FBI-62-HQ-83894, FLYING DISC INVESTIGATION, VARIOUS LOCATIONS, 1947

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cover-page

This is a cover page for FBI file 62-HQ-83894, Section 2, containing various administrative stamps and tracking information.

4-596 (REV. 1-20-73)

Department of Justice

FBI - CENTRAL RECORDS CENTER

HQ - HEADQUARTERS

Class / Case # 62-83894
Sub 2
Vol. 53
Serial # 100

8/11/1274197

[HANDWRITTEN: +]

DESTROY

FOIPA # 99308

INVESTIGATION

COPIED FOR FOIPA
MAY 14 1977 BY [HANDWRITTEN: R211]

COPIED FOR FOIPA
MAR 2 1978 BY [HANDWRITTEN: FNO]

DO NOT DESTROY
FOIPA # 1366404

USE CARE IN HANDLING THIS FILE

[HANDWRITTEN: PICKETT STREET]

Transfer-Call 3421

62-HQ-83894
SECTION 2
SERIALS 53-100

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memo

This FBI memorandum from the San Francisco SAC to the Director transmits reports from the Army Air Forces regarding investigations into flying disc sightings in Oregon and Arizona.

STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO: Director, FBI - Attention: Assistant Director D. M. LADD
FROM: SAC, San Francisco
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS
DATE: August 8, 1947
[HANDWRITTEN: 46103]

Reference is made to my letter to the Bureau dated July 28, 1947 entitled as above forwarding a copy of a report furnished to me by Lieutenant Colonel DONALD SPRINGER, A-2, Fourth Air Force, Hamilton Field, California, setting forth the results of inquiries made by his office concerning the reported sightings of flying discs.

As of further interest to the Bureau in this regard, there are transmitted herewith photostatic copies of three letters dated August 4, 1947 and entitled "Investigation of Flying Discs," furnished to me by Major WILLIAM R. GRAHAM, Deputy AC of S, A-2, Army Air Forces, Hamilton Field, California, who is acting in the absence of Lieutenant Colonel SPRINGER, enclosing copies of reports of additional reported sightings of flying discs by persons in Oregon and Arizona, together with the results of their investigations in that regard.

It is noted that these investigations were conducted prior to the time Bureau instructions were issued that our own Bureau would conduct inquiries into the reported sightings of flying discs.

Copies of these reports are being forwarded to the Portland and Phoenix Offices for the completion of their files in connection with this subject.

HMK:emb
Enclosures - 3
cc Portland (with enclosures - 3)
Phoenix (with enclosures - 3)
[HANDWRITTEN: 3 ENC]
[HANDWRITTEN: G. I. R. - 9 RECORDED & INDEXED]
[HANDWRITTEN: 162-83894-53]
[HANDWRITTEN: F B 37 AUG 14 1947]
[HANDWRITTEN: 55 OCT 6 1947 R-344]

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memo

This memo discusses the FBI's investigation into reports of flying discs following the receipt of information from an individual, noting that the Bureau initiated investigations due to widespread public interest.

Reference is made to the heavy letter dated July 1947, forwarding a copy of a report furnished to me by [REDACTED] concerning the alleged sighting of flying discs.

At the time of the receipt of this report, it was noted that the probable content of these letters was [REDACTED] and that the information furnished to me by [REDACTED] was in the nature of hearsay. However, in view of the widespread interest in the reported sightings of flying discs, and in order to insure that the Bureau would conduct investigations prior to the receipt of these reports, the Bureau instructed that one would conduct investigations into the reported sightings of flying discs.

Copies of these reports are being forwarded to the [REDACTED] office for the completion of their files in connection with this subject.

(Enclosures - 2)
(Enclosures - 2)

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memo

An FBI office memorandum detailing an interview with Charles Caselia Jr. regarding his sighting of a round, black object in Hackensack, New Jersey, on August 3, 1947.

STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : DIRECTOR, FBI DATE: August 13, 1947
FROM : SAC, NEWARK
SUBJECT: FLYING DISC REPORTED AT
HACKENSACK, NEW JERSEY
AUGUST 3, 1947 - MISCELLANEOUS

Reference is made to the teletype from the Newark Division to the Bureau dated August 4, 1947 stating that a "Flying Disc" had been reported to have been seen at Hackensack, New Jersey on August 3 last by one CHARLES CASELIA, JR. and WILLIAM TRUEX.

CHARLES CASELIA, JR., 287 Euclid Avenue, Hackensack, upon interview by Special Agent ARTHUR F. WILLIAMS of this Division, stated that on August 3 he had been standing with WILLIAM TRUEX, a soldier stationed at Fort Dix, observing a "ham" radio rig atop a two-story house on Simons Avenue, Hackensack. It was approximately 7:45 p.m., and they were in this vicinity for the purpose of meeting TRUEX's girlfriend, one JOYCE Mc FARLAND.

TRUEX commented to CASELIA that a child had apparently lost its balloon. CASELIA looked and about a block or a half block away noticed a round, black object moving from south to north and east of the stop where he and TRUEX were standing. CASELIA noticed that it was moving too fast to be an ordinary balloon, but he could not discern whether it was globular in form or a disc. He said it was about thirty to forty inches in diameter moving north in a horizontal plane about two hundred yards above the top of the hill at Summit Avenue and Simons Avenue. It proceeded at a steady rate, emitted no rays, and was moving fast enough to require them to turn their heads steadily in order to follow it. TRUEX's girlfriend came out about fifteen seconds after they first sighted it. They pointed it out to her, and she said that it looked like a bird on the horizon so small. It faded out of sight shortly thereafter. CASELIA said that a line drawn along its apparent course of flight would go from the vicinity of Bendix, New Jersey to a point west of Westwood, New Jersey.

CASELIA also said that a man on the porch across the street also noticed it and pointed it out to the women. CASELIA said that this man seemed excited but did nothing about it.

CASELIA said that he was positive it was no optical illusion. He was not facing into the sun and saw the object clearly. He also said that he would have thought nothing of it except for the speed at which it was traveling.

[HANDWRITTEN: 162-83894-53] [HANDWRITTEN: 18] [HANDWRITTEN: 37 AUG 18 1947] [HANDWRITTEN: 63 OCT 1 1947] [HANDWRITTEN: 83] [HANDWRITTEN: EX-50] [HANDWRITTEN: COPIES DESTROYED 270 NOV 18 1964] [HANDWRITTEN: Of Flying Discs] [HANDWRITTEN: [ILLEGIBLE]]

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report

This report details interviews with Joyce McFarland, Mrs. Winfield S. Booth, and Private William A. Truex regarding an unidentified object observed on August 3, 1947, in Hackensack, New Jersey.

Letter to Bureau                                       August 13, 1947

Miss JOYCE Mc FARLAND, 476 Simons Avenue, upon interview by Special Agent WILLIAMS, stated that the event in question occurred at about 7:30 on the evening of Sunday, August 3. She said that she was in the house when CASELIA or TRUEX called to her. She went out immediately, and they pointed out the object in question. She saw it just before it disappeared over the horizon, but she declared that it was in view from that time for approximately one minute. She said it was round and silver-blue in color and appeared to be revolving. She said that she did not recall making any comment that it might have been a bird and herself had no idea of what it could be. In view of the distance from which she noticed it, she said that it could not have been more than six inches in diameter but would have been much larger if she had been near to it. Miss Mc FARLAND said that she had never seen anything like it before.

She said that across the street the BOOTHS, mother and daughter, were the only people sitting on the porch and she, herself, did not notice anyone pointing toward the object in question. The only other person around, to her knowledge, was GLORIA TRUEX, sister of WILLIAM TRUEX, who remained in the house and did not see the object at all.

Mrs. WINFIELD S. BOOTH, 459 Simons Avenue, stated that she was on the porch on the evening in question with her mother but did not notice any unusual object in the sky nor had any man been present there to point out the object in question.

The following information was received from TRUEX through interview by Special Agent T. HOWARD WALDRON:

Private WILLIAM A. TRUEX, RA 12282003, Company G, 2nd Battalion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Division, Fort Dix, New Jersey, advised he was born April 12, 1930 at Jersey City, New Jersey and completed eight and one half years of school. He enlisted in the United States Army on May 29, 1947. His mother is Mrs. GRACE FIELDS of 88 Wales Avenue, River Edge, Bergen County, New Jersey. TRUEX stated that on Sunday, August 3, 1947, at 8:00 p.m., he was standing outside the home of his girlfriend, Miss JOYCE Mc FARLAND, 478 Simons Avenue, Hackensack, New Jersey, accompanied by CHARLES CASELLA of 287 Euclid Avenue, Hackensack, New Jersey, who is his sister's fiance. He said that he and CASELLA were looking at the radio antenna on a home near the 478 Simons Avenue address when they noticed an object

-2-

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letter

This document details a witness account from TRUEX and CASELLA regarding a flying object observed in the air, and notes that the sighting was reported to Sergeant JAMES PERONE of the Hackensack Police Department.

Letter to Bureau                                          August 13, 1947

about two to three feet in diameter moving rapidly about two hundred yards off the ground. TRUEX said he thought at first it was a child's balloon, but when he noticed there was no wind and the object had no strings to it, he decided it was something else. He stated the object was moving in a steady, straight path, going north, and he said there was no exhaust or indication of any motive power for the object. TRUEX said they observed the object for fifteen or twenty seconds. He could not give a description of the object's color or the material it was composed of but said it looked more like a large, flat child's cup than anything else he could think of, as the object was oval on the top and came to a point on the bottom side. TRUEX said that CASELLA stated "Maybe it's a flying saucer". He said he had never seen anything move through the air quite like this object, and he had no idea where it came from.

TRUEX stated that neither he nor CASELLA had anything to drink, and there was sufficient light for them to observe the object very clearly.

The "Flying Disc" was reported by CASELLA to Sergeant JAMES PERONE of the Hackensack Police Department. Sergeant PERONE advised the writer that his Department had taken no further action nor had they received reports of the object in question from any other source. It may be noted that no other Police Department in the vicinity has brought to the attention of this Division any information regarding this matter.

-3-

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memo

An FBI teletype report regarding a report from Dow Chemical Company employees Raymond and Laura Lane about witnessing a 'ball of white' burning in a field, which resulted in the collection of fused sand samples that were analyzed for radioactivity.

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
AUG 5 1947
TELETYPE
FBI DETROIT 8-5-47 5-08 PM EST JOH
DIRECTOR, FBI URGENT
UNSUBS, RAYMOND EDWARD LANE, MRS. LAURA LANE, INFORMATNTS, FLYING DISC, MISC. INFO RECEIVED FROM DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY, MIDLAND, MICHIGAN, THAT ON JULY TEN LAST RAYMOND EDWARD LANE AN EMPLOYEE OF DOW AND SUBSIDIARY SINCE ABOUT NINETEEN TWENTY TWO, BROGUTH SOME MATERIAL TO THEIR PHYSICS LABORATORY STATING THAT ABOUT FIVE FEETEEN PM JULY NINE LAST HE AND WIFE, LAURA LANE, WERE WALKING IN A FIELD OWNED BY DOW AND ABOUT A HUNDRED FEET AWAY HEARD A PUFF NOISE, TURNED AND SAW A BALL OF WHITE ABOUT THE SIZE OF A BUSHEL BAKET BURNING ABOUT A FOOT OFF THE GROUND. THE FIRE DIED OUT IMMEDIATELY AND LANE LATER SCOOPED UP A THREE INCH AREA OF FUSED SAND INTO A CAN AND TOOK THIS TO THE PHYSICS LAB. BOTH COMPLAINANTS INTERVIEWED. RAYMOND TELLING SUBSTANTIALLY SAME STORY BUT WIFE RELUCTANT TO TALK AND VERY INDEFINITE ON WHAT HAPPENED. THERE ARE MAKRED DISCREPANCIES IN THEIR STORY. DOW AUTHORITIES CONSIDERED STORY FANTASTIC BUT HAVE EXAMINED MATERIAL AND STATE CONTENTS TO BE ORDINARY SAND, NOT RADIO ACTIVE, BUT GIVING OFF AMMONIA GAS, A SMALL SILVER NUGGET ALMOT PURE EXCEPT FOR SAND MISED IN IT NOT RADIO ACTIVE, MELTED SAND WHICH GIVES OFF AMMONIA ODOR, AND LITTLE DROPLETS OF SILVER MELTED IN SAND AND SOME OTHER GRAYISH COLOR IN MATERIAL WHICH IS RADIO ACTIVE. LEVEL OF RADIO ACTIVITY EXTREMELY LOW AND EMPLOYEE FORMERLY EMPLOYED BY GOVERN- MET AT LOS ALAMOS PROJECT STATES FUSED SAND HAS SOME CHARACTERISIC
[HANDWRITTEN: Fletener]
[HANDWRITTEN: Flying discs]
[HANDWRITTEN: upon interview by [REDACTED] of [REDACTED]]
[HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-54]
[HANDWRITTEN: 735 FB I]
[HANDWRITTEN: 60 OCT 1-1947 2/3]
[HANDWRITTEN: [REDACTED] 8-8-47]

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memo

This document is a continuation of a report regarding an individual named Raymond Lane, who is being investigated in connection with luminous paint and mentions of flying discs and rockets. It includes biographical details about Lane and notes that Army Air Forces Intelligence at Selfridge Field has been advised.

PAGE TWO

OF LOS ALAMOS SAND BUT NOT BELIEVED TO BE THE SAME. RAYMOND
LAND KNOWN TO HAVE IN HIS POSSESSION SMALL QUANTITY OF LUMINOUS
PAINT, RADIO ACTIVE, TO BE AN AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER, TO HAVE LIMITED
KNOWLEDGE OF CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS FROM EMPLOYMENT AT DOW. LAND
DESCRIBED AS VERY PECULIAR, SURELY, ANTAGONISTIC TO PLANT PROTECTION
OFFICERS, INTERESTED IN PHOTOGRAPHY AND ELECTRICITY. LANE IS WHITE,
BORN MAY SEVEN, NINETEEN NAUGHT TWO, AT FREESOIL, MICHIGAN, FIVE
FEET NINE AND ONE HALF, ONE HUNDRED FORTY FIVE POUNDS, DARK BROWN
HAIR, PARTLY BALD, SERVED US ARMY NINETEEN EIGHTEEN TO NINETEEN
TWENTY THREE, CONVICTED NINETEEN TWENTY FOUR MIDLAND COUNTY,
MICHIGAN, FOR BURGLARY, SERVING SIXTY DAY SENTENCE. NEITHER PARTY
ADMITS STORY IS A PRANK, BUT LANE HAS MENTIONED FLYING DISCS AND ROCKETS.
ON INTERVIEW LANE WAS RELUCTANT TO DISCUSS MATTER AND NEITHER HE NOR
HIS WIFE ARE ABLE TO LOCATE THE EXACT LOCATION WHERE MATERIAL WAS
FOUND. ARMY AIR FORCES INTELLIGENCE AT SELFRIDGE FIELD, MICHIGAN,
HAVE BEEN ADVISED. SUTEL IF BUREAU DESIRES MATERIAL FORWARDED TO FBI
LABORATORY FOR EXAMINATION.

O-CONNOR

CORRECTION LINE ONE WORD FOUR SHOULD RAXXX READ - LANE

END

6-16 PM OK FBI WASH DC WJR [HANDWRITTEN: Called Laboratory]
O [HANDWRITTEN: N. Suze] By [HANDWRITTEN: CW] cc. M. Harbo

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other

This page contains multiple date-stamped receipt markings from the FBI Teletype Unit and Internal Security division, with one redacted section.

RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT
AUG 5 6 18 PM '47
F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE

[REDACTED]

RECEIVED
SEP 30 | 24 PM '47
INTERNAL SECURITY
F.B.I.
DEPT. OF JUSTICE

RECEIVED
AUG 6 4 42 PM '47
INTERNAL SECURITY
F.B.I.
DEPT. OF JUSTICE

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memo

An FBI office memorandum from J. P. Coyne to Mr. Ladd regarding information provided by Raymond and Laura Lane about flying discs, with a recommendation to forward the material to the War Department.

STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

TO : Mr. Ladd [HANDWRITTEN: initials]
FROM : J. P. Coyne [HANDWRITTEN: initials]
SUBJECT: UNKNOWN SUBJECTS;
Raymond Edward Lane,
Mrs. Laura Lane - Informants;
FLYING DISC
MISCELLANEOUS

DATE: August 8, 1947

[HANDWRITTEN: List of names including Mr. Tolson, Mr. E. A. Tamm, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Coffey, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Carson, Mr. Ezan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Hendon, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Tele Room, Mr. Kease, Miss Beahm, Miss Gandy]

There is attached a memorandum setting forth the pertinent information received by the Detroit Office from Raymond Edward Lane and Mrs. Laura Lane relative to "flying discs."

RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that this material be personally delivered by the Liaison Section to the appropriate contact in the War Department.

Attachment
RGF:MAW:EW [HANDWRITTEN: Attachment to S.C. Jacobus 8/11/47 #23] [HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-55] [HANDWRITTEN: 1-7] [HANDWRITTEN: SEP 30 1947 252] [HANDWRITTEN: RECORDED INDEXED AUG 14 1947 135]

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memo

A memorandum recommending that information regarding 'flying discs' provided by informants Raymond Edward Byrd and Lt. Paul Lansing be delivered to the War Department.

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

TO: Mr. Ladd
FROM: [REDACTED]
SUBJECT: UNKNOWN SUBJECTS; 
Raymond Edward Byrd; 
Lt. Paul Lansing - Informants;
FLYING DISC
MISCELLANEOUS

There is attached a memorandum setting forth the 
information received by the Detroit Office from Raymond Edward Byrd and 
Mr. Paul Lansing relative to "flying discs".

RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that this material be personally delivered by 
the Liaison Section to the appropriate section of the War Department.

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memo

A report regarding an investigation into a claim by Raymond Edward Lane, an employee of Dow Chemical Company, who reported seeing a burning ball of white material in a field on July 9, 1947, and subsequently provided fused sand for analysis.

August 8, 1947

FLYING DISCS

Information was received from the Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Michigan, that on July 10, 1947, one Raymond Edward Lane, an employee of Dow Chemical Company since about 1922, brought some material to their Physics laboratory. He stated that about 5:15 p.m., July 9, he and his wife, Laura, were walking in a field when they heard a puff noise about one hundred feet away. They turned and saw a ball of white about the size of a bushel basket burning approximately a foot off of the ground. The fire died out immediately and later Lane scooped up a three inch area of fused sand into a can for examination at their laboratory.

Upon interview by FBI Agents, Raymond told substantially the same story, but Mrs. Lane was reluctant to talk and very indefinite about what happened. There were marked discrepancies in their stories.

Dow authorities considered the story fantastic but have examined the material and state contents are: ordinary sand, not radio active; but giving off ammonia gas; a small silver nugget almost pure except for sand mixed in it, not radio active; melted or fused sand which gives off ammonia odor and little droplets of silver melted in sand and some grayish color material which is radio active. The level of radio activity in this material is extremely low. An employee of Dow, formerly employed by the Government at Los Alamos Project, stated the fused sand has some characteristics of Los Alamos sand but he does not believe it is the same.

Raymond Lane is known to have in his possession a small quantity of luminous paint, radio active, to be an amateur photographer and to have a limited knowledge of chemistry and physics. He is described as very peculiar, surly, antagonistic to plant protection officers and interested in photography and electricity. Lane is white, was born May 7, 1902, at Freesoil, Michigan. He is 5' 9", weighs 145 pounds, has dark brown hair, partly bald, served in the U.S. Army from 1918 to 1923. He was arrested for burglary in Midland County, Michigan, in 1924, for which he served a sixty day sentence.

Neither Raymond Lane nor his wife will admit their story is a prank. However, neither are able to point out the exact location of this incident.

The Army Airforce Intelligence at Selfridge Field, Michigan, has been advised and the material has been turned over to them.

RGF:mae
[HANDWRITTEN: Mar] [HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-55]

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memo

An FBI telemeter memo reporting a flying disc sighting by Mrs. Robert Little in Chicago, as reported by the Chicago Herald American.

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE COMMUNICATIONS SECTION AUG 8 1947 TELEMETER [HANDWRITTEN: 9 32 PM] WASH 9 FROM CGO 8-8-47 800 PM RLS [HANDWRITTEN: Fletcher] DIRECTOR "U R G E N T" FLYING DISC SIGHTED BY MRS. ROBERT LITTLE, SECURITY MATER X. [HANDWRITTEN: Copy] CHICAGO HERALD AMERICAN TODAY REPORTED THAT LITTLE OF SIX THREE TWO SEVEN HARPER AVENUE CHICAGO REPORTED SEEING A DISC THREE THIRTY AM TODAY SAILING ABOVE LAKE MICHIGAN OFF JACKSON PARK BEACH. LITTLE UNAVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW TODAY. FATHER IN LAW JOSEPH REINER, SIX THREE TWO SEVEN HARPER AVENUE, ADVISED LITTLE SIGHTED DISC OVER A MONTH AGO AND SHE IS EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE. NO FURTHER INQUIRY CONTEMPLATED. [HANDWRITTEN: 02 Flying Discs] MC SWAIN RECORDED INDEXED SE 17 9 15 AUG 12 1947 62-83894 56 [HANDWRITTEN: 500 1947 583] [HANDWRITTEN: #45 G. I. R. -9] [HANDWRITTEN: 5-R7] END ACK

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memo

This FBI memorandum details a request from the War Department to investigate Richard F. Shaver of Lily Lake, Illinois, who was identified in an anonymous telegram as having information regarding the origin of flying disks.

STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : D. M. LADD DATE: 7/21/47
FROM : E. G. Fitch [HANDWRITTEN: initials]
SUBJECT: FLYING SAUCERS [HANDWRITTEN: m.y.]

Colonel Carl Golbranson of the Intelligence Division of the War Department advised Special Agent S. W. Reynolds of the Liaison Section that the War Department has received a telegram, dated New York, New York, July 5, as follows:

"FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONCERNING FLYING DISKS SUGGEST IMMEDIATE CONTACT OF MR. RICHARD F. SHAVER LILY LAKE ILLINOIS WHO MAY HAVE IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING THEIR ORIGIN."

Colonel Golbranson furnished Mr. Reynolds with a copy of the memorandum entitled "Report on Flying Saucers," dated July 7, 1947, addressed to Commanding General, 32d AAF Base Unit, Bolling Field, Washington, D. C., from John D. Schindler, Jr., a copy of which is attached to this memorandum. The attached memorandum sets forth information and statistics regarding two reportings of incidents of flying disks. There is also attached hereto a map of the Illinois River area which was furnished to Mr. Reynolds by Colonel Golbranson. Colonel Golbranson stated that according to this map the incidents reported in the attached memorandum are in the general vicinity of Lily Lake, which was given as the address of Mr. Richard F. Shaver in the anonymous telegram received by the War Department.

Colonel Golbranson advised that in view of the fact that the observation of the flying saucers was made on July 7th and the date of the unsigned telegram is July 5th, together with the proximity of Lily Lake to the points where the objects were observed, he desired the Bureau conduct some investigation of Shaver to determine whether or not he has any information pertaining to the origin of the flying saucers.

Mr. Reynolds advised Colonel Golbranson that his request would be made known to you and the results of any investigation would be brought to his attention.

RECOMMENDATION:

It is recommended that the field be directed to make inquiries regarding Shaver and, if deemed advisable, interview him regarding any information that he has relative to flying disks. The results of any investigation should be forwarded to the Liaison Section for delivery to the Intelligence Division of the War Department.

Attachments
SWR:AJB
[HANDWRITTEN: 252 memo Ladd Feb Chicago 8/8/47] [HANDWRITTEN: 162-83894-57] [HANDWRITTEN: 55 SEP 30 1947] [HANDWRITTEN: RECORDED] [HANDWRITTEN: INDEXED] [HANDWRITTEN: 86] [HANDWRITTEN: EX-53] [HANDWRITTEN: AUG 18 1947]

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memo

An FBI memo from August 1947 directing the Chicago Field Division to investigate Richard F. Shaver regarding his potential information on flying discs, following a War Department report.

11
SAC, Chicago August 5, 1947
Director, FBI
FLYING DISCS
[HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-58] RECORDED EX-60
The War Department has furnished this Bureau with the following telegram dated July 5 at New York, New York:
"FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONCERNING FLYING DISKS SUGGEST IMMEDIATE CONTACT OF MR. RICHARD F. SHAVER LILY LAKE ILLINOIS WHO MAY HAVE IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING THEIR ORIGIN."
The War Department has furnished a memorandum entitled "Report on Flying Saucers", dated July 7, 1947, addressed to Commanding General, 32d AAF Base Unit, Bolling Field, Washington, D. C., from John D. Schindler, Jr., two copies of which are attached. The War Department has stated that the incidents referred to in the attached memorandum are in the general vicinity of Lily Lake, which was given as the address of Richard F. Shaver in the above telegram.
It is, therefore, desired that the Chicago Field Division conduct appropriate inquiries regarding Shaver, and in the event such inquiries do not reveal information indicating that he should not be interviewed, he should be interrogated for any information he might have relative to flying discs. It is desired that this matter be handled as soon as possible and the Bureau promptly advised.
Enclosure
RGF:mae
[HANDWRITTEN: [ILLEGIBLE]]
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
MAILED 5
AUG 12 1947 P.M.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
[HANDWRITTEN: R344]
[HANDWRITTEN: OCT 6 1947]

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memo

An FBI memorandum requesting an investigation into Richard F. Shaver regarding his potential knowledge of the origin of flying saucers, following reports of sightings near Lily Lake, Illinois.

STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : FBI DATE: 16 July 47
FROM : WDGS, US BRANCH
SUBJECT: RICHARD F. SHAVER
[HANDWRITTEN: X] [HANDWRITTEN: encl X]
1. Attached hereto:
a. Copy of unsigned telegram received by HQ. AAF 9 July 1947, in which it is indicated that Richard F. Shaver, Lilly Lake, Illinois may have information concerning the origin of the "flying saucers".
b. Copy of a report on flying saucers which were observed by four witnesses while in flight in two airplanes over southern Wisconsin.
c. Map with indications as to proximity of the locations where the flying saucers were reported to have been seen in relation to Lily Lake, Ill. that the time
2. In view of the fact/the observation of the flying saucers was made corresponds closely with the date of the unsigned telegram, and considering the proximity of Lily Lake to the points where the objects were observed, it is requested that Mr Shaver be investigated to determine whether or not he has information pertaining to the origin of Flying Saucers.
[HANDWRITTEN: 3] [HANDWRITTEN: EX-66] [HANDWRITTEN: memo to add 7/21/47 SWR] [HANDWRITTEN: EX-66] RECORDED INDEXED 162-83894 [HANDWRITTEN: 58] F B I 130 36 AUG 18 1947

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memo

A telegram sent from New York on July 5, 1947, to Major Paul Gaynor at AAF Headquarters in Washington D.C., suggesting that Richard F. Shaver of Lily Lake, Illinois, be contacted regarding information about the origin of flying disks.

[HANDWRITTEN: 20 7.74] [HANDWRITTEN: Received AFBIR-CO 9 July 47]

NL PD

NEWYORK NY JUL 5

MAJOR PAUL GAYNOR

AAF HQTS WASHDC

FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONCERNING FLYING DISKS SUGGEST

IMMEDIATE CONTACT OF MR. RICHARD F SHAVER LILY LAKE

ILLINOIS WHO MAY HAVE IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING

THEIR ORIGIN

UNSIGNED

651P.

[HANDWRITTEN: ENCLOSURE 62-83894-58]

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report

A report detailing two separate sightings of flying saucers by pilots in Wisconsin on July 7, 1947, including flight statistics and maneuvers.

7 July 1947

SUBJECT: Report on Flying Saucers.

TO: Commanding General
32d AAF Base Unit
Bolling Field
Washington, D. C.

1. Following are statistics regarding reports by four witnesses while in flight in two airplanes.

2. Weather CAVU. Visibility exceptionally good. Scattered altocumulus 6000 feet.

3. First report:time 1145 hours CST. Alt. of observers 800 feet above the ground. Altitude of saucer 4000 feet MSL. Observed period - First sighted over Koshkonong, Wisconsin. Flight was observed from town of Koshkonong to Elkhorn, Wisconsin. This flight covered twenty-five (25) miles in fifteen (15) seconds, which is a speed of six thousand (6000) miles per hour.

4. Second report: Time 1430 hours CST. Altitude of observers thirty-five hundred feet (3500) MSL. Altitude of saucer twenty-five hundred feet (2500). Observation period. Observers at East Troy, Wisconsin, flight observed from Eagle, Wisconsin to Muskego, Wisconsin. This flight covered twenty-two (22) miles in twenty (20) seconds, which is a speed of three thousand nine hundred sixty (3960) miles per hour.

5. Flight maneuvers: First observation-saucer descended vertically edgewise through altocumulus clouds, stopped at four thousand (4000) feet and assumed horizontal position and proceeded in horizontal flight from a horizontal position for fifteen (15) seconds covering twenty-five (25) miles and again stopped and disappeared. Second observation: Observed in horizontal flight in a horizontal attitude for a period of twenty (20) seconds covering twenty-two (22) miles. By the time the pilot had removed his camera from the glove compartment of his plane, the saucer disappeared and again reappeared approximately ten (10) miles farther along its course after six (6) seconds making its final disappearance.

6. The first two observers were an instructor and a student, having just taken off from Elkhorn Airport. The second two observers, one being Capt. R. J. Southey, Wing Supply Officer and a passenger.
[HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-58]
ENCLOSURE John D. Schindler, Jr.
Maj. Air Corps, AAF-CAP Liaison Officer,

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PAGE 22

diagram

This page is a World Aeronautical Chart of the Illinois River region, featuring handwritten annotations including a case number and a location name.

(308) ILLINOIS RIVER N4000-W8800/400X800 WORLD AERONAUTICAL CHART (308) [HANDWRITTEN: LILY LAKE] [HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-58]

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PAGE 23

other

This page provides an index of world aeronautical charts and outlines the procedures for obtaining civil and military aeronautical charts, including requisitioning protocols and the disposal of obsolete charts.

WORLD AERONAUTICAL CHART INDEX
Scale of Series 1:1,000,000

CIVIL CHART SUPPLY
Authorized agents for the sale of aeronautical charts have been appointed at certain airports throughout the United States for the distribution of aeronautical charts. A list of these agents, with the dates of latest prints of charts, will be printed from time to time in the Weekly Notice to Airmen. This information may also be obtained from the Director, U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey.
Requests for charts may also be made to the Director, U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Washington 25, D. C., or to authorized dealers.
A discount of 33-1/3% from full published prices is allowed on aeronautical and auxiliary charts amounting to $10 gross when made in one shipment to one address. Charts are not returnable.

MILITARY CHART SUPPLY
(Ref: AAF Reg. 65-82, dated 26 Apr., 1944)
1. Aeronautical charts, maps and publications distributed by Aeronautical Chart Service are indexed or listed in the current edition of the AAF "Catalog of Aeronautical Charts and Related Publications." Miscellaneous maps and charts not appearing in the Catalog will be procured and furnished by Aeronautical Chart Service through special order, when sufficiently identified in requisitions as to name or number, scale, projection, and publisher if known.
2. Requisitioning.
a. Outside Continental United States:
(1) AAF activities are to be submit requisitions to the supply facility designated by the Theater Commander for maintenance of distribution of aeronautical charts and maps.
(2) Theater supply facilities are to be submit requisitions for replenishment of stocks of aeronautical charts and maps through channels to Headquarters AAF, Aeronautical Chart Service, Washington, D. C.
b. Within Continental United States: Requisitions from AAF activities within Continental United States are to be submitted to appropriate Regional Store as shown on Aeronautical Chart Supply System geographic diagram in AAF Aeronautical Chart Catalog. Except when emanating from an Air Force, Wing, or Command Headquarters, requisitions are to bear the signature or approval by indorsement of the Base or Station Operations Officer. Quantities of charts and maps requested are to be as such as to assure the maintenance of a 30-day supply at all times but not to exceed a 60-day supply.
3. Obsolete Charts.
a. Aeronautical charts rendered obsolete for-air by a revised edition, when not practicable to correct for conformity with new edition, are to be salvaged if feasible, or else destroyed. Disposition by salvage or destruction is to be made in accordance with provisions of AR 380-5.

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PAGE 24

memo

This teletype memo from FBI Seattle to the Director details the investigation into a B-25 crash at Kelso, Washington, and notes that the victims, Captain Davidson and Lt. Brown, were sent to interview Harold A. Dahl and Fred Crisman regarding their claims of seeing flying discs over Maury Island.

[HANDWRITTEN: 8/7/47]
[HANDWRITTEN: 12:40 PM]
[HANDWRITTEN: J.T. 2]
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
AUG 6 1947
[HANDWRITTEN: H]
TELETYPE
[HANDWRITTEN: Flekfer]
FBI SEATTLE 8-6-47 7-13 PM PST
DIRECTOR FBI URGENT
FLYING DISCS, S. M. - X. RETEL PORTLAND TO DIRECTOR , SAN FRANCISCO, AND SEATTLE AUGUST FIVE LAST. INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS MCCORD FIELD, WN., ADVISE THAT IN THEIR [REDACTED] OPINION AND FROM THEIR INVESTIGATION THERE IS NO QUESTION OF THE CRASH OF THE B- TWENTYFIVE AT KELSO, WN. [REDACTED] APPROXIMATELY TWO FIFTY A. M. , AUGUST ONE LAST HAVING BEEN CAUSED BY ANY SABOTAGE. THEY STATE THEIR INVESTIGATION INDICATES THE LEFT ENGINE BURNED OUT AN EXHAUST STACK WHICH CAUSED THE WING TO BURN AND BREAK OFF. THE LEFT WING AS IT [REDACTED] BROKE OFF TORE OFF THE TAIL AND THE PLANE CRASHED INTO THE GROUND KILLING CAPT. DAVIDSON AND LT. BROWN INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS OF THE FOURTH AIR FORCE WHO WERE RETURNING FROM MCCORD FIELD, WN., TO HAMILTON FIELD, CALIFORNIA. THE CREW CHIEF AND A HITCHHIKER PARACHUTED TO SAFETY FROM THE PLANE. ONLY FOUR MEMBERS WERE ABOARD THE PLANE, DAVIDSON AND BROWN BEING PILOT AND CO- PILOT AND HAD NO CHANCE TO ESCAPE WHEN THE WING BROKE OFF. LT. COL. DONALD L. SPRINGER, A- TWO [REDACTED] OFFICER FOR THE FOURTH AIR FORCE HAMILTON FIELD, CALIFORNIA, ADVISED THAT CAPTAIN DAVIDSSON AND BROWN WERE SENT FROM HAMILTON FIELD TO INTERVIEW HAROLD A. DAHL AND FRED GRISMAN AT TACOMA, WN., REGARDING THEIR REPORT OF SEEING SOME FLYING DISCS OVER MAURY ISLAND, WN., AND THAT THEY OBTAINED SOME OF THE DISC FRAGMENTS. CRISMAN AND DAHL ARE PARTNERS IN A LUMBBER BUSINEESS AT TACOMA, WAHINGTON. [HANDWRITTEN: RECORDED INDEXED 62-83894-59]
[HANDWRITTEN: 26 AUG 18 1947]
[HANDWRITTEN: 55]
[HANDWRITTEN: OCT 2 1947]
212 COPIES DESTROYED
270 NOV 18 1964

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PAGE 25

cover-page

This is a cover page for a document containing teletype communications, featuring various FBI date stamps from August and September 1947.

TELETYPE

AUG 8 1947

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION

[HANDWRITTEN: 65 HS1 834228961 62 HQ 83894 Section 2]

RECEIVED
INTERNAL SECURITY
F.B.I.
SEP 15 9 01 AM '47

RECEIVED
INTERNAL SECURITY
F.B.I.
AUG 22 10 09 AM '47

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PAGE 26

memo

This memo details interviews conducted by Captain Davidson and Lt. Brown regarding reports of flying discs, mentions anonymous threats concerning a B-25 crash, and suggests the Maury Island incident may have been a hoax to sell slag.

PAGE TWO

CAPTAIN DAVIDSON AND LT. BROWN ON THURSDAY, JULY [REDACTED] THIRTYFIRST LAST INTERVIEWED DAHL, CRISMAN, KENNETH ARNOLD, FROM BOISE, IDAHO, WHO WAS ONE OF THE FIRST THAT REPORTED SEEING FLYING DISCS AND EMIL H. SMITH, UNITED AIRLINES POLOT FROM SEATTEL, WN., WHO ALSO REPORTED SEEING FLYING DISCS. THIS INTERVIEW TOOK PLACE AT THE [REDACTED] WINTHROP HOTEL ON THE AFTERNOON OF JULY [REDACTED] THIRTYFIRST LAST. CAPTAIN DAVIDSON AND LT. BROWN WERE RETURNING TO HAMILTON FIELD FOR AIRFORCE DAY AND HAD WITH THEM SOME OF THE DISC FRAGMENTS AS REPORTED BY DAHL AND CRISMAN.

REPORTER PAUL LANTZ OF TACOMA TIMES, AND UNITED PRESS WIREMAN TED MORELLO OF TACOMA, RECEIVED ANONYMOUS PHONE CALLS JULY THIRTYFIRST AND AUGUST FIRST LAST REGARDING THE MEETING AT THE WINTHROP HOTEL OMER THE DISCS FRAGMENTS AND THAT THE B- TWENTYFIVE WHICH CRASHED THE MORNING OF [REDACTED] AUGUST ONE WAS [REDACTED] SABOTAGED OR SHOT DOWN. INFORMATION AS YET NOT VERIFIED INDICATED THE ENTIRE STORY STARTED BY DAHL AND CRISMAN POSSIBLY TO PROMOTE SALE OF SLAG FOUND IN A GRAVEL PIT ON MAURY ISLAND, WN. NO INFORMATION AVAILABLE AS YET AS TO THE IDENTITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL WHO MADE THE ANONYMOUS PHONE CALL TO THE TACOMA TIMES AND THE UNITED PRESS, DAHL AND CRISMAN WILL BE INTERVIEWED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. INVESTIGATION CONTINUING.

WILCOX

END

11-33 PM OK FBI WA GH [HANDWRITTEN: 2]

PAGE 27

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PAGE 28

memo

An FBI teletype from J. Edgar Hoover to the Seattle SAC regarding the interrogation of Emil Smith and the investigation into the alleged flying disc hoax involving Dahl and Chrisman.

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

August 14, 1947
TO: COMMUNICATIONS SECTION.
SAC, Seattle
URGENT
Transmit the following message to:
REURTEL AUGUST TWELVE. IT IS NOTED FROM INTERROGATION OF EMIL SMITH, [HANDWRITTEN: Harold A.] SMITH CLAIMS THAT DURING THE CONFERENCE ON JULY THIRTY ONE THAT DAHL [HANDWRITTEN: Fred] AND CHRISMAN APPARENTLY REPEATED THEIR FALSE STORY ABOUT THE MATERIAL BEING FRAGMENTS OF A FLYING DISC AND ONLY ON SATURDAY NIGHT AUGUST SECOND DID DAHL ADMIT THAT THE STORY WAS A HOAX. IF SUCH IS THE CASE IT WOULD APPEAR EITHER SMITH OR ARNOLD MADE THE ANONYMOUS PHONE CALLS SINCE THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN UNDER THE IMPRESSION AT THAT TIME THAT THE MATERIAL FURNISHED TO CAPTAIN DAVIDSON AND LIEUTENANT BROWN WAS ACTUALLY PARTS OF A FLYING DISC. IT WOULD ALSO APPEAR THAT DAHL AND CHRISMAN DID NOT ADMIT THE HOAX TO THE ARMY INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS BECAUSE IF THEY HAD DONE SO THE OFFICERS PROBABLY WOULD NOT HAVE TAKEN THE ALLEGED FRAGMENTS WITH THEM ON THEIR FATAL FLIGHT. THIS MATTER SHOULD BE CLEARED UP UPON REINTERVIEW WITH DAHL AND CHRISMAN. WHEN THIS POINT CLARIFIED NO FURTHER INVESTIGATION NECESSARY.

HOOVER

RGF:mjp

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PAGE 29

letter

A letter from Mrs. Arthur Douglass Anderson to the FBI inquiring if rockets used by students to send mail between California and Arizona are related to flying saucers.

F.B.I. Washington, D.C. Dear Sirs - I was wondering whether these rockets in which the young students are sending mail or messages from California to Arizona would have any connection with the so called "FLYING SAUCERS". [HANDWRITTEN: Flying Saucer] [HANDWRITTEN: MRS ARTHUR DOUGLASS ANDERSON] [HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-61] Mrs. Arthur Douglass Anderson 16 Medbury Road Springhaven Chester Pa [HANDWRITTEN: July 9/1947.] [HANDWRITTEN: 8/1/47 wrc] [HANDWRITTEN: cc Phila]

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PAGE 30

other

This is a blank page containing only a date stamp from the FBI Internal Security division and some illegible handwritten notes.

[HANDWRITTEN: 7-14]
[HANDWRITTEN: [ILLEGIBLE]]

RECEIVED
JUL 14 | 36 PM '47
INTERNAL SECURITY
F. B. I.
S DEPT. OF JUSTI

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PAGE 31

letter

A letter from FBI Director John Edgar Hoover to Mrs. Arthur Douglass Anderson acknowledging receipt of her letter dated July 9, 1947, and informing her that the information has been forwarded to the War Department.

[HANDWRITTEN: JT 0]

August 1, 1947

Mrs. Arthur Douglass Anderson
16 Medbury Road
Springhaven, Chester, Pennsylvania
[HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-61]
Dear Mrs. Anderson:

This will acknowledge receipt of your letter dated July 9, 1947.

After a careful review of the contents of this letter it was ascertained that the information contained therein would probably be of interest to the War Department, therefore, I have taken the liberty of furnishing this information to that agency.

Your interest in writing as you did is indeed appreciated.

Sincerely yours,

John Edgar Hoover
Director

[HANDWRITTEN: (There is no identifiable information in the Bureau files concerning the writer of this letter.)]
[HANDWRITTEN: This letter referred to "flying saucers."]

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PAGE 32

other

This page contains a date stamp from the FBI Mail Room indicating receipt on August 2, 1947.

RECEIVED-MAIL ROOM
F B I
U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE
AUG 2 4 42 PM '47

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PAGE 33

letter

A handwritten letter to the FBI enclosing a newspaper clipping about 'Flying Discs' and claiming to have decoded a message from it as a joke.

[HANDWRITTEN: July 10]
[HANDWRITTEN: Flying Discs]
Gentlemen:-
Enclosed you have a
clipping which speaks
for itself. I had
nothing better to do
so I tried to decode
it for a joke. If
my decode is
correct it
[HANDWRITTEN: joke - clean]
dead ones
[HANDWRITTEN: ack rec]
[HANDWRITTEN: ec sup]
[HANDWRITTEN: 7-21-47]
[HANDWRITTEN: wve]
RECORDED & INDEXED
62-83894-61X
FBI
JUL 14 1947
ENCL. ATTACHED
ENCL
EX-6

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PAGE 34

letter

A handwritten letter from Mildred Sarbanis expressing concerns about 'flying discs' and a new world order.

[HANDWRITTEN: 2]
Tired of human nonsense
Don't await Atomic war.
Disrupting order solar?
system so sent flying
discs and will set up
world order under [HANDWRITTEN: [ILLEGIBLE]]
late this year.
Please advise
Very sincerely
Mildred [HANDWRITTEN: Sarbanis]
ADDRESS
MRS. A.G. SARBANIS
66 NOTRE DAME AVE. MILDRED SARBANIS
HICKSVILLE L.I. N.Y.
TEL. 1528J HICKSVILLE L.I. (NOT LISTED)

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PAGE 35

other

This page contains two FBI receipt stamps dated July 16, 1947, indicating processing by the Internal Security and Technical Laboratory/Cryptographic sections.

RECEIVED
JUL 16 2 44 PM '47
INTERNAL SECURITY
F. B. I.
DEPT. OF JUSTH

RECEIVED
JUL 16 4 56 PM '47
TECHNICAL LABORATORY
CRYPTOGRAPHIC SECTION

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PAGE 36

form

This is an FBI Laboratory routing slip dated January 17, 1947, listing various personnel and departments, with handwritten notes regarding a letter and file.

L-48a
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
LABORATORY
Date 1/17 1947
Mr. Harbo 7639
Mr. Long 7639
Mr. Parsons 7639
Mr. Baughman 7121
Mr. Conrad 7140
Mr. Downing 7630
Mr. Sizoo 7601
Miss Frawley 7639
Miss Keough 7639
Miss Mills 7635
ADMINISTRATIVE RECORDS 7th Floor
PERSONNEL RECORDS 6635
[HANDWRITTEN: ✓ M [REDACTED]]
Room No. 1732
[HANDWRITTEN: No comments. Decade is substantively as set forth in letter.]
[HANDWRITTEN: File 5/14]
[HANDWRITTEN: Downing]
CRYPTANALYSIS SECTION
ROOM 7630

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PAGE 37

form

This is a routing or administrative slip from the FBI Laboratory, containing a list of names and two date stamps from July 17, 1947.

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
LABORATORY

Date [ILLEGIBLE]

Mr. Harbo
Mr. Love
Mr. Belmont
Mr. Boardman
Mr. Conrad
Mr. Downing
Mr. Elson
Miss G. W. [ILLEGIBLE]
Miss Kootz
Miss Wills
ADMINISTRATIVE RECORDS
PERSONNEL RECORDS

[HANDWRITTEN: 160 [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE]]

RECEIVED
INTERNAL SECURITY
F. B. I.
DEPT. OF JUSTICE
4 58 PM '47

RECEIVED
INTERNAL SECURITY
F. B. I.
DEPT. OF JUSTICE
JUL 17 2 07 PM '47

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PAGE 38

form

An FBI Security Division internal routing form dated July 16, 1947, listing various supervisors and records section personnel, with a handwritten note requesting comments on an attached document.

ND-6

SECURITY DIVISION - FBI
INTERNAL SECURITY SECTION

7/16/47

MR. STRICKLAND [HANDWRITTEN: MR. [ILLEGIBLE]]
MR. DeFORD ROOM 7630
[HANDWRITTEN: NAPPAN]

SUPERVISORS

Mr. Ackerman Mr. Howe
Mr. Baumgardner Mr. Jennings
Mr. Blakesley Mr. Jones
Mr. Bly Mr. McAndrews
Mr. Brown Mr. Meehan
Mr. Casper Mr. Milnes
Mr. Collier Mr. Powers
Mr. Costello Mr. Ranstad
Mr. Donohue Mr. Smith
Mr. Fletcher Mr. Turner
Mr. Harvey Mr. Whitson
Mr. Hayden Mr. Winterrowd
Mr.

MISS RECORDS SECTION
ROOM Send file
Mrs. Dorset, 1736 Bring file up-to-date
Mrs. Walch, 1736 Place on Record
Miss Arnold, 1742 Place on Record and
Miss Niedjelski, 1649 Return
Typists, 1641 Indicate index reference
Correct Please call me
Redate Please see me
Note and return

[HANDWRITTEN: Do you have any comments to make re attached before it is acknowledged?]

[HANDWRITTEN: File 5-2-47] SUPERVISOR [HANDWRITTEN: Strickland]
ROOM 732

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PAGE 39

cover-page

This is a blank envelope cover page with a handwritten case number and the word enclosure.

[HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-61X] [HANDWRITTEN: ENCLOSURE]

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PAGE 40

diagram

A page containing a coded message with its decoded text below each line, written on grid paper.

1 2 3 4 5 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4
DI TER FO NUHMA SOESNENN TWON
3 2 5 4 1 2 1 3 2 4 5 1 2 2 3 4 1
TIRED OF HUMAN NONSENSE WONT

1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 2 3 4 5
LATWA MOTCIA WRA RUSPIDGNIT DREOR
4 3 6 3 2 1 5 4 1 3 6 5 3 1 2 4 10 9 8 7 4 2 1 3 5
AWAIT ATOMIC WAR DISRUPTING ORDER

1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 2 3 4 5
LASOR STEYMS SO STEN YLFNIG SKIDS
3 4 1 2 5 6 4 1 2 3 5 1 2 1 3 4 3 2 1 5 4 6 4 3 1 2 5
SOLAR SYSTEM SO SENT FLYING DISKS

1 2 3 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 1 2 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5 1 2 3 4 5
DAN WLIL EST UP WLORD DREOR NERUD
2 3 1 1 3 2 4 2 1 3 1 2 1 3 4 2 5 4 2 1 3 5 4 1 5 2 3
AND WILL SET UP WORLD ORDER UNDER

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
TIRMANAS TEAL HIST ARYE
4 5 3 1 2 7 6 8 4 3 1 2 4 1 2 3 3 4 1 2
MARTIANS LATE THIS YEAR

[HANDWRITTEN: BAN 7/17/47] [HANDWRITTEN: Filed 5-4-48]

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PAGE 41

other

This is a blank page of grid paper with a handwritten case number at the bottom.

[HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-61X]

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PAGE 42

other

A newspaper clipping titled 'County Irritant' features a letter from a 'Radio Ham' reporting a mysterious shortwave code message received on July 4th.

COUNTY IRRITANT from our Mail Box

Calling for Decoders
Bellmore—About nine at night on July 4th I received the following shortwave message in code, origin unknown. I kept listening, and about an hour later the message was repeated letter for letter. I can't figure out what it means, but here it is:
DITER FO NUHMA SOESNENN TWON LATWA MOTCIA WRA RUSPIDGNIT DREOR LASOR STEYMS SO STEN YLFNIG SKIDS DAN WLIL EST UP WLORD DREOR NERUD TIR-MANAS TEAL HIST ARYE.
—Radio Ham.

(Neither can we, but we hope it's legal.—Ed.)

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PAGE 43

other

A newspaper clipping fragment discussing fashion, costuming, and historical styles, with a handwritten date in the margin.

REER

pattern which other
might do well to copy,
ed here in pictures.
stra's president, Dr,
costuming by making
anikin doll. Her col-
especial interest in the

ely-assorted sources as
y studied and histori-

l but fashionable lady
tanding, giving pains-
As coiffure was shown
shown below, doesn't
earranged to the style

[HANDWRITTEN: 10-1-22]

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PAGE 44

letter

A letter from FBI Director John Edgar Hoover to Mrs. A. C. Sarbanis acknowledging her correspondence and directing the New York Field Office to investigate a coded message regarding 'flying disks' and 'Martians' found in a newspaper clipping.

July 21, 1947

[HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-61X]
Mrs. A. C. Sarbanis
66 Notre Dame Avenue
Hicksville, Long Island, New York

Dear Mrs. Sarbanis:

I wish to acknowledge receipt of your letter and enclosure dated July 10, 1947.

I have instructed the Special Agent in Charge of our New York Office to have a Special Agent call upon you for the purpose of obtaining further information in connection with this matter.

Your interest in calling this information to my attention is indeed appreciated.

Sincerely yours,

John Edgar Hoover
Director

cc - New York (With incoming. There is no identifiable information in the files of the Bureau concerning the writer of this letter. The decoding of the message on the newspaper clipping was referred to the Laboratory, who subsequently advised that the writer's decoding was substantially correct. There is being set forth below the results of the Laboratory's decoding:

"TIRED OF HUMAN NONSENSE WONT AWAIT ATOMIC WAR DISRUPTING ORDER SOLAR SYSTEM SO SENT FLYING DISKS AND WILL SET UP WORLD ORDER UNDER MARTIANS LATE THIS YEAR".

The New York Office should interview the writer of this letter to ascertain from what newspaper the clipping in question was obtained. Thereafter, contact should be made with this newspaper to ascertain the identity of the person who sent in the coded message. This individual must be thoroughly interrogated to obtain all possible information surrounding the alleged receipt of the coded message. The Bureau should be promptly advised of the results of these inquiries.)

[HANDWRITTEN: [ILLEGIBLE]]
[HANDWRITTEN: [ILLEGIBLE]]
[HANDWRITTEN: [ILLEGIBLE]]

PAGE 45

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PAGE 46

memo

An FBI internal memorandum regarding a newspaper report that Soviet agents were investigating 'flying discs', which the FBI Director inquired about and subsequently instructed to be denied.

STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : MR. E. A. TAMM [HANDWRITTEN: initials] DATE: August 15, 1947
FROM : MR. D. M. LADD [HANDWRITTEN: initials]
SUBJECT: [HANDWRITTEN: Flying saucer] [HANDWRITTEN: initials]

The Director advised on August 14, 1947, that the Los Angeles papers were carrying headlines indicating that Soviet espionage agents had been instructed to determine the facts relative to the flying discs. The article carried a Washington date line and indicated that Red espionage agents had been ordered to solve the question of the flying discs, the Russians being of the opinion that this might be some new form of defense prefected by the American Military. The article recalled that during the recent war pieces of tin foil had been dropped in the air for the purpose of off setting the value of radar being used by the enemy forces and that these aluminum discs might be a new development along this line. The Director inquired as to whether the Bureau had any such information.

I informed him that I had never heard of any information indicating that Soviet espionage agents had been instructed to obtain such information.

A check with the officials at G-2, ONI and at the Air Corps Intelligence was made and it was found that they had no information relative to such a story.

In accordance with the Director's instructions, I advised Mr. Nichols that in the event any inquiries were made concerning such a story, that the story should be flatly denied in so far as the FBI was concerned.

DML:FA

[HANDWRITTEN: 8/15/47] [HANDWRITTEN: initials]

RECORDED 162-83894-62
F B I
32 AUG 19 1947
[HANDWRITTEN: R-344]
63OCT 2 1947 [HANDWRITTEN: initials]
[HANDWRITTEN: FIVA7]

PAGE 47

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PAGE 48

memo

An FBI memorandum from E. G. Fitch to D. M. Ladd regarding a press report that Soviet agents were investigating 'flying discs' under the assumption they were U.S. secret weapons; military and intelligence agencies denied knowledge of the discs.

STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

TO : D. M. Ladd
FROM : E. G. Fitch [HANDWRITTEN: signature]
SUBJECT: 

DATE: August 18, 1947

[HANDWRITTEN: II]

Reference is made to your telephonic conversation with the Director on Wednesday of last week, at which time the Director advised that Los Angeles papers carried under a Washington date line an article indicating the Soviet espionage agents in the United States are under instruction to solve the flying discs. Such instructions were believed to be based on the assumption that the flying discs were a secret weapon of the Army or Navy. The article attributed the source of its information to a Federal investigative agency.

Pursuant to your instructions, liaison representatives have contacted the Headquarters of Military Intelligence, the Headquarters of the Air Forces Intelligence, Office of Naval Intelligence and CIG. All agencies denied any knowledge of the flying discs, as well as any knowledge of the basis for this article.

EGF:OME

[HANDWRITTEN: R-344]
[HANDWRITTEN: 630CT 2 1947 263]

RECORDED [HANDWRITTEN: 162-83894-63] F B I 36 AUG 20 1947 EX-29

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PAGE 49

other

This page is a blank document containing only various FBI date-received stamps and a handwritten note identifying 'MR. JONES'.

[HANDWRITTEN: MR. JONES]

RECEIVED
LIAISON SECTION
AUG 25 12 PM '47

RECEIVED-NICHOLS
F B I
U S DEPT OF JUSTICE
AUG 18 5 22 PM '47

RECEIVED
F B I
U S DEPT OF JUSTICE
SEP 19 9 21 AM '47

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PAGE 50

memo

An FBI office memorandum from Mr. J. P. Coyne to Mr. D. M. Ladd regarding the attachment of a blind memorandum about an air crash involving two AAF officers investigating flying disc complaints.

STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Mr. D. M. Ladd [HANDWRITTEN: initials]
FROM : Mr. J. P. Coyne [HANDWRITTEN: initials]
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS
DATE: August 14, 1947
[HANDWRITTEN: list of names: Tolson, E. A. Tamm, Clegg, Coffey, Glavin, Ladd, Nichols, Rosen, Tracy, Carson, Egan, Gurnea, Hendon, Pennington, Quinn Tamm, Tele. Room, Nease, Beahm, Gandy]

There are attached two copies of a blind memorandum setting forth the facts relative to the reported air crash of two AAF officers investigating flying disc complaints.

RECOMMENDATION

It is recommended that a copy of this memorandum be furnished by the Liaison Section to the Air Force Intelligence.

Attachment

RGF:mjp [HANDWRITTEN: Attachment to S.G. Jacobs 8/15/47]

RECORDED 162-83894-64
F B I
15 AUG 19 1947
[HANDWRITTEN: 630CT 2 1947 R-344 263]

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PAGE 51

other

This page contains various date stamps and handwritten notes, likely indicating administrative processing or routing within the FBI.

[HANDWRITTEN: In Cone] [HANDWRITTEN: 8-20] [HANDWRITTEN: pull link to E] AUG 25 1947 RECEIVED AUG 2 8 1947 RECEIVED-TAMM FBI U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE LIAISON SECTION AUG 14 4 20 PM '47 AUG 15 8 38 AM '47 RECEIVED LIAISON SECTION FBI U S DEPT. OF JUSTICE G 28 4 20 PM '47 F B DEPT OF JUSTICE

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PAGE 52

memo

This memorandum details an investigation into a UFO sighting reported by Ray Virgil Hatfield and Noble Ellison near Myrtle Creek, Oregon, on August 6, 1947.

STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : BUREAU DATE: 8-23-47
FROM : SAC, PORTLAND
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS
SECURITY MATTER - X

The following investigation was conducted at Canyonville and
Myrtle Creek, Oregon on August 12, 1947.

RAY VIRGIL HATFIELD, Route 1, Box 195, Roseburg, Oregon, operator
of the Tri City Airport, Myrtle Creek, Oregon, advised that on 8-6-47 at
approximately 6:15 PM while instructing a student in a take off at the airport,
he noticed an object east of Myrtle Creek which appeared to be from 5,000 to
8,000 feet in the air. The sky was completely clear and visibility was
excellent. He stated that the object glistened and appeared to be of aluminium
sheeting. Upon noticing it he had immediately taken over the controls of the
plane which at that time was at 400 feet, and proceeded East in an attempt to
further observe the object. He advised that the object appeared to be
climbing and traveling East at a high rate of speed which he estimated on a
computer in his plane as 1,000 miles per hour. He believed the object to be
spherical in shape and recalled noticing a darker object to the right the first
time he saw it. He observed no vapor trails nor did he hear any noise from the
object. After searching the area for approximately 10 minutes HATFIELD and
his student NOBLE ELLISON returned to the airport and made another landing and
take off. In practically the same position at 400 feet altitude, both ELLISON
and HATFIELD saw the object in approximately the same position as seen before.
He estimated the sphere to be 30 feet in diameter and stated when they first
observed it it appeared to be so near he could fly right to it. However, the
object sighted the second time disappeared in the same manner as the first had.

It is noted that HATFIELD served as a Lieutenant JG in the U. S. Naval
Air Corps for about 3 1/2 years, flying constantly on the Atlantic submarine patrol.
He is a reputable citizen in Douglas County and is reported to be a qualified
pilot.

Mr. NOBLE ELLISON, Myrtle Creek, Oregon, verified the above information
as furnished by HATFIELD, stating that the first object sighted had been
called to his attention when HATFIELD took over the controls of the plane at
about 400 feet following his take off, but that they had both sighted the
object on the second take off at the same time. ELLISON described the object
as a "silver ball or balloon" which he believed to be 8 miles east of Myrtle
Creek, traveling East, and climbing very fast until it disappeared in approximately
45 seconds. ELLISON estimated the sphere as being 50 feet in diameter and
stated in his opinion the second object appeared to climb straight up.

[HANDWRITTEN: 63SEP 30 1947]
[HANDWRITTEN: 252]
[HANDWRITTEN: COPIES DESTROYED 270 NOV 18 1964]
RECORDED 62-83894-65
INDEXED 135 86 AUG 29 1947

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PAGE 53

memo

This memo details a report from a flight instructor and student in Portland, Oregon, regarding sightings of unidentified spherical objects near the airport on August 14, 1947.

Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

TO: DIRECTOR, FBI
FROM: SAC, PORTLAND
SUBJECT: UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
DATE: 8-25-47

The following investigation was conducted at Fly Creek, Oregon.

1. On August 15, 1947, [REDACTED], [REDACTED], Oregon, reported that on 8-14-47 at the Portland Airport, while instructing a student in the take off of a plane, he noticed an object east of the airport at approximately 8,000 feet in the air. The sky was completely clear and visibility was excellent. He stated that the object appeared to be of aluminum and upon noticing it he had immediately taken over the controls of the plane which was at 4,000 feet and proceeded to attempt to get closer to the object. He advised that the object appeared to be climbing and traveling at a rate which he estimated at 600 mph. He believed the object to be spherical in shape and rotating, a darker color than the sky. It was not observed to have any trails or vapor from the time it was first noted until it disappeared from view. After circling the airport and another landing, his student, [REDACTED], saw the object at approximately 4,000 feet both of them saw it. He estimated the speed to be 60 to 80 feet per diameter when they first saw it. However, he could not be sure as it appeared to be at a great distance. The object disappeared in the same manner as the first had.

It is noted that [REDACTED] serves as a Lieutenant in the [REDACTED] Corps for about 3 years, flying constantly on the [REDACTED] coast and is qualified in reporting and flying.

[REDACTED] verified the above information.

[REDACTED] stated that the first object had been seen by him while he was taking control of the plane. He stated that he saw the object about 8,000 feet and that they had both studied the object as it traveled east of the airport. He stated that he believed it to be a "silver ball" which appeared to be traveling at a very high rate of speed and disappeared in the clouds.

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PAGE 54

memo

This document page concludes an investigation into a sighting near Myrtle Creek, Oregon, noting that no further evidence or witnesses were found regarding the objects reported by Hatfield and Ellison.

He advised that he did not observe any evidence of motion such as vapot or trails, etc. and could hear no noise over the noise of his own ship.

Investigation in the vicinity of Myrtle Creek, Oregon, has failed to reveal any other person sighting the objects reported by HATFIELD and ELLISON. No further investigation is being conducted.

PJM:MB
62-1531

-2-

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PAGE 55

form

An FBI routing slip from 1947 with a handwritten note to check with the Army Air Forces.

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

1947

____The Director ____Records Section
____Mr. Tolson ____Stamp and mail
____Mr. Ladd ____Prepare tickler
____Mr. Rosen ____Call file
____Mr. Clegg
____Mr. Glavin
____Mr. Nichols ____See Me
____Mr. Tracy ____Call me re this
____Mr. Harbo ____Note and return

____Mr. Carroll [HANDWRITTEN: R. Fletcher]
____Mr. Coyne ____Mr. [HANDWRITTEN: R. Fletcher]
____Mr. Fletcher ____Room__________
____Mr. Laughlin
____Mr. McCabe ____Miss Gandy
____Mr. Mohr ____Miss Gray
____Mr. Nease ____Miss Lyon
____Mr. Pennington ____Miss Artley
____Mr. Quinn Tamm
____Mr. Tyler

[HANDWRITTEN: check with Army Air Forces]

Edward A. Tamm
5734

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PAGE 56

cover-page

This is a cover page showing an FBI Internal Security receipt stamp dated August 21, 1947.

RECEIVED
AUG 21 11 01 AM '47
INTERNAL SECURITY
F. B. I.
DEPT. OF JUSTICE

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PAGE 57

memo

An FBI teletype from Butte, Montana, reporting a series of sightings of multiple unidentified flying objects in triangular formations over Twin Falls, Idaho, on the night of August 19, 1947.

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION

AUG 20 1947
TELETYPE

FBI BUTTE 8-20-47 3-22 PM LB
DIRECTOR URGENT

FLYING DISCS. BETWEEN NINE THIRTY AND NINE FORTY FIVE PM LAST NIGHT, AUGUST NINETEENTH, MR. AND MRS. H. H. HEDSTROM, THIRD AVENUE NORTH, TWIN FALLS, IDAHO, WHILE SITTING ON THE FRONT PORCH WITH MRS. HENRY SCHULTZ, OBSERVED AN OBJECT RESEMBLING A FLYING SAUCER TRAVELING VERY RAPIDLY FROM THE SOUTHWEST TO THE NORTHEAST SECTION OF THIS CITY. ABOUT TEN MINUTES LATER, ALL OF THESE INDIVIDUALS SAW TEN SIMILAR OBJECTS PROCEEDING RAPIDLY IN THE SAME DIRECTION IN THE FORM OF A TRIANGLE. AS THIS GROUP OF OBJECTS WAS ABOUT TO DISAPPEAR IN THE OVERCAST SKY, THREE OF THE OBJECTS ON THE LEFT FLANK PEELED OFF AND PROCEEDED IN A NORTHERLY DIRECTION. THE REMAINING OBJECTS IN THE TRIANGULAR FORMATION APPEARED TO CLOSE RANKS AND CONTINUE IN A NORTHEASTERLY DIRECTION.

THREE TO FIVE MINUTES LATER THESE INDIVIDUALS SAW ANOTHER GROUP OF THREE OBJECTS PROCEEDING IN THE SAME DIRECTION AGAIN IN THE SHAPE OF A TRIANGLE. THREE TO FIVE MINUTES LATER INFORMANTS OBSERVED ANOTHER GROUP CONSISTING OF FROM FIVE TO SIX OBJECTS, AGAIN IN TRIANGULR FORMATION, PROCEEDING RAPIDLY IN A NORTHEASTERLY DIRECTION. A FEW MINUTES LATER A LARGE GROUP OF OBJECTS ESTIMATED AT BETWEEN THIRTY FIVE AND FIFTY FLEW OVER THE CITY IN A NORTHEASTERLY DIRECTION, AGAIN IN [HANDWRITTEN: 55 OCT 1 1947] [HANDWRITTEN: cc: Mr. Ladd] [HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-66] [HANDWRITTEN: EX-30] [HANDWRITTEN: RECORDED] [HANDWRITTEN: INDEXED]

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PAGE 58

cover-page

This is a blank cover page containing only FBI and Department of Justice date stamps.

RECEIVED-TAMM
FBI
U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
AUG 21 8 52 AM '47

RECEIVED
AUG 21 11 01 AM '47
INTERNAL SECURITY
F. B. I.

INTERNAL SECURITY
F. B. I.
DEPT. OF JUSTICE

INTERNAL SECURITY
F. B. I.
DEPT. OF JUSTICE

P 29 3 16 PM

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PAGE 59

report

This report describes a sighting of multiple unidentified flying objects in triangular formation over Twin Falls, Idaho, observed by several citizens and police officers.

PAGE TWO

TRIANGULAR FORMATION. BETWEEN TWENTY AND TWENTY FIVE MINUTES AFTER THE LAST GROUP WAS OBSERVED, SIMILAR OBJECTS WERE NOTED COMING BACK OVER THE CITY VERY RAPIOLY AND PROCEEDING IN A SOUTHWESTERLY DIRECTION. AT THIS TIME INFORMANTS STATED THE OBJECTS APPEARED IN GROUPS OF THREE, FIVE AND SEVEN. AT THIS POINT MRS. HEDSTROM CALLED DETECTIVE RICHARD FRAZIER OF THE TWIN FALLS PD, A NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR, WHO ACCOMPANIED BY M. E. ROUNDTREE AND RICHARD SCOTT, ALSO MEMBERS OF THE TWIN FALLS PD, PROCEEDED TO THE HEDSTROM HOME WHERE THEY OBSERVED A GROUP OF TWELVE OBJECTS FLYING IN FORMATION OVER THE CITY IN A SOUTHWESTERLY DIRECTION. INFORMANTS, ALL REPUTABLE CITIZENS THIS COMMUNITY, UNABLE TO ESTIMATE HEIGHT OF OBJECTS OR SPEED, BUT CLAIMED THEY RESEMBLED ILLUMINATED FLYING SAUCERS. THESE INDIVIDUALS WERE OF THE OPINION THAT THE OBJECTS OBSERVED WERE NOT THE LANDING LIGHTS OF AIRPLANES NOR SHOTING STARS. NONE OF THESE OBJECTS WERE SEEN TO COME TO EARTH NEAR TWIN FALLS AND NONE APPEARED TO BE FLYING IN AN ARC. NONE OF THESE OBSERVERS HEARD ANY SOUND AS THE [REDACTED] ABOVE OBJECTS PASSED OVER THE CITY. INVESTIGATION CONTINUING IN LINE WITH BUREAU INSTRUCTIONS CONTAINED BUREAU BULLETIN NO. FORTY TWO, PARAGRAPH B, DATED JULY THIRTY LAST. IN EVENT BUREAU IN POSSESSION OF ANY INFORMATION CONCERNING EXPERIMENTAL ACTIVITIES ON

PAGE 60

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PAGE 61

memo

A memo fragment requesting advice from the Army Air Forces regarding unexplained phenomena, noting the potential for public panic in Twin Falls, Idaho.

PAGE THREE

PART OF ARMY AIR FORCES WHICH MAY EXPLAIN THESE PHENOMENA, ADVICE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. IT IS BELIEVED CONTINUED APPEARANCE OF SUCH OBJECTS WITHOUT OFFICIAL EXPLANATION MAY RESULT IN HYSTERIA OR PANIC

TWIN FALLS, IDAHO.

BANISTER

ACK AND HOLD PLS

5-31 PM OK FBI WASH DC WJR

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PAGE 62

cover-page

This is a cover page containing multiple FBI and Department of Justice date-received stamps from August and September 1947.

RECEIVED DIRECTOR F B I U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE AUG 20 6 11 PM '47 RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT AUG 20 5 34 PM '47 RECEIVED AUG 21 11 02 AM INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE SEP 29 3 16 PM '47

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PAGE 63

memo

An urgent memo from J. Edgar Hoover to the SAC in Butte, Montana, stating that the Army Air Forces confirmed no research or experiments were conducted near Twin Falls, Idaho, around August 19, 1947.

[HANDWRITTEN: AVM]

AUGUST 25, 1947 - URGENT
SAC BUTTE

FLYING DISCS. EXTENSIVE INQUIRIES AT ARMY AIR FORCES REVEAL THAT NO RESEARCH
OR EXPERIMENTS WERE BEING CONDUCTED BY AAF IN THE VICINITY OF TWIN FALLS, IDAHO
ON OR ABOUT AUGUST NINETEEN. IN THE EVENT YOUR SOURCES IN THE ARMY, NAVY OR
AIR FORCES INDICATE OTHERWISE ADVISE BUREAU PROMPTLY.

RECORDED [HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-67]

HOOVER

RGF:EW EX-30

[HANDWRITTEN: AUG 25 5 RECEIVED READIN.]

[HANDWRITTEN: EAE]

[HANDWRITTEN: 208]

[HANDWRITTEN: ew]

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION

AUG 25 1947

TELE 283

55 OCT 1 1947 COPIES DESTROYED
270 NOV 18 1964

[HANDWRITTEN: 598]

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PAGE 64

memo

An FBI memorandum regarding a teletype from the Butte Field Division about flying discs, noting that the Army Air Forces had no information on the matter in Twin Falls, Idaho.

STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : D. M. Ladd [HANDWRITTEN: D.M.L.] DATE: August 22, 1947
FROM : E. G. [HANDWRITTEN: Fitch]
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS

Reference is made the teletype from the Butte Field Division dated August 20, 1947, in the above captioned matter.

In accordance with your request, this matter was checked with Army Air Forces. Lieutenant Colonel George D. Garrett, Jr., advised Special Agent F. P. Griffee that extensive inquiries with the Army Air Forces revealed that no research or experiments were being conducted by the AAF in the vicinity of Twin Falls, Idaho on or about August 19, 1947. Colonel Garrett stated that he had no information which would throw any light on the matter reported in the teletype.

ACTION

It is suggested this memorandum be routed to the Internal Security Section to the attention of Supervisor Fletcher.

[HANDWRITTEN: EPG:OME]

[HANDWRITTEN: Wire Butte 8-25-47 RGF]

RECORDED 62-83894-67
37 AUG 27 1947
EX-30
[HANDWRITTEN: R.G. Fitch]

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PAGE 65

cover-page

This is a blank cover page containing FBI date stamps from August 1947.

RECEIVED
AUG 25 9 34 AM '47
INTERNAL SECURITY
F.B.I.
DEPT. OF JUSTICE

AUG 22 5 55 PM '47
RECEIVED-LADD
F B I
DEPT. OF JUSTICE

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PAGE 66

memo

An FBI teletype from J. Edgar Hoover to the San Francisco and Phoenix offices regarding the investigation of William Rhodes and the involvement of Air Force personnel.

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

AUGUST 30, 1947
URGENT

TO: COMMUNICATIONS SECTION.
SACS SAN FRANCISCO AND PHOENIX
Transmit the following message to:

REPORT OF FLYING DISCS. RE SANF MEMO AUGUST TWENTY EIGHT LAST CONCERNING
INTERVIEW WITH WILLIAN [HANDWRITTEN: A] RHODES, PHOENIX, ARIZONA. SANF ADVISE A-TWO AIR
FORCE NOT NECESSARY FOR FUGATE TO PROCEED TO PHOENIX, THAT BUREAU WILL HANDLE
INTERVIEW IF DESIRED, BUT JOINT INVESTIGATION NOT DEEMED NECESSARY. IF FUGATE
PROCEEDS PHOENIX IN SPITE OF ABOVE, ADVISE HIM YOU ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO CON-
DUCT JOINT INVESTIGATION AND NOT POSSIBLE FOR FUGATE TO SIT IN ON INTERVIEW
WITH [HANDWRITTEN: A] RHODES.

HOOVER

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PAGE 67

memo

This is a routing or transmission cover sheet for an FBI communication, featuring multiple date stamps from September and October 1947.

CC - 120

UNITED STATES BUREAU OF
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION

TO: COMMUNICATIONS SECTION.
Transmit the following message to:

[HANDWRITTEN: P8]

[STAMP: RECEIVED
VESTIGATIVE DIVISION
SEP 29 3 28 PM '47
FBI
U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE]

[STAMP: RECEIVED-POSEN
SEP 29 2 55 PM '47
FBI
DEPT OF JUSTICE]

[STAMP: RELEASED
OCT 18 1947
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE]

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PAGE 68

memo

This FBI memorandum details an interview with Mr. John Bartl regarding his sighting of a bright, unidentified light over the ocean near Agate Beach, Oregon, on August 7, 1947.

STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO: Director DATE: September 5, 1947
FROM: SAC, Portland
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS
SECURITY MATTER - X

Reference is made to my teletype dated August 15, 1947 advising that a Mr. JOHN BARTL of Agate Beach, Oregon had reported on August 7, 1947 that he sighted what he believed to be a disc. Mr. JOHN BARTL, instead of BARTLETT, now residing in Newport, Oregon was interviewed by Special Agent ROBERT J. PETTYJOHN. Mr. BARTL stated that on August 7, 1947 he was residing at Agate Beach, Oregon and that his house was very near the ocean beach; that at about 12:30 A. M. he was awakened by his son coming in and that while awake he noticed a bright glow of light across the sky out over the ocean. He stated that he immediately thought of flying discs and thought this might be one of the discs.

Mr. BARTL went on to say that he had no idea as to the shape or size of this object but that it appeared to be about five miles out over the ocean and that he was able to see it for about 15 to 30 seconds. He further stated that due to the darkness he could tell nothing about the speed of this object but thought it was traveling a great deal faster than any airplane he had ever seen. He informed that this glow of light was somewhat similar to "The Northern Light" which sometimes appears in the sky but of course not nearly as large and that it appeared to be going up and down, that it was fluctuating in altitude as it traveled along. He stated it disappeared in the west, either falling into the ocean or disappearing over the horizon. He could give no other information concerning this object of light reported by him as possibly being a flying disc. Mr. BARTL has an Agate and Myrtlewood shop in Newport.

RJP/es
[HANDWRITTEN: 9/12/47]
[HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-69]
[HANDWRITTEN: 55 SEP 30 1947]

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PAGE 69

memo

This memorandum details an interview with a witness in Roswell, New Mexico, who reported observing a flying disc on August 14, 1947.

Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

TO: Director, FBI
FROM: SAC, [REDACTED]
SUBJECT: [REDACTED]

Reference is made to my teletype dated August 15, 1947, advising that [REDACTED], had reported on August 14, 1947, that he had observed a flying disc. [REDACTED], was interviewed by Special Agent [REDACTED], now residing in Roswell, New Mexico. [REDACTED], stated that on August 14, 1947, he was at his ranch near the Roswell Army Air Field and he was [REDACTED]. At about 12:50 P.M. he noticed a bright glow of light in the sky and as he watched it, it appeared to be coming in his direction. He stated he saw the object go out over the open range and he immediately headed for the flying disc.

[REDACTED], went on to say that he had no idea as to the shape of the object but that it appeared to be about five miles out over the ocean and he was able to see it for about 30 seconds. He stated that due to the darkness, he could not see anything about the object that would identify it. He was traveling a great deal faster than any aircraft he had ever seen. The light was somewhat similar to the "Northern Lights" which he had seen in Alaska and that it appeared to be very large and not [REDACTED]. Sometimes it appeared to be going up and down, and at other times it appeared to be going west, then it disappeared in the ocean. He could give no other information concerning this object and he reported that he was positive of it being a flying disc. [REDACTED], resides in Roswell.

[HANDWRITTEN: 65 HS1 834228961 62 HQ 83894 Section 2]

[STAMP: RECEIVED F.B.I. INTERNAL SECURITY SEP 19 18 PM]
[STAMP: RECEIVED LIAISON SECTION F B I SEP 15 10 50 AM '47]

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PAGE 70

letter

A letter from FBI Director John Edgar Hoover to Mrs. W. T. Williams informing her that no reward is offered by the U.S. government for the location of flying saucers.

RECORDED
[HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-78]
INDEXED
[HANDWRITTEN: 129]
September 2, 1947

Mrs. W. T. Williams
417 East Stevenson Street
Florence, Alabama

Dear Mrs. Williams:

Your letter of August 18, 1947, has been received, and I am most appreciative of the thoughtfulness which prompted you to communicate with me. For your information, no reward has been offered by any U. S. Government Agency for the location of "flying saucers." I regret that I am unable to be of assistance in this instance.

Sincerely yours,

John Edgar Hoover
Director

FEC:blf
[HANDWRITTEN: blf]
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
MAILED 9
SEP 2-1947 P.M.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
[HANDWRITTEN: SEP 17 1947]

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PAGE 71

other

This page is a blank document containing only an FBI mail room receipt stamp dated September 2, 1947.

RECEIVED-MAIL ROOM
FBI
U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE
SEP 2 4 59 PM '47

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PAGE 72

letter

A handwritten letter to J. Edgar Hoover from a citizen reporting that a 'Flying Saucer' crashed in their front yard approximately five weeks prior to August 18, 1947.

[HANDWRITTEN: 8/18/47.]
Mr. J. Edgar [REDACTED] Hoover:
F.B.I. Washington. D. C.
Dear Mr. Hoover:
I hardly know how to go about trying to tell you what I want you to know. But just in my own simple way I'll do the best I can. I know you are a very busy man altho I hope you will take time to read my letter and I'll try to make a long story short.
Mr. Hoover Almost five weeks ago, what we all call a "Flying Saucer" fell in my front yard a distance of five or six feet from where I was standing. I saw it coming straight down out of the skies. It came down at a terrific speed and exploded. I turned the pieces over to Chief [REDACTED] Hanley of [HANDWRITTEN: 9-7-47]

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PAGE 73

letter

A handwritten letter from Mrs. W. T. Williams to Mr. Hoover regarding an object that fell in her yard, which she turned over to the police, and inquiring about a potential reward.

Mr. Hoover I don't know
What the police did with
whatever we might call it
that fell in my yard
you probably know all
about it. But I did what
I thought was right. I
called the police at once and
turned it over to them.
Then in three or four days
later a neighbor and I found
more of it in some tall grass
nearby and I also carried it
to the police station.
If there is a reward Mr.
Hoover I know you are
the one to see that I
get it. Will you help
me please.
very truly yours,
Mrs. W. T. Williams
417-E. Stevenson,
Florence. Ala.

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PAGE 74

transcript

A handwritten account from an individual claiming to have gained custody of a 'Flying Saucer' and noting that they have not heard back from the FBI after turning it over.

the Florence Police Mich
he said he turned over
to the F.B.I. in Washington
I haven't heard any more
from the "Flying Saucer".
I do know I have heard
over the air many times
that a reward was being
offered for any one finding
a Flying Saucer. I also
read it in the B.ham News.
We have all heard of
the Flying Saucer and great
numbers have seen them
But the Police have told
me so far I am the only
one that has ever gained
custody of one. And I know
if it had of struck a person
in the head it probably
would have killed or
injured them seriously

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PAGE 75

memo

An FBI memorandum from the Springfield office reporting that a reported flying disc found by June Anderson was determined to be a prank constructed from household items by local juveniles.

STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO: Director, FBI DATE: August 20, 1947
FROM: SAC, Springfield
SUBJECT: FLYING DISC

Reference is made to Bureau Bulletin No. 42, Series 1947, dated July 30, 1947 re the above.

For the Bureau's information a Mrs. JUNE ANDERSON of Saybrook, Illinois reported to this office the finding of a flying disc in her front yard at 6:00 A.M. on July 26, 1947.

It appears from investigation conducted by an Agent of this office that the stability of JUNE ANDERSON is questionable. However the alleged flying disc was obtained and it is apparently the concoction of some of the juveniles in the area. It is an old wooden platter, which has assembled on it a silver plate, a spark plug, a timer, and some old brass tubing. Photographs were taken of the same and there are six views enclosed herewith.

No doubt this was someone's idea of a prank.

The disc is presently being retained by the Springfield Office and will be retained pending receipt of Bureau advice relative to its destruction. The thought in retaining it was that perhaps the Bureau might desire to have it transmitted to Washington for any novel value it might have.

JBP:hg
62-0-1445
Enc. (6)

[HANDWRITTEN: 9-5-47]
[HANDWRITTEN: ENCL. ATTACHED]
[HANDWRITTEN: EX 56]
[HANDWRITTEN: 124]
[HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-7]
[HANDWRITTEN: SEP 11 1947]
[HANDWRITTEN: 5-R7]

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PAGE 76

blank

This page is a blank sheet of paper with some handwritten notes and a piece of tape containing an FBI stamp.

[HANDWRITTEN: 16 72 147 RM INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I.] [HANDWRITTEN: Copy 22 8]

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PAGE 77

cover-page

This is a cover page or enclosure folder for a document, marked with the case number 62-83894-71.

ENCLOSURE [HANDWRITTEN: 785] 62-83894-71

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PAGE 78

cover-page

This is a cover sheet for an enclosure containing photographs of a 'Flying Disc' found in Saybrook, Illinois, on July 26, 1947.

Enclosure - To Bureau

Photographs of "Flying Disc" found
at Saybrook, Ill. 7-26-47

SI File 62-0-1445

[HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-71]

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PAGE 79

photograph

A photograph of an unidentified circular object or device with components attached, featuring the handwritten word 'RUSSIA' on one of the parts.

[HANDWRITTEN: RUSSIA]

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PAGE 80

other

A brief note identifying a 'Flying Disc' found in Saybrook, Illinois on July 26, 1947.

819 "Flying Disc"
Found Saybrook, Ill. 7-26-47

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PAGE 81

photograph

A photograph showing a circular wooden object mounted on a wall above a light switch.

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PAGE 82

photograph

This page contains a caption for a photograph of a 'Flying Disc' found in Saybrook, Illinois, on July 26, 1947.

518
"Flying Disc"
Found Saybrook, Ill. 7-26-47

[HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-71]

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PAGE 83

photograph

A photograph of a small, possibly electronic or mechanical device with the word 'RUSSIA' written on it.

RUSSIA

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PAGE 84

other

A brief note identifying a 'Flying Disc' found in Saybrook, Illinois, on July 26, 1947.

518

"Flying Disc"
Found Saybrook, Ill. 7-26-47

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PAGE 85

photograph

A photograph of a circular mechanical device with a component labeled 'RUSSIA' and a ruler for scale.

RUSSIA

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PAGE 86

other

A brief note identifying a 'Flying Disc' found in Saybrook, Illinois, on July 26, 1947.

819

"Flying Disc"
Found Saybrook, Ill. 7-26-47

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PAGE 87

photograph

A photograph showing a circular mechanical object mounted on a wall near an electrical outlet.

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PAGE 88

other

A brief note identifying a 'Flying Disc' found in Saybrook, Illinois, on July 26, 1947.

518

"Flying Disc"
Found Saybrook, Ill. 7-26-47

VIEW FULL PAGE

PAGE 89

photograph

A photograph of a homemade electronic device or apparatus consisting of a circular base, a spark plug, and various electrical components and wires.

VIEW FULL PAGE

PAGE 90

photograph

A photograph caption identifying a 'Flying Disc' found in Saybrook, Illinois, on July 26, 1947.

"Flying Disc"
Found Saybrook, Ill., 7-26-47

VIEW FULL PAGE

PAGE 91

memo

An FBI memo from the Director to the Springfield SAC regarding the disposal of an alleged flying disc if the Army is not interested in it.

SAC, Springfield
September 5, 1947
Director, FBI
FLYING DISC
RECORDED 62-83894-71
[HANDWRITTEN: EX-56]
With reference to your letter, dated August 20, 1947, it is desired that you contact the appropriate Army officials and in the event they are not interested in receiving this alleged flying disc, it may be destroyed.

RGF:LH [HANDWRITTEN: initials]

[HANDWRITTEN: List of names: Mr. Tolson, Mr. E. A. Tamm, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Carson, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Hendon, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Mr. Nease, Miss Gandy]

COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
MAILED 10
SEP 6 - 1947 P.M.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

[HANDWRITTEN: 198]
[HANDWRITTEN: 51 SEP 18 1947]
[STAMP: RECEIVED READING REC F B I SEP 6 3 39 PM '47]
[HANDWRITTEN: illegible signature]
[HANDWRITTEN: 9/13 R7]

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PAGE 92

memo

An FBI teletype from the Portland office reporting a witness account of twelve to fifteen round silver objects seen over Oswego, Oregon, on September 3, 1947.

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
SEP 4 1947
TELETYPE

[HANDWRITTEN: gm] [HANDWRITTEN: [REDACTED]] [HANDWRITTEN: [REDACTED]]

FBI PORTLAND 9-4-47 3-42 PM PST KAM

DIRECTOR U R G E N T
RE FLYING DISCS. A MRS. RAYMOND DUPUI, OSWEGO, OREGON, REPORTED TO HAVE SEEN TWELVE TO FIFTEEN ROUND SILVER OBJECTS AT A HIGH ALTITUDE AT TWELVE FIFTEEN PM, SEPT. THIRD, FORTYSEVEN, ABOVE OSWEGO, OREGON, WHILE WATCHING A LOCAL PLANE FLYING OVERHEAD. WILL BE INTERVIEWED.

BOBBITT

END
94HODD PLS
7-45 PM OK FBI WASHDC NATV [HANDWRITTEN: [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] 9/8/47] [HANDWRITTEN: INDEXED] [HANDWRITTEN: RECORDED] [HANDWRITTEN: EX-66] [HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-72] [HANDWRITTEN: 31 SEP 16 1947] [HANDWRITTEN: RJ] [HANDWRITTEN: [ILLEGIBLE] m. Ladd]

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PAGE 93

other

This page is a collection of various FBI date-received stamps from September 1947.

RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT
SEP 4 7 45 PM '47
F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE

RECEIVED
SEP 5 3 39 PM '47
INTERNAL SECURITY
F.B.I.

RECEIVED-DIRECTOR
F B I
U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
SEP 5 6 12 AM '47

RECEIVED-LIAISON
F B I
U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
SEP 5 9 20 AM '47

RECEIVED-TAMM
F B I
LIAISON SECTION
U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
SEP 6 10 22 AM '47

RECEIVED
SEP 10 2 41 PM '47
INTERNAL SECURITY
F.B.I.
DEPT. OF JUSTICE

RECEIVED
SEP 5 2 27 PM '47
F B I
LIAISON SECTION
DEPT. OF JUSTICE

VIEW FULL PAGE

PAGE 94

memo

An FBI office memorandum from the Portland SAC to the Director regarding a report from Mrs. Raymond Dupuis of Oswego, Oregon, who observed approximately two dozen round, silver, platter-shaped objects in the sky on September 3, 1947.

STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : DIRECTOR DATE: 9-13-47
FROM : SAC, PORTLAND
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS
SECURITY MATTER - X

Reference is made to my teletype dated 9-4-47, advising that Mrs. RAYMOND DUPUIS, Oswego, Oregon, was reported to have seen a number of discs on 9-3-47 above Oswego.

Mrs. DUPUIS was interviewed and described the object which she has observed as follows:

While entertaining her 7 year old son and 10 year old neighbor child on her lawn, at about noon, Mrs. DUPUIS and the children noticed approximately two dozen round silver objects high in the sky. Mrs. DUPUIS stated she believed these objects to have been platter shaped rather than spherical and to have been considerably larger than an airplane of the cub type which was flying in a different portion of the sky at the same time. She advised that these objects appeared to her to be at a great distance and constructed of some white metallic material.

Mrs. DUPUIS' attention was first drawn to the objects by an explanation from one of the children to the effect that the airplane was skywriting. The objects were grouped in approximately an arc about level with the sun and to the left of the sun as viewed by Mrs. DUPUIS. They did not change positions during the 3 or 4 minutes which she observed them but some of the larger of the objects appeared to rotate rapidly in the manner of a wheel. One of the objects was separated by considerable distance from the main group and while she was watching Mrs. DUPUIS states this object began to fall and floated slowly downward until it was no longer visable because of trees on the horizon.

Mrs. DUPUIS advised that she continued to observe the remaining objects until her eyes began to be affected by the brightness of the sky whereupon she went into her house and is unable to state what became of the group. [HANDWRITTEN: HANDED BY TOP DESK]

LHK:MB
62-1531
[HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-73]
[HANDWRITTEN: 32]
[HANDWRITTEN: EX-42]
[HANDWRITTEN: 55 SEP 30 1947]
[HANDWRITTEN: 15 SEP 17 1947]

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PAGE 95

memo

This FBI memorandum details a witness account of observing a saucer-shaped object in the sky, noting its metallic appearance and movement into clouds.

Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

TO : DIRECTOR, FBI
FROM : SAC, [REDACTED]
SUBJECT: [REDACTED] - X

Reference is made to my teletype 8-9-47, concerning the above caption.

[REDACTED] was interviewed and described the object which she had observed as follows:

Witness stated that she was out in her yard and the children noticed an object in the sky. It appeared to be approximately 10 feet in diameter and was shaped like a large saucer. It appeared to be hovering in the sky at the same time the object was seen by [REDACTED] and appeared to be at a great distance and appeared to be metallic.

Attention was directed to the objects as they appeared to be one of the objects that was flying in formation at about level with the clouds. The part of the sky was not clear, but the objects appeared to be moving rapidly into the clouds. One of the objects was separated by a considerable distance from the group and appeared to be flying downward and was no longer visible to the witness.

Bureau is advised that we are continuing to observe the remaining objects and will report any further information that may be obtained into the investigation of the objects.

[HANDWRITTEN: RECEIVED F.B.I. INTERNAL SECURITY SEP 20 3 04 PM '47]

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PAGE 96

memo

This FBI memorandum reports that the Army Air Forces confirmed no experiments were being conducted in the vicinity of Twin Falls, Idaho, on August 19, 1947, regarding the 'Flying Discs' inquiry.

STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : MR. D. M. IADD [HANDWRITTEN: D.M. Ladd]
FROM : E. G. Fitch [HANDWRITTEN: E.G.F.]
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS
DATE: September 8, 1947

Reference is made to my memorandum to you in the above captioned matter dated August 22, 1947, which indicates that Special Agent Griffee of the Liaison Section had contacted Lieutenant Colonel G. D. Garrett, Jr., of the Air Forces Intelligence at which time Colonel Garrett advised that the Army Air Forces were conducting no research or experiments in the vicinity of Twin Falls, Idaho, on or about August 19, 1947. Colonel Garrett at that time indicated to Mr. Griffee that he would check with the Army area in order to ascertain whether or not they were conducting any experiments in this vicinity at that time. [HANDWRITTEN: [ILLEGIBLE]]

Colonel Garrett has subsequently advised Mr. Reynolds that he has been advised by the Army area that no such experiments were being conducted in the area of Twin Falls, Idaho, on or about August 19, 1947, which would in any way throw any light on the matter reported in the teletype. [HANDWRITTEN: Butty advised by WRE RJS]

RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended this memorandum be forwarded to Mr. Fletcher of the Internal Security Section. [HANDWRITTEN: [ILLEGIBLE] BY [ILLEGIBLE] DESK]

SWR:rhr
RECORDED 162-83894-74
F B I
15 SEP 16 1947
63SEP 22 1947

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PAGE 97

other

This page contains only FBI date stamps and a redacted section.

RECEIVED
F.B.I.
INTERNAL SECURITY
SEP 10 9 01 AM '47

RECEIVED-LADO
F B I
SEP 9 3 01 PM '47

[REDACTED]

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PAGE 98

letter

A letter from FBI Director John Edgar Hoover to Mr. A. Courtney Parker acknowledging receipt of a letter dated September 17, 1947, and stating that an agent from the Albany office will contact him.

September 25, 1947

Mr. A. Courtney Parker
Superintendent of Schools
South Royalton, Vermont

Dear Mr. Parker:

I wish to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated September 17, 1947. An Agent of our Albany, New York, Office will call upon you in the near future for any additional information in your possession.

Your courtesy and interest in bringing this matter to my attention are indeed appreciated.

Sincerely yours,

John Edgar Hoover
Director

cc - Albany (separate cover letter)
62-83894 [HANDWRITTEN: 75]
RGF:cmw

[HANDWRITTEN: a]
[HANDWRITTEN: EX-41]
[HANDWRITTEN: Eda]
[HANDWRITTEN: R7]
[HANDWRITTEN: OCT 3 1947]
[HANDWRITTEN: 289 / 344]

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PAGE 99

memo

An FBI memo from the Director to the SAC in Albany requesting an interview with A. Courtney Parker regarding information he possesses about flying discs.

SAC, Albany
September 25, 1947
Director, FBI
FLYING DISCS
A. Courtney Parker, Informant

Attached hereto are copies of an incoming communication from A. Courtney Parker, Superintendent of Schools, South Royalton, Vermont, and copies of acknowledgment of same.

It is requested that an Agent of your Office call on Mr. Parker to obtain any additional information in his possession concerning flying discs.

Enclosures
[HANDWRITTEN: RECORDED RGF:mae 62-83894-75]
[HANDWRITTEN: mal EX-41]

Mr. Tolson
Mr. E. A. Tamm
Mr. Clegg
Mr. Glavin
Mr. Ladd
Mr. Nichols
Mr. Rosen
Mr. Tracy
Mr. Carson
Mr. Egan
Mr. Gurnea
Mr. Harbo
Mr. Hendon
Mr. Pennington
Mr. Quinn Tamm
Mr. Nease
Miss Gandy

[HANDWRITTEN: RECEIVED READING ROOM SEP 25 4 16 PM 47]
[HANDWRITTEN: Edm]
[HANDWRITTEN: S]
[HANDWRITTEN: pr]

COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
MAILED 11
SEP 26 1947 P.M.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

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PAGE 100

letter

A letter from A. Courtney Parker, Superintendent of Schools in Vermont, to the FBI reporting a sighting of two unidentified flying objects near Rix Ledges, New Hampshire, on September 17, 1947.

STATE OF VERMONT
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
ORANGE - WINDSOR - DISTRICT
A. COURTNEY PARKER, Superintendent
SOUTH ROYALTON

September 17, 1947

Federal Bureau of Investigation
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sirs:

At 3:40 P.M. to-day I observed a so-called flying
saucer. This occurred while I was half way up Rix Ledges
north of Lebanon, N. H. As I was intently watching the
honey bees circling in a patch of sky after leaving my
bee box my attention was called to a floating object that
appeared to be as large as a tennis ball and as white as
cotton batting. This object approached rapidly and noiselessly
from the East and was followed closely by another object
that appeared in size and shape like a saucer which maintained
a constant angle of inclination to the ball and followed it
at a constant distance. The two objects made an angle with
my eye of approximately five degrees. They were in my vision
for more than a minute when I lost them in the glare of the
sun.

If I had seen this in the night sky with my six inch
telescope I would have thought that the planets Venus and
Saturn had suddenly gotten together and were traveling
at great speed much nearer the earth. [HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-75]

Very truly yours,
A. Courtney Parker
Superintendent of Schools

[HANDWRITTEN: Flying Disc]
[HANDWRITTEN: ach let to albany 9/20/47 ng/f]
[HANDWRITTEN: 51]
[HANDWRITTEN: A.C. PARKER]
[HANDWRITTEN: PARKER]

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PAGE 101

letter

A witness letter describing the observation of two unidentified flying objects near Lebanon, New Hampshire, on September 14, 1947.

September 14, 1947

General Bureau of Investigation
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sirs:

At 8:00 A.M. to-day I observed a so-called Flying
Saucer. This occurred while I was half way to Redles
north of Lebanon, N.H. I was intently watching the
honey bees flying in a patch of clover after serving my
bee box my attention was called to a flashing object that
appeared to be as large as a basketball and as white as
cotton batting. This object approached from the
from the east and was closely followed by another object
that appeared in size and shape like a saucer, calculated
a constant angle of inclination to the ball followed it
at a constant distance. The two objects made an angle with
my eye of approximately five acres. They were in my vision
for more than a minute when I lost them in the glare of the
sun.

I had seen this in the bright sky with my six foot
telescope I would have thought that the plane vents
fast and apparently modern engines were traveling at
great speed.

[HANDWRITTEN: F.B.I. INTERNAL SECURITY RECEIVED 20 5 05 PM]

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PAGE 102

memo

An FBI internal memo dated September 8, 1947, regarding an attachment sent by Walter Winchell, noting that the Bureau has no record of the letter's author, Mrs. Madeline Gwynne Merchant.

OFFICE OF DIRECTOR
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

September 8, 1947

[HANDWRITTEN: M]
[HANDWRITTEN: X]
[HANDWRITTEN: Enf]

The attached was sent to
the Director by Walter
Winchell.

The notations appearing
thereon read:

"Ack & F.B.I."

"Please excuse haste - Trying to
make airmail west."

Attachment
mt

[HANDWRITTEN: flying discs]
[HANDWRITTEN: Mr. Tolson]
[HANDWRITTEN: Mr. E. A. Tamm]
[HANDWRITTEN: Mr. Clegg]
[HANDWRITTEN: Mr. Glavin]
[HANDWRITTEN: Mr. Ladd]
[HANDWRITTEN: Mr. Nichols]
[HANDWRITTEN: Mr. Rosen]
[HANDWRITTEN: Mr. Tracy]
[HANDWRITTEN: Mr. Carson]
[HANDWRITTEN: Mr. Egan]
[HANDWRITTEN: Mr. Gurnea]
[HANDWRITTEN: Mr. Harbo]
[HANDWRITTEN: Mr. Hendon]
[HANDWRITTEN: Mr. Jones]
[HANDWRITTEN: Mr. Pennington]
[HANDWRITTEN: Tele. Room]
[HANDWRITTEN: Mr. Nease]
[HANDWRITTEN: Miss Holmes]
[HANDWRITTEN: Miss Gandy]
[HANDWRITTEN: R.F.P.]
[HANDWRITTEN: HANDED TO DESK]

RECORDED
INDEXED 62-83894-76

Bureau files fail to reflect any
record on a Mrs. Madeline Gwynne
Merchant, the writer of the attached
letter.

[HANDWRITTEN: EX-23]
[HANDWRITTEN: no-ach]
[HANDWRITTEN: 51 SEP 25 1947]
[HANDWRITTEN: F B I]
[HANDWRITTEN: 15 SEP 16 1947]
[HANDWRITTEN: 5-R7]

VIEW FULL PAGE

PAGE 103

other

This page is a routing slip or file cover containing various FBI date stamps and handwritten names of personnel.

[HANDWRITTEN: Mr. Tolson]
[HANDWRITTEN: Mr. Ladd]
[HANDWRITTEN: Mr. Nichols]
[HANDWRITTEN: Mr. Clegg]
[HANDWRITTEN: Mr. Glavin]
[HANDWRITTEN: Mr. Harbo]
[HANDWRITTEN: Mr. Jones]
[HANDWRITTEN: Mr. Rosen]
[HANDWRITTEN: Mr. Tracy]
[HANDWRITTEN: Miss Gandy]

RECEIVED-TAMM
F B I
U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
SEP 9 8 58 AM '47

RECEIVED-LADD
F B I
U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
SEP 9 9 45 AM '47

RECEIVED DIRECTOR
F B I
U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
SEP 8 5 08 PM '47

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PAGE 104

letter

A letter from Mrs. Madeline Gwynne Merchant to Walter Winchell regarding the collection of data on 'discs' and requesting financial support, while listing military and security officials she has consulted.

Mrs. Madeline Gwynne Merchant
Box 263, Santa Fe, New Mexico
July 13, 1947
[HANDWRITTEN: Ack 7-31.]
[HANDWRITTEN: Please excuse haste - Flying to make airmail west]
Mr. Walter Winchell,
% Postmaster,
Los Angeles, Calif.
Dear Mr. Winchell:
This
The enclosed letter deals with what are being
called "discs."
You are not to mention the contents of this
letter over the air, nor to any individual other than officials
of the War Dep't., members of the FBI, or an American whose
patriotism would rank with your own, and who might donate $10,000
or more for the purpose of my continuing the collection of field
data concerning "discs," while time may remain in which to do so.
I have had respectful attention from the
following persons: (But no checks, nor expense accounts even.)
Col. Herbert C. Gee, Comm. Officer,
Los Alamos Atomic Project,
Los Alamos, N.M.
Maj. Sidney Newburger, Security Official,
Los Alamos Atomic Project,
Los Alamos, N.M.
Mr. Willard Zimmer, Military Intelligence,
P.O. Box 681,
Santa Fe, N.M.
[HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-76]
ENCLOSURE

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PAGE 105

other

This page is a blank document containing only an FBI date stamp indicating it was received on September 9, 1947.

RECEIVED
SEP 9 3 16 PM '47
INTERNAL SECURITY
F. B. I.
DEPT. OF JUST

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PAGE 106

memo

A memo listing various government and military officials, discussing the need for funding to investigate 'discs' and mentioning previous reports made to Dr. Norris Bradbury and Colonel Gee.

(2)

Francis Finley, Agent-in-Charge,
Federal Bureau of Investigation, (Phone 1366)
Santa Fe, N.M.

Gen. S.R. Brennault,
Ass't. to Lt. Gen. Nathan F. Twining,
AAF Materiel Command,
Washington, D.C.

Col. Zumwalt,
Ass't to Colonel Bunker, Comm. Off.
Kirtland Field,
Albuquerque, N.M.

Gen. Patrick Hurley, (Former Ambassador to China,)
1210 Shoreham Bldg. (Also Santa Fe, N.M.)
Washington, D.C.

And through the courtesy of Gen. Patrick Hurley,
a letter from Sec. of War Robert Patterson, War Dep't, Washington, D.C.

All were highly interested, appreciative, with the
general trend of contacts being, "This is fine. Go right ahead."

My point in writing you is to raise some money to
proceed with. No budgets seemed to allow for the unexpected, elusive
"discs."

Sen. Carl Hatch, D-N.M., U.S. Senate, Washington, D.C.
has been contacted by mail for an appropriation, but even if this
only requires one more week, it may be too late.

You may contact any of the above listed persons to
verify my contacts (excuse repetition word contact) during the past
four months. In other words, I began reporting directly to
Dr. Norris Bradbury, Scientific Head of Los Alamos, and Colonel Gee,
et al, some time ago that this type aerial "disc" was a reality.

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PAGE 107

letter

A letter from an individual discussing confidential material, requesting discretion regarding inquiries, and mentioning the War Department and the FBI in relation to a "disc".

(3)

This material was considered confidential, and still is.

I have been asked by Colonel Gee not to speak any further than material which has been published in the press. And I have chosen simply not to speak at all, except to a source which I consider might further my own work.

If you ask of the above persons, to ascertain whether or not I have made serious, materially valuable contributions, which may indicate much scientifically...... and which, if action can be continued soon enough, may a little later save our nation much.... please make inquiries quietly, and as promptly as convenient.

I must ask you not to speculate, even to yourself... but simply to act.

Do not mention in any manner, until release by the War Dep't, even the receipt of this letter, except to the above persons, or proper government officials there. Or, to one whom you know will make a donation.

Perhaps your savest bet would be simply to telephone the FBI there, and let them telephone Francis Finley here for verification.

I promise you an exclusive, behind the scenes story when, and if, the War Dep't releases the material nationally. Meantime, your action now may save your own life, and that of others who may have wondered what a "disc" is.

1
Rest assured I have all the proper scientific and governmenta contacts needed...... all I need is the wherewithall. I have the proper background to discuss the subject, secure the further field

[HANDWRITTEN: 3]

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PAGE 108

letter

A personal letter from Mrs. Madeline Gwynne Merchant to an unnamed recipient, discussing her role in providing information and requesting anonymity regarding her location.

64)

data I now need, explain it technically, and secure proper action,
provided I am given the means to do so.

I regret that I cannot be more specific now, but duty
to country rests above.

I have met before with the mental reaction, "What? A
woman handling this type material?" And my signature below will
probably evoke the same response from you. So I assure you, yes,
it is a woman who is coming in with the information which men have
gone out to seek. And doing the proper thing about it.

Most respectfully,
[HANDWRITTEN: Mrs. Madeline Gwynne Merchant]
Mrs. Madeline Gwynne Merchant

cc/

P.S. Am a former newspaper person, and very proud of it.
Am 39, but dress and feel some younger.

Again, I must ask you not to mention even the town from
which this letter comes, as you may be endangering lives to
so so. Simply ascertain my contributions, get some money to
me, and wait. (Francis Finley himself would give me a gas
budget, if he were not so close himself.)

PAGE 109

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PAGE 110

other

A blank lined sheet of paper containing two FBI date-received stamps from 1947 and a handwritten date in the margin.

[HANDWRITTEN: 5-18-87]

RECEIVED
UG 19 9 32 AM '47
CHNICAL ABURATOR
B I
S. DEPT OF JUSTICE

RECEIVED
SEP 29 2 58 PM '47
INTERNAL SECURITY
F.B.I.
DEPT. OF JUSTICE

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PAGE 111

memo

An FBI internal memorandum regarding material submitted by Mrs. J. H. Mixon, which she claimed was part of a flying saucer, but was identified by the laboratory as powdered soap stones.

STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Mr. R. T. Harbo [HANDWRITTEN: Rot] [HANDWRITTEN: TFB]
FROM : T. F. Baughman
SUBJECT: Letter and material received from
Mrs. J. H. Mixon
Estill, South Carolina
Route 1, Box 30

DATE: August 28, 1947

[HANDWRITTEN: FLYING SAUCER]

The attached letter dated August 14, 1947 from Mrs. Mixon together with the material which she reports to be part of a flying saucer was received in the Laboratory on August 19, 1947. The material which was submitted with Mrs. Mixon's letter has been identified as powdered soap stones.

Inasmuch as the Investigative and Security Divisions might possibly be interested in this matter, I request that you advise me as to the final disposition of the submitted material as well as the type of reply which should be made to Mrs. Mixon's letter.

JWM:PVH

[HANDWRITTEN: memo Ladd Rot 9-4-47]
[HANDWRITTEN: Copy]
[HANDWRITTEN: 76-4-47 JWM. (mas)]
RECORDED & INDEXED
62-83894-78
F B I
32 SEP 18 1947
EX-83
[HANDWRITTEN: 5-RJ]
[HANDWRITTEN: 10 OCT 3-1947] [HANDWRITTEN: R-344]

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PAGE 112

other

This page is a blank sheet containing only FBI and Department of Justice receipt stamps dated August 1947.

RECEIVED
AUG 29 10 23 AM '47
INTERNAL SECURITY
F. B. I.
DEPT. OF JUSTICE

F B I
LABORATORY DIVISION
AUG 28 5 30 PM '47
RECEIVED-HARBO

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PAGE 113

memo

An FBI memorandum regarding the disposition of material submitted by Mrs. J. H. Mixon, which she claimed was part of a flying saucer but was identified as powdered soap stones.

STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : D. M. Ladd [HANDWRITTEN: (14)]
FROM : J. P. Coyne
SUBJECT: FLYING SAUCER

DATE: September 4, 1947

Reference is made to the memorandum from Mr. Baughman to Mr. Harbo, dated August 28, 1947, requesting advice as to the final disposition of material submitted by Mrs. J. H. Mixon, Estill, South Carolina. It is noted that this material, which Mrs. Mixon reported to be a part of a flying saucer, has been identified as powdered soap stones.

It is recommended that the material be returned to Mrs. Mixon along with a letter advising that such has been identified as powdered soap stones.

RGF:LH
[HANDWRITTEN: letter dict 9-8-47 owm]
[HANDWRITTEN: Letter 9-10-47 JWM mas]
RECORDED & INDEXED
EX-46 77 162-83894-79
F B I
32 SEP 18 1947

PAGE 114

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PAGE 115

memo

This FBI memorandum from the Phoenix SAC office details the coordination between the FBI and the Fourth Air Force (A-2) regarding the interview of William Albert Rhodes, who had reported photographing a flying disc.

Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Director, FBI DATE: September 4, 1947
FROM : SAC, Phoenix
SUBJECT: REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS
ATTENTION: ASSISTANT DIRECTOR D. M. LADD

Reference is made to San Francisco letter dated August 28, 1947,
and to Bureau teletype to Phoenix dated August 30, 1947.

With reference to the above matter, I desire to point out that the
letter of reference from San Francisco did not reach Phoenix until September
2, 1947.

On August 29, 1947, a Mr. GEORGE FUGATE, JR. called at the Phoenix
office and exhibited credentials reflecting that he is a representative of A-2,
Fourth Air Force, Hamilton Field, California. He also exhibited orders emanating
from the office of Colonel DONALD SPRINGER, A-2, Fourth Air Force, Hamilton Field,
California, instructing him to proceed to Phoenix immediately and contact the FBI
office, at which time a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation would
be designated to accompany him to interview WILLIAM RHODES, who had previously
reported the photographing of a flying disc. The orders further indicated that
the San Francisco office of the FBI was transmitting further information re-
lating to Mr. FUGATE'S mission.

ASAC HEBER M. CLEGG telephonically communicated with SAC HARRY KIMBALL
of the San Francisco office and Mr. KIMBALL verified the above information and
stated that a letter had been directed to the Phoenix office suggesting that the
Phoenix office assist any representative who called from A-2 in the interrogation
of RHODES. SAC KIMBALL stated that in connection with flying discs, he had main-
tained close contact with Colonel SPRINGER and that close cooperation existed.
He further advised that many reports of flying discs had been received at San
Francisco and that a full discussion concerning the results of inquiries had
been held with Colonel SPRINGER.

In connection with flying disc investigations, Mr. KIMBALL advised
he had maintained close touch with the Bureau and had apparently handled these
matters in accordance with Bureau policy.

In view of the above, Special Agent J. BAILEY BROWER of the Phoenix
office was permitted to work with Mr. FUGATE in the interview of WILLIAM ALBERT
RHODES. The results of the inquiry are set out hereunder.

[HANDWRITTEN: 252] [HANDWRITTEN: info D M L 9/11/47] [HANDWRITTEN: 89] [HANDWRITTEN: 162-83894 80] [HANDWRITTEN: 32 SEP 20 1947] [HANDWRITTEN: 55 SEP 30 1947] COPIES DESTROYED
270 NOV 18 1964

PAGE 116

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PAGE 117

report

This report details a witness statement from William Albert Rhodes regarding his observation of an unidentified aerial object in Phoenix, Arizona, on July 7, 1947, including his description of the object and his background.

Phoenix file 62-213

WILLIAM ALBERT RHODES, 4333 N. 14th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, owns and maintains the Panoramic Research Laboratory and Hobby Shop at this address, and he related the following as occurring on the afternoon of July 7, 1947:

A storm had occurred in Phoenix on the afternoon of July 7, 1947, and the clouds were at approximately 5000 feet, the color of which was grey and they resembled dense cumulus. A fifteen mile per hour wind was blowing. At approximately 5 p.m. on that date, Mr. RHODES was walking from his home to the Hobby Shop and he heard a noise resembling a P-80 aircraft, apparently coming in a westerly direction. Upon searching the skies he observed to the northeast what appeared to be an odd shaped ship. He described this ship as being possibly 20 to 30 feet in diameter, traveling at an estimated speed of 100 miles per hour. It appeared to be making a spiral in a small radius of possibly one-half to three quarters of a mile. RHODES stated the sound which he first heard was no longer audible; that he hurriedly procured a 120 Brownie Box Camera from his shop, and as the aircraft completed the first circle he obtained a photograph. As the ship started on the second turn, it was in a northwesterly direction from his place and he again snapped a photograph, which more closely resembled the shape of the ship than photograph #1, this being designated as Exhibit II, as submitted to the Bureau with letter dated August 4, 1947, by the Office of Assistant Chief of Staff A-2 Intelligence, Hamilton Field, California. RHODES further described the direction of the ship by stating that instead of completing the lefthand downward spiral the ship banked to the right and disappeared into the clouds. He stated that just as it banked, he had snapped the second photograph, Exhibit II.

At the last point, which was at the time the ship made this turn, Mr. RHODES estimated it to be between 1,000 and 2,000 feet high. He further described the appearance of this ship as closely resembling a picture which appeared on the front cover of the May, 1947, issue of the Mechanics Illustrated Magazine, the only difference noted by Mr. RHODES being that the ship appeared to be flying backward.

Mr. RHODES also related that he did not associate the appearance of this ship with the numerous reports of flying discs. He related, however, that after a three minute interview with newspaper reporters the story that appeared in the local papers was "blown up" to the extent that he, RHODES, barely recognized the information furnished by him. Mr. RHODES explained that the aforementioned dimensions and distances were only estimated, pointing out, that his previous experience probably assisted him in making fairly close estimates. He related that he had been doing experimental work for the past ten years. He also stated he was employed at the Naval Ordnance Laboratory, Washington, D. C. during the early part of World War II and left there the beginning of 1942. Upon his return to Phoenix, he was employed at Falcon Field near Phoenix which was leased by the British Government for training purposes. He instructed in instrument training, aircraft identification and gunnery practice. He explained that his hobbies have to do with science, physics, radio, electronics and astronomy. He produced a model which he had made of a radio controlled airplane. He related that most of his work consists of building transformers, but it is also necessary for him to depend upon his music ability for his livlihood.
- 2 -

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PAGE 118

report

This report details an interview with Mr. Rhodes regarding his photographs of an unidentified object, including his physical description and a subsequent interaction between FBI Agent Brower and Mr. Fugate concerning the custody of the photographic negatives.

Phoenix file 62-213

In explaining the results of photographing the ship, Mr. RHODES stated that he was surprised that the object appeared dark on a light background; that he fully expected that the object would be light on a dark background. He described the light spot which appears in the center of the object (Exhibit II) as being a green house. RHODES insisted that the ship made no noise that was audible to his ear and he was unable to detect the presence of any propeller. He also related that after the newspaper release over Radio Station KTAR, wherein statements were made that he, RHODES, had stated Army officials were studying the photographs, and that it was a top secret, he attempted to determine the source of this release and the Radio station finally told him that it was a United Press release from Washington, D. C.

The following description of RHODES was obtained from observation and interrogation:

Age 30
Date birth 12-29-16
Place birth Garden City, Kansas
Height 6' 3"
Weight 155 pounds
Eyes Blue
Hair Brown
Education Phoenix Union High School
Marital status Married- one son

It should be stated that at the time of interview with RHODES, Mr. BROWER identified himself as an agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and exhibited his credentials. However, pursuant to a request from Mr. FUGATE, he was introduced only as a representative of the United States government. His exact official connection was not made known to Mr. RHODES. Agent BROWER advised that he felt it was a peculiar procedure, but it was not his business. However, at the conclusion of the interview, Mr. FUGATE requested Mr. RHODES to furnish him with the negatives and RHODES stated he would be glad to do so, but they were not in his immediate possession, and he would deliver them to the FBI the following morning. Mr. RHODES requested that the negatives be returned to him. Agent BROWER states that to this request, Mr. FUGATE made no reply. Agent BROWER states that after leaving Mr. RHODES he asked FUGATE if the negatives would be returned to Mr. RHODES and FUGATE stated that he doubted very much that they would be returned. Mr. BROWER then advised Mr. FUGATE that before he, BROWER, would accept these negatives that RHODES must be advised of Mr. FUGATE'S identity and also advised that the negatives, if turned over to Mr. FUGATE, would not be returned to him.

- 3 -

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PAGE 119

memo

This memo details the transfer of photographic negatives from Mr. Rhodes to the Phoenix FBI office, which were subsequently turned over to Army Air Force Intelligence representative Mr. Fugate, and notes that no copy of the report was sent to A-2.

Phoenix file 62-213

In view of which, on the morning on August 30, 1947, when Mr. RHODES called at the Phoenix office to deliver the negatives, they were accepted only after he was advised that they were being given to Mr. FUGATE, a representative of the Army Air Force Intelligence, United States Army, and that there was little, if any, chance of his getting the negatives back. Mr. RHODES turned the negatives over to this office with the full understanding that they were being given to the Army and that he would not get them back.

The Phoenix office did not receive the Bureau teletype of reference instructing that no joint investigation should be conducted until after the matter had been handled.

Inasmuch as military authorities have complete knowledge of the results of the interview with Mr. RHODES no copy of this report is being designated for A-2.

JBB-kb

cc-San Francisco

62-213

- 4 -

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PAGE 120

memo

An FBI teletype from the Portland office reporting a sighting of a flying disc by the Portland Chief of Police, Leon V. Jenkins, and his driver, Patrolman H. S. Raney.

[HANDWRITTEN: 1.4 9-14-47 12:30 A.M.]

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
SEP 14 1947
TELETYPE

[HANDWRITTEN: R.H. Fletcher]

FBI PORTLAND 9-13-47 8-08 PM HHS

DIRECTOR U R G E N T

FLYING DISCS. LEON V. JENKINS, CHIEF OF POLICE, PORTLAND, STATES HE OBSERVED AT ABOUT FIVE FIFTEEN PM ELEVENTH INSTANT, AN OBJECT SIMILAR IN SIZE TO A WEATHER BALLOON, WHICH APPEARED TO BE MADE OF ALUMINUM OR SOME OTHER BRIGHT METAL, TRAVELING RAPIDLY NORTHWEST TO SOUTHEAST OVER PORTLAND AT AN ESTIMATED TEN THOUSAND FEET. OBJECT VEERED TO SOUTH AND DISAPPEARAD IN THE DISTANCE IN APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE. ALSO OBSERVED BY PATROLMAN H. S. RANEY, DRIVER OF JENKINS CAR, AND POSSIBLY BY OTHER PORTLAND POLICE OFFICERS. SMALL ARTICLE APPEARED IN PORTLAND NEWSPAPER, THE OREGONIAN, CONCERNING THIS ON TWELFTH INSTANT. INVESTIGATION BEING CONDUCTED.

END

[HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-81]
[HANDWRITTEN: 9/19/47]
[HANDWRITTEN: R-344]
[HANDWRITTEN: 63OCT 2 1947]

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PAGE 121

other

This page is a routing sheet containing multiple FBI date stamps from September 1947.

RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT
SEP 14 12 10 AM '47
F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE

[HANDWRITTEN: 21]

RECEIVED
LIAISON SECTION
SEP 16 2 25 PM '47
F.B.I.
DEPT. OF JUSTICE

RECEIVED
INTERNAL SECURITY
SEP 15 10 03 AM '47
F.B.I.
DEPT. OF JUSTICE

RECEIVED
INTERNAL SECURITY
SEP 24 9 30 AM '47
F.B.I.

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PAGE 122

report

An FBI teletype report regarding a sighting of a flying object in Shouns, Tennessee, reported by Mrs. G. H. Stockton and her son-in-law, Hugh Jennings, who suggested it may have been a meteorological balloon.

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
SEP 13 1947
TELETYPE

FBI NORFOLK 9-13-47 4-15 PM CLC
DIRECTOR URGENT
FLYING DISCS. MRS. G. H. STOCKTON, ONE SIX NINE A VIEW AVENUE, OCEAN VIEW, VA., REPORTED SIGHTING FLYING DISC AT SHOUNS, TENN., SEPTEMBER [HANDWRITTEN: 6] SIXTY, LAST. SON-IN-LAW, HUGH JENNINGS, ONE ONE ONE BELLGRAVE, [REDACTED] OCEAN VEWXX BXX VIEW, CONFIRMS SIGHTING OF THIS OBJECT WHICH HE DESCRIBED AS BEING SHAPED LIKE FOOTBALL, MOVING IN A SOUTHERLY DIRECTION AT CONSTANT ALTITUDE OF APPROXIMATELY TWO THOUSAND FEET, AND TURNING END OVER END IN THE AIR. RATE OF SPEED COMPARABLE TO CUB PLANE.
JENNINGS STATES [REDACTED] OBJECT VISIBLE FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE MINUES AGAINST OVERCAST SKY. NO DETAILS DISCERNIBLE. JENNINGS OXX DOES NOT BELIEVE OBJECT WAS DISC BUT THAT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN A LOOSE METEROXX METEOROLOGICAL BALLOON. RUC.
ROBEY
END
5-17 PM OK FBI WA BW
[HANDWRITTEN: Rec'd from mid 9/12/47]
[HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-82]
[HANDWRITTEN: RECORDED & INDEXED 29 SEP 19 1947]
[HANDWRITTEN: 31]
[HANDWRITTEN: EX-30]
[HANDWRITTEN: 52SEP 29 1947 7-344]
[HANDWRITTEN: cc. Mr. Ladd]

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PAGE 123

cover-page

This page is a cover sheet containing multiple date stamps from the FBI Teletype Unit and other internal departments, indicating the document's routing and receipt between September 13 and September 26, 1947.

RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT
SEP 13 5 19 PM '47
F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE

RECEIVED
EP 26 9 03 AM '47
INTERNAL SECURITY
F. B. I.
DEPT. OF JUST

RECEIVED
EP 15 12 54 PM '47
INTERNAL SECURITY

RECEIVED
LIAISON SECTION
FB 18 48 AM '47
U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
SEP 15 5 29 PM '47

RECEIVED
U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
SEP 15 5 29 PM '47
RECEIVED DIRECTOR

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PAGE 124

letter

A letter from Brigadier General Geo. F. Schulgen of the Army Air Forces to the FBI, stating that the AAF has no projects matching the characteristics of 'Flying Discs'.

HEADQUARTERS, ARMY AIR FORCES
WASHINGTON

IN REPLY REFER TO: AFBIR-CO

5 SEP 1947

Director
Federal Bureau of Investigation
Department of Justice
Washington 25, D. C.

Dear Sir:

Attention: Liaison Section

In answer to a verbal request of your Mr.
S. W. Reynolds, a complete survey of research activities
discloses that the Army Air Forces has no project with
the characteristics similar to those which have been
associated with the Flying Discs.

Yours sincerely,

[HANDWRITTEN: Signature of Geo. F. Schulgen]

GEO. F. SCHULGEN
Brigadier General, U.S.A.
Deputy, Ass't. Chief of Air Staff-2

[HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-83]
[HANDWRITTEN: 37 SEP 1947]
[HANDWRITTEN: 63 SEP 30 1947 / 16 / 47 SWR]
[HANDWRITTEN: 252]
[HANDWRITTEN: n]
[HANDWRITTEN: RECORDED]

ADDRESS REPLY TO: COMMANDING GENERAL, ARMY AIR FORCES, WASHINGTON 25, D. C.

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PAGE 125

memo

This FBI memorandum discusses inquiries made by Special Agent S. W. Reynolds to the Air Force Intelligence regarding whether 'flying discs' were a secret Army Air Force project, concluding with a letter from Brigadier General George F. Schulgen stating no such project exists.

STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : D. M. LADD DATE: 9/16/47
FROM : E. G. Fitch [HANDWRITTEN: signature]
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS

Special Agent S. W. Reynolds of the Liaison Section has discussed with Lieutenant Colonel George Garrett of the Intelligence Division of the Air Forces the possibility that the flying discs or saucers are in fact a project of the Army Air Forces. It should be noted that Colonel Garrett agreed with this possibility. At that time Mr. Reynolds pointed out to Colonel Garrett the possible embarrassing position of the Intelligence Division of the Air Forces if it was subsequently ascertained that this was the truth, especially since they had requested the assistance of the Bureau in the captioned matter.

Colonel Garrett advised Mr. Reynolds that he would institute a further search, and he has now advised that a letter was addressed by Major General McDonald, Director of the Intelligence Division of the Air Forces, to the Research and Development Section of the Air Forces.

There is attached hereto a letter addressed to the Director, dated September 5, 1947, from Brigadier General George F. Schulgen, which states that a complete survey of research activities discloses that the Army Air Forces have no project with characteristics similar to those which have been associated with the flying discs.

RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that this memorandum be forwarded to the Internal Security Section for their information.

Attachment
SWR:AJB
[HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-84]
[HANDWRITTEN: 55 SEP 30 1947]

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PAGE 126

memo

This memo discusses internal FBI and Air Force communications regarding the investigation of 'flying disc' reports, specifically noting a letter from General George F. Schulgen regarding Air Force research projects.

Special Agent W. V. Reynolds of the Intelligence Division discussed with Colonel George F. Schulgen the possibility that the flying disc reports are in fact a project of the Air Force. It should be noted that Colonel Schulgen agreed with this possibility. At that time, Reynolds pointed out to Colonel Schulgen the embarrassing position of the Intelligence Division of the Air Force if it was subsequently learned that they had reported the existence of the reported matter.

Colonel Schulgen advised Mr. Reynolds that he would institute a further search, and he has now advised that a letter was addressed by General McDonald, Director of the Intelligence Division of the Air Force, to the Research and Development Section of the Air Force.

There is attached hereto a letter addressed to the Director, dated September 3, 1947, from General George F. Schulgen, which states that a complete survey of research activities that the Air Force has on project with characteristics similar to those which have been contained with the flying disc.

RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that this memorandum be forwarded to the Security Section for their information.

PAGE 127

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PAGE 129

memo

An FBI memorandum detailing a discussion between Special Agent S. W. Reynolds and Lieutenant Colonel Garrett regarding the possibility that flying discs are a classified U.S. government experiment, noting the lack of concern from high-ranking officials compared to sightings over Sweden.

STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : D. M. LADD
FROM : E. G. FITCH
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS
DATE: August 19, 1947
[HANDWRITTEN: RS]

Special Agent S. W. Reynolds of the Liaison Section, while discussing the above captioned phenomena with Lieutenant Colonel Garrett of the Air Forces Intelligence, expressed the possibility that flying discs were, in fact, a very highly classified experiment of the Army or Navy. Mr. Reynolds was very much surprised when Colonel Garrett not only agreed that this was a possibility, but confidentially stated it was his personal opinion that such was a probability. Colonel Garrett indicated confidentially that a Mr. Carroll, who is a scientist attached to the Air Forces Intelligence, was of the same opinion.

Colonel Garrett stated that he based his assumption on the following: He pointed out that when flying objects were reported seen over Sweden, the "high brass" of the War Department exerted tremendous pressure on the Air Forces Intelligence to conduct research and collect information in an effort to identify these sightings. Colonel Garrett stated that, in contrast to this, we have reported sightings of unknown objects over the United States, and the "high brass" appeared to be totally unconcerned. He indicated this led him to believe that they knew enough about these objects to express no concern. Colonel Garrett pointed out further that the objects in question have been seen by many individuals who are what he terms "trained observers," such as airplane pilots. He indicated also that several of the individuals are reliable members of the community. He stated it is his conclusion that these individuals saw something. He stated the above has led him to come to the conclusion that there were objects seen which somebody in the Government knows all about.

Mr. Reynolds pointed out to Colonel Garrett that if it is a fact experimentations are being conducted by the United States Government, then it does not appear reasonable to request the FBI to spend money and precious time conducting inquiries with respect to this matter. Colonel Garrett stated that he agreed with Mr. Reynolds in this regard and indicated that it would be extremely embarrassing to the Air Forces Intelligence if it later is learned that these flying discs are, in fact, an experiment of the United States Government.

Mr. Reynolds subsequently discussed this matter with Colonel L. R. Forney of the Intelligence Division of the War Department. Colonel Forney stated that he had discussed the matter previously with General Chamberlin. Colonel Forney indicated to Mr. Reynolds that he has the assurance of General

SWR:LL [HANDWRITTEN: 2052] EX-64 RECORDED INDEXED 162-83894-86 [HANDWRITTEN: 19] 34 SEP 23 1947
51 SEP 29 1947 COPIES DESTROYED 270 NOV 18 1964

PAGE 130

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PAGE 131

memo

This memorandum details communications between FBI personnel (Mr. Reynolds, Mr. Ladd) and military officials (Colonel Garrett, General Schulgen) regarding whether the U.S. government is conducting experiments that could be mistaken for flying discs.

MEMORANDUM FOR MR. LADD

Chamberlin and General Todd that the Army is conducting no experimentations with anything which could possibly be mistaken for a flying disc.

Colonel Garrett of the Air Forces Intelligence subsequently contacted Mr. Reynolds and indicated that he had discussed this matter with General Schulgen of the Army Air Forces. General Schulgen had previously assured both Mr. Reynolds and Colonel Garrett that to the best of his knowledge and information no experiments were being undertaken by the Government which could be mistaken for flying discs. Colonel Garrett indicated to Mr. Reynolds that he had pointed out his beliefs to General Schulgen and had mentioned the possibility of an embarrassing situation arising between the Air Forces Intelligence and the FBI. General Schulgen agreed with Colonel Garrett that a memorandum would be prepared for the signature of General McDonald, A2, to General LeMay, who is in charge of Research and Development in the Air Corps. Colonel Garrett indicated that this memorandum will set forth the characteristics of the objects seen by various reliable individuals. The memorandum will then request General LeMay to indicate whether or not any experiments are being undertaken by the Air Forces which could possibly be connected with any of the observed phenomena. Colonel Garrett stated that when a reply is received from General LeMay, a communication will be addressed to the Bureau.

Mr. Reynolds will follow this matter closely with Colonel Garrett and General Schulgen so that the Bureau will be promptly advised of all information regarding the flying discs, especially any information indicating that they are, in fact, an experiment of some Governmental agency.

- 2 -

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PAGE 132

memo

A memorandum from J.P. Coyne to D.M. Ladd regarding the investigation of flying discs, arguing that the matter should be handled by the military rather than the FBI, while noting that an investigation in Chicago has been requested per Bureau Bulletin #42.

STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : D. M. LADD [HANDWRITTEN: J.P.C.] DATE: 8-8-47
FROM : J. P. COYNE [HANDWRITTEN: RS]
SUBJECT: FLYING SAUCERS AND FLYING DISCS

Reference is made to the memorandum to you from the Liaison Section dated July 21, 1947, setting forth a request from Colonel Golbranson of the Intelligence Division of the War Department for the Bureau to conduct investigation to determine the origin of the flying discs.

OBSERVATIONS:

It is felt that the situation regarding these flying saucers and flying discs is very similar to the situation which was previously encountered by the Bureau during the past war in handling complaints arising out of the sighting of Japanese baloons. You will recall that at the inception of these complaints the Bureau conducted considerable investigation and located numerous baloons as a cooperative measure for the Army and that after considerable work had been done, the Army then informed that these were military weapons and that they would take over the handling of these completely. This they did and in an extremely short time issued a big press release as to the splendid work of the Army in locating these Japanese baloons. From the information available thus far, it does not appear that these discs should be treated other than as a military weapon. Certainly the Bureau has no way to determine what experiments the Army and Navy are conducting and whether such might be arising out of experiments being conducted by them nor do we have any way of determining how far the Russians have progressed in certain experiments and whether such might be the results of experiments by the Russian Army. It short, it would certainly appear that this is a military situation and should be handled strictly by military authorities.

In this connection it might be pointed out that our present Portland case arose out of the fact that two Army Intelligence officers were returning from an interview of two individuals who reportedly had seen flying discs. If the Army Intelligence officers are handling some of these interviews, it is be-lieved that the they should be handling all of these interviews, and it is not believed that the Bureau should be expending its precious manpower on these complaints which thus far have no connection with our Russian espionage program. The military authorities certainly are better equipped to know what they are looking for than we are and have more facilities for handling any material which it is necessary to examine as a result of its being reported as a remnant of a flying disc. It is believed that the Bureau is merely playing bird-dog for the Army by using our manpower to run out these complaints on flying discs.

ACTION: EX-34 RECORDED [HANDWRITTEN: 162-83894-87]

In view of the recent Bureau Bulletin #42 dated July 30, 1947, however, there is attached a letter to the Chicago Office asking that they conduct the requested investigation.

Attachment [HANDWRITTEN: 5 RGE 29 1947 3/4]

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PAGE 133

memo

A memorandum discussing the FBI's lack of jurisdiction over 'flying disc' investigations, suggesting they be handled by the military, and noting the difficulty in distinguishing them from secret military balloon experiments.

Reference is made to the memorandum to you from [REDACTED] dated July 1, 1947, requesting a report on the [REDACTED] of the Intelligence Division of the War Department to conduct investigation to determine the origin of the flying discs.

It is felt that the situation regarding these discs is very serious and is connected to the past which was handling complaints of the [REDACTED] balloons. It will be recalled that at the inception of the [REDACTED] investigation and locked numerous [REDACTED] balloons, we were informed that these were very secret and that they had been developed by the [REDACTED]. This did not cover the refining of these balloons and the experimenters would not release the data to the [REDACTED] from the information available. It is not known whether these discs are related to the [REDACTED] balloons. Military experiments are being conducted and we do not have any way to determine how these experiments are being conducted and whether they have any connection with the discs. It is felt that this is a military situation and should be handled strictly by the military authorities.

In this connection it might be pointed out that our Portland Field Office two weeks ago were returning from a [REDACTED] interview of two individuals who reported they had seen flying discs. It was felt that the handling of these investigations should be left to the military authorities as we have no jurisdiction in the matter and have no more information than the military authorities. It is believed that it is useless to run out these complaints on flying discs.

[HANDWRITTEN: 8-1-47]

[STAMP: INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. RECEIVED AUG 25 2 57 PM '47]

[STAMP: INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. AUG 12 9 07 AM '47]

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PAGE 134

letter

A letter from FBI Director John Edgar Hoover to Mrs. Joseph H. Ryan declining to provide information regarding the 'Flying Saucer Mystery' due to established Bureau policy.

[HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-88]
October 3, 1947

Mrs. Joseph H. Ryan
Bieber, California

Dear Mrs. Ryan:

Receipt is acknowledged of your letter dated September 19, 1947, requesting information concerning the origin of the "Flying Saucer Mystery".

In this connection, you are advised that in view of a long established policy I am unable to furnish the results of investigations by this Bureau to other than Governmental sources. For this reason I regret that I am unable to answer your question, but I appreciate your interest in writing to me in this regard.

Sincerely yours,

John Edgar Hoover
Director

RGF:vj:cmw
[HANDWRITTEN: 232]
[HANDWRITTEN: 15 OCT 47]

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PAGE 135

memo

A brief internal FBI memo requesting that the origin of a [REDACTED] be investigated by the Internal Security Section, stamped with receipt dates in October 1947.

[HANDWRITTEN: 88]

[HANDWRITTEN: 88-3]

It is requested that the origin of the [REDACTED] be determined and that the matter be handled by the Internal Security Section of the F.B.I.

RECEIVED
OCT 8 4 21 PM '47

[HANDWRITTEN: Director]

COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
OCT 4 1947 10 AM

RECEIVED MAIL ROOM
F B I
U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE
OCT 4 1 03 PM '47

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PAGE 136

letter

A letter from The Ryan Funeral Home to the FBI regarding an article in the 'Kingdom Voice' publication that claims flying discs are being sent by Russians with German assistance.

The Ryan Funeral Home
BIEBER, CALIFORNIA
Sept 19-1947

To
The F.B.I.
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:-

Recently a little paper was handed to me called Kingdom Voice - The march ahead of time Printed in Los Angeles Cal
Box 6450 Metropolitan Station
office 1204 S. Olive St L.A. This is official publication of the Temple of Yahweh.
Now there is an article called The Flying Disc
Queer mystery. It states the the discs are sent by the Russians with the assistance of Germany, & [HANDWRITTEN: &] others
Sent from the north. They are ugly planes flying very high the Pilots are quiet strong redatives etc etc.

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PAGE 137

letter

A handwritten letter from Mrs. Joseph H. Ryan expressing skepticism about rumors regarding Germany and Japan, mentioning her background as a nurse and American Legion member.

Some are [ILLEGIBLE] and lots of other things which look off color to me. Of course H.Q. is a hot bed of [ILLEGIBLE] etc. For this to be read by the public is rather startling.

I just thought I would ask about this. I do not believe it myself. How could Germany and Japan do anything now they ways they are policed and guarded?

Sincerely
Mrs Jos H. Ryan
[HANDWRITTEN: MRS JOSEPH H RYAN]
world war nurse overseas for three years and member of our local Post A. Legion here.

[HANDWRITTEN: F.B.I. INTERNAL SECURITY RECEIVED 26 4 54 PM]

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PAGE 138

memo

An FBI teletype regarding the Maury Island incident, detailing statements from Harold A. Dahl and Fred Chrisman about sending rock samples to Ray Palmer and their subsequent meeting with Kenneth Arnold.

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
AUG 7 1947
TELETYPE
[HANDWRITTEN: Eat m of P]
[HANDWRITTEN: min]
FBI, SEATTLE 8-747 5-20 PM PST RH
DIRECTOR AND SAC, CHICAGO AND BUTTE URGENT
FLYING DISKS SIGHTED BY FRED CHRISMAN AND HARLD A DAHL, TACOMA, WN.
SM DASH X. REMYTEL AUGUST SIX, LAST CAPTIONED FLYING DISKS. HAROLD A. DAHL AND FRED CHRISMAN, TACOMA, IN SIGNED STATEMENT INSTANT DATE STATE THAT IN EARLY PART OF JUNE, LAST, THE PICKED UP SOME STRANGE ROCK FORMATIONS FROM A GRAVEL PIT, MAURI ISLAND, WASHINGTON. THEY STATE A CIGAR BOX OF THESE ROCK FORMATIONS THEY SENT TO RAY PALMER, EDITOR OF VENTURE MAGAZINE IN EVANSTON, ILLINOIS. THEY STATE PLAMER IS ALSO EDITOR OF FANTASY MAGAZINE, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS. THEY STATE THEY REQUESTED PALMER ONLY TO MAKE A CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF THE ROCK FORMATION. DAHL AND CHRISMAN STATE PALMER LATER WROTE ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL SAMPLES STATING HE HAD BEEN UNABLE TO ANALYZE THE MATERIAL. DAHL AND CHRISMAN STATE PALMER, A FEW DAYS AFTER THE FLYING DISK STORIES STARTED THE LATTER PART OF JUNE, LAST, CONTACTED THEM BY PHONE AT TACOMA, WASHINGTON, SAYING HE WOULD PAY FOR AN EXCLUSIVE STORY IF THE MATERIAL WHICH THEY HAD SENT HIM WAS FRAGMENTS OF A FLYING DISK. DAHL STATES HE WROTE PALMER A LETTER IN WHICH HE STATED THE MATERIAL WAS PART OF A FLYING DISK. DAHL AND CHRISMAN ADMIT THIS STATEMENT WAS ENTIREY FALSE. DAHL AND CHRISMAN STATE THEY WERE CALLED BY KENNETH ARNOLD OF BOISE, IDAHO TO MEET WITH HIM AT THE WHITHROP HOTEL, TACOMA, WASHINGTON ON JULY THIRTYFIRST, LAST. THEY STATE ARNOLD CALLED IN ARMY INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS FROM
[HANDWRITTEN: 55 OCT 1 1947]

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PAGE 139

cover-page

This is a cover page containing multiple FBI date-received stamps from August 1947.

RECEIVED-TAMM
FBI
U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
AUG 8 9 56 AM '47

RECEIVED-LADD
F B I
U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
AUG 8 11 17 AM '47

RECEIVED
INTERNAL SECURITY
F.B.I.
DEPT. OF JUSTICE
AUG 27 2 36 PM '47

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PAGE 140

report

This document is a continuation of a report detailing the investigation into Dahl and Chrisman's claims regarding flying disk fragments, the subsequent death of Captain Davidson and Lieutenant Brown, and allegations that Kenneth Arnold was paid to investigate the story.

PAGE TWO
HAMILTON FIELD, CALIFORNIA, AND CAPTAIN EMIL H. SMITH OF UNITED AIR LINES, SEATTLE, WASHINGTON TO ATTEND THE MEETING. DAHL AND CHRISMAN CLAIM THEY TOLD THE INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS, CAPTAIN DAVIDSON AND LIEUTENANT BROWN, AS WELL AS KENNETH ARNOLD AND EMIL SMITH EXACTLY HOW THEY GOT THE ROCK FORMATIONS AND THAT THEY HAD NO CONNECTION WITH ANY FLYING DISK. DAHL AND CHRISMAN STATE THEY FURNISHED SOME OF THE ROCK FORMATION TO THE INTELLIGENT OFICERS AS SAMPLES. CAPTAIN DAVIDSON AND LIEUTEANT BROWN LEFT TACOMA, WASHINGTON IN A B TWENTY FIVE TO RETURN TO HAMILTON FIELD, CALIFORNIA ABOUT TWO THIRTY A. M. AUGUST ONE, LAST, AND WERE KILLED WHEN THEIR PLANE CRASHED AT KELSO, WASHINGTON, AFTER THE LEFT ENGINE BURNED OUT AN EXHAUST STACK WHICH IN TURN CAUGHT THE LEFT WING ON FIRE AND IT BROKE OFF. THE CREW CHIEF AND EACH OFFICER PARACHUTED TO SAFETY. ERNIE VOTEL, ASSOCIATED PRESS WIREMAN, TACOMA, ADVISED THAT TWO OR THREE DAYS AFTER THE FLYING DISK STORIES STARTED, HE CONTACTED DAHL TO CHECK A STORY THE SEATTLE POST INTELLIGENCER HAD GOTEN FRM THE FIRE CHIEF AT HARBOR, WASHINGTON, TO THE EFFECT THAT DAHL HAD SOME FLYING DISK FRAGMENTS. AT THIS TIME DAHL ADMITTED TO VOGEL THE ENTIRE STORE WAS FALSE. DAHL AND CHRISMAN STATE ARNOLD WAS PAID BY RAY PALMER OF THE FANTASY MAGAZINE AND POSSIBLY THE BOISE STATEMAN- SXX NEWSPAER, TO COME TO TACOMA, WASHINGTON AND OBTAIN A STORY FROM THEM REGARDING THE FLYING DISK FRAGMENTS. THEY FURTHER STATE THAT EMIL H. SMITH HAD A [REDACTED].

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PAGE 141

cover-page

This is a blank cover page containing an FBI Internal Security date stamp from September 27, 1943.

RECEIVED
SEP 27 2 36 PM '43
INTERNAL SECURITY
F.B.I.
DEPT. OF JUSTICE

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PAGE 142

report

This page details telephone records and anonymous calls related to the investigation of disk fragments, involving individuals named Arnold, Palmer, Smith, Dahl, and Chrisman.

PAGE THREE

FRIEND ON THE CHICAGO TIMES AND WAS POSSIBLY SELLING THE STORY TO TE [HANDWRITTEN: N] CHICAGO TIMES THROUGH THIS FRIEND. A CHECK OF THE R [HANDWRITTEN: C] ORDS AT THE W [HANDWRITTEN: I] THROP HOTEL, TACOMA WHERE ARNOLD HAD HIS ROOM, REFLECT THAT ON JULY THIRTY FIRST, LAST, ARNOLD CALLED PALMER AT A. N. FIVE TWO NAUGHT NAUGHT, EVANSTON, ILLINOIS, COLLECT, AND ALSO CALLED NAUGHT ONE NAUGHT NINE J AT BOISE, IDAHO, COLLECT. ON AUGUST ONE, LAST, ARNOLD CALLED PALMER AT DEARBORN FIVE TWO NAUGHT NAUGHT CHICAGO, COLLECT, AND EMIL SMITH CALLED BLANK [HANDWRITTEN: X] RODDY AT DEARBORN TWO THREE TWO THREE. ON JULY THIRTY FIRST AND AUGUST ONE, LAST, A TOTAL OF FIVE ANONYMOUS CALLS WERE RECEIVED BY A TACOMA TIMES REPORTER AND THE UNITED PRESS WIRE MAN AT TAC [HANDWRITTEN: O] MA, GIVING IN-FORMATION REGARDING THE MEETING AT THE WINTHROP HOTEL OVER THE DISK FRAGMENTS AND STATING THAT THE B TWENTY FIVE HAD BEEN SHOT DOWN OR SABOTAGED WHICH KILLED CAPTAIN DAVIDSON AND LIEUTEANT [HANDWRITTEN: E] BROWN INFERRING THAT THIS WAS DONE BECAUSE THE INTELLIGENE [HANDWRITTEN: E] OFFICERS WERE CARRYING DISK FRAGMENTS IN THEIR PLANE. DAHL AND CHRISMAN STATE THESE CALLS COULD ONLY HAVE COME FROM THEMSELVES, SMITH OR ARNOD, AND DENY THAT THEY MADE THE CALLS. NO RECORD OF THE CALLS AS HAVING BEEN MADE FROM ARNOLD-S ROOM IN THE WINTHROP HOTEL CAN BE LOCATED. DAHL AND CHRISMAN ARE EVASIVE AS TO JUST WHAT INFORMATION THEY DID FURNISH BY PHONE OR LETTER TO RAY PALMER. ERNIE VOGEL, UNITED PRESS WIRE MAN [HANDWRITTEN: IN] TACOMA, WASHINGTON, STATE IT APPEARS THE BOISE STATEMAN-S PAPER AND KENNETH ARNOLD HAVE [HANDWRITTEN: (3)] [HANDWRITTEN: RECEIVED]

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PAGE 143

cover-page

This is a blank pink cover sheet containing an FBI date stamp indicating receipt on September 27, 1949.

RECEIVED
SEP 27 2 36 PM '49
INTERNAL SECURITY
F.B.I.
DEPT. OF JUSTICE

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PAGE 144

memo

This page outlines instructions for FBI field offices in Boise, Chicago, and Seattle to interview individuals including Kenneth Arnold, Ray Palmer, and Emil H. Smith regarding their involvement in flying disk stories and related investigations.

PAGE FOUR

BEEN PUSHING THE PUBLICITY ON THE FLYING DISK STORIES. VOGEL STATES THAT ARNOLD WAS EITHER THE FIRST OR ONE OF THE FIRST TO CLAIM HE HAD SEEN FLYING DISKS. DAHL AND CHRISMAN STATE THAT ARNOLD ADMITTED RECEIVING MONEY FROM RAY PALMER TO COME TO TACOMA TO CHECK THE DISK STORY. UNLESS ADVISED TO THE CONTRARY BY THE BUREAU, THE BUTTE OFFICE AT BOISE, IDAHO, WILL OBTAIN ALL INFORMATION REGARDING THE CONNECTION BETWEEN THE BOISE STATEMAN-S PAPER AND KENNNETH ARNOLD. WILL INTERVIEW KENNETH ARNOLD, ROUTE ONE, MOUNTAIN VIEW DRIVE, BOISE FOR WHAT INFORMTION HE HAS AS TO THE ABOVE FACTS AND WHAT INFORATION HE FURNISHED RAY PALMER AND THE BOISE STATEMAN REGARDING THE TACOMA MEETING AND THE SABOTAGE OF THE B TWENTYFIVE. THE CHICAGO OFFICE AT CHICAGO WILL INTERVIEW RAY PALMER, EDITOR OF FRANTASY MAGAZINE, REGARDING HIS CONNECTIONS WITH DAHL AND CHRISMAN AND ARNOLD AND WHAT INFORMATION EACH FURNISHED TO HIM. WILL ALSO ATTEMPT TO ASCERTAIN WHAT INFORMATION CAPTAIN EMIL H. SMITH FURNISHED THE CHICAGO TIMES. THE SEATTLE OFFICE AT SEATTLE WILL INTERVIEW EMIL H. SMITH, THREE NAUGHT TWO SEVEN WEST LAURELHURST DRIVE ALONG THESE SAME LINES. WILL ALSO ASCERTAIN WHAT INFORMATION THE FIRE CHIEF AT MRABOR XXX HARBOR, WASHINGTON OTAINED FROM DAHL AND CHRISMAN.

WILCOX

ACK IN ORD PLS

WA 9-39 PM OK FBI WASH DC VH

CG OK FBI CG MDG

BT OK FBI BT VGW

DISC PLS

[HANDWRITTEN: Mr. Ladd]

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PAGE 145

other

This page contains only administrative date stamps from the FBI Teletype Unit, the Director's office, and the Internal Security division, indicating the document's processing dates in August and September 1947.

RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT
AUG 7 9 39 PM '47
F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE

RECEIVED DIRECTOR
F.B.I.
U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
AUG 8 5 37 AM '47

RECEIVED
SEP 27 2 36 PM '47
INTERNAL SECURITY
F.B.I.
DEPT. OF JUSTI[ILLEGIBLE]

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PAGE 146

memo

An FBI teletype memo detailing an interview with United Airlines pilot Emil J. Smith regarding his interactions with Kenneth Arnold, Fred Chrisman, and Harold A. Dahl, and the subsequent investigation into the 'flying disc' story told by Chrisman and Dahl.

FBI SEATTLE 8-12-47 4:05 PM PST URGENT
DIRECTOR AND SACS CHICAGO AND BUTTE
FLYING DISCS SIGHTED BY FRED CHRISMAN AND HAROLD A. DAHL, TACOMA, WN. SM DASH X . REMYTEL AUGUST SEVEN LAST. EMIL J. SMITH, UNITED AIRLINES PILOT, INTERVIEWED RE ASSOCIATIONS WITH HAROLD A. DAHL , FRED CHRISMAN AND KENNETH ARNOLD IN TACOMA, WN., FROM JULY THIRTYONE TO AUGUST THIRD LAST. SMITH HAS RECEIVED PREVIOUS PUBLICITY FOR HAVING SEEN FLYING DISCS OR SIMILAR OBJECTS ON JULY FOURTH LAST IN COMPANY WITH HIS CO-PILOT, RALPH STEVENS, DURING ROUTINE UNITED AIRLINES FLIGHT OUT OF BOISE, IDAHO. SMITH RELATES THAT HE WENT TO TACOMA, WN., FROM SEATTLE ON THURSDAY, JULY THIRTYONE LAST IN RESPONSE TO TELEPHONE CALL FROM KENNETH ARNOLD AT TACOMA. SMITH CLAIMS HE HAD PREVIOUSLY MET ARNOLD ON TWO OCCASIONS, THE FIRST TIME ON JULY FIFTH LAST IN OFFICES OF SEATTLE POST- INTELLIGENCER WHERE BOTH WERE INTERVIEWED RE FLYING DISCS THEY HAD SEEN, AND ON SECOND OCCASION IN BOISE, IDAHO, ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO WHILE HE, SMITH, WAS PASSING THROUGH ON ROUTINE FLIGHT. ON THIS LATTER OCCASION, ARNOLD WAS IN COMPANY OF CAPTAIN DAVIDSON AND LIEUTENANT BROWN, ARMY INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS, AND A REPORTER JOHNSON OF THE IDAHO STATESMAN NEWSPAPER. SMITH CLAIMS NO PREVIOUS ACQUAINTANCE WITH DAHL OR CHRISMAN. SMITH RELATES THAT ON NIGHT OF JULY THIRTY ONE LAST IN TACOMA, WN., THE DAHL AND CHRISMAN STORY, WHICH BOTH HAVE SUBSEQUENTLY ADMITTED TO BE FALSE WAS TOLD TO SMITH, ARNOLD , CAPTAIN DAVIDSON, AND LIEUTENANT BROWN BY CHRISMAN AND DAHL. SUBSEQUEST TO THIS INTERVIEW, CHRISMAN GAVE CAPTAIN DAVIDSON AND BROWN A BOX OF THE ALLEGED FRAGMENTS WHICH THEY APPARENTLY TOOK WITH THEM ON THEIR FATAL FLIGHT. SMITH STATES THAT ON SATURDAY, AUGUST FIRST LAST, AFTER LEARNING OF THE CRASH AND DEATH OF DAVIDSON AND BROWN, ARNOLD CALLED RAYMOND PALMER, EDITOR OF THE VENTURE PRESS IN EVANSTON, ILLINOIS AND WAS TOLD BY PALMER TO DISCONTINUE HIS INVESTIGATION OF THE DAHL-CHRISMAN STORY AND TO [ILLEGIBLE] THE [ILLEGIBLE] EXPENSE MONEY WHICH MER HAD PREVIOUSLY

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PAGE 147

cover-page

This is a cover page containing multiple FBI date-received stamps from August 13, 1947.

RECEIVED-TAMM
FBI
U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
Aug 13 9 39 AM '47

RECEIVED
INTERNAL SECURITY
F.B.I.
DEPT. OF JUSTICE

RECEIVED-LADD
FBI
U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
Aug 13 11 40 AM '47

[HANDWRITTEN: 10 LHI]
[HANDWRITTEN: 10 LHI]
[HANDWRITTEN: 10 LHI]

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PAGE 148

memo

This is the second page of a memo detailing statements made by Smith regarding his interactions with Arnold, Crisman, and Dahl concerning the Maury Island incident, including mentions of media contacts and the subsequent investigation status.

PAGE TWO

SMITH RELATES THAT HE AND ARNOLD MADE SUBSEQUENT ATTEMPTS TO GO OUT TO MAURI ISLAND WITH CRISMAN AND DAHL ON FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY, AUGUST FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD, BUT WERE PUT OFF BY CRISMAN AND DAHL FOR VARIOUS REASONS, SMITH STATES THAT REPORTER LANTZ OF TACOMA TIMES AND MORELLO OF UNITED PRESS OFFICE TACOMA INFORMED HIM AND ARNOLD OF THE ANONYMOUS PHONE CALLS , AND FROM ACCURACY OF THE INFO TRANSMITTED BY THESE ANONYMOUS CALLS, SMITH BELIEVES THEY WERE MADE BY EITHER DAHL OR CRISMAN. SMITH ADMITS CALLING HIS PERSONAL FRIEND MAURICE RODDY, AVIATION EDITOR OF CHICAGO TIMES, ON FRIDAY, AUGUST FIRST LAST, TO INFORM HIM OR THE TACOMA INCIDENT AS PER A PREVIOUS AGREEMENT BETWEEN THEM THAT SMITH WOULD LET RODDY IN ON ANY FLYING DISC STORIES WHICH HE MIGHT RUN INTO. SMITH ALSO ADMITS THAT HE TOLD REPORTER JOHNSON OF IDAHO STATESMAN IN TELEPHONE CONVERSATION SATURDAY NIGHT, AUGUST SECOND LAST, THAT CAPTAIN DAVIDSON AND LIEUTENANT BROWN WERE CARRYING FRAGMENTS WITH THEM ON THEIR FATAL FLIGHT. SMITH SAYS THAT DAHL TOLD HIM ON SATURDAY NITE AUGUAT SECOND LAST THAT HE, DAHL, IF CONTACTED BY THE ARMY OR OTHER AUTHORITIES WAS GOING TO SAY THAT THE ENTIRE STORY WAS A HOAX. SMITH STATES THAT HE TOLD HIS COMPLETE STORY TO MAJOR SANDERS OF MCCORD FIELD, TACOMA, ON SUNDAY MORNING, AUGUST THIRD LAST, AND THAT ARNOLD LEFT TACOMA. UNLESS ADVISED TO CONTRARY, LANTZ AND MORELLO WHO ARE BOTH TACOMA NEWSPAPERMEN MENTIONED ABOVE, WILL NOT BE CONTACTED FOR VERIFICATION OF SMITHS STORY ABOVE. UNABLE TO LOCATE FIRE CHIEF OF HARBOR, WN. TO VERIFY INFORMATION RECEIVED BY HIM FROM DAHL AND CRISMAN. SINCE THIS STORY ORIGINATED IN SEATTLE POST- INTELLIGENCER NEWSPAPER THIS LEAD IS BEING DISCONTINUED UNLESS ADVISED TO CONTRARY. LETTER CONTAINING COMPLETER INTERVIEWS WITH DAHL AND CHRISMAN AS OUTLINED ABOVE WILL BE FORWARDED TO BUREAU.

WILCOX

END

ACK IN ORDER PLS

WA 10-30 PM OK FBI WA BW

OK FBI CG DBR

BT 0

OK FBI BT HEW

[HANDWRITTEN: teletype Sac. Seattle
Info Director
Blend memo
copy news Ladd cc. Mr. Ladd
R.M.F 8/14/47]

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PAGE 149

other

This page contains only administrative date stamps from the FBI Teletype Unit, the Director's office, and the Internal Security division.

RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT
Aug 12 10 33 PM '47
F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE

RECEIVED DIRECTOR
U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
Aug 13 5 58 AM '47

RECEIVED
SEP 25 3 53 PM '47
INTERNAL SECURITY
F.B.I.

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PAGE 150

memo

A teletype from the San Francisco FBI office to the Director regarding the investigation of flying discs and the status of Lt. Col. Donald Springer, who was investigating the deaths of AAF investigators.

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION

AUG 6, 1947
[HANDWRITTEN: dh.]
TELEMETER

[HANDWRITTEN: ms.]
[HANDWRITTEN: Flepaker]

WASHINGTON FROM SFRAN 85 8-6-47 12-09 PM
DIRECTOR URGENT
FLYING DISCS, SM - X. RE PORTLAND TELETYPE REFERENCING PHONE CALL FROM MR. LADD AT BUREAU ONE PM AUGUST FIFTH LAST. A-TWO SAN FRANCISCO UNABLE TO VERIFY. LT. COL. DONALD SPRINGER A-TWO HAMILTON FIELD, IN CHARGE OF INVESTIGATION BY A-TWO IS THOUGHT BY A-TWO TO BE RETURNING FROM KELSO, WASHINGTON AREA HAVING GONE TO KELSO [HANDWRITTEN: AND BY] UPON LEARNING OF DEATHS OF AAF INVESTIGATORS MENTIONED IN REFERENCE TELETYPE. HE PLANNED, UPON DEPARTURE, TO OBTAIN RESULTS OF AAF INVESTIGATORS OR REINTERVIEW PERSONS MENTIONED IN REFERENCED TELETYPE. SPRINGER WILL BE CONTACTED UPON HIS RETURN AND AXX BUREAU ADVISED.

[HANDWRITTEN: 630CT 2 KIMBALL 1947 P-344]
RECORD 62-83894-91
F B I
29 SEP 24 1947
EX-56

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PAGE 151

memo

A teletype communication from the Seattle FBI field office to the Director regarding an investigation involving a two-man crew and Colonel Donald Springer.

RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT
AUG 6 4 22 PM '47
F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE

WASHINGTON FROM SEATTLE 8-6-47
DIRECTOR
URGENT

FIELD OFFICE AT PORTLAND TELETYPE REFERENCE PHONE CALL
FROM LAST AUGUST ONE THIRTY FIRST. A TWO-MAN CREW
CISCO AMERTE TO AERIAL. COL. DONALD SPRINGER V-IMO NVA
FIELD IN CHARGE OF INVESTIGATION AT TWO / 81 THOUGHT F.B.I.
RETURNING FROM KETCH, WASHINGTON AREA HAVE CONF 26 11 07 AM
TIME OF DEATH OF THE INVESTIGATION OF THE F.B.I. RECEIVED

RECEIVED
AUG 7 10 26 AM '47
INTERNAL SECURITY
F.B.I.
DEPT. OF JUSTICE
AUG 6 5 19 PM '47
RECEIVED-LAD

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PAGE 152

memo

An urgent FBI teletype from the Salt Lake City office reporting that eight people in Logan, Utah, observed three flights of flying discs on the evening of September 8, 1947.

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE COMMUNICATION SECTION SEP 10 1947 TELETYPE [HANDWRITTEN: Est] [HANDWRITTEN: Reynolds] FBI SALT LAKE CITY 9 9-10-47 9-55 AM MST MMH DIRECTOR M.......URGENT.... FLYING DISCS. NEWS ITEM IN SALT LAKE TRIBUNE OF TENTH INSTANT REFLCTS THAT EIGHT DIFFERENT PEOPLE AT LOGAN, UTAH REPORTED SEEING THREE DIFFERENT FLIGHTS OF FLYING DISCS BETWEEN TEN FORTY AND ELEVEN TEN PM MONDAY, EIGHTH INSTANT. INVESTIGATION BEING CONDUCTED AND BUREAU WILL BE ADVISED. [HANDWRITTEN: RECORDED 162-83894-92] [HANDWRITTEN: SE 13 EX 25] [HANDWRITTEN: 9/19/47] END 12-55 PM OK FBI WASH DC GAR [HANDWRITTEN: Flying Disc] [HANDWRITTEN: 66-03-834] [HANDWRITTEN: cc Mr. Ladd] [HANDWRITTEN: 5-R7]

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PAGE 153

cover-page

This page is a cover sheet containing multiple date-stamped receipt marks from the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice, dated September 10 and 11, 1947.

RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT
SEP 10 12 56 PM '47
F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE

RECEIVED
SEP 11 9 14 AM '47
INTERNAL SECURITY
F.B.I.
DEPT. OF JUSTICE

RECEIVED
SEP 10 2 00 PM '47
U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
F B I

RECEIVED
SEP 10 1 08 PM '47
U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
F B I

RECEIVED
SEP 10 4 54 PM '47
RECEIVED-TAMM
LIAISON SECTION
15 12 56 PM '47

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PAGE 154

memo

This FBI memo discusses a coded message published in the 'Newsday' newspaper under the pseudonym 'Radio Ham,' which the City Editor believes was written by a local individual influenced by flying disc publicity.

Federal Bureau of Investigation
United States Department of Justice
New York, N. Y.

September 4, 1947

Director, FBI
Attention: FBI Laboratory
Re: Mrs. A. G. SARBANIS, Informant

Dear Sir:

Reference is made to Bureau letter dated July 21, 1947, addressed to Mrs. A. G. SARBANIS, 66 Notre Dame Avenue, Hicksville, Long Island, New York, a copy of which was sent to the New York Office.

Mrs. SARBANIS was interviewed by Special Agent William A. Johnson on August 12, 1947, at which time she advised that this coded message had appeared in "Newsday," the local newspaper of Nassau and Suffolk County, Long Island, New York. She stated that the message had appeared in the "County Irritant," a feature of this paper, and had been signed "Radio Ham."

Mr. JACK ALTSCHUL, City Editor of "Newsday," Hempstead, New York, was interviewed and advised that this article had been sent to the newspaper by letter which was signed "Radio Ham," and explained that he had no way of determining the identity of the writer. Mr. ALTSCHUL stated that it was his opinion that the code had been made up by some local "screwball" who had been affected by all of the newspaper publicity that had been given at that time to the story about flying discs.

There is enclosed an article appearing in the July 12th issue of "Newsday" concerning this coded message, which might be of interest in this matter.

Unless advised to the contrary, no further effort is being made to establish the identity of the person who signed himself "Radio Ham."

Very truly yours,
EDWARD SCHEIDT,
SAC

[HANDWRITTEN: Memo to Conel wve/of 9/17/47]
[HANDWRITTEN: 162-83894-93]
[HANDWRITTEN: 198]
[HANDWRITTEN: 24]
[HANDWRITTEN: FIVE]

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PAGE 155

memo

This memo from the FBI New York office discusses an investigation into a coded message published in the 'Newsday' newspaper regarding 'flying discs'. The editor of the newspaper could not identify the author of the message, and the FBI decided to cease further efforts to identify the individual.

Federal Bureau of Investigation
United States Department of Justice
New York, N.Y.

September 8, 1947

Director, FBI

RE: [REDACTED] - SECURITY INFORMATION

DEAR SIR:

Reference is made to agency letter dated July 21, 1947, addressed to Mr. J. EDGAR HOOVER, 90 Church Street, New York, Long Island, a copy of which was sent to the New York Office.

Mr. [REDACTED] was interviewed by Special Agent William A. Johnson. [REDACTED] advised that at the time this message had been encountered in the "Newsday", the local newspaper of Nassau County, Long Island, New York. He stated that the message had appeared in the "County" section and had been signed "[REDACTED]."

Mr. ALAN HATHAWAY, Editor of "Newsday", Hempstead, New York, was interviewed and advised that this article had been sent to the newspaper by letter which was signed "Radio", and expressed that he had no way of determining the identity of the author. HATHAWAY stated that it was his opinion that the ad had been made by some local "reporter" who had been affected by the publicity of the newspaper at the time to the story about flying discs.

There is enclosed an article appearing in the July 21 issue of "Newsday" concerning this coded message, which might be of interest in this matter.

Unless further effort is directed to the contrary, no further effort is being made to establish the identity of the person who signed himself "Radio".

Very truly yours,

[REDACTED]

[HANDWRITTEN: RECEIVED
F.B.I.
INTERNAL SECURITY
10 14 AM
SEP 10 1947]

[STAMP: RECEIVED
LABORATORY DIVISION
F B I
SEP 8 5 27 PM '47
TECHNICAL LABORATORY]

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PAGE 156

other

A newspaper clipping from the 'Newsday' Mail Box section containing two letters to the editor, one mentioning flying saucers and another discussing a coded message about Martians.

[HANDWRITTEN: 7/12/47 Newsday]
COUNTY
IRRITANT
from our Mail Box

Coming His Way
Merrick—Out all day yesterday looking for a house to rent, but no luck. I got so disgusted I ended up in a tavern and got lit. When I got home and went in the house I SAW FLYING SAUCERS IN AIR!
—No Foolin.

Garbles
Westbury—Bellmore Radio Ham's message seems to be from some gentleman occupying an Olympian height. As with many of these erudite souls, the sender cannot resist including a few "garbles" in his code. Or is our Ham guilty? Here is your message: TIRED OF H-U-M-A-N NONSENSE WONT AWAIT ATOMIC WAR DISTURBING SOLAR SYSTEM SO SENT FLYING DISKS AND WILL SET UP WORLD UNDER MARTIANS LATE THIS YEAR.
—Simple transposition. Hope all your readers are appropriately warned.
—Stephen M. Schuster.
(Other ungarblers got "outlaw" (ATLAW) instead of "await," "disrupting" instead of "disturbing." Miss Rita Flood of Port Washington expects the world order to be set up under "minister." Is Radio Ham satisfied? Ed.)

ENCLOSURE
[HANDWRITTEN: 162-83894-93]
RECORDED 15 SEP 6 41

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PAGE 157

memo

An FBI memorandum regarding a coded message signed 'Radio Ham' sent to the newspaper 'Newsday' by an informant, Mrs. A. G. Sarbanis, which the FBI concludes was likely the work of a local 'screwball'.

STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Mr. J. P. Coyne [HANDWRITTEN: rep]
FROM : W. V. Cleveland [HANDWRITTEN: Hol]
SUBJECT: Mrs. A. G. Sarbanis
Informant
DATE: 9/17/47

You will recall that a letter was received from the above captioned individual dated July 10, 1947, in which she inclosed a newspaper clipping signed "Radio Ham." This newspaper clipping contained a coded message which Mrs. Sarbanis decoded. The FBI Laboratory checked Mrs. Sarbanis' decoding of this message and advised that it was substantially correct. The Laboratory's decoding of the message is being set forth below:

"TIRED OF HUMAN NONSENSE WONT AWAIT ATOMIC WAR
DISRUPTING ORDER SOLAR SYSTEM SO SENT FLYING
DISKS AND WILL SET UP WORLD ORDER UNDER MARTIANS
LATE THIS YEAR."

The New York Office was asked to interview Mrs. Sarbanis to determine from what newspaper the clipping in question was obtained. They were further instructed to contact this newspaper in an effort to ascertain the identity of the person who sent in the coded message, in order that the person might be interviewed for information concerning the alleged receipt of the coded message.

By letter dated September 4, 1947, the New York Office advised that they had ascertained from Mrs. Sarbanis that the coded message had appeared in "Newsday," the local newspaper of Nassau and Suffolk County, Long Island, New York. The City Editor of this newspaper stated that the original had been signed only "Radio Ham" and knew of no way of determining the identity of the writer. It was the City Editor's opinion that the code had been made up by some local "screwball" who had been affected by all of the newspaper publicity that had been given to stories concerning "flying discs."

The FBI Laboratory has now advised that the FCC maintains their amateur records by a geographical breakdown as well as by call letters and that the Laboratory could possibly get the names of all amateurs in the Bellmore, Long Island, New York Section in the event it is desired that another attempt be made to identify the person who sent this coded message to the "Newsday."

RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that no further action be taken in connection with this matter in view of the opinion expressed by the City Editor of the "Newsday" that the letter received by him signed "Radio Ham" was from some local "screwball."

[HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-94]
[HANDWRITTEN: 105-0-2270]
[HANDWRITTEN: 27 1947/76]
[HANDWRITTEN: INDEXED]
[HANDWRITTEN: Dosing]
[HANDWRITTEN: Aupiffon]
[HANDWRITTEN: 7-S]

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PAGE 158

memo

This is a blank office memorandum form containing only date stamps and routing information from the FBI Technical Laboratory and Internal Security division.

Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

[HANDWRITTEN: SEP 22 1947]

[HANDWRITTEN: F.M.C]

[HANDWRITTEN: SEP 28 1947]

RECEIVED

TECHNICAL LABORATORY
F B I
S. DEPT OF JUSTICE

SEP 18 12 04 PM '47

RECEIVED
SEP 26 11 05 AM '47
INTERNAL SECURITY
F. B. I.
S. DEPT OF JUSTICE

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PAGE 159

memo

An FBI office memorandum from the San Francisco SAC to the Director regarding a report on flying discs from Lt. Col. Donald L. Springer and a mention of Kenneth Arnold's sighting.

STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Director, FBI - Attention: Assistant DATE: July 28, 1947
Director D. M. LADD [HANDWRITTEN: RS]
FROM : SAC, San Francisco [HANDWRITTEN: 6]
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS

There is transmitted herewith for the information of the Bureau
a report received from Lieutenant Colonel DONALD L. SPRINGER, A-2, Hamilton Field,
California, containing the results of an investigation by his office concerning
the reported sighting of flying discs.

In addition to containing the detailed descriptions of what was
allegedly seen by several persons, the Bureau's attention is particularly called
to the first memorandum setting forth the notes of Agent FRANK M. BROWN, CIC,
Fourth Air Force, concerning an interview he had with Mr. KENNETH ARNOLD, Box
387, Boise, Idaho, who reported that on July 12, 1947 he had seen nine strange
objects flying over the Cascade Mountain Range of Washington State. It will be
noted that CIC Agent BROWN reports that Mr. ARNOLD is very outspoken and somewhat
bitter in his opinions of the leaders of the United States Army Air Forces and the
FBI for not having made an investigation of this matter sooner."

The thought has occurred to me that the Bureau might desire to have
an agent of the Butte Office contact Mr. ARNOLD and explain to him our lack of
jurisdiction in such matters. [HANDWRITTEN: mee]

HMK:emb
Enclosure

[HANDWRITTEN: 41]
[HANDWRITTEN: 162-83894-95]
[HANDWRITTEN: EX-37 34 SEP 23 1947]
[HANDWRITTEN: R-344]
6 30CT 2 1947 [HANDWRITTEN: 2e3]

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form

This is a Fourth Air Force investigation report regarding the 'Flying Discs' phenomenon, summarizing various sightings from June and July 1947 and noting the status of the investigation as pending.

CONFIDENTIAL
COVERING
CI-R1
FOURTH AIR FORCE
Office of [REDACTED] Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
Hamilton Field, California
TITLE Flying Discs.
FILE NO. D333.5 ID (4AF-1208-I)
DATE 18 July 1947
INVESTIGATION MADE AT Palm Springs, Calif., Boise, Idaho, and Hamilton Field, California.
CONTROLLING OFFICE Air Defense Command
PERIOD COVERED From 10 Jul 47 to 18 Jul 47
CASE CLASSIFICATION Incident
STATUS OF CASE Pending
REASON FOR INVESTIGATION:
Investigation initiated at the request of Headquarters Air Defense Command reference letter Headquarters Air Defense Command, dated 7 July 47, File D333.5 ID, subject: Investigation of Flying Discs.
SYNOPSIS:
Flying Discs first reported in this area 24 June 1947 near Mt. Rainier, Wash., by Kenneth M. Arnold (Incl 1, Exhibit A)
Unidentified object reported 9 July 1947 at approximately 1277 near Boise, Idaho, by David N. Johnson, Aviation Editor, Idaho Daily Statesman. (Incl 2, Exhibit B)
Unidentified objects reported by Capt. E. J. Smith, United Air Lines Pilot, 4 July 1947, eight minutes out of Boise, Idaho. (Incl 3 MOIC, Incl 7 News Clippings dated 5 July 1947)
Record check of law enforcement agencies, public utilities, and local residences revealed no record of Richard Rankin in Palm Springs. (Incl 4)
Unidentified objects reported 8 July 1947 at 1245, traveling northeast over Hamilton Field by S/Sgt Edward R. Baker, (Incl 5, Exhibit I)
Unidentified objects reported over Grand Canyon, Arizona, 0910 MST by Lt. W. G. McGinty, USN (Incl 6) and in vicinity of Lake Mead by Lt. E. B. Armstrong, Hq Tenth Air Force, Brooks Field, Texas. (Incl 6).
Extent of publicity in local area indicated by press clippings. (Incl 7)
DISTRIBUTION COPIES APPROVED:
AAF 2 [HANDWRITTEN: Signature of Donald L. Springer]
ADC 1 DONALD L. SPRINGER
4AF Files 1 Lt. Colonel, GSC
AC of S, A-2
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
JUL 24 1947
[HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-95]
ENCLOSURE
W.D., P.M.G. Form No. 110
1 April 1944
(This form supersedes W. D., O. C. S. Form No. 19, which
will not be used upon receipt of this revision)
CONFIDENTIAL
SAN FRANCISCO
ROUTED TO

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memo

A memorandum detailing an interview with Kenneth Arnold regarding his sighting of nine strange objects over the Cascade Mountain Range, including the interviewer's assessment of Arnold's credibility.

CONFIDENTIAL

COPY

Incident
4AF 1208 I
16 July 1947
[HANDWRITTEN: 22]

MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE:

1. On 12 July 1947, Mr. Kenneth Arnold, Box 387, Boise, Idaho, was interviewed in regard to the report by Mr. Arnold that he saw 9 strange objects flying over the Cascade Mountain Range of Washington State on July 25th. Mr. Arnold voluntarily agreed to give the interviewer a written report of exactly what he had seen on the above mentioned date. The written report of Mr. Arnold is attached to this report as Exhibit A,

AGENT'S NOTES: Mr. Arnold is a man of 32 years of age, being married and the father of two children. He is well thought of in the community in which he lives, being very much the family man and from all appearances a very good provider for his family. Mr. Arnold has recently purchased a home on the outskirts of Boise, recently purchased a $5,000 airplane in which to conduct his business to the extent of which is explained in the attached exhibit. It is the personal opinion of the interviewer that Mr. Arnold actually saw what he stated that he saw. It is difficult to believe that a man of Mr. Arnold's character and apparent integrity would state that he saw objects and write up a report to the extent that he did if he did not see them. To go further, if Mr. Arnold can write a report of the character that he did while not having seen the objects that he claimed he saw, it is the opinion of the interviewer that Mr. Arnold is in the wrong business, that he should be writing Buck Rogers fiction. Mr. Arnold is very outspoken and somewhat bitter in his opinions of the leaders of the U.S. Army Air Forces and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for not having made an investigation of this matter sooner. To put all of the statements made by Mr. Arnold in this report would make it a voluminous volume. However, after having checked an aeronautical map of the area over which Mr. Arnold claims that he saw the objects it was determined that all statements made by Mr. Arnold in regard to the distances involved, speed of the objects, course of the objects and size of the objects, could very possibly be facts. The distances mentioned by Mr. Arnold in his report are within a short distance of the actual distances on aeronautical charts of this area, although Mr. Arnold has never consulted aeronautical charts of the type the Army uses. Mr. Arnold stated that his business had suffered greatly since his report on July 25 due to the fact that at every stop on his business routes, large groups of people were waiting to question him as to just what he had seen. Mr. Arnold stated further that if he, at any time in the future, saw anything in the sky, to quote Mr. Arnold directly, "if I saw a ten story building

[HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-95] ENCLOSURE

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memo

A fragment of a memo regarding an incident (4AF 1208 I) mentioning public ridicule of an individual, signed by Frank M. Brown.

[CONFIDENTIAL] COPY

Incident
4AF 1208 I

flying through the air I would never say a word about it", due to the
fact that he has been ridiculed by the press to such an extent that he
is practically a moron in the eyes of the majority of the population of
the United States.

1 Incl: Exhibit "A"

FRANK M. BROWN, S/A, CIC 4th AF

[CONFIDENTIAL]

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report

A biographical statement provided by Kenneth Arnold detailing his early life, education, athletic background, and professional career in fire control and aviation.

[HANDWRITTEN: COPY]
[REDACTED] CONFIDENTIAL [REDACTED]
SOME LIFE DATA ON KENNETH ARNOLD

I was born March 29, 1915 in Subeka, Minnesota. My father's name was Edward Erb Arnold; my mother's maiden name was Bertha E. Barden. I was a resident of Minnesota until I was six years old when my family moved to Scobey, Montana, where they homesteaded. My grandfather, Roland C. Arnold also homesteaded in Scobey, Montana, and became quite prominent in political circles along with Burton K. Wheeler, the famous Montana senator.

I went to grade school and high school at Minot, North Dakota. I entered scouting at twelve years of age and achieved the rank of Eagle scout before I was fourteen. My former scout executive was H. H. Prescott, now a regional commissioner for the Boy Scouts in Kansas City, Kansas.

As a boy, I was interested in athletics and was selected as an all-state end in 1932 and 1933 in the state of North Dakota. I entered the U. S. Olympic trials in fancy diving in 1932; I was a Red Cross Life Saving Examiner during the years of 1932, '33 and '34. I taught swimming and diving at scout camps and the municipal pool in Minot, North Dakota. I went to the University of Minnesota, where I swam and did fancy diving under Neils Thorpe, and also played football under Bernie Bierman, but upon entering college I was unable to continue my football career because of an injured knee. My high school football coach was Glenn L. Jarrett, who is now the head football coach of the University of North Dakota. I had little or no finances, and my ambition in furthering my edication in college was through my athletics. As a boy in Minot, North Dakota, I did a good deal of dog sled racing, placed first with my dog in 1930 in the Lions Club Dog Derby.

In 1938 I went to work for Red Comet, Inc. of Littleton, Colorado, a manufacturer of automatic fire fighting apparatus. In 1939 I was made district manager for them over a part of the western states, and in 1940 I established my own fire control supply known as the Great Western Fire Control Supply. I have been working as an independent fire control engineer since, and I handle, distribute, sell and install all types of automatic and manual fire fighting equipment in the rural areas over five western states.

My flying experience started as a boy in Minot, North Dakota, where I took my first flying lesson from Earl T. Vance, who was originally from Great Falls, Montana. Due to the high cost at that time, I was unable to continue my flying and did not fly of any great consequence until 1943. I was given my pilot certificate by Ed Leach, a senior CAA inspector of Portland, Oregon, and for the last three years have owned my own airplane covering my entire territory with same and flying from forty to one hundred hours per month since. Due to the fact that I use an airplane entirely in my work, in January of this year I purchased a new Callair airplane, which is an airplane designed for high altitude take-offs and short rough field use.

In the type of flying I do, it takes a great deal of practice and judgment to be able to land in most any cow pasture and get out without injuring your airplane; the runways are very limited and the altitude is very high in some of the fields and places I have to go in my work. To date, I have landed in 823 cow pastures in mountain meadows, and in over a thousand hours a flat tire has been my greatest mishap.

[HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-95] ENCLOSURE
[REDACTED] CONFIDENTIAL [REDACTED]

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report

Kenneth Arnold provides a personal account of his observation of nine unidentified aircraft while flying near Mt. Rainier on June 24, 1947.

CONFIDENTIAL
BY KENNETH ARNOLD

The following story of what I observed over the Cascade mountains, as impossible as it may seem, is positively true. I never asked nor wanted any notoriety for just accidently being in the right spot at the right time to observe what I did. I reported something that I know any pilot would have reported. I don't think that in any way my observation was due to any sensivity of eye sight or judgment than what is considered normal for any pilot.
On June 24th, Tuesday, 1947, I had finished my work for the Central Air Service at Chehalis, Washington, and at about two o'clock I took off from Chehalis, Washington, airport with the intention of going to Yakima, Wash. My trip was delayed for an hour to search for a large marine transport that supposedly went down near or around the southwest side of Mt. Rainier in the state of Washington and to date has never been found.
I flew directly toward Mt. Rainier after reaching an altitude of about 9,500 feet, which is the approximate elevation of the high plateau from which Mt. Rainier rises. I had made one sweep of this high plateau to the westward, searching all of the various ridges for this marine ship and flew to the west down and near the ridge side of the canyon where Ashford, Washington, is located.
Unable to see anything that looked like the lost ship, I made a 360 degree turn to the right and above the little city of Mineral, starting again toward Mt. Rainier. I climbed back up to an altitude of approximately 9,200 feet.
The air was so smooth that that day that it was a real pleasure flying and, as most pilots do when the air is smooth and they are flying at a higher altitude, I trimmed out my airplane in the direction of Yakima, Washington, which was almost directly east of my position and simply sat in my plane observing the sky and the terrain.
There was a DC-4 to the left and to the rear of me approximately fifteen miles distance, and I should judge, at 14,000 foot elevation.
The sky and air was as clear as crystal. I hadn't flown more than two or three minutes on my course when a bright flash reflected on my airplane. It startled me as I thought I was too close to some other aircraft. I looked every place in the sky and couldn't find where the reflection had come from until I looked to the left and the north of Mt. Rainier where I observed a chain of nine peculiar looking aircraft flying from north to south at approximately 9,500 feet elevation and going, seemingly, in a definite direction of about 170 degrees.
They were approaching Mt. Rainier very rapidly, and I merely assumed they were jet planes. Anyhow, I discovered that this was where the reflection had come from, as two or three of them every few seconds would dip or change their course slightly, just enough for the sun to strike them at an angle that reflected brightly on my plane.
These objects being quite far away, I was unable for a few seconds to make out their shape or their formation. Very shortly they approached Mt. Rainier, and I observed their outline against the snow quite plainly.
I thought it was very peculiar that I couldn't find their tails but assumed they were some type of jet plane. I was determined to clock their speed, as I had two definite points I could clock them by; the air was so clear that it was very easy to see objects and determine their approximate shape and size at almost fifty miles that day.
I remember distinctly that my sweep second hand on my eight day clock, which is located on my instrument panel, read one minute to 3 P.M. as the first object of this formation passed the southern edge of Mt. Rainier. I watched these objects with great interest as I had never before observed
CONFIDENTIAL

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report

A pilot provides a detailed account of observing a chain of unidentified flying objects while flying, noting their speed, size, and movement relative to mountain peaks.

CONFIDENTIAL

airplanes flying so close to the mountain tops, flying directly south to southeast down the hog's back of a mountain range. I would estimate their elevation could have varied a thousand feet one way or another up or down, but they were pretty much on the horizon to me which would indicate they were near the same elevation as I was.

They flew like many times I have observed geese to fly in a rather diagonal chain-like line as if they were linked together. They seemed to hold a definite direction but rather swerved in and out of the high mountain peaks. Their speed at the time did not impress me particularly, because I knew that our army and air forces had planes that went very fast.

What kept bothering me as I watched them flip and flash in the sun right along their path was the fact that I couldn't make out any tail on them, and I am sure that any pilot would justify more than a second look at such a plane.

I observed them quite plainly, and I estimate my distance from them, which was almost at right angles, to be between twenty to twenty-five miles. I knew they must be very large to observe their shape at that distance, even on as clear a day as it was that Tuesday. In fact I compared a zeus fastener or cowling tool I had in my pocket with - holding it up on them and holding it up on the DC-4 - that I could observe at quite a distance to my left, and they seemed smaller than the DC-4; but, I should judge their span would have been as wide as the furtherest engines on each side of the fuselage of the DC-4.

The more I observed these objects, the more upset I became, as I am accustomed and familiar with most all objects flying whether I am close to the ground or at higher altitudes. I observed the chain of these objects passing another high snow-covered ridge in between Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams, and as the first one was passing the south crest of this ridge the last object was entering the northern crest of the ridge.

As I was flying in the direction of this particular ridge, I measured it and found it to be approximately five miles so I could safely assume that the chain of these saucer like objects were at least five miles long. I could quite accurately determine their pathway due to the fact that there were several high peaks that were a little this side of them as well as higher peaks on the other side of their pathway.

As the last unit of this formation passed the southern most high snow-covered crest of Mt. Adams, I looked at my sweep second hand and it showed that they had travelled the distance in one minute and forty-two seconds. Even at the time this timing did not upset me as I felt confident after I would land there would be some explanation of what I saw.

A number of news men and experts suggested that I might have been seeing reflections or even a mirage. This I know to be absolutely false, as I observed these objects not only through the glass of my airplane but turned my airplane sideways where I could open my window and observe them with a completely unobstructed view. (Without sun glasses)

Even though two minutes seems like a very short time to one on ground, in the air in two minutes time a pilot can observe a great things and anything within his sight of vision probably as many as sixty times.

I continued my search for the marine plane for another twenty minutes and while searching for this marine plane, what I observed kept going through my mind. I became more disturbed and after taking a last look at Tieton Reservoir I headed for Yakima.

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report

A witness account describing the observation of unidentified flying objects, including comparisons to other reports and speculation on their nature as potential government-tested aircraft.

CONFIDENTIAL

I might add that my complete observation of these objects, which I could even follow by their flashes as they passed Mt. Adams, was around two and one-half or three minutes -- although, by the time they reached Mt. Adams they were out of my range of vision as far as determining shape or form. Of course, when the sun reflected from one or two or three of these units, they appeared to be completely round; but, I am kaing a drawing to the best of my ability, which I am including, as to the shape I observed these objects to be as they passed the snow covered ridges as well as Mt. Rainier.

When these objects were flying approximately straight and level, they were just a black thin line and when they flipped was the only time I could get a judgment as to their size.

These objects were holding an almost constant elevation; they did not seem to be going up or to be coming down, such as would be the case of rockets or artillery shells. I am convinced in my own mind that they were some type of airplane, even though they didn't conform with the many aspects of the conventional type of planes that I know.

Although these objects have been reported by many other observers throughout the United States, there have been six or seven other accounts written by some of these observers that I can truthfully say must have observed the same thing that I did; particularly, the descriptions of the three Western Air Lines employees, the gentleman from Oklahoma City and the locomotive engineer in Illinois, plus Capt Smith and Co-Pilot Stevens of United Air Lines. [HANDWRITTEN: (pilot) Cedar City, Utah]

Some descriptions could not be very accurate taken from the ground unless these saucer-like disks were at quite a great height and there is a possiblity that all of the people who observed peculiar objects could have seen the same thing I did; but, it would have been very difficult from the ground to observe these for more than four or five seconds, and there is always the possibility of atmospheric moisture and dust near the ground which could distort one's vision.

I have in my possession letters from all over the United States and people who profess that these objects have been observed over other portions of the world, principally Sweden, Bermuda, and California.

I would have given almost anything that day to have had a movie camera with a telephoto lens and from now on I will never be without one -- but, to continue further with my story. When I landed at the Yakima, Wash., airport I described what I had seen to my very good friend, Al Baxter, who listened patiently and was very courteous but in a joking way didn't believe me.

I did not accurately measure the distance between these two mountains until I landed at Pendleton, Oregon, that same day where I told a number of pilot friends of mine what I had observed and they did not scoff or laugh but suggested they might be guided missiles or something new. In fact several former Army pilots informed me that they had been briefed before going into combat overseas that they might see objects of similar shape and design as I described and assured me that I wasn't dreaming or going crazy.

I quote Sonny Robinson, a former Army Air Forces pilot who is now operating dusting operations at Pendleton, Oregon, "What you observed, I am convinced, is some type of jet or rocket propelled ship that is in the process of being tested by our government or even it could possibly be by some foreign government."

Anyhow, the news that I had observed these spread very rapidly and before night was over I was receiving telephone calls from all parts of the world; and, to date I have not received one telephone call or one letter of scoffing or disbelief. The only disbelief that I know of was what was printed in the papers.

I look at this whole ordeal as not something funny as some people have made it out to be. To me it is mighty serious and since I evidently did

CONFIDENTIAL

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report

A statement by Kenneth Arnold regarding his observation of unidentified objects, including details about his pilot credentials, his aircraft, and a description of the objects' appearance and movement.

CONFIDENTIAL COPY

observe something that at least Mr. John Doe on the street corner or Pete
Andrews on the ranch has never heard about, is no reason that it does not
exist. Even though I openly invited an investigation by the Army and the
FBI as to the authenticity of my story or a mental or a physical examination
as to my capabilities, I have received no interest from these two important
protective forces of our country; I will go so far as to assume that any
report I gave to the United and Associated Press and over the radio on two
different occasions which apparently set the nation buzzing, if our Military
Intelligence was not aware of what I observed, they would be the very first
people that I could expect as visitors.
I have received lots of requests from people who told me to make a lot
of wild guesses. I have based what I have written here in this article on
positive facts and as far as guessing what it was I observed, it is just as
much a mystery to me as it is to the rest of the world.
My pilot's license is 333487. I fly a Callair airplane; it is a three-
place single engine land ship that is designed and manufactured at Afton,
Wyoming as an extremely high performance, high altitude airplane that was
made for mountain work. The national certificate of my plane is 33355.

/s/ Kenneth Arnold
Box 587
Boise, Idaho

[HANDWRITTEN: traveling this way ->]
[HANDWRITTEN: Top]
[HANDWRITTEN: They seemed longer than wide, their thickness was about 1/20th of their width]
[HANDWRITTEN: side view]
[HANDWRITTEN: traveling this way ->]
Mirror Bright
They did not appear to me to whirl or spin but seemed in fixed position,
traveling as I have made drawing. /s/ Kenneth Arnold
CONFIDENTIAL

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memo

A memorandum detailing an interview with David N. Johnson, aviation editor of the Idaho Daily Statesman, regarding the credibility of Kenneth Arnold's report of seeing flying disks near the Cascade Mountain Range.

CONFIDENTIAL

Incident
4AF 1208 I
16 July 1947

MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE:

1. On 12 July 1947, a call was made at the newspaper office of the "Idaho Daily Statesman", Boise, Idaho. The aviation editor of the paper, Mr. David N. Johnson, was interviewed in regard to how well he knew Mr. Kenneth Arnold of Boise, Idaho, and as to the credibility of any statement made by Mr. Arnold. The purpose of this interview was an attempt to verify statements made by Mr. Kenneth Arnold on 26 June 1947, to various national news services to the effect that he, Mr. Arnold, had seen 9 objects flying in the air above the Cascade Mountain Range of Washington. These objects were subsequently referred to as flying saucers or flying disks and will here-in-after be referred to as such in this report. Mr. Johnson stated that he had known Mr. Arnold for quite a period of time, having had relations with Mr. Arnold on various occasions, due to the fact that both he, Mr. Johnson, and Mr. Arnold were private fliers and frequently got together to talk shop. Mr. Johnson stated that as far as he was concerned anything Mr. Arnold said could be taken very seriously and that he, Mr. Johnson, actually believed that Mr. Arnold had seen the aforementioned flying disks. Mr. Johnson stated that after Mr. Arnold reported having seen the flying disks, that the editor of the paper had assigned him, Mr. Johnson, the assignment of taking the airplane belonging to the newspaper and exhausting all efforts to prove or disprove the probability of flying disks having been seen in the northwest area. The results of this assignment to Mr. Johnson and what he subsequently saw is put forth in a sworn statement signed by Mr. Johnson attached to this report as Exhibit B.

AGENT'S NOTES: Mr. Johnson is a man of approximately 33 to 35 years of age. From all appearances he is a very reserved type of person. Mr. Johnson has logged 2800 hours of flying time in various types of airplanes up to and including multi-engine aircraft. During part of the war years, Mr. Johnson was the first pilot of a B-29 type aircraft being assigned to the Twentieth USAAF and stationed on Tinian Island, in the Pacific. It is the personal opinion of the interviewer that Mr. Johnson actually saw what he states that he saw in the attached report. It is also the opinion of the interviewer that Mr. Johnson would have much more to lose than gain and would have to be very strongly convinced that he actually saw something before he would report such an incident and open himself for the ridicule that would accompany such a report.

1 Incl: Exhibit "B"

FRANK M. BROWN, S/A, CIC 4th AF

[HANDWRITTEN: 65-83894-95] ENCLOSURE
CONFIDENTIAL

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transcript

A pilot provides a detailed account of observing an unidentified object while flying, describing its maneuvers, his attempts to film it, and subsequent search efforts involving other aircraft and ground personnel.

CONFIDENTIAL

Upon hearing this response, I turned the aircraft broadside to the object, pulled back the plexiglass covering to avoid any distortion, took my camera from the map case, and exposed about 10 seconds' duration of eight millimeter motion picture film. During the time the camera was at eye level, I could not see the object because of minuteness of scope introduced by the optical view finder with which the camera, an f.1.9 Eastman, was equipped.

Taking the camera away and once again centering my gaze on the object, I observed it to roll so that its edge was presented to me. It then appeared as a thin black line. It then performed a maneuver which looked as if it had begun a slow roll, or a barrel roll, which instead of being completed, was broken off at about the 180-degree point. The object rolled out of the top of the maneuver at this point, and I lost sight of it.

This entire performance was observed against the background of clouds previously forming over the Camas Prairie. The object appeared to me, relatively, as the size of a twenty-five cent piece. I do not know how far away it was. I do not know, nor can I truthfully estimate its speed. I can only say it was not an airplane, and if it was at a very great distance from me, its speed was great, taking into consideration that apparent speed is reduced to the viewer if an object is a very great distance away.

I forgot to look at my clock to determine the exact time I saw the object. The CAA's log of radio contacts shows my first contact to have been made at 12:17 hours. But a few seconds elapsed between the time I first saw the object, and the time I called the CAA's station.

I subsequently related over the radio a description of what I saw, and communicator Albertson may remember it. The control tower may have a recording of the conversation. I have not checked to determine.

The purpose of my relating over the air what I saw was to enable rapid transmission of the report to the newspaper, for at that time I was on assignment and my energies thenceforth were devoted to (1) transmitting the information and (2) conducting a further search, which I did after landing for fuel and to make some telephone calls.

The next search, begun within half an hour after landing from the first one, consumed another two hours, but was negative. I explored thoroughly the region where I saw the object.

Immediately after sighting the object, I asked if there were other aircraft in the area. There was a P-51 of the 190th squadron practicing maneuvers in the vicinity of Kuna, but that was behind me. A C-82 passed over Boise, but I saw that aircraft go beneath me by some 2,000 feet. The P-51 in the vicinity of Kuna proceeded to the area where I saw the object, at my request, and conducted a search. It was negative. During the afternoon, flights of P-51s were sent out to cover the area, and some of them flew high altitude missions on oxygen. These searches were negative.

I was subsequently informed that personnel on both the United Air Lines side of Gowen field, and on the national guard side, observed a glack object maneuvering in front of the same cloud formation, which by now had grown so that the clouds reached a probable height of 19,000 or 20,000 feet from a mean base of 13,500 or 14,000 feet, mean sea level. Three of these men were national guard personnel and I talked to them,

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transcript

This is a sworn statement by David N. Johnson, notarized by Geo. L. Flaherty on July 12, 1947, regarding a request made by Mr. Brown and Captain Davidson.

CONFIDENTIAL

saw it.
This statement is made voluntarily and freely, in response to the request of Mr. Brown and Captain Davidson, who called on me this morning.

/s/ David N. Johnson

Subscribed and sworn to before me, a notary public, this 12th
day of July, 1947.

/s/ Geo. L. Flaherty
Notary public for Ada
county Idaho. My
commission expires Jan 2, 1949.

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diagram

A diagram illustrating the flight path of an object as described in the statement of David N. Johnson, showing five distinct positions and a rolling maneuver.

CONFIDENTIAL

Chart to which reference is
made on page six, statement
of David N. Johnson

[DIAGRAM OF FIVE NUMBERED POSITIONS CONNECTED BY A DOTTED LINE]

This design portrays the movements of the object to
which reference is made in the attached statement. At
all times the object appeared as black. Positions (1), (2)
and (3) show the jerky, rising motion. Position (4) is where
the object rolled, presenting its edge to me. It then
followed the dotted line, rolling over the top of the maneuver
and disappearing at position (5).

CONFIDENTIAL

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report

A pilot provides a detailed account of his sighting of an unidentified aerial object, discusses his own qualifications and potential for optical illusion, and notes that motion picture film taken during the flight failed to capture the object.

CONFIDENTIAL

asking them to describe what they saw, before telling them my story, in order to avoid suggestion or inference of a leading nature. They saw the object (from the ground) while I was on my second search. They believed the time to have been 14:00 hours. The object performed in the same erratic manner, they said, as I observed.

The above is the extent of the story, and information concerning myself is now in order.

I have approximately 2800 hours of flying time in equipment ranging from primary trainers to B-29s. Of course, that does not increase my powers of observation except as to those practiced daily by an airman. It does not make my eyesight any sharper except again as to the incidental demands upon the eyes of a pilot.

At the time of the experience related above, I had flown fourteen and one-half hours on an assignment to find a disc and if possible, to photograph it. In all frankness, I was tired. I may have been suffering, although slightly, from want of oxygen.

Prior to sighting the object, I had concluded there was no point in pressing the search, that I probably would never see the disc-like objects referred to by Arnold and by Captain Smith of United Air Lines.

At all times during the search, both on that day and the two preceeding days (particularly when I was with Arnold) I had literally talked to myself to keep beating into my head that I would not fall victim to the power of suggestion or self-hypnosis arising from a naturally very intent desire to find a disc and bring success to the assignment given me.

I therefore do not believe that I was the victim of suggestion or hypnosis. I am familiar with the optical illusion of a fixed object beginning to move after it is watched a sufficient length of time. I know what tricks the eyes will play as to moving bodies, and have learned of this particularly during night formation flying.

I saw the object appear suddenly. If it had moved in a jerky fashion (as it did at first) for the full length of time I observed it, I would not be so strong in saying that I saw something not an aircraft, not a balloon, and not a corpuscle moving across the retina of either eye. The maneuver described by the object when its edge was presented to me convinces me that I saw an object actually performing in an erratic flight path.

The question remains, of course, whether I saw it. The motion picture film, developed and processed by R. W. Stohr in the Eastman laboratories at 241 Battery Street, San Francisco, showed no trace of any object. Stohr says that if it was more than a mile distant from me at the size I described, the object would not have registered sufficiently on the film to be shown. He said it probably was too far away to be apparent even through great enlargement of the negative, and enlargement in that case is limited because of the size of the film and the fact I did not have any telescopic equipment on the lens. The exposure was f.16, stop set at infinity, at a speed of 16 frames per second.

I have worried over this matter a great deal since seeing it. I "took myself aside" and said, "come now, Johnson, don't be stupid." But I cannot bring myself to the point of thinking I did not see a thing. The impression of the moment was too vivid, too realistic. I knew in the air when I saw that partial slow roll or barrel roll that I was not a victim of illusion.

I trust this matter will be of help to those investigating flying disc phenomena which have been reported.

A chart is attached depicting the movements of the object.

CONFIDENTIAL

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PAGE 174

memo

A memorandum regarding an interview with Captain Smith of United Airlines on July 12, 1947, concerning his sighting of flying disks on July 4, 1947.

CONFIDENTIAL

COPY

Incident
4AF 1208 I
16 July 1947

MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE:

1. On 12 July 1947, Captain Smith, of the United Airlines, was interviewed at the Boise Municipal Airport, Boise, Idaho. Captain Smith was passing through Boise on a schedule flight at the time and had a 20 minute stop-over. Captain Smith reiterated the statements originally made by him to the press as to what he had seen in the late evening of July 4th, when 8 minutes out of Boise on the route to Seattle, Washington. It is the opinion of the interviewer that due to the position Captain Smith occupies, that he, Captain Smith, would have to be very strongly convinced that he actually saw flying disks before he would open himself for the ridicule attached to a report of this type.

FRANK M. BROWN, S/A, CIC 4TH AF

[HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-95] ENCLOSURE

CONFIDENTIAL

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PAGE 175

memo

This memorandum details the unsuccessful efforts of S/A Frank M. Brown to locate a Mr. Richard Rankin in Palm Springs, California, through various local agencies and interviews with the local Postmaster.

CONFIDENTIAL

COPY

Incident
4AF 1208 I
14 July 1947

MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE:

1. On 10 July 1947, a chech was made at the following locations in Palm Springs, California for the purpose of trying to locate Mr. Richard Rankin: Palm Springs Police Department, Palm Springs Newspaper, "The Desert Sun", Palm Springs Water Company, Southern California Gas Company, Palm Springs Telephone Company, Palm Springs Employment Office, Palm Springs Chamber of Commerce, Royal Palms Hotel, 5 Palm Springs real estate offices, and the City Offices of Palm Springs including waste disposal, water rights, tax records and etc. No record of Mr. Rankin existed in any of the above mentioned offices.

2. On 11 July 1947, Mr. Ryland M. Gorham, Postmaster of Palm Springs, California for the past 14 years was interviewed. Mr. Gorham stated that he had lived in Palm Springs for the past 24 years and that he was unaware if a person named Richard Rankin had ever lived in Palm Springs. Mr. Gorham stated that due to the fact that Palm Springs is a resort area and due to the fact that in the summer months only 3 to 5 thousand people resided in Palm Springs, it was very possible that Mr. Rankin could have lived in Palm Springs more or less on a non-permanent status and he, Mr. Gorham, not being aware of it.

A check of General Delivery records revealed a letter addressed to Mr. Richard Rankin, Palm Springs, mailed from Cicero, Indiana, postmarked at Cicero, Indiana, July 1947, at 5 P.M. The return address on the envelope was listed as the Gospel Tract Worker, Route 1, Cicero, Indiana. Mr. Gorham permitted the contents of the envelope to be examined inasmuch as the contents was 3rd Class material and the envelope not sealed. The records were of a religious nature concerning the sad plight of American non-church goers, the second coming of Christ and etc. Superintendent of Mails was contacted by Mr. Gorham and stated that there was a Mr. Richard Rankin who had received mail through the general delivery office of the Palm Springs Post Office, but that the last mail, other than the letter mentioned above, came through the Post Office approximately two years ago. The Superintendent of Mails seemed to have a very uncanny memory and recalled where the mail coming in for Rankin had been addressed to. This mail was addressed to Mr. Richard Rankin in care of a trailer camp located in Palm Springs. On calling the trailer camp office, it was found that Mr. Richard Rankin had lived in the camp but departed approximately two years ago and left no forwarding address. Investigation is continuing in an effort to locate Mr. Rankin and obtain a statement from him.

FRANK M. BROWN,S/A, CIC 4th AF
[HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-95]

INCLOSURE

CONFIDENTIAL

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PAGE 176

memo

A memorandum detailing an interview with S/Sgt Edward R. Baker regarding his sighting of three unidentified objects over Hamilton Field on July 8, 1947.

CONFIDENTIAL

FLYING DISCS
4AF-1208-I
15 July 1947
[HANDWRITTEN: 47 13 3]

MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE:

On 15 July 1947, S/Sgt Edward R. Baker, ASN RA 39576378, 467th AAF BU (ORD), Squadron A, Hamilton Field, California, was interviewed and stated as follows: S/Sgt Baker has been in the Army ten years and two months, twenty-six months overseas duty in the ETO, and has been in the Air Corps for about ten months. S/Sgt Baker stated that on 8 July 1947, he was going to Base Cleaners from his office and was passing along the sidewalk near the barracks of the ORD when he saw five or six men pointing toward the sky, but as he was use to this around an Army Air Base, he paid no further attention to it until a lieutenant and a captain ahead of him stopped and pointed in the same direction. He stated that on glancing up he saw three objects traveling northeast across the sky. Two seemed to be traveling faster than an ordinary flight of P-80s and he estimated the altitude between 9-10,000 feet and approximately 7-10 miles away. S/Sgt Baker stated that the two objects in the lead appeared to be round and of a very light gray color, while the object in the rear seemed to be either rotating or rolling behind the other two. S/Sgt Baker stated that from a distance he could not tell exactly the shape of the one which was rolling as it appeared to be turning over and he couldn't tell whether the object was flat. The only means he had of identifying it was the fact that it seemed to get brighter and darker as it appeared to roll. The objects were in sight approximately four seconds. As he was in a hurry, he did not stop to talk to the other men but he heard one of them remark that the one in the rear was certainly rolling fast. S/Sgt Baker was unable to identify any of the other men in the group who were reported to have seen the object. Baker stated that it was unlike anything he had ever seen and that he has been trying to convince himself that it was an optical illusion, and yet at the same time he is certain that he saw the objects as described. (See Exhibit I).

NOTE: S/Sgt Baker appears to be intelligent and is a reserved sort of person. He was very reluctant to discuss the subject at first and appeared hesitant prompted by the possibility that he might be ridiculed. He seemed to be honest and sincere in what he stated he saw, and said frankly he was puzzled over the matter. A signed statement by S/Sgt Baker is attached.

1 Incl:
Exhibit I.

WILLIAM L. DAVIDSON, Capt, AC, OIC CI, 4AF

[HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-95] ENCLOSURE

CONFIDENTIAL

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PAGE 177

memo

This FBI memorandum details a series of sightings of multiple unidentified flying objects in triangular formations over Twin Falls, Idaho, on August 19, 1947, as reported by H. H. Hedstrom and observed by local police officers.

Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
65-481
TO : Director FBI DATE: September 2, 1947
FROM : SAC Butte
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS

Remytel August 20, 1947.

With reference to the above-described teletype, Mr. H. H. HEDSTROM, 322 Third Avenue North, Twin Falls, Idaho, was the principal source of information. Mr. HEDSTROM, who is the Executive Director of the Twin Falls Housing Authority, explained that he and his wife and Mrs. HENRY SHULTZ, a neighbor, were sitting on their front porch at approximately 9:30 P. M., August 19, 1947. He stated that she had seen an object traveling at a terrific rate of speed in a northeasterly direction. The object was out of sight before Mr. HEDSTROM and Mrs. SHULTZ could see anything.

While they were discussing what Mrs. HEDSTROM had seen, approximately ten minutes later all three saw ten similar objects proceeding rapidly in the same direction in the form of a triangle. As the group of objects was disappearing, three of the objects on the left flank peeled off and proceeded in a more northerly direction. The remaining objects appeared to close ranks and proceeded in a northeasterly direction.

From three to five minutes later these same individuals saw another group of three objects proceeding in the same direction, and again in the shape of a triangle. From three to five minutes later all three observed another group in a triangular formation consisting of five or six objects. They were proceeding in the same direction.

A few minutes later the three persons saw a large group of objects estimated at from thirty-five to fifty flying in a triangular formation in the same direction. Approximately twenty or twenty-five minutes after the large group of objects was observed, similar objects were noted coming back over the city in a southwesterly direction. These objects were generally in groups of three, five and seven and followed each other at approximately five minute intervals.

Mrs. HEDSTROM called Detective RICHARD A. FRAZIER of the Twin Falls Police Department, a next door neighbor, who was then accompanied by M. E. ROUNTREE and RICHARD SCOTT, also members of the Twin Falls Police Department. The three officers watched for a few minutes and observed a group of about twelve objects flying in formation over the city in a southwesterly direction. The members of the Police Department did not continue watching, although Mr. FRAZIER later saw other groups, which were also seen by the HEDSTROMS and Mrs. SHULTZ. Mrs. SHULTZ had also called her husband, who saw some of the objects.

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PAGE 178

memo

This memorandum from the Butte SAC office details multiple witness reports of flying discs observed over Twin Falls, Idaho, on August 20, 1947.

OFFICE MEMORANDUM - UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO: Director FBI DATE: September 2, 1947
FROM: SAC, Butte
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS

Reference is made to the above-described flying discs.

Mr. [REDACTED], 222 Third Avenue, Twin Falls, Idaho, who is the executive director of the Twin Falls Chamber of Commerce, and his wife and [REDACTED], were at their ranch at approximately 8:30 A.M., August 20, 1947. Mr. [REDACTED] said that he suddenly spotted and called to the sky and therefore stated that she had seen an object traveling at a terrific rate of speed in a northeasterly direction. The object was out of sight before Mr. [REDACTED] could see anything.

They were discussing the [REDACTED] with Mr. [REDACTED], who had approximately five minutes in the air, saw similar objects proceeding rapidly in the same direction in the form of a triangle. At the group of objects, he proceeded in a same direction, five of the objects appeared to close ranks and proceeded in a northeasterly direction.

From three to five minutes later these same individuals saw another group of these objects proceeding in the same direction again in a triangle. From five to ten minutes later all these observed moving objects were in a triangle, consisting of five or six objects.

A few minutes later the three persons saw a large group of objects detached from the five-to-five flying in a triangle. Approximately 10 or 15 minutes later, the group of objects was observed coming back over the city in a southwesterly direction. These objects were generally in groups of three, five and seven, and followed one another approximately five minutes later.

Mr. [REDACTED] of TWIN FALLS, IDAHO, was interviewed by [REDACTED]. He was accompanied by [REDACTED] and [REDACTED], also members of the Twin Falls Police Department. The three officers observed a group of objects and observed them over the city in a southwesterly direction. The members of the F.B.I. did not continue through the [REDACTED] and was seen also by [REDACTED] of the F.B.I. who was her husband, who was [REDACTED].

[HANDWRITTEN: 9-6]

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PAGE 179

memo

This document is a follow-up report regarding an investigation into unidentified objects seen in the sky, detailing witness statements from Detective Frazier and Mr. Hedstrom, and concluding that the Butte Office is closing the case.

BT 65-481

On the night in question the sky was overcast and the objects could not be seen closely; however, they were distinct enough so that all persons could observe what they described as a glow going through the air. They said that the objects appeared to be lighted from the inside and were of a color similar to regular electric lights.

Detective FRAZIER and Mr. HEDSTROM both stated that they could not be meteors or comets, that they flew on a level line and did not appear to drop. They flew at a terrific rate of speed and were visible for only a few minutes at a time. Both persons interviewed said that the objects could not have been geese or ducks and that the lights were not a reflection of the city lights on some object or objects.

None of the persons interviewed noticed any flames or anything except the glow of lights. None of the persons who claimed to have seen these objects were drinking at the time. No other persons in Twin Falls reported seeing the objects mentioned herein; however, Mr. HEDSTROM and Mr. FRAZIER stated that it was purely by accident that they had seen the objects and that they would not have seen them unless they were looking for them, because of the speed at which they traveled. On account of the overcast sky they were unable to estimate the size of the objects or the height at which they flew.

No further investigation is being conducted by the Butte Office, and the case is being closed.

RJG:FO'S

- 2 -

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PAGE 180

memo

An FBI memorandum from the San Francisco SAC to the Director requesting the Anchorage Field Office to interview Captain Jack Peck and co-pilot Vince Daly regarding a flying object sighting near Bethel, Alaska.

ST. ND FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Director, FBI DATE: September 4, 1947
FROM : SAC, San Francisco AIRMAIL
SPECIAL DELIVERY
SUBJECT: REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS

Enclosed is a copy of a letter dated August 28, 1947, from Lt. Col. DONALD L. SPRINGER of A-2, Hamilton Field, Calif., with an attachment referring to the sighting of a flying object by Captain JACK PECK and his co-pilot, VINCE DALY, near Bethel, Alaska.

Photostatic copies of this letter and attachment are being forwarded to the Anchorage Field Office. In accordance with Bureau Bulletin #42, dated July 30, 1947, Anchorage is requested to interview Captain JACK PECK and his co-pilot, VINCE DALY, preferably separately, in order to obtain all details of their reported sighting of a flying object on August 4, 1947. The San Francisco Field Office should be furnished two copies of the results of these interviews for distribution to the Sixth Army Intelligence.

DWK:MR
62-2938
Encls.

cc Anchorage (Encls.)
AMSD

[HANDWRITTEN: HMK]
[HANDWRITTEN: RS]
[HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894 97]
[HANDWRITTEN: 127 EX-42]
[HANDWRITTEN: 2-INCL 4 EX-42]
[HANDWRITTEN: 55 SEP 30 1947]
RECORDED
&
INDEXED
F B I
34 SEP 23 1947
[ILLEGIBLE]
BECEIAED

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PAGE 181

memo

A memorandum from the Portland FBI office to the San Francisco office regarding the investigation of a flying object sighting near Alaska by a pilot and co-pilot.

Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

TO : SAC, San Francisco DATE: September 19, 1947
FROM : SAC, Portland
SUBJECT: REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS

Enclosed is a copy of a letter dated August 28, 1947,
from J. Edgar Hoover to S-A Hamilton, Portland Field Office,
with reference to the sighting of a flying object
by Captain [REDACTED] and his co-pilot [REDACTED] near
Alaska.

Photostatic copies of this letter and attachment are
being forwarded to the Anchorage Field Office. In accordance
with Bureau Bulletin dated July 30, 1947, Anchorage
requested to interview Captain [REDACTED] and his co-pilot,
[REDACTED], in order to obtain all details of the
reported sighting of a flying object on August 4, 1947.
The San Francisco Field Office should be furnished two copies
of the results of these interviews for distribution to the Sixth
Army Intelligence.

[HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894]

[HANDWRITTEN: 9-25-47]

[HANDWRITTEN: Copy to Anchorage (afor.)]

[HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894]

RECEIVED
EP 27 1 52 PM '47
INTERNAL SECURITY
F.B.I.
DEPT. OF JUST

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PAGE 182

memo

A memorandum from the Alaska Communication System to the Fourth Air Force regarding a report from Bethel, Alaska, which is subsequently forwarded to the FBI.

CONFIDENTIAL

SIGAK 000 ALASKA COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, SIGNAL CORPS ACSAD
Seattle 4, Washington
19 August 1947

Subject: Matters of National Interest

To: Commanding General
Fourth Air Force
San Francisco, California

The attached letter has been received from the NCOIC of
the Alaska Communication System station at Bethel, Alaska.
It is submitted for your information.

For the Commanding Officer:

/s/ Svend C. Hansen
SVEND C. HANSEN
Captain, Signal Corps
Acting Executive

1 Incl
Cy ltr fr NCOIC
at Bethel to Hq,
ACS, Seattle

333.5/1208-I 1st Ind 4AFDA
HQ FOURTH AIR FORCE, Hamilton Field, California, 28 August 1947.

TO: Special Agent In Charge, FBI, U. S. Department of Justice, Room 422,
Federal Office Building, San Francisco, California.

Forwarded for your information.

1 Incl [HANDWRITTEN: rec'd]
n/c

DONALD L. SPRINGER
Lt. Colonel, GSC
AC of S, A-2

[HANDWRITTEN: 62-73894-97]

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
SEP 2 1947
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
ROUTED TO FILE

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PAGE 183

memo

A memo from the Alaska Communication System reporting a sighting of a flying saucer by Captain Jack Peck and CoPilot Vince Daly on August 4, 1947, near Bethel, Alaska.

CONFIDENTIAL

BETHEL, ALASKA

5 August 1947

Subject; Matters of National Interest
To: Commanding Officer, Alaska Communication System
550 Federal Office Building, Seattle 4, Washington

1. Per AGAO-S 319.1 the following report is submitted on a matter which may become of National Interest. Captain Jack Peck and his CoPilot Vince Daly have stated that on August 4, 1947 they sighted and followed a flying saucer Northwest of Bethel Alaska. This object was bigger than the Douglas DC-3 they were flying, crossed their course at right angles to them. It was flying at an Altitude of one thousand feet. They swung in behind it and followed it at an air speed of one hundred seventy miles per hour but it was out of sight in four minutes. They state the object was smooth surfaced and streamlined with no visible means of propulsion whatever.

2. It is realized that the Fourth Air Force claims there are no such things but Captain Peck is Chief Pilot for Al Jones flying service and is not a man given to exaggeration. In view of the excellent reputation of Captain Peck and the fact that no one here doubts in the least but that he actually saw this object, this report is turned in for any action deemed necessary by your office.

/s/ Harold D. Johnston
T/4 Signal Corps
Operator in Charge

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
SEP 2 1947
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
[HANDWRITTEN: Ezell]

[HANDWRITTEN: Incl #1]

CONFIDENTIAL

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PAGE 184

memo

This is an FBI office memorandum from the San Francisco SAC to the Director regarding reports of flying discs, enclosing documents provided by Lt. Colonel Donald L. Springer.

STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : Director, FBI DATE: August 27, 1947
FROM : SAC, San Francisco
SUBJECT: REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS

Attention: Assistant Director D. M. LADD

[HANDWRITTEN: HMK]
[HANDWRITTEN: ep]
[HANDWRITTEN: ep]
[HANDWRITTEN: [ILLEGIBLE]]

Reference is made to my letter of August 8, 1947, with which there were transmitted photostatic copies of three letters dated August 4, 1947, entitled, "Investigation of Flying Discs".

In order to keep the Bureau fully informed concerning this matter, I am enclosing a letter dated July 28, 1947, entitled, "Unidentifiable Objects" furnished to me by Lt. Colonel DONALD L. SPRINGER, GSC, A C of S A-2. Enclosed with this letter was a memorandum for the officer in charge written by LAWRENCE R. KING, JR., Special Agent CIC AdC dated July 15, 1947.

Lt. Colonel DONALD L. SPRINGER furnished me in person with a memorandum entitled, "Incident for AF 1208-I" dated August 5, 1947, and prepared by JAMES A. NELSON, Special Agent CIC 4AF. [HANDWRITTEN: DEFERRED RECORDING]

The Bureau will be kept currently advised of any future information obtained in this matter.

[HANDWRITTEN: 3]
DWK:VL
62-2938
Enclosures
[HANDWRITTEN: [ILLEGIBLE] [ILLEGIBLE] 9/8/47]
[HANDWRITTEN: RECORDED & INDEXED]
[HANDWRITTEN: 41]
[HANDWRITTEN: EX-23]
[HANDWRITTEN: 162-83894-98]
[HANDWRITTEN: 31 SEP 28 1947]
[HANDWRITTEN: Fletcher]
[HANDWRITTEN: 5-RJ]
[HANDWRITTEN: 620CT1 1947]

PAGE 185

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memo

A memorandum detailing an interview with Captain William H. Ryherd regarding his sighting of two unidentified flying objects near Hamilton Field on July 29, 1947.

CONFIDENTIAL

Incident
4AF 1208-I
5 August 1947

MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE:

On 5 August 1947, this agent interviewed Captain William H. Ryherd, ASN 0-66356, the assistant operations officer in the 415th AAF BU, Building 95, Hamilton Field, California, regarding flying objects in the air. Captain Ryherd stated in substance: He is an instructor pilot in the 415th Training Unit. On 29 July at 1450, Captain Ryherd and a student, 1st Lt. Ward L. Stewart, 1242 Milvia Street, Berkeley, California, landed and parked an AT-6 near the hangar, building 59 of the 415th AAF BU. Walking from the aircraft toward reserve operations, and looking westward just over the hangar, Captain Ryherd saw a P-80 flying southward toward Oakland. Above this P-80, at approximately 8,000 to 10,000 feet in altitude, Captain Ryherd saw two flying objects traveling the same direction as the P-80. He, Ryherd, judged the solid, white, somewhat shiny objects were approximately 15 to 25 feet in diameter. Ryherd stated that he didn't call them discs due to the publicity these objects have been given, but in shape they were circular, like a ball on the bottom, but not completely round; and Ryherd specifically stated that these objects were not airplanes.

The first flying object was traveling straight and level; whereas the second was close behind the first, same altitude, only it seemed to be going from left to right and right to left, more or less like a guard in an aircraft formation. Captain Ryherd further stated that the speed of these two objects made a P-80 look as if it was motionless in the air.

The sky was clear, consequently Captain Ryherd and Lt. Stewart watched the two objects until they disappeared in flight, supposedly over Oakland, headed toward the ocean.

Due to the noise of the P-80, no sound of any kind could be heard from these flying objects.

These objects did not leave any vapor, smoke, or any visible trails along their flight path.

Captain Ryherd informed this agent he had never told anyone about these flying objects, fearing that people would think he was crazy.

AGENT'S NOTES: Captain Ryherd showed extreme sincerity throughout the interview, answering all questions with caution and assurance.

JAMES A. NELSON, Spec. Agt., CIC 4AF

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PAGE 187

cover-page

This is a blank cover page containing a file reference number and an enclosure label.

[HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-98]
ENCLOSURE
1

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PAGE 188

memo

A memo from the Fourth Air Force Intelligence office to the FBI in San Francisco regarding 'Unidentifiable Objects', enclosing a copy of a MOIC report dated 15 July 1947.

HEADQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
Intelligence
Hamilton Field, California

28 July 1947

4AFDC-1
4AF-1208-I

SUBJECT: "Unidentifiable Objects".

TO : Special Agent In Charge, FBI, 111 Sutter Street, San Francisco, California.

Inclosed herewith is information copy of MOIC, subject as above, dated 15 July 1947.

[HANDWRITTEN: 1-Incl: Endued 7-30-47 yab Info cy MOIC, dtd 15Jul47.]

DONALD L. SPRINGER
Lt Col., GSC
A C of S, A-2

FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
JUL 30 1947

-1-
[HANDWRITTEN: 62-2938-12]

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memo

A memorandum detailing an interview with 1st Lt. Eric B. Armstrong regarding his sighting of five or six white, circular objects while flying a P-51 aircraft near Lake Meade, Nevada, on June 28, 1947.

UNIDENTIFIABLE OBJECTS
Williams Fld., Chandler, Ariz.
15 July 1947

MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE:

1. On 14 July 1947, 1st Lt Eric B. Armstrong, 0-2059709, 170th AAF Base Unit, Ferry Division, Brooks Field, San Antonio, Texas was interviewed and the following information was obtained: Lt. Armstrong departed Williams Field, Arizona at 1400 CST on 28 June 1947 in a P-51 for Portland, Oregon, by the way of Medford, Oregon. At approximately 1515 CST on a course of 300 degrees, and ground speed of 285, altitude 10,000 feet, approximately thirty miles northwest of Lake Meade, Nevada Lt. Armstrong sighted five or six white, circular objects at four o'clock, altitude approximately 6,000 feet, course approximately 120 degrees and an estimated speed of 285 MPH. Lt. Armstrong said the objects were flying very smoothly and in a close formation. The estimated size of the white objects were approximately 36 inches in diameter. Lt. Armstrong stated that he is sure the white objects were not birds, since the rate of closure was very fast. Lt. Armstrong was certain that the white objects were not jets or conventional type aircraft since he has flown both types.

AGENT'S NOTES:

Lt. Armstrong was very sincere in the explanation and was not the exaggerating type. He merely stated what he saw and has drawn no conclusions as to what the white objects were.

Lawrence R. King, Jr., Special Agent, CIC, ADC

CERTIFIED A TRUE COPY:
R. D. STEPHENS
Major, Air Corps

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memo

An FBI memo detailing a conversation between Colonel Springer of the Fourth Air Force and Special Agent Michael J. Cassidy regarding a letter from the Seattle Times inquiring about official statements on flying discs and permission to interview witnesses.

Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO : DIRECTOR, FBI DATE: August 27, 1947
FROM : SAC, SAN FRANCISCO
SUBJECT: REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS
[HANDWRITTEN: HMK]
[HANDWRITTEN: up]
ATTENTION: ASSISTANT DIRECTOR D. M. LADD

Colonel SPRINGER, Fourth Air Force, Hamilton Field, California, telephonically advised Special Agent MICHAEL J. CASSIDY of the San Francisco Office at 10:40 AM on August 27, 1947, that a personal letter had been received by his organization from HENRY McLEOD, city editor of the Seattle Times, which stated in effect that because there were so many stories going around relative to flying discs and related matters, and that his staff of reporters had been attempting to get reliable information concerning such stories, he was writing to inquire whether any governmental agency was going to make an official statement relative to the situation pertaining to the flying discs; that Mr. McLEOD also asked whether it would be permissible for his reporters to interview ARNOLD, DAHL, and SMITH relative to this situation.

Colonel SPRINGER stated that the above-mentioned letter was answered personally by General HALE on August 25, 1947, and advised Mr. McLEOD that as far as the Army Air Force was concerned, they had no information which would definitely clear up the situation; that as far as interviewing persons, Mr. McLEOD could feel free to interview whomsoever he desired, in that there was no censorship at the present time; that in the interest of economy, the Fourth Air Force Headquarters would not run out every lead or report of flying discs, but that if well-founded and apparently reliable information were received, that such information would be given attention.

A copy of this letter is being forwarded to the Seattle Field Division for any action deemed advisable.

62-2938
DWK/jo
2 cc Seattle
AIRMAIL SPECIAL DELIVERY
[HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894-99]
[HANDWRITTEN: 31 SEP 23 1947]
[HANDWRITTEN: 60 OCT 1-1947]

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memo

A memorandum regarding the coordination between the FBI and the military concerning reports of flying discs, noting that no reliable information had been obtained by the military at that time.

Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

TO: DIRECTOR, FBI DATE: AUGUST 29, 1947
FROM: SAC, [REDACTED]
SUBJECT: [REDACTED] MISCELLANEOUS

Colonel [REDACTED] advised Colonel [REDACTED] of the [REDACTED] office at 10:00 A.M. today. Colonel [REDACTED] had been received by this organization from [REDACTED] concerning [REDACTED] which stated in effect that there were no reliable reports available to him relative to flying discs and that he had been attempting to secure information relative to the matter. Colonel [REDACTED] also stated it would be appreciated if the interview of [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] relative to this matter.

Colonel [REDACTED] stated that the above mentioned letter was answered on [REDACTED] by [REDACTED] and that they had no information which would be definitive as to the flying discs; however, Colonel [REDACTED] felt that the interview of [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] concerning the matter would be of interest to the Bureau and that this section would not turn over any information that they had received-well founded and reasonably reliable information that such information should be given attention.

A copy of this letter is being forwarded to the [REDACTED] for any action desired.

[HANDWRITTEN: Add 8-29 37]

[STAMP: RECEIVED F.B.I. INTERNAL SECURITY SEP 2 11 04 AM '47]
[STAMP: RECEIVED F.B.I. INTERNAL SECURITY AUG 29 4 50 PM '47]
[STAMP: RECEIVED-LADD F B I SEP 2 17 PM '47]

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PAGE 192

memo

This memo details an interview with Horace P. Wenyen, an airplane pilot who reported seeing high-speed, rocket-like projectiles near Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, in 1946.

MISC.

The attached newspaper clipping appeared in the "MORNING NEWS",
Delaware, July 8, 1947. It reports that a FORREST WENYON, 123 Rehoboth
Avenue, Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, an aircraft pilot, had disclosed that in the
past ten months he had twice seen flying discs which he was reported to have
described as "flying mayonnaise jars." He was reported to have seen the
first flying disc during September, 1946, and to have noted another such
object on June 2, 1947.

Mr. WENYON was quoted as having called the Federal Bureau of Investigation
and was advised that the Bureau was not interested, whereupon he notified
the Eastern Airlines and the Civil Aeronautic Authority of the objects
he had seen. Both agencies are reported to have accepted the information
stating they would investigate. The clipping further stated that Mr.
WENYON had received no answer to date from either agency.

This clipping was submitted to me by the resident agents' office at
Wilmington together with the advice that no agent in Wilmington had been
contacted by Mr. WENYON. I directed Mr. WENYON be interviewed to determine
the full facts.

Mr. WENYON was interviewed and it was determined that his correct name is
HORACE P. WENYON. Mr. WENYON advised that he had been an airplane pilot
approximately thirty years. He stated that in September of 1946, while flying
at an altitude of 1,000 feet, two or three miles south of Rehoboth Beach,
Delaware, he noticed a projectile approximately fifteen inches in diameter
which crossed his course at right angles and was moving in a west-to-east
direction. According to Mr. WENYON, several jets of flame were spurting
from the object and it was traveling at a very high rate of speed, 1,000
to 1,200 miles per hour. He stated that in October of 1946, he observed a
similar projectile while flying over Rehoboth Beach at 1,400 feet. This
was also traveling from west to east.

Mr. WENYON stated that there is little question in his mind but that what
he saw was some sort of rocket being tested. He stated that he wished to
call the matter to the attention of the appropriate authority inasmuch as
he thought that the series of airplane crashes that have occurred recently
might in part be explained by what he had observed. He stated that he
reported the information to the Civil Aeronautics Authority and was
telephonically interviewed by a reporter from the Wilmington [ILLEGIBLE].

[HANDWRITTEN: RECORDED & INDEXED] [HANDWRITTEN: 162-83894] [HANDWRITTEN: 31 SEP 28 1947] [HANDWRITTEN: EX-89] [HANDWRITTEN: CT 4 1947] [HANDWRITTEN: 28X F-34] [HANDWRITTEN: 6]

PIES DESTROYED
0 NOV 18 1964

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PAGE 193

memo

This memo summarizes a statement from Mr. WENYON regarding a sighting of a high-speed object, noting that the term 'flying mayonnaise jars' was a reporter's invention and that no further action is planned by the office.

L/Dir., FBI
9/4/47
Flying Discs
Miscellaneous

Mr. WENYON stated that what he had seen traveled at such a high rate of speed that it was very difficult to describe it, but the description "flying mayonnaise jars" was concocted by the newspaper reporter.

This information has not been brought to the attention of any Army sources in view of the fact that only a preliminary inquiry was conducted on the basis of a news article which sets forth essentially the facts obtained from Mr. WENYON.

No further action in this matter is contemplated by this office unless advised otherwise by the Bureau.

SB:arf
62-0
Attachment

-2-

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PAGE 194

report

A newspaper clipping report regarding various sightings of 'flying saucers' or 'flying mayonnaise jars' across the United States, including a theory by pilot Forrest Wenyon that these objects caused a plane crash.

DATE: 9/4/47
DIRECTOR, FBI
BALTIMORE
SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS
MISCELLANEOUS

[HANDWRITTEN: clipping appeared in the "Mystery" of Wilmington.]

Flying Mayonnaise Jars
Reported by Rehoboth Pilot

Forest Wenyon Believes Mystery Discs,
Jet-Propelled, May Have Caused Big
Plane Crash on Memorial Day

Veteran Delaware pilot, Forrest Wenyon of 123 Rehoboth Avenue,
Rehoboth Beach, disclosed last night that in the past 10 months he has
seen objects now being loosely described as "flying saucers" but
which he calls "flying mayonnaise jars."

A particular difference between the mysterious objects of Mr.
Wenyon's report and those which have now been observed in some
40 states in that the former, accord-
ing to the pilot, held a true course
until they disappeared from sight.

This would indicate a guided or at
least an aimed missile while the
course of the "saucers" has been
described by observers as erratic.

Mr. Wenyon said last night that
he first saw what loosely resembled
a "flying mayonnaise jar" one after-
noon last September while flying at
about 1,000 feet. It was late in the
afternoon and the pilot was flying
north.

Suddenly, at an estimated distance
of 2,000 feet in front of his plane
and traveling from west to east, Mr.
Wenyon saw the "jar." It was going
at tremendous speed but the pilot
was able to note several things.

The most important of these ob-
servations, insofar as an explanation
is possible, is that the "jar" appeared
to have some sort of rocket com-
bustion. Mr. Wenyon said that
spurts of silver flame from the tail
seemed to provide the propulsion.
Carrying out the description of
the "flying mayonnaise jar," Mr.
Wenyon said that the tail appeared
to be a lid which had been per-
forated and that from these per-
forations the flames escaped.

In a matter of two, at the most
three, seconds the object had dis-
appeared over and past Fort Miles.
The pilot did not see it land and
doesn't know whether it did or not.
Then on June 2 while flying at
1,400 feet in a Stinson four-passen-
ger ship Mr. Wenyon, a pilot of 30
years' experience, saw another "jar."
He didn't say much about it to
Rehoboth Airport attaches although
he did mention it. Mr. Wenyon,
with a theory in mind, called the
Federal Bureau of Investigation.
They were not interested and told
him so, he said. He then called
Eastern Airlines and the Civil Aero-
nautic Authority both of which
gave him a sympathetic hearing,
thanked him and said they'd inves-
tigate.

To date he has received no answer
from either.

Mr. Wenyon's theory is that one of
these "jars" was responsible for the
crash of the Eastern Airlines plane
at Port Deposit, Md., on Memorial
which killed 53 persons. He
the stories of that accident
and believes now that the
[ILLEGIBLE] in mid-air,
[ILLEGIBLE] of witnesses.

Continued From First Page

originated from the theory that they
were radio controlled flying missiles
sent aloft by U. S. military scien-
tists to the suggestion that they
might be merely sun light reflected
on wing tanks of jet-propelled
planes.

A. B. Cross of Chattanooga, Tenn.,
a 34-year-old watchmaker, an-
nounced he invented the "flying
saucer" and submitted it to the War
Department in 1943 but his idea was
rejected as not practical "at the
present time."

Later, he said, he became con-
vinced that the department elabo-
rated on his plan. His model was
powdered with a rubber band, Cross
said, but he believed atomic power
now is being used.

A Spokane, Wash., woman insisted
the objects she saw were of such
size that together they would take
up the space of a five-room house
if they landed, but a Clearwater,
Fla., woman said the disks she ob-
served resembled "pie pans."

A Rutland, Vt., a woman re-
ported she and her husband wit-
nessed a brilliant object in the
night sky which she assumed to be
a "flying saucer" although it was
stationary.

But at Cambridge, Mass., a house-
wife said she saw "a group of white,
flying saucers whirling around and
going at a tremendous speed."

The Massachusetts and Vermont
reports brought to 40 the number
of states in which the objects have
been observed.

With New England getting into
the game, the Harvard University
astronomical observatory took note
of the reports but said it had had
no luck so far in photographing one
of the discs.

The mysterious saucers first were
reported June 25 in the State of
Washington, but Charlie T. Ham-
let, superintendent of the Kings-
port, Tenn., Times News composin
room, said yesterday he had see
the discs two years ago.

They were "of a bright, aluminum
color" and "were going at terrific
speed," Hamlet said, explaining he
kept quiet about them because of
the Oak Ridge atomic bomb plant,
then a war secret.

Lester Barlow of Stamford, Conn.,
international known explosives in-
ventor, advanced the theory that
the objects were radio controlled
flying missiles.

Reports persisted that the Army
was looking into the phenomena but
Gen. Carl Spaatz, Army Air Forces
commandant, said he knew of no
AAF plans to search for the saucers.
The Navy and Atomic Energy
Commission said they had no con-
nection with the mystery.

The West, which originated the
saucer reports, continued to produce
observers who claimed to have seen
the whirling discs and also brought
forth one deflationary explanation
of them.

Bob Johnson, operator of a fly-
ing service at Missoula, Mont., re-
ported he had captured one of the
discs and found it to be milkweed
seeds.

Charles Odom, 23-year-old for-
mer B-17 navigator, theorized at
Houston, Tex., that the objects
might be a version of radio-con-
trolled "crystal balls" used by the
Nazis in the war.

These balls, which flew to the
attitude of the bomber and appare-
ly were magnetized to fly along w
the planes, sent [ILLEGIBLE] to rad
[ILLEGIBLE] data on [ILLEGIBLE] bomb
[HANDWRITTEN: 62-83894]