FBI File 62-83894, Section 8: Flying Saucers — Serials 344–384 (1954–1957)

This section of the FBI's central flying-saucer file (Case 62-83894) spans serials 344 through 384, covering the period from mid-1954 through November 1957. It contains internal memoranda, field-office reports, citizen letters, and attached civilian publications documenting the Bureau's handling of UFO-related correspondence, civilian research organizations, notable sighting reports, and two high-value intelligence items: CIA debriefings of Senator Richard B. Russell's sighting over Soviet territory in 1955, and a 1944 WWII-era account of a disc-shaped craft near Berlin.

Reading (EN)

Serial 344 — Truman Bethurum; Cincinnati Flying Disc Program (June–July 1954)

From: SAC, Cincinnati · To: Director, FBI · Dates: 7/22/54

Cincinnati reported on an investigation triggered by a letter from Thomas Eickhoff, operator of Tom's Beauty Salon, 3721 Tappan Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio. On June 7, 1954, Eickhoff appeared and advised that an advertisement had appeared on June 3, 1954, in The Cincinnati Enquirer announcing a program on "the real flying saucer story" at Taft Auditorium, June 11, 1954. No sponsor was identified; tickets sold for $2.00 each at the Central Ticket Office.

Eickhoff traced the advertisement to Henry Maday, 364 West Lewiston Avenue, Ferndale, Michigan, who was acting as agent for Truman Bethurum and George Hunt Williamson. On June 4, Maday informed Eickhoff that a financial disagreement had ended his association with Bethurum and Williamson; the disagreement concerned Maday having placed the advertisement before tickets were available in Cincinnati.

About ten minutes later, Williamson and a Mr. Manspeaker called Eickhoff to confirm Maday's departure and invited him to a luncheon at the Terrace Plaza Hotel on June 7, 1954.

Eickhoff described his background interest: he had read Flying Saucers From Outer Space by Donald E. Kehoe (retired major, USMC; published by Harper's) and Flying Saucers Have Landed by George Adamski (published by Werner-Lowery Company, England; distributed by the British Book Center, New York). He had also heard broadcasts by Walter Winchell, Fulton Lewis Jr., and Frank Edwards. He believed Bethurum and Williamson were either truthful or frauds; if truthful, the public deserved to know; if fraudulent, they should be prosecuted. He estimated the Cincinnati meeting could draw 2,000 people, yielding $4,000 for the promoters.

Eickhoff produced two copies of the magazine Valor (self-described as the "Golden Times Weekly," published by Soul Craft Chapels, P.O. Box 192, Noblesville, Indiana), issues 15 and 16 of Volume 6 (dated February 6 and 13, 1954). Issue 15 identified Bethurum as a truck driver from Redondo Beach, California (address: 519 North Gertruda Avenue), 55 years of age, and described an alleged encounter in the Nevada desert with space explorers under a woman commandant, with Bethurum reportedly aboard flying saucers on eleven occasions. The handwriting at the bottom of the article stated: "This is a true story, a factual experience — Truman Bethurum."

Eickhoff had consulted Lt. Colonel John O'Mara of Wright-Patterson AFB at O'Mara's home in Fairborn, Ohio, on June 6, 1954. O'Mara denied the existence of flying saucers and described Kehoe as a fraud, stating that information to that effect was available in Washington. O'Mara told Eickhoff that the Air Force could take no action against Bethurum or Williamson.

Eickhoff also learned that Kehoe intended to travel to Washington with attorneys to challenge O'Mara's characterization. Eickhoff had provided a written account of O'Mara's statements to Kehoe at Kehoe's request.

Disposition: Five copies of a memorandum transmitted to the Bureau by registered mail; furnished to OSI at Wright-Patterson AFB.

Serial 345 — Keyser Flying Saucer Sighting, Milford, Ohio (July 1954)

From: SAC, Cincinnati · To: Director, FBI · Date: 8/2/54

Colonel J. M. Smith, Deputy Director of Civilian Defense for Greater Cincinnati and Hamilton County, Ohio, called on July 23, 1954, to report a sighting by Carl R. Keyser, Route 1, Milford, Ohio.

Keyser reported that on July 23, 1954, at approximately 2:40 p.m., he and his wife observed a silver circular or spherical object in the sky southeast of their residence, approximately 45 degrees above the horizon.

Disposition: Referred to the OSI at Wright-Patterson AFB. No further action by the Bureau.

Serial 346 — Mrs. Frances Swan; Thought Transmissions from Outer Space (July–August 1954)

From: SAC, Washington Field Office (WFO) · To: Director, FBI · Date: 8/2/54

This report was predicated on a telephone call to SAC L. L. Laughlin on July 29, 1954, from John Hutson, Security Officer, Bureau of Aeronautics, U.S. Navy Department. Hutson was interviewed the same day at Room 2912, Main Navy Building, with Commander L. T. McQuiston, USN, also present.

Background: The Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) had forwarded a file to the Bureau of Aeronautics received from retired Admiral Herbert B. Knowles of South Berwick, Maine. Knowles lived near Mrs. Frances Swan, who claimed to be receiving messages by thought transmission. Swan told Knowles that "flying saucers" were present to help mankind. Knowles wrote to Admiral Espe, Director of Naval Intelligence, on June 1, 1954, enclosing Swan's messages; receiving no reply, he wrote again on June 7. ONI declined to act in the absence of "definite evidence"; the Bureau of Aeronautics also took no official action.

Hutson stated he "unofficially" became interested and visited Admiral Knowles's South Berwick residence July 24–26, 1954. Also present was Wilbert B. Smith, a physicist of the Canadian Government interested in flying saucers, staying with his family in an unofficial capacity.

During his stay, Hutson and Smith conducted interviews with Swan, in which messages were reportedly received from "outer space":

Swan stated that persons in outer space could use her eyes and ears via a mechanical device and recorded all conversations.
She received a buzzing sound in her left ear as a signal that contact was open; the sound was painful and had been causing her to lose sleep since May 27, 1954. A schedule was arranged: 8:00 a.m., 12 noon, and 6:00 p.m. daily.
Swan's husband Guy Swan and their daughter Dawlyn had heard the buzzing sound but could not receive transmissions.
Transmissions concerned flying saucers, their location and purpose, life on other planets, life in the hereafter, and prophecies from the Bible.

Swan described two space ships from which messages came, designated M-4 (from planet Uranus, commanded by "AFFA") and L-11 (from planet Hatann, commanded by "PONNAR"). Each ship measured 150 miles wide, 200 miles long, and 100 miles deep; each contained approximately 5,000 "mother ships" of 150–200 feet in length.

According to Swan, AFFA and PONNAR were protecting Earth from destruction caused by atomic and hydrogen bomb explosions and wars, which disrupted Earth's magnetic field; they were also repairing "fault lines" in the Pacific Ocean.

Smith stated he would attempt radio contact with outer space on Sunday, August 1, 1954, using a high frequency. Swan advised that a ship from outer space would come within 100 miles of Ottawa, Canada, to facilitate contact.

On physical contact: Swan told Knowles and Hutson that the outer-space people would appear in a force of 5,000 "bells" or flying saucers over many nations during the latter part of August 1954, coming close enough to be seen by people in the street.

Regarding communications with officials: Knowles wrote to Senator Margaret Chase Smith of Maine, who forwarded the information to the Secretary of Defense; copies went to the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Knowles also wrote to the President of the United States.

Hutson described Swan as a person of middle-class circumstances with modest furnishings, no more than a high school education, religious, a student of the Bible, and having studied spiritualism and other thought-control systems.

Disposition: Information furnished to OSI, USAF. No further action by the Bureau.

Hoover's letter to Inspector General (August 9, 1954): The Director sent a formal summary of the above to the Director of Special Investigations, The Inspector General, Department of the Air Force, and furnished copies to the Director of Naval Intelligence and the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2, Department of the Army.

Serial 347 — Roger L. Jones Letter; MYSTIC Magazine Venus-Men Story (August 1954)

From: Hoover reply letter · To: Roger L. Jones, 1414 Lake Drive, Zanesville, Ohio · Date: August 12, 1954

Jones wrote on August 7, 1954, inquiring about an article in MYSTIC magazine (August issue) that described two men from the planet Venus who allegedly landed near Barstow, California, obtained old clothes, hitchhiked to Los Angeles, and one of whom obtained employment in the missing persons office of a newspaper. The article stated a Los Angeles reporter had sent a "full report" about these beings to the FBI, accompanied by a laboratory analysis of a metal alloy specimen allegedly gouged by a Venusian running his thumb across it.

Hoover's reply: "The article you mentioned is entirely incorrect with reference to the FBI, and there is no information on the matter which I can give you."

Internal note: The article had been previously brought to the Bureau's attention; the magazine editor was advised the story was untrue as far as the Bureau was concerned. The editor promised a retraction in a future issue.

Serial 348 — Detroit Flying Saucer Club (DFSC); Petition to President Eisenhower (September–October 1954)

From: L. P. Wagner (Malner), 4353 Dickerson Avenue, Detroit, Michigan · To: Director, FBI · Date: September 27, 1954

Correspondent reported attending a meeting of the newly formed Detroit Flying Saucer Club (DFSC) and expressed concern that the organization — drawing 1,000 attendees at $1.00 each, operating international study groups, and circulating petitions for the release of secret government information — might serve as a front for communist subversive activities.

DFSC enclosures filed with the letter:

Meeting notices for:

September 22, 1954, Grand Ballroom, Veterans Memorial Building, Detroit: speaker John Otto of Chicago (patent development engineer, member Chicago Rocket Society, "Saucers International"), on "An Analysis of Latest Saucer Evidence." The notice also announced that a group of ham radio operators within the club claimed saucer radio contact, to be reported by Don Thompson. Admission $1.00. Chairman: Henry Maday.
September 28, 1954, Detroit Institute of Arts: speaker Desmond Leslie, Irish journalist and co-author of Flying Saucers Have Landed. All seats $1.00.

Open letter to the President of the United States (September 22, 1954): Signed by citizens of Detroit and vicinity under the DFSC letterhead (6432 Cass Avenue, Detroit 2, Michigan; telephone TRinity 5-7300). Officers listed: Henry Maday (President), Laura Marxer (Vice President), Dolores M. Coyne (Secretary), John C. Hoffman (Treasurer).

The letter stated:

Many citizens had personally observed these objects in the U.S. and abroad.
The government appeared to be maintaining a policy of "silence and secrecy" out of fear of panic.
Such a policy was "false, fear-provoking and entirely mistaken."
The policy reflected badly on citizens' intelligence and loyalty, and encouraged exploitation by "unscrupulous publishers."
Other nations had publicly appointed governmental commissions to investigate.

The letter called on the President to "make an honest and forthright acknowledgment of these phenomena," invite citizens to report sightings without fear of ridicule, and lift the "conspiracy of censorship."

Bureau response (October 8, 1954): Hoover acknowledged the letter. Internal note stated the DFSC was not identifiable in Bureau files; Desmond Leslie and Henry Maday had previously come to the Bureau's attention in connection with flying saucer lectures (62-83894-343 and 344). Detroit was copied with an instruction to report on any identifiable subversive connection.

Serial 349 — CRIFO Newsletter; Leonard H. Stringfield; O'Mara Admission (November 1954)

From: SAC, Cincinnati · To: Director, FBI · Date: 11/2/54

SAC Cincinnati forwarded the October 1, 1954, "Newsletter" (Vol. I, No. 7) of the Civilian Research, Interplanetary Flying Objects (CRIFO) organization, directed by Leonard H. Stringfield, Advertising Manager at DuBois Company, Inc., 1120 W. Front Street, Cincinnati; home address 7017 Britton Avenue, Cincinnati 27, Ohio. The newsletter had a claimed world-wide circulation of approximately 4,000 at a subscription price of $2.00 per year.

The principal enclosed item was Stringfield's account of a 26-minute private conversation with Lt. Colonel John O'Mara, Deputy Commander, Intelligence, USAF, on September 21, 1954:

O'Mara confirmed that flying saucers "do exist" and acknowledged that "past contradictions were unfortunate."
He described three categories: (1) a controlled "saucer" from outer space; (2) a secret American saucer-like device; (3) unexplained natural phenomena.
When asked if all saucers seen by Americans were American devices, O'Mara replied: "Definitely not! Something does exist."
O'Mara indicated the Air Force planned to cooperate with the public and that a statement from the Defense Department would explain past contradictions and release details behind many sightings.
He said saucer scientists were "gradually getting more data."

The newsletter also covered:

International censorship and Chilean case: The Chilean Naval Mission in Washington denied (December 23, 1953) that Captain Augusto Orrego had ever seen UFOs near Antarctica in 1948, despite Orrego having previously stated: "During the bright Antarctic night we saw flying saucers, one above the other, turning at tremendous speeds. We have photographs to prove what we saw." Major Keyhoe noted the photos were later described as "classified." Stringfield argued that for photographs to be classified, they first had to exist.

Unidentified Earth satellites: Stringfield reported the August 23, 1954 Aviation Week account claiming Dr. Lincoln La Paz had identified two previously unobserved satellites orbiting at 400 and 600 miles. La Paz subsequently wrote to the Associated Press to deny the story as "false in every particular insofar as reference to me is concerned."

Logan, Utah crater (May 1, 1954): An explosion near Logan, Utah, produced 500 phone calls to police, shook houses, and created a 16-foot-wide, 6-foot-deep crater with sod scattered more than 100 yards. Scientists Drs. J. Stewart Williams, Lincoln La Paz, and Clyde T. Hardy concluded: "the crater was not produced by a conventional meteorite fall" and discontinued investigation. Dr. Hardy later noted he was "personally convinced" the reported fireball was confused with a ground flash by observers.

Walesville, New York jet crash (July 2, 1954): An F-94-C Starfire scrambled on "an active air defense intercept mission" crashed into Walesville, killing four persons. Official accounts described cockpit overheating forcing crew ejection. Stringfield correlated a separate back-page New York Times item (July 3) reporting a "silvery, balloon-like object" drawing over 1,000 phone calls to the Utica Press, estimated at 20,000 feet altitude, with a Mohawk Airlines pilot noting a light apparently shining from it. The pursued object at the time of the crash was identified in one broadcast as a UFO.

Frank Edwards dismissal (August 26, 1954): Edwards wrote to Stringfield that AFL President Meany had imposed censorship conditions violating his contract. Stringfield maintained that the Air Force had caused Edwards's dismissal for publicizing his UFO interest.

Mystery metal at Woodside, California (August 27, 1954): A shower of white-hot metal pellets ignited Pertola Road, affecting an area 70 by 250 feet, burning holes a quarter-inch deep in asphalt. Metallurgists and Air Force officials offered no solution; Deputy Sheriff Benassini noted irregular markings and a "cylindrical object" origin. An Air Force spokesperson suggested jet exhaust pipe metal, but no military jets were confirmed in the area.

Paint discoloration incidents: Residents in Little Hollywood (north of San Francisco) and Cincinnati (September 11, 1954) reported unexplained staining of house paint. The Cincinnati case involved Albert Allgeyer on September 11; the Kettering Lab at University of Cincinnati attributed the staining to hydrogen sulfide.

Lunar observation (September 5, 1954, Rockford, Illinois): Amateur astronomers Peter Bartkus and Theodore McColm observed through a telescope a spherical object ascending from the Moon's Mare Humboldtianum area between 10:35 and 11:15 p.m. McColm calculated through calculus the object's diameter at approximately 12,500 feet.

Rome, Italy (September 18, 1954): Eyewitness Michael Chinigo reported a "half-cigar" object that made a staccato thunder-like noise, hovered at approximately 6,000 feet for several minutes, then shot upward leaving a "milky white smoke" trail. Radar at Rome tracked the object for 39 minutes. The Defense Ministry described it as a "clipped cone" with a smaller surface at the bottom.

Po Valley landing, Italy (October 16–17, 1954): Villagers of Po di Gnocca, near Rovigo, watched a silver disc approach at speed, land gently in marshland, then rise perpendicularly and speed east. A 20-foot crater and scorched poplar trees were found. The Rome Daily American (October 17, 1954) carried the account.

The source (CRIFO Newsletter informant: Jack Gunderman, 3914 Teleford Avenue, Cincinnati) reported that Stringfield believed his home telephone was monitored, made all sensitive calls from his office, feared the Air Force might stop his operations, and had stated: "The Air Force can't do anything to me. I'm claiming saucers are interplanetary." Stringfield communicated regularly with Frank Edwards and with Colonel O'Mara at Wright-Patterson.

Gunderman raised the concern that CRIFO's real purpose might be to gather information about a secret U.S. Air Force development project.

Bureau response (November 12, 1954): The Bureau directed Cincinnati to prepare a memorandum suitable for dissemination to OSI Headquarters and the Department of Justice.

Serial 350 — Stringfield CRIFO Memorandum Submitted (November 1954)

From: SAC, Cincinnati · To: Director, FBI · Dates: 11/22/54

Cincinnati transmitted the required dissemination memorandum, confirming all details in the 11/2/54 letter. Furnished to OSI and the FBI Lab.

Serial 351 — Phoenix: British Aerial Phenomena Investigator Form Letter (November 1954)

From: SAC, Phoenix · To: Director, FBI · Date: ca. November 1954

SAC Phoenix forwarded an envelope and form letter received by the Mayor of Tucson, Arizona. The envelope bore return address "Aerial Phenomena Investigator, 69 S. Stamford Hill, London, England," postmarked "Stoke Newington, 10/26/54." The letter, signed by "Harold [REDACTED]," solicited reports of flying saucer sightings, requesting: time, size, shape, composition, speed, altitude, direction, manoeuvre pattern, color, sound, duration, sky conditions, visibility, and ground wind direction.

Disposition: Furnished to OSI at Williams AFB and Luke AFB. Bureau considered forwarding information to Legat London for channeling to interested British agencies.

Serial 352 — DFSC Follow-Up Report: Activities, Predictions, Board of Directors (December 1954)

From: SAC, Detroit · To: Director, FBI · Date: November 30, 1954

Detroit reported via informant Vern Willard on DFSC activities:

At a September 22, 1954, DFSC meeting, a letter from Laura Marxer (September 25) designated Willard as a neighborhood group leader. Desmond Leslie spoke at the DFSC on September 28, stating that George Adamski had made contact with space people in a California desert two years earlier.

Marxer had described the stated objectives of group discussions:

To "indoctrinate people to receive space people."
Mass landings in Detroit in October (unexplained further).
A saucer reportedly landed at 4:30 a.m., September 30, 1954, at Rotunda Drive and Southfield (Detroit), with strange greenish men in brown uniforms.
Unseen psychic forces (no further explanation).

A group leaders' meeting on November 6 at Ed Andrews's home, 7323 Mayburn, Dearborn, drew 17 attendees. At this meeting, Henry Maday acknowledged that fellow-travellers could infiltrate the club but said he had no way to control that. Frank Schuster (group leader, 3022 Chalmers, Detroit) reported that Treasurer John Hoffman had opposed the group meetings due to accusations of subversive activity. An unidentified attendee alleged one board member was a Communist; Maday denied it without naming names.

Laura Marxer stated that Adamski, in California, was "her God." She resigned from the Board of Directors in November due to outside interests and planned to tour Michigan showing the film The Day the Earth Stood Still, having met two men in connection with that plan.

Harold Thompson, 13341 Livernois, Detroit (former Chief Assistant to the Secretary of State, Michigan, and Detroit's first Interracial Committee Director), furnished material by Dr. Charles A. Laughead, 407 Clarendon Road, East Lansing, Michigan. Laughead's letters to editors (August 30 and September 17, 1954) described messages received by extra-sensory perception from outer planets, reportedly recorded by Mrs. Dorothy Martin, Oak Park, Illinois, who claimed a pencil began writing for her. Laughead predicted that December 21, 1954 was an important date, with the center of activity in the Midwest: an earthquake, buildings falling, Lake Michigan rising in a wave extending to Lake Erie, and worldwide geological changes.

Board of Directors of the DFSC (verified): Henry Maday (President), Laura Marxer (Vice President), Dolores M. Coyne (Secretary), John C. Hoffman (Treasurer), Howard Kehl, Randall Cox, Madeline Mende (Directors).

Background on Henry Maday: First came to Detroit Office attention in 1942 under pen name Jared Lyon; described as a religious fanatic who wrote on religious subjects, was connected with "The Harbingers" (Unity Movement, Kansas City), and claimed conscientious objector status in WWII.

Bureau response (December 16, 1954): Detroit instructed to prepare a memorandum for dissemination to OSI and the Internal Security Division, Department of Justice. No further investigation directed.

Serial 353 — Phoenix: Aerial Phenomena Investigator British Form (forwarded to Legat London)

Disposition note: Forwarded to OSI at Phoenix area air bases and noted for Legat London. (Duplicate administrative routing entry for the same item as Serial 351.)

Serials 358–359 — Charles A. Yost / OC Research Laboratory; Nome, Alaska (April 1955)

From: Department of the Air Force, HQ USAF · To: FBI Director · Date: April 20, 1955 (declassified under NND 90986)

The Air Force forwarded a letter from Charles A. Yost, Coordinator, OC Research Laboratory, St. Clair Shores, Michigan (also reflecting address: 18th Cml. Tech. Intel. Det., 100th Cml. Grp., Fort McClellan, Alabama). The letter, dated November 14, 1953, was addressed to a "Mr. Small," typesetter for the Nome Nugget newspaper, Nome, Alaska, found in a book loaned to Small and recently returned.

In the letter Yost wrote: "Our research does have a connection with the 'flying saucer,' although it is at present a secondary issue. The main body of our research is with electric fields... The 'flying saucer' reports are of value to us because they may give clues toward the investigation of various phases in our research." He described the research as secret and asked Small and a Mrs. Boucher (publisher of the Nome Nugget) to continue sending saucer reports.

The Air Force identified Small as a near-alcoholic typesetter living with an Eskimo woman; Dr. Kennidy (DDS, Nome, private pilot) found the letter in a returned book. A search of OSI and FBI files showed no pertinent records on Yost, Small, or Boucher.

FBI name checks conducted April 25, 1955: Files searched for Charles A. Yost, Mr. Small (Alaska), Mrs. Boucher (Alaska), and Dr. Kennedy (Alaska).

Serial 359 — Catherine Aughenbaugh Letter; Miami (July 1955)

From: Catherine (S.B.E.) Aughenbaugh · To: J. Edgar Hoover · Date: ca. July 24, 1955 (from Hotel Gralynn, Miami, Florida)

A rambling six-page letter in which Aughenbaugh claimed flying saucers were real and posed a threat to the country. She offered to guide FBI men to a location where, if they watched during the hours the moon was out (starting July 26), they would see definitive proof of saucer activity. She specified unusual optical and equipment requirements, including a specific cosmetics case from Bloomingdale's as a viewing aid.

Internal Bureau note (July 26, 1955): "Correspondent submitted a six-page rambling and partly incoherent letter... Bufiles reflect no record identifiable with correspondent." Recommendation: no acknowledgment in view of her "apparent [redacted] disturbed condition."

Serial 361 — Senator Richard B. Russell Sighting over Soviet Union; CIA Debrief (October–November 1955)

Internal Bureau memo: Belmont to Boardman, October 18, 1955

At the Executive Session of the Intelligence Advisory Committee (IAC) on October 18, 1955, CIA Director Allen Dulles discussed a report from the party of Senator Richard B. Russell of Georgia, traveling through the Soviet Union by train, that Russell had observed a flying saucer.

CIA Memorandum for Director of Central Intelligence (declassified, NND 90986): Signed by Herbert Scoville Jr., Assistant Director, Scientific Intelligence; distributed to all IAC members.

All four observers were debriefed. The sightings occurred on a train traveling from Baku to Tiflis, approximately ten minutes beyond Alyaty, at 19:10 hours, when it was already dark.

Summary of observations:

Senator Russell: Resting alone in his compartment with the lights out, noticed a small greenish-yellow glowing ball rising quite rapidly. He informed the others; a second object appeared minutes later. Russell saw only the luminescent ball; no form, no rocket trail, no sound above the train noise. He estimated the object could have been as small as a rocket, and described the trajectory as steep, like a Fourth of July rocket off a highly inclined track, first seen at approximately 600–800 feet from the earth. He had the uncertain impression the object was gently whirling or "tumbling upward." The objects did not level off.
Mr. Efron: Saw only two lights resembling eyes.
Colonel Hathaway: Saw a shadowy object with a single light in the middle at the top and rotating light or lights similar to exhausts at the base. He considered the size comparable to a U.S. jet fighter but stated the object did not resemble any aircraft, rocket, or missile he had ever seen. He observed the object alter its trajectory from steep ascent to horizontal flight quite sharply.
Mr. Gros: Considered the object's size comparable to a U.S. jet fighter; also reported a triangular object with three lights that appeared to be ejected from a launching site.

All four observers agreed the object was rotating or whirling during its initial steep rise. A Soviet searchlight was visible but was not pointed at the objects.

CIA assessment (Scoville): "The only testimony which would support the existence of flying saucers or radically unconventional aircraft is that of Colonel Hathaway. All other observations can probably be explained as steep-climbing aircraft or missiles... the evidence does not appear sufficiently firm to warrant the conclusion that the Soviets have developed and have in operation a radically new type of aircraft."

CIA Memorandum for the Record — Interview with Senator Russell (October 27, 1955): Interview conducted by Dr. Francis Clauser, O/SI consultant. Russell added details: the compartment lights were out when he first observed the object; his porter lowered the shades at least ten minutes after the sighting, which was not unusual. Russell did not feel the Russians were concealing anything specific on that route, having observed airbases elsewhere with no attempt at concealment. He noted the objects climbed "surprisingly rapidly" if they were jet aircraft.

Russell also described a separate experience: near Borodino (60 miles west of Moscow), he observed what he believed were Soviet Nike-equivalent radar installations (two radar dishes, approximately 6–8 feet across, one "looking like an egg beater") and what appeared to be guided missile installations with barracks, barbed wire, and troops, approximately 40 miles from Moscow.

IAC consensus: Keep the matter quiet to avoid alarming the Soviets in a manner that would limit U.S. travel in Russia. Members were to be interviewed; the matter was not resolved conclusively.

Serial 362–363 — Public Inquiries Regarding Venus Men Story (February 1956)

Richard E. Guertin, 196 College Street, Springfield 9, Massachusetts (age 15), wrote on February 12, 1956, asking about a story in Flying Saucers Uncensored by Harold T. Wilkins, in which two men claiming to be from Venus allegedly contacted a Los Angeles journalist in March 1953, with the FBI supposedly sending an investigator who lost track of them.

Hoover's reply (February 21, 1956): "No matter such as you described was ever reported to the FBI."

Serial 364–365 — Sylvia L. Richards Sighting near Henderson, North Carolina (April 1956)

From: W. G. Eames to Mr. Nichols; followed by Belmont to Boardman · Date: April 10 and 13, 1956

Miss Sylvia L. Richards (GS-5, Name Check Unit, EOD 4-14-47, residing at 2 East Mason Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia) reported that on April 6, 1956, at approximately 5:00 a.m., while driving on Route 1 north of Henderson, North Carolina, with her fiancé Joseph L. Morris Jr. (employee of the National Security Agency), they were startled by a low-flying object approaching directly toward their car.

Miss Richards described the object as:

Oval-shaped (she also described it as round)
Less than 25 feet from the ground
Spinning, bright, containing a series of lights in a zigzag pattern
Light blue in color
At least as wide as the highway and no more than two to four feet in thickness
Moving at great speed, making no sound

She observed it for only a few seconds before it appeared to pass over the car, accelerate, and veer off out of sight. Approximately 30 minutes later it began to rain. Both she and Morris believed they had seen something unusual.

Hoover letter to Director of Special Investigations, Air Force (April 16, 1956): Full description transmitted for any action deemed appropriate. No further action by the Bureau.

Serial 366–367 — Billy Thomas Gambill Sighting near Oxford, Pennsylvania (May 1956)

From: L. H. Martin (May 4) and J. H. Glascock (May 5) · To: Mr. Belmont

At 11:35 p.m., May 4, 1956, an individual identifying himself as Thomas Gamble (later corrected to Billy Thomas Gambill, 419 South Broad Street, Kenneth Square, Pennsylvania) called to report observing a bright yellow light traveling approximately 2,000 feet in the air toward Baltimore, Maryland, at Oxford, Pennsylvania. Described as:

Solid, bright yellow, visible from all directions
Twice as bright and large as an automobile headlight; also compared to twice the brightness of the evening star
Initially traveling at the same speed as his car, then accelerating beyond 80 miles per hour

Two friends, Cecil Pew and Raymond Dixon, also observed the object. No sound reported.

Disposition: Captain E. C. Brown, OSI, telephonically advised on May 4 and 5. No further action by the Bureau.

Serial 368 — Tod Kittredge / Little Green Men, Van Nuys (August 1956)

From: SAC, Los Angeles · To: Director, FBI · Date: 8/15/56

Air Force agents from the 4602nd Air Intelligence Service Squadron (Norton AFB) reported that Tod Kittredge, 1430 Hatteras Street, Van Nuys, California, claimed a spherical vehicle landed in his back yard on July 16, 1956, splitting a large tree in two. On July 30, it returned; small green men emerged and invited Kittredge to ride in their ship. He reportedly went up with them for approximately 20 minutes.

Kittredge was believed to be employed in a minor technical capacity for the Columbia Broadcasting System. CBS television had broadcast an interview with Kittredge, showing the split tree; the announcer placed "little credence in the story."

Lt. Sauter considered the incident "utterly ridiculous," but Air Force headquarters required inquiry without generating publicity indicating Air Force interest. He asked if the FBI would conduct background investigation; the Bureau declined, pending Bureau authorization.

Bureau: no record on Kittredge; no action contemplated.

Serial 369 — A.P.R.O. Bulletin Reported as Possibly Communist (September 1956)

From: SAC, St. Louis · To: Director, FBI · Date: 9/7/56

Harlan Wold, 1829a North Market Street, St. Louis (electrician, McDonnell Aircraft Corporation, Badge 55185), appeared at the St. Louis Office on August 31, 1956, to report that he and fellow workers subscribed to "The A.P.R.O. Bulletin," published at 1712 Van Court, Alamogordo, New Mexico, containing articles about flying saucers. Wold stated the publication "slurred and criticized the U.S. Air Force" and was in his opinion Communistic.

Bureau note: Bureau files reflected no information on the publication. Given established policy to refer flying saucer matters to the Air Force, no further action deemed necessary. Information forwarded to the Air Force by courier.

Serial 371 — Esther Fillion / "Whirling Wheels" Theological Lecture (October 1956)

From: Esther D. Fillion, 12 Hope Street, Stamford, Connecticut · To: Director, FBI · Date: October 5, 1956

Fillion forwarded a copy of a religious lecture she had received from Detroit entitled "Whirling Wheels: A Correlation of Flying Saucers and Visitors from other Planets in The Bible" by Rev. John Miller, S.T.M., Pastor, Lutheran Church, Litchfield, Illinois.

The lecture argued that biblical references to "flying clouds," "flying rolls," "chariots," "wheels," and "angels" were factual accounts of extraterrestrial spacecraft and crew. Key arguments:

"Angels" were space-men who piloted vehicles now called flying saucers.
Ezekiel's vision of four "whirling wheels" described spacecraft, including transparent cockpit canopies, port-holes ("eyes"), retractable parts, and formation flight.
Specific biblical passages (Ezekiel 1, Zechariah 5:1, Revelation 4, Isaiah 60, Psalms 18) described propulsion systems ("fire between the whirling wheels"), take-off and landing, and space-ship formations.
The Ascension of Jesus ("a cloud received Him") and the Second Coming ("on the clouds of heaven") were spacecraft transits.
The document ended: "Fear not, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them!" (II Kings 6:17).

Bureau response (October 12, 1956): Hoover acknowledged Fillion's letter, noting the contents fell outside FBI jurisdiction; copy forwarded to the Director of Special Investigations, Air Force.

Serial 372 — Aerial Phenomena Research Group (APRG) Solicitation Letters (January 1957)

From: SAC, Richmond · To: Director, FBI · Date: 1/11/57; also forwarded to Sheriff Hagan Parrish, Polk County, Florida (February 1957)

Mrs. Margaret Blunt, 7606 Sweetbriar Road, Richmond, Virginia (employed by the Richmond Quartermaster Depot), reported she had received a solicitation letter from the Aerial Phenomena Research Group, 5108 Findlay Street, Seattle, Washington (Executive Director: Bob Gribble; Director of Investigations: Jim Ewart). The letter requested names of witnesses to flying saucer sightings since December 18, 1956.

Blunt was reluctant to respond, believing the group might be "an illegal or subversive group." No FBI file on the organization was located.

Sheriff Hagan Parrish of Polk County, Florida, forwarded an identical solicitation letter to the Bureau in February 1957, having received it at his office on February 5.

Disposition: Bureau forwarded both to OSI.

Serial 374 — John Stuart Martin Sighting, Great Meadows, New Jersey (March 1957)

From: L. B. Nichols to Mr. Tolson · Date: March 15, 1957

John Stuart Martin (Great Meadows, New Jersey; one of the original founders of Time magazine, former editor of March of Time, involved in producing the FBI film House on 92nd Street) telephoned on March 14, 1957, to report an unidentified flying object observed two days earlier near Great Meadows. Martin had filed a formal written report with military authorities and two civilian groups (General Wedemeyer was connected with one). Martin was not satisfied that military intelligence was handling the information properly.

An attached United Press ticker from February 19, 1957, quoted Dr. Hugh Dryden, Director of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, as flatly stating "there is no such thing as a flying saucer," and Representative Thomas saying the Air Force "ought to, once and for all, nail it down and say it is pure fiction."

Action taken: Because of Martin's demonstrated friendliness to the Bureau, his sane approach, and his apparent concern for national welfare, Nichols instructed Newark Office to have an agent drop by Martin's home when in the vicinity.

Serials 375–377 — Leonard Stringfield / Eva Reich (Dr. Wilhelm Reich's Daughter); OROP Desert Ea (April 1957)

From: SAC, Cincinnati and related offices · To: Director, FBI · Date: 4/12/57 – 4/24/57

On March 25, 1957, Stringfield appeared at the Cincinnati Office to report a letter dated March 19, 1957, from Dr. Eva Reich, M.D. (Mrs. William S. Moise, Route 1, P.O. Box 721, Alexandria, Virginia, telephone South 5-7081). Eva Reich had phoned Stringfield at home on March 12 and spoken of matters "over his head."

Eva Reich's letter to Stringfield discussed an operation called "OROP Desert Ea" (an expedition run by her father Dr. Wilhelm Reich), claiming:

Evidence for flying saucers connected to "orgone energy" research
Evidence of espionage against the work: "tapped radio, opened mail"
The FBI had declined to investigate as "not within their jurisdiction"
Unexplained disappearance since 1949 of one William Washington, who had knowledge of "orgonometry" and the "Orgone Energy Motor"
Oil company interests allegedly suppressing the Orgone Energy Motor to protect energy industry profits
A threat: "If no investigation is forthcoming within a reasonably short time we are forced to use force; — to use the scientific power of the Energy which we have learnt to trigger (storms, floods etc.)"

Staff members of Expedition OROP Desert Ea: Robert A. McCullough, William Steig, William Moise.

Bureau background (April 23, 1957): Eva Reich was identified as the daughter of Dr. Wilhelm Reich, Director of the Wilhelm Reich Institute (aka Orgone Institute Research Laboratories, Rangeley, Maine). In May 1956, Dr. Reich had been convicted of contempt of court following an FDA injunction barring interstate shipment of his cancer-treatment devices and related materials. He was imprisoned on March 12, 1957. His family and staff had been directing voluminous correspondence to multiple government agencies.

Eva Reich had been interviewed by Richmond Office agents; she had also contacted Senator Margaret Chase Smith's office and Assistant Attorney General William Tompkins. She made derogatory comments about U.S. government administration. The threat of force was noted; Richmond was instructed to make the information available to local Alexandria authorities.

Serial 378 — UFO Sighting, Old Brookville, Long Island (November 1957)

From: SAC, New York · To: Director, FBI · Date (Teletype): 11/7/57, 12:41 a.m.

Chief James Colyer of the Police Department of the Incorporated Village of Old Brookville reported that several residents and a PD member observed two red lights hovering in the air, appearing an even distance apart and joined together. At one time the lights brightened and seemed to cast a red dust or fog in the surrounding air. Colyer reported the sighting to Mitchell AFB and Roslyn Airfield; both had received numerous reports and were dispatching aircraft to investigate. The matter was broadcast on local radio station WINS.

Disposition: OSI, G-2, and CAA in the area advised.

Serial 379 — Flying Disc Film, Fort Worth (November 1957)

From: SAC, Kansas City · To: Director, FBI · Date: 11/8/57

Donald Keith Gash, 3012 Blueridge, Kansas City, reported that his uncle, Leland (or Jesse Leland) Gash, employed by an aircraft concern in Fort Worth, Texas, had approximately two years earlier filmed an unidentified disc-shaped object with a movie camera. The footage, approximately 15 feet of film, was described as "very good." The Gash family had not reported it previously, feeling "foolish," but were prompted by "late international developments." Bureau requested Dallas Office contact Jesse Leland Gash at Fort Worth to obtain the film for review and potential transmittal to OSI.

Serial 380 — Unidentified Object, Houston, Texas (November 1957)

From: SAC, Houston (Teletype) · To: Director, FBI · Date: 11/8/57

Mrs. Donald Blevins, 1235 Shawnee, Houston, reported that on October 24, a metallic, ash-like object the size of a golf ball to a fist fell into her yard. It was bright and hot when found. OSI at Ellington AFB investigated and concluded the object was part of an ordinary flare, of no significance.

Serial 381 — Illinois State Police Officers UFO Sighting, Danville (November 1957)

From: SAC, Springfield, Illinois (Teletype) · To: Director, FBI · Date: 11/8/57

Illinois State Police Assistant Chief Walter A. Eichen reported that ISP officers Calvin Showers and John Matulis (District Ten) observed at approximately 9:00 p.m., November 7, 1957, a bright white light flying in a southwesterly direction from Danville, Illinois. They attempted to follow in their patrol car for approximately twenty miles before losing sight of the object. The light appeared bright white, amber, and orange at various points. The officers reported that for a few seconds it appeared to affect both the receiver and transmitter of their FM two-way radio. No indication the object dipped to the ground.

Disposition: OSI at Bolling Field advised. No comment made to International News Service.

Serials 382–384 — Wladyslaw Krasuski: 1944 Wartime Sighting of Circular Craft, near Berlin (November 1957)

This is the most technically detailed sighting in the entire section.

Background: On November 4, 1957, W. Krasuski, 5457 Jos. Campau, Detroit 11, Michigan, wrote to Robert Cutler, Special Assistant to President Eisenhower, stating: "I might have some information about the rocket in Texas. I heard about it on the Polish Radio Program." The National Security Council forwarded the letter to the FBI via J. Patrick Coyne.

Interview of Wladyslaw (Walter) Krasuski, November 7, 1957, by SA Cassius Rathbun:

Krasuski's background: Born in Poland; German prisoner of war from May 1942 until summer 1945 at Gut Alt Golssen, approximately 30 miles east of Berlin. Arrived in the U.S. on May 2, 1951, on the S.S. General Stewart. Employed at the Gobel Brewery, Detroit, since 1951. Resided with wife Joan (née Wisniewski, married 1952, Detroit) and four children.

During 1944, while en route to work in a field north of Gut Alt Golssen, Krasuski's work crew tractor engine stalled on a road through a swamp area. An SS guard spoke briefly with the German driver. A high-pitched whine similar to a large electric generator was heard; they waited 5–10 minutes until the noise stopped, then the engine started normally.

Approximately three hours later, in the same swamp area, Krasuski surreptitiously observed (he did not want the German guard to notice):

A circular enclosure, approximately 100–150 yards in diameter, protected from view by a tarpaulin-type wall approximately 50 feet high, from which a vehicle rose.

The vehicle was described as:

Circular in shape, 75–100 yards in diameter (approximately 225–300 feet)
Approximately 14 feet high
Dark gray stationary top and bottom sections, each 5–6 feet high
A middle section approximately 3 feet high, appearing to be a rapidly moving component producing a continuous blur like an aeroplane propeller but extending around the entire circumference of the craft
The noise was similar to but of lower pitch than the earlier high-pitched whine

The vehicle rose vertically to a height sufficient to clear the 50-foot wall, then moved slowly horizontally a short distance until obstructed from view by trees. Observed from approximately 500 feet.

The tractor engine stalled again during this observation; the driver made no attempt to restart until the noise stopped, after which it started normally.

Cables: Uninsulated metal (possibly copper) cables, 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter, were observed on and below the ground surface (in some places under water), apparently running between the enclosure and a small concrete column-like structure between the road and the enclosure.

Post-war: Shortly after the war's end, Krasuski revisited the area and found the cables had been removed; the locations of the concrete structure and enclosure were covered by water.

The work crew of 16–18 men (Russian, French, and Polish POWs) had discussed the incident among themselves many times. The only name Krasuski could recall was Franciszek Grabowski, then approximately 50 years of age, presumed to have returned to Poland.

No indication of mental instability noted by SA Rathbun during the interview. Krasuski spoke rationally.

Hoover's letters to the NSC and intelligence agencies (November 8 and 15, 1957): Full details of the Krasuski interview were transmitted to J. Patrick Coyne (NSC), the Office of Security (State Department), the CIA (Deputy Director, Plans), Army Intelligence (G-2), the Director of Naval Intelligence, OSI (Air Force), and the Immigration and Naturalization Service.

Serial 387 — NSC Referral: Krasuski Texas Rocket Letter (context)

The National Security Council communicated with FBI Assistant Director Belmont on November 5, 1957 (enclosing Krasuski's letter), requesting an FBI representative interview Krasuski. This led directly to the interview described above.

Leitura (PT-BR)

Serial 344 — Truman Bethurum; Programa sobre Disco Voador em Cincinnati (junho–julho de 1954)

De: SAC, Cincinnati · Para: Diretor, FBI · Datas: 22/7/54

O escritório de Cincinnati reportou uma investigação iniciada por uma carta de Thomas Eickhoff, operador do Tom's Beauty Salon, 3721 Tappan Avenue, Cincinnati, Ohio. Em 7 de junho de 1954, Eickhoff compareceu e informou que, em 3 de junho de 1954, um anúncio havia sido publicado no Cincinnati Enquirer divulgando um programa sobre "a verdadeira história dos discos voadores" no Taft Auditorium, em 11 de junho de 1954. O anúncio não identificava o patrocinador; os ingressos custavam $2,00 cada.

Eickhoff rastreou o anúncio até Henry Maday, 364 West Lewiston Avenue, Ferndale, Michigan, que atuava como agente de Truman Bethurum e George Hunt Williamson. Em 4 de junho, Maday informou Eickhoff sobre uma discordância financeira que encerrou sua associação com os dois. Williamson e um Sr. Manspeaker depois convidaram Eickhoff para um almoço no Hotel Terrace Plaza, em 7 de junho de 1954.

Eickhoff havia lido Flying Saucers From Outer Space, de Donald E. Kehoe (major reformado do USMC; Harper's), e Flying Saucers Have Landed, de George Adamski, além de ouvir comentaristas como Walter Winchell, Fulton Lewis Jr. e Frank Edwards. Ele acreditava que Bethurum e Williamson eram verdadeiros ou fraudulentos; se verdadeiros, o público merecia saber; se falsos, deveriam ser processados. Estimou que a reunião poderia atrair 2.000 pessoas, gerando $4.000 para os promotores.

Eickhoff apresentou duas cópias da revista Valor ("Golden Times Weekly," Soul Craft Chapels, P.O. Box 192, Noblesville, Indiana), volumes 15 e 16 do número 6 (de 6 e 13 de fevereiro de 1954). O número 15 identificava Bethurum como motorista de caminhão de Redondo Beach, Califórnia (519 North Gertruda Avenue), 55 anos, e descrevia um suposto encontro no deserto de Nevada com exploradores do espaço sob o comando de uma mulher, com Bethurum alegando ter estado a bordo de discos voadores em onze ocasiões. No rodapé estava escrito em letra de Bethurum: "This is a true story, a factual experience — Truman Bethurum."

Eickhoff havia consultado o Tenente-Coronel John O'Mara, da Wright-Patterson AFB, na casa de O'Mara em Fairborn, Ohio, em 6 de junho de 1954. O'Mara negou a existência de discos voadores e descreveu Kehoe como um fraude. O FBI foi notificado; as informações foram encaminhadas ao OSI em Wright-Patterson.

Serial 345 — Avistamento de Carl R. Keyser, Milford, Ohio (julho de 1954)

O coronel J. M. Smith, Diretor Adjunto de Defesa Civil de Cincinnati e Condado de Hamilton, Ohio, ligou em 23 de julho de 1954 para relatar um avistamento de Carl R. Keyser, Route 1, Milford, Ohio.

Keyser relatou que em 23 de julho de 1954, às aproximadamente 14h40, ele e sua esposa observaram um objeto circular ou esférico de cor prateada no céu a sudeste de sua residência, a aproximadamente 45 graus acima do horizonte.

Encaminhamento: Referido ao OSI em Wright-Patterson AFB.

Serial 346 — Sra. Frances Swan; Transmissões Mentais do "Espaço Exterior" (julho–agosto de 1954)

Este relatório foi motivado por ligação ao SAC L. L. Laughlin em 29 de julho de 1954, de John Hutson, Oficial de Segurança da Diretoria de Aeronáutica, Marinha dos EUA. A entrevista ocorreu na Sala 2912, Main Navy Building, com o Comandante L. T. McQuiston, USN, também presente.

Contexto: A ONI encaminhou à Diretoria de Aeronáutica um dossiê recebido do almirante reformado Herbert B. Knowles, de South Berwick, Maine. Knowles residia perto da Sra. Frances Swan, que afirmava receber mensagens por transmissão mental. Swan disse a Knowles que "os discos voadores" estavam ali para ajudar a humanidade. Knowles escreveu ao Almirante Espe, Diretor da Inteligência Naval, em 1º de junho de 1954; sem resposta, escreveu novamente em 7 de junho. A ONI não agiu por falta de "evidências definitivas de conversas."

Hutson visitou informalmente a residência de Knowles em South Berwick nos dias 24, 25 e 26 de julho de 1954. Também esteve presente Wilbert B. Smith, físico do governo canadense, com sua família, em caráter não oficial.

Detalhes das transmissões relatadas por Swan:

As pessoas do "espaço exterior" podiam usar os olhos e ouvidos dela mediante um dispositivo mecânico e gravavam todas as conversas.
Swan recebia um zumbido no ouvido esquerdo como sinal de conexão — doloroso e perturbador do sono desde 27 de maio de 1954. Acordou-se uma agenda: 8h, 12h e 18h diariamente.
Seu marido Guy Swan e sua filha Dawlyn ouviram o zumbido, mas não conseguiam receber transmissões.
Dois navios espaciais enviavam as mensagens: M-4 (planeta Urano, comandado por "AFFA") e L-11 (planeta Hatann, comandado por "PONNAR"). Cada nave media 150 milhas de largura, 200 de comprimento e 100 de profundidade; cada uma continha aproximadamente 5.000 "naves-mãe" de 150 a 200 pés de comprimento.
Conforme Swan, AFFA e PONNAR protegiam a Terra da destruição causada pelas explosões de bombas atômicas e de hidrogênio e pelas guerras, que perturbavam o campo magnético terrestre; estavam também reparando "linhas de falha" no Oceano Pacífico.
Swan indicou que em meados de agosto de 1954, 5.000 "sinos" ou "discos voadores" apareceriam sobre muitas nações do mundo, visíveis a olho nu nas ruas.

Smith (canadense) pretendia tentar contato por rádio em alta frequência no dia 1º de agosto de 1954; Swan avisou que uma nave se aproximaria a menos de 100 milhas de Ottawa para facilitar o contato.

Knowles escreveu à Senadora Margaret Chase Smith (Maine), que encaminhou as informações ao Secretário de Defesa com cópias para o Exército, Marinha e Força Aérea. Knowles também escreveu ao Presidente dos EUA.

Hutson descreveu Swan como uma pessoa de classe média baixa, com instrução básica, religiosa, estudiosa da Bíblia e com interesse em espiritualismo.

Encaminhamento: Informações fornecidas ao OSI, USAF; copiadas à Inteligência Naval e ao G-2 do Exército. A carta formal de Hoover ao Inspetor-Geral da Força Aérea foi enviada em 9 de agosto de 1954.

Serial 347 — Carta de Roger L. Jones; Artigo da Revista MYSTIC (agosto de 1954)

Jones, de Zanesville, Ohio, escreveu em 7 de agosto de 1954 perguntando sobre um artigo da revista MYSTIC (edição de agosto) que descrevia dois homens do planeta Vênus supostamente chegados perto de Barstow, Califórnia, que teriam ido a Los Angeles e um teria conseguido emprego na seção de pessoas desaparecidas de um jornal. O artigo alegava que um repórter enviou ao FBI um relatório completo sobre esses seres, acompanhado de análise laboratorial de metal perfurado por um deles ao roçar levemente a superfície com o polegar.

Resposta de Hoover (12 de agosto de 1954): "O artigo mencionado está totalmente incorreto no que diz respeito ao FBI, e não há informação sobre o assunto que eu possa lhe fornecer." Nota interna: o editor da revista havia sido informado do erro e prometeu uma retratação em edição futura.

Serial 348 — Clube dos Discos Voadores de Detroit (DFSC); Petição ao Presidente Eisenhower (setembro–outubro de 1954)

L. P. Wagner (Malner), 4353 Dickerson Avenue, Detroit, Michigan, relatou ter assistido a uma reunião do recém-criado Detroit Flying Saucer Club (DFSC), com 1.000 presentes pagando $1,00 cada, grupos de estudo em nível internacional, e petições para a divulgação de informações secretas sobre o governo. O correspondente expressou preocupação de que a organização pudesse ser uma frente comunista.

Encartados com a carta:

Avisos de reuniões:

22 de setembro de 1954, Grand Ballroom, Veterans Memorial Building, Detroit: palestrante John Otto de Chicago (engenheiro de patentes, "Saucers International"), sobre "Uma Análise das Mais Recentes Evidências sobre Discos Voadores." Um grupo de radioamadores do clube alegou ter feito contato com um disco via rádio, a ser relatado por Don Thompson. Presidente: Henry Maday.
28 de setembro de 1954, Instituto de Arte de Detroit: palestrante Desmond Leslie, jornalista irlandês e co-autor de Flying Saucers Have Landed.

Carta aberta ao Presidente dos EUA (22 de setembro de 1954): Assinada por cidadãos de Detroit sob o timbre do DFSC (6432 Cass Avenue, Detroit; tel. TRinity 5-7300). Diretoria: Henry Maday (Presidente), Laura Marxer (Vice-Presidente), Dolores M. Coyne (Secretária), John C. Hoffman (Tesoureiro).

A carta declarava:

Muitos cidadãos observaram pessoalmente esses objetos nos EUA e no exterior.
O governo parecia manter uma política de "silêncio e sigilo" por medo do pânico.
Tal política era "falsa, geradora de medo e totalmente equivocada."
Outros países já haviam nomeado comissões governamentais para investigar.

A carta pedia ao Presidente uma "declaração honesta e direta sobre esses fenômenos," que incentivasse os cidadãos a relatar avistamentos sem medo de ridicularização.

Resposta do Bureau (8 de outubro de 1954): Hoover acusou recebimento. Nota interna: DFSC sem registro no Bureau; Desmond Leslie e Henry Maday tinham aparecido anteriormente em conexão com palestras sobre discos voadores (62-83894-343 e 344). Detroit recebeu cópia com instrução de reportar qualquer conexão subversiva identificável.

Serial 349 — Newsletter CRIFO; Leonard H. Stringfield; Admissão de O'Mara (novembro de 1954)

O SAC de Cincinnati encaminhou o "Newsletter" de 1º de outubro de 1954 (Vol. I, Nº 7) da Civilian Research, Interplanetary Flying Objects (CRIFO), dirigida por Leonard H. Stringfield, Gerente de Publicidade da DuBois Company, Inc., Cincinnati; endereço residencial: 7017 Britton Avenue, Cincinnati 27, Ohio. Circulação mundial de cerca de 4.000 exemplares a $2,00 por ano.

O principal item era o relato de Stringfield de uma conversa privada de 26 minutos com o Tenente-Coronel John O'Mara, Comandante Adjunto de Inteligência, USAF, em 21 de setembro de 1954:

O'Mara confirmou que os discos voadores "existem de fato" e que "contradições passadas foram lamentáveis."
Descreveu três categorias: (1) um "disco" controlado do espaço exterior; (2) um dispositivo secreto americano semelhante a um disco; (3) fenômenos naturais inexplicáveis.
Ao ser perguntado se todos os discos vistos por americanos eram americanos, O'Mara respondeu: "Definitivamente não! Algo existe."
A Força Aérea planejava cooperar com o público; uma declaração do Departamento de Defesa explicaria contradições passadas e revelaria detalhes sobre muitos avistamentos.

Outros itens relevantes da newsletter:

Censura internacional e o caso chileno: A Missão Naval Chilena em Washington negou (23 de dezembro de 1953) que o Capitão Augusto Orrego tivesse visto OVNIs na Antártida em 1948, apesar de Orrego ter afirmado anteriormente: "During the bright Antarctic night we saw flying saucers, one above the other, turning at tremendous speeds. We have photographs to prove what we saw." O major Keyhoe observou que as fotos foram posteriormente descritas como "classificadas." Stringfield argumentou: para que sejam classificadas, precisam existir.

Satélites terrestres não identificados: A Aviation Week de 23 de agosto de 1954 alegou que o Dr. Lincoln La Paz havia identificado dois satélites previamente não observados em órbita a 400 e 600 milhas. La Paz respondeu à Associated Press: "É falso em todos os aspectos no que diz respeito a mim."

Cratera inexplicada em Logan, Utah (1º de maio de 1954): Uma explosão produzindo 500 ligações telefônicas à polícia criou uma cratera de 16 pés de largura por 6 de profundidade. Os cientistas J. Stewart Williams, Lincoln La Paz e Clyde T. Hardy concluíram que a cratera "não foi produzida por queda convencional de meteorito" e encerraram a investigação.

Colisão de caça com OVNI em Walesville, Nova York (2 de julho de 1954): Um F-94-C Starfire enviado em missão de interceptação pousou forçosamente em Walesville, matando quatro pessoas. Um avistamento separado de um objeto prateado a 20.000 pés gerou mais de 1.000 ligações para o jornal Utica Press.

Demissão de Frank Edwards (agosto de 1954): Stringfield mantinha que a Força Aérea forçou a demissão de Edwards por divulgar seu interesse em OVNIs.

Chuva de metal incandescente em Woodside, Califórnia (27 de agosto de 1954): Pellets de metal branco-incandescente incendiaram uma estrada em área de 70 por 250 pés. Metalúrgicos e a Força Aérea não ofereceram explicação; nenhum avião militar foi confirmado na região.

Avistamento de objeto na Lua (5 de setembro de 1954, Rockford, Illinois): Os astrônomos amadores Peter Bartkus e Theodore McColm observaram um objeto esférico ascendendo da região Mare Humboldtianum da Lua entre 22h35 e 23h15. McColm estimou o diâmetro do objeto em aproximadamente 12.500 pés.

Roma, Itália (18 de setembro de 1954): Uma testemunha descreveu um objeto "meio-charuto" que fez um barulho de trovão entrecortado, ficou parado a cerca de 6.000 pés por vários minutos e então subiu verticalmente deixando uma cauda de fumaça branca leitosa. O radar de Roma rastreou o objeto por 39 minutos.

Pouso no Vale do Pó, Itália (16–17 de outubro de 1954): Aldeões de Po di Gnocca observaram um disco prateado aterrissar suavemente em um pântano, pausar, e então subir verticalmente em direção ao leste. Uma cratera de 20 pés e árvores chamuscadas foram encontradas no local.

Sobre Stringfield: Ele afirmava que a Força Aérea monitorava seu telefone residencial; fazia chamadas sensíveis do escritório; temia que a Força Aérea parasse suas operações; e declarou: "A Força Aérea não pode fazer nada comigo. Estou afirmando que os discos são interplanetários."

Serial 361 — Avistamento do Senador Richard B. Russell sobre a União Soviética; Debriefing da CIA (outubro–novembro de 1955)

Memorando interno: Belmont para Boardman, 18 de outubro de 1955

Na Sessão Executiva do Comitê Consultivo de Inteligência (IAC) em 18 de outubro de 1955, o Diretor da CIA Allen Dulles discutiu um relatório da comitiva do Senador Richard B. Russell da Georgia, que viajava pela União Soviética de trem, sobre um avistamento de disco voador.

Memorando da CIA ao Diretor de Inteligência Central (desclassificado, NND 90986): Assinado por Herbert Scoville Jr., Diretor Assistente de Inteligência Científica; distribuído a todos os membros do IAC.

Os quatro observadores foram interrogados separadamente. Os avistamentos ocorreram num trem viajando de Baku para Tiflis, aproximadamente dez minutos além de Alyaty, às 19h10, já em escuridão.

Resumo das observações:

Senador Russell: Descansando sozinho em seu compartimento com as luzes apagadas, notou uma pequena bola luminescente amarelo-esverdeada subindo rapidamente. Informou os demais; um segundo objeto apareceu minutos depois. Russell viu apenas a bola luminosa — sem forma definida, sem rastro de foguete, sem ruído acima do barulho do trem. Impressão vaga de que o objeto girava suavemente ou "subia girando." A trajetória era ascendente em ângulo íngreme, como um foguete de Quatro de Julho, sendo avistada primeiro a cerca de 600–800 pés da terra. Os objetos não nivelaram o voo.
Sr. Efron: Viu apenas dois pontos luminosos parecidos com olhos.
Coronel Hathaway: Viu um objeto sombreado com uma luz no topo e luzes giratórias semelhantes a exaustores na base. Considerou o tamanho comparável a um caça dos EUA, mas declarou que o objeto não se assemelhava a nenhuma aeronave, foguete ou míssil que ele jamais tivesse visto. Observou que o objeto mudou sua trajetória de ascensão íngreme para voo horizontal de forma brusca.
Sr. Gros: Considerou o objeto comparável a um caça dos EUA; também relatou um objeto triangular com três luzes que pareceu ser ejetado de um local de lançamento.

Todos os quatro observadores concordaram que o objeto girava durante a ascensão inicial. Um holofote soviético estava visível, mas não foi apontado para os objetos.

Avaliação da CIA: "A única testemunha cujo relato sustenta a existência de discos voadores ou aeronaves radicalmente não convencionais é o Coronel Hathaway. Os demais relatos podem provavelmente ser explicados como aeronaves ou mísseis em subida íngreme... as evidências não parecem suficientemente sólidas para justificar a conclusão de que os soviéticos desenvolveram e operam um novo tipo radicalmente diferente de aeronave."

Memorando da CIA para o Registro — Entrevista com o Senador Russell (27 de outubro de 1955): Entrevista conduzida pelo Dr. Francis Clauser, consultor do O/SI. Russell acrescentou detalhes: as luzes do compartimento estavam apagadas quando viu o primeiro objeto; o porteiro baixou as persianas pelo menos dez minutos depois, o que era rotineiro. Russell não sentiu que os russos tentavam esconder nada naquela região, tendo passado por várias bases aéreas sem que lhe ocultassem. Observou que os objetos subiram "surpreendentemente rápido" para serem aviões a jato. Russell também descreveu instalações próximas de Moscou que ele identificou como equivalentes soviéticos de sistemas Nike e instalações de mísseis guiados, a cerca de 40 milhas da capital.

Serial 364–365 — Avistamento de Sylvia L. Richards perto de Henderson, Carolina do Norte (abril de 1956)

Miss Sylvia L. Richards (funcionária do FBI, residente em Alexandria, Virgínia) relatou que em 6 de abril de 1956, às aproximadamente 5h, dirigindo pela U.S. Route 1 ao norte de Henderson, Carolina do Norte, ela e seu noivo Joseph L. Morris Jr. (funcionário da Agência de Segurança Nacional) foram surpreendidos por um objeto de baixa altitude vindo diretamente em direção ao carro pelo lado do motorista.

Ela descreveu o objeto como:

Oval (também descrito como redondo)
A menos de 25 pés do solo
Girando, brilhante, com luzes em padrão em zigue-zague
Azul claro
Pelo menos tão largo quanto a estrada, com no máximo de dois a quatro pés de espessura
Sem qualquer som

O objeto aparentou passar sobre o carro, acelerar e desviar para longe em segundos. Choveu cerca de 30 minutos depois. Carta de Hoover ao Inspetor-Geral da Força Aérea enviada em 16 de abril de 1956 com descrição completa.

Seriais 382–384 — Wladyslaw Krasuski: Avistamento em 1944 de Nave Circular próxima a Berlim (novembro de 1957)

Este é o relato tecnicamente mais detalhado de toda a Seção 8.

Contexto: Em 4 de novembro de 1957, W. Krasuski, 5457 Jos. Campau, Detroit, Michigan, escreveu ao Conselheiro Especial do Presidente Eisenhower, Robert Cutler, afirmando: "I might have some information about the rocket in Texas. I heard about it on the Polish Radio Program." O NSC encaminhou a carta ao FBI.

Entrevista de Wladyslaw (Walter) Krasuski, 7 de novembro de 1957, pelo SA Cassius Rathbun:

Krasuski era prisioneiro de guerra alemão desde maio de 1942 até o verão de 1945 em Gut Alt Golssen, aproximadamente 30 milhas a leste de Berlim. Chegou aos EUA em 2 de maio de 1951 como refugiado.

Em 1944, enquanto o grupo de trabalhadores se dirigia a um campo ao norte de Gut Alt Golssen, o trator parou em uma estrada por uma área pantanosa. Um guarda das SS conversou brevemente com o motorista alemão. Um zumbido agudo semelhante ao de um grande gerador elétrico foi ouvido; esperaram 5–10 minutos até o ruído cessar e o motor ligar normalmente.

Cerca de três horas depois, na mesma área de pântano, Krasuski observou disfarçadamente (para não chamar a atenção dos guardas):

Um cercado circular de aproximadamente 100–150 jardas de diâmetro, protegido por uma parede tipo lona de aproximadamente 50 pés de altura, de dentro do qual uma nave se elevou.

A nave foi descrita como:

Circular, 75–100 jardas de diâmetro (aproximadamente 68–91 metros)
Aproximadamente 14 pés de altura (~4,3 metros)
Seções superior e inferior de cor cinza escura, estacionárias, com 5–6 pés cada
Seção intermediária de aproximadamente 3 pés, aparentemente em rotação rápida, produzindo um borrão contínuo semelhante a uma hélice de avião, mas se estendendo por toda a circunferência da nave
O ruído era semelhante, porém de tom ligeiramente mais baixo do que o zunido ouvido anteriormente

A nave subiu verticalmente até ultrapassar a parede de 50 pés e depois se moveu lentamente de forma horizontal até ser ocultada por árvores próximas. Observada a uma distância de cerca de 500 pés.

O motor do trator parou novamente durante esta observação; o motorista não tentou religar até que o ruído cessasse, após o que ligou normalmente.

Cabos: Cabos metálicos não isolados (provavelmente cobre), de 1,5 a 2 polegadas de diâmetro, foram observados sobre e abaixo da superfície do solo (em alguns trechos submersos), aparentemente conectando o cercado a uma pequena estrutura de concreto entre a estrada e o cercado.

Após a guerra: Ao revisitar a área logo após o fim da guerra, Krasuski constatou que os cabos haviam sido removidos e que os locais da estrutura de concreto e do cercado estavam cobertos por água.

O grupo de trabalho de 16–18 homens (prisioneiros russos, franceses e poloneses) havia discutido o incidente entre si muitas vezes. O único nome que Krasuski conseguiu recordar era Franciszek Grabowski, então com cerca de 50 anos, presumivelmente retornado à Polônia após 1945.

Nenhum sinal de instabilidade mental foi observado pelo SA Rathbun durante a entrevista. Krasuski falou de maneira racional.

Cartas de Hoover ao NSC e agências de inteligência (8 e 15 de novembro de 1957): Os detalhes completos da entrevista de Krasuski foram transmitidos a J. Patrick Coyne (NSC), ao Departamento de Estado, à CIA (Diretor Adjunto de Planos), ao G-2 do Exército, ao Diretor de Inteligência Naval, ao OSI (Força Aérea) e ao Serviço de Imigração e Naturalização.

Serial 378 — Avistamento de OVNIs em Old Brookville, Long Island (novembro de 1957)

Em 7 de novembro de 1957, às 0h41, o Delegado James Colyer, da Polícia de Old Brookville, Long Island, Nova York, relatou que vários moradores e um policial observaram duas luzes vermelhas pairando no ar, aparentemente unidas entre si. Em determinado momento as luzes se intensificaram e pareceram lançar uma névoa ou poeira vermelha ao redor. Foram recebidos numerosos outros relatos em Mitchell AFB e no Aeroporto de Roslyn, que enviou aeronaves para investigar. A notícia foi transmitida pela rádio WINS. OSI, G-2 e CAA foram informados.

Serial 381 — Avistamento por Policiais Estaduais do Illinois, Danville (novembro de 1957)

Os policiais Calvin Showers e John Matulis da Polícia Estadual de Illinois (Distrito Dez) relataram que, às aproximadamente 21h de 7 de novembro de 1957, avistaram uma luz branca brilhante movendo-se em direção sudoeste a partir de Danville, Illinois. Tentaram acompanhá-la de carro por cerca de 20 milhas antes de perder de vista. A luz oscilou entre branca brilhante, âmbar e laranja. Os policiais relataram que por alguns segundos o objeto pareceu afetar o receptor e o transmissor do rádio FM de ondas curtas de sua viatura. Nenhuma indicação de que o objeto tocou o solo.

[Fim do documento — seriais 344 a 384, páginas 1 a 217 do arquivo físico escaneado.]

🛸 Anomalias UAP destacadas(54 trechos · 24 tipos)