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HEADQUARTERS IN REPLY AIR DEFENSE COMMAND REFER TO: MITCHEL FIELD, NEW YORK 12 September 1947 SUBJECT: Unidentified Flying Object (Interview - Alpheus 0, Powell) SUMMARY OF INFORMATION: The following information was received 12 August 1947 from Mr. Alpheus 0. Powell, 28 Redwood Road, Wew Hyde Park, Long Island, relative te the sichting of a possible flying dise 4 August 1947, On 4 August 1947, Mr Powell, an Airlines Captain with Pan American Airways, Inc., was the first pilot of a Constellation type airoraft on « flight frou Gander, Newfoundland, to La Guardie Field, New Tork, Mr. Pewell took over the aircraft at Gander, Newfoundland and departed at approximately 1230 P.M, Bastern Daylight Saving Time for La Guardie Field, New York. At 1600 P.M., at a position approximately midway betwoon the Everett (Mess) fen Marker and the Bedford Radie Beacon (Everett is 3 miles MW of Boston, Mass., and Redford is 15 miles BW of the same city) both Mr Powell end Mr ¥. "hite, navigator on this trip, sighted unidentifieble flying objects. fo the best of Mr. Powell's knowledge, the following weather conditions existed at that time: Visibility was goods cloud coverage was from 6-8/10ths, with tops et 10,000 feet; and the wind at the $,000 foot level was estimated as boing 270/25 wiles per hour, ‘The sircraft was at 8,000 feet; airspeed 265 mph ; and the course was 244 degrees, magnetics Mr White, who was sitting in the co-pilots seat (the right side of the cockpit) first called Mr. Powell's attention to a bright orange objeot,, which was on the right side of the plane, end slightly below the level of the aireraft, Mr Powell was unable te see the object, as he had no visibility to the right and dewn, from his position, Mr Powell immedisetely glanced out his side window and noticed, at a 45° angle to the left, and midentified flying abject. It was about one mile away at an altitude of approximately 7,800 feet. Mr Powell banked to obtain a better view of the object. The object wae under observation for approximately 50 sesonds, end during this time was viewed by Mr Powell, Mr Powell described the object as being about the length of « P-40 fuselage, blunt at both ends, cylindrical in shape, ond having & bright orange hue. Mr Powell stated that the object had « definite shape, and that there wes no suggestion of gaseous discipation as there would be if the orange color were the exhaust from a rocket, or a jet aircraft. Mr Powell estimated the course of the-objest to be 200° magnetic, end that the object was travelling at approximately 160 mph, Mr Powell lost sight of the object, when a cloud came between the aircraft and the object. The pursuit of the object was not continued, inesmuch as it would have necessitated a departure from the established airways, | CONFER EN TALE HEADQUARTERS AIR DEFENSE COMMAND IN REPLY MITCHEL FIELD, NEW YORK REFER TO: he ttention [rF 18 . con cumulus, est at 2 Aary i dr o | ee T ” mS Be a aiver i. by Pan Ame an Airways for the past five years as a "a fue the : kad : in conjunction with contract flying fer the AAF, Mr White states that he has flown with Mr Powell on a mumber of oocasions, and he considers him to be a very stable person; completely reliable, and not given to "Plichts of fancy”, Related Report; See Summary of Information, 12 September 1947, Hq ADC, subject, “Unidentified Flying Objects” (interview ~- Alpheus 0. Powell). Previous Distri>ution: - None Evaluation Distribution 3 copies) of source of information 2 copies) C 3 ~ AAP ( ~ ADC {¢ AGENTS WOTES: Mr. A. 0, Powell is @ graduate of the Aviation Cadet Flying Training Program, having graduated from Maxwell Field, Alabama, with the Cless of 41-¢, Since graduation, Mr. Powell has flown for Pan American Airways end, at this date, has over 4,000 command pilet hours to his credit, Mr. Powell appears to be a calm, intelligent individual, not given te flights of fancy, or easily ewayed by what he has previously read in the newspapers ag regards reports of this type, Mr, Powell hes a fear of publi- city and seemed hesitant to even tell his story lest he become the object of ridicule, Mr Powell was questioned ag to the pessibility that what he sighted might have been a tow target, a pilet balloon, or a radiosonic device used for meteorologieal purposes. Mr Powell stated that he has seen numerous pilot balleons, radiosonic devices and tow targets, while on flights; the object observed on this flight definitely was mot one of them, Evaluation Previous Distribution: ~ Hone ef sources of information 4) 3 Distribution - AAP (3 copies) - ADC (2 copies) RESTRICTED BASIC: Ltr. Hq, BARTD, Birmingham AA, Birmingham, Ala,, dtd § July 47, subj: Report on Local "Flying Disc, * pe let Ind, D 314 [ge Y » FOURTEENTH AIR FORCE, Orlands, Florida, TO: Commanding General, Air Defense Command, Mitchel Mield, New York, 1, Forwarded for information of your Headquarters, 2. This Headquarters has made no investigation of "Flying Disc" reports because this is an isolated case, POR THE COMMANDING GENERAL: RESTRICTED t+ on Loc ud Disc" D333.5 WD Jul 47 - 2nd Ind HQ., AIR DEFENSE COMMAND, Mitchel Field, New York, 25 July 1947. TO: Commanding General, Army Air Forces, Washington 25, D. C. ATTN: AC/AS=2 Forwarded for your information. FOR THE COMMANDING GENERAL: ib Tite n/c Colonel, GSC Asst Chief of Staff-Intell. r y THE WEA. * QF urniehed by the U, 6, Weather For. Birmingham and Yic‘nity- ‘ Partly cloudy and warm today, te- night and tomorrow with @ few scattered showers this afternoon. High today 86, low tonight 70, high tomorrow 90. a PRICE: 5 CENTS ‘Flging Saucers’ Reported From 39: States, But Seem To Be Concentrated Here City Is Baffled By Dazzling Display Of Spooky Discs " The strange things that have been in night skies since June 25, were over Birmingham last we] On one thing everyone who seen the mysterious objects an —they are round, saucer-like. After that, every story differs. Each of the hundreds. of i al “J ported witnessing the baffling sky demonstrations here last night had } &@ different version of what they saw. Some said the objects were large, some small. They were mov- ing at great speed. They were sus- penhed in in the air. There was sound along with their movements. They moved noiselessly through the black sky. They were at great distance ‘from the earth. They had fallen to the ground, They were in perfect formation. They were colliding with each other. But whatever the things are that have set the nation agog since first reported 12 days ago by a man in Washington State, they definitely were bhemar”¢ Magic City last night. It_ seems, in fact, that more Bir mingham residents saw the objects than in any Ger place. REPORTS BEGAN coming into the Age-Herald city room atound bt. For more than r, the place was bedlam. The switchboard operators were swamped with calls. Report- ers, office boys, copy readers — everyone in the place was called into action. Reports came in from Edgewood, Mountain Brook, Avondale, South, side, Fairfield, Pratt City, West End, | Central Park, Bessemer. There was fear, ene emeage hoe — ror, skepticiss CAMERA HERE CATCHES “FLYING SAUCER”—Robert Cross- land, Age-Herald copy reader, has camera proof that the much-dis- cussed flying discs were over Birmingham last night. The picture above was made by Mr. Crossland at 8:37 p.m. last night at his home at 29th Street and Highland Avenue. He said he gave the film e 15-second exposure. — — a ioe ‘ + iv ate ie pe ue at 4 i i i i ii He ran pinoy hoes sey Suicy out =e a ns 09 one 7 p= ged aryjue a gpa : Tin ra et Heit uid dcaajeh ine Bere saad : ie 5 4 > Py Ng oe i ne HE nl a! ra? Ee 4 ce a beth weed la wil te pal ee cE th a aseber ad hl wis hats 5 pedal i AS TABLES” aon 5+ In fact, they're the show out at Bowl tonight, “The Dise- thinking of r light Opera.” in ale qin M ayee jee it zs HiF, Tae te, : te il Ht Ex 7 ine oeF re ey 2 Te rif ai is ate fisitly ie Het: ae er A at it a i i ne ve it La =¢ a ed inl a Lat | i‘ | via i hal bl it ult i 4 ae iA : Hulel fuels a! ef is | Hit 5 S-T-A-T-M-E-N-T I, Staff Sergeant Ira Lb. Livingston, RA 14 153 972, Air Sorva, have approximately 250 hors flying time as vilot and Armorer Gunner have the following statement to make concerning the. anvearence of "Plying Discs" in the vicinity of Rirmingham, Alabama. At 2045 hours, 6 July 1947, while I was eating summer at my residence at 1354 Meadow Lane, Green Acres, Birmingham, Alabama, my next door neighbor, Mr. Herman M. Soeokwel!, called for me to come to the front door that there were some "Flying Tiscs" outside. Immediately T went out in the front vera to observe the objects. The objects anneared to the West of Birmingham traveling in a South Bastern firection. They cnveared to be envroximately 2000 feet above the horizon at 2 5 degree angle from where IT wes standing at an un- estimated distance awey. The objects smeared to be annroximately two (2) feet in diameter, round in shane, vroducing na dim glow of lisht ond treveling at en estimatdd.sveed of five (5) to six (6) hundred miles ver hour. The objects or object anvenred to be traveling in » definite sre rather then straight and as soon ss one was out of sight snother would annear behind it, but not always in the seme vath. I saw one that seemed to come strright un. The view of where it came from was obstructed by 2 nearby house; and when it reached the altitude of savnroximately 2000feet, it started off in the same direction as the others. I did not at any time see any more than one at the time and eventhough there could have been only one, my rerenn-l belief is that there were seven (7) to ten (19). The Discs were silent and avpeared to be cormmosed of a single light. Sno de glo Ira L. TR Steff Serzeant, RA 14 153 972 Subscribed end sworn to before me this 7th day of July 1947. 2 /_ nce te Fe OR JAMES L, Mar se LANE lst Lt. Ac Asst Adj. ‘ ’ Rae : HEADQUARTERS, NEWFOUNDLAND BASE COMMAND. 3/ 3 tad ANTIC OtViston, AIR TRANSPORT COMMAND /@av eeSTRICTE - - FORT PEPPERRELL, NEWFOUNDLAND APO 862,% POSTMASTER, NEW YORK, N. Y. (REPLY REFER “a che “4 > Ae A 3 eae Me SUBJECT: Letter of Trensaittel, ” TO : Commanding General, Atlantic Division, ATC, Fort Totten, Island, N. Y. (ATTENTION: 4/8, Intelligence) Reference Letter of Transmittal, this 1947, with four (4) inclosures (Inclosures 1, Sightings of "flying seucers"; and Inclosure 4, stable KEARSEY), transmitted herewith is Final Report of S "flying saucers” in Newfoundland, which occurred at Harmon ' wille, Newfoundland at 03452, 23 July 1947. FOR THE COMMANDING GENERAL: MARION C. MILLER, 1 Incls ry Tactics ‘i : Ce ' Pinal Rpt of Sighting, 23 Jul 47 ; HQ, ATLANTIC DIVISION, ATC, FORT TOTTEN, L.I., NEW YORK 6 Aug 47 TO; Commanding General, Air Transport Command, Washington 25, D.C. ATIN: Chief of Staff Forwarded in accordance with instz TWX CM95, your Headquarters. yi CENFIDENTIAL > ALANGI PI, Attar RESTRICT Elenur rzrcer or STONING) ( 1. Organization: 1388th AAF Base Unit APO 86, c/o Postmaster, New York, N.Y. ° Sighting Strange intermittent flashes that may tie in with "Flying Discs”. Place Harmon Field, Stephenville, ‘ewfoundland. Time 03452, 23 July 19h7. Altitude Approximately 10,000 feet high. Weather High scattered condition; visibility better than fifteen (15) miles. Heading From South, heading NNE (approximately 30° ) Speed High velocity; stated to be faster than a conventional airplane. Description : The observers saw a light which at first appeared to be a shooting star or airplane. It appeared agein, and a mmber of intermittant flashes were seen for a pericd of approximately three (3) minutes. The flashes were reddish in color. Observers said it was not a falling star because it did not appear as such; nor was it an airplane, because manoceuvers were too abrupt and there was no noise of a motor, Miss Patricia Abbott, (Newfoundland National) Government Employee ard Lt. Hammaker, Navigator and Public Relat- ions Officer. The informants (noted in Par.10) were walking when they noticed a peculiar reddish light. Both Miss Abbctt and Lt. Hammaker stated that at first, they thought it was a falling star, but if left no streak. It appeared again; they thought it might be a plane flying at a very high altitude. After observing its manoceuvers, they concluded, because of the silence (no hum of motor) and abrupt darts of the light, it was definately not an airplane. Neither Miss Abbott nor It. Eammaker hai seen anythirg like it before. Ea ae Captain, Air Corps, Intelligence Officer. RE sient eS Rs HEADQUARTERS Newfoundland Base Command, Fert Pepperrell, Newfound land APO 862, ¢/eo Postmaster, New York, WN. Y. —_—— Gone SUBJECTs Letter of Transzittal. Gat 10/8, Intelligence 1. Transmitted herewith, as inclosures 1, 2 and 3, are Final Reports of Sightings of "flying saucers* in Newfoundland and vicinity listed as follows: Final Report of Sighting - SOND, 10 Rady 1047 11 July 1947 ” - . 8 = 001s’ 20 July 3007 2. Reference TH - EW 18469, this headquarters, dated 1217302 July 1947, regarding sightings of ‘flying saucers" by Constable ERIC KEARSEY, Newfound >» at Grand Falls, Newfoundland, on SS MMGML or 9 dulg 2947, navadion’ haveestn dé ceaadase 4, 06 tha statenent of this sighting by Consteble KEARSEY. Pearse CU lr Captain, Air Corps, 40/8, Intelligence. RESTRICTED eons: Org. $ Place : Time : Altitude : Weather : Heading : Speed $ Shape & Size Color : Photographs: Reperted By: CONFIDENTIAL - FINAL REPORT OF SIGHTING 1388th AAF BU, NBC, ATLD, ATC. Harmon Field, Newfoundland. Flying Dise or other airborne object. Approx six (6) miles SSW of Harmon Field. 2000/7, 10 July 1947 B= 10,000 ft. Clear, Scattered Cumlus & - 10, 000 ft. NNE on horizontal course. Very high velocity. Circular like a wheel, estimated to be same size as a 0-54 as seen from 10, 000 ft. Translucent or Silvery, left a “luish Plack trail approx 15 miles long. ur. Robert W. Leidy reported that he took two (2) Kodachrome snap shots of the trail. Yr. John N. Merhman, TWA mechanic; Wr. John W. Woodruff, PAA mechanic; and Wr. Robert E. Leidy, PAA mechanic reported the above facts to the Intelligence Officer on 15 July 1947. A Flash Report was TWX ed to : Action copy Comnanding General, Hq. ATC, Attn. Asst. Chief of Staff, Intelligence. Info copies: Commanding Generals Hq. ATLD and Ha. NEC vister's Merhman, Woodruff, and Leidy were enroute from Stephenville Crossing to Harmon Field at the time of the sighting. Wr. Woodruff was the first to see the Disc, it appeared to rent or split the clouds thru which it passed and left a Pluish Black trail approx. fifteen (15) miles. long behind it. The trail was similar to the afterglow of) a powerful landing light or search light beam after it is suddenly switched off. lhe object maintained « straight and horizontal course according to Mr. Merhman and Mr. Woodruff, ur. ‘Leidy stated it appeared to be on a great curved course on a horizontal plane. The object disappeared into the North Northeast. Mr. Leidy says he took two (2) Kodachrome Photographs of the trail. The film has been transmitted to the Asst. Chief of Staff, Intelligence, NewSoundland Base Command for processing. CAPT. A.C. Intelligence Officer RESTRICTED ici Or garni zation: Sighting Place Time Altitude Weather Heading Speed Shape & Size: 10, Color 3 11. Reported by : 12, General ¥ ies FINAL REPORT OF Wes p < a a 1388th AAF Rase Unit APO 86, c/o Postmaster, New York, N.Y. Flying Mise or other airborne object. Codroy, Newroundland, 59°03' W Leng.; 17°50! N Lat. 00302 hours, 11 July 1947. Approximately 6,000 feet. Clear; at dusk. From northwest heading eastward. Very high velocity. Disc shaped; was reported as being the size of a barrel-head, dinner-plate and size of a plane that is flying high. The trail gave the whole object the appearance of a cone. Flame colored with a trail of a lighter flame color. Mr. John Legge, Mr. Wm. Evans and Albert Samms of Codroy, NewfoundJand, Mr. Legge and Mr. Evans were standing outside Mr. Legge's store when they both sighted the object. Both men stated that the disc was very bright with an after-rlow which made the object look like a cone. It was a very clear night. In spite of the high velocity of the flying object, they said they could not possibly heve mistaken it for a plane or a falling star. Besides the two men, the object was sighted by Albert Samns; he reported what he had seen to his mother. Mrs. Samms stated that Albert was in no way alarmed about it, he was alone and on his way home when he sighted it, and watched it while it was in sight. 4lbert was quite convinced from the color and behaviour of the object that it was not a plane, but definately some flying object. The informant, Mr. Legge, is believed to be reliable, He is a man of approximately forty; has had considerable experience as foreman of Buchans Mine, Newfoundland, where he was in charge of three hundred men. During the war, Mr. Legge was a mamber of a civilian volunteer Air Detection Corps. With that ».ckzround, Mr. Legge stated that he felt sure that the object he had seen was some~ thing new which he had never seen before. Final Report of Sighting GaNRDENT General cont.'ds blbert Samme is a twelve year old doy. He was alone when he saw the flying object, he wac very definite that “e nad never seen anything like it befcre. His mother, Mrs. Samms, is the Pest Mistress of the town, and after hearing Albert's descrivtion, felt that it answered to thé description of a "Flying Disc™. Mr. Legge reported his sighting shortly afterwards to Mr se Samng bec se he was sure it shonld be made known to her in order that the incident might be reported ty telegram immediately. There was one other si ghting reported from a "iver Warden at South Branch. The man could not be cone tucted at time of interviews with other parties. However, a second-hand description of his sighting was obtained, and it agreed with the sightings et Codroy. WILLIAM H. SMITH Captein, Air Corps, Intelligence Officer. Organization: Sighting Place Time Altitude Weather Reading $ Speed s Description : RESIniws- CONFIDERTIAL- PINAL REPORT OF SIGHTING 1388th AAF Base Unit APO 86h, c/o Postmaster, New York, N.Y. Flying Dise or other Airborne Obfect. On board Steamship "BURGEO" enroute from Sydney, Nova Scotia to Port ary Basques, Newfoundland, about one hour out from Sydnev. 0015Z 20 July 1917. 30° off the horizon et an estirated quart« mile range. Clear and dark. NNE (30° East of True North) on horizontal plane. High velocity, stated to be faeter than a tracer bullet. Observers did not see the object, they saw its flashes and all four observers agreed there were four (lL) or five (5) flashes approximately one (1) secor4 apart and equidistant. The flashes were said to be silvery to reddish in color, an’ were described by two observ- ers to be like those of a Fire Fly only larger and at. equal intervals, and did not look like a shootinz star or airplane. Messrs Maitland, Larkin, Douglas and Hamilton of Hamilton, Metcalfe and Kansas City Bridge Companies wiiich concern is doing the construction at Harmon Field. The four gentlemen (noted in Par.10) and Captain Gullage, Vaster of the "Burgeo", were standing on the starboard deck, and as the Captain was trying t» jJescribe a previous sighting, he saw the flashes; the other four gentlemen also saw them es described herein, and believed that it was not a meteorite or airplane because of its speed, color, and evenly spaced discharges or flashes. Ceptain Gullage told the four gentlemen that he had seen the same thing at approximately the same time and location (ship's position) on the evening of 15 July 1917, except at that time, the object or flashes were traveling faster and frequently @hanging course (he said it changed course abruptly severel times) and was headed generally to the Final Report of Sighting: General cont'd : SSW, The Captain also told the four gentlienen that he was willing to make a complete report if the information is desired for official purposes. WILLIAM H. SMITH Captain, Air Corps Intelligence Officer. Ts Pen daly 1: maT, 16 ° put > Shier Viying Diske"® or other object f it, 1°4 say it was sbdout the sise of a 5% or a | zimate altitude of the clouds? ifo0. the appre from 6000 feet to 10,000 fect. Newfoundland, taken at Mielé, HITE i 234i a¢ ff ds a4 dd di dd About how big did it appear te you? Interrogation of JOE E. Airvays, Harmon wy Captain Viliies 2. Q@. Did you see one of the so called * on the 10th July? ; &. Tes, I 444. Q. Cem you give 4. Apprexinately Q. a. From the height o Constellation. RESTRICTED .. SONEDENHA— . Interrogation of John B, Woodruff (Cont'd) What kind of a break aid it make in the clouds?- It cat a straight path right through the eloud. Dad it leave a trail? . Yes, it left a trail dark Dlueish in color similar to a high pever Light. The trail was from approximately fifteen (15) to twenty (20) miles long. re Have you ever seen a meteor? Yes. r? De you think this was a meteor? No, I don't think so, it was cat too clean. This wae as straight as en arrow. ‘ re What was the course of the odject? Well, looking at the map I'd say North North Bact. rT? Have you been working around airplanes long enough to know the aise of an aircraft ané the height from a distance? Yes. Pow. long have you been working around aireraft! Seven (7) years. Were you in the Arny during the tine of the War? Ro. Q. A. Q &, Did you take any pictures? Bo, I did not, bat ome of the beys took sone. re FF De you think the pictures will shew up? Yes, it wae am ideal day for pictures. \ re ( Cc / = Pa L : of - ¥ Gls AY oct tk. ~ < Chief Mechanic Pan American Airways APO 664, c/o Postmaster, New York, 3. Y. ) | 16 July 1947 Interrogation of JOM 3. MERRMAN, JR., Supervisor and Mechanic, World Airways, Barwon Fiel4, Bewfoundland, taken at 1430 EIT, July 1947, vy Captain William EH, Smith, AC, Intelligence Officer. Bow long have you beem associated with aircraft and aviation? Since approximately 1936. Vere you in the Army during the Var? Yes. i re re & What 444 you do in the Arny? Aerial Gunner. Did your job during the wer entail you to be able to judge distances and sises of objects and ranges? Tes. Om the evening of 10 duly 1947, 444 you see one of the so called *Fiying Diskse® or an object in the sky? coming Pe re Q A. I looked up and saw a dlueish black vapor trail. you see the object! sew the trail as it was left behind. @ep where you could see the blue sky, like a knife had out it. The edges were feathered similar te a weld, as if you cut a weld in odject to be descending, ascending, or horisontal? It was horisontal and seemed to remain on atrue course. estimate of the course? Bast. as te the sise of the object? — é‘ RESTRICT Interrogation of John B, Nehrmen, Jr |: Gem you describe the trail? It wae Dlueish black in coler, very easily distingaished from the Dime sky. A diesel exhaust would de similar te it, re Fe £°. 2? Q. A. - &. A. he De you know whether Mr, Leidy caw the Disk or object? I don't believe se. RESTRICTED @ Ae Q. 4, Vas Bo, i Vas rf PP rf cA tlon .serepiied or —. fo Zz ce eee tla L Bie. Lo) (Rank) _ .(Bate¥_— £ nf mes , ClesstPbe siaptanans nso, may © . Raw “* «7% 26 duly 1947 tat evening whea they wo Sage er flying dick passing over the shy on 10 July 1947? es, was. Vere you or amy sembere of the party érisking? Bo, I had one cam of deer, that was about half hour before that. » it leeked ac if om o of a peddle leaving a ring in any difference in the color? % looked as if the object dbreke the cloud and left this opening. the trail herisental, going up, or coming down! % leoked herisentel. was the altitude of the clouds? *t know, sir, they vere pretty high though. ime was this? % knew exactly sir, buat it was between three and five o'cleek afterneen, we were coming back from fishing. there sf it ’, Shy i iar § PrP © re Pre Pre Pe Pe Fe Pre re re rere el it lt " " rE ae i K at; + 4 sal ; WS) 4058 ret nn oo re SE t *a out {SPLOTS OGL TE GRO oqs JO OTS OME OFFET ESOC @ usce ° ” @@S GRO UOTE ecus gen aE YT PEP Stes euaeté q are ee ey oe eS 4. Yes, STATEMENT OF MR. LEGGE, RDROY, NEWFOUNDLAND. TAKEN BY MERCEDES BURKE OF THE INTEL ENCE OFFICE, HARMON FIELD, §EWFOUND- LAND. 17 July 1947. At approximately 10 o'eloek in the evening of 10 July 1947 I was standing by my store door; I happened to look up and saw what appeared to be a "FLYING SAUCER". It definately was not a sheeting star; I'd scen several stars shoet before, but never like this! mor was it an airoplane, it was too "lit up" and traveling at tee great a speed. It wasn’t an siroplane on fire because it would have fallen in the water. It was a niee elear night, no elouds, it nas just getting dark. I would say it was traveling at the rate of a shooting star but mueh eloser. I'd say roughly at 6,000 feet. It was visible for about fifteen (15) seconds. It eame from the North West heading Eastward. The cirele looked to be about the size of a barrel head, and the trail behind looked to be about fifteen (15) feet long. The trail behind the dise made the whole object look like a eome. Another thing that makes me feel sure it wasn't ay shooting star is; a shooting star usually leaves a temporary streak, this objeet I saw left mo streak only the one that appeared to travel behind the eirecle whieh looked like an after-glow. The eirele was a bright red, nearest I could des- eribe it would be the eoler of a flame, the after-glow(eone-shaped) wes a fainter shade. What I saw last Thursday night resembled a shooting star in no way whatsoever. There was only onee @ESTRICTED e STATEMENT OF MR. WM. EVANS, CORDROY{ NEWFOUNDLAND. TAKEN BY MERCEDES BURKE OF THE INTZLLIGENOE OFFICE} HARMON FIELD, NaW- POUNDLAND. 17 July 1947. At approximately 10 e'elock in the evening of 10 July 1947, I was standing eutside Mr. Leggo’s store talking with him. We beth saw this thing desh aerogss the sky. I couldn't be eccurate about the direetions. If it was a shooting ster, I'd never seen one as large before, and it was mueh brighter than anything I've ever seen in the skye It looked to be a round object, I eouldn't say it was anything else but round; it‘had a tail on it whieh showed yellowish, but not as bright as the eirele which appeared and nearest I could deseribe it would be sort of red and yellon. The streak behind, I would say, was little over a yard long; the eirele looked te be about the size ef a large dinner plate. It went so fast, it was hardly in sight before it disappeared. I eould not give any idea of the height; all I ean say is it was mueh eloser than a shooting star. and travelling at a great speed. Whatever it wes it was flying through the air; it wasn't just a streak saeross the sky. To me it wasn't in any way like a shooting star, and I am sure it wasn't an airoplane. I called it a "FLYING SAUCER" beeause it seemed exactly like what we had been hearing so mueh about on the radio. Witness: ~~’ 77 we Witness: hit he Aisa STATEMENT OF ALBERT SAMMS, CORDROY, NZWFOUNDLAND. TAZEN BY MERCEDES BURKE OF THE INTELLIGENCE OFFICE, HARMON FIELD NEW- POUNDLAND. 17 duly 1947. Last Thursday night I was out by our house, I happened te look up and saw what I thought was an airoplane. It-¥as fiying at the height of a plane that is flying high. Then I thought it leoked strange for an airoplane, beeause it was all lit up so bright, planes do have a light or two, but this thing was very bright - sort of a bright reddish yellow. I saw it only for a minute because it was traveliing at a teriffie «peed. It shot out of sight so quiekly I thought it strange if it was an airop- dane. TH@H, I remembered what I'd been hearing about "FLYIND SAUCERS” I ran in and told my mother. a b~ j J Le C cide hoy anh Witness: and tol@ me about thie thine he'd just seen. he thought it wae an ai? ler hut then he remenhered having nearhd abdout ‘LYT SAUCERS me he thought that's what it must heave been. I oue tioned him; he said it e uldn't have bcbeen a plane Deenusee a plane wou dn't shoot down like that aid, besides it was too "lit up" Mr. Legge reported the eane thing to me in order thet I mtenht report same to St. Johm's in the morh ng. — nec Mre JOHK SAMMS. NEWFOUNDLAND CONSTABULARY STATION Grand Falls, DATE July 13th, 10947. . SUBJECT Re:- strange objects seen flying over Grand Falls on night of July 9th. at approx, Sirs I respectfully report for your information that on 3 night, 9th. inst. I arrived home from duty at approx. 11.30. Upon arrival at home I joined ay wife, my mother-in-law and Mr. John Jackman a resident of St. John's and friend of the family, who were rg on the front steps of the house. I was asked by my wife if I had seen the "flying saucers" I thought she was joking and replied that I had seen nothin, flying. Jac and my mother- in-law then told me that they had really seen four objects flying in an easterly direction just before I arrived, I asked them to describe what they had seen. Jackman said that four round shaped figures had passed overhead at a terrific speed and were flying side by dide. Om looking skywards again my wife, Jackman, and myself saw a object which I would describe as be a huge je fish flash across the the sky. It would be difiicuit to determine its height and speed owing to the brief period it was visible. it's colour also would be hard to say, but there seemed to be « phosphorus glow about it, it was round in shape and about the size of a barrel head, it appeared to be flying in a rocking motion. This sir, is about all I can say about the matter, we continued to sean the sky for about a half hour but no sign of them were seen again, . ra AAG Ae (A1Q4 Constable. 4j Chief Police. Gua fects Lay Bie KKea. LeStr @ UBGey JePey Chief of Police. "NEWFOUNDLAND CONSTABULARY red STATION Grand Falls, a << "DATE July 13th. 1047. . SUBJECT Re;- Strange objects seen f over Grand ; Falls on night of July e at approx, Sirs I respectfully report for oF yout informatica Wnt ca Wednesday hight, " set inst. I arrived home from duty at approx. 11.30 Upon arrival at home I joined ay wife, ay ieether- tata and Mr. John Jackman a President ef St. John's and friend ef the family, who ee sitt on the front a the house, 7 was asked b g ig feats Ey lying saucers she was joking rep «"Jeokoan and my mother y nea seen four objects flying in an easterly siscotion Jest 6 ore I arrived, I aeked them to =. what use bad had seen. ¥ ret dang said that four round shaped f aig 7 overhead at «a Serrifie epee and were Flyis so, Jastnens ead agoeit 8 a ‘@ ac myee saw a object which I "Teuld deserite as de fish flash across pall ge determine its hdight and * owing te the bri it was visible. it's ooleur also would be hard to but there seemed to be a phosphorus glow about it, papier gM gle Mah mae @ size of a barrel it appeared to be flying in a rocking motion. This sir, is about all I can say about the matter, ve seattnasd te'ceen kao ies oe ut a half sign of then were seen again, > L.Str ° TeP og a9 C8. a “Bila oa Eeqe, JeP Chief of weitek. RESTRICT ED | From detailed study of reports selected for their impression of veracity and reliability, several conclusions have been formed: _ (a) This "flying saucer" situation is not all imaginary or seeing too much in some natural phenomenon, Something is really flying around. (>) lack of topside inquiries, when compared to the prompt and demanding inquiries that have originated topside upon former events, give more than ordinary weight to the péssibility that this is a domestic project, about which the President, etc. know. (c) Whatever the objects are, this much can be said of their physical appearance: 1. The surfaced of these objects is metallic, indicating a metallic skin, at least. 2. When a trail is observed, it is lightly colored, a Blue-Brown haze, that is similar to a rocket engine's exhaust. Contrary to a rocket of the solid type, one observation indicates that the fuel may be throttled which would indicate a liquid rocket engine. 3. As to shape, all observations state thut the object is cireular or at least elliptical, flat on the bottom and slightly domed on the top, The size estimates place it somewhere near the size of a C-54 or a Constellation. 4. Some reports describe two tabs, located at the rear and symetrical about the time axis of flight motion. 5. Flights hase been reported, from three to nine of them, flying good*formation on each other, with speeds always above 300 knots. 6. The discs oscillate laterdlly while flying along, which could be snaking. CONFIDENTIAL READQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE f (4 Office of the Assistant Chief of Steff, A-2 Intelligence ‘Hamilton Field, California 4AFDA 25 August 1947 333.6/1208-1 SUBJECT: Investigation of Flying Disc. TOs Headquarters, Army Air Forces, Washinrton 25, D. ©. ATTENTION: AC of AS=2 1. The attached true copy of the letter of Mr. F. “%. Johnson of Portland, Oregon, was received by this officer 22 Aurust 1947. 2- Your attention is invited to the similarity of statement by My. Johnson and Mre Arnold. 3. This letter is being referred this date to the Special Agent In Charge, FAI, Sen Francisco, for any investigation they may care to make . / | Ls BAHL f fONALD L.' SPR iGek” 1 Incl: Lt. Colonel, %SC/ 4 Cy of ltr fri.lé. Johnson AC of S, A-2 \ . (in dup) CONFIDENTIAL PORTLAND, OREGON, August 20th 1947 Lt. Col. Donald L. Springer, Assistant Staff Sir. Saw in the portland paper a short time ago in regards to an article in regards to the so called flying disc having any basis of fact. I can say am a prospector and was in the Mt Adams district on dune 24th the day Kennet Arnold of Boise Idaho claims he saw a formation of flying disc. And i saw the same flyin- objects at about the same time. Having a telescope with me at the time i can asure you they are real and noting like them I ever saw before they did not pass verry high over where I was standing at the the time, plobly 1000 ft. they were Round about 30 foot in dimater tapering sharply to a point in - the head end in an oval shape. with a bright top surface. I did not hear any noise as you would from a plane. But there was an object in the tail end looked like a big hand of a clock shifting from side to side like a big magenet. ‘here speed as far as i know seemed to be greater than anything I ever saw. last veiw I cot of the objects they were standing on edge Banking in a Cloud. Yours Respectfully /s/ F. M. Johnson 106 No. West Ist Ave Portland, Oregon A TRUE COPY: Lt. Colonel, GSC, AC of 3, A=2/ ar | PORTLAND, OXEGUN 30,July'1947 | hat a a a ee wn 30 July 1947 Ur nichard xankin, 634 WN. &. Simpson Street, Pade scr Oregon was intervi ewed by this agent and stated in substance as sOLLOWS ¢ . My name is Richard: Rankin, I aml? years old and have flom since I was nineteen years old, I first soloed in m air craft in 1919. I tave flow over all the western parts of the United States many times and have mapped all of the western part of the United States during the years before the late war for the US Forest Service. I am familiar with almost every part of the western United States, During a great part of my life I have dme stunt flying for air shows and various other types of aeronautical exhibitions. ly brother was "Tex'Rankin who was quite well known in both civilian and Mili flying circles for many years before his death and during the late war ran thousands of Flying Cadets through primary training schools owned and oper- aedd by him, To date I mve accomplished 7000 hours in the air as pilot of both civilian and Military aircraft. I am well acquainted with most articles that one would see in the air and I feel that I am well qualified to say when I see articles flying through the air, although I would not attempt to say that I am infallable and state that I could definitely identify every - object that might be flying through the air. The following is.an account of what I saw on 1); June 19h7 from the yard of my home at 150 South "1" St, Bakersfield, California. % approximately 1200 noon on the 1: of June I was lying in the front yard of my home. There was a lad mowing the lam at th time, I looked up into the sky and saw ten articles flying from tle South to th North at what I wild judge to be 6500 ft. Tle objects were flying at approximately what I would judge to be 350 miles per hokr. As I mv stated before, I have done quite a lot of map work for the US Forest Service, I distinctly remember that at the time I saw the articles I mentioned it te the lad who was mowing the lawn at the time, I told the lad that the objects were in all probability Some sort of army or Navy test planes from the nearby test centers on the deserts of Southern California, Having quite a kmewledg of aircraft in general I attempted to explain to the lad mowing the lam that th objects were probably on sane sort of training mission fcr either the Arny or Navy. At that time T did not cive the slightest'thought te anything but that the objects were some sort of test hip for the Goverment services, resembled the pictures that I hawe seen of the sF5ie1, the so @ Flapfick afickk that the llavy is testing. After the objects dis roceeded into the house and had my noon meal, it approximately ck into the yard to sit and lie in the shade, At this time the peared going from Hozth to South, although this time there were only of the articles, When I first saw the ofigi nal ten objects they were fl in a ®¥" formation with one chgct seemingly starcgling in the rear of the formation, When the objects apperaed ‘te second time they were still in the WY" formation althouch there was only seven ¢ the cbjects at this ‘time. Ii remember 2 this time that I told the lad, hho was still wrking on th lam, that pobably three of the objects had poceeded hack to their base on a diff- erent course, I acfually thoucht that thi was the case, that tho other three objects hd@ probably cone back to their base on the other side of the mountains from Bakersfield. A week or so later when I read of lr Ken Arnold claiming that he had seen articles flying through the air over the seate VWountains fi ge that bhis is a broad statement-in view of pfact © much publicity becmdeeme put forth in various Ian ¢ sound min in every respect ani I am &2 articles I saw are actually some sort of flying machines although I cannot say re came or to there thay were going. I say what I mve said with no idea of city or personal gain, SIGNED f Portland, Oregon 30 duly 1917 Pilot Rec S = Di | Dick Rankin Tells _Of Odd Aireratt More reports of “flying flap jacks” turned up Wednesday, one from no less than Dick Rankin, brother of the late Tex Rankin, and himself an expe- rienced pilot of more than 7000 hours flying time. Rankin, who is recovering from an old back injury re- \ceived in an automobile acci- dent, came to Portland over | the week end to spend the sum- mer. He saw the “silver cau- cers’ over Bakersfield, Cal. |lawn sun bathing, he told The Oregonian. “T hesitated to say much about them,” Rankin said, “un- til I noticed all the hullabaloo in the papers. I puzzled over their strange shape for a while and finally concluded that they were the navy’s ne@® XFSU-1 flying fener which are thin and round, with twin propellers and stubby tail.” Only One XF5U-1 Built ' (The navy and the manufac- turer have announced official- ly that only one such machine was built and that it never left Connecticut. ‘These planes were flying high, maybe 9000 feet, and fair ly fast, about 300 or 400 miles an hour, I first counted ten of them in formation, going north. About 2:15 P. M. they returned on the reverse course, headed south. But there were only sev- en in the formation. “They were not weaving or | bobbing in formation I couldn't |make out the number or loca- |tion of their propellers and couldn't distinguish any wings | or tail. They appeared almost | round, They looked like pic- tures of the navy's flying flap- jack,” Rankin said, Rankin, who plans to nel | the summer here at 834 N. E. Simpson street, is now able to resume a little flying for fun, but not commercially, he said. He now operates a string of auto courts, nding his win- ters at Palm Springs. |June 23, while Jying on the | 1" Mirecter FH 826 Bute ‘FLYING mls0s Refer teletype te the Burem dated August 15, 1947. Bnalosed find the Vallis, idehe “Times News" on August 15, together wth « shect robe URIS attempted to sketch his impression ef the instrumen have seen. Concerning URIE*s sketches, it may be noted thet he believed felled outer edge which he attemted to create in hisdrawing to have % through. UIE likewise believed that the tubinh er exhaust flazs his sons clain te have seen was about «a foot through and extended to the beck end of the device. ‘The flame did not appar te taper te widen cut toward the back. ath BILLY and KEITH URIS stated that they could nee a knot on the side of device from which the flames were shooting, and that they could see day- between the exhaust flame and the side @ the device. The flames did not any smoke or odor. EF light leave The URIE boys thought that the “side view" sketch should shew that ce was wore sharply angled from bottom to top, while URIZE himself that {t wae more streamlined and curved. UBI# esid that the instre- 86 a pointed or roumded top. r In hie notations, URIE mistakenly seid thet he had seen it on Thure- During interview, he stated that it actually bed boom oz > 13, 1947, whehe and his sone saw the contrivance about 1100 P.M. i | that he hed sent his boys to the river to get sone hought they were overdue, he went outside his noticed them about 300 fectaway looking in see what he called the flying disc. Me eid he s it disappeared behind a hill wich i DM £: a: Rts aff =f : = 4 s g B | : the contrivance was about seventy-five im the depths of the Snake River Canyon, which - twelve hundred feet across at that place. “STT8g TIAL Uy PayyzOA 9 SPOUT OUR GHOQY WOERUMTOTUT HEA squehy Tetoe .shey 8 Hi, i : ¥ & ee : SPUR pesegs os trextT ‘qu <—_ FALL Nine Irrigated Idaho Cou Regional Newspaper Serving Find TWIN FALLS, IDAHO, FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 1947 Epo Heads Up, Folks! The Dises Are Flying Again SiDE vitw BOTTOM VIEW END VIEW | This is an artist's conception of the flying dise that A. C. Urie saw | sides, and could well be the inspiration for something new in women's sweeping through Snake river canyon six miles west of Blue Lakes hats, such as a “flying saucer” creation. (Drawing by Vic Goertgen-) . ranch. It seemed to be powered by jets emiiting a ficry glow on both Staff engraving) ‘ ee eee * ** & * ee ee Flying Saucer Reported Flashing Down Canyon At 1,000 Miles Per Hour; Two Others Are Seen By JOHN BROSNAN j the fast-flying objects the nation , scription of the flying discs seen by , come concerned about what was de- thy as Magic Valley and the/ has yet produced | him and his son, Keith, 8, and Billy, | laying them, and had walked down wi were starting to let go of The flying saucer Urie saw was | 10 toward the river to see if they were post ifter reeling under a | skimming along through Snake river I obtained a close-up view of | all right welte { flying sauce eports, two canyon at a height of about 75/ the flying saucer as it passed by the “I had a side view at a distance nore Twin Fa county men re-| feet at 1 p.m. Wednesday. At 9:30| trout farm at 1 p. m. Aug. 13 going of about 300 feet almost on @ ’ peculation on the mystery | a. m. the same day, L. W. Hawk-/| down Snake river canyon at a height level with the thing.” Urie con- with vivid descriptions of discs they | ins, Twin Falls county commis-|of about 75 feet from the canvon tinued. “Two of my boys, Keith sav sioner and former county sheriff| floor I would estimate the speed | and Billy, were below me and they From A C. Urie, who operates|from Filer, also saw two circular | at about 1,000 miles per hour.” also saw it at about a 45-degree e Auger Falls Trout farm six | objects soaring aiong at a great} Urie explained that the incident angle. They both got a bottom and niles west of Blue Lakea ranch in| height near Salmon dam 40 miles | occurred while the two bovs were | a side view, and we were all look- Snake river canyon, came perhaps | southwest of Twin Falls ; coming across the river from the! ing at it from the south side of the the most detatied account of one of f Here is Urie’s eye-witness de-| north side in a boat. He had be- (Continued on Page & Column 6) = pT, ‘Saucer’ Seen ages : | Flying Down Snake Gorge (From Page One} river facing toward the north. The HOyS saw it coming about half a | Me up the canyon, and we all lost | “ight of it in less than a mile.” While the impression was still! | vivid in their minds, the three got | | together and made rough sketches | | what they had seen. These, in turn, were the basis for the artist's conception of the strange affair by Vic Goertzen of Twin Palls for the Times-News. “It was all one color—sort of a. light sky blue with a red, tubular | tery glow at the side of the top or hood.” Urie continued. “The canyon floor is rough at | that particular point, and it trode up and down over the hills and hol- lows at a speed indicating some "| eetieata of roo, oat oe reflexes of man, It is my opinion | that it is guided by instruments and | must be powered by atomic energy, as it made very little noise—just a S-W-i-s-h as it passed by.” Urie described the size as about feet long by 10 feet high and 10 feet wide, giving it an oblong shape. It might be described as look- “jing like an inverted pie-plate or broad-brimmed straw hat that had been compressed from two sides. Pressed for his candid opinion of Just what it was. Urie said that he was convinced that there was some- army or navy guided missile experi- ments, or that they could be similar experiments by some foreign coun- try. to “something out of this world” : Whatever. they area lot en have seen “something.” | EE 1 ee feats ood LS eee oe HEADQUARTERS FLYING DIVISION, AIR TRAINING COMMAND Office of the Commanding General 4 Randolph Field, Texas 10 July 1947 333.5 | SUBJECT: Unidentifiable Objects TOs Attn: ACofS, A-2 i. The inelosed MOIC is forwarded for your information. 2. In the event that Lt. EB. B. Armetrong has been in by your Headquarters, request that copy of the MOIC be furnished q Fr a to this Headquarters, POR THE COMMANDING GENERAL: 1 = H. L. CRISIZR Asst. Chief of Staff, A-2 333.5 lst Ind pe HEADQUARTERS TENTH AIR FORCE, OFFICE OF THE ASST CHIEF OF STAFF, A-2, BROOKS FIBLD, SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, 16 July 1947 TO: Commanding General, Flying Division, Air Training Command, Randolph Fld., Texas ATTN: -Apst Chief of Staff, A-2 Inclosed is Memorandum for the Officer in Charge in reference to Lt. E- B. “rmstrong, a8 suggested in paragraph 2, basic communication, 1 Incl ‘\ S.H. MORROW MOIC, dtd 15 July 47 Colenel, GSC 1 Incl withdraun \ Aswt Chief, of Staff, A-2 MOIC, dtd 7 July 47 UNIDENTIFIABLE OBJECTS 1 duly 1947 MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE: 2. Om WU, July 19:7, let Lt Erie 3. Armstrong, 0-2059709, 170th AAP Base Unit, Perry Division, Brooks Pield, San Antonio, Temes was interviewed and the following information was obtained: Lt Armstrong poy cote gpandbonggy esperar oT gif eleedlggy Mp ne SOI. for Portland, Oregon, way Medford, Oregon. her 300 degrees, ani ground speed of » altitude thirty niles northwest of Lake Meade, Nevada, five or six white, circular objects at four o'clock, feet, course approximately 120 degrees, ani speed of 285 MPH. Lt Armetrong seid the objects were flying very smoothly ani in a clese formation. The estimated sise of the white objects were approximtely 36 inches in diameter. Lt srnstrong thatthe ds, sure the white objects were not birds, sinse the rate was Very fast. Lt Armstrong ws certain that the white objects wore. net Jets or conventional types aircraft sime he has flown both types. " Ue Armetrong was very sincere in the explamtion and was ‘ting type merely stated what he saw and has drawn « He olus as to what the white objects were. Lowrenpe R. King, Jr, Special Agent, CIC, ADC UNIDENTIFIABLE OBJECTS AILLIAMS FIELD, CHANDLER, ARIZONA. 7 duly 1947 MIMCRANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE: 1. Om 1 July 1947, Lt William G, McGinty, UsH, 195803, P80 Student, Williams Field, Chandler, Arizona, was interviewed this Agent, and stated in substance: That on 30 June 1947, at about O910, MST, he was flying at 25,000 feet over Grand Canyon, Arizona, in a P=80 type aircraft. He stated that he was heading south towards Willians Field, Arizona, when he saw two round objects going at inconceivable speeds, down, He further stated that his reactions were to turn away from the objects. He further stated that one of the uniden tifiable objects followed the other seconds apart, He further stated that due te the speed of the objects, he could only see that they were circular, and that they were possible light gray in color, fe further stated that it was his opinion that the objects were eight feet in diameter. In conclusion, he stated that the objects would hav: probably hit the ground approximately twenty-five miles south of the South Rim of Grand Canyon, Arizona, AGENT'S NOTES: Lt MeGinty gave his permanent address as: N,AM. TCs, Point Hugu, Port Hueneme, Calif, 2. On 1 July 1947, Captain Maleolm 6, Amstrong, 0~734148, Instructor, Single Imgine, Williams Field, Chandler, Arizona, was interviewed by this Agent and stated in substance: That his brother, ist Lt 5. B. Armstrong, stationed at Hq, 10th AAF, Brooks A\F, Texas had related to him that he san a formation of unexplainable objects in the vicinity of Lake Mead, Nev. Captain Amstrong, further stated that his brother stated the objects were heading south, ani were at approximately 10,000 feet altitude, AGENT'S NOTES: Captain Ammstromg could not give teo such infomation on the objects that his brother had seen. Lt, =. B, Armstrong can be - contacted at Hq, 10th A/F, Brooks Field, Texas for further information. Unidentifiaple Objects. D 333.5 1 (16 Jul 47) ist Ind. HQ AIR DEFENSE COMMAND, Mitcnel Field, New Yorx, 21 July 1947. : Commarsding General, Army Air Forces, Washington 25, D, Cc, ATTN: AC/AS-2. 1. Porwardea for your information and utilization, * FOR THE COMMANDING GENERAL: It Crk. FR. x ~ Asst Chief of Staff-—Intell. PSD tes at na. RO AIR DEPENER CoML, Mitchel Field, How York, ZL Juiy 1947. TO: Comeani ene ee a poiewren are ATTN: AC/AB=2. i. Forwarded for your information and utilisation. POR THE COMMANDING GENERAL: