsoverthepastdecadehavedescribedUFOslanding,oftenleavingphysicaltraces.Moreoftenthannot,thesecaseswereneveradequatelyinvestigated,soitisnotpossibletoratetheirvalueasevidence.However,since1964NICAP'sinvestigationnetworkhasbeenenlargedgreatly,resultinginmorecompleteinvestigationofanumberofsignificantcases.

Twoofthemajorones,carefullyinvestigatedbyNICAP,arenotincludedhere.TheApril24,1964,Socorro,N.M.casebecauseithasbeenwidelypublicized(afullreportwillbeincludedinVolumeIIofTheUFOEvidence);andtheApril21,1967,SouthHill,Va.,landing(previouslycoveredindetailinTheU.F.O.Investigator).Inthelattercase,somecriticshavepointedtomatchesfoundontheroad,wheretheUFOallegedlylanded,asevidenceofahoax.NICAP'sinvestigationdeterminedthatthewitnesswasahighlyreputableperson.Someaspectsofthecasearebeingstudiedfurther.

Additionalcases-

August19,1965;CherryCreek,N.Y.Egg-shapedUFOlanded,physicaltracesandE-Meffects.

September4,1964;Glassboro,N.J.UFOobservedrisingoutofwoodedarea.Crater,damagedfoliage,foundatsite.

May5,1964;Comstock,Minn.RoundUFOobservedtakingofffromfield.Squarepatternofholesfoundatsite.

April26,1964;LaMadera,N.M.Cylindricalobjectobservedonground.Fourdepressions,additionalmarkings,foundatsite.

May1961;UnionMills,Ind.DomedUFOwith"portholes"onroad,tookoffascarapproached.

January10,1961;Benjamin,Texas.Pilotwatchedred,zigzaggingobjectland.(SeeTheUFOEvidence,p.138)

May24,1960;Venezuela.LandingofthreeUFOs,diamond-shapedscorchmarkreportedlyfound.

InnumerousUFOlandingandclose-approachcases,occupantshavebeenreported,sometimesdescribedonlyasvaguefigures,sometimesreportedindetail.

SectionVIIgoesintothegeneralquestionofoccupantreportsandlistsanumberofcases,someofwhicharealreadybeingevaluated,somebeingpreparedforevaluation,byaNICAP-organizedpanelofscientists.

TABLEOFCONTENTSSectionI-TheUFORevolutionSectionII-Extraterrestrials-SuggestedMotives&OriginsSectionIII-VehiclePacingsandEncountersSectionIV-Close-RangeSightings,StructuralDetailsSectionV-ScientificSupport,CongressionalHearingsSectionVI-Landings,PhysicalTracesSectionVII-AreThereUFOOccupantsSectionVIII-TheColoradoProject

APPENDIXAppendixA-CaseHistoriesAnalyzedbyDr.JamesE.McDonaldAppendixB-NewspaperEditorialsAppendixC-CongressionalStatementsAppendixD-witnessSketches

NICAPHomePage

24SECTIONVII

AreThereUFOOccupants?

Thecontroversialquestionofwhetherornotspacemenhavelandedonearthandconfrontedhumanbeingsisoneofinfinitecomplexity.Atpresent,thereisnotsufficientinformationconcerningoccupantreportstomakeanyfinaljudgmentsontheirauthenticity,althoughthereisgoodevidenceinafewcasestosuggestthatatleastsomeofthewitnessescouldbetellingthetruthaboutsuchencounters.

NICAPneitheracceptsnorrejectsthistypeofreport.NICAPdoes'havetheobligation,however,toinvestigateoccupantreportsasfullyandcarefullyaspossible,toassembleasmuchaccurate,detailedinformationasitispossibletocollect,andtoreviewthesecaseswithasmuchobjectivityaswouldapplyinreviewingreportsofstrictlyairbornephenomena.

Recently,NICAPhasorganizedapanelofadvisersspecificallytostudyoccupantcasesandtomakerecommendationsforfutureinvestigations.Theseadvisers,includingexpertsinastronomy,anthropology,biology,medicine,physicsandotherfields,havebeenaskedtoanalyze,individuallyandcollectively,agroupofthemostcompletelyreportedoccupantcasesintheNICAPfiles.ThegeneralconclusionsandrecommendationswillbereviewedinTheUFOEvidence,Vol.II,sectiononoccupants.

Thepanelmembersarenotbeingaskedtodecidewhetherextraterrestrialshave,infact,landedonthisplanet(proofofwhichwouldrequireconsiderablymoredocumentationandunassailablewitnesstestimonythanisnowavailabletoNICAP),butrathertocommentontheplausibilityofeachcaseaswellastheplausibilityofthereportscollectively.Theyhavebeenrequestedtopointoutanyflaws,gaps,orinconsistencies,ineachreport,andtorecommendwaysandmeansofobtainingbetterevidenceintheseandfuturecases.Obviously,muchdependsonthecharacterandcredibilityoftheindividualwitnesses-amatterthatisnotofteneasilyestablished.

Anexampleofthetypeofwitnesswhosecharacterremainsunassailable(butwhoseinterpretationsofwhathewitnessedmustbeevaluatedseparately)isFatherWilliamGill,theAnglicanpriestwhoseobservationsontwosuccessivenightsinJune,1959,inNewGuinea,createdconsiderableinterestand

25discussion.OnbothnightsaUFOwithasmanyasfouroccupantsseenontopofithadbeenobservednotonlybyFatherGill,butbyascoreofnativePapuansaswell(seecasebelowfordetails).NICAPwasabletoassembleanimpressiveamountofbackgroundinformationaboutthechiefwitnessthatconsiderablyenhancesthegeneralcredibilityofthisparticularoccupantreport.

Unfortunately,itisnotalwayspossibletofindanoccupantreportinwhichsuchacrediblewitnessisinvolved.However,reportsfromobserverswithsuchhighqualificationsasFatherGillmakeitnecessarytoexaminealloccupantreportsregardlessofhowstrangetheircontentmaybe.

Somegeneralremarksaboutthebodyofreportsallegingencounterswithsentient,extraterrestrialbeingsmaybehelpfultothereaderinevaluatingtheliteratureonthistopic.

1.Reportsdescribingabewilderingvarietyofalleged"spacebeings"have,fromtheearliestdaysofUFOreports,beengiventothenewsmediaandtothepublic.AtleastthreesuchreportsareincludedamongthehundredsofpressaccountsofUFOsightingsthatoccurredinthefirstcontemporarywaveofreportsinthiscountryin1947.However,suchreportscanbetracedbackevenfurther.(Seethe1897LeRoy,Kansas,report,MysteriesoftheSkies:UFOsInPerspective,LoreandDeneault.)Atthetimeofthiswriting,thenumberofsuchcasestotalsseveralhundreds.

2.Thesignificanceofthesereportsisthatthechancesofmisidentificationofnormalphenomenaarereducedtoaminimum.Iftheincidentdidnot,infact,occurasreported,thentheonlypossiblealternativesare(a)theaccountisadeliberatefabrication;(b)itistheresultofanhallucination;or(c)itistheproductofaderangedmind.

3.Althoughthereare"greyarea"cases,thelargemajorityofsuchreportscanbesharplydividedintotwomainsubsets:thefirstgroupusuallydescribesidealizedhuman-likebeingswhohavereadilycommunicatedwithearthmeninthelanguageoftheregionwherecontacted,usuallypurveyingmessagesofareligious-philosophicalnatureandoftencommunicatingbymeansoftelepathy(the"contactee"reports);theseconddescribeshumanoidbeings(i.e.,roughlyhuman,withahead,twoarms,twolegs,etc.),varyinginsizefromdiminutivetoaveragehumanstature,andgenerallynon-communicative(thenon-contacteeoccupantreports).

4.Thesetwotypesofreportsdiffersignificantlyinpracticallyeverydetail.

The"contactee"claimantsdepictnoblebeingswithSalvationistsentimentswhoareheretowarnusofhumanfolliesandtohelpusthroughtroubledtimes.Although"contactee"stories,moreoftenthannot,aremutuallyinconsistent(theclaimantscan'tagreeonwherethespacemenarefromorwhattheyareupto),theymostoftenassertthattheyhavealltheanswerstotheUFOmystery.

Thenon-contacteeoccupantreportsarequitedifferentincharacter,withveryfewexceptions.Farfromtakingtothelecturecircuittoenthrallthegulliblewithersatzinterplanetaryphilosophyorreligion,thesewitnessesmostoftenareleftfrightenedanddisturbedbytheirallegedexperienceanddonotseekpublicityabouttheaccount.Their"spacemen"normallydonotcommunicateanddonotfreelyfraternizewiththewitness.Instead,theymoreoftenshowmutualsurpriseatanaccidentalencounter,andusuallyfleethesceneimmediately.

TheSocorro,NewMexico,sightingofApril24,1964,istypicalofthis"discoveryandescape"typeofoccupantreport:thebeingsreportedlyturnedandlookedatwitnessLonnieZamora,thenquicklyboardedtheircraftandtookoff-ifthedetailscanbetakenatfacevalue.However,thereareanumberofexceptionstothistypeofbehavior-particularlyinsomerecentcases,severalofwhicharedetailedbelow.

5.Inspiteofthefactthattheinherentcredibilityofthetwogeneraltypesofreportsisvastlydifferent,boththepressandthepublictendtolumpall"spacemen"reportstogether.Either"they"aretrueor"they"arefalse.Inactuality,thevalidityofanyspecific"spaceman"reportisadifficultmattertoassess.

Therearenoprecedentsfordecidingwhat"spacemen"oughttolooklike,orhowtheyoughttobehave.Onecanonlyinvestigateandexaminetheoriginatorsofsuchreportstodecidewhetheragivencaseshouldbegivenanycredibility.Inotherwords,couldithavehappenedasreported?

Obtainingconvincingproofofa"spacemen"encounterisanunlikely,butnotimpossible,event.Ontheotherhandcertaingeneralinvestigativeapproachesarefeasiblewhichwouldallowjudgmentstobemadeastothepossibilitythatthe"occupant"witnesses-someofthem,atanyrate-aredescribingrealevents.

Inthesensedescribedabove,NICAP,afternumerousdetailedinvestigationsofspecificcasehistories,findstheusual"contactee"typeofoccupantreportnotjustdubious,butextremelyimprobable.Thisconclusionhasnotbeenlightlyorarbitrarilydrawn:themutuallyexclusive"revelations"ofthespacemenin"contactee"casesclearlyindicatethatsomeofthesewitnessesmustbelying;andthebehaviorofmostoftheseclaimantsclearlyindicatesthatself-seekinggain,notoriety,andvisionarydelusionshaveunquestionablybeenattherootoftheirreports.Itisnotlikely-frombothinternalandexternalevidence-thattheyrepresentrealcontactwithspacepeople.ItisjustasunlikelythatsuchreportshaveanybearingwhatsoeverontherealquestionofUFOs.

Inspiteofthis,NICAPhasforyearsinvestigated-andwillcontinuetoinvestigate-"contactee"reportsaswellasnon-contacteeoccupantcases.

ForanumberofyearsNICAPhasgivenitsinvestigativeSubcommitteeUnitsandindividualinvestigatorsspecificinstructionstoinvestigateoccupantreportscarefullyandthoroughly,andhasfurnishedguidelinesforthatpurpose.Fileshavebeendevelopedonoccupantcases.NICAPhastriedtoavoidpolemicsaboutsuchcases,andhasonlyreportedtoitsmembersonthosecasesinwhichsomemeasureofdirectinvestigationhasbeenaccomplished.Forsomeofthesereports,additionalinformationisstillbeingsecured,eventhoughthecasemayhaveoccurredsomeyearsago.

Inrecentyears,someUFOgroupsandindividualinvestigatorshavemadesensationaluseofoccupantreports.Theiruncriticalhandlingofthematterhascontributedverylittleofvalue;tothecontrary,suchexploitationandwildlyspeculativetreatmenthasdoubtlesshamperedscientificinvestigation.

Atthesametime,NICAPhasbeencriticizedbytheseverygroupsandindividualsforitssupposed"conservatism"infailingtorecognizethepotentialsignificanceofoccupantreports.If,asNICAPargues,someUFOsmightbeextraterrestrialvehicles,whythen-thecriticsask-dowenotacceptsomeofthecasesinwhichtheirassumedoperatorsaredescribed?

Someofthesereportsdomeritsuchintensiveconsideration-quiteapartfromtheurgencyto"accept"and"reject"-andNICAPhasalwaysagreedwiththis.However,therealquestionisthis:howcanscientificinvestigationbebroughttobearontheoccupantquestionsothatwemayhavefactsandmeaningfulevidence,ratherthanpersonalopinionandspeculation?ItwaswiththehopeofgettingtheseanswersthatNICAPorganizedthepanelofscientistsnowevaluatingoccupantreportsandtheproblemsinvolved.

Thenon-contacteereportsquitepossiblyincludesomevaliddescriptionsofencounterswithalienbeings.WhilethisispossibleNICAPdoesnotinsistthatsuchisthecase;butsomeintriguingreportshavebeenmadebyseeminglycredibleobservers,whosesubsequentbehaviorinnowaymatchesthe

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actionsofmostofthe"contactees."Preliminaryinvestigationinmanysuchcaseshasrevealednoprofitmotives,littleornodesireforpublicity,noranyapparentquasi-religiousinterpretations.Thereportedbehaviorofthebeings,whilepuzzlinginmostcases,remainsplausible-althoughitmustbepointedoutagainthatpreconceptionsabouthowspacemenoughttobehavearenotvalidcriteriaforpassingjudgmentonreports.Tothecontrary,thebehaviorofearthmenfollowingsuchreportedencountersusuallyprovidesafarmorereliableindexfromwhichajudgmentmaybederived.

NICAPisjustasconcernedwiththepossibilitythatsomeofthesereportsdescribeactualencounterswithspacemenasanyoneelse;itisseriouslyinterestedinfindingoutthroughcarefulinvestigation,withoutself-delusionorwishfulthinking.Therefore,wearetakingdeliberatestepstofindasmanyanswersaswecan;toexplodesuchreportsasconcoctionsordelusions,ortoestablishtheirvalidity.Thisisamatterofscientificinquirywhichhasbeenandwillcontinuetobeconductedwithallduecautionandcare.

AmongthefollowingaresomeoftheoccupantreportcasesthatNICAPhasalreadysubmittedorispreparingforsubmissiontothescientificevaluationpanel.Inallthesecases,itshouldbeclearlyunderstoodthatingivingdescriptionsofthereportedencountersNICAPismerelyreportingthestatementssubmittedtousorsecuredbyourinvestigators.Scientificevaluationswillhavetobecompletedbeforewecandecidewhetherornotanydefiniteconclusionscanbereached.

Pittsburg,Kansas,August25,1952

AmongthosecasesdeclaredUnidentifiedbytheAirForcewhicharereportedtoinvolveallegedoccupantsisasightingbyWilliamSquyreswho,atthetime,wasamusicianandstaffmemberofRadioStationKOAM,inPittsburg,Kansas.CertainfeaturesarestrikinglysimilartoMrs.SuzanneE.Knight'ssightinginMaryland,ataboutthesametime(seefollowingcase).Thewitness'reportfollows:

About5:30a.m.,August25,1952,whileSquyreswasdrivingtoworkfromhishomeinFrontenac,Kansas,hesawalow-hoveringobjectwithclearly-definedwindowsinaheavilywoodedareaaboutsevenmilesnortheastofPittsburg.

"Myhairrosestraightuponthebackofmyhead,"hesaidwhenreportingtheincidentlater.Hedescribedtheobjectasresemblingtwoturtleshells,ortwoovalmeatplatters,placededgetoedge.Alongtherimwherethetwohalvesjoinedhenoticedaseriesofsmallpropellerssixtotwelveinchesindiameterprojectingoutwardatcloseintervalsallthewayaroundtheobject.Thesepropellerswererevolvingathighspeed.

Squyressaidtheobjectwasabout75feetlong,45feetwideand25feethigh,andwasrockingslightlybackandforthasithoveredoverafieldnearthehighway.Thebodywasofadullaluminumcolorandacrossthetopandextendingdowntotherimoftheobjectwereseveralrectangularwindows,throughwhichSquyrescouldseeabluishlightfluctuatingfromdarktolight.

Heobservedconsiderableactivitybehindthesewindowsbutitwasobscured"likeawindowshadepulleddown.Icouldseefiguresbehindit."Forwardofthesewindowswasanotherrectangularwindowwhichwasclearandthroughitthewitnesscouldplainlyseetheheadandshouldersofasingleman,sittingmotionless,andfacingtheforwardedgeoftheobject.

"Idefinitelysawahumanbeingthroughthewindow,"thewitnessasserted.Heturnedoffthemotorofhiscarandgotout.Hecouldhearasteadythrobbingsoundandasheapproachedonfoottowithinahundredfeet,theobjectsuddenlyrosestraightupintotheairandoutofsight,makingasoundlikea"coveyofahundredquailtakingoff."Thevegetationbeneaththeobjectwasblownaboutastheobjectroseup.

Squyreswasconvincedthattheobjectwas"pilotedbyhumans,andnotsomemenfromMars."Thewitnessreturnedtothescenelaterwithofficialsfromtheradiostation,whoverifiedthefactthatthevegetationappeareddisturbed,"likethebackwashofwherethethingtookoff."AlaterinvestigationbyAirForceofficialsconfirmedthesefindings,andthereliabilityofthewitnesswastermed"good"intheofficialreport(seeProjectBlueBookSpecialReport#14).

SeatPleasant,Maryland,August,1952

SometimeinAugust,1952(theexactdatecannotberecalled)duringthemajorUFOsightingwaveofthatyear,Mrs.SuzanneE.Knight,ayounghousewifeandmother,sawaUFOatcloserangewithwhatappearedtobeanoccupantaboard.

Atabout9:30p.m.onthathotsummerevening,Mrs.Knightwasinherkitchenwhensheheardapeculiar"bzzt"noise,apparentlyagainstthescreenofthekitchenwindow.Thenoisewasrepeatedseveraltimesandthinkingitwasalargeinsect,shewenttothewindowandlookedout.Shesawabrightobjectdescendingrapidlyata45degreeangleandthoughtitwasaplaneabouttocrash;instead,theobjectcametoahoveringpositionatarightangletoher,approximatelyhalfacityblockawayandabout300feetabovetheground.

TheUFOappearedtoMrs.Knighttoresemblethewinglessfuselageofaplaneandwasdullsilverincolor.Somethingsimilartosmokewascomingfromtherear.ThesideoftheobjectfacingMrs.Knightwaslinedwithanumberofsquarewindowsthroughwhichabrilliantyellowlightwasshining.Ontopandtothefrontoftheobject,toherleft,wasasmallredlight,extendedsomewhatabovethebody.

OntheundersideoftheUFOwasanundercarriagesimilartothegondolaofadirigible;thisalsocontainedarowofsmaller,squarewindowsandwasbrilliantlyaglowinsidewithyellowlight.Mrs.Knightthoughtsheobservedwhatappearedtoberowsofseats,similartotheatreseats,inthislowerportion.Throughtheupperwindowsshewasabletoseewhatappearedtobearowofcabinetswithslantedtops.

"Therewasamaninfront,"Mrs.KnightwroteinherreporttoNICAP,"lookingstraightaheadtowardsthefront[toherleft].Icouldn'tunderstandwhathewaslookingatsointently,

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andnotmovingeither.Iexpectedtoseealotofinstrumentsordials,etc.similartoinstrumentpanelsonairplanes,buttherewerenonethatIcouldsee."Shesaidthatthebrightyellowglowintheobjectmadeeverythinginsidelookyellow,"eventheman."Thisoccupantworeakindofhelmetand"aroundhisarmandthesideofhishelmet,nexttohisface,thereseemedtobeashadoworadarkline."

Afterwatchingforaminuteorso,Mrs.Knightleftthewindowtophonethenewspaper,butshewasunabletogetananswer.Whenshereturnedtothewindow,theobjectwasstilltherebutthemanhaddisappearedandtheundercarriagewasnolongervisible.

"Ithoughtmaybeithadmovedupintothefuselage,becausenotevenanoutlineofthecarwasvisible,butitshouldhavebeenbecausethestreetlightwouldhaveshownit."

AtthatpointthelightsintheobjectwereabruptlyextinguishedandtheUFOturnedfromadullsilvercolortoaglowingred,"likethedoorofanoldpot-belliedstove."(ComparewithMrs.Starr'sreport-seenextcase.)Italsobegantorocktowardandawayfromthewitnessandgavetheappearanceofbeing"wavy,likewaterrunningoverarockorlikeheatwavescomingoutofanelectrictoaster."Shethenbegancallingforsomeoneelseinthehousetocomeandseetheobjectbutwhileshewaslookingforhersistertheobjectdeparted.Altogether,theincidenthadlastedapproximatelythreeminutes,atleasttwominutesofwhichMrs.Knighthadhadtheobjectinclearview.

Thewitnesstoldhersisterofwhatshehadseen,omittingthedetailabouttheoccupant(shewascertainhersisterwoulddisbelieveher);thesisterdisplayeddisinterestandacertaindegreeofskepticism,soMrs.Knightceasedtotalkofit.Sheforgottheincidentuntilanumberofyearslater,whenshetoldherhusbandandchildren.ThereportcametotheattentionofNICAPandMrs.KnightmadeoutafullreportinSeptember,1967.Followingthis,shehasbeeninterviewedfurtherbyamemberoftheCapitalAreaNICAPSubcommittee.Mrs.KnightholdsaresponsiblejobinPrinceGeorgesCounty.

Old-Saybrook,Connecticut,December16,1957

AreportedsightingofaUFOwithoccupantsseenthroughitswindows,havinganumberofsimilaritiestoboththeSquyresandtheKnightcases,occurredinConnecticut,fiveyearslater,onDecember16,1957.ItwasinvestigatedbyRichardHall,formerAssistantDirectorofNICAPandcurrentlyNICAP'sResearchConsultant,andIsabelDavis,currentlyoftheNICAPstaff.

Mrs.MaryM.Starr,aresidentofOldSaybrookandaformerteacherwithaMaster'sDegreefromYale,toldtheNICAPinvestigatorsthatshehadbeenaloneinherhomeonthenightofDecember15.

"Iwenttobedearly,"shesaid,"about10:00o'clock.Sometimebetweentwoandthreeinthemorning,Iwasawakenedbyabrightlightinmyroom.IlookedoutthewindowandtherewaswhatIfirstthoughtwasacrippledairplaneinmybackgarden.ButwhenIgotmyeyesreallyopen,Isawthatitwasacigar-shapedobject,brightlylitandwithsquareportholes,hoveringjustabovemyclothesline.Icouldseemeninside..."

Theobject,nomorethantenfeetfromthenorthsideofMrs.Starr'shome,wasapproximately20to30feetlonganddarkgreyorblackincolor.Ithoveredmotionlessaboutfivefeetabovetheground,betweenthehouseandthetoolshed.Shesawnowings,fins,orotherappendages.ThroughitslightedwindowsMrs.Starrsawtwofiguresthatpassedeachother,walkinginoppositedirections.

"Icouldseethatit[theobject]wassoshallowthatthemencouldnothavebeenmorethanthreeandahalforfourfeettall,"shetoldtheinvestigators.Theoccupants'rightarmswereraisedbutnohandswerevisible.Theyworeakindofjacketthat"flaredout"atthebase,andtheirheadswereunusual-squareorrectangular,red-orangeincolor,andwithabrighterred"bulb"inthecenter.Shethoughttheymightpossiblybewearingsomekindofhelmets.ThelowerportionsoftheirbodieswerebelowMrs.Starr'ssightlines.Shesawnothingelseintheobject,suchaschairsorinstruments.

Athirdbeingcameintoviewfromtheleft.AsMrs.Starrleanedforwardtoseemoreclearly,theportholesfadedandtheentireshelloftheobjectbeganglowingbrightly(comparewithMrs.Knight'sreport).Fromthetopendclosesttothewitness

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therearoseakindofsix-inch"antenna"thatoscillatedandsparkled.Afterfiveminutesofglowingsteadily,theantennawasretractedandthecraftbegantomove.Itretraceditsoriginalpath,glidingsmoothlyinthedirectionfromwhichithadapparentlyarrived.Itthenmadeaverysharpright-angleturn,appearingovalinshape.Thehullhadturnedadullgrayish-blueandsmall,circularlightsnowoutlinedtheentirerim.TheUFOdippedandundulated,followingthecontoursofasmalldepressiontothenorthofthewitness'house,thentiltedsharplyandshotupintotheskyatterrificspeed,intotalsilence.

Sincemostoftheotherhousesinherneighborhoodwereunoccupiedatthattimeofyear,Mrs.Starrwasthesolewitnesstothisstrangeappearance,althoughtherehadbeenpreviousreportsduringtheprecedingweeksofobjectssightedinthearea.Becauseofherbackground,andbecauseshehadnoconceivablereasontoinventorembellishsuchastory,neitherMissDavisnorMr.Hallcouldfindanyreasontodismissherreportoutofhand.

Boianai,Papua,NewGuinea,June26&27,1959

FollowingaperiodofweeksinwhichbothnativePapuansandEuropeansrepeatedlysawwhatweredescribedas"Tilleylamps"movingthroughtheNewGuineanightskies,reportsofUFOsculminatedinthestartlingsightingofa"manned"UFO.The

objectwasseenatcloserangeatBoianaiontwoconsecutivenightsinJune,1959.Onbothnights,largenumbersofwitnesseswerepresent.Thecentralfigureinthesesightingswasthe32-year-oldAnglicanPriest,FatherWilliamGill.

OnJune21,oneofFatherGill'sPapuanEvangelistteachers,StephenMoi,reportedhavingseenadisc-shapedUFOdescendfromagreatheighttoanaltitudeofabout300feetovertheseaoffBoianai.ThissightingcreatedconsiderableinterestatBoianaiandpromptedFatherGilltowritetoafriend,onJune25,somepersonalandskepticalviewsonthesubjectofflyingsaucers.Beforehehadachancetomailtheletter,hehimselfbecamethecentralfigureinasightingthatsubstantiallychangedhisskepticismaboutflyingsaucers.

OnJune26,atabout6:45p.m.,FatherGillnoticedabrightlightinthenorthwestsky.Withinthenextseveralminutes,thelightbecamebrighterandappearedtoapproachthewitness.Hecalledseveralothers,includingStephenMoi.By6:55,theUFOhadapproachedtowithinanestimated500feetandwasseenasaclearlydefined,disc-shapedobject,withasmall,flat"deck"ontheuppersurfaceandfour"legs"ontheunderside.

FatherGillhastilysentformorewitnesses.Withinfiveminutes,atleastthreeglowingfigureswereseenontopofthe"deck,"andafourthsoonjoinedthem.Thefigureswereseenbyanincreasinglylargenumberofwitnessesuntilapproximately7:20,whentheobjectdriftedupwardintoacloudcover.AnhourlatertheUFOreappearedandwasseendescendingthroughtheclouds.Severalothersmallerlightswerealsoseenatthistimemovingerraticallythroughthesky.Fromthenuntil11:00p.m.,thediscandthesmallerlightswereseenrepeatedlybyatotalof38people,27ofwhomsignedanaffidavitattestingtothisremarkableobservation.

OfthefiguresthatFatherGillandthePapuanshadseen,hereportedtotheRev.NormanE.G.Cruttwell,whopreparedanextensivereportontheincident,that:

"Aswewatched...mencameoutfromthisobjectandappearedonthetopofit...Therewerefourmeninall,occasionallytwo,thenone,thenthree,thenfour."Hesaidthatthemenseemedtobeilluminatedbya"shaftofbluelight,whichemanatedfromwhatappearedtobethecenterofthedeck."

Theyalsoappearedtobeemanating"asortofglowwhichcompletelysurroundedthemaswellasthecraft.Theglowdidnottouchthem,butthereappearedtobealittlespacebetweentheiroutlineandthelight...Infact,theyseemedtobeilluminatedthemselvesinthesamewayasthemachinewas."Hecouldnottelliftheywerewearing"spacesuits,"andindicatedthemenweretoofarawaytodistinguishanyfacialfeatures.Theyhadtheappearanceof"normalhumanbeings,fromthewaistup"(theonlyportionthewitnessescouldseeabovetheedgeofthedeck)."Iftheywerewearingclothes,"FatherGillstated,"theywereverytightfitting."

Onthefollowingnight,June27,thesame-orasimilar-UFOmadeanotherappearance,thistimeshortlyafter6:00p.m.,whiletheskywasstilllight.Itwasseen

firstbyAnnieLaurieBorewa,aPapuanmedicalassistant,andshequicklysummonedFatherGillandothers.Againthelargegroupofwitnessessawasmanyasfourfiguresontopoftheobject.

FatherGillreportedtotheRev.Cruttwellthatonefigureappearedtobendover,asifworkingonsomethingatopthedeck,whileanotherwasstandingattheedge,withhishandsontherail,"lookingover,justasonewilllookovertherailsofaship...Istretchedmyarmabovemyheadandwaved.Tooursurprisethefiguredidthesame.Ananiaswavedbotharmsabovehishead,thenthetwooutsidefiguresdidthesame."FatherGilladmittedthereseemedtobenodoubtthatthemenwererespondingtothewitnesses'signals.

Ithadbeguntogetdark,soFatherGillsentfora"torch"anddirectedasetofsignalstowardtheobject.Afteraminuteofsignalling,"theUFOapparentlyacknowledgedbymakingseveralwaveringmotionsbackandforthinasidewaysdirection,likeapendulum."Theobjectappearedtoapproachsomewhat,andthewitnessescontinuednotonlywavingandsignallingbyflashlight,butshoutingaswell.However,theoccupantsapparentlylostinterestfortheysoondisappearedbelowdeck.By7:00p.m.,theobject,whilestillinview,hadmovedofftoagreaterdistanceandby7:45p.m.ithaddisappearedaltogether.

Onthenextnight,June28,theUFOwasoncemoreseenbyalargegroupofwitnessesbutnofigureswereobservedonthisnight.TheextraordinaryobservationsmadebyFatherGillandthePapuanswerecoincidentalwithotherclose-rangesightingsmadeelsewhereonNewGuineaonthesameevenings.ThereportswereinvestigatedbytheRoyalAustralianAirForce

29

and,becauseofFatherGill'sreputationforaccuracyandrestraint,wereconsideredauthenticbyAustralianofficials.ItmightbeaddedthatFatherGillwasbynomeansconvincedoftheobject'sextraterrestrialorigin:ashehimselfwrote,"Idonotdoubttheexistenceofthese`things'(indeedIcannotnowthatIhaveseenoneformyself)butmysimplemindstillrequiresscientificevidencebeforeIcanaccepttheouter-spacetheory."

Blenheim,NewZealand,July13,1959

Mrs.FrederickMoreland,ofBlenheim,NewZealand,abusyhousewifewithfivechildren,washelpingherhusbandtendtheirsmallnine-acrefarmaswellasworkingpart-timeasanurse'saidatListerHospital,inBlenheim,atthetimehersightingoccurred.

OnJuly13,1959,at5:50a.m.,itwasdarkwithalowcloudcoverwhenMrs.Morelandwenttothebarntodothemorningmilking.Shenoticedagreenglowintheovercastandwashalf-wayacrossthepaddockwhenshesawtwolargegreenlightsemergefromthecloudsanddescendrapidlytowardtheground,inher

direction.

"InoticedthatIwasbathedinagreenlightandthatallthepaddockwasgreen,too,"shelaterreported.Inherwrittenstatementtothelocalpolice,shesaidthatitwassobrightshecouldnotseeherown"torchlight"inthegreenglare.

"Itwasahorridsortofcolor.Myfirstthoughtwas,`Ishouldn'tbehere,'andImadeadiveforthetreesontheothersideofthepaddock."

Intheprotectionofthetrees,Mrs.Morelandsawasharply-outlinedsaucer-shapedobjectwithtwoextremelybrightsourcesofgreenlightontheunderside.Thelightfromthesesourcesbeamedoutoveranareaof50yards.Tworowsofjetsaroundthecenteroftheobject"shotoutorange-coloredflame"andappearedtorevolveinoppositedirections.Theobjectwasapproximately20to30feetwideandhoveredatroof-toplevel,about15feetabovetheground.Itwasnomorethan50yardsawayfromher.

"Thejetsstopped,"Mrs.Morelandsaid,"andalightwasswitchedoninwhatappearedtobeaperspexorglassroofordome,whichglowed."(ComparewiththeRirieandIdahoFalls,Idaho,casesoflate1967below.)Shesaidthebottomappearedtobeofagrayish,metalliccolor.

Therewasafainthumastheobjecthovered"andtheairbecameverywarm."Insidethetransparentdome,shesaid,thereweretwomen,"dressedinfairlyclose-fittingsuitsofshinymaterial."Shecomparedthematerialtoaluminumfoil.Shesaidtheoccupantswore"opaquehelmets"thatrosestraightfromtheirshoulders.Theyseemedtobeofnormalsize.Shenotedthatoneoftheoccupantsnevermoved.

"Icouldnotseetheirfaces,"shesaid."Oneofthemenstoodupandputtwohandsoutinfrontofhim,asifleaningovertolookdownwards.Hethensatdownand,afteraminuteortwo,thejetsstartedoffagainand,tiltingslightlyatfirst,thethingshotupverticallyatgreatspeedanddisappearedintotheclouds.Whenitdidthis,itmadeasoftbuthigh-pitchedsound."Shereportedthatapeculiarsmell,somewhatsimilartopepper,lingeredintheairastheobjectdeparted.

Mrs.Morelandstoodinthetreesforseveralminutes,notknowingexactlywhattodo.Shefinallywentonwithhermilkingbutwassodisturbedbywhatshehadseenthat,at7:00a.m.,shewentbackintothehouseandtoldherhusbandwhathadhappened.Mr.Moreland,employedbytheRoyalNewZealandAirForce,suggestedthatshecallthepolice,whichshedid.

AnofficialenquirybeganwhichincludedaninvestigationbytheRNZAF.Mrs.Moreland'sreportwasgivenwidecoverageinthepressandsometimelateritwaslearnedthataboutanhourbeforeMrs.Moreland'ssightingaBlenheimmannamedHoldawayhadseenawhite-orangeobjectthroughhiswindow.

Manypeoplesubsequentlyinterviewedthewitness,whoimpressedthemwithherstraightforwardaccountofwhatshehadseen.NICAPhasacopyofthewitness'

first-hand,signedreportoftheincident.Dr.JamesE.McDonald,duringatriptoAustraliaandNewZealandin1967,hadtheopportunitytointerviewthewitnessandhetoldNICAPthathehadbeenquitefavorablyimpressed.

IdahoFalls,Idaho,December8,1967

AmorerecentreportthatcontainssomestrikingsimilaritiestoMrs.Moreland'sstoryofmorethaneightyearsbeforewasinvestigatedbyC.ReedRicks,whosentNICAPthedetails.OnthenightofDecember8,1967,MarilynWilding,age15,ofIdahoFalls,wentoutonherfrontsteptolookforafriendcomingbytopickherup.Itwasabout7:40p.m.Theeveningwasdarkandovercast,cold,withsnowontheground.MissWilding'sattentionwasattractedtoalightsourcereflectingonthesnowandglancingupwardshesawalargelightabove,partiallyobscuredbytheroofofherhouse.

Steppingoutintotheyard,shesawalarge,brightlylightedobjecthoveringnotfarabovetheendofherhome.Itwassobrightthatshewasunabletoperceiveanyothercolorthanwhite.Theobjectwascircularinshape,"aboutasbigasacar."

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ShetoldtheNICAPinvestigatorthatitwascloseenoughforsomeonetohave

thrownarockatitandhitit.

Asshestoodlooking,theobjecttippedandrotatedpartlysothatshewasabletoseethatithadadomedtop.Inthedome,whichwastransparent,shecouldmakeouttheindistinctoutlinesoftwofigures,butshewasunabletomakeoutanydetailsbecauseoftheglare.Sheranintoherhouseandcalledforheryoungersistertocomeandlook,buttheyoungsterwasbarefootanddidnotcomeout.MissWildingthenranbackoutsideintimetoseetheobjectbegintorotate,inaclockwisedirectionasseenfrombelow.Itmaintaineditstiltedattitudewhilerotating,andthereforegavetheappearanceofwobbling.Withthismotion,itbeganmovingawaytowardthenorth.Asitrecededintothedistance,thelightdimmedandturnedorangeincolor.

TheUFO'sdeparturewasobservedfrominsidethehousebyMissWilding'syoungerbrothersandsister,whohadbeenalertedbythewitness.(Mr.andMrs.Wildingwerenotathomeatthetimeoftheincidentoccurred.)Inherwrittenreport,MissWildingalsogavethenamesoftheSchuldtfamily,neighbors,aswitnesses.

Atitsclosest,theobjectwasnomorethan100yardsaway,andfrom50to100feetabovetheground.Theincidentlastedforapproximatelythreeminutes.BesidescontaininganumberofdetailssimilartothosedescribedbyMrs.Moreland,MissWilding'ssightingmayalsobecomparedwithanotherincidentthatoccurredatRirie,Idaho,alittlemorethanamonthearlier.

Thesixprecedingoccupantreportshaveonethingincommon:thereportedbeingsineachcasewereseeninorontheassociatedUFO.Also,fiveofthesixreportstookplaceduringthedecadeofthe1950s.Thisisnottosaythatalloccupantreportsduringthatperioddescribedbeingsseeninorontheobject;tothecontrary,therearemanyreportsonfileinwhichtheallegedoccupantswerereportedoutsideoftheUFO;andinsomecases,strangenon-humanentitieshavebeenreportedwhennoUFOcouldbeimmediatelyassociatedwiththeirpresence.

ThefollowingcasesareexamplesofoccupantreportsinwhichtheallegedbeingswereseenoutsideoftheUFOs.Allofthemhaveoccurredsince1964.Severalofthesecasescontainfeaturesthatareuniqueandbizarre:theirreportedhighdegreeofstrangenessplacesspecialdemandsuponourcredulity.However,theycannotbeeliminatedoutofhandsimplybecausetheydonotconformtowhatwewouldprefer

toexpectof"spacemen"reports.(SeeSectionII.)

Brand'sFlats,Virginia,January19,1965

WilliamBlackburn,aresidentofWaynesboro,Virginia,wasworkingattheAugustaCountyArcheryCluboffRoute250,nearBrand'sFlats,whenatapproximately5:40p.m.onJanuary19,1965,hesawtwoobjectsinthesky.

OneoftheseUFOs,thesmallerofthetwo,descendedtothegroundandlandedapproximately18yardsfromthewitness.Fromitemergedthreebeingsofextraordinaryappearance,eachaboutthreefeethigh.Theyweredressedinclothesofthesameshiny,peculiarcolorastheobject.OnehadanextremelylongfingerononeBand.Thebeings'eyeswereparticularlypenetrating:accordingtothewitness,"theyseemedtolookthroughyou."Asthecreaturesapproachedthewitness,towith-in12yards,hefrozeinfright,adouble-edgedaxeinhishand.Afterutteringsomeunintelligiblesounds,thebeingsturnedandreenteredtheobjectthroughadoorthatappearedto"molditselfintotheship."Theobjectthenascendedanddisappeared.

FollowingtheappearanceofBlackburn'saccountinthelocalpress,thewitnesstoldofbeingvisitedbymembersofagovernmentagencywhomhewouldnotidentify,althoughhesaidhewastoldnottosayanythingfurtherabouthissighting.

InaninvestigationconductedbyRichardHallandseveralNICAPstaffmembers,strongevidencewasfoundtosupportthewitness'reportofbeingsilenced.Inspiteofthis,theinvestigatorswereabletosecuresomeadditionaldetailsonthesighting.TheareaofthereportedsightingisclosetoFishersville,Va.,thesiteofanotherlanding(butwithnoreportedoccupants)whichhadoccurredlessthanamonthbefore.

MunroeFalls,Ohio,March28,1967

DavidMorris,19,afactoryworkerinKent,Ohio,wasdrivinghometoMunroeFallsfromworkearlyinthemorningofMarch28,1967.Atabout2:30a.m.,whiledrivingwestalongLittleRiverRoad,hetoppedasmallhillandsuddenlysawanorange-glowingobjectaheadofhim.Itwasinafieldtohisleft,onthesouthsideoftheroad,andwasapparentlyhoveringseveralfeetabovetheground.Hedescribeditlaterasacone-shapedobjectabout25feettalland12feetwideatthebase,withasmallsphereontop.

AsMorrisslowedhiscardownforabetterlookhesawfourorfivesmallfiguresscurryingquicklybackandforthacrosstheroad,about50feetaheadofhim.Theyappearedbetweenthreeandahalfandfourfeettallandtheygaveoffthesamesoftorangeglowastheobject.Morrisquicklyslammedonhisbrakesbut,unabletostopintime,struckoneofthebeingsasitcrossedtheroadtohisright.Heheardathumpatthemomentofimpactandsawthebeing'sraisedhandasitwasstruck.Hesawnofingersonthishand.

Thecartraveledanothertenfeetbeforeitstopped.Morristurnedandlookedaround,hishandonthedoor.Hesawagroupoflittlefiguresstandingasifclusteredaboutsomethinglyingontheroadand,suddenlyfrightened,hespedoff.Hedidnotreporttheincidenttothepolicebecausehewasconvincedthatwhateverhestruckhadnotbeenhuman.

ThenextdayMorrisfounddentsinhisrightfrontbumperthathadnotbeentherebefore.Hementionedthestorytoseveralofhisco-workers,oneofwhomwasacquaintedwithareporterforalocalnewspaper.ThisreporteralertedNICAP,andtheincidentwascarefullyinvestigatedbyCharlesE.TonerandRoyWileyofthePittsburghNICAPSubcommitteeonseveralsubsequentoccasions.Inaddition,CarolClapp,thereporterfortheRavennaRecord-Courier,didextensivecheckingonthecaseandprovidedNICAPwithadditionaldetails.

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Thefollowingthreereportsdifferconsiderablyfromtheprecedingcases.Manyreaders,perhapsmost,willfindthemasbizarre,incredible,andsubjecttoridiculeassomeofthewell-known"contactee"claims.TheirinclusionhereisnottobetakenasanindicationthatNICAPacceptsanyoneoftheseclaims.

However,thepurposeofthescientificpanel'sevaluationistomakeawide-rangesurveyofoccupantstories,includingevenfantastic,one-witnessreportsofthetypeusuallyconsideredsuspicious,ifnotrejectedoutright,bymostofthepressandthepublic.Ifthepanelfindscausetoaccept,orseriouslyconsider,suchareport,NICAPwillannouncethesefindings.

Evenifthescientificpanelrejectssuchareport,itsevaluationshouldbeofvalue,especiallytheopinionsofthepsychologistswhomaybeabletoexplainwhythereportwasmadeandprovidecluesfortheevaluationofsimilarcaseswheredelusions,mistakes,ordeliberatefabricationsaresuspected.

Thefirstofthesethreereportsis,ineffect,a"contactee"claim,insofarasthewitnessclaimstohavecommunicatedwiththeoccupants.Despiteitssensationalnature,NICAPrepresentativespersonallyinterviewedthewitnessandobtainedhisfullstory-whichisNICAPpolicywheneverpossible.However,thechiefinvestigatorwasnotabletocarryoutextensiveinterviewswithneighbors,businessacquaintances,schoolandlocalofficials,etc.,whichcouldhaveprovidedahelpfulevaluationofthis"contactee."

Thefinaltwocaseshaveequallyincredibleelementsinthem.Allthreehavebeensubmittedtothescientificpanelforevaluation.Aspresentedhere,theyaremerelysummariesofthestoriestoldbythepersonsinvolvedandarenottobeconstruedashavingbeenacceptedasauthenticbyNICAP.

NewarkValley,NewYork,April24,1964

GaryWilcox,aNewarkValleyfarmer,reportedthatonthemorningofApril24,1964,hesawabrightflashoflightinoneofhisfields.Approachingthearea,hesaid,hesuddenlysawanegg-shapedobjecthoveringseveralfeetabovetheground.

Examiningtheshiny,metallic,20-foot-longstructure,thefarmerwasabruptlyconfrontedbytwofour-foot-tallbeings.Theyweregarbedinsilvery-whiteoutfitsthatcompletelycoveredtheirheads,wereofstockybuild,andcarriedtrayswithwhatappearedtobesoilsamples.OnefigureapproachedtowithinfivefeetofWilcox,hereported,andaddressedhiminperfectEnglish.Thevoiceappearedtocomefromsomeareaonthechest,asiffromaspeakerdevice,ratherthanfromthehead.

Wilcoxsaidtheirconversationlastednearlytwohours,duringwhichanumberofsubjectsweretoucheduponincludingairpollution,U.S.spaceprobes,agriculturalmethods,andthefactthattheoccupantsclaimedtobefromMars.Noneofthetopicsinthisextraordinaryallegedconversationcontainedanyofthesalvationist-typemessagesusuallyassociatedwithcontacteereports.TheincidenthasbeenpartiallyinvestigatedbyseveralNICAPmembers,includingAdvisorWalterWebb,andrecently,newinvestigationshavebeenundertakeninanattempttosecureadditionaldata.

CiscoGrove,California,September4-5,1964

DonaldS-,wholivesintheSacramento,California,area,wasbow-and-arrowhuntingwithtwofriendsontheFridayofLaborDayweekend,1964.Thatevening,afterhavingbecomeseparatedfromhisfriendshelosthiswaytryingtogetbacktocamp.Forprotection,heplannedtospendthenightinatreeatthetopoftheridge.Abouttwohoursafterdark,hesawalightbelowthemountaintops,acrossthevalleytothenorth.Itbobbedupanddowninanerraticpathtowardthewestand,thinkingitmightbearescuehelicopter,helitseveralfirestoattractattention.

Thelightthenapproachedthewitness,rapidlyandsilently,andheknewitwasnohelicopter.Itappearedtobeanobjectconsistingofthelightfirstseenaswellasthreeshimmering,luminousrectangularpanels,or"windows."Fromthemiddlepanelemergedasmaller,domedobjectwithaflashinglightthatdescendedtothefloorofthecanyonbelowhim.

Ashorttimelater,heheardathrashinginthebushesand,havinghiddenhimselfinthetree,sawawhite-clad,hoodedfigure,aboutfivefeettall,approachfromthedirectionofthelandedobject.Asecondsimilarfigurejoinedthefirstandthenathird,somewhatdifferentbeing,describedas"robot-like"butaboutthesameheight,andwithbrightlyluminescenteyes,joinedtheothers.

Severalmoreofthe"humanoid"varietywereseenthrough-outthenight,accordingtoS-.Thesebeingsbeganharassingthewitness-therobotbyemittingastiflingvaporthatblackedhimoutandmadehimnauseated,andthehumanoidsbyattemptingtoclimbthetree,apparentlytogettothewitness.Herepeatedlydrovethemoffbythrowingthingsdownandrippingoffpiecesofhiscamouflagesuitand

settingthemafire.Healsofiredhisthreeremainingarrowsattherobot,whichuponimpactcreatedabrightglowlikeanarcflash.

Afteranespeciallyheavyemissionofvaporfromtherobots(thefirsthadbeenjoinedbyasecondsimilarentity),thewitnessblackedoutandcametoatdawn,findingthathistormentorshaddeparted.

ThisparticularlybizarrereportwasinvestigatedforNICAPbyPaulCerny,oftheBayAreaNICAPSubcommittee,inanumberoffirst-handinterviews.Thewitnesshasrequestedthathisnamebekeptconfidential.

Ririe,Idaho,November2,1967

GuyTossieandWillBegay,twoIndianyouths,weredrivingsouthonHighway26justoutsideRirieonNovember2,1967,when,about9:30p.m.,therewasasuddenblindingflashoflightinfrontoftheircar,followedbytheabruptappearanceofasmall,domedUFO.Thedomewastransparentandinitwereseentwosmall,strange-lookingoccupants.

Thecarwasbroughttoastop-Begay,driving,didnothavetoapplythebrakes-andtheobjecthoveredaboutfivefeetabovethehighwayimmediatelyaheadofthem.Itwasabouteightfeetwide,andflashedgreenandorangelightsaroundtherim.Theareawasbathedinavividgreenlight.(ComparethiswithMrs.Moreland'sreport,above)

Thedomeopenedasifhingedandonecreatureemerged,apparentlyfloatingtotheground.Itwasaboutthreeandahalffeettall,andonitsbackwasakindofpackthatprotrudedaboveandbehinditshead.Itsfacewasovalandheavilypittedandcreased.Twosmall,roundeyesandastraight,slit-likemouthcompletedthefacialfeatures.Largeearsstoodhighonthehairlesshead.

Approachingthedriver'ssideofthecar,theallegedbeingopenedthedoorandslidbehindthewheel.Horrified,thetwowitnessespushedovertotheright.Thecarbegantomove-whetherdrivenbythebeingor"towed"bytheUFOwasuncertain.Itwastakenwelloutintoafieldofstubblewheat,andtheUFOkeptafixedpositionafewfeetinfrontofit.

Asthecarstopped,Tossie,sittingnexttothedoor,suddenlyopeneditandbolted,runningforthenearbyfarmhouseofWillardHammonaboutaquarterofamileaway.Helaterreported

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beingfollowedbyabrightlight-presumablycarriedbythesecondoccupant.

Meanwhile,inthecar,Begaycoweredinthefrontseatinastateofnear-shockwhilethefirstcreaturejabberedunintelligiblyathim,makingsoundsthatwerehighandrapid,"likeabird."Thesecondbeing,whohadapparentlygivenupchasingTossie,

returnedtothecar.Thefirstthengotout,andthetwobeings"roseupandintotheUFO,"whichthenascendedinazigzagpath.

Meanwhile,atthehomeofWillardHammon,Tossiecouldscarcelymakehimselfunderstoodbytheastoundedfarmerandhisfamily.AfterhavingcalmedtheIndiandown,theyaccompaniedhimbacktothefield,wheretheyfoundthecar.Begaywassittingnearlyspeechlesswithfright,hiseyestightlyclosed.

Theenginewasrunningandthelightswerestillon-about15minuteshadelapsedfromthemomenttheyoungmenhadseentheflash.Hammonlistenedtotheirstoryandthenfollowedthefrightenedyouthshomeinhiscar.Perplexed,helaterstoppedinalocalbarandgrilltoseeifhecouldlearnanythingmore.Whilethere,acountydeputysheriffstoppedinandHammontoldhimthestory.Later,bothwitnessesalsocamebyandvoluntarilytoldthedeputysheriff,intheirownwords,whathadhappened.StatePoliceweresummonedandaninvestigationwasbegun.Itwasdiscoveredthatanumberoflocalfarmershadreportedthattheircattlehadboltedduringtheeveningforunknownreasons.Othersclaimedtohaveseenlightsinthearea.

ThereportwasinvestigatedforNICAPbyC.R.Ricks,ofIdahoFalls.Duringhisinvestigation,helearnedofamanwhoclaimedthat,onthesamenight,hehadasimilarencounter.Rickseventuallytrackedthismandownandconfirmedthereport,althoughthewitnesswasemphaticaboutnotrevealinghisname,andwasreluctantaboutdiscussingthedetailsofhisencounter.

***

Asweemphasizedatthebeginningofthissection,theonlyverdictatpresentontheseoccupantreports(andmanyothersofalmostequalinterest)mustbe"Judgmentsuspended."Conclusiveevidenceislacking.Whatsuchevidenceislikelytoconsistof,andwhenitwillbeobtained,noonecanforesee.Wecanbesure,however,of

onething:whenandiftheevidencedoesbecomeavailable,itwilldecisivelybroadenthescopeofallUFOresearchandaddanewandchallengingdimensiontotheproblem.

TABLEOFCONTENTSSectionI-TheUFORevolutionSectionII-Extraterrestrials-SuggestedMotives&OriginsSectionIII-VehiclePacings&EncountersSectionIV-Close-RangeSightings,StructuralDetailsSectionV-ScientificSupport,CongressionalHearingsSectionVI-Landings,PhysicalTracesSectionVII-AreThereUFOOccupantsSectionVIII-TheColoradoProject

APPENDIXAppendixA-CaseHistoriesAnalyzedbyDr.JamesE.McDonaldAppendixB-NewspaperEditorialsAppendixC-CongressionalStatementsAppendixD-witnessSketches

NICAPHomePage

33SECTIONVIII

THECOLORADOPROJECT

InOctober1966theAirForceannouncedthatitsOfficeofScientificResearchhadcontractedwiththeUniversityofColoradoforascientificUFOinvestigation.Inthecontractanimpartialinvestigationwaspledged,tobeconducted"underconditionsofthestrictestobjectivity,"witheveryefforttomakesuretheprojectinvestigatorshadno"preconceivedpositionsontheUFOquestion."

OnApril30,1968,theColoradoProjectwaspubliclycalleda"fiasco,"whenLOOKMagazineandNICAPjoinedinrevealingdevelopmentsbehindDr.Condon'sfiringoftwoprojectscientists.NICAPdisclosedthattheprojectcoordinator,RobertJ.Low,hadadmittedthatDr.Condonhadnevermadeafieldinvestigation,alsothathehadneverinterviewedanyofthemilitaryorairlinepilots,scientists,aerospaceexperts,andotherhighlyqualifiedobserverslistedbyNICAPattherequestofCondonandLow.

OnJuly29,1968,theHouseScienceandAstronauticsCommitteeheldseriousandfactualUFOhearings,inwhichsixscientistsjoinedinasymposiumandsixotherssubmitteddetaileddiscussions.AsdetailedinSectionV,allbutone(Dr.Menzel)urgedanew,completelyunbiasedscientificinvestigation.OnesuggestionforaCongressionalinvestigationoftheColoradoProjectwentintothehearingsrecord.(Otherlegislatorshadalreadymadesimilarstatements.)

InNovember,1968,aforthcomingbookblastingtheprojectwasannounced,entitled"UFOs?Yes!"MostofthecontentswerepreparedbyDr.DavidSaunders,formerProjectpsychologistandheadoftheUFOdatacomputerstudy.SaunderswasfiredbyCondon-afteropposingwhathebelievedtobeabiased,negativeapproach.

ReportstoNICAPfromwell-informedsourcesindicateCondon'spublicconclusionswillbecompletelynegative.Hisfinalreportisdescribedasasuperdebunkingjob,acceptingtypicalAFexplanationsandrejectingmassive,capabletestimonybythebest-qualifiedobservers-evenmultiple-witnessdaylightsightingsfullyconfirmedbyFAAandmilitaryradar-andineffectridiculingand

attemptingtodiscreditalltheobserversinvolved.

TheAFplantoexploitthisreport(detailslater)hasalreadycausedprivaterepercussions...TheCondonreportandtheAFcampaignwillsetoffaheatedcontroversy,witheveryindicationofadisastrousbackfireinvolvingboththeAFandtheprojectitsetup.

Inordertounderstandthissituationfully,itisnecessarytoseethewholepicture,beginningwith1965,whengreatlyincreasedsightings(examplesinprecedingsections)madethefront-pageandputnewpressureontheAF.

Hasty"explanations"bytheAirForceforhundredsofpuzzlingUFOsightingsduringthesummerof1965ledtonewpressawarenessoftheproblemandawaveofnewspapereditorials.

Inaneditorialtitled"TheWildBlueYonder,"theCharlestonEveningPost(7/15/65)said,"TheperplexingpartofthiswholebusinessisnottheUFOreports...WhatishardtounderstandistheattitudeoftheAirForce.ConfrontedbyaUFOreport,theserviceimmediatelybeginstocrankoutofthewildblueyonderthesamepre-recordedannouncementithasbeenplayingfor20years:`scratch,scratch,theAirForcehasnoevidence...'Italldepends,ofcourse,onwhatismeantbyevidence.IfourcourtssharedtheAirForce'sprofessedsuspicionofcreditablewitnessesourjailswouldbeempty."

Crediblewitnessesandunacceptable"explanations"becamethegrowingconsensusin1966.WhennumerouswitnessesinMichiganreportedUFOswhichwerequicklyexplainedawayas"swampgas,"thenation'scartoonistshadafielddaylampooningtheAF,andbeliefintheAFUFOstatementsrapidlydecreased.

TheinfluentialHouseMinorityLeader,CongressmanGeraldFord,calledforaninvestigation,adding:

"Iamawareofotherreports,suchas[NICAP's]TheUFOEvidence,whichposequestionsthat,likethemostrecentsightings,cannotbeansweredbyafew`pat'solutions."

AsaresultofFord'sdemandsandotherpressures,theHouseArmedServicesCommitteeheldbriefhearings,onApril5,1966.OnlyAFofficialsandAFUFOProjectmemberswereheard-nootherswerepermittedtospeak,andnopositiveevidencewasintroduced.Maj.HectorQuintanilla,ProjectBlueBookhead,deniedtherewereanyunexplainedradarorphotographicreports...(AFConsultantDr.J.AllenHyneklaterstatedthereweremanysuchreports,especiallyradarcases.)

TheArmedServicesCommitteeendedtheone-sidedhearingsindicatingitwassatisfiedwithAFUFOinvestigations.

Shortlyafterthis,onApril8,theGallupPolladdedalittlemorepressure.More

than5millionAmericans,itsreportsaid,thoughttheyhadseena"flyingsaucer."Theawarenessscore(96%),anindexofhowmanypeoplehadheardorreadaboutthesubject,wassaidtobe"extraordinarilyhigh...oneofthehighestinthe30-yearhistoryoftheGalluppoll."Inthenationaltotals,46%believedUFO'sweresomethingreal,not

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justpeople'simagination.TheresultsofthepollundoubtedlyinfluencedmembersofCongressandotherstotakeanewlookatthesituation.

SomecriticsoftheofficialdebunkingpolicybelieveitwassolelypublicpressurewhichcausedtheAFtoarrangeforasupposedlyindependentinvestigationbyauniversity.ButinfairnesstosomeAFmembersandscientistswhodisapproveoftheofficialpolicy,itshouldbestatedthatseveralhadprivatelyurgedagenuine,all-outscientificinvestigationforyears.Themostoutstanding,atleastthebest-knowninthisgroup,wasDr.Hynek,whohadgraduallychangedfromhispreviouscompleteskepticism.

WhenplansfortheColoradoProjectfirstbecameknowntoNICAP,beforethe1966contractsigning,severalBoardMembers,advisersandalsothedirectorwereextremelyskeptical.ItappearedthismightbemainlyanattempttotaketheheatofftheAFafterthebackfireoftheirincredible"marshgas"story-ahastyUFOsightingexplanationwhichbroughtnationwideridiculeandrejection.

Despiteourmisgivings,wepledgedourassistancewhenourfullcooperationwasrequestedbyDr.CondonandCoordinatorLow.

Tohaverefused,becauseofourdoubtsofanAF-financedstudy,wouldhaveputNICAPinabadlight.Wewouldhavebeensharplycriticized,firstbyskepticsclaimingwehadnorealevidencetosubmit,andsecondbymanycitizens(includingNICAPmembers)whobelievedtheColoradoprojectwouldrevealallknownfactsandreachimportantconclusions.

ForweeksbeforetheofficialstartonNovember1,wehelpedplantheinvestigation.Mostofthegroup-menlikeDr.Saunders,seemedtotaketheproblemseriously.

NICAPListed

OnOctober4,1966,theUniversityofColoradogavetheAFadetailedproposal,No.66.1.253,whichwasincorporatedintothecontractasthebasicpolicy.NICAPwaslistedasasourceofinformation-theonlyprivateUFOorganizationnamedinthecontract.

Themainpoints,confirmedbyaphoto-copyofthecontract,includedtheseprovisions:

"Theworkwillbeconductedunderconditionsofthestrictestobjectivitybyinvestigatorswho,ascarefullyascanbedetermined,havenopredilectionsorpreconceivedpositionsontheUFOquestion.Thisisessentialifthepublic,theCongress,theExecutiveandthescientificcommunityaretohaveconfidenceinthestudy."

OnOctober7,1966,theAirForceannouncedthataresearchagreement,valuedatapproximately$300,000,wasbeingnegotiatedwiththeUniversityofColorado,andthatascientificpaneloftheNationalAcademyofScienceswould"provideafurtherindependentcheckonthescientificvalidityofthe(Colorado)methodofinvestigation."

ThefirstjoltcameonOctober8,afterthecontractwassigned.TheNewYorkTimes,theDenverPostandotherpapersranstoriesquotingCondon:

"IguessI'managnostic...itishighlyimprobablethey(UFOs)exist...theviewthatmanyUFOsightingsarehallucinatory...willbeasubjectofourinvestigation,todiscoverwhatitisthatmakespeoplethinktheyseethings."OnOctober9,intheDenverPost,Condonwasquotedashoping"tolearnwhyastronomers,satellitetrackers,FAAradaroperators,etc.,don'treportUFOs..."(NICAP:Manysuchreportsareofficialrecords)..."earlyreportsaresooldandvaguetheyarenogood.

OnOctober9,thePostalsoquotedLowassayingtheUFOprojectcameclosetobeingunacceptable,but"whenyou'reaskedtodosomething,youdon'tsayno-nottotheAirForce."Nextday,afterdefendingLow,Dr.Condonsaid,againinthePost:"...95%oftheUFOreportsarerelativelyeasilyidentifiedas...well-knownnaturalphenomena...(which)indicatesanappallinglackofpublicunderstanding..."

NICAP'sdirectorimmediatelyphonedtheproject.Mr.LowsaidheandCondonwereincorrectlyquoted,thatCondonwasan.honestagnostic,willingtobeconvincedbytrueevidence-suchasNICAPhadalreadyoutlined.NICAPdelayeditsintendedbreakpendingwordfromCondon.InaNovember8letter,Dr.Condonagainpledgedanobjectivestudy,listingthesegroundrules:

"TheNationalInterest"

Themainguidewouldbe"whateverappearstous...mostclearlytoservethenationalinterest."Existingfacts,sightingreportswouldbeasfullytestedaspossible..."Theseguidelinesarerequiredbytheveryprocessofresearch.Noproperinvestigatorwouldapproachhisworkotherwise."

DuringalongconferenceattheUniversityofColorado,NICAPdecidedthenumberofunbiasedscientists,evaluatingthemassivefactualevidenceandmakingfieldchecks,mightreverseanynegativeapproach-oratleastoffsetanybiasedconclusionswithastrongmajoritydissent.

AfterdiscussionswithDr.Condon,Mr.Lowandprojectscientists,wepromisedtocooperate-withafrankwarningthatthiswoulddependentirelyontheproject'simpartiality.Dr.CondonandMr.Lowfullyagreed.

Dr.CondongaveNICAPrepeatedassurancesthateventhoughtheprojectwasfinancedbytheAFhewouldcarryoutanindependent,full-scale,scientificandimpartialinvestigation.

Onthisbasis,NICAPtolditssubcommitteestoaidprojectfieldteams;wesubmittedseveralhundredrepresentativereports,includingmany-butbynomeansall-ofourstrong,hard-corecases.

Welistedmanyhighlyqualifiedcompetentandreliablesources:scientists,military,airlineandprivatepilots;aerospaceengineers,andotherespeciallytrainedobservers.Inensuingmonths,manyleadstonewreportswereprovided.NICAPhelpedsetupanearlywarningnet(mostlyNICAPSubcommitteemembers)toenablequickon-the-spotinvestigations.DuringthistimeweweretoldbyDr.Condon,CoordinatorLowandprojectscientiststhatwithoutourconstantaidtheprojectcouldnothavebeencarriedout.

Earlyin`67,welearnedfromsomeprojectmembersthattheywerethoroughlytestingtheextraterrestrialhypothesis,usingthestrongestevidence.Butourcautiousoptimismwassoonjoltedagain.

OnJanuary25,Dr.CondonmadeaspeechatCorning,N.Y.Pressreportsindicatedhehadalreadydecidedonanegativereport.

WhenwesawthepressstorywephonedDr.Saundersandannouncedwewerebreakingoff.Heaskedustowait,thenwenttoCondonandtoldhimtheprojectcouldnotgoonwithoutNICAP'shelp.AfteradiscussionwithSaundersandotherscientistsDr.CondonapologizedtoNICAPbyphone,saidhewasbadlymisquoted,andurgedustocontinueour"valuablecooperation."

Thedirectortoldhimweweretakingaseriousrisk,thatNICAPcouldbecalledblindorstupidtohelpabiasedproject.Condondeniedanybias.After30minutesofbluntdiscussion,Dr.CondonsaidhewouldnotmakeanymorespeechesorpublicstatementsonUFO.Heagreedtoputthisinwriting.

Butnotlongafterthis,welearnedthatDr.Condonwasremainingalooffromtheactualprojectwork,andthattheprojectwasmovingtowardadefinitelynegativeoutlook,tothedistressofthescientiststryingtobethoroughlyobjective.

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ThenearlyinSeptemberouruneasytrucewithDr.Condonended.

InaspeechbeforescientistsatanAtomicSpectroscopySymposium,Dr.Condonconcentratedonhumorouscontacteestories.Accordingtooneoftheaudience,a

UniversityofArizonascientist(notDr.J.E.McDonald),thetalkwasfunny-butdevoidofanyhintofaseriousproblem,oraseriousinvestigation.Tomanyofthosepresent,itseemedlikelytheProjectreportwouldbeinthesamevein.

AquickNICAPcalltoaprojectmemberbroughtmorebadnews.Againstprotestsbymostofthescientists,asearchfornegativeevidencewasnowbeingemphasized.

Withintenminuteswegavetheprojectofficialnotice:TransmissionofNICAP'sUFOreportswasended.

Thisaction,welearnedlater,hadastrongerimpactthanweexpected-almostashockeffect.Onesuggestedpossiblereasonconcernedtheuniversity'srequestformoreAFfunds-over$200,000toextendtheinvestigation.ExaminationofimportantUFOinformationfromNICAPwascitedinthisrequest.

Whateverthereason,Dr.CondonsentLowtoWashingtontourgethatwereconsider.DuringasomewhattensesessionwiththeDirectorandAssistantDirectorGordonLore,LowadmittedthesplitintheprojectandCondon's"present"disbeliefinUFOs,whichhesaidmightstillbechangedwithgoodevidence.HewasremindedtheyalreadyhadmanystrongNICAPcases.LowexplainedtheyneededtherestofourreportssotheycouldnotbeaccusedofreachingaverdictwithoutallofNICAP'sevidence.

Underquestioning,LowadmittedthatDr.Condonhadnotmadeasinglefieldinvestigationsincetheprojectbegan,nordidheplantomakeany.LowalsoadmittedthatDr.Condonhadneverinterviewedanyoftheknown,responsiblewitnesseslistedbyNICAPattheproject'srequest,includingveteranpilots,scientists,etc.

Toavoidacompletebreak,whiletherewasstillevenslighthopeforprojectchange,NICAPpermittedits"EarlyWarningNet"memberstokeeponphoningreportstoColorado.Sub-committeesalsowereallowedtoaidtheproject'sfieldteams.Buttransmissionofreportsfromthethousandsinourfileswashalted.

Beforewecouldresume,Lowwastold,heandCondonwouldhavetogivesatisfactorywrittenanswerstosomeimportantquestions.LowsaidhewouldtrytopersuadeCondontoreply.

MostofthequestionssenttoCondonandLowconcernedguaranteesthatallNICAP-submittedcaseswouldbefullyinvestigated,thatDr.Condonwouldpersonallyexaminethesecases,wouldmakefieldinvestigationsandinterviewwitnessesinmajorcases.Condonalsowasaskedifheconsideredallthereportingpilots,scientists,toweroperators,radarexperts,etc.,tobedeluded,incompetentorhoaxers.

BesidesstressingCondon'sdisregardofmostNICAP-submittedcases-reportedtousbyconcernedprojectscientists-wefranklydiscussedthegrowingevidenceofhisstrongnegativebias.

Inreplying,CondonandLowrefusedtoanswerthequestions,butbothpraisedNICAPhighly.Condon:"wedeeplyappreciatethe(NICAP)cooperation...thehelpyouhavegivenussofarhasbeenofgreatimportance..."Low:"NICAP'sassistancehasbeeninvaluable...Yourfiles,becauseofthehighcaliberofthefieldinvestigationsNICAPhasconducted,areofverygoodquality...Ourworkingrelationshipshavebeenexcellent...itwouldbeagreatpityiftheywereterminated...Dr.Condonhassaidtoyouthatourstudyisbeingdoneobjectively.Itis."

Becauseoftheevadedquestions,NICAP'sbanremainedineffect.

"TheTrickWouldBe..."

Aboutonemonthlater,afardifferentLowstatementwasgiventotheDirectorbyaprojectmember.DatedAugust9,1966,addressedtoUniversityofficialsE.JamesArthurandThurstonE.Manning(U.ofC.vicepresident),itsummedupsomeofficials'views:

"Inordertoundertakesuchaproject,onehastoapproachitobjectively.Thatis,onehastoadmitthepossibilitythatsuchthings(UFO)exist.Itisnotrespectabletogiveseriousconsiderationtosuchapossibility.Believers,inotherwords,remainoutcasts...admittingsuchpossibilities...putsusbeyondthepale,andwewouldlosemoreinprestigeinthescientificcommunitythanwecouldpossiblygainbyundertakingtheinvestigation..."

Undertheheading"Comments,"Lowmadehispersonalproposal:

"Ourstudywouldbeconductedalmostexclusivelybynon-believers,who,althoughtheycouldn'tpossiblyproveanegativeresult,couldandprobablywouldaddanimpressivebodyofevidencethatthereisnorealitytotheobservations.Thetrickwouldbe,Ithink,todescribetheprojectsothat,tothepublic,itwouldappearatotallyobjectivestudy,but,tothescientificcommunity,wouldpresenttheimageofagroupofnonbelieverstryingtheirbesttobeobjectivebuthavinganalmostzeroexpectationoffindingasaucer.Onewaytodothiswouldbetostressinvestigation,notofthephysicalphenomena,butratherthepeoplewhodotheobserving-thepsychologyandsociologyofpersonsandgroupswhoreportseeingUFOs..."

Eventhoughwewerepartlyprepared,thiswasashock.OurfirstimpulsewastoshowLow'sproposalstothepressandannounceacompletebreakwiththeproject.Butthememo,thoughnotmarkedrestrictedbyLow,hadbeenshowntousconfidentiallyandwewereaskedtowaitforafinalshowdownbetweenCondonandprojectscientists.

OnDec.12,1967,acopyofthememowasgiventoDr.JamesE.McDonald,senioratmosphericphysicistattheUniversityofArizona,whoforsome18monthshadbeenintensivelyinvestigatingUFOs,underauniversitygrant.McDonald,shockedaswehadbeen,urgedprojectscientiststolethimtellLowhehadthememo.ItwashisbeliefthatLowandCondonwouldbebadlyupsetandwouldquicklychangetheprojectpolicies.Toinsurethis,McDonaldalsoaskedpermissiontoinformtheNationalAcademyofSciences-whichwastoreviewtheproject'sreport.

Thescientists'groupfinallyagreed,buttheresultsweredisastrous.CondonandLowwerefurious.ItwasreportedlaterthatCondonfiercelydenouncedDr.Saundersandsaidheshouldbeprofessionallydestroyed.Dr.Levinereceivedsimilarharshtreatment.Bothwerefiredthenextday,chargedwith"incompetence."

36

Dr.CondonhasstatedheneverknewoftheLowproposalsuntilearlyFebruary,1968.WhenhedidlearnofthemhedidnotfireLowbutthetwoscientistswho,withothers,hadopposedLow'ssuggestions.

Theadministrativesecretary,Mrs.MaryLouArmstrong,courageouslydefendedthescientistsandtoldCondontheprojecthadbeen"gravelymisdirected."Condontoldhertoputhercomplaintsinwriting.Whenshedid,hedemandedshekeeptheletterconfidential.Inastormysessionsherefused,thenresigned.

Followingthis,CondonwroteDr.McDonaldanddemandedhereturnthecopyofLow'sproposals,callingthememo"stolenpapers."McDonaldrefused,onthebasisofanearlierLowstatementthatprojectrecordsshouldbeinopenfiles,noneofthemclassified.

Aboutthistime,authorJohnFullerapproachedLevineandSaundersinregardtoanarticleforLOOKtogivethematternationwidepublicity.NICAPagreedtodelayitsUFOInvestigatorstory,providedourpartinthestrugglewasfullycoveredandaNICAPboxstatementwasincluded.

Generalpublicreactionstothedisclosuresrangedfromshockandindignationtoanincreaseddisgustbythosewhohadneverbelievedintheproject.OnCapitolHill,thestrongeststatementwasmadebyCongressmanJ.EdwardRoush,HouseScienceandAstronauticsCommittee:

"IhavewrittentheComptrollerGeneraloftheUnitedStatesaskingforanimmediateinvestigationoftheincidentsinvolvingtheuseofpublicmoneysattheUniversityofColorado..."(CongressionalRecord,May1,1968.)

ADisappointment

TheColumbia,S.C.,Statesaidinaneditorial(May5,1968):

"Theheadofthenewproject,Dr.EdwardU.Condon,wasselectedbytheAirForce,andafewskepticsseizeduponthisasevidencethattheColoradoProjectwouldbenomorethanawhitewashofProjectBlueBook,theAirForceUFOstudy.Forthemostpart,however,criticsofthefumblingserviceproberesolvedtowithholdjudgmentuntiltheCondongrouphadhadachance.ByfarthemostinfluentialcivilianUFOgroup,theeminentlyresponsibleNationalInvestigationsCommitteeonAerialPhenomena,immediatelysetabouttomakeitsmassivefilesavailabletoDr.Condonandhisassociates.Theassociatesprovedtobesomethingofadisappointment...Gradually,theColoradoProjectwaslosingitsobjective,scientificlook...(Low'smemoconcerningthe"trick"ofappearing"atotallyobjectivestudy"wasthendiscovered).Aswordofthediscoveryspread,staffersbegantoexpresschagrinathavingbeendupedintojoiningtheColoradocharade...thoseclosetotheColoradoProjectreportnear-mutinyamongthestaff.TwoPhDswhotooktheircomplaintsdirectlytoLowandCondonwerefired.Theproject'sadministrationassistant,afternotifyingDr.CondonofthenearlyunanimouslackofconfidenceinLow'sperformance,quit...theAmericanpublicalsohaspaidhalfamilliondollarsfortheprivilege,asLowexpressesit,ofbeingtricked."

TheeminentcolumnistRoscoeDrummondsaid,inpart:

TheprincipalcriticismoftheColoradostudycomesfromtheNationalInvestigationsCommitteeonAerialPhenomena(NICAP)whichisaprivateUFOfact-findingorganizationwithnumerousscientificandtechnicaladvisersand,frommyfirsthandinquiries,formorethan11yearshasbeenmakingseriousandcarefullycheckedstudiesofsightings.Ithasevaluatedmorethan12,000reportsandfound3,000to4,000tobeunexplained.Itavoidskooksandacknowledgesthatwildtalesofmeetingswithextraterrestrialbeingshinderseriousinvestigation.

ForquiteaperiodNICAPofficialsco-operatedcloselywiththeColoradoinvestigationandhavenowceasedthatcooperationonthegroundthatthestudyhas"gravedeficiencies.""

TheyciteprotestsfromwithintheColoradostaffagainstwhattworesearchersthoughttobeanunscientificapproachatthetop.

TheyhavemadepublicamemorandumbyaColoradoofficialwhoinadvocatingthattheuniversityundertaketheinquirysaidthat,"thetrickwouldbetodescribetheprojectsothat,tothepublic,itwouldappearatotallyobjectivestudybut,tothescientificcommunity,wouldpresenttheimageofagroupofnonbelieverstryingtheirbesttobeobjective...."HesuggestedthatthemaininvestigationoughttocenteronthekindofpeoplewhoreportUFOs,notonthephysicalevidence.

Dr.Condondoesnotacceptthevalidityofthecriticismsbuthastakenlittlepublicinitiativetodisprovethem.HesayshehasbeenquotedoutofcontextinnewsstoriesnwhichhehasbeenreportedasbelittlingevidenceofUFOsightingswhilehisinvestigationwasgoingon.InalettertoanassociatehesuggeststhatthememocitedaboveisirrelevantbecauseitwaswrittenbeforetheColoradocontractwassignedwiththeAirForce.

Idonotmyselfacceptthecriticismsasproofthatthefinalreportwillbebiasedorvalueless.ButbecausetheNICAPpeoplearereputablespecialists,thecriticismscastashadowovertheColoradostudywhichDr.Condonoughttodomorethanhehasthusfartoremove.

AttheveryleasttheColoradostudymustdemonstrate,intheexpositionofitsinvestigativemethods,thatitsworkhasbeencarriedoutwithobjectivityandwithoutpredilectionsbyitsauthors.

ThisisthewayColoradoraidtheinvestigationwouldbeconducted.Itsfinalreportoughttoshowwhethertheinvestigationhasliveduptothisstandard.

(Fromthecopyrightedcolumn"PointofView,"May21,1968)

TheDenverPostcommented,onMay2,1968:

"AseriouschargewasmadethisweekinLOOKmagazineagainstthestudyofunidentifiedflyingobjects(UFOs)nowbeingmadeattheUniversityofColorado.Thechargeisthatthestudyisa$500,000boondogglerunbymenwhoarebiasedandneverintendedtomakeagenuinescientificinvestigation...WedonotknowyetwhetherCU'sstudyofUFOsisaboondoggle,aboonorsomethinginbetween.Theprojectwillhavetostandorfallonitsaccomplishments.WedoregretthatDr.CondonisunableorunwillingnowtoanswerLOOK'schargeindetail.Butwesuggesteveryonewaitfortheprojectreportbeforepassing

judgment."

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OnApril30,NICAPwrotePresidentJohnson,enclosingtheLowproposalsandotherevidenceandurgingthathecreateanew,absolutelyunbiasedUFOCommissiontoreplacethewreckedproject-acommissioncompletelyindependentofanymilitaryorcivilianGovernmentagency.

WhetherthePresidentwasshowntheevidence,orhisAFaidetookover,isnotknown.Regardless,theanswercamefromtheOfficeoftheSecretaryoftheAF,signedbyCol.B.M.Ettenson.Withouttheslightestmentionofthebiasevidence,Ettensonwrote:"DearMajorKeyhoe:

"PresidentJohnsonhasaskedthatIreplytoyourrecentletterregardingallegationspertainingtotheAirForcecontractwiththeUniversityofColoradofortheinvestigationofunidentifiedflyingobjects.

"TheAirForceawardedtheunidentifiedflyingobjectcontracttotheUniversityofColoradoinOctober,1966,convincedthatanimpartial,open-minded,independentandobjectivescientificreportwouldbeforthcomingandweexpectthatDr.Condonwillfulfillthetermsoftheagreement..."

Sincethereportwasnotcompleted,EttensonsaidtheAFwouldnotcommentfurther.

Aboutthistime,CoordinatorLowwastakenofftheproject.Lowhadbeenassignedtowritethefinalreport,ajobthatwouldtakeallsummeraccordingtoofficialstatements.Buthewassuddenlytransferredtootherduties,withaclaimthathisprojectworkwasdone.

Tosome,itappearedtheuniversitywas"runningscared"andmighteventrytorevamptheprojecttoavoidfurthercriticism.ButthisfainthopeendedwhenareplacementnamedGilmorewasappointedbyCondon-anoldfriendandformernewsmanwithcomparativelylittleknowledgeofthecomplexUFOproblem.

LongbeforetheColoradoProjectceasedoperations,thePentagonbeganworkingoutanationalpublicitycampaigntoexploittheCondonUFOreport.

Inanunprecedenteddebunkingplan,theAFlaterarrangedforCondonandtheUniversityofColoradotopublishthereportinahard-coverbookandinapaperbackeditionbyBantamBooks.IthasnotbeendisclosedwhetherCondonandtheuniversitywillbegiventheroyalties-inadditiontothehalf-milliondollarspaidbytheAF-orwhethertheuniversityandtheAFwillsplitthemoney,oriftheAFwillkeeptheroyalties.

TheAFpublicitycampaignwilluseextractsfromthereportandseparate

Condonstatements.Aseriesofnewsreleases,magazinearticlesandTVandradioprogramsisbeingdesignedtofloodthecountry.

ScientificevaluationsoftheCondonreportbyNICAPadvisersandotherscientistsfullyacquaintedwiththeUFOproblemwillbemadepublicasquicklyaspossible.Butforreadersof"UFOs-ANewLook"whowishtomakeseparateevaluations,hereisavitalpointtoconsider.

IfCondon'sconclusioniscompletelynegative,denyingtherealityofUFOs,itwillmeanherejectsallthethousandsofglobalreports,includingallthehundredsofsightingandtrackingreportsbyastronomersandotherscientists,FAAandmilitarytower-operatorsandradarexperts,veteranpilotsonairlinesandintheServices-includingofficersuptotherankofColonelintheArmy,AirForceandMarineCorps,anduptoCaptainsintheNavy.Itwillmeanrejectionofdetailedverifiedreportsbymanytop-ratedobservers-inforeigncountriesaswellasintheU.S.

HowcouldDr.Condonrejectallthishard-coreevidence(includingevencasestheAFadmitsitcannotexplain)withoutasinglefieldinvestigation?Howcouldhedecideallthereportswerefalse,withoutinterviewinganyofthehundredsofreputable,qualifiedwitnesses?Hecannotclaimtheprojectproved,thereportsuntrue.Lowisonrecord(letterinNICAPpossession)thatonlyasmallnumberofcaseswouldbechecked.HealsoadmittedthisdecisiontoNICAP'sdirector.Dr.SaundersandotherprojectmembersconfirmedtoNICAPthatlessthanonepercentofthereportsgiventhemwerefullyinvestigated-andmostweremerelylisted.

TherearemanysearchingquestionsDr.Condonwillhavetoexplain-satisfactorily-ifhediscardsalltheevidenceandclaimsthatallobserversweredeluded,orunabletorecognizenormalobjectsorphenomena-orliars.

Ifthereportdoesappearanattempttosweepalltheevidenceundertherug,manypeoplemayagreewiththeColumbia,S.C.,State:"...theAmericanpublicalsohaspaidhalfamilliondollarsfortheprivilege,asLowexpressesit,ofbeingtricked."

DuringtheJuly29CongressionalUFOhearings,Dr.Hynekmadethisstatement:"...thepublicisgrowingimpatient...doesnotwantanother20yearsofUFOconfusion...Thepublicingeneralmaybeunsophisticatedinscientificmatters,buttheyhaveanuncannywayofdistinguishingbetweenanhonestscientificapproachandthemethodofridiculeandpersiflage."

AlthoughDr.HynekwasnotspecificallyreferringtotheColoradoProject,hiswordsmayproveprophetic.Unlessthemajorityofpeoplecanbeconvincedtheypaidforan"honestscientificinvestigation,"theresultingexplosioncouldwrecktheofficialdebunkingpolicy-forgood.

"UFOs:ANewLook"wasproducedin1969byNICAP,andreproducedherebyFrancisRidge&JeanWaskiewiczfortheNICAPwebsite(2003).

SectionI-TheUFORevolutionSectionII-Extraterrestrials-SuggestedMotives&OriginsSectionIII-VehiclePacings&EncountersSectionIV-Close-RangeSightings,StructuralDetailsSectionV-ScientificSupport,CongressionalHearingsSectionVI-Landings,PhysicalTracesSectionVII-AreThereUFOOccupantsSectionVIII-TheColoradoProjectAppendixA-CaseHistoriesAnalyzedbyDr.JamesE.McDonaldAppendixB-NewspaperEditorialsAppendicC-CongressionalStatementsAppendixD-witnessSketches

NICAPHomePage

APPENDIXA

CASESANALYZEDBYDR.JAMESE.McDONALD,UNIVERSITYOFARIZONA(SelectedfrompresentationtoHouseScience&AstronauticsCommittee,UFOSymposium,July29,1968)

7.Case15,Redlands,Calif.,February4,1968

Astillmorerecentmultiple-witnesscaseofgreatinterestwaswell-documentedbythreeUniversityofRedlandsprofessorsshortlyafteritoccurredontheeveningof2/4/68.APROplansafairlydetailedsummaryreport.Dr.PhilipSeffkindlysentmeacopyofthewitness-testimonyheandhiscolleaguessecuredininterviewingabouttwentyoutofanestimatedhundred-pluswitnessestothislow-altitudesightinginaresidentialareaofRedlands.BecauseIunderstandthatDr.HarderwillbegivingafairlydetailedreportonthiscasetoyourCommittee,Ishallgiveonlyamuchabbreviatedversion.At7:20p.m.,manypersonswentoutdoorstoinvestigateeither(a)theunusualbarkingofneighborhooddogs,or(b)adisturbingandunusualsound.Soonmanypersonsupanddownseveralstreetswereobservinganobjectroundinplanform,estimatedatperhaps50-60feetindiameter,movingslowlytowardstheeast-northeastatanaltitudeputbymostwitnessesasperhaps300feet.Glowingportsorpanelslayarounditsupperperimeterandjet-likeorange-redflamesorsomethingresemblingflamesemanatedfromanumberofsourcesontheundersurface.Anumberofoddphysiologicaleffectswereremarkedbyvariouswitnesses,andtheanimal-reactionswereanotablefeatureofthiscase.Theobjectatonepointroseabruptlybysomehundredsoffeetbeforecontinuingitssomewhatjerkymotiontotheeast.Itthemhoveredashorttimeandmovedoffwithaccelerationtothenorthwest.

DiscussiontheRedlandsUniversitytrioinquiredconcerningradardetection,butwereinformedthatthenearestradarwasatmarchAFB,Riverside,andthebeamclearinginterveningridgescouldnotdetectsolowatargetoverRedlands.AninterestingaspectofpresscoverageofUFOs,averycharacteristicaspect,isillustratedhere.ThelocalRedlands-areapaperscarriedonlyshortpiecesontheevent;beyondthatnopresscoverageoccurred,asfarasIhavebeenabletoascertain.

Evidentlyeventhestatewiresdidnotcarryit.(Ithinkthisfactdeservesverystrongemphasis.Onehastoseenationalclipping-servicecoverage,drawinguponmanysmall-townpapers,togainevenadimglimpseoftheastonishingnumberofUFOreportsthatoccursteadily,butgounreportedonstateandnationalwiressothatnonebutverydiligentUFOinvestigatorshaveanyappreciationofthetruefrequencyofUFOsightings.Thisisno"pressclampdown",nocensorship;wireeditorssimply"know"thatthere'snothingtoallthisnonsenseaboutI-FO-.Alocalstorywillberunsimplyforitslocalinterest,butthatinterestfallsoffsteeplywithradialdistancefromthe

observationsite.)Thus,wemustconfrontasituation,developedover20years,inwhichoverahundredcitizensinacityofabout30,000populationcanseeanutterlyunconventionalaerialmachinejustoverheadand,almostbythetimethedogshavestoppedbarking,pressandofficialdomareuninterested.Dr.SefftoldmejustlastweekthathehadencounteredaRedlandsUniversitycoedwhohadseentheobject(hehadn'tinterviewedherpreviously),andsheseemedstillterrifiedbytheincident.IbelievethatyourCommitteemustrecognizeanunfilledscientificobligationtogettothebottomofsuchmatters.

8.Manyothermultiple-witnesscasescouldbecited;somefrommyowninterviewingexperience,farmorefromothersourceswithinthiscountryandabroad.AnOctober28,1954sightinginRomewasestimatedtohavebeenviewedbythousandsofpeople,oneofwhomwasU.S.AmbassadorClareBoothLuce(Ref.10)withherembassystaff.Mrs.Lucesaidithadtheshapeofasilverdollarandcrossedtheskiesinabout30seconds.AnowfamousgroupofsightingsofJune26/27,1959,nearBoianai,NewGuinea,wasobservedbyseveraldozenwitnesses,theprincipaloneofwhomIinterviewedinMelbourne,in1967,Rev.Wm.B.Gill.Bloecher(Ref.8)describesanumberofmid-1947incidentswherethewitness-totalsrangedfromdozensuptowelloverahundredpersons.Hall(Ref.10)citesmorerecentinstances.ManyothersourcescouldbecitedtoshowthattheintimationthatUFOsareneverseenexceptbyloneindividualsdrivingalongsomeremotebackroad(afrequentsetting,tobesure!)doesnotaccordwiththeactualfacts.Multiple-witnessUFOcasesareimpressivelynumerous.

1,Case16.NewYork,City,November22,1966

Areportina1967issueoftheNICAPUFOInvestigator(Ref.33)readsasfollows:

"AUFOovertheUnitedNationsinNewYorkCitywasreportedlyseenonNovember22,1966.WitnessesincludedatleasteightemployeesoftheAmerican.PublishersAssociation,whowatchedfromtheirofficesonthe17th.floorof750ThirdAvenueat4:20p.m.onabright,sunnyday.TheUFOwasarectangular,cushion-shapedobject...(which)camesouthwardovertheEastRiver,thenhoveredovertheUNBuilding...flutteredanbobbedlikeashiponagitatedwater."

WitnessesmentionedwereD.R.McVay,assistantgeneralmanagerofANPAandMr.W.H.Leick,manageroftheANPA'sPublicationsDepartment.ItelephonedtheANPAofficesandspokeatsomelengthwithMr.Leickaboutthesighting.Heconfirmedthateightorninepersonswentoutonthe17thfloorterrace,watchingtheobjecthoverovertheUNBuilding(asnearlyastheycouldestimate)foranumberofminutesasitrockedandreflectedthesun'srayswithagoldenglintbeforerisingandmovingoffeastwardathighspeed.IaskedLeickiftheyreportedittoanyofficialchannels,andhesaidthatA.A.LaSallecalledaNewYorkofficeoftheAirForceandwasassuredthatanofficerwouldbeinthe

nextdaytointerviewthem.Butnooneevercame.LeickaddedthattheyalsophonedaNewYorknewspaper"whichshallgounnamed."but"theyweren'tinterested."ItgottoNICAPalmostbyaccident,andNICAPsentuptheirstandardwitness-questionnaires,whichLeicksaidtheyallfilledout.

Discussion-Whenanincidentsuchasthisiscitedtotheskepticwhoasks,"WhynoUFOsnearcities?",Ifindthathisalmostinvariableretortissomethinglike-"Ifthathadreallyhappened,whywouldn'thundredstothousandsofpersonshavereportedit?"Thereare,Ibelieve,twofactorsthatexplainthelattersituation.First,considerthetinyfractionofpersonsonanycitystreetwhosevisionisdirectedupwardsatanygivenmoment.Inabsenceofloudnoisesaloft,mosturbanitesdon'tspendanylargeamountoftimescanningtheskies.Inadditiontoinfrequencyofsky-scanning,anotherurbanobstacletoUFOdetectionistypicallyrestrictedvisionofthefulldomeofthesky;buildingsortreescutdownthefieldofviewinawaynotsotypicaloftheviewaffordedthefarmer,theforestranger,orapersondrivinginopencountry,Finally,inUFOstudies,itisalwaysnecessarytodrawsharpdistinctionbetweena"sighting"anda"report".Thefirstbecomesthesecondonlyifawitnesstakesthestepofnotifyinganewspaper,alaw-enforcementoffice,auniversity,orsomeofficialagency.Itisabundantlyclear,fromtheexperienceofUFOinvestigationsinmanypartsoftheworld,thatpsychologicalfactorscenteringaroundunwillingnesstoberidiculeddetermostwitnessesfromfilinganyofficialreportonaveryunusualevent.AgainandagainonelearnsofaUFOsightingquiteindirectly,fromsomeonewhoknowssomeonewhooncementionedthathe'dseensomethingratherunusual.Onfollowingsuchleads,one,frequentlycomesuponextremelysignificantsightingsthatwerewithheldfromofficialreportingchannelsbecauseofthe"ridiculelid",asIliketotermit,thatimposesafilterscreeningoutalargenumberofgoodsightingsattheirsource.

Returningtothe11/22/66NewYorkCityreport,Imustsaythat,betweentheinformationNICAPsecuredfromthewitnessesandmyowndirectconversationswithLeick.Iacceptthisasaquiterealsighting,madebyreliableobserversunderviewingcircumstancesthatwouldseemtoruleoutobviousconventionalexplanations.Whentheobjectleftitshoveringlocation,itrosestraightupwardrapidly,beforeheadingeast,Leicksaid.Althoughheandhiscolleaguesmaywellhaveerredintheirslant-rangeestimatewhichputitoverUNBuilding,theirdescriptionofitsshapeanditsmaneuverswouldappeartoruleouthelicopters,aircraft,balloons.etc.

2.Case17.Hollywood,Calif.,February5-6,1960

AstillmorestrikinginstanceinwhichentirelyunconventionalobjectswereobservedBymanycity-dwellers,wherelow-altitudeobjectshoveredandexhibitedbafflingphenomenaisacentralHollywoodcasethatwasrathercarefullycheckedbyLANS,theLosAngelesNICAPSubcommittee(Ref.34).Thetwoincidentsoccurredjustafter11:00p.m.ontwosuccessivenights,Friday2/5/60

andSaturday2/6/60,overorneartheintersectionofSunsetBlvd.andLaBreaAve.,i.e.,intheheartofdowntownHollywood.Ihavegoneoverthesiteareawithoneoftheprincipalinvestigatorsoftheseincidents,Mrs.IdabelEppersonofLANS,haveexaminedpressaccounts(Ref.35)thatdealt(verysuperficially)withtheevent,andhavestudiedcorrespondencebetweentheLANSinvestigatorsandofficialagenciesconcerningthiscase.Thephenomenologyisfartoocomplextoreportinfulldetailhere;eventhe21-pagesinglespacedLANSreportwasonlyadigestofresultsofalltheNICAPwitnessinterviewingcarriedouttosubstantiatetheevents.TheLANSreportsummarizesobject-descriptionsgivenbyeightwitnessesFridaynightandeighteenwitnessesSaturdaynight,severalofthempoliceofficers.

Carswerestoppedbumper-to-bumper,accordingtoemployeesofseveralbusinessesontheSunset-LaBreaintersectioninthemidstofthemainevents,withpeoplegapingattheobjectoverhead.Personsonhotelandapartmentrooftopswereoutlookingatthebright"cherry-red,circularlight"thatfiguredinbothincidents.Onthetwosuccessivenights,theredobjectfirstappearedatabout11:15p.m.,andonbothnightsitstoppedandhoveredmotionlessforperiodsofabout10minutesatatime.Theangularestimatesofthesizeoftheredlightvaried,butseemedtosuggestavalueofone-fourthtoone-thirdofthelunardiameter.say5-10minutesofarc.Almostallagreedthatthelightwassharpedgedratherthanhazyorfuzzy.Theusualwitness-variancesareexhibitedinthetotalofabouttwodozenpersonsinterviewed,e.g.,somethoughtthelightpulsated,othersrecalleditassteady,etc..butthecommonfeatures,consistentthroughoutalmostallthetestimony,bespeakaquiteunusualphenomenon.

OnFridaynight,theredlightwasfirstseendirectlyoverheadatSunsetandLaBrea.Twoservice-stationattendantsatthatintersection,JerryDarrandCharlesWalker,describedtoLANSinterviewershow,"...hundredsofpeoplesawit-everybodywaslooking"asthelighthoveredforatleastfiveminutesoverabusydrive-inthere.PenMeyer,anotherservicestationattendantathirdofamiletothenorth,estimatedithoveredforabout10minutes.HaroldSherman,hiswife,andtwootherswatcheditinthelaterphases(alsodescribedbytheabove-citedwitnesses)asitresumedmotionveryslowlyeastward.Afterproceedingeastforadistancethatwitnessesroughlyestimatedatablockortwo,itveeredsoutheastwardandpassedoutofsight.(Itisnotclearwhetheritwasoccultedbybuildingsforsomewitnesses,ordiminishedinintensity,oractuallypassedoffintothedistance.)Nosoundwasheardoverstreet-noisebackground.

Thefollowingnight,anobjectwhichappearedtobethesame,tothoseseveralwitnesseswhosawbothevents,againshowedupoverhead,thistimefirstseenaboutoneblockfarthereastthanonFridaynight.Triangulationbasedonestimatesofangularelevationsasseenfromvariouslocationswasusedtoapproximatetheheightaboveground.LANSconcludedthat,whenfirstseen,itlayabout500-600ft.abovetheintersectionofSunsetandSycamore.Anumberofwitnessesobservedithoveringmotionlessinthatpositionforabout10minutes.Thenaloudexplosionandbrilliantbluish-whiteflashwasemittedby

theobject,thenoisedescribedbyallwitnessesasunlikeanysonicboomorordinaryexplosiontheyhadeverheard.ThesoundalertedwitnessesasfarawayasCursonandHollywoodBlvd.,i.e.,TomBurnsandtwofriendswhoaskedLANSinterviewersnottousetheirnames.Condensingverygreatlyherethedescriptionsgiventotheinterviewersbyindependentwitnesseswhoviewedthe"explosion"fromvariouslocationsscatteredoveracircleofabouta1-mileradiusyieldsasummary-descriptionasfollows:Whathad,justbeforetheexplosion,lookedmuch"likeabigredChristmasballhangingthereinthesky",wassuddenlythesourceofaflashthatextendeddownwardandtothewest,lightingupthegroundallaroundoneinterviewed(SoeRosi)onLaBreaAve.A"mushroom-shapedcloud",withcolorationthatimpressedallwhosawit,emergedupwardandsoondissipated.Concurrently,astheredlightextinguished,anobjectdescribedbymost,butnotall,witnessesaslongandtubularshotupwards.Angularestimatesimpliedanobjectanumberoftensoffeetlong,70ft.fromHaroldSherman'sroughestimates.

Clearly,itisdifficulttoexplainhowanobjectofsuchsizecouldhavematerializedfromalightat500ft.elevationandsubtendinganangleofonly10minutesofarc,unlessithadbeenthereallalong,unseenbecauseofthebrillianceoftheredlightbeneathit.Orperhapstheangular-sizeestimatesareinerror.Somewitnessesfollowedonlythetubularascendingobject;otherssawonlysomethingthat"spiraleddownwards"beneaththeexplosionsource.Nowitnessseemedcertainofwhatitwasthatcamedown;somespokeof"glowingembers"'noonegaveindicationoffollowingittoground.

Glossingoverotherdetailsbearingonthis"explosion"atanestimated5-600ft.aboveSunsetandSycamore,witnessesnextbecameawarethatthejustextinguishedredlighthadevidentlyreappearedinanewlocation,aboutablocktothewest.PoliceofficersRayLopezandDanielJaffee,ofLAPD,locatedatthecornerofSunsetandLaBrea,heardtheexplosionandlookedup,seeingthelightinitsnewlocation"directlyoverhead",asdidmanyothersatthatintersectionwhothenwatchedtheredlighthoveringinitsnewlocationforabout8minutes.(SpaceprecludesmygivingallpertinentinformationontimeestimatesassetoutInthe21-pageLANSsummary.Forexample,agoodtime-fixontheexplosioncamefromthefactthatE.W.Cass,acontractorlivingalmostamilewest,wasjustwindinghisalarmclock,lookingatit,whenflare-likeillumination"Iitupthewholebedroom",justattheindicatedtimeof11:30.Hewentout,watchedthehoveringredlightinitsnewlocation,andaddedfurtherdetailsIshallomithere.Otherstooktheirtimecluesfromthefactthat11:30commercialshadjustcomeonTVwhentheyheardthepeculiarexplosionandhastenedoutsidetocheck,etc.)

Theredlight,nowoverSunsetandLaBrea,wasroughlytriangulatedatabout1000ftup,afigureinaccordwithseveralwitnesscommentsthat,whenitreappearedsome4-5secondsafterthe"explosion",itlaynotonlysomewhatwestofitsfirstlocation,butnoticeablyhigher.Afterhoveringthereforatimeinferredtobeeightminutes,itbeganslowlydriftingeastward,muchasonthe

previousnightwhenmuchlessspectaculareventshadoccurred.LarryMoquin,onewitnesswhohadtakenrathercarefulalignmentfixesusingrooflinesasanaid,remarkedthat,atthisstage,LaBreaandSunsetwasfilledwithwatchers;"Everybodywasstandingoutsidetheircarslookingup-carswerebackedupinthestreets-andeveryonewasaskingeachother,"Whatisit?"

Aftermovingslowlybutsteadily(observersmentionedabsenceofbobbing,weaving,orirregularityInitsmotion)foraboutablockeast,toitsfirstlocationItturnedsharplytowardsthenorth-northeast,accelerated,andclimbedsteeply,notstoppingagainuntilataveryhighaltitudewelltothenorth.Fromcrudetriangulation,LANSinvestigatorsinferredanewhoveringaltitudeofover25.000ft,butitisclearfromthedatainvolvedthatthisestimateisextremelyrough.

Discussion.-AlthoughIhavedonenopersonalwitness-interviewingtodateinthe2/60Hollywoodcase,IcanvouchforthediligenceandreliabilitywithwhichtheLANSgrouppursuesitscase-studies.ThelargenumberofinterviewssecuredandthedegreeofconsistencyfoundthereinseemtoarguethatsomeextremelyunusualdevicesmaneuveredoverHollywoodonthetwonightsinquestion.Unlessonesimplyrejectsmostofthesalientfeaturesofthereports,itisquiteclearthatnometeorologicalorastronomicalexplanationisatallreasonable.Nordoesanyconventionalaircraftmatchthereports.

Thequestionthatarisesalmostimmediatelyisthatofapracticaljoke,ahoax.However,theresourcesrequiredtofabricatesomedeviceyieldingthecomplexbehavior(stopmotionless,moveagainstwind,explosivelyemitsecondarydevices,andfinally,inthe2/6event,climbtoratherhighaltitude)wouldscarcelybeavailabletocollegepranksters.Thephenomenagosofarbeyondthegasballoonlevelofhoaxingthatonemusthavesomemuchmoreelaboratehoaxhypothesistoaccountforthereportedevents.Balloonsmustdriftwiththewinds,andtheLANSgroupsecuredthelocalupper-winddataforbothnights,andthereisnomatchbetweenthereportedmotionsandthewindsinthesurface-1000-ftlayer.And,inanyevent,thealternationbetweenhoveringandmoving,plusthedistinctdirection-shiftswithoutchangeofapparentaltitude,cannotbesquaredwithballoon-drift.Thiswouldmeanthatsomehighlycontrolleddevicewasinvolved,capable(inthe2/6incident)ofhoveringinanalmostpreciselystationarypositionrelativetotheground(Moquinsightedcarefully,usingstruc-turalobjectstosecureafixwhentheredlightlayrightoverLaBreaandSun-set,andperceivednomotionformanyminutes).YettheWeatherBureauwasreporting5mphwindsfromthesouthwestat1000ft(triangulatedaltitudewhenhoveringthere).Onlyifonehypothesizedthatthiswasanexpensivelyelaborateexperimentinpsychologicalwarfarecouldoneaccountforfinancialresourcesneededtobuildadevicecapableofsimulatingsomeofthesephenomena.Suchahypothesisseemsquiteunreasonableinthe100-megatonagewhereever-presentrealitiesofweaponryposemorepsychologicalstrainsthanDisney-likepyrotechnics.

Infact,UFOsightingswithequallypeculiarphenomenologyaresomuchapartofthetotalrecordthatthisHollywoodincidentisnotasunparalleledasitmightfirstseem.InHobard,Tasmania,Iinterviewedanelectricalengineerwho,alongwithafellowengineeralsoemployedbytheTasmanianHydroelectricCommission,observedphenomenaoccurringinbroaddaylightoverandneartheRiverDerwentatRisdonthathavethesame"absurd"naturethatonemeetsintheHollywoodcase.ThewifeofaTexasrancherdescribedtomeanincidentshewitnessedinJuarez,Mexico,withaboutthesameabsurdity-quotient.WesimplydonotunderstandwhatwearedealingwithintheseUFOphenomena;mypresentopinionisthatwemustsimplyconcedethat,intheHollywoodcase,weareconfrontedwithdecidedlyoddUFOphenomena,inadecidedlyurbanlocale.

Thereappearstohavebeennoofficialinvestigationofthesestrikingevents(Ref.35),andlocalnewspapersgaveitonlythebriefestattention.IntheNewYorkCitycasecitedabove,theparticularswerephonedtoalargeNewYorkpaper,butthepaperwasnotinterested,andnoaccountwasreported.Similarlyinthe2/4/68Redlandscase,thelocalpapersfeltitwarrantedonlyanextremelybriefarticle.Thispatternisrepeatedoverandoveragain;newspapermenhavebeenledtobelievethatUFOsarereallynomorethanoccasionalfeature-storymaterial.Onrareoccasions,forreasonsnottoocleartostudentsoftheUFOproblem,someonecaseliketheMichiganincidentof1966willcommandnationalheadlinesforadayortwoandthenbeconsignedtojournalisticlimbo.This,incompanywithscientificrejectionoftheproblem,plusofficialpositionsonthematterhavecombinedtokeepthepublicalmostentirelyunawareoftherealsituationwithrespecttofrequencyandnatureofUFOincidents.Foremphasis,letmerepeatthatIdonotseedesigninthat,nothingIconstrueasanywell-plannedattempttokeepusalluninformedforsomesinisterorprotectivereason.ThelongerIreflectonthehistoryofthepasthandlingoftheUFOproblem,themoreIcanseehowonethingledtoanotheruntilwehavereachedtheintolerablepresentsituationthatsourgentlycallsforchange.

4.Case23.Ogra,Latvia,July26,1965

AnastronomerwhomIknowrecentlytouredanumberofobservatoriesintheUSSR,andbroughtbackthewordthatamajorityofRussianastronomershavepaidlittleattentiontoRussianUFOreports(detailsofwhicharequitesimilartoAmericanUFOreports,mycolleaguesestablished),afrequently-citedreasonbeingthattheAmericanastronomer,Menzel,hadgivenadequateopticalexplanationsofallsuchsightings.ImustagreewithDr.FelixZigelwho,writingontheUFOprobleminSovietLife(Ref.38),remarkedthatMenzel'sexplanationintermsofatmosphericoptics"doesnotholdwater."Itwould,forexample,bestrainingmeteorologicalopticstotrytoaccountinsuchtermsforasightingbythreeLatvianastronomerswhosereportZigelcitesinhisarticle.At9:35p.m.on7/26/65whilestudyingnoctilucentclouds,R.Vitolniekandtwocolleaguesvisuallyobservedastarlikeobjectdriftingslowlywestward.Under8-powerbinocularmagnification,thelightexhibitedfiniteangulardiameter,soatelescopewasusedtoexamineit.Inthetelescope,itappearedasacompositeof

foursmallerobjects.Therewasacentralspherearoundwhich,"atadistanceoftwodiameters,werethreesphereresemblingtheoneinthecenter."Theouterspheresslowlyrotatedaroundthecentralsphereasthearraygraduallymovedacrossthesky,diminishinginsizeasifleavingtheEarth.Afterabout20minutes'observation,theastronomersnotedtheouterspheresmovingawayfromthecentralobject,andbyabout10:00p.m.,theentiregrouphadmovedsofarawaythattheywerenolongervisible.

Discussion.-Ihavenofirst-handinformationonthisreport,ofcourse.Thegroupofobjectswasseenatanangularelevationofabout60degrees,fartoohightoinvokeanymirage-effectsorotherfamiliarrefractiveanomalies.Further-more,thecompositenatureofthearrayscarcelysuggestsanopticaldistortionofthetelescope,apossibilityalsorenderedimprobablefromtheobservedangularvelocityandapparentrecessionalmotion.

2.Case21.Ft.Sumner,NewMexico,July10,1947

AmiddaysightingbyaUniversityofNewMexicometeoriticist,Dr.LincolnLaPaz,andmembersofhisfamilywassummarizedbyLifemagazineyearsago(Ref.37)withoutidentifyingLaPaz'sname.Bloecher(Ref.8)givesmoredetailsandnotesthatthisisofficiallyanUnidentified.(At4:47p.m.MSTon7/10/47,fourmembersoftheLaPazfamilynearlysimultaneouslynoted"acuriousbrightobjectalmostmotionless"lowonthewesternhorizon,nearacloudbank.Theobjectwasdescribedasellipsoidal,whitish,andhavingsharply-outlinededges.Itwobbledabitasithoveredstationaryjustabovethehorizon,thenmovedupwards,passedbehindcloudsandre-emergedfarthernorthinatimeintervalwhichLaPazestimatedtobesoshortastocallforspeedsinexcessofconventionalaircraftspeeds.Itpassedinfrontofdarkcloudsandseemedself-luminousbycontrast.Itfinallydisappearedamongsttheclouds.LaPazestimatedittobeperhaps20milesaway,judgingfromthecloudsinvolved;andheputitslengthatperhaps100-200ft.

Discussion.-ThisobservationisattributedbyMenzel(Ref.24,p.29)to"somesortofhorizontalmirage,perhapsoneofaverybrilliantcloudshininglikesilverinthesunlight-acloudthatwasitselfinvisiblebecauseofthedarkercloudsintheforeground."AsnearlyasIamabletounderstandthatexplanation,itseemstobebasedonthenotionthatmirage-refractioncanneatlysuperimposetheimageofsomedistantobject(herehis"brilliantcloud")uponsomenearerobjectinthemiddledistance(herehis"darkerclouds").Thatisafallaciousnotion.Ifanyopticaldistortionsdidherebringintoviewsomedistantbrightcloud,itwouldnotbepossibletoreceivealongimmediatelyadjacentopticalpathsanimageoftheintermediateclouds.Furthermore,theextremelyunstablelapseratestypicalofthesouthwesterndesertareasunderafternoonconditionsproduceinferiormirages,notsuperiormiragesoftheloomingtypehereinvokedbyMenzel.Rapiddisplacements,verticallyandhorizontally,arenottypicalofmiragephenomena.HenceMenzel's'explanationscannotbeacceptedforthissighting.

5.Case24.Fislovodsk,Caucasus,August8,1967

Zigel,whoisaffiliatedwiththeMoscowAviationInstitute,reportsinthesamearticle(Ref.38),asightingat8:40p.m.,8/8/67,madebyastronomerAnatoliSazanovandcolleaguesworkingattheMountainAstrophysicalStationoftheUSSRAcademyofSciences,nearKislovodsk.Sazanovandtenotherstaffmemberswatchedan"asymmetriccrescent,withitsconvexsideturnedinthedirectionofitsmovement"movingeastwardacrossthenorthernskyatanangularelevationofabout20degrees.Justaheadofit,andmovingatthesameangularspeedwasapointoflightcomparabletoastarofthefirstmagnitude.Thecrescent-likeobjectwasreddish-yellow,hadanangularbreadthofabouttwo-thirdsthatofthemoon,andleftvapor-liketrailsaftoftheendsofthecrescenthorns.Asitreceded,itdiminishedinsizeandthus"instantlydisappeared".

Discussion.-Ifwemayacceptasreliabletheprincipalfeaturesofthesighting,howmightweaccountforit?The"faintlyluminousribbons"trailingfromthehornssuggestahigh-flyingjet,ofcourse;buttheasymmetryandthereddish-yellowcolorationfailtofitthatnotion.Also,itwasanobjectofratherlargeangularsize,about20minutesofarc,sothatanaircraftofwingspan,say.150feetwouldhavebeenonlyaboutfivemilesawaywhenceengine-noisewouldhavebeenaudibleunderthequietconditionsofamountainobservatory.Moresignificant,ifithadbeenanaircraftataslantrangeoffivemiles,andat20degreeselevation,itsaltitudewouldhavebeenonlyabout9000ftabovetheobservatory.Forthelatitudeanddate,thesunwasabouttendegreesbelowthewesternhorizon,sodirectsun-illuminationontheaircraftat9000ftaboveob-servatorylevelwouldbeoutofthequestion.Hencetheluminositygoesunexplained.Clearly,satellitesandmeteorscanberuledout.Theastronomers'observationcannotbereadilyexplainedinanyconventionalterms.ZigelremarksthattheobjectwasalsoseeninthetownofKislovodsk,andthatanotherreddishcrescentwasobservedinthesameareaontheeveningofJuly17,1967.

TABLEOFCONTENTSSectionI-TheUFORevolutionSectionII-Extraterrestrials-SuggestedMotives&OriginsSectionIII-VehiclePacings&EncountersSectionIV-Close-RangeSightings,StructuralDetailsSectionV-ScientificSupport,CongressionalHearingsSectionVI-Landings,PhysicalTracesSectionVII-AreThereUFOOccupantsSectionVIII-TheColoradoProject

APPENDIXAppendixA-CaseHistoriesAnalyzedbyDr.JamesE.McDonaldAppendixB-NewspaperEditorialsAppendicC-CongressionalStatementsAppendixD-witnessSketches

NICAPHomePage

APPENDIXBNEWSPAPEREDITORIALS

EditorialattentiongiventotheUFOproblemindicatesashiftawayfromacceptingatfacevaluethestatisticsandexplanationsgivenbytheU.S.AirForce.InsteadofbeingskepticalaboutUFOs,editorshavebecomeincreasinglyskepticalabouttheofficialhandlingoftheUFOproblem.Newrecognitionhasbeengiventothefactthatthoroughscientificinvestigationhasbeenlacking.AWashingtonStatenewspapersummedupthisshiftinattitudeearlyin1967.

Tacoma,Wash.,NewsTribune(May8,1967):"Oneofthemoreinterestingrecentsocialandscientificphenomenahasbeentheunidentifiedflyingobject'sacceptanceasasubjectofsoberinquiry...WithinthepastyearorsowehaveseenashifttowardtheviewthatpersistentUFOreportswarrantinvestigation...What-evertheyare,ithasbecomeclearthatascientificlookislongoverdue."

TheannouncementoftheColoradoUFOProjectinOctober1966washailed,initially,asastepintherightdirection.Emphasizinghowlongtheproblemhadpersisted,manyeditorsstronglyendorsedathoroughscientificreview.Sometypicalre-actionswere

SanFranciscoTribune(Oct.13,1966):"Atlonglastthefederalgovernmentisbeginningtotakeaseriousinterestintherashofunidentifiedflyingobjectswhichhavestartledresidentsofthiscountryforthepast19years...It'shightimeCongressorderedadeeperinvestigationintothematterwhich,ifitturnsouttherereallyarelittlemenflyingaroundinthosesaucers,couldhaveanimportanteffectonallofourlives."

Haverhill,Mass.,Gazette(Oct.19,1966):"Withinthelimitsofthiscity,manypersonshaveseenobjectsintheskywhichtheycouldnotexplain.ThesearemenandwomenknownpersonallytomembersofTheGazettestaff,responsiblepersonswhoseversionsofwhattheysawmustberespected...WesharewithagreatnumberofAmericansthehopethisstudywillgiveussomeoftheanswerstoaperplexingsituationwhichhashadtoomanyun-answeredquestionsfortoolongatime."

Thefirstsignificantturnaboutineditorialopinionwasnotice-ablefollowingthesummer1965waveofUFOsightingswhenrapid-fireAirForceexplanationsforhundredsofpuzzlingreportsproducedacredibilitygap.TheAlameda,Calif.,

Times--Starreferredtothe"lightning-likemassdiagnosis"bytheAirForceinasarcastictone.FurtherimpetuswasgiventoeditorialcriticismsbytheMarch1966sightingswhichwerelabeled"swampgas;"theApril5,1966,ArmedServicesCommitteehearings;theensuingColoradoProjectinOctober1966;andrevelationsabouttheprojectduring1967and1968.

KansasCityStar(Aug.3,1965):"Arewetolaughthemaway,dismissthemasillusions,simplyyawnandforget,ortakethesethingsseriously?Itisaquestioninwhicheachmanmusttakehisownpositionuntilthefactsarein,iftheyeverare.Thisis,afterall,anageinwhichtherehavebeenFlyingSputniksandaweird-lookingcamerahastakensomeremarkablepicturesofMars.Canitbethatcreatureselsewherehavebeenengagedinsimilaractivities?"

DenverPost(Aug.3,1965):"The(radar)blipsindicatedthesamekindofobjectsthatwerereportedoveratleastsixwesternstates,includingColoradoandWyoming.TinkerAirForceBasenearOklahomaCityisalsosaidtohavesightedsimilarphenomenaonitsradar...MaybeitstimeformorepeopletogetseriousabouttheUFOquestion...Ifwestillchoosetobeskeptical,wenever-thelessarenotnearlysoreadyasweonceweretodismissallreportsofvariouslyshapedbutelusiveflyingobjectsasproductsofmidsummernightdreams."

FortWorth,Texas,StarTelegram(Aug.4,1965):"Theycanstopkiddingusnowabouttherebeingnosuchthingsas`flyingsaucers.'...Toomanypeopleofobviouslysoundmindsawandreportedthemindependentlyfromtoomanyseparatelocalities.Theirdescriptionsofwhattheysawweretoosimilartoonean-other,andtoounlikeanyfamiliarobject...Theymaynotbespacevehiclesoperatedbycreaturesfromanotherplanet.Buttheyaresomethingwe'renotaccustomedtoseeinginthesky.Anditsgoingtotakemorethanastatisticalreportonhowmanyreported`saucers'haveturnedouttobejetsandweatherballoonstocon-vinceusotherwise."

CoosBay,Ore.,World(Aug.5,1965):"Thebulkoftheevidencecollectedseemstoindicatebeyondanydoubtthattherearesuchthingsdartingaroundupthere.Thequestionthusremains:whataretheyandwho'srunningthem?TheAirForcehasaspecialdepartmentsetuptoinvestigateUFOsandhas,apparently,beendoingquiteabitofresearchalongtheselines.Butithasbeennotoriouslysecretive

aboutgivingoutanyusableinformation.WethinkthetimehascomewhentheAirForce'sknowledgeoftheseobjectsandtheresultsoftheinvestigationswhichhavebeencarriedoutshouldbemadepublic."

Cascade,Idaho,News(Aug.6,1965):"Theofficialgovernmentpolicyistofollowthewellestablishedpracticeofdenyingtheexistenceofanythingthatitcan'texplain.Anobjectiveobserverisaboutforcedtotheconclusionthatthereareobjectsofsomesortappearingintheskiesthatcannotbeexplainedbyanyconventionalcircumstances.ThereisabsolutelynoreasontodenytheUFOs'existencebecausewedon'tunderstandthem."

Alliance,Nebr.,Times-Herald(Aug.6,1965):"Sightingshavebeenreportedbyreputableobserversandscoresofjustplainpeople.AndtheU.S.AirForcehasn'tbeenabletoexplainawayalloftheseunidentifiedflyingobjectsasweatherballoonsandmeteors...Itappearsthatskepticalhumansonearthmustbeginconditioningthemselvestotheknowledgethatsomedaywearelikelytohavevisitorsfrominterplanetaryspace.Itmaybesoonerthanwethink."

Portsmouth,N.H.,Herald(Aug.13,1965):"IstheresomecorrelationbetweenarashofUFOsightingsandsomethingelse-currentevents,ortheweather,orwhatnot?DidtheVietNamcrisis,per-haps,ortheMariner4Marsphotographs,prodthesubconsciousofthousandsintoseeingmysterieswherenoneexist?Probablytheanswerliessomewherealongthespeculativeroad.Exceptthatthereisalwaysanotherpossibility.Perhapswereallydohavevisitorsfromsomewherebeyondourpresentken."

ChristianScienceMonitor(Aug.16,1965):"`Flyingsaucers'sightedearlythismonthoverTexasmaygivescientistssomethingtothinkaboutforalongtime.Theywereamongmanyreportedsightingsaroundtheworldlately.Buttheygivetheclearestevidenceofallthatsomethingstrangewasactuallyinthesky...Itmakestheclearestcaseyetforathoroughlookatthesaucermystery."

AnnArbor,Mich.,News(March24,1966):"ThechieftopicofconversationinthesepartslatelyhasbeentheunidentifiedflyingobjectsseenintheskiesoversoutheasternMichiganthepasttwoweeks...Thequestionofwhethermanisaloneintheuniversehasbeendiscussedanddebatedforalongtime.Eventhemostknowledgeable

andscholarlymenhavemadeseriouserrorsinjudgment,andperhapsitisnaive,evenpresumptuous,toautomaticallyrejecttheideathatmanmayhavecompanyindistantreachesoftheuniverse."

Hartford,Conn.,Courant(May3,1968):"Theprojectwaswell-intentioned,objective,andsupposedtobeconductedonscientificlines.The$500,000providedtosupportitshouldhavepermittedthoroughworkinsomefieldsthatseemedtoholdpromise.Butapparentlytheprojecthasnotturnedoutasexpected.Thequalityofitsworkhasbeenchallenged.Twostaffscientistshavebeenousted.TheNationalInvestigationsCommitteeonAerialPhenomenahasbrokenwiththeproject.AndRepresentativeRoushofIndianahasaskedthatCongresstakeovertheinvestigation.DissensionwithintheprojectstaffwasrevealedinaLookarticletowhichDr.EdwardU.Condon,directoroftheproject,hastakenstrongexception.Allthispointstoalackofsuccessinsolvingthemystery.Findingsinthereportcanbepredictedfromthecircum-stances."

Columbia,S.C.,State(May5,1968):"Theheadofthenewpro-ject,Dr.EdwardU.Condon,wasselectedbytheAirForce,andafewskepticsseizeduponthisasevidencethattheColoradoProjectwouldbenomorethanawhitewashofProjectBlueBook,theAirForceUFOstudy.Forthemostpart,however,criticsofthefumblingserviceproberesolvedtowithholdjudgmentuntiltheCondongrouphadhadachance.ByfarthemostinfluentialcivilianUFOgroup,theeminentlyresponsibleNationalInvestigationsCommitteeonAerialPhenomena,immediatelysetabouttomakeitsmassivefilesavailabletoDr.Condonandhisassociates.Theassociatesprovedtobesomethingofadisappointment...Gradually,theColoradoProjectwaslosingitsobjectivescientificlook...(RobertLow'smemoconcerningthe`trick'ofappearing'atotallyobjectivestudy'wasthendiscovered).Aswordofthediscoveryspread,staffersbegantoexpresschagrinathavingbeendupedintojoiningtheColoradocharade...thoseclosetotheColoradoProjectreportnear-mutinyamongthestaff.TwoPhD'swhotooktheircomplaintsdirectlytoLowandCondonwerefired.Theproject'sadministrationassistant,afternotifyingDr.CondonofthenearlyunanimouslackofconfidenceinLow'sperformance,quit...theAmericanpublicalsohaspaidhalfamilliondollarsfortheprivilege,asLowexpressesit,ofbeing

tricked."

TABLEOFCONTENTSSectionI-TheUFORevolutionSectionII-Extraterrestrials-SuggestedMotives&OriginsSectionIII-VehiclePacings&EncountersSectionIV-Close-RangeSightings,StructuralDetailsSectionV-ScientificSupport,CongressionalHearingsSectionVI-Landings,PhysicalTracesSectionVII-AreThereUFOOccupantsSectionVIII-TheColoradoProject

APPENDIXAppendixA-CaseHistoriesAnalyzedbyDr.JamesE.McDonaldAppendixB-NewspaperEditorialsAppendicC-CongressionalStatementsAppendixD-witnessSketches

NICAPHomePage

APPENDIXC

STATEMENTSBYMEMBERSOFCONGRESS

In1968,CongressmanJ.EdwardRoushofIndianaspear-headedthedriveforCongressionalhearings,laterchairingtheHouseScience&AstronauticsCommitteeUFOSymposiumonJuly29(SeeSectionV).HehadsupportfromsomeothermembersoftheCommittee,notablyCongressmanWilliamF.RyanofNewYork,aswellasotherinfluentialCongressmenandSenators.

CongressmanJ.EdwardRoush(WhoconductedJuly29hearingsorsymposium):"IamrecommendingthatwelaunchacongressionalinvestigationintothematterofUFOs.TothesehearingsIwouldurgethatweinviteallthoseindividualsandorganizationsintheUnitedStatesandabroad,whichhavemadeseriouseffortstostudythesubject.Weneedsuchascientificreviewinordertodirectoureffortsinthefuture.TheAmericanpeoplehavetherighttoex-pectthisfromus.(CongressionalRecord,April30).""IhavewrittentheComptrollerGeneraloftheUnitedStatesaskingforanimmediateinvestigationoftheincidentsinvolvingtheuseofpublicmoneysattheUniversityofColorado...Iamconvincedthatthereasonableapproach,thescientificapproachistomain-tainanopenmindonthematteruntilsomerealevidenceappears,onewayortheother.Wehavenothadthatasyet.IwashopefulthattheColoradoprojectwouldprovidejustthisevidence,orleadingsforthefuture.NowIhavemydoubts."(CongressionalRecord,May1).

CongressmanWilliamF.Ryan,Science&AstronauticsCom-mittee(toNICAP):"Ishareyourbeliefthatactionshouldbetaken.IhavewrittentotheChairmenofboththeScienceandAstronauticsCommitteeandtheHouseCommitteeonArmedServicesproposingthatathoroughinvestigationbemadeontheCongressionallevel."

CongressmanLionelVanDeerlin:"Icannotsharethesmugcom-placencyofthedisbelievers,whoautomaticallyassumethateverysightingmusteitherbeahoaxorhallucination...Athoroughhearingshouldputtheentireprobleminsomeperspective,andperhapsevenpermitthecongressmentomakesomequalifiedjudgmentsaboutthetruenatureoftheseobjects."

In1967(andearlier)anoutspokenadvocateofCongressionalinvestigationof

UFOswasCongressmanLouisC.Wyman.

CongressmanLouisC.Wyman:(CongressionalRecord,October11):"ItseemstomethattheCongresswouldbewelladvisedtoinvestigatethissubject.Unlesstherearecompellingsecurityreasonstothecontrary,Ibelievethetimehascometosubjectthewholepanoplyofunidentifiedflyingobjectstocross-examinationunderoathsothatwemayhavearecordofreferencewithmorethanusualcredibility."

The1966HouseArmedServicesCommitteehearingsonUFOswereheldduetotheinfluenceofCongressmanGeraldFordofMichigan,supportedbyhiscolleaguesCongressmenVivian(Mich.),Wilson(Calif.)andRogers(Colo.).

(April5,1966,followingtheMichigan"swampgas"sightingsinMarch,theHouseArmedServicesCommitteeconductedhear-ingsduringwhichAirForcerepresentativeswerequestionedaboutUFOs).

CongressmanGeraldFord,HouseMinorityLeader:"Thankyou(aconstituent)foryourrecentcommunicationendorsingmyproposalthatCongressinvestigatetherashofreportedsightingsofunidentifiedflyingobjectsinsouthernMichiganandinotherpartsofthecountry...IamawareofotherreportssuchasTheUFOEvidencewhichposequestionsthat,likethemostrecentsightings,cannotbeansweredbyafew`pat'solutions."

CongressmanFredB.Rooney:"Thisisasubjectofincreasinginterestthroughouttheworld,andIampleasedtoseethatlegitimateeffortsarebeingmadetothoroughlyinvestigatethesituation."

1965

SenatorEverettM.Dirksen:"ImayhaveoccasiontoresumemyexplorationsofthematterbutInotefromthenumberofpersonsinHouseandSenatewhohavemadereportsonthematterthatthisrathersolidbodyofopinionmaycontinuetopushforabroaderinvestigation."

CongressmanMelvinR.Laird:"IreadtheUFOInvestigator[copysentbyconstituent]withinterestandwantyoutoknowthatasamemberoftheDefenseAppropriationsCommittee,wehavedis-cussedthisproblemwiththeAirForceonseveraloccasionsinthepast.IintendtodiscussthismatteratgreaterlengthwithAirForceofficialsasthissessionofCongressprogresses."

CongressmanRichardS.Schweiker.ArmedServicesCommittee(toaconstituent):"ThankyouforyourletterofJuly29inform-ingmeofyoursupportofacongressionalinquiry.intothematterofunidentifiedflyingobjects...YouwillbepleasedtolearnthatIwouldsupportsuchaninquiry."

CongressmanRomanC.Pucinski(CongressionalRecord,August9):"Mr.Speaker,theChicagoSun-Times,inaneditorialofAugust8,hasperformedamostcreditablepublicservicebycallingattentiontothefactthatunidentifiedflyingobjectsareaseriousbusiness.Ibelievethearticle...shouldbeaddedtothepresentdialogueonthisveryimportantsubjectandIamtakingthelibertytodayofincludingitintheCongressionalRecord."

CongressmanAlvertH.Quie(Toaconstituent):"ThankyouforyourletterofMay27.FromallevidencethatIhaveseen,theremustbeflyingsaucers.Inregardtoyoursecondquestion,IcertainlywouldsupportCongressionalhearingsconcerningUFO."

CongressmanBobWilson(ArmedServicesCommittee,CIASub-committee):"WehavecheckedintothepossibilityofgainingenoughsupporttoinitiateCongressionalhearingsforclarificationoftheUFOproblem.Regretfully,wefindthereisverylittleinterestinholdingsuchhearings.Shouldincreasedinterestdeveloponthissubject,youcanbeassuredIwillbebackintouchwithyou."

TABLEOFCONTENTSSectionI-TheUFORevolution

SectionII-Extraterrestrials-SuggestedMotives&OriginsSectionIII-VehiclePacings&Encounters

SectionIV-Close-RangeSightings,StructuralDetailsSectionV-ScientificSupport,CongressionalHearings

SectionVI-Landings,PhysicalTracesSectionVII-AreThereUFOOccupantsSectionVIII-TheColoradoProject

APPENDIXAppendixA-CaseHistoriesAnalyzedbyDr.JamesE.McDonald

AppendixB-NewspaperEditorialsAppendicC-CongressionalStatements

AppendixD-witnessSketches

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APPENDIXD

WITNESSSKETCHES

ThefollowinggraphicportrayaloftheUFOmysterymakesuseofactualwitnesssketchesdrawntodescribewhattheyhadseen.Someofthedrawingshadtobetouchedupforre-productionpurposes;however,theyhavenotbeenaltered.Afewareartists'renditionscarefullybasedonwitnessdescriptions.

Thissmallsamplewasselectedfromhundredsinrecentyearstoillustratesomeofthecommonlyreportedtypesandfeatures.Additionalsketchesappearthroughoutthetext.(Cf.,TheUFOEvidence,especiallypages23,54,144,147and182).

Someoftheobviousrecurrentfeatures,alsotypicalofthou-sandsofdocumentedverbalreports,are:clearstructuresmostcommonlydisc-shapedorelliptical;lightbeams;bodylights;rowsof"portholes"orlights;domesandotherprojections;surroundinghaze;andphysicaleffectsontheenvironment.

Althoughitwasnotpossibletogiveadditionaldetailsofthesightingshere,manyofthemostcompletecaseswillbereportedinfullinVolumeIIofTheUFOEvidencescheduledforpublicationin1969.

LIGHTBEAMCASES

August16,1968;Nr.Hamilton,Ohio11p.m.;LargegroupofpeoplesawUFOapproach,beamlightsdownwhichreflectedoffGreenbriarLake.

January18,1967;Shamokin,Pa.6p.m.;LowlevelUFOrosesuddenly,joinedsecondobject,bothspedawayhorizontally.

July15,1968;Nr.Columbus,Indiana,atabout3a.m.;UFOemittedbeamlikesearchlighttoground;alsonarrowerredbeamorray.

February16,1967;Nr.Kingman,Arizona11:43p.m.;UFOilluminatedground,

joinedtwootherobjectsasitflewaway.threeredandonegreenbodylights

PORTHOLESANDBODYLIGHTS"

August19,1968;OxonHill,Maryland8:25p.m.;UFOapproached,hovered,disappearedupwardintoclouds,visibleseveralminutes.

April12,1968;CapeNeddick,Maine11:15p.m.;UFOseenpassingbelowmoonduringtotaleclipse.Bodydullred-orange;smallredlights,brightpulsatingwhitelightonend.

February22,1966;So.Kingston,N.H.9:05p.m.;UFOmaneuveredfor35minutes;sixwitnesses;"fallingleaf"motionnoted.

March22,1966,Hillsdale,Michigan;UFOsightedinmidstofMichiganwave.Yellowlightemanatedfromcentralband;otherlightsred,whiteandgreen.

July26,1965;Hartshorne,Oklahoma7p.m.;UFOhovered4-5minutesjustabovetreelineinfrontofonetalltree,then"whiskedaway."Upperpartsilver,lowergray-red;spotslikeindentations.

October14,1966;Nr.Newton,Illinois6:45p.m.;Yellow-orangeUFO,bluelinearoundcenter,redlightsjustunderrim.Objectilluminatedground,affectedTV,othertypicalfeatures.

January15,1967;No.Granby,Conn.,atabout5:45p.m.;UFOemittedwhiteshaftsoflightfrom"portholes."

February15,1967;HollywoodBottom,Texas10:15p.m.;FamilyobservedUFOwithbodylights,hazearoundbody,"vibrating"noise.Blue-greenlightfromdome,red-orangefromfront,brightwhitetrail.

March19,1966;BigRapids,Michigan5:20a.m.;UFOsurroundedbybluish-whitehaze.Lightsonbottomflickedonandoffoneatatime.Verysimilarobjectsighted45milesawayatGrandRapidsMarch17.

April22,1967;Tulsa,Oklahoma8:10p.m.;UFOsightedbyseveralwitnesses;lightsor"ports"appearedtorotate.

OTHERREPORTSOFSTRUCTUREDOBJECTS

January19,1967;Dunbar,W.Va.9:05a.m.MerchantsawUFOhoveringabout4feetaboveInterstate64,blockingroadway.Aluminum-coloredUFOroserapidlyoutofsight.

October7,1965;Williamstown,N.J.6a.m.UFOwithpatchesofshimmeringorangelight,steadyyellowlightunderneath,movedslowlyattree-toplevel.

July19,1965;Vaucluse,Australia5:30p.m.;UFOobservedtakingofffrombeach;soundofrushingair;dogsbarkedloudly.

March8,1966;Chesterton,Indiana2:30p.m.;UFOhoveredabovecloudbank4-5minutes,surroundedbybright,mistyhaze,changedanglesandspedaway.

TABLEOFCONTENTSSectionI-TheUFORevolutionSectionII-Extraterrestrials-SuggestedMotives&OriginsSectionIII-VehiclePacings&EncountersSectionIV-Close-RangeSightings,StructuralDetailsSectionV-ScientificSupport,CongressionalHearingsSectionVI-Landings,PhysicalTracesSectionVII-AreThereUFOOccupantsSectionVIII-TheColoradoProject

APPENDIXAppendixA-CaseHistoriesAnalyzedbyDr.JamesE.McDonaldAppendixB-NewspaperEditorialsAppendixC-CongressionalStatementsAppendixD-witnessSketches

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