━ PAGE 1 ━
Declassification authority derived
from FBI Automatic Declassification
Guide, issued May 24, 2007.
RRP003IXHO
8/11/1274194
0062
83894
Class / Case #
Sub
Vol.
HO HEADQUARTERS
101
Serial #
130
FBI - CENTRAL RECORDS CENTER
of Justice
*62-HQ-83894-3*
SERIALS 101-130
62- HQ-83894
BOM OR ADDED TO THIS FILE
FOR
P A
B334 1.
BUREAU
FOR
1P A
+
SECTION 3
191949 BY
INVESTIGATION
DO NOT
DESTROY*
COPIED FOR FOIPA #389136
MAY 13 1977
R343
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DO NOT
USE GARE IN FRAME PIPESTROY
FOIPA # 993087
MAR 1 1978 BY
Transfer-Call 421
CHES MA*E 18-1823
━ PAGE 2 ━
..
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memo, dum • UNITED ST
OVERNMENT
TO
A FROM
:
SUBJECT:
ent
: Director, FBI
SAC, San Francisco
DATE: Sept ember 4, 1947
AIRMAIL
SPECIAL DELIVERY
REPORTS OF PLYING DISCS
Enclosed is a copy of a letter dated August 25, 1947, with
attachment fran It. Col. DONALD L. SPRINGER of A-2, Hamilton Field,
California. Even though Col. SPRINGER feels that Mr. JOHNSON may
have read some
of his claims in a newspaper, Col, SPRINGER believes
that Mr. F. M.XJOMNSON should be interviewed in this matter.
In accordance with Bureau Bulletin No. 42, dated July 30,
1947, Portland is requested to exhaustively interview Mr. F. M.
JOHNSON, 106 N.W. First Ave., Portland, Oregon, regarding his
alleged sighting of a "flying dise" on June 24, 1947. Copies of
the result of this interview should be furnished the San Francisco
Field Office for distribution to the 6th Army Intelligence.
DWK: MR
Encls. 2
62-2938
cc Portland (Encls. 4) - AMSD
Жр Д газі Сагві
minD
RECORDED
INDEXED
135
102-83894-17
Kare
101
SEP 23 1947
EX-80
3
$ 33 bly
nops
010013
1947
━ PAGE 3 ━
NFI
DECLASSIFIED
Authority:
NND 90986
HRADQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
Intelligence
Hamilton Pield, California .
4AFDA
25 August 1947
SUBJECT: Flying Diso.
70:
Special Agent in Charge, FBI, U. S. Department of Justice,
Federal Office Building, Room 422, San Francisco, Calif.
1.
The attached true copy of a letter from Mr. F. M. Johnson
was received by this officer 22 August 1947.
2. Your attention is invited to the similarity between Arnold's
early report and this gentleman's report. A possibility exists that
Mr. Johnson night have read some of this in the newspapers when Arnold
was publicized re this matter.
3.
This headquarters does not intend to investigate this incident.
It is requested that a result of any interview you may make be furnished
this headquarters.
1 Inel: (dup)
Ltr fr F.M. Johnson
(True Cy)
DONALD L. SPRINGER
Lt. Colonel, GSG
AC of S, A-2
DER.
U. 5. 01
AUG 2 7 1947
62-83894-101
USURE
CONFIDEN
SANT
ROUTED 1O
━ PAGE 4 ━
PORTLAND, OREGON, August 20th 1947
It. Col. Donald L. Springer, Assistant Staff
Sir. Saw in the portland paper a short time ago in regards to
an article in regards to the so called flying disc having any basis
of fact. I can say am a prospector and was in the it Adams district
on June 24th the day Kennet Arnold of Bolse Idaho claims he saw a
formation of flying disc.
And i saw the same flying objeots at about
the same time. Having a telescope with ne at the time i can asure you
they are real and noting like them I ever saw before they did not pass
verry high over where I was standing at the the time. plobly 1000 ft.
thoy were Round about 30 foot in dimater tapering sharply to a point in
the head end in an oval shape, with a bright top surface. I did not
hear any noise as you would fron & plane. But there was an objeet in
the tail end looked like a big hand of a block shifting fron side to
side like a big magenet. There spoed as far as i Inow seemed to be
greater than anything I ever saw.
Last veim I got of the objeets they
were standing on edge Banking in a Cloud.
Yours Respectfully
/ s/
P. M. Johnson
106 No. West lst Ave
Portland, Oregon
A TRUE COPY:
Дет
DONALD
SPRING
It. Colonel, GSC
AC of S, A-2
U. 5 D
AUG 2 7 1947
82-83894-101
ENCLOSURE
CONFIDEN
SAN
ROUTED 10
'TAL
━ PAGE 5 ━
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Men
dum • UNITED S
GOVERNMENT
*TO
Director, FBI
Atten: Assistant Director D. M. LADD
FROM: SAC, San Francisco
SUBJECT: REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS
DATE: September 4, 1937
AIRMA IL
Enclosed for your information are copies of two letters
from Lt. Col. DONALD L. SPRINGER of A-2, Hamilton Field, California,
dated August 27, 1947, with attachments reporting the sighting of
"flying discs" on Guam, and result of A-2 investigation at Tacoma
and Kelso, Washington.
DWK : MR.
62-2938
Cae
ENCLOSURE ATTACHED
162-83894-112
36
18
SEP 24 1947
COPIES DESTROYED
270.
NOV 18 1964
EX-373
3 ост3
RECORDED
EX-37
19471
1 344
━ PAGE 6 ━
SECRET
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE
Office of the Assistent Chief of Staff, A-2
Intelligence
Hamilton Pield, California
4APDА
333-5/1208-1
SUBJECT:
62-2938*
Re Flying Disc.
27 August 1947
TO:
Special Agent in Charge, FBI, U. S. Department of Justice,
Federal Office Building, Room 422, San Prancisco, California.
1. Pollowing is extraot fron the Weekly Intelligence Summary,
Air Transport Command, Washington 25, D. C., dated 20 August 1947,
Copy No. 120, Article I, PE 1:
"PLYING OBJECTS IN GUAl, Unidentified flying objects have
been observed by three
Americen enlisted men of the 147th Air-
ways and Air Communications Servico Squadron at Farmon Piola,
The men report that at 1040 hours on 14 August 1947 the
two objects, which they deseribe as small, crescent shaped and
traveling at a speed twice that of a fighter plane, passed over
them on a zig-zag course in a westerly direction at an approxi-
mate altitude of twelve hundred feet.
The objects disappeared
into clouds and a few seconds later a similar object possibly
one of those previously observed, emerged from the clouds and
proceeded west, No further details have been reported."
2. For your information.
Доніт
Lt• Colonel, GSC
AC of S, A-2
Eth
SECRET
━ PAGE 7 ━
ENCLOSURE
62-83894-102
━ PAGE 8 ━
FIDENTIAL
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
Intelligence
Hamilton Field, California
4AFDA
333.5/1208-1
27 August 1947
SUBJECT: Investigation of Flying Disc.
TO:
Special Agent in Charge, PBI, U. S. Department of Justice,
Federal Office Building, Room 422, San Francisco, California.
Attached surmary forwarded for your information.
1 Incl:
Summary of Information.
DONALD L. SPRINGER
Lt. Colonel, GSC
AC of S, A-2
LUCKAL BUREAU OF
MUESTIG
U.S. DE
AUG 3 0 1947
SAN FRANCISCO
ROUIÉO TO
12-83894-162
CONF
ENCLOSURE
━ PAGE 9 ━
Nd*
ADEN
HBADQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
Intelligence
Hanilton Pield, California
4AFDA
353•5/1208-I
27 August 1947
SUBJECT: Investigation of Flying Disc.
TO:
Special Agent in Charge, FBI, U. S. Department of Justice,
Seattlo, Washington.
Attached sunmary forwarded for your information.
1 Incl:
Summary of Information.
DONALD L. SPRINGER
Lt. Colonel, GSC
AC of 8, A-2
SEP + 2 1947
CON
IDE
FIAL
━ PAGE 10 ━
CONFIL
TIAL
COPY
AIR RESCUE SERVICE
DETACIMEENE 8 (62d AAP BU)
MaChord Viold, Tacons, Fashington
4 August 1947
8
SUBJECT& Pinal Mission Report
701
Commending Officer
Air Rescue Service
MacD111 Field, Plorida
1• MISSION NUMBER Thirty-line•
2• NATURE•
At 0400 PSX, 1 August 47, ARMY PLIGHT SERVICE notified this
detachment that a plone had been seen to orash and burn thirteen (13) miles
south of XELSO, Washington (46°8*N, 122°55*%)•
8» ACTION TAKEN
1 Лид 47.
At 04180 PS2, APS received inforustion from Mr. 0.
C. Clark, lo001 sheriff of KRLSO, Washe, that the seene of the cresh wos
Mi.Ptoen (15) to twenty (20) nilos east of KELSO in the vicinity of COBLE
The KELSO Chief of Police saw an aireraft fly low over the town,
then crash and burn to the coat. The time me about 0236 PST. A check of
airoraft know to be in the vicinity reveled that 3-25 71516 had departed
MCCHORD PIRLD at 0212 P92 for HANILEON PIELD, Californie. The wenther was
reported as CPR, A full moon ande visibility exceptionslly good. The
pilot's none was CAPT. W. C. DAVIDSON; the plane earried three (3) additional
parsons. The Base Operations Officer and Base PIO were notified. Thie
detachment began organising a ground party of base persennel to supplement
that being fornad by the KELSO Chief of Police. At 0500 PST information
was received from KELSO by APS that ground fog in the valleys at the seene
of the crash was preventing a ground party from looting the plane. Since
no communication had been received from 3-25 71316, it was assumed that 1t
was the plane reported as crashed. ARS C-47 was pre-flighted to transport
the Arny ground party to KBLSO but a check of the field conditions there
doened it advisablo to use a smaller aireraft. Of the two C-45s available,
one belonging to APS was unservieed after a night flights the other, belong-
ing to AAGS, was readied even though a responsible officer of that organ-
iration ms not present to authorize the flight, Fog at KELSO prevented
tale-off until 0700 PST. The ground party, led by CAPT. W. Le LITTRELL and
CAPTA T• H. PORSBERG, conaisted of six men ineluding a nedioal technician
and a photographer.
At 0600 PST, the KELSO Chief of Polioe notified APS
that a passenger of the orashed nirplane was in his office and had confirmed
62-83894-102
ENCLOSURE
CONFID
NTIAL
━ PAGE 11 ━
ONFID
ANIMT A
Subjeots Final lusion Report*
4 Auguat 1947
The belief that the crash was that of the unreported 8-25. The Passenger,
SEt. F+ L• TAPP, 9F FT. LANTON, SRATTS, was uninfured, but reported that
the crew ohiof, T/Sgt. N. D. MATHEWS, was at a farn house near the scene of
the crash and was injured. Sgt. TAPT then led en ambulance to 5gt, MATHENS
who ma nubsequently taken to a local hospital. At 0610 PST an attempt
was made to telephone 8g. B at HAMTLTON PIBLD but no anower was receiveds
howover, it was known that HAMILTON APS was aware of the Inoident and
would notify Sg. 3. At 0700 PST Capt. LITTRELL departod in a C-45 for
KRISO. At 0745 PST Sq B was contacted by phone and givon a flash report.
At 0905 PST CAPT LITTRILL phoned and Informed that he had placed CAPTAIN
PORSBKRE In charge of Aruy porsonnel proceeding to the seene of the oresh.
No serial seurch was necessary sa civiliens in the aron know the exot
loention of the crash and had reported finding one (1) body in the weeklge.
CAPTA LITTRELL prepared to fly Sgt'a TAPP and MATHEWS to MCCHORD PIRLD
for nedionl attention, arriving at 0945 PST. The survivors stated that
they belleved neither
the pilot nor eo-pilot has parachuted fron the
Plene. The ouse of the incident was at thia time determined to be a fire
in the loft engine, CAPT LITTRELL was informed by Sgt. TAPP that he
believed classified documents had been aboard the planes CAPY YORSBERG
was instructed to tako necessary preonutions. An ambulance net the plane
at MOCHORD FICLD carrying the two nurvivors and took them to the hospital.
Interrogation revasled thnt the left engine had ought fire in the power
seetion and flames and snoke had spread to the flight dock almont inned-
intely.
The grew onlef, hATerns, assiated TATY in attaching hia shast
paol and TARY abandoned the plane at an estimated altitude of 10,000 ft
(thin foot la doubted but ia not considered necossarily rozevant).
MATHENS helped the pilot and co-pilot attach thoir chest packs (all per-
sonnel hnd boon wearing the harnese) and as he left the plone wes aware that
the co-pilot was preparing to follow. The pilot had started to leave and,
to the beat recolloction of MATHENS, was partially standing and holding
the control wheol with his left hand. MATHEW'S statenents indiente that
proper amergency procedures had been performed but that the flamos had en-
veloped the antire left side alnost imodiately. RAPY stated that, because
of the full woon and good visibility, he saw HATHEWS leave the plane and
ma able to follow the plane to the ground and that he anw no one olae
bail out, The ship was suveloped in flames and was beginning to fell apart
bofore hitting the ground wore it exploded and burned about one (1) mile
from where he, TAPY, landod. He lit in a tree, and not knowing how to
relesse his perachute of the quiek-detechable kind, out himself loose fron
the harness with hie poolet lnife. He kicked and atruggled and eventually
jumped to the ground, receiving a jolt on improt but wes unable to guess
how far he had fallen. He then followed a oow path for an estimated two
(2) miles to a farm house, arriving after MATHEWS, Moanwhile, sa MATHERS
olenred the pinne he turned and ae the plane strike the ground, explode
and burn. Just before or juat at the time of impset he saw an object
afire throw olear of the plane but did sot know wether it wea a person
or part of the plane. MATREta also I1t in a tree, and after freeing himself
fron his harness, fell to the ground where he injured his back.
He lost
conseloumose and on recovering wint to the burning plane, about fifty
ONET
━ PAGE 12 ━
CONFIDENTIAL
Subjeot: Final Masion Repare '
4 August 1947
(50) yards away. Flares were going off and he thought best to leave the
scene, le heard a strean nearby and followed 1t until he came to a house and
aroused the occupants. Soon TAPP arrived at the same house and, being un-
injured, was driven Into tows. Then he led en anbulance to effect transporta-
tion of MATHEIS to a hospital.
Meanwhilo, civilians reached the scene of
the orath where they found one body. At 0930 PST, a message from Sg 3
Inforned that top secret materinl was in the navigators kit and to request
Commanding Offloer MOCHORD FIRLD to expedite all available information to
Commanding Offider HAMILION FISED.
Meanwhile, CAPT PORSBRRO and four (4)
enlisted men departed KELSO at 0830 PST for soene of the crash. They were
transported by the WASHINOZON STATE POLICE who knew the exset location of
the plone (46009*M - 122043*W)• The ground party determined upon arrival
at the soone, that two (2) bodies were in the wreckage. Indications led to
the belief thet the co-pilot was afire when ho left the plane an Instant '
before impact. Tie pilot's remins were found in the wreckage. Pre-
Lininary investigation by CAPT PORSBBRO disolosed the planes left wing
about one hundred trenty-five (125) yards from the widely seattered port-
tions of the plone.
The loft wing was intact and had syperently torn
off just outboard of the left engine before impaot.
The forwerd portion
of the wing stub was nolted but the rear two thirds indicated that it had
ripped loose fron the inboard section of the wing. The wing lesding edge
was undenaged. The navigation and landing lights were unbroken. The
nizeron was undamaged but the flap section was crushed, loading to the
belief that the wing struck the tell section. From these indiestions
it is believed the wing ripped from the nirplane just after MATHIS
abandoned the plane.
The resulting spin thus prevented the remining
crew members from bailing out although the co-pilot may have been in the
hetch. A fer civiliana were in the ares when CAPT FORSBERG arrived
and he took precutions to prevent them from disturbing the wrecknge.
At 1257 PST CAPT LITTRELL flew CAPT RICH, M. C., to KSLSO. An ambulance
diapetahed fron MOCHORD PIELD, met them at KELSO, and was led to the soene
of the erash by the STATE POLICE. The bodies were recovered and trans-
ported in the ambulance to MOCHORD PIELD. CAPT LITTRELL returned to
MCCHORD PIELD where omping equipment was prepared to be dropped to the
ground party.
CAPT LITTRELL, nde a suocessful drop at dusk by sighting
on a signal fire. The ground party set up camp at the wreakage scene to
not as guard and to investigate further the following day. They were
relieved of responaibility of all recovered documents by a CIC agent who
hed arrived about 1800 PS%.
b, 2 Aug 47. The ground party remained at the seene of the crash
pending official securing of the incident. No norial aotivity.
3 AUg 47• MOCHORD PIKID Operations Officer departed at 1000
PST to Investigate the nocident and to relieve CAPT PORSAKRO, who returned
at 1600 PST. Inoident elosed.
3
COL
DENTIAL
━ PAGE 13 ━
ONY
-
Subjeats Pinal Mssion. Report
4 August 1047
.5.
STATISTICAL SUMMARY
&. GROUED ACTIVITY
(1) Total man hours by ARS Personnel in field
(2) Total man hours by other Arry Personnel
(estimte)
72
500
(5) Sotal men hours by eivilian personnel (eat) 160
(4) No. of niles driven by Army Vehicles
500
b. ABRIAL ACRIVITY
(1) Total No. of sorties flow
(2) Total hours flow by Ary aireraft
C. LOGAL PURCHASES
(1) None
6
6•
COMMENTS
Cooperation reonived from sll eivilian agendies concerned
was somplete and excellent.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Be Lone,
ROBERT H. MASONHBIME
Captain, Air Corpa
Commanding Offscar
1 Inal:
1-Photographs
CONFI
NTIAL
━ PAGE 14 ━
ADQUARTERS YOURTH AIR PORCE
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
IntellArence
alton Pield, California
CONFIDENFIAE
TITLE Investigation of Flying Diso INVESTICATION MADE AT
Taoons and Kelso..
Washinston
CONTROLLING OFFICE
Air Defense Ce
FILE No.
4ЛЕ -2208-1
----
PERIOD COVERED ..
May through The tell held
CASE CLASSIFICATION ..
Incident
DATE ..
12 August 1047
STATUS OF CASE ..
Pending
REASON FOR INVESTIGATION:
Invostigation initiated at the request of Air Defense
reference tr
ADO, ata 7 3ul 47, fIle D883-SID, subj: Investigation. of
Flying Dise.
SYNOPSISS
in 81 July 47, Mr, Arnold, Aviation Editor of the idaho tally Steteanen, tele,
phoned Lie brow requesting he return to tacom because Arnold bellered he had som
very vitel intomation on the flying diao.
the val tod Are Try ha Get men an a the role
throp Hotel in Tacows, Washington, on the night of 31 July 1947.
The sumary of their Interrogation and findings wus related to lajor Sender,
Publie Intornation Offleer, MeChord Hold, by Mir. Arnold and Capto Snithe Major
sander retold the results of the invostigation to this offloer fron hie notes.
Mr, Dahl and lir. Grisan wore not available for interview while thie offloor
as in that area, although every effort una mede to contaot thems
Purthep Investigation of thia portieular ineident was loft with Mr. Brady,
Resident Agent, FBI, Tseons, Washington.
It was apparont fron nowspaper elippings, telephone enlis to this offloor, and
sonverstions with lajor Sander, that a United Preen correspondent, of the Tacome
Tines, wes instrunental in keeping this case alive. This offioer and lajor Sander,
although quoted many times in the press, did not disouss this matter with the press
during the period of this report.
The anonymous mystery onller in foeon could possibly be Mr. Crianen.
DISTRIBUTION
COPIES
APPROVED:
ДАР
2
ADC
G-2 6th Army
1
FBI, Seattle
FBI, Sen Francisco 1
447-71165
pald
DORALD D. SPRITO
Colonel,
OSC
AC of 3, Ax2
-EU
CRAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATTONI
U. S. DEP
STICE
-2-83894-162
ENCLOSURE
AUG 30 1947
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 bo used upon roceipt of this revision)
SAN FRANCISCO
ROUTÉO TU
-+-
━ PAGE 15 ━
CI - R1 Fpport
-CONFIDENTIAL
DETAILS:
1* During the afternoon of 31 Jaly 47, Mr, Arnold, Aviation Baster of the
Tashe Jaily Statemen, telephened L6 Prow, GIC Sub-Detsohment Commender at Disad-
quarters Fourth Air Fores, end stated In substances Thas ho, Arold, sad Capt Suith
had arrivad in Cacon to Invastigate she purported flying dise explosion on a sur-
face craft on 21 June 47, This investigation wus requested and finaneed by a
R. Ao Palner of the Venturo Pross, 305 Stadão B3dg», 1718 Shermen Arene, Evanston,
12limols.
AGEXZ*3 WO25s See Snolosure 1 and Inclosure 2.
The aignature to Inolosure 8, lr.
Dave Johnson, in that of the editor of the Idaho Doily Statoanana le. Johnson is a
forsor Any Air Porce offleer and fron all Indisations le a very patriotio Anerican.
On the roosipt of Inelosure 2 at Headquarters Fourth Air Force, thia offioor requested
the Son Francisco FBI OC21oo to check the Chicago YBI Offlos for Re A. Palmer and the
Venture Press, Tha retura anavor, by solophone, was to the effeot that the Chiengo
indicos of the FBI, Sho Chicago Polioe, and Credit Bureau had no record on l, A,
Palmer or Sho Venture Press.
2. I leown and Capt Davidson arrived at lechopd Field during the afternoon
of 3l July 47. They changed fron their uniforus so elvilian clothing An the airoraft
and, on boing queriod by Operationa as to sly they desired tranaportation to Teeone,
they poplied they were to anito a speech.
Inds ma in cospliance with par 4, ltz fe Ng ADG, 212e 0833•619,
7 Jul 47, subj* Investigation of Flying Dise.
Aboording to Major George Sander, Publie Infornation Offloor, Tochord Pield, The
Tacon Times resolved an anonynous telephone call that Arnold and Suith wore prosent
in the winthrop lobel for she purpose of conduoting an investigation on the flying
diac. The Taoone Times shecked and found this to be true, moh to Arnolde and Smith'e
surprise. Lt Brown and Cape Davidana did interview Me inrold x Dahl, Mr. Fred L
Griman, in a hotel room in the Winthrop lotel, Saeors, Tashe, In the presenco of
Mr» Arnold and Capt Snithe If notes woro tehen of this conversation, they were de-
abroyed in the niroreft acoldent. Mr. Arnold stated to lajor Dander that Lt Brown
obtsinad fron Hir. Dahl and Mir, Crisman samples of an unidentified substence thet were
Identiosl to those appearing in Inelosures 3 to 7, The senples plotured in Inelosures
§ to 7 wore taken by lira Arnold fron the sene box, that Dahl and Orlan offered It.
Grown end fron which he obtained his samples.
3/igt Matthews, Crew Calet on the
wreckod airareft, upon being intorrogatod by this offloor, stated that he placed a
heavy ourdboard eurion in the roar compartment of the 3-25 that ersahed. De did not
look in the box nor hoer any comments fron la Brown or Capt lavidson ee to Its con-
cents.
So The following sumerises what was rolated by Wir. Arnold and Capt Salth so
Major Sander ns to the aubatance of the interrogation by 16 Brown and Capt Davidsons
That on 21 Jan 47 bir, Johl wed prooseding nouth of laury Island in Ir. Grioman's
boat. Vive flying diacs cano down out of the olouds and eireled slowly around the
bay, dropping
to an estinatod elevation of 500 feet. Theso disos appeared round and
CONFIDE
M.D., P.M. G. Porm No. 110
━ PAGE 16 ━
CI - R1 Report
CONFIDENTIAL
flattened similar to a deflated autonobile imertube, They were judged by Dahl bo
be approximatoly 100 feet soross with a 25 foot eponing in the center. The outer
edge or the objeet had round parsholes and the inner ring had squire windows or
portholose The dises wore silent and fron his viempoint he could see no menna of
propolatone One of these disos eppeared to falter and wever in She nir, another of
those aforementioned five dinos dropped down close to the dise shat appeared so
wever and bumped it, dumping "gons" of the stuff sa plotured in Inelosare 3 to 7
on his boat, nocking off the hendreil, horm, and smersily demaging the boat to
over with saveral conta of print and was oracled by the wether. the deck and roos
of tho cobin wa of a very thin construction and the esbin further had glasa on the
front and aldes. It So this offloor's opinion that Lf any of the objeota presentod
by Dahl no souples of the natorial dropped by the flying diao had hit this boat, it
would have certainly beos neossary to ropiese the foredoc ant the esbin root.
Those two arena more vory heavily conted with sevoral ocate of print and had deep
wonther orsels that would baite soveral seasons to noguiro.
Sire Grianon, who oma the boot and operatos a shoroline anter patrol for various
business Mama, ovidently visited the aron at laury Islend to eback Dahlfa story.
He la supposed to have abated that ho found the material that he prosmted to Le
Brow and Capt Devidson is a aend pit neur where the ineident us supposed to have
ocourred. Fbile he, Crier, vs at the soone of the inoident, a Plying dise eno
out of the elouds and behaved in a similar semer sa the ones previously deseribed.
AGENT'S WORDs The witnesalng on tro ocensions, in broad dsylight, of an objeet no
large and elearly visiblo within several miles of the elty ef Zacome corteinly should
have boon soon and reported on by other then Pahl and Criman. A check was nede of
the neuspspors on and after 21 dano and no montion could he foand of a mysterious
objeet appearing over the Tacon harbor.
Mr. Grinnen is supposed to have sont semples of the objoots that he pieked up in the
laury Island sand pit to a friend of his at the Univeralty of Chlonge for an analysis
report. lo la reported to have not received the enalysia report.
1052773 1028 It La posetble that the Bro Ro A. Palmer, reference Isolosura 1 and 3,
sight bave come Boross this neident through
the University of Chiongo»
The interrogation of lahl and Crimen by IS Drova was complated about sidnight on
51 Jly/2 Anguate L6 Brows and Capt Daridson returnd to Mechora Pield and prepared
for a night flight so lamilton Flold. The wether was clear with a bright moon
shining.
They deparced approximately 0200 hours and crashed as approximately 0230
hours on 1 August 1347, (See Inclosure 8).
and he arty, legit i call, get toleral cree or ° beet gied, here 1o20,
-CONFIDENTIAL
W. D., P.M. G. Porm No. 110
━ PAGE 17 ━
CI- R1 Report
-CONFIDENTIAL
conteet either Mr. Dahl or Mr. Grianen, without suvoess. Caps Smith and Me, Arnold
departed the facosa aron on 3 August 47, therefore, this offloer did not have the
opportanity of conversing with bhon directly.
AOBaT*s NOX% A record check wa sade by telophone by lir, Brady with the Sentle
PSold OC2ioo, PSI, for records on Bir, Grismen and Sir. Dehl, The sheek on Mr. Crieuen
nue negative. The Seattle PBX indions Indionted that a Tarold Dahl had been charged
with tro inoidente of lllogel woring of the uniforn and one with thell of sabional
property. I6 could not be determinod at the tine sether farold A vehl, the subjeet
In question, and 2areld Jahl of the Pal Andtoes, wes one and the same.
5o 1a, Grenon had indiented to Capt Snith, Arnold, et el, that he was a
forner lighter pilot and hold couission se Captain in the Alr Reserves
MENT*S NOTS On 6 August 47, this offloor chasied the redorda of the 4008h AA7
30(RR) and deterined that Frod L Crimun ma regiotered with that Reserve Unit as
Captain, Serial Harber 0+760953, with resideee et 125 loodland, Jagons, Hashington,
In 1002 ao wan with the Criminal Invustigation blokaion,
Stato of rechington, and provioualy had been an oil soonioinn with the Unton Paolfie
Palmy Gelaan satorod the sopvico in 1042 as an enlisted non and served na such
• In 3913 he ma conniesioned on gradustion fron flying sohool
A cheok of the Tacon esty direstory was
nade on Barold Ax Dahl, which indiested his hone vas at 8903 %, Gebe Sta, bolephone:
Proctor T117, Business address uns listed as
236 Middle Waterways telephones Broad-
иву 7730e
RECOMMENDATION:
1.
That no further invostigation be undertain on thâs pooifle ineident by
Arry Ale Toree persomel.
2 That in view of the reported statements by ire Criman, that consideration
be given to revoke hãs Air Reserve commission and
flying statua as
an undesirable
and unreliable offleer.
8 Inclas
Photostat, Zur fr RadaPalmer.
Photostat, tolegren fr Dave dohnson.
to Ta Photographa, Unidentified Substanoe•
Pinal Mesion Reporty Air Resoue Serviee.
CONFIDENTIAL
W. D., P. M. G. Porm No. 110
━ PAGE 18 ━
SONFIDEN HALC
VENTURE PRESS
305 STUDIO BUILDING
1718 SHERMAN AVENUE
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS
Mr. Kenneth Arnold,
Boise, Idaho
Dear Mr. Arnold:
Quite obviously you have been ribbed so much you'd like to
forget the flying saucers--but I'd sure like to have your
personal story, your photo, pio of your plane, etc, as I
asked before.
And you won't be made to look silly, because
there's more to this than the rewspapers and the "experts"
have made of it.
Besides the article, I have another proposition, You seem to
Sashington atlal as died laou can tas to tay expenses,
plus a nice amount to make it worth your while.
• I'a want you to see Mr. Harold A• Dahl, P. 0. Box 154, Fern
R11l Station, Tacoma, and Mr. Fred L. Crisman, owner of the
Tacoma Harbor Patrol, Inc. Dahl, and two other seamen, on a
patrol near Kurry Island, off Taoona, saw six dises, one in
trouble, witnessed an explosion, saw falling stuff which
their wheelhouse and searchlight and lended on the
beach. They sent me samples whioh Chicago U has failed to
analyze. I want a ploture of the beach and the stuff that
landed there (about twenty tons, they said) •
And I want
somebody who'll get the trath, to find out if these boys are
on the up and up. You could do thet. I hope you will.
If
agreeable, please write and perhaps we oan talk business.
I think you'd like to prove this thing too!
Anyway, I stillant that artiole:
July 22, 1947
Proctor 7114
Sincerely yours,
R. A Palmer
CONFIDENTIAL
━ PAGE 19 ━
WESTERN
UNION
UNION
WESTERN
UNION
WUA 41 PD
DONFIDENTIAL O
BOISE IDA JULY 29 1947 255P
LT FRANK M BROWN, A-2 (RPT A-2)
OFFICE 4TH AIRFORCE HAMILTON FIELD CAL IF.
VENTURE PRESS 305 STUDIO BLDG 1718 SHERMAN AVE EVANSTON ILL. RA
PALMER. SENT ARNOLD $200 TO GO TO TACOMA TO INVESTIGATE FLYING
DISC REPORT THERE. SUGGEST THIS OUT OF LINE FOR PRESENT PUBLIC
INTEREST IN STORY AND BELIEVE AS I SUGGESTED ON YOUR VISIT HERE
VENTURE PRESS SHOULD BE CHECKED
DAVE JOHNSON
305 1718 $200
308P
━ PAGE 20 ━
ONFIDENTIAL, •
V
Inch # 3
CONT
IAL
━ PAGE 21 ━
62-83894-102
OFFICIAL PHOTOORAPH
U.S. ARMY AIR FORCE
401 BASE UNIT FHOTO
LABORATORY
HAMILTON FIELD, CALIFORNIA
━ PAGE 22 ━
INTIAL
Ind # 4
CONFI
━ PAGE 23 ━
CONFID
LAL
CONFIDE
MAL
━ PAGE 24 ━
CONF
AL
SONFIDEA
VTI
━ PAGE 25 ━
SONFIDENTIAL
Inel #,
CONFIDEN LAI.
━ PAGE 26 ━
STANDARD
AL NO. 64
Office Memo
•VUM • UNITED SIA.~-
jOVERNMENT
TO
FROM
SUBJECT:
Director
6 FBI
SAC, Boston
атем
DATE:
7-29-47
Fletcher
METAL FRAGMENTS
OBSERVED AT WEST RINDGE, NEW HAMPSHIRE, JULY 7, 1947
SECURITY MATTER
Referenoe is made to Boston teletype to the Bureau dated July 18, 1947.
Dean John M. Bunker, the original informant, has advised that a spectographic
examination has been completed of the metal partioles referred to. They were
determined to be of ordinary cast iron which had been subjected to a very
high degree of heat. The heat caused scales to be formed on the cast iron
which were originally thought to be of some metallio alloy
The scientist exemining the partioles concluded that if they had come through
the air from any great altitude in as small pieces as they were found then
0g
the ground and fires would not have resulted. It is noted they landed
approximatoly 700 feet from a railroad traok and inquiries were conducted by
MIT to deternine whether or not the particles could have been originally a
part of a liner in a smoke stack or sone other part of the stean engine. These
inquiries resulted in positive information that the particles did not come from
a train or locomotive. Measurements of the four pieces examined revealed
that they had most likely been originally all part of one hollow cylinder,
eight inches in diemeter and three sixteenths of an inch in thiokness. It
was felt that one piece falling from a great height would have still retained
a good part of its heat and probably would have smashed when it hit the ground.
A soientist, whom Dean Bunker did not identify by name, recalled that oast
iron oylinders of similar measurements had been used in New Mexico on
research work on a guided missile project. However, this unidentified soientist
did not so conclude to the exolusion of all other possibilities.
CONF. INFT.)
It is
by (b) (7)(D)
interesting to note that the examination at MIT was aotually conducted
who furnished the Boston Office with an informal report similar
in all major details to that supplied by Dean Bunker above. The men at MIT
are gathering through friends all additional pieces of the original cylinder
available.
These will be turned over to the
Poston Office. No further
examination is being conduoted by MIT and no effort is being made to
reconstruot the original cylinder•
BANDIED
Unless advised to the contrary by August 15, 1947 the Boston Office will
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dostroy these specimens. In the interim they will be transnitted to the
270 NOV 18 1964
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━ PAGE 28 ━
It is noted that the original Poston teletype refleted that this inquiry
was being treated as "secret" matter at MIT. (b) (7)(D)
has advised that
the comparatively small number of research scientists at MIT during the summer
are all cognizant of the incident and the results of the research. However,
no publicity has been given and it is not anticipated that any will result.
The Bureau's interest is not known to the scientists at MIT.
There has been
no speculation that a guided missile originating in a foreign land landed
in New Hampshire.
As indicated above, unless the Bureau requests specifically further investigative
action, this case is being closed in the Boston Office.
BSG :md
100-20698
━ PAGE 29 ━
Mr. Tolaon
Me. Cless
AUG
5 1947
Mr. Tracy
Mr. Eggin
Mr. Gurnea
Mr. Herbo
FBI BUTTE
8-15-47
5-45 PM
DIRECTOR, FBI
FLYING DISCS. ON INSTANT DATE A. COURIE OF TWIN FALLS, IDAHO, MY
INFORMED LOCAL NEWSPAPER THAT COMMUNITY THAT AT ONE PM ON WEDNESDAY
LAST, AUGUST THIRTEEN, HE AND TWO SONS BILLIE, AGE TEN, KEITH, APXXX
AGE EIGHT, SAW AN OBJECT NINE MILES NORTHWEST OF TWIN FALLS, RE-
SEMBLING
FLYING DISC. URIE STATED THIS OBJECT WAS PROCEEDING EXXX
DOWN SALMON RIVER AT TERRIFIC SPEED ESTIMATED BY HIM AT ONE THOUSAND
MILES PER HOUR. URIE AND SONS DESCRIBED OBJECT TO NEWSPAPERS AS
TWENTY FEET LONG, TEN FEET WIDE AND TEN FEET THICK, LIGHT SKY BLUE
IN COLOR AND ALSO OBSERVED FLAMES EMANATING FROM SIDES OF OBJECT.
AT TIME URIE AND SONS SAW OBJECT THEY ALL HEARD LOUD SWISH WHEN
OBJECT DISAPPEARED FRIM SIGHT. CURRENT EFFORTS BEING MADE TO INTER-
VIEW URIE AND SONS PURSUANT TO BUREAU BULLETIN FORTY TWO, SUB DIVISION
B, DATED JULY THIRTY NINETEEN FORTY SEVEN. BUREAU WILL
BE PROMPTLY,
AND FULLY INFORMED OF ALL PERTINENT DEVELOPMENTS.
BANISTER
3Д
38900562183844-104
SEP 24 1947
END
PLS ACK AND HOLD
620CT 2
19.
7-48 PM OK FBI WA BW
1346
5 R7
━ PAGE 30 ━
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F.D.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
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ТИБОНИ
1125
1 100 1UTA TONE
110.
АлА АТЕР НЕ СЛА РОНИЯ СЛО2 диТ СЛА ПРОПаНДИ ГРУВ СтелА
АС СТО В ВУ МІ О ДО ТВЕ ПЕРЕВ ДОВОДОВСЕ СЕ ЗАТИ ЦАРСТА
OLDI DIO ARATIC DIOCE TANTE NOVIDEANTA CIOESI AVE 100GERA TAG NIS
ABUNT BID TA MLAYA СТАНСЯ ВЕТЙ ССЕВЕ ТА ЛАМИ ПОЕ ИЛОТ
20 i Tu
•ОРАтО дОУто пОЯт сАсслита санА! наито зановет дил' іодовсид
RECEIVED
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Lh. Hd BE 8 SI 30g
━ PAGE 31 ━
•SORM NO. 64
Office Men
dum • UNITED :
GOVERNMENT
TO
The Director
DATE: August 149 1947
FROM :
Mr. D. M. Ladd
Clegs
SUBJECT:
FLYING DISCS
In connection with your request to be advised as to the facts
concerning newspaper reports of flying discs in the Portland area and the
reported conference of army officials in Portland concerning flying discs, a
the Portland Office has advised that Leaveritt G. Richards, aviation
Pennington
Quinn Tamr
Room
• Gandy
editor of the "Oregonian," has stated that Captain Willian L. Davidson
and Lieutenant Frank M.
Brown of the Fourth AAF Headquarters, San Francisco,
were in Portland on July 27, 1947. While in Portland they interviewed Dick
Rankin, an experienced pilot, who had reported that he observed, on June 14,
a fornation of ten flying discs over Bakersfield, California.
Richards added
1-7
that Davidson and Brown had also interviewed the following four experienced
to report seeing discs, Kenneth Arnold, businessman
i lo Bone retainEr, eh, & So-pilot; Cal pa/stevens, United Airlines
and Dave Johnson, aviation editor, Idaho"Statesman." In order to determine the
purpose of these interviews Richards contacted Major General Twining of Wright Field,
Ohio, and from him gained the impression that the AAP instituted this investigation
to wash out the disc reports since they are definitely not of AAF origin.
On Friday, August 1, the plane in which AAF investigators, Captain
Davidson and Lieutenant Brown, were flying, crashed at Kelso, Washington and both
were killed. The wreckage was screened by AAF Intelligence from McChord Field.
The "Tacoma News Tribune" and through them the United Press put out a story that
the plane was carrying parts of a disc which had struck a boat owned by Harold
Dahl and Fred Chrisman. It has also been inferred that this plane was sabotaged
to prevent these disc parts from being examined.
STATUS
Investigation by the Bureau has reflected that this plane was definitely
not carrying parts of a dise and there appears to be no substantiation of a sabotage
charge.
For your further information there is attached a blind memorandum setting
forth in more detail the results of the investigation surrounding the above plane
crash. No further inquiry is being made in this matter.
ACTION
gation.
RGF : mjp
COPIES DESTROYED
270 NOV 18 1964
Air Force Intelligence has been advised of the results of our investi-
RECORDED
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INDEXED
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14
EX-81
7.
━ PAGE 32 ━
MR. JONES
Aun 18
9 35 AM °47
RECENED
OTOT
3US RICH
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FBI
U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
Auc 14 4 20 PM *47
RECEIVE CHOLS
O S DEPT OF JUSTICE
Auc 15 9. 34 AM °47
━ PAGE 33 ━
August 14, 1947
FLYING DISCS
The "Tacoma News Tribune" and through them the United Press put out
a story that an army plane which was allegedly carrying parts of a disc which
had struck a boat owned by Harold Dahl and Fred Chrisman had crashed on August
1, 1947, killing two Air Force Intelligence officers who were interviewing
persons who were alleged to have seen flying discs.
Harold A. Dahl and Fred Chrisman, when interviewed by Bureau Agents,
advised in a signed statement on August 7, 1947, that in the early part of June,
1947, they picked up some strange rock formations from a gravel pit on Mauri
Island, Washington. They sent a cigar box of these formations to one Ray Palmer,
editor of the Venture magazine in Evanston, Illinois and also editor of the
Fantasy magazine in Chicago, Illinois. According to them they requested Palmer
to make only a chemical analysis of the rock formations. Palmer then wrote
asking for additional samples stating he had been unable to analyze the material.
Dahl and Chrisman remarked that a few days after the flying disc stories appeared
during the latter part of June, Palmer contacted them by telephone saying he would
pay for an exclusive story if the materials they had sent him were fragments of
a flying disc. Dahl said he wrote Palmer a letter in which he represented the
material as being a part of a flying disc, and both Dahl and Chrisman admitted
that this statement was entirely false.
Dahl and Chrisman then received a call from one Kenneth Arnold of
Boise, Idaho who requested them to meet him at the Winthrop Hotel in Tacoma on
July 31, 1947• According to them Arnold called in arny intelligence officers
from Hamilton Field, California and one Captain Emil H. Smith of United Airlines
Arnold and Emil H. Smith exactly how they got the rock formations and that they
had no connection with any flying discs. Dahl and Chrisman stated that they then
Captain Davidson and Lieutenant Brown left Tacoma, Washington in a B-25
to return to Hamilton Field, California about 2:30 A.M. August 1, 1947, 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 which caused
it to break off. The crew chief and each officer parachuted to safety.
Ernie Vogel, an Associated Press wireman at Tacona advised that two or
three days after the flying disc story started he contacted Dahl to check the story
COPIES DESTROYED
270 NOV 18 1964
ENCLOSURE
62-83894-105
━ PAGE 34 ━
that the Seattle Post-Intelligencer had received from the Fire Chief at
Harbor, Washington, to the effect that Dahl had some flying dise fragments.
At this time Dahl admitted to Vogel that the entire story was false.
Relative to Arnold, Dahl and Chrisman stated that he was paid by
Ray Palmer of the Fantasy magazine and possibly the 'Boise "Statesman" to come
to Tacoma and obtain a story from them regarding the flying disc fragments.
On July 31 and August 1, a total of five anonymous calls were
received by a Tacoma Times reporter and the United Press Wireman at Tacoma
giving information regarding the meeting at the Winthrop Hotel over the disc
fragments and stating that the B-25 had been shot down or sabotaged which
killed Captain Davidson and Lieutenant Brown, inferring that this was done
because the intelligence officers were carrying disc fragments in their plane.
Dahl and Chrisman stated that these calls could only have come from
themselves, Arnold or Smith, who, they stated, had a friend on the Chicago
Times and was possibly selling the story to the Chicago Times through this
friend. Dahl and Chrisman denied making these calls.
Smith, upon interview, stated that reporter Lantz of the Tacoma
Times and Morello of the United Press office in Tacoma had informed him that
Arnold had several anonymous calls and from the accuracy of the information
transmitted Smith believes they were made by either Dahl or Chrisman.
- 2 -
━ PAGE 35 ━
Rederal fireau of Inuestigati
United States Department of Justice
407 U. S. Court House
Seattle 4, Washington
August 18, 1947
RH FResher
DIRECTOR, FBI
RE:
WING DISCS SIGHTED BY FRID
CRISMAN and HAROLD A. DAHL,
TACOMA, NASHINGION
SM - X
x- 64
Dear Sir:
The following, in general, are the facts regarding the
flying disc story that started by FREP
CRESMAN and HAROLD A. DAHL which
subsequently resulted in news stories by the Tacoma Times, the Boise Statesman
and the Chicago Times that a B-25 carrying Army Intelligence officers was shot
down or sabotaged over Kelso, Washington on August 1, 1947 because it was carry-
ing some flying disc fragments.
The original story, as related by FRED CRISMAN and HAROLD
while patrolling in his boat near Maury
ATTACHED
Island, Washington, sighted six flying dises, one of which fluttered to the
earth and disintegrated, showering his boat with fragments which caused some
damage to the boat and killed his dog. HAROLD DAHL wrote a letter to RAY A.
PAIMER of Siff-Davis Company which publishes fantastic adventure magazines in
Chicago, sending him fragments of the flying disk and relating the above story.
RAY PALMER requested Trans-Radio News in Chicago to verify the story as related
RINCE,
by HAROLD DAHL and FRED CRISMAN telegraphed RAY PALMER confirming DAHL's story.
RAY PAINER then engaged KENNETH ARNOLD, Boise, Idaho, who was the first to report
sighting the flying disc and whom RAY PALIER had previously made a contract for
a story regarding the flying disc, to come to Tacoma and check the story, as
related by FRED CRISMAN and HAROLD DAHL.
KENNETH ARNOLD came to Tacoma, Washington July 30, 1947 and
arranged for a meeting the following day, July 31, with FRED CRISMAN and HAROL
DAHL in his room 502, Winthrop Hotel, Tacoma, lashington. KENNETH ARNOL aLSO
called to attend the meeting Captain EVIL J.
(SMTTH, United Airlines Pilot who
had also reported seeing flying dise fragments, and Army Intelligence to attend
RECORDED
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━ PAGE 36 ━
August 19, 1947
this meeting• KENNETH ARNOLD, Captain EMIL J. SMITH, FRED CRISMAN, HAROLD
DAHL, Captain DAVIDSON and Lieutenant BROWN of Army A-2 Intelligence from
Hamilton Field, California, all met in ARNOLD's room at various times during
the afternoon and evening of July 31, 1947 and discussed the flying disc
story as related by CRISMAN and DAHL. The Army Intelligence Officers, Captain
DAVIDSON and Lieutenant BROWN, left about 2:00 A. M. the morning of August 1,
1947 to return to Hamilton Field, California for Air Force Day in a B-25 and
were carrying some of the reported disc fragments. The left engine on the
B-25 burned an exhaust stack which in turn caught the left wing afire, the
wing subsequently breaking off and tearing off the tail. The B-25 crashed,
killing Captain DAVIDSON and Lieutenant BROWN. However, the Crew Chief and
a hitch-hiker parachuted to safety. Intelligence Officers at McChord Field,
Washington advised there was no indication of any sabotage. The plane crashed
at Kelso, Washington approximately 2:50 A.M. August 1, 1947.
Five anonymous calls were received by a reporter, Tacoma.
Times, and the United Press Wireman, Tacoma, between 11:30 A.M., July 31, 1947
and 5:30 P.M., August 2, 1947. The first call was to a Tacoma Times reporter
approximately 11:30 A.M., July 31, in which the caller stated that there was
a meeting taking place at that time in room 502 of the Winthrop Hotel concerning
the disc fragments found on Maury Island.
The second call was received between
11:00 A.M. and 12:00 noon, August 1, 1947 by the Tacoma Times reporter in
which the caller advised that at that moment a big meeting was taking place
in ARNOLD's. room number 502, Winthrop Hotel; that the B-25 which crashed was
carrying disc fragnents and that McChord Field officials had stated it was
shot down or sabotaged. The third call was received Friday, August 1, 1947
at 5:30 P.M. by the United Press Wireman, Tacoma, in which the caller stated
that the B-25 which crashed at Kelso, Washington was carrying flying disc
fragments and that the dead officers were Captain DAVIDSON and Lieutenant
BROWN, A-2 Intelligence Officers at Hamilton Field, California.
This call
was prior to the release of the dead officers! names by Army authorities and
the caller indicated that when the names were released, it would verify the
infornation he was furnishing was correct.
The fourth phone call was received
at approximately 6:45 P.M., Friday, August 1 by the United Press Wireman in
which call the caller stated the B-25 was definiteyshot down and that if he
contacted Army Intelligence officers, they would not deny it.
The fifth phone
call was received by the United Press Wireman, Tacoma, at 5:30 P.M. August 2,
1947 at which time the caller stated the B-25 was shot down from the air with
a 20 m.m. cannon; that the Marine plane found recently on Mt. Rainier had also
been shot down and that Captain SMITH would be taken to Wright Field Tuesday
morning. When the Army authorities released the names of the dead Intelligence
officers which verified the information as given by the anonymous caller, the
Tacoma Times printed this story on August 2, 1947 and carried several articles
thereafter inferring that the B-25 had been shot down or sabotaged because of
the fact that it was carrying disc fragments. DAHL and CRISMAN have admitted
that the material which they sent to RAY PALMER had no connection with any
flying discs and have given a signed statement to that effect which are being
- 2 -
━ PAGE 37 ━
August 19, 1947
forwarded herein. DAHL and CRISMAN deny, however, that they actually started
the flying disc story and their actual part in the story. United Airlines pilot,
EMIL J. SMITH, states that DAHL and CRISMAN on July 31, 1947, both related their
original flying dise fragment story. Information gathered would indicate that
the anonymous phone calls were possibly made by FRED CRISMAN in order to build
up the flying disc story to the point where they could make a profitable sale
of the story to RAY PALER, Chicago, Illinois.
No facts have been developed
which would definitely prove that CRISMAN made these calls. However, from all
facts and information gathered, it appears he is probably the most likely to
have made the anonymous calls. The detailed interviews of the persons contac-
ted in regard to this flying disc story are being set out below.
The following investigation was conducted by Special Agent
DAVID A. MacCULLOCH at Tacoma, Washington on August 6, 7, 1947:
ERNIE
OGEL, Associated Press "ireman, Tacoma, Washington,
advised that in the early part of June, 1947 he was requested by the Seattle
Poet Intelligencer to check on a story which he was informed had been obtained
from the Fire Chief at Harper, Washington.
The story was supposed to have
originated with FRED CRISMAN. Mr. VOGEL stated that the story was to the effect
that DAHL, while patrolling in his boat near Maury Island, saw five or six
flying dises, one of which fluttered toward the ground and finally disintegrated.
Fragments of the disc were reported to have showered down on the boat of HAROLD
DAHL, causing some damage and killing his dog. Mr. VOGEL stated that he went
to the home of HAROLD DAHL on 3903 North Gove, Tacoma, Washington to check with
him on this flying disc story. He stated that as best he could recall, this
was just a few days after the first flying disc stories had appeared in the paper
and was on a Sunday evening. He believed it was the early part of June. He
stated that DAHL took him in the kitchen and proceeded to talk about this flying
disc story in low muffled tones. He stated that DAHL acted rather suspicious
and that shortly his wife came into the kitchen and was in a considerable rage,
telling DAHL to admit that the entire story was a plain fantasy which he had
dreamed up. He stated that after his wife told DAHL to admit the entire story
was false, that DAHL then adnitted that there was nothing whatever to the story
and it was an entire hoax. VOGEL stated that in view of the enraged condition
of DAHL's wife, he immediately left and reported to the
Seattle Post Intelligencer
that the entire story was a hoax and that they should not print it in any way,
He further stated that he advised the Seattle Post Intelligencer that DAHL was
a mental case and that nothing which he had reported should be carried as far
as a news story. Mr. VOGEL stated that since that time he had received repeated
requests from the Boise Statesman requesting information as to the flying disc
stories reportedly originating with FRED CRISMAN and HAROID DAHL. VOGEL stated
that he had never, in his experience, had such pressure brought upon him to
release a news story and that he repeatedly advised the Boise Statesman that
the story of seeing the flying discs by DAHL and CRISMAN was a complete fabri-
- 3 -
━ PAGE 38 ━
August 19, 1947
cation and should be in no way, carried as a news story and refused to furnish
any information regarding these reports. He further stated that he advised
the Boise Statesman shortly before, or at the time KENNETH ARNOLD left Boise
to come to Tacoma to check on the flying disc stories with DAHL and CRISMAN,
that ARNOID should not come as the entire story was a hoax.
The following infornation was obtained from PAUL LANTZ,
4513 South 7th, Tacoma, Washington, Proctor 8416, a reporter for the Tacoma
Times:
It was the Tacoma Times paper which first issued a story
on August 2 and subsequent stories intimating that the B-25 which crashed at
Washington on the early morning of August 1, had been sabotaged or shot
down because of the fact that it carried flying disc fragments. LANTZ stated
that on Thursday, July 31, at approximately 11:30 A.M. he received an anonymous
phone call in which the caller stated that KENNETH ARNOLD and Army Intelligence
officers were meeting in room 502 of the Winthrop Hotel to check on the flying
dise story from which fragments were obtained on Maury Island. LANTZ stated he
turned around to speak to his editor and when he picked up the phone again the
line was dead. He stated that the caller asked for BUB? McMURTIE, a reporter
on the Tacoma Times who was out at the time of the call. He stated that BURT
McMURTIE called ARNOID at room 502 in the Winthrop Hotel and was advised by
ARNOLD that he could furnish no information as he was there on a Government
mission, LANTZ stated that on Friday, August 1, between 11:00 A. M. and noon,
he received another phone call for BURT MclURTIE in which the anonymous caller
stated that he might have sone information for him. LANTZ asked the caller if
he was not the same party that had called the previous date and he said yes.
The caller then related that at that moment there was a big meeting in progress
in ARNOLD's room, 502, in the Winthrop Hotel; that the B-25 which crashed that
morning in Kelso was carrying flying disc fragments from California and that
MeChord Field officials had stated the plane was sabotaged or shot down.
caller then hung up after making some statement to the effect that he was a
switchboard operator. LANTZ stated that he went to the Winthrop Hotel on Friday
about noon and found that there was no male operator on duty. He stated he then
went to room 502 and ARNOLD answered the door and that Captain EMIL J. SMITH,
United Airlines pilot, was on the phone. LANTZ stated that he heard SUITH make
a statement to the effect that the information must be very strictly confidential.
He stated that there were one or two others in the room besides SMITH and ARNOLD,
but that he could not identify them. He stated that ARNOLD told him he could
make no statement and that he had attempted to check the story with various people
on Maury Island with negative results. He stated that about 3:30 P.M., Friday,
he wrote a story regarding the mysterious informant and called ARNOLD at his
hotel room, stating that he had written this story and that ARNOLD had better
check it.
He stated that he talked to TE
TORRELLO, the United Press Wireman,
Tacoma, who advised that the story sounded fantastic.
LANT? stated that about
5:30 P.M., Friday, August 1, an anonymous caller called TED MORRELLO, the
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━ PAGE 39 ━
August 19, 1947
United Press Wireman, stating that Captain DAVIDSON and Lieutenant BROWN
were the Intelligence officers that were killed in the crash of the B-25 and
that civilians and the sheriff had been kept away from the wreckage with the
Arny guarding it. He stated the anonymous caller then said that the names
had not been released yet by the Army and that this would verify his statements.
PAUL LANTZ stated that the following morning, Saturday, August 2, the Army
verified that the officers killed were Captain DAVIDSON and Lieutenant BROWN
and two days later verified that they were Army Intelligence officers. LANIZ
stated that the anonymous caller again later contacted TED MORRELLO, calling
him by that name, and at this time stated he did not call the Tacoma. News
Tribune or the Associated Press and denied calling PAUL LANTZ or BURT MCMURTIE.
In this call the anonymous caller stated that, "Don't think I'm doing this for
you." He then asked if the story had been put on the wire and when MORRELIO
said yes, the caller stated, "We want this to get back to New Jersey." The
caller further stated that the B-25 was shot down by a 20 mom. cannon and that
the marine plane which was recently found wrecked on the side of Mt. Rainier,
having been missing for several months, had also been shot down. The caller
stated to MORRELLO that he should get in touch with a flyer named MORGAN with
United Airlines who, he stated, was with Captain SMITH when they were shot at
over Montana.
The caller then stated, "I'll see you Tuesday. I'm going to
San Francisco." LANCE stated that he had checked with Captain EMIL SMITH of
United Airlines who denied knowing any pilot by the name of MORGAN; denied
ever having flown over Montana.
LANTZ stated that MORREILO received another
anonymous call in which the caller stated that SMITH would be sent to wright
Field on Tuesday and that Saturday one of the men who found fragments of the
flying disc was to be flown to Alaska. LANTZ stated that in view of the fact
that the information as to the Intelligence officers on the B-25 had been as
furnished by the anonymous caller, had subsequently been verified by the Army,
the story was released that the B-25 was carrying disc fragments returning to
hamilton Field, California and furnishing the inference that the plane had been
sabotaged or shot down. LANIZ stated that about 8:00 P. . on Sunday, August 3,
he contacted Captain EMIL SMTTH at his home, 3027 West Laurelhurst Drive,
Seattle at which time SMITH stated he had not given any story out to the Post
Intelligencer at Seattle; stated that he had gotten a telegran to call a number
in Boise and when he called and found out it was the Boise Statesman, he had
hung up. He stated that the Boise Statesman then contacted him, at which time
he admitted he had seen the disc fragments, but that he did not take any of
them.
This time SMITH informed LANTZ that he had been with Major GEORGE
SANDERS, Public Relations Officer from MeChord Field, all afternoon until about
3:45 P.M. SMITH informed LANTZ that he had told the Army authorities every-
thing that he and ARNOLD knew about the flying disc fragments story from the
time that KENNETH ARNOID left Boise, Idaho and he had left Seattle, Washington.
This time SMITH admitted that there were some of the supposed disc fragments
in ARNOLD's room at the Winthrop Hotel and that CRISMAN and DAHL had been in
the room
Thursday afternoon.
On Monday PAUL LANTZ stated that he called
HAROLD DAHL who advised that if this were not used in the paper, he and FRED
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━ PAGE 40 ━
August 19, 1947
CRISMAN would see him after lunch. LANTZ stated that about noon DAHL and
CRISMAN contacted him at which time DAHL stated that he and his son had been
exploring a gravel pit on Maury Island and found some strange rock formations.
no one one that a that on to i are no to a on the o
University of Chicago to have analyzed. They stated that they received a
report and that apparently this friend had asked a newpaperman to find out
where the rock formations were obtained. CRISMAN and DAHL told LANTZ that
sometime after the first flying disc story had appeared, they received a tele-
gram from Trans-Ocean Press from Chicago wenting infonation on the flying
KENNETH ARNOLD were not interested in the rock formations and they denied
giving them to SMITH and ARNOLD.
TED MORRETLO, a United Press Wireman, Tacoma, Washington
furnished substantially the same infornation that was obtained from PAUL LANTZ,
the Tacoma Times reporter, regarding the anonymous phone calls which he had
received. He stated further that the first call he received was on Friday,
August 1, at around 5:30 P.M. At this time the caller stated that the B-25
which crashed at Kelso, Washington was carrying disc fragments and that the
two officers killed were Captain DAVIDSON and Lieutenant BRON, officers with
Army A-2 Intelligence at Hamilton Field and that the fragments were top secret
material. He stated the caller indicated that when the Army released the names
of the dead officers it would verify that the information he was furnishing was
correct.
MORRELIO stated that the second call he received at approximately
6:45 P.M. Friday, August 1 at which time the caller stated that the B-25 was
definitely shot down and that ii he contacted Arny Intelligence A-z, the man
in charge would not deny it. MORRELLO stated he thought the man said to con-
tact Colonel GUYS, but it was found out it was Colonel GRIGG who was in charge
of Army Intelligence A-2. The caller further stated that the Sheriff's Office
had been kept away from the crash and that no civilians had been allowed near
the plane. MORRELLO stated the third call he received at 5:30 P.M., August 2,
and that this time the caller stated that one of the men who had been conferring
with Captain SMITH and KENNETH ARNOLD was taken to Alaska that day. The caller
further stated that the B-25 was shot down from the air with a 20 m.m. cannon;
that the Marine plane found recently on it. Rainier had also been shot down;
that Captain SMITH would be taken to Wright Field Tuesday morning and that a
United Airlines pilot by the name of MORGAN flew with Captain SMITH when they
were shot at over Montana.
The daller stated he was leaving for San Francisco
and would be back Tuesday•
PAUL LANTZ and TED MORRELLO both stated that they had made
very little effort to question the anonymous caller to obtain his identity as
they felt it was useless and that if they started questioning him he would
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━ PAGE 41 ━
August 19, 1947
refuse to furnish any further information.
On August 5, 1947 Special Agent DAVID A. MacCULLOCH was
contacted in the resident agency office, Tacoma, Washington by PRED CRISMAN.
At this time CRISMAN asked if the Seattle Office was investigation the crash
of the B-25 and he was informed that no investigation was being conducted by
the Seattle Office. CRISMAN at this time related in a rambling story that he
had picked up some strange rock formations which he had forwarded to a friend
of his in the University of Chicago to have analyzed and that later, in some
manner unknown to him, these rock formations had been reported as being frag-
ments of a flying disc.
On August 7, 1947 FRED CRISIAN and HAROLD DAHL were inter-
viewed at the Tacoma resident agency office. Both DAHL and CRISMAN at first
denied any knowledge of how the rock formations which they had picked up to
have alalyzed became connected with the flying disc stories. Both denied
making any statement to anyone that these rock formations were portions of a
disc fragment. It was apparent from the start of the interview that DAHL and
CRISMAN were not telling their complete and true connection with the flying
disc story.
They refused to give any definite information as to what they said
or had done which caused them to become involved in a flying disc story, but
gave evasive answers and repeatedly stated that they had nothing to do with it
and were at a loss to understand how they became connected with the flying disc
story. After considerable questioning, they stated that in the early part of
June they sent to RAY PALMER of the Ziff-Davis Publishing Company which published
the Fantasy magazine in Chicago and the Venture magazine in Evanston, Illinois,
some rock formations which they had found on Maury Island.
They stated they
sent these formations, asking PAINER to have them analyzed. They stated that
later PAIMER wrote and asked for more samples, advising he had failed to analyze
the samples. CRISMAN and DAHL stated they have never sent any additional samples
and that the next they heard regarding the rock formations which they had sent
PAIMER was when he called HAROID DAHL and asked if the rock formations could
have come from a flying disc. DAHL stated he made some remark that they possibly
could have come from a flying disc and that he immediately sat down and wrote
a letter to PAIMER, which was in the latter part of June in which he stated
the material could have been portions of a flying disc. DAHL claimed that he
thought he told PAIMER over the phone something about being in his boat when
he obtained these rock formations, but stated he could not recall what he had
written to PALMER and claimed that he passed the whole thing off as a joke.
CRISMAN and DAHL were questioned at length in an attempt to obtain specific
information as to exactly what each one had done with regard to the rock forma-
tions. However, each stated that the only thing they had done was tell RAY PAIMER
the formations could have come from a flying disc in view of the fact it appeared
"that's what he wanted them to say". No definite information could be obtained
from either DAHL or CRISMAN as to what each specifically had done to start the
flying disc story.
The signed statement which was obtained from CRISMAN and
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━ PAGE 42 ━
August 19, 1947
DAHL and in which they admitted the rock formations had no connection with
any flying dises is being forwarded to the Bureau herewith. The statement
contains no information of value and therefore is not being set forth herein.
Regarding the meeting which was held in the Winthrop Hotel
on Thursday, July 31, CRISMAN and DAHL stated that they both met KENNETH ARNOLD
there about 1:00 P. M.
They stated that they all left ARNOLD's room about
3:00 P. M. and that CRISMAN took ARNOLD to Berry's Airport at Tacoma and
ARNOLD flew his plane to Seattle where he picked up Captain EMIL SMITH. CRIS-
MAN stated that he picked up ARNOLD and SMITH at Berry's Airport about 5:00
P. M. and that HAROLD DAHL came to ARNOLD's room about 7:00 P.M. CRISMAN
stated that he and SMITH left about 8:30 P. M. when he drove SMITH to Seattle
to get his car and that DAHL went home at this time. CRISMAN stated they
returned about 11:30 P.M. at which time the Army Intelligence officers were
in ARNOLD's room and that CRISMAN left about midnight. He stated that he
returned to ARNOLD's room Friday afternoon for approximately one-half hour
from 2:30 to 3:00 P. M., at which time ARNOLD and SMITH were still there and
neither seemed to be able to recall if balL was in ARNOLD's room on Friday,
August 1. the best that could be obtained from CRISMAN and DAHL as to what
took place in ARNOLD's room was to the effect that most of the talk was about
flying,
that no one seemed very interested in the rock formations and that
they had no connection as far as they knew with any flying disc. CRISMAN
Stated that KENTETH ARNOLD wanted to obtain pictures of the place where the
rock formations were obtained and that the Army Intelligence officers did not
appear to be interested in any manner whatever.
HAROLD DAHL operates the Connercial Lumber Company at 235
Millwater Avenue,
Tacoma, Washington and FRED CRISMAN has recently been
working with him buying timber.
They have also been associated with the Harbor
Patrol Association at Tacoma, Washington which furnishes patrol and police pro-
tection to parts of the harbor area which are not patrolled by Tacoma police
or Sheriff's officers. FRED CRISMAN resides at 125 Woodland, Tacoma, Washington,
Army serial number 0-758-951. During the war he was a pilot and it is believed
presently holds a Reserve Officer's comnission as a Captain.
Regarding the B-25 which crashed, killing Captain DAVIDSON
and Lieutenant BROWN of the 4th Aire Forces, Captain ROBERI G. BORNING, A-2
Officer, Me Chord Field, advised that this investigation of the crash reflected
an exhaust stack had burned out on the left engine which in turn caught the
left wing afire and that when the left wing broke off, it also broke off the
tail. The plane at the time of the crash was carrying Captain DAVIDSON,
Lieutenant BROWN, the hitch-hiker and a man as Crew Chief to take care of the
airplane. The Crew Chief and the hitch-hiker parachuted to safety, but Captain
DAVIDSON and Lieutenant BROWN were killed.
He stated that their investigation
reflected no indication of any sabotage whatever.
A check of the records of the Winthrop Hotel at Tacoma,
Washington revealed that KENNETH ARNOLD, giving his address as Route #1, Mount-
view Drive, Boise, Idaho rented room 502 from July 30 at 7:43 P.M. until
- 7 -
━ PAGE 43 ━
August 19, 1947
August 3. A record of the phone calls made from room 502 during this period
was made by Miss SARAH LANGBERG. This record reveals that KENNETH ARNOID on
July 31 called PAIMER at AN-5200, Evanston, Illinois, collect. On the same
date called Lieutenant BROWN at 5800 Hamilton Field, California, collect.
ARNOLD also called 0109-J in Boise, Idaho on July 31. On August 1 ARNOLD called
LON-4936, Portland; PALMER at Dearborn 5200, Chicago; and SMITH called RODDY:
at Dearborn 2323 at Chicago. Both Chicago calls were collect. The remainder
of the calls appear to be personal calls and are not being set out.
A record
of the phone calls made are being retained as an exhibit in the Seattle Office.
The following information was obtained by Special Agent
PIERRE H. LEVEC in interview on August 12, 1947 with Captain FAIL J. SMITH,
3027 West Laurehurst Drive, United Airlines pilot: It should be noted that
Captain SMITH has previously received publicity for having supposedly seen
flying discs or similar objects on July 4, last while on a routine United Air-
lines flight out of Boise, Idaho in company with his co-pilot RALP!/ STEVENS,
concerning this incident.
Captain SMITH states that they took off from Boise,
Idaho at 8:12 P. M. and headed Northwest at 300 degrees and while still climbing
at 8,000 feet, co-pilot STEVENS called his attention to some objects in the
sky ahead of them about ten degrees left which neither one could identify.
SMITH states that he called a CAA radio operator at Ontario, Oregon and reques-
ted him to step outside his radio shack and see if he could
see any of these
objects overhead. The CAA radio operator replied in the negative.
Captain SMITH states that he first met KENNETH ARNOLD on
July 5 in the offices of the Seattle Post Intelligencer where both were being
interviewed concerning their sighting of flying discs. SMITH states that he
next met ARNOLD about three weeks ago in Boise, Idaho at which time he, SMTTH,
was on another flight through Boise, Idaho and had a ten minute lay-over there.
On this occasion ARNOLD was in company of Captain WILLIAM L
AVIDSON and
BROWN, Army Intelligence officers, and a reporter JOHNSON
of the Boise Statesman.
SilTH's next contact with ARNOLD was on Thursday,
July 31, last when he received a telephone call from ARNOLD calling from Tacoma
in the early afternoon at which time he asked SMITH to come over to Tacoma and
join him as he was investigating a flying disc story for "someone back East"
and some fragnents were involved which SITTH might be interested in seeing.
After some discussion SMITH agreed to join ARNOLD in Tacoma and ARNOLD told
SMITH he would fly over and pick him up at Boeing Airport at 4:00 P.M. SMITH
met ARNOLD at Boeing Field at about 4:00 P. M. and they flew to Berry's Airport
at Tacoma, Washington where they were met by FRED CRISMAN.
The three of them
proceeded
in CRISTAN's car to the Winthrop Hotel where ARNOLD was occupying
room 502. ARNOLD ordered something to eat and during this time either ARNOLD
or CRISIAN called a HAROID DAHL and invited him up to the room. By this time
SMITH states he had learned from ARNOLD that CRISMAN and. DAHL were the parti-
cipants in the latest flying disc story and SMITH states that he had no previous
acquaintance with either of these men before meeting them in Tacoma on this date.
While in the Hotel Room ARNOLD showed SIITH a letter which he had received from
RAYMOND PALER of the Venture Press of Chicago requesting that ARNOLD investigate
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━ PAGE 44 ━
August 19, 1947
the CRISIAN-DAHL story in Tacoma. ARNOID informed SMITH at this time that
after receiving this letter he had called PAIMER by telephone in Chicago
as a result of which call PALMER had forwarded him $200.00 expense money
for covering the story. Shortly thereafter, at about 7:30 P.M. HAROLD DAHI
arrived at the Hotel room and the discussion began among the four men present
as to what DAHL and CRISMAN had seen on Maury Island. DAHL professed reluc-
tance to tell the story, claiming that several unfortunate incidents had
occurred subsequent to his seeing the flying discs and he believed the entire
incident had brought him bad luck. In this connection he stated that four or
five days subsequent to his sighting the flying discs, a man called at his
home and had a conversation with him the course of which DAHL was warned to
forget all about everything he had seen on or near Maury Island. In addition
to that, DAHL stated that his sixteen year old son had run away from home
following the incident and had been picked up by the police somewhere in
Montana. After some further discussion DAHL finally agreed to tell his story
of the flying disc incident in front of SMITH after eliciting a promise from
SMITH that he would not discuss the matter for at least two weeks. It should
be noted that DAHI, had previously told his story to ARNOLD and GRISMAN. At
this point DAHL related the incident which has already been described and which
he alleged had taken place on or about June 23 or 24.
While relating the
incident DAHL mentioned that he had taken pictures of the flying disc which
he had seen but that the printed films were marred with white spots.
DAHL had concluded his story, CRISMAN related that he had gone the following
day to Maury Island to verify what DAHL had told him concerning the fragments
and had at this time picked up several fragments and taken them with him. At
this time CRISMAN related that he also saw one of the flying discs hovering
When DAHL and CRISMAN
had finished telling their story ARNOLD told the group that he had earlier in
that evening called Captain DAVIDSON and Lieutenant BRONN, Army Intelligence
officers and that they were on their way to the Hotel room. At this point DAHI
protested that he did not wish to tell his story before anyone else and he
was advised by SMITH that if such was the case why didn't he just leave and not
be there when they arrived. CRISMAN, DAHL and SMITH then left the room and
went downstairs. DAHL departed alone. CRISMAN drove SMITH back to Boeing Field
near Seattle where SMITH desired to pick up his own personal car, which he did.
They then returned to the Hotel where they found Captain DAVIDSON and Lieutenant
BROWN in room 502 with KENNETH ARNOLD. ARNOLD met them at the door and seemed
excited, explaining to SMITH that Captain DAVIDSON had just drawn a reproduction
of a freak disc which had supposedly been seen by a woman in Arizona and that
this drawing was an exact reproduction of the flying disc which he, ARNOLD, had
seen several weeks before, nearing Mt. Rainier. SITH states that shortly after
this CRISMAN seemed very anxious to tell his and DAHL's story to the Army offi-
cers. Before this was done, however, SMITH had a discussion with Lieutenant
BROIN, inforning him that they had promised DAHL not to release the story for
two weeks and that if CRISIAN were allowed to tell the story at this time, BROWN
and DAVIDSON must agree not to release the story for one month. Following this
agreement, CRISMAN related DAHL's and his story of the flying dises over Maury
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━ PAGE 45 ━
• August 19, 1947
Island to BROWN and DAVIDSON. Following this recitation, Lieutenant BROWN,
in answer to a query from SMITH, said that he and Captain DAVIDSON were of
the opinion that there might be some truth in the current flying disc stories,
but that their inmediate superiors (presumably A-2 at Hamilton Field) did not
agree with them. BROWN and DAVIDSON then held a brief discussion as to whether
they should return that same night to Hamilton Field and they decided that
they would. All five of the men then went down to the lobby where BROWN
detached himself from the group and entered a phone booth to call for a car
from McChord Field.
SMITH also left the group and met BROWN outside the phone
booth where they held a short discussion relative to the credibility of CRIS-
MAN and DAHL's story. BROWN indicated to SMITH that he should attemt to find
out if the story was on the level and that BROWN would call him the following
day regarding this matter.
The group then proceeded to the front of the Hotel
at which time CRISMAN brought his car to the front of the Hotel and took from
his trunk a box of the alleged flying disc fragments picked up on Maury Island.
He offered them to BRONN and DAVIDSON and when the Army car arrived from McChord
Field the box of fragments was placed in the car with the officers. CRISMAN
departed alone and ARNOLD and SMITH went in search of something to eat and later
returned to the Hotel for the night.
on Friday morning, August 1, 947, ARNOL received a call
from CRISMAN informing him that a B-25 had crashed during the night and it was
believed to be the same plane which BROWN and DAVIDSON were flying. Following
this call CRISMAN and DAHL came to the Hotel room and from the room CRISMAN
again called MeChord Field in an attempt to get information about the crash.
SMITH took the phone from CRISMAN and spoke to a Colonel GREGG, identifying
himself and asking if the B-25 which crashed was the only one which had taken
off from McChord Field the previous night. GREGG told him that it was. Follow-
ing this call ARNOLD called RAYMOND PALMER in Chicago and informed him of the
previous night's conversations and the fact that DAVIDSON and BROWN were believed
to have been killed.
PAIMER told ARNOLD to discontinue his investigation of
the incident and that he, PAIMER, was no longer interested. SMITH then took
the phone from ARNOLD and asked PAINER if he could shed any light on the
situation.
SWITH was unable to say what PAIMER's reply to CRISMAN was. Fol-
lowing these telephone discussions SUITH says that he called MAURICE RODDY whom
he identifies as a personal friend of his and an aviation editor of the Chicago
Times.
SMITH states that he had previously made an agreement with RODDY in
Chicago that should he ever run across any flying disc stories which showed
promise of news value, that he would contact RODDY and this call was a result
of that agreement.
Shortly afterward, Colonel GRIGG called him from McChord
Field stating that Hamilton Field had requested that ARNOLD, SMITH, CRISMAN
and DAHL submit their addresses to Hamilton Field for convenience of any Army
investigation of the incident which may be forthcoming. After this call the
four men went to a restaurant for lunch. During the course of this meal SMITH
excused himself from the table and attempted to call SAC BOBBITT of the Port-
land Field Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation with whom he claims acquain-
tance. BOBBITT, however, was unavailable and SlITH was unable to complete the
- 10 -
━ PAGE 46 ━
• August 19, 1947
call. After returning to the Hotel room, a Tacoma Times reporter called
attempting to gain information, but they did not give him any.
Tater, a Mr.
MORRELLO of the United Press called and SMITH spoke to him on the telephone
but refused to give out any information.
SMITH further relates that while
the four men were in the room at this time, an envelope was shoved under the
door and that he retrieved it from the floor.
SUITH states that the appearance
of this envelope seemed to startle CRISIAN considerably and that in fact, CRISIAN
turned white as a sheet until SMITH read the note unsigned which was a commu-
nication to the Hotel advising that a strike of Hotel employees was eminent and
that guests should not expect room and telephone service much longer. Shortly
after this incident DAHl and CRISMAN left the Hotel room after promising to
take ARNOLD and SMITH to Maury Island the following morning, (Saturday). ARNOLD
and SITTIl then went out for dinner and on their return, SMITH found a note in
the box requesting him to call a certain telephone number. He did this from
the Hotel room and was answered by LANTZ,
Tacoma Times reporter who requested
SMITH to go out and call him from a pay station. SMITH complained and was
inforned by IANTZ that two anonymous telephone calls had been received by
him that a discussion regarding flying discs had been taking place in room 502
at the Winthrop Hotel which involved Army Intelligence officers. From the
information which LANTZ had received, SMITH was convinced that the anonymous
caller must have been present at the discussion also, as LANTZ was seemingly
in possession of pertinent remarks which had been made in the room. SMITH
states that he did not give LANIZ any further information and that in conclu-
sion of the call, he returned to the Hotel room and he and ARNOID retired for
the night.
On Saturday morning, August 2, 1947 SMITH redeived a tele-
phone call from MAURICE RODDY in Chicago, but was unable to give him any
further information, SITH advised him, however, that he would call him back
at 2:30 that afternoon. DAHL then called from a coffee shop nearby and ARNOLD
and SMITH joined DAHL, CRISIAN and an unknown man in the Coffee Shop for
breakfast.
The unknown person was discussing some lumber business with DAHL
and left after breakfast. On Leaving the coffee shop, SMITH asked DAHL about
the negatives of the photographs which he claimed to have taken of the flying
discs. DAHL said the negatives were in the glove compartment of his car, but
a search of the instant glove compartment was fruitless.
The four then pro-
ceeded in CRISMAN's car to the dock where they were to embark for Maury Island.
The boat, however, could not be started and the trip was postponed until later
in the day.
While at the dock, however, SITH asked to be shown the damage
to the boat which had allegedly occurred
when the fragments showered down on
Maury Island. CRISMAN pointed out what may have been repairs to the windshield
and lights on the boat, but SMITH was not personally satisfied that these repairs
were made as a result of any such incident. CRISMAN and DAHL then drove ARNOLD
and SMITH back to the Hotel at approximately 10:45 A. M. and CRISMAN told them
he would call them later on and that they would go to Maury Island. On return-
ing to the Hotel, SMITH called LANTZ at the Tacoma Times as a result of which
call he and ARNOLD met LANTZ at the Coffee Shop across the street from the
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━ PAGE 47 ━
August 19, 1947
Winthrop Hotel. SITH stated that the purpose of this meeting was to try to
find out something more about the anonymous phone calls which LANTZ had told
him about. He and ARNOLD still refused to give out any further information
regarding
the Thursday evening conference to LANTZ and were inforned by LANTZ
that the Tacoma Times was afraid of being scooped on the story and was going
to print something on that day. SMITH and ARNOLD then returned to the Hotel
and shortly thereafter received a phone call from CRISMAN. but the call was
cut off by the switchboard operator since it was not an emergency call. SMITH
and ARNOLD then returned to the Hotel lobby where they found a telegram from
DAHL asking them to call him at either Broadway or Proctor 7733, SMITH is not
sure of the exchange. SMITH called this number, but DAHL was not there. SMITH
states that he went then to the Western Union Telegraph Office and dispatched
a collect telegram to MAURICE RODDY at the Chicago Times which contained a
brief resume of the incidents which had occurred and which requested RODDY to
wire SMITH a telephone number where RODDY could be reached after 6:00 P.M.
SMITH states that he has never received an answer to that wire. Following
this, SMITH states that he and ARNOID that he and ARNOLD were sitting in the
lobby of the Olympic Hotel when LANTZ entered and gave them each a copy of the
latest edition of the Tacoma Times which contained a story hinting at sabotage
in the crash of the Army B-25 which killed Captain DAVIDSON and Lieutenant BROWN.
SITH stated that he and ARNOLD continued to occupy seats in the Hotel lobby
most of the afternoon inasmuch as they were unable to receive calls in the Hotel
room due to the Hotel employees! strike.
He relates that he received a call
in the late afternoon from LANTZ advising him to call LANTZ that evening at
8:30 as LANIZ had further information regarding the anonymous calls. SMITH also
received a telegram requesting that he call Boise 6000 which he did and found
that it was JOHNSON, of the Boise Statesman. He refused to give JOHNSON any.
further information
at this time. However, shortly thereafter, JOHNSON called
from Boise and advised SMITH that the Army had released a story through Brigadier
General SHRAM revealing the confidential assignment which BROWN and DAVIDSON
had been engaged on.
In view of this release, JOHNSON requested SMITH to answer
one question for him which was, "Were they carrying any alleged dise fragments
on the plane?" and SMITH answered, "Yes, they were." Following this SMITH
cajled LANIZ as per his earlier request and was informed that MORRELIO of the
United Press had received another anonymous phone call at which time "the voice"
said that the Army B-25 carrying Captain DAVIDSON and Lieutenant BROWN had
been shot down with 20 m.m. shells and that the Marine plane found on Mt.
Rainier had also been shot down with 20 m.m. shells. The voice went on to state
that SMITH would be called back to Wright Field on Tuesday.
When MORRELLO
asked why he was giving out this infornation the caller replied that it was
not for the benefit of the newspapers, but that he was interested in seeing
The voice also informed MORRELLO
at this time that one of the two persons who had been talking to ARNOLD and
SMITH had now left for Alaska. As a result of this latter bit of information
SMITH dedided to find out if CRISMAN or DAHL had left town. He located DAHL
at the Sunset Theatre and DAHL came to the Hotel and met SMITH and ARNOLD.
They were unable to locate CRISMAN by phone and DAHL left saying that he would
try to find out where CRISMAN was and that he would call them tomorrow (Sunday)
and that they would go out to Maury Island at that time. After DAHL left,
- 12 -
━ PAGE 48 ━
August 19, 1947
SMITH and ARNOLD went to the Tacoma Times Office where a reporter met them
and took them to MORRELIO in the United Press Office. There they read the
latest press releases and had a discussion with MORRELLO regarding the anony-
mous phone calls.
In the course of this discussion MORRELIO mentioned the
name of Major GEORGE SANDERS, Public Relations Officer at McChord Field as
being one of the officers interested in the investigation.
Following this discussion with MORREIIO, at which time
SMITH states they still refused to divulge any further information, SMITH and
ARNOLD returned to the Hotel for the night.
On Sunday morning, August 3, 1947, DAHL appeared at the
Hotel room and told them that he had received a letter from CRISMAN which said
in effect, "Take care of my business. I'll be out of town for three or four
days." DAHL had a letter with him but he did not show it to SMITH or ARNOLD.
The three men then drove to DAHL's secretary's house in South Tacoma and
picked her up and the four of them then went to breakfast on the South Tacona
highway.
While the four of them then went to breakfast SMITH excused himself
and called Major SANDERS at McChord Field and arranged an appointment to meet
him at the Hotel lobby at 11:00 A.M. They then took DAHL's secretary to her
home where DAHL picked up a typewriter and then drove SMITH and ARNOLD back
to the Hotel. They asked him if he was going to take them to Maury Island that
day and he replied that he was not. He further stated that he was sick of the
entire business and that if he was ever contacted by the Army or the authorities
he was going to deny ever having seen anything and claim to be "the biggest liar
that ever lived".
Shortly after returning to the Hotel, SMITH met Major SANDERS
in the lobby and they went in SMITH's car to a coffee shop in South Tacoma where
SMITH proceeded to tell Major SANDERS the entire story of the incidents which
afternoon.
entire story of what had occurred. ARNOID did so. Major SANDERS after looking
at the fragments which were still in the room suggested that they drive out to
the Smelter near Tacoma as he believed the slag at the Smelter would bear a
distinct resemblance to these fragments.
The three men then drove to the Smelter
and the slag was noted to be definitely similar to the fragments which CRISMAN
and DAHL had left in the Hotel room. They then returned to the Hotel room and
Major SANDERS left them. After packing their bags, SMITH took ARNOLD to Berry's
Airport where his plane was parked and then SMITH drove himself back to Seattle.
About an hour after his arrival in Seattle, which was
approximately 7:30 P.M., LANTZ of the Tacoma Times appeared at SMITH's home
with the newspaper containing the Associated Press story which had originated
in Boise, Idaho in the Boise Statesman and which was written by JOHNSON following
SMITH's admission to him that fragments had been carried by Lieutenant BROWN and
Captain DAVIDSON on the fatal B-25 flight. SMITH at this time continued to
refuse to give any statements for the Press and told LANTZ that he had placed
- 13 -
━ PAGE 49 ━
August 19, 1947
all of his information in the hands of the Army. SMITH. stated that a couple
of days later he called Major SANDERS at MeChord Field and asked him if there
was any recent information concerning the incident. SMITH states that Major
SANDERS informed him that CRISMAN had not yet been contacted, but that the
Federal Bureau of Investigation was "setting a trap for him". SUITH further
advises that on Friday, August 8, 1947, he appeared before Lawyer JOHN NOLAN
at the county-City Building, Seattle and made a deposition of the facts relating
to the incidents in Tacoma from Thursday afternoon, July 31, last until Sunday
morning, August 3, last.
A copy of this deposition is now in possession of the writer
and is being forwarded herewith to the Bureau. It should be noted that this
deposition is in no way as complete as the statement taken by the writer above
and any setting out of this deposition in this communication would be superfluous.
Copies of this communication are being sent to the Butte,
Portland, San Francisco and Chicago Offices for their information only. Unless
advised by the Bureau to the contrary, instant investigation is considered closed
by this office.
For the information of the Bureau, Captain R. G. BJORNING,
Intelligence Officer, McChord Field, Ft. Lewis, Washington advised at the weekly
O.N.I.-S.I.D.-F.B.I. Intelligence conference that the Public Relations Officer
at mcChord Field had received a telephone call from an individual at Army Air
Forces Headquarters at Washington, D. C., during which call the Public Relations
Officer was requested to obtain a signed statement from DAHL and CRISMAN which
could be published and thus publicly close the matter. Captain BJORNING further
related that he had no additional information in this matter and that he did
not handle it.
Very truly yours,
ACK B. WILCOO
Special Agent
ENCLOSURES
DAM; PHL :MEK
100-18945
CC - Butte
Portland
San Francisco
Chicago
- 14 -
━ PAGE 50 ━
ENCLOSURE
62-83894-106
ENCLOSURE
━ PAGE 51 ━
August 8,1947
HAROLD A. DAHL and FRED CRISWAN make the following foluntary statement
to SA DAVID A. MAC CULLOCH of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
In the early part of June 1947 we picked up some strange rock formations
from a gravel pit on Maury Island, Washington. We sent a box (cigar)
of these fragments to RAY PALMER of Venture Magazine at Evanston Illinois
to have it analyzed.
Later PALMER wrote and asked for additional samples stating that he had
failed to have them analyzed.
Around the later part of June a few days after the first disc stories
started PALMER contacted us by phone. He told us not to tell the news-
papers about the fragments and he would pay for an exclusive story if
the fragments could be frem a flying dise.
One of us told him the fragments could have been from a flying disc.
Just after our phone conversation HAROLD DAHL wrote a letter to RAY
PALMER setting out some notes etc. regarding the fragments and
indicating they could have come from flying dises.
The next thing we heard was about the first of July when we got a
Trans Ocean Press telegram from Chicago asking at about these flying
dise gragments. We told them to forget the entire matter.
The next we heard of these fragments was when we were called by
KENNETH ARNOLD to meet with him in the Winthrop Hotel on Duly 31,1947
We told him exactly how we had found the fragments and had forwarded them
to PALMER to be ahalyzed.
The above is the entire and true story as regards our connection with
the flying disc stories etc. which originated over the ore samples which
we sent to be analyzed.
Fuddi Mu
Damaca Mace
Waid A. Ma Cullich
F. B. I Suatel 8/7/47.
━ PAGE 52 ━
STATE OF WASHINGTON
SS
COUNTY OF KING
J. E. SMITH, being first duly sworn, on oath, deposes
and says:
This is a narrative statement as to what took place in
Tacoma from Thursday, July 31 until Sunday, August 3•
Thursday I received a telephone call from Tacoma from a
Kenneth Arnold. The gist of this conversation was that he thought
it would be a good idea for me to come to Tacoma and listen to the
story of two men whose names were Fred Crismon and Harold Dahl.
This Kenneth Arnold I had met two times previous - once on July 5
at the office of the P.I. in Seattle for a very brief time and the
second time in Boise, Idaho when I was passing through on one of
my trips.
In this conversation with Arnold on the phone, I made the
statement that it would be impossible for me to go over to Tacome
due to my going out to Salt Lake City the next morning. He said
that he would fly over from Tacoma and pick me up at Boeing Field.
I agreed to this proposition from Arnold. At 40'clock I met
Arnold at the Boeing Field and we flew back and landed at Barry's
Airport. We were picked up at the airport by Fred Crismon, who
drove the two of us into the Winthrop Hotel. We went up to Room
502 -- Crismon, Arnold and myself.
Fred Crismon put a telephone call into Harold Dahl and
asked him would he come up to the room. A half hour later Harold
Dahl made his appearance. At this time there were four men in the
room - Crismon, Dahl, Arnold, and myself. Mr. Arnold asked Mr.
Dahl to relate his story as to what took place on June 24. Mr.
Dahl was very hesitant about telling the story to me. Arnold and
Mr. Crismon were already aware of the statements that Dahl had made
previous. Mr. Dahl made the statement to me that if any statements
he would
make relative to his story, if I would keep it confidential
for two weeks, that he felt definitely that I would want to forget
the whole thing. I made the statement to Mr. Dahl that as far as I
was concerned, I would keep any statements he made to me confidential
for at least two weeks.
Here is Dahl's story: On June 24 (this date to be checked
later) he was in a boat owned by Fred Crismon, who owns the harbor
Patrol in Tacoma. They -- Mr. Dahl, a Mr. Knight, and Mr. Dahl's
son age 16, were cruising around Maury Island looking for logs that
had broken
away fron booms.
They were fairly close to shore of
Maury Island when they saw four or five objects in the sky at an
altitude of approximately 1500 feet. He said these objects were
━ PAGE 53 ━
Page #2
100 feet in diameter, circular in shape, and it appeared that
there was a hole in the center of each as he could see the sky
through this hole. He also mentioned that on the inside of the
circle or the hole, that portholes were visible. Their speed was
negligible as they appeared to hover over a given spot.
One of
these objects appeared to be in trouble. Another object came
over and appeared to make contact. After making this contact for
approximately two minutes, it rose to its original position.
At this time the object that appeared to be in trouble
seemed to throw a lot of debris from one of the portholes.
These
objects then disappeared from view. Some of this debris that
landed broke in the wheelhouse of the boat, the spotlight, and
the klaxon.
While this debris was falling, my boy and Mr. Knight
got off the boat and hid under some logs.
This debris that fell
killed our dog and a sea gull. I asked Mr. Dahl what was done with
the dog. He made the statement they threw the dog into the water.
HINTENTI
This story was told to Mr. Crismon, who the next day
went out to this Island to check on this story. He verified the
fact of the damage to the boat, also to the fact that there appeared
to be quite a few pieces of either rock or metal on the shore. Mr.
Crismon also stated that while he was over there investigating on
Maury Island, he also saw a disk. This disk was of the same shape
At this point Mr. Arnold clarified for me as to the reasons
he was investigating this story. Mr. Arnold stated that he received
a letter from a Mi. Raymond Palmer, supposedly editor of the Venture
Press, Evanston, Illinois.
The gist of this letter was that ir.
Palmer received
a letter from Mr. Dahl and Mr. Crismon, also e
package of these fragments that were found on Maury Island. Mr.
Palmer also made the statement in the letter that the Chicago
University failed to analyze these fragments and that would Mr. Arnold
please investigate the story. Mr. Arnold was sent a Western Union
check for $200.00 to take care of any expense that he might incur
while making this investigation.
Mr. Arnold had made a telephone call to Hamilton Field to
contact a Captain Davidson and a Lieutenant Brown, who were with
A-2 Intelligence at Hamilton Field, asking them would they make a
trip to Tacoma to also listen to this story of Dahl and Crismon.
When Mr. Arnold acquainted me with the fact that he had made this
phone call in front of Mr. Dahl, Mr. Dahl made the statement that
he would not tell this story to anybody in Army Intelligence. -
made the statement to Mr. Dahl that if he felt this way,
should not be in the room when these two Intelligence officers
arrived. Mr. Dahl thought this was an excellent idea.
━ PAGE 54 ━
Page #3
Mr. Dahl, Mr. Crismon, and myself left the hotel room to
go downstairs as Mr. Crismon wanted to get some metal that was in
the back of his car that he had picked up on Maury Island, to
la out that no han
bring back to the hotel room. Mr. Harold Dahl departed.
At this time I made the statement to Mr. Crismon that I
should like to pick up my car in Seattle. Mr. Crismon drove me to
Boeing Field, Seattle. After leaving me at Boeing Field, he drove
back to Tacoma and I drove my own car back to Tacoma. After I had
put my car in the garage at Tacoma, I went up to the Winthrop Hotel
and in the room at that time was Mr. Arnold, Mr. Crismon, and Captair
Davidson from Army Intelligence: Lieutenant Brown was downstair
getting sandwiches and coffee.
all the facts of these stories would be held in strictest confidence
until released by Mr. Dahl.
After Mr. Crisnon had told all the facts, relating not
only his own story but that of Mr. Dahl
he asked for the opinior
of both officers as to what they thought. Lieut. Brown made the
statement that he would like to obtain some of these fragments to
take back to Hamilton Field.
At this time Capt. Davidson and Lieut. Brown were debating
the thought as to whether to stay over night in Tacoma or leave for
Hamilton Field immediately, as the B-25 they were flying was
supposed to be at Hamilton Field the next day for the Air Show.
The five of us then left the hotel room and went down to
the hotel lobby where Mr. Brown made a telephone call to MeChord
Field asking them to send a driver to pick up Capt. Davidson and
himself. Lieut. Brown came up to me and made the statement that he
and Capt. Davidson were going back to Hemilton Field and that he
would get in touch with me tomorrow and if after I had seen the
ragnents on maury Island, if thought in my own mind that this
was authentic, they would
return.
I was to hold this statement by Lieut. Brown in the
strictest of confidence from the other group of three (Dahl, Crismon,
and Arnold) •
We then went down to the street where Me. Crismon drove his
car up in front and took out a box of fragments and gave this box to
Davidson and Brown.
While waiting for the driver from MeChord Field,
Lieut. Brown and I discussed Pacifio operations and things not per-
taining to this mission.
Capt. Davidson and Lieut. Brown departed at
approximately 12:45 A.M. Mr. Arnold and I went back to our hotel
roon after having a midnight snack.
━ PAGE 55 ━
Page #4
Friday the Ist:
At approximately 8 o*clock in the
morning, Mr. Crismon called up our hotel room and acquainted us
with the fact that the B-25 had crashed. Also that he had called
MeChord Field and from information he received also verified the
fact that the two men in the ship were Capt. Davidson and Lieut.
Brown, plus a flight engineer and a hitch-hiker. This left both
Mr. Arnold and myself in a very bad state of concern. Approximate-
ly an hour later Mr. Crismon and Mr. Dahl made their appearance in
the hotel room.
I still wasn't sure that this was the same B-25
that the two Intelligence officers had left in last night. Mr.
Crismon then again called MeChord Field and talked to a Colonel
Gregg, and the fact was verified again that the two pilots were
Davidson and Brown.
After an hour or so Mr. Crisnon and Mr. Dahl left the
hotel room with a plan in mind of the four of us meeting the next
morning (Saturday) for breakfast and going out to Maury Island.
That evening (Friday) there was a message for me to call
this particular telephone number that was on the message. I called
this number and was asked by the party to please call them from a
paystation.
This party was a Mr. Lantz, a reporter on che Tacoma
"I most certainly am doing myself out of a good
story but I thought you ought to know that somebody has been oiling
this paper and giving us a blow-by-blow description of all that has
taken place in your room since you arrived."
To verify this, Mr.
Lantz repeated back to me discussions that I felt had only been
taking place in our room.
Mr. Lantz also made the statement that there was a leak
either fron the switchboard operator or our room had been tapped.
I asked Mr. Lantz why he was tipping us off with this information.
He made the statement that he didn't mind doing this if in return
that any information that I may let out would be given to him.
After this conversation with Mr. Lantz I went back to our room and
told Mr. Arnold what took place on the telephone.
Saturday morning: Mr. Arnold and I met Mr. Dahl and
Fred Crismon for breakfast. We then drove out to the boat to go
to the island.
The boat was unserviceable at the time so we went
back to the hotel. Mr. Crismon said that he would call later on
in the day and let us know when the boat would be repaired. That
was the last time I saw Mr. Crismon•
Approximately 11 o'clock Saturday morning Mr. Crismon
phoned me and made the statement it would be impossible for him to
keep this appointment with me.
We were cut off by the switchboard
operator as this was classified as not an emergency call.
The
reason we were cut off was due to a strike in all the Tacoma hotels.
━ PAGE 56 ━
Page #5
Mr. Lantz called up and said if I would call him at
8:30 that evening, he would have some additional information for
me. I called Mr. Lantz at 8:30 that evening.
this anonymous caller had again called a Mr. Marillo of the
United Press and said that one of the parties that Mr. Arnold and
I had come down to see was flown to Alaska.
ment Mr. Smith would be called to Wright Field Tuesday. This
anonymous caller made the statement to Mr. Marillo that this B-25
was shot down. Mr. Marillo asked this person calling what his
interest was.
This anonymous caller made a statement - "Don't think
I am doing it for the newspapers. All I am interested in is seeing
that this information gets back to New Jersey."
After I finished the conversation with Mr. Lantz, I went
over to the United Press and talked with Mr. Marillo and had him
read back to me the conversations that he had had with this
anonymous caller.
But no opinions at this time were voiced either
by me or Mr. Marillo.
Sunday morning I called a Major Sander of S-2 MeChord
Field and asked him to meet me at the Winthrop Hotel at 1l o*elock.
I met this Major Sander at ll o*clock and we drove to a small coffee
shop on the Tacoma Highway where this complete story was related to
him by me. We then drove back to the Winthrop Hotel where Major
Sander was introduced to Mr. Arnold by me and again listened to
Mr. Arnold's story. Mr. Arnold and I departed from the Winthrop
Hotel Sunday afternoon at approximately 4:30.
This is to certify that the foregoing statement was taken
before me, a notary public; that prior to making said statement, the
witness was first sworn to tell the whole truth and nothing but
truth; that the statement was then reduced to writing and signed by
me on the .
_day of August, 1947•
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and official
seal the day and year last above written.
Notary Public In and for the State
of Washington, residing at Seattle.
━ PAGE 57 ━
62-83874-106
━ PAGE 58 ━
Affidavit of EMIL J. SMITH
Re :
FLYING DISCS SIGHTED BY FRED CRISMAN and HAROID A. DAHL,
Tacoma, Washington
SM - X
62-83894-106
━ PAGE 59 ━
Signed statement of Fred L. Crisman and Harold A. Dahl
Re:
FLYING DISCS SIGHTED BY FRED CRISMAN and HAROLD A. DAHL
Tacoma, Washington
SM - X
62-83894-106
━ PAGE 60 ━
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO
FROM
SUBJECT:
Director, FBI - AIR MAIL
SAC, San Francisco
REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS
Mr. Nichols
DATE: August 26,
1947 sen
Mr. Tracy
Mr. Egan.
Mr. Gurnea
Mr. Harbo
Mr. Molz
Mr. Pendiugton
There are being transmitted herewith to the Bureau photostatio copies
of three reports received from Lieutenant Colonel DONALD SPRINGER, A-?, Fourth
Air Force, Hamilton Field, California, involving reported sightings of flying
dises.
The Los angeles office is being furnished with a photostatic copy of
the report of Lieutenant Colonel SPRINGER dated August 18, 1947 concerning the
Investigation conducted at the Muroc Flight Test Base, Muroo, California•
The Butte Office is being furnished with a photostatio copy of the
5 report of Lieutenant Colonel SPRINGER dated August 20, 1947 which sets forth a
letter received from Mr. R. J, MADDEN, Division Plant Engineer, Paciflo Telephone
and Telegraph Company, Helena, Montana•
This office is maintaining contaot with Lieutenant Colonel SPRINGER
and will furnish the Bureau with a subsequent report from him concerning the ob-
servations of Mr. RAY A. BWITZER, Sacramento, California, who has reported
certain observations which he believes may involve a flying dise at Placerville,
California, on August 14, 1947.
HMK &EMB
Enclosures - 3
ce Los Angeles (with enclosure)
Butte (with enclosure)
7,
pleteser
3г
RECORDED
INDEXED
32
162-83894-1077
630CT 2
1947
━ PAGE 61 ━
DECLASSIFIED
Authority:
NND 90986
CONFIDENTIAL
LADQUARTERS FOURTE AIR PORCE
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
Intellironce
Hamilton Piold, California
CONFIE
VAT
TrILE Investigation of Flying Disc. INVESTIGATION MADE AT .
Muroo AAP, Muroo, Celif:
CONTROLLING OFFICE
Air Dofense Command.
Mitchel Field.
FILE No.
1208-1
PERIOD COVERED.
8 July 1947
CASE CLASSIFICATION.
Incident
DATE .
18 August 1947
STATUS OF CASE
Pending
REASON FOR INVESTIGATION:
Investigation initiated at request of Air Defense Command
reference ltr Hg ADG, td 7 Jul 47, file D333.5 ID, subj: Investigation of Flying Diso.
SYNOPSIS:
On 8 July 1947, approximately 1000 hours, two inoidents ocourred in the vicinity
of Murod Flight Test Base.
No further investigation of these incidents is being considered by this headquarters.
DISTRIBUTION
AAP
ADC
6th Army
FBI, S.F.
File 4AF
COPIES
2
APPROVED:
1
1
1
1
SPRINGER,
colo, ese
AG of 5, A-2
EDERAL BUREAU & TIVES TIGATIOT
U. S. DF
STICE
AUG 21 1947
CONPIDENTIAL ROUTED TO
SAN FRANGIES.
.D. P.M. G. Form NO. 11
April 194
Thia foem mpersedes W. D. O. C. S. Form No. 19, whi
ill not be med apon receipt of this revision
━ PAGE 62 ━
━ PAGE 63 ━
O CONFIDENTIALC
COPY
AREIRAVIE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF KEEN
The following is a statement given orally by Colonel Gilkey,
Cormanding Officer, Muroc Army Air Field, Muroo, California, given to
Captain Harry D. Black, Intelligence Officer, on 11 August 1947.
Colonol Gilkey, stated that the object he saw, he believed at the
time to be paper and of no significance or the objects not important
enough to be reported.
There was nothing clearly enough seen by the
Colonel to make any further reports justifiable.
This oral statement was given freely and voluntarily without any
threats or promises under duress. This statement consists of one (1)
page, and is the truth to the best of my mowledge and belief.
s/s
harry d. black
CAPT. HARRY D. BLACK, MAC
CONFIDENTIAL
━ PAGE 64 ━
ONFIDENTIAL
COPY
STATE OF CALIFORNIA)
COUNTY OF KERN)
The following is a statement given by Major Richard R. Shoop,
Office of Chief of Tech. Engineering Division,
Nuroc Arny Air Field,
Muroc, California, statement given on 11 July 1947.
At approximately noon on 8 July 1947, my attention was called to an
object in the air by Colonel Gilkoy. I observed betwoon five (5) and
eight (8) miles to the North what appeared to bo a thin metallic object.
It appeared to be metallic because the method in which it was flying caused
the sun to reflect like an apparently aluminum colored surface. The object
moved from an intermediate altitude in an oscillating fashion, almost to
the surface of the ground and then started climbing again. It climbed to
a fairly high altitude and moved off slowly into the distance. The object
appeared to be the size of a pursuit airplane but did not have the shape of a
conventional plane.
The time that the object was in view was approximately
oight (8) minutes.
this same object was seen by my wife at the same time.
This statenent has boon given freely and voluntarily without any threats
or promises under duress. This statement consists of one (1) page, and is
the truth to the best of my knowledge and belief. I have initialed all
corrections deemed necessary.
ss richard y. shoop
MAJOR, RICHARD R. SHOOP, AC
WITNESS:
s/s
thomas a. memillan
THOMAS A.
AC MILLAN
CONFIDENTIA
11E
━ PAGE 65 ━
ONFIDENIIAL
COPY
AREIDAYLI
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF KORN)
The following is a statement given by I/Sgt. Joseph ruvolo,
4144th. AAPBU, Muroo Army Air Field, Muroc, California, statement given
on 14 July 1947, to Ist Lt J. C. Molienry, Billeting Officer,
This is my own written statoment of what I saw on July 8, 1947.
I am NCO in charge of the Billoting Offico, this Piold, and First
Lioutenant Joseph C. Melenry, is Billoting Officer in Charge.
About 09:45 he was returning from the Post Exchange when he called
to me to come outside and asked me to look up to where he was pointing
and to my surprise I saw two (2) flying objects which appeared to me like
two (2) flying disc or saucer shaped silver colored objects, flying in a
northwestern direction at speed approximately 350 or 400 miles per hour
and at an altitude of about 7500 or 8000 feet. I could not hear a motor
roar like one of our planes and it could not have been a balloon.
I am of good health and sound mind and this was no hallucination.
This statement has been given freely and voluntarily without any
threats or promises under duress. This statement consists of one (1)
page, and is the truth to the best of my knowledge and belief. I have
initialed all corrections deemed necessary.
WITNESS:
s/s thomas a me millan
THOMAS A. MO MILLAN
CONFIDENTIAL
━ PAGE 66 ━
SONFIDENTIA
AELIDAYIE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA)
COUNTY OF KERN)
The following is a statement given by lst. Lt. Joseph C.
Molenry,
Billeting Officer, Nuroc Army Air Field, Muroc, California, statement
given on 11 July 1947, to Mr. Thomas A. McMillan, CIC S/A. this Station.
The following statement
concerning the actual observance of what has
been termed as a "flying Diso" or a "flying Saucer" is true and correct anc
it will be noted that the above mentioned observance was made by me per-
sonally while enjoying complete health in mind and body.
of this conversation was as follows:
math or at app in the po i nothie office 13 part
"Someone will have to show me one of these Dise before I will
believe it."
Upon leaving the Post Exchange, I went directly to my Offico and be-
fore entering heard one of our local aircraft in the traffic pattern.
to the left, whereupon I observed two (2) silver objects of either a
spherical or disc-like shape, moving about three hundred (300) miles an
hour, or perhaps less, at approximately eight thousand (8000) feet, heading
at about three hundred twenty degrees (320°) due north.
When I first observed these objects I called S/Sgt. Gerald E. Nauman,
T/Sgt. Joseph Ruvolo and Miss Jannette Marie Scotte who immediately cane
to where I was standing•
I pointed in the direction of the objects and
asked them the question "Tell me what you see up thero." Whereupon, all
the three (3) with sundry comments stated, "They are flying Disc"• To
furthor verify my observance I asked them to tell me in what direction the
objects were traveling, without indicating their direction myself, and again,
all three (3) in a consistent nature stated thet the objects were moving
toward Mojave, California.
an optical illusion.
The objects in question were not repeat, were not air-
craft, the objects could not have been woather balloons released from this
station, since they were traveling against the prevailing wind, and since
the speed at which they were traveling and the horizontal direction in which
they were traveling, disqualified the fact that they were weather balloons.
CONFIDENTIAL
━ PAGE 67 ━
ONFIDENTIAL
COp
After the observance of these phenomenon and hoping that I might have
time to enlist further witnesses, I immediately ran into the dispensary to
get personnel who are kedical Officers to verify, for my own curiosity, the
actual observance of these objects, but by the time I reached the back porch
of the dispensary, Mrs. 4. C. Naum, who is a registered nurse, and about
sovon (7) other personnel were with me, the objects, had by that time, dis-
appoarad, due to the speed with which they were traveling. Upon further
investigation, two (2) of us at the same time sighted another object of a
silver spherical or diso-like nature at approximately eight thousand (8000)
feet, traveling in circles over the North-end. I called the objects to the
attention of Mrs. Naum and pointedit out to the other personnel standing near
by. All of us saw the object, with the exception of two (2) out of seven (7)
personnel. All of us looked away from the object several times to make sure
there was no eye strain or from permitting the object to become an optical
illusion•
From my actual observance the object circled in too tight a circle and
too severe a plane to be any aircraft that I know of. It could not have been
any type of bird because of the reflection that was created when the objeot
reached certain altitudes.
The object could not have been a local weather
balloon for it is very impossible that a weather balloon would stay at the
same altitude as long and circle in such a consistent nature as did the
above mentioned object.
I am familiar with the results of too constant vision of the sun or
any bright object and am aware that optical illusions are possible and
probable. I wish to make this statement that the above mentioned observance
was that of actual subject matter.
This statement has been given freely and volunterily without any threats
or promises under duress. This statement consists of two (2) pages, and
is the truth to the best of my knowledge and belief. I have initialed all
corrections deemed necessary•
s/3
joseph c. me henry
IST IT JOSEPH C. MC HENRY AC
WITNESS:
s/s
thomas a. me millan
THOMAS A.
• TO MILLAT
CONFIDENTIAL
━ PAGE 68 ━
ANFTDONIIAI
C
Opy
ARRIDAYLI
STATE OF CALIFORNIA)
COUNTY OF KERN)
The following is a statement given by Major J. 0.
Wise, Test
Pilot, Muroc Army Air Field,
Muroc, California, statenent given to
Nr • Thomas A. Mollillan, CIC Agent,
This station, on 18 August 1047.
On 7 July 1947, at approximately 10:10, while running up the
XP-34 on the ground I noticed everyone was looking up into the air.
Off to the north about 10,000 to 12,000 feet altitude, was an object
that I assumed at first to be a weather balloon, but after looking at
it for a while I noticed that it was oscillating in a forward whirling
movement without losing altitude.
It was traveling about 200 to 225
MPH, and heading from west to east.
The object was yellowish white in color and I would estimate that
it was a sphere about 5 to 10 feet in diameter.
I did not have time to chase it in a P-80.
This statement was given freely and voluntarily without any threats
or promises under duress.
This stetement consists of one (1) page, and
is the truth to the best of my nowledge and belief.
J. c. wise
MAJOR J. C. WISE, AC
WITNESS:
s/s
thomas a. me millar
THOMAS A. CAMILLAN
ONFIDENTIAL
━ PAGE 69 ━
AT
FIDENTIAL
COPY
AFRIDAYLI
STATE OF CALIFORNIA)
COUNTY OF KERN)
At 11:50 hours, 8 July 1947, while the undersigned was sitting in
an observation truck located in Area # 3, Rogers Dry Lake, for the
purpose of observing a P-32 ejection seat experiment, the following
unfamiliarity was observed.
* preparing to carry
out a seat ejection experiment, when I observed a rounded object,
white aluminum in color, which at first resembled a parachute canopy.
The first impression wes that a premature ejection of the seat and
dumy had occurred.
This body was ejected at a determined height lower
than 20,000 feet, and was falling at three (3) times the rate observed
for the parachute which was ejected thirty minutes later. As it fell
it drifted slightly north of due west against the prevailing wind, to-
ward Mount Wilson.
The speed, horizontal motion could not be determined,
but appeared slower than the maximum velocity 50-80 aircraft.
As this object descended through a low enough level to permit
observation of its lateral silhouette, it presented a distinct ovular
outline, with two (2) projections on the upper surfece which might have
been thick fins or nobs.
These crossed each other at intervals, suggest-
ing either rotation or oscillation of slow type.
No smoke flames, propollar arks, engine noise, or other clasuable (?)
or visible means of propulsion were noted.
The color was silvery, re-
sembling aluninum painted fabrio, and did not appear as dense as a
parachute canopy.
vision of to outat rope, ta loot to he vision of the observer.
It is estimated that the object was in line of vision about so
seconds. Of the five (5) people sitting in the observation truck, four
(4) observed this object and made remarks about it. These people include:
Mr. Lenz - Civilien, Wright Field, Dayton, Chio
(Othor names not given)
The following is my own personal opinions about this object:
I think it was a man-nade object, as evidenced distantly by
the outline and functional appearance.
CONFIDENTIAL
━ PAGE 70 ━
CONFIDENTIAL
COPY
2. It's size wes not far from 25 feet with a parachute canopy.
3.
The path followed by this object appeared as though it might
have been dropped from a treat height.
Seeing this was not a hallucination or other fancies of a sense.
This statement was given freely and voluntarily without any thrents
or promises under duress.
This stetement consists of two (2) pages, and
is the truth to the best of my knowledge and belief. I heve initialed
all corrections deemed necessary•
WITNESS:
s/ s
thomas a.
me millan
THOMAS A.
IC NILLAN
CONT
INTIAL
━ PAGE 71 ━
ONFIDENIIAL
COFY
AREIRAYIE
STATE OF CALIFORNIA)
COUNTY OF KERN
The following is a statement given on 14 July 1947, by Jannette
Soott, Secretary to lst Lt J. C. Mclenry, Billeting Officer,
Huros Arny Air Piold, Muroc, California.
I am fully aware of my Civil and Constitutional Rights, and under-
stand prior to making this statement.
On Tuesday morning 8 July 1947, at approximately 10:00, while typing
some cards, and taking care of my routine work, Lioutenant Molenry
called me, along with Set. doseph Ruvolo and S/Sgt. Gerald -• Nauman,
to the front of B.0.Q. "A" B1dg•
Pointing up in a direction directly
above me he asked us to explain what we saw. There were two, silver
colored disc like objects flying toward Mojave, California, one directly
back of the other, at a speed of about 300 to 400 miles per hour, having
an altitude of approximately 8000 feet. I listened carefully for a few
minutes, and heard no drone, such as should be heard from any airoraft.
I also cast my eyes to another direction and looking back to the same
spot,
I was able to distinguish the same objects again. Having assured
myself that there was no eye-strain, I was convinced these objects were
not weather balloons due to the horizontal position in which they were
"lying.
Nor could they have been birds of any nature, due to the de-
finite reflection from the sun rays.
I have been on this Base, considering an absence of six months,
approximately eighteen months, and am familiar with all type aircraft.
About three or four minutes,
after these flying objects had nearly
disappoared, I glanced around and sighted another flying object,
similar to the above mentioned objects.
this flying object was silver
colored and was in the sheps of a disc.
Unlike the first two this object
was flying in a tight circle, neither losing nor gaining altitude, at
approximately eight thousand feet, therefore I was convinced it could
not have been a weather balloon, and because of the tight circle it could
not have been any type aircraft.
This statement was given freely and voluntarily without threats
or promises under duress.
This statement consists of one (1) page, and
is the truth to the best of my knowledge and belief. I have initialed
all corrections deemed necessary•
I am of sound mind and body, and swear that this statement is true
and correct.
s/s jannotto marie scott
Jarnette liario Scott
WITNESSES:
s/s thomas a. me millan
THOMAS A. MC MILLAN
CONFIDEN HAL
━ PAGE 72 ━
CONFIDENTIAL
COPY
AREIRAVIL
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
COUNTY OF KERN
The following is a statement given by S/Sgt. Gerald F
4144th AAPBU, Muroc Army Air Field, Muroc, California, statement given
on 14 July 1947, to Ist Lt. J. C. Mollenry, Billeting Officer.
On the eight of July 1947 at ten o'clock (10:00) in the morning
I observed personally two (2) flying diso, flying in a north west direction
at an estimated altitude of seven or eight thousand feet, traveling at
approximately three or four hundred miles per hour.
Just a few minutes before this I was in the Billeting Office and
First Lioutenant Joseph C. Mollenry, called me and two (2) others out-
side.
He then asked us what we saw. I saw two (2) objects with my own
oyos, and I am now and was then in perfeot physical condition. I have
20-20 vision and I am positive these two (2) objects could not have been
Aircraft, weather balloons or birds. Due to the altitude in which they
were flying, they gave off a definite refloction from the rays of the sun.
In addition to these two (2) disc I saw another object a fow
minutes later at the
same altitude doing certnin maneuvers such as flying
in a tight circle.
The two disc had already disappeared. This object to
my knowledge of aircraft could not have been an airplane because of the
very tight maneuver it was undergoing.
I have been flying in and heve
been around all types of aircraft since 1943 and never in my life have 1
seen anything such as this.
If necessary I can and will swear to this
statement.
This statement has been given freely and voluntarily without any
threats or promises under duress. This statement consists of one (1)
page, and is the truth to the best of my knowledge and belief. I have
initialed all corrections deemed necessary•
s/s
t. c. robinson
PFC
T. C. ROBINSON
WITNESS:
s/s thomas a. mo millan
THOMAS A.
INC MILIAN
CONFIDENTIAI
━ PAGE 73 ━
CANDIDENTIA T
NIULINIEL
UNDENTIFIED OBJECT
4AР-1208-I
20 August 1947
MEMORANDUM FOR THE OPRICER IN CHARGE:
On 20 August 1947, this agent and Special Agent Hubbard
interviewed Mr. Ray A. Switzer, Insurance Adjustor, at his home, 3431
David Viay, Sacranento, California, and he stated in substances
On the
afternoon of 14 August 1947, he was driving his automobile from Placer»
ville, California, on the Cedar Ravine Road. Mr. Switzer's wife was in
the front seat of the automöbile and Mrs. Switzer's mother and the two
Switzer children were in the back seat of the car. At about 1600 hours
they were at a point approximately five miles southwest from Placerville
when Switzer saw a white snoke trail out of the corner of his eye. In
searching for a rocket ship (PBO) he saw an object, four to six feet in
length, ten to fourteen inches wide, and of a metal color, bright like
highly polished chromium. In relation to the travel of the automobile
the object was first seen at 1030, and when the objeet
reached a
point at approximately 1200, it was engulfed in a puff of dark gray smoke
about ten feet in diameter.
The object was traveling at a terrifio rate
of speed and seened to be in a very shallow dive. When the puff of smole
appeared, the object disappeared completély and there were no particles
seen to have fallen from the smoke. The point where the object was en-
gulfed in the smoke was about eight hundred yards distant (in front of)
Switzer with no possibility of the object being hidden from viow by vege-
tation or terrain.
The object appeared rectangular in shape except for
one very short period of time it appeared to have a top surface that was
very slightly curved, Mr. Switzer turned to tell his wife about the
object and found her with her mouth open in an effort to say something
and with hor hand in a pointing gesture toward where the objeet had dis-
appeared. The object was not very high in relation to the terrain and
seemed to be following the contour of a canyon.
2. In a separate interview Mrs. Switzer concurred in the information
obtained from Ir. Switzer with the following exceptions: The smoke trail
and the puff that ongulfed the object appeared dark gray in color and there
was no change in the color. Mrs. Switzer estimated the object to be about
five feet long and about a foot wide with the top surface being slightly
curved.
The object appeared to be some larger in front then in the rear.
AGENT'S NOTES! At the time this object was seen, the sun was to the Switzer's
back, the sky wes clear and the objeot gave off a very bright reflection.
Mr. Switzer has been connected with the field of insurance investigation for
the last eighteen years and appears to be a man not desirous of publicity.
The other passengers of the car did not see the object.
Mr • Switzer 1s 1n
the process of moving to a ranch near Placerville,. Cellf., and his new. address
will be Box 43, Aukum, Eldorado County, Calif. Arrangements have been made
to meet Mr. Switzer at 1400, 26 Aug 47 at Raffold Hotel, Placerville, Calif.,
for the purpose of going back over Cedar Ravine Road *AUgt 19%/ point
where the object disappeared.
Bryden S. Moon, Special Agent, 4AF CIC
AN FRANCISE
CONTINENT IN
VUILLAL
━ PAGE 74 ━
CONFIDENTIAL
HBADQUARPERS FOURTH AIR PORCE
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
Intelligence
Hamilton Field, California
4APDA
33385/1208-1
SUBJECTE
Flying Disc.
20 August 1947
701
Special
Agent in Charge, PBL, U. S. Dept. of Justice,
Federal Office Building, Room 422, San Francisco, Calif
The attached letter wus received by this office from Mr.
lndden, Division Plant Engineer, Pacifie Telephone and Telegraph
Company, on 15 August 1947.
2. No further investigation will be made of thia reported inel-
dent by this headguarters.
anald he
ONALD L. SPRINGE
Lt, Colonel, GSC
AC of S, A-2
1 Inoli
As indiented.
DISTRIBUTION:
ADC • 1
Eth Army - 1 cy
PBI - 1 ey
EDERAL BUREA
U CHHNESICAT
U. S. DE
13.10c
AUG 21 1947
SAN FRANCISCO
HOUTEU TO
CONFIDENTIAL
━ PAGE 75 ━
INFIDENTIA!
COPY
427 # Sd Avenue
Spolane, Washington
August 8, 1947
Military Intelligence Division, U.S+A.
Mochord Meld, Washington
Gentlemen:
Following the reading of an socount of the vialt of ir. Kenneth
Arnold, Boise, Idaho, as published in the Spokesmen Review under date
of Auguat T 1947, the undersigned considered the enclosed account of
an observation of a "flying saucer" would be of interest to you.
This necount has not been given to any newspaper or other publia-
ation as yet.
Yours truly,
/s/ Re Jo Madden
RA J. BAUDEN,
Division Plant ingr.
The Pao, Tel. & Tel. Go.
FEDERAL BUREAU CH TNVESTIGATTO
U. S. DEV
USTICE
AUG 2 1 1947
SAN FRANCISCO
FOR
ROUTED TO
CONFIDENTIAL
━ PAGE 76 ━
SONFIDENTIAL
Report on a "Flying Saucer"
Ab or about 12805 pola, July 28, 1947, a sedan, ariven by Steve
Horemann and carrying i, J. (Job) ladden in the Cront soat and ker?
in the rosy seat, ma procooding northwesterly along the rond loudly hahn
Canyon Jerry to York,
both in lontens Bone 25 miles i., of Helens.
see the "flying saucer", but without success.
the oer to a stop.
Al the car came to a stop, Steve, Karl and Bob, simultaneously, now the
followings
Directly ahond, (5.1) 2 to 3 miles distant and approximately 3000 ft.
above the ground, a bright dise hovering and fluttering in the sir.
Descend-
ing and rising through a vertioul distance of fifty or a hundred feet for a
period of about five seconds then, while at the top of an ascent, the
suddenly swooped to the fortheast at tremendous speed and disappeared into
the elear air within a distence of 200 ft.
That in to sny It did not peas
beyond an obstruction to further visibility but "melted into thin air" as 1f
because of tremendous apoed.
hia diao was
in dianetor, atrolar end of no cret bleed obvers apparently & fionas
covered with highly polished nickel.
the presenco of the "dise" along or adjacent to that therofare.
thoy appear to to the abbered that the di ador on the are and sho
true dimensions must be considerably greater.
/s/ 3. J. Maddon,
R. JA MADDEN,
vision Plant Engr
the Pao. Tol. & Tel. Co.
CONFIDENTIAL
━ PAGE 77 ━
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Ca. Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO
: DIRECTOR
DATE: 9-15-47
5.
FROM : SAC, San Francisco
SUBJECT: REPORNS OF FLYING DISCS
Reference is made to my letter dated August 26, 1947.
Enclosed is
a copy of a letter dated September 9, 1947 from It. Colonel DONALD I. SPRINGER,
of A2, with a memorandum prepared by BRYDEN E. MOON, 4th Air Force CIC on
August 20, 1947 and August 26, 1947. The memorandum contains information
regarding observations of RAY A. SWITZHR of Sacramento, California.
Also enclosed is a letter dated September 10, 1947 from Colonel
SPRINGER with attachment dated September 9, 1947
For the information of the Bureau, KENNETH ARNOLD of Boise, Idaho,
who has been repeatedly interviewed in this matter by A2, has expressed his
intention to A2 of selling for publication his detailed account of his
investigation of flying discs.
62-2938
DWK.
. ал
aware
EX-64
141%
9/28/
poles
7 left
RECORDED
EX-64
62-83894=108
15 SEP 24 1947
630CT 2
1947
━ PAGE 78 ━
CONFIDENTIAL
HEADQUARTERS FOURTE AIR FORCE
Orfice of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
Intelligence
Hamilton Field, California
4AF DA
333.5/1208-1
9 September 1947
SUBJBCT: Investigation of Flying Disc.
TO:
Special Agent in Charge, FBI, U• S. Department of Justice,
Room 422, Federal Office sutlding, san Francisco, California.
Attached MOIC for your information.
1 Incl:
NOTC, Moon, dtd 20 Aug 47•
Lt. Colonel,
Deputy AC off
Corps
FEDERA: BUREAU DE TIMESTICE
SEP 12 1947
ROUTED TO
ORNIA
FILE
CONFIDENTIAL
━ PAGE 79 ━
CONFIDENTIAL
COs
1030 hours 18 August 1947
Tolephone message received from lir. Al Rock, City Saitor, Oneland Tribune:
exotive me hatre, not treat a 11o, or to a cata, reported ane
following incidents
At 41Pxo on August 14, wile driving on Coder Navina Road, 4 to 5
milos southeast of Placerville, Callf, ho, nocompanied by his wife, observed
a "vapor" trail noving from north to south. Closer observation revealed a
plece of "shiny netal" at fron 500 to 1000 feet altitude noring at a "high
rate of spood". The objeat appaared to be nore "rocket-shuped" then diso-
shaped.
It appeared to bo approximately 5 feet In longth and ma "tIltod
So a sond-oirole" •
" about 100
nutomobile driven by the observer.
An intervening canyon prevmted inveati-
gation of the location whore the objeot was observed to have landed.
observed to tender a nize to idontify the Jocation wiare the object was
were a universtty, or california greciate, and de porsonall:
mom by nonbers of the Cekland tribune staff. lo is a brother-in-law o
Col. ray of the rarine Hospital of Southern Calstornia)
SONFIDENIIAL
━ PAGE 80 ━
CONFIDENTIAL
UNIDENCIFIED OBJECT
4AP-1208-1
20 August 1947
MEMORANDUM FOR THE OPPICER IN CHARGE:
1. On 20 August 1947, this agent and Spacial Agent Hubbard
Interviewed Ir. Ray A. Switzer, Insurance Adjustor, at his home, 3451
David lay, Sacranento, California, and he stated in substances
afternoon of 14 August 1947, he was driving his automobile from Placer-
ville, California, on the Cedar Ravine Road.
Mr. Switzer's wife was in
the front seat of the automobile and Mrs. Switzer's mother and the two
Switzer children were in the back sent of the car. At about 1600 hours
they were at a point approximately five miles southwest fron Placorville
when Switzer saw a white smoke trail out of the corner of his eye. In
searching for a rocket ship (280) ho saw an object, lour to six feet in
length, ten to fourteen inches wide, and of a metal color, bright like
highly polished chromiun.
In relation to the travel of the automobile
tho objoot was first seen nt 1030, and when the object reached a
point at approximately 1200, it was engulfed in a puff of dark
gray smoke
about ten feet in diameter. The object was traveling at a terrific rate
of speed and seemed to be in a very shallow dive.
When the puff of smoke
appeared, the objeot disappeared completoly and there were no particles
seen to have fallen from the smoke.
The point where the objeet was en-
pulled in the smoke was about eight hundred yards distant (in front of)
Switzer with no possibility of the object being hidden from view by vege-
tation or terrain.
The object appeared rectangular in shape except for
one very short period of time it appeared to have a top surface that was
very slightly curved. Mr. Switzer turned to tell his wife about the
object and found her with her mouth open in an effort to say something
and with her hand in a pointing feature toward where the objeot had dis-
appeared. The object was not very high in relation to the terrain and
seemed to be following the contour of a canyon.
2. In a separate interview irs. Switzer concurred in the information
obteined. from Mr. Switzer with the following exceptions: the smoke trail
and the puff thet engulfed the object appeared dark gray in color and there
was no change in the color. rs. Switzer estimated the object to be about
five feet long and about a foot wide with the top surface being slightly
curved. the object appeared to be some larger in front than in the rear.
AGENT'S NOTESt At the time this object was seen, the sun was to the Switzer's
back, the sky was clear and the object gave off a very bright reflection.
Mr. Switzer has been connected with the field of insurance investigation for
the last eighteen years and appears to be a man not desirous of publicity.
The other passengers of the car did not see the objeot. Mr. Switzer is in
the process of moving to a ranch noor Placorvillo, Calif., and his new address
will be Box 43, Aulum, PIdorado County, Callf.
Arrangements have been made
to meet Mr. Switzer at 1400, 26 Aug 47 at Raffols Hotel, Placerville, Callf.,
for the purpose of going back over Cedar Ravine Road to locate the point
where the object disappeared.
Bryden b Moon, Speoial Agent, 4AP GIC
CONTENTA
VINDON LIND
━ PAGE 81 ━
CON
UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT
4AP-1208-I
AGENT'S NOTES:
Forester Young will communionte with the AC of S, A-2,
Headquarters Fourth Mr Porco, Hanilton Pield, California, If any
informetion regerding wreckage of an aircraft is located in the area in
question•
Young was not informed of the mission and was led to believe
that the mission was an effort to locate possible aircraft wreckage in
the area.
Bryden 5. Moon, Special Agent, 4AT CIC
CONTIDENTIAL
━ PAGE 82 ━
VNUUNLIAD
UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT
4AF-1203-]
3• On 26 August 47, S/A labbard and this agent contacted Nr. Ray
Switzer, Insurance Adjustor at the haffols Hotel, Placervillo, Colifornia.
After trevoling Cedar Ravine road to a point nine miles southeast of
Placervillo, known as Buok's Bar, Switzer deolded that the place fron
where he had observed the objeot on 14 Aug 47 wis nearer to Placerville.
After a thorough check of the road, Switzer bolieved the spot where he
had observed the object to be on the ridge just north of Webber Creek
where the road broaks over the summit.
This point is two miles from the
Raffola Hotol, Placerville,
California, on the Cedar Havine Roed. As
the rond approaches the summit it curves to the left which would provide
an observer from an automobile a sweeping view through 409 of the canyon
and the horizon on the south side of Webber Greek.
This point of observa-
tion lies 380 42' 45" North Latitude and 120º 471 15" West Longitude.
The elevation at this point is 2,000 feet above sea level.
the horizon
from this point in the south is formed by a series of mountain peeks which
lie generally through 380 39' 45" and which are on the south side of Squaw
Hollow Creek, a distance of four miles, and ranging in elevetion from
2,300 feet to 2,500 feet above sea level. Switzer was not definite as to
what part of the field of view he had seen the object and indicted that it
could have been as far as the horizon. Any objeot, or particles of an
objeet,
that Switzer saw,
if on the ground on the field of view, would be
in a six square mile erea of wooded, mountainous terrain which is full of
canyons and ravines.
AGENT'S NOTES:
This agent believes that Switzer could have seen an aluminum
surfaced conventional type aircraft which, due to the distance at which he
observed it, distinguishing featuros were not seen because of the bright
reflection and the short period of observation.
The aircraft would have been
coming fron the left as Switzer turned to the loft, thereby giving the effoot
of a much greater speed than the objeat was really trevoling. this agent has
no explanation as to the snoke trail observed by Switzer. If raconnai sanco
is desired of the nren to see if anything can be loonted on the ground,
agent suggests that a small type aircraft similar to an L-5, be used in low
level flight between the hours of 1100 to 1300.
Switzer was very cooper-
ative and expendod much of his own time in an effort to be of as much service
as possible.
Switzor will communionte with the AC of S, A-2, Headquarters
Fourth Air Force, Hamilton Pield, Californie, in the event of any report of
airoraft wreckage in the area.
Comino, Coltor a 17d & orget tha, or Ditor, State Forest Seriedo.
Placerville, Californis, provided the following Informations
been no forest fires or reported aircraft crashes in the area in question
within the last month.
Bryden T. Moon, Speciel Agent, 4AP CIC
CONFIDENTIAL
━ PAGE 83 ━
CONFIDENTIAL
HEADQUARTERS FOURTH AIR FORCE
Orfice of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
Intelligence
Hamilton Fiold, California
4AFDA
333•5/1208-1
10 September 1947
SUBJECT: Investigation of Plying Disc.
70:
Special Agent in Charge,
FBI, U.S. Department of Justico,
Room 422, Federal Office Building, San Prancisco, California.
Attached MOIC for your information.
FOR THE AG OP S, A-2:
1 Incl:
MOIC, Hubbard, dtd 9 Sep 47.
Lt. Colonel,
Deputy AC of
FEDERA BURP AU OF TI
U.S D
SEP 12 1947
ROUTED TO
ORNIA
FILL
CONFIDENTIAL
━ PAGE 84 ━
STANT
Цаг-1208-1
Incident
9 September 1947
MEMORANDUM FOR THE ORFICER IN CHARGES
Interviewed 3 Septeber 1917 at his place of employment, the Hearst lining
3ulling, University of CalIfornia, concerning flying objects he reported
to have seen on 29 July 1947 while with Captain Willian i. Ryherd of the
41.5th AAF BU (RT). Mr. Stewart stated in substance that he was a lst it
in the Reserve and that on the 29th of July 1947 shortly after 12 noon he
and Captain Ryherd had Just landed fron a routine training flight when
Captain Ryherd called Mr. Stewert's attention to an unidentified flying
object that was folloring a P-BO aireraft at a terriflo rate of speed.
Mr. Stewart estinated the P-S0 to be flying at approximately 250 miles
per hour on a preliminary approach to landing at Hanilton Field, In Mr.
Stewart's estimation the object he saw following the P-80 maintained a
speed of three to four tines that of the aircraft. A moment later a
second object appeared and flew a course described as sonething similar
to a fighter aircraft's maneuvers when acconpanying heavier ships, or a
laft to right movement, over the object firat sighted.
ir. Stewart stated
that this maneuvering continued until the objects were out of sight. He
estimted the tine to be a proximately 15 secords, the course approximtely
120 degrees.
Mr. Stewart could not estimate the size of the objects nor
actual altitude, though he did not belleve then to be beyond six thousand
feet. Kr. Stewart described the objecta as being milky hite in color,
and unlike any conventional type aircraft he had ever seen.
when questioned
whether he was finillar with the Navy "Flapjack", Mr. Stewart stated that
he was, and that he was certain the objects he reported seeing were not of
this nature.
AGINT'S NOTES :
Mr. Stewart is a fomer officer of the U.S. AAF and a B-29
pilot of considerable experience.
Ar. Stewart does not convey the im-
pression of being the kind of person who would "imgine" that he was seeing
objects, nor has he any apparent desire for publicity. Mr. Stewart is in
charge of machine shops at the University of California, Berkeley, California.
LESLIE S. HUSBARD, S/A, CIC ADO LAP
NIIDENTIAL
━ PAGE 85 ━
Mr.
AUG
Mr. Egan
Dir. Gurnea
RS
FBI BUTTE
8-15-47
5-50 PM
VGW
DIRECTOR, FBI
URGENT
OFLYING DISCS. ON INSTANT DARRAXOXX DATE, AL We HAWKINS, COUNTY
COMMISSIONER AND EX SHERIFF, TWIN FALLS, IDAHO, AND BE
# J. H•
BROWN, IDAHO STATE WAREHOUSE INSPECTOR, SAME COMMUNITY, ADVISED
THAT ON WEDNESDAY MORNING, AUGUST THIRTEEN LAST, AT APPROXIMATELY
NINE THIRTY AM WHILE FISHING IN RIVER APPROXIMATELY FORTY MILES
SOUTHWEST OF TWIN FALLS, IDAHO, IN ISOLATED COUNTRY, THEY SAW
TWO OBJECTS FLYING THROUGH AIR AT GREAT HEIGHT, WHICH APPRXXXX
APPEARED TO BE DISCS, AND AT SAME TIME HEARD ROAR SIMILAR TO NOISE
CREATED BY MOTOR TRUCK. INFORMANTS ADVISED OBJECTS MOVING VERY
RAPIDLY AND TA
XXX THAT THEY EACH APPEARED TO BE APPROXIMATELY SIX
FEET IN DIAMETER. OBJECTS QUICKLY DISAPPEARED FROM SIGHT AND HAVE
NOT BEEN SEEN SINCE . NO FURTHER DESCRIPTION THESE OBJECTS PRESENTLY
AVAILABLE. FURTHER INVESTIGATION
CONDUCTED BY THIS DIVISION
PURSUANT TO BUREAU BULLETIN NO,BROTY TWO, SUB DIVISION B, DATED
JULY THIRTY NINETEEN FORTY SEVEN.
BUREAU WILL BE PROMPTLY INFORMED
OF ALL PERTINENT DEVEL
NAMENT
BANISTER
10
породеть 62=8.3894-109
15
SEP 24 1947
END
O SEP 29 19
HOLD PLS O
7-54 PM OK FBI WA BW
EX-56
━ PAGE 86 ━
AuG 15
8.38 РМ "47
RECEIVED-LADD
F B .I
S AFDT DE JUSTICE
RECEIVED
1G 19
10 36 AM 1,
INTERNAL SECURITN
1 h8p
F. B.1.
19311
1ИЛЕО ICE1
IMECIVIE
CLU0E
GVi
ЗМ MUA
11410
AECEUTT
HENN ER DIV CIEN' OERECES ERSCEEA DIRNELEVIDD DICDEICHERLAD 1NЛЕ
SLROTTR OED JABRRR• DIVI JHEA EVEN VETCUIDD RUOUDE VIEAOAENVLEN CI
AAETODD TA KOEDL JURÓNR DIME LANNER VENTEED GEPERZE MONTIC AOLA
детри отилАднІВ тАба нади дил СлО тА дил -ааада 30 ра атиласА
УСНОМ КОИТАВА АСТА КОПАЙ ХУИКИХТИЙ ТРАТЕЙ ИД 1 Са0210 ЗИТИ1:
.*. ВАЖ НА КОЛАДІ СОДОЛЯ МО, ТАСАДНО КОНТА ДОТЕЛОНОВ
ДАДАЖА СКОВАШКОВ ЗНАРА ДАТОВАНІ ТаКТА АТАТ- ОНДЕЕ АНОД
ПЕТЛЕХОДНА ТА СТРАВ ОТЕЕЛЕНі СВОРВА СрИвИДОМ уАФеВИДарНИР ТОКТ
MINE INTDOA VIONNITE EIANINE TRDUEN DEDTO EUVIETA EORDR RITE
CONTIMEES CE AATM LUTTE: IDUNC* IN ICOFVTED FOONMCHON CHEN EVA
RECEIVED TELETYPE UNET
AUG 15 7 55 PM °47
F.B.J. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
━ PAGE 87 ━
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Menwruratum • UNITED SuM
GOVERNMENT
TO
DIRECTOR, FBI
FROM : SAC, SAN PRANCISCO
SUBJECT: REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS
S.
DATE: August 28, 1947 N
ATTENTION: ASSISTANT DIRECTOR D. M. LADD
On August 27, 1947, Lt. Colonel DONALD SPRINGER, _ A-2, Fourth Air
Force, Hamilton Field, California, advised that the Area Intelligence Require-
ments Division Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2 Headquarters, re-
quested that one WIELIAN RHOADS of Phoenix, Arizona, be completely inter-
viewed in connection with a report that he had seen on July 7, 1947, what
he believed were flying discs.
RHOADS is supposed to have taken several pic-
tures of the discs with a 620 Box Camera.
A previous report of this reported sighting of flying discs was
forwarded the Bureau on August 8, 1947.
Colonel SPRINGER has advised that GEORGE F. FUGATE, Jr., an
intelligence agent of A-2 stationed at Long B ach, California, would arrive
in Phoenix, Arizona, on or about September 2, °1947, and would be instructed
to contact the Phoenix Field Division Office.
In accordance with Bureau Bulletin No. 42, Series 1947, it is
felt that an agent from the Phoenix Field Division should interview WILLIAM
RHOADS at 4333 North 14th Street, Phoenix, if RHOADS has not already been
interviewed.
Colonel SPRINGER indicated that Mr. FUGATE should, if possible,
sit in on this interview.
A copy of the report from A-2 dated August 4, 1947, along with three
photographic prints of the pictures allegedly taken by Mr. RHOADS, is being
enclosed for the Phoenix Field Division.
WWR/ jo
62-2938
2 ce Phoenix (Encl.) (AMSD)
AIRMAIL SPECIAL DELIVERY
BECORDED 62- 83894-110
B
INDEXED
32
15 SEP 24 1947
84.56
630CT 2
━ PAGE 88 ━
G G
RECEIVED
P 26
2 58 PM •
INTERNAL SECURIT
F. B. I.
━ PAGE 89 ━
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
a. Office Men. dum • UNITED ...
65-477
TO
GOVERNMENT
: Director, FBI
FROM:
SAC, Butte
D
SUBJECT:
FLYING DISCS SIGHTED BY
FRED
CHRISMAN AND HAROLD
TACOMA, WASHINGTON
SECURITY MATTER - X
DATE: August 27, 1947
R$
RA Fletow
DAHL,
Re Seattle tels August 7, 1947, and August 12, 1947, in the above
captioned matter.
KENNETH ARNOLD, Route 1, Mountain View Drive, Boise, Idaho, was inter-
viewed at the Boise Resident Agency, Boise, Idaho, by SA JOSEPH E. JETTE on
August 19, 1947.
Mr. ARNOLD advised that he received a letter from RAYMOND A.
PALMER, Editor, Venture Press, Evenston, Illinois, dated June 26, 1947, in which
Mr. PALMER advised thet he was interested in publishing an article in his magazine
concerning the flying discs seen by Mr. ARNOLD near Mount Rainier on June 24, 1947,
which letter is being enclosed to the Bureau. Mr. ARNOLD stated that he did not
give much thought to PALMER's letter until PALMER wrote him again and informed
him that FRED CHRISMAN and HAROLD A. DAHL of Tacoma, Washington, had sent him
fragments of a flying disc and that he would like him (ARNOLD) to go to Tacoma,
Washington, and contact CHRISMAN and DAHL to find out if there was any truth in
ATTACHED
their story about the disc fragments. He steted that he did not answer PALMER's
letter, but inquired of several friends for their opinion in the matter, and
that they all told him if PALMER desired to pay his expenses to go to Tacoma,
Washington, and look into this matter, that they did not see where he had anything
to lose.
He informed that he gave a talk at the Boise Ad Club on July 25, 1947,
about the flying discs he had seen, and also of the request contained in PALMER's
¿letter to go to Ircoma to investigate additional information regarding the find-
Zing of disc fragments by CHRISMAN and DAHL.
3 ENCL
ARNOLD advised that following his talk, he was approached by a person
who said he knew both CHRISMAN and DAHL and that they were very reliable
individuals. He stated that after thinking it over, he called PALMER by telephone
and at which time he informed PALMER that he would contact CHRISMAN and DAHL and
investigate the matter regarding the disc fragments, if PALMER would send him
$200.00 expense money. He also advised that he received $200.00 expense money
from PALMER via Western Union the next morning.
He informed that he left for
Tacoma, Washington, via his personal plane on July 30, 1947. Upon arriving at
Pendleton, Oregon, he told his story to ED BEACH, CAA Inspector from Portland,
Oregon, who advised him to go ahead with his investigation.
-4U - END
942-838 94-
le stated that he lended at Barry's Airport
room at the Winthrop Hotel. He informed that he then ca
dog Sty tate none to
make arrangements to talk to him regarding the So regents.
He advised that
DAHL insisted on coming to the hotel room immec
arriving at Mr. ARNOLD's
hotel room, DAHL stated that he wanted to forget abou
the discs as too many things
hed been happening to him, and advised Mr. ARNOLTEfE!In home and forget about
the discs.
Mr. ARNOLD stated that he informed DAHL that he wanted to obtain all
COPIES DESTROYED
270 NOV 18 1964
62 SEP 3 019474
━ PAGE 90 ━
INTERNAL SECURITY
F. B. I.
DEPT. EF JUSTI
RECEIVED
P 27 / 33 PM :
INTERNAL SECURIT
B. I.
пЕрт
OF
━ PAGE 91 ━
901
Director, FB-
August 27, 1947
Re: Flying Dises - Tacome, Wn.
of the information aveilable regarding the disc fragments and that he understood
that DAHL had told the press about the disc fragments, stating there was nothing
to the story and that it was a phoney. DAHL immediately replied that his story
was not false or phoney, but that what he had seen and what had happened to him
was so unusual and fantastic that he wanted to forget about the disc fragments.
DAHL then agreed to tell Mr. ARNOLD the following story, providing his name and
the Harbor Patrols would be left out:
DAHL stated that his dog had been killed and his boy hurt and that
the wheel mount on his harbor patrol boat had been struck by disc fragments,
and that about twenty ton of this material had fallen on the beach at Mauri
Island, and into the bay, and that a dey after this incident, a men about forty
years of age had contacted him and told him,
"I know what you sew at Mauri Island
and I'm telling you in a nice way to forget about it and keep your mouth shut."
DAHL stated that he had obtained a large number of the fragments and had taken
free of charge. DAHL continued stating that on the afternoon of June 21, 1947,
he was on patrol with his boy, dog, and two seamen near a cove on the east side
of Mauri Island.
He stated that he looked up through the windshield of the boat
and at a height of about 1,000 feet, he saw six round circular grey objects
that looked like large inner tubes
slightly squashed.
These objects appeared
to be about 100 feet across and in the center was a hole about twenty-five feet.
DAHL said he assumed they were some type of a balloon.
The object in the center
was lower than the rest of the other objects, and the other objects were circling
around it. The object in the center seemed to be descending while the others
followed. As the objects descended he saw port holes around the inside of the
object and what appeared to be windows.
He stated that the object in the center
descended to about 500 feet, and that suddenly one of the circling objects came
down and touched the object in the center and remained in this position for a
few minutes, while the other objects continued to circle above.
The object
which had descended and touched the object in the center and which was lower,
then rose and took its place with the other objects.
All of the objects then started to rise and what appeared to be news-
papers came out of the center of the object in the middle of the circling object.
Then the sky seemed to rain lava, the lava coming from the object in the center
and DAHL headed the boat for shore. He stated that the lava coming from the
object in the center appeared to be a white metal, and as it fell into the water,
clouds of steam rose from the water. He stated that some of the lava landed on
the beach.
He also stated that his dog was killed and also a sea gull in addition
to his boy being hurt by the falling lave. Mr. ARNOLD continued stating that
DAHL, had said that he had taken pictures of the object and that if Mr. ARNOLD
wanted them, he could have the negatives. DAHL took Mr. ARNOLD to the home of
his secretary that evening and showed him some of the disc fregments he had
picked up, which were smooth on one side and rough on the other, according to
Mr. ARNOLD.
-2-
━ PAGE 92 ━
Director, FBI
August 27, 1947
Re: Flying Discs - Tacoma, Wn.
Mr. ARNOLD stated he received a telephone call from the press upon
returning to his hotel room, and that the press wanted to know about the flying
disc fragments, and he told them that he was not talking until he had proved
it.
He stated he did not know how the press ever knew he was in Tacome or had
seen DAHL.
Mr. ARNOLD informed that at 9,30 A.M. the next morning, July 31, 1947,
DAHL and CHRISMAN appeared at his hotel room and DAHL again asked him to go home
and forget about the dises, that his story was not false, but that he had had
enough trouble.
DAHL said
that his boy had been missed one morning and had been
found at Lust,
Montana, waiting on tables in a cafe; that he did not know how
he had got there and that too many things were happening. Mr. ARNOLD stated
that when DAHL and CHRISMAN came to his hotel room, they had an armful of
fragments, and that CHRISMAN had then informed about how he had seen an object
resembling those seen by DAHL. CHRISMAN stated he had taken the patrol boat
on July 23, 1947, and had gone to Mauri Island and had found the beach littered
with lava.
CHRISMAN stated he had looked up and had seen a balloon-like object
with port holes and windows, which had disappesred into a large cloud. ARNOLD
stated that he asked DAHL again to see the pictures of the objects; that DAHL,
had again agreed to show them to him. Mr. ARNOLD informed that he had then
asked DAHL and CHRISMAN if it would be all right for him to call a friend,
Captain SMITH, who had also seen some flying discs and let him see the fragments
and hear Mr. DAHL's story.
DAHL dissented, however, CHRISMAN readily agreed.
He also stated that he had placed a call to Lieutenent BROWN and Captain
DAVIDSON, Army intelligence officers at Hamilton Field, and had asked them to
come to his hotel, as they had previously instructed him to report to them any-
thing of an unusual nature or of interest regarding the flying dises.
He stated he flew to Seattle and got Captain SMITH, and that Lieutenant
BROWN and Captain DAVIDSON had come to his room about 4,00 P.M. Mr. ARNOLD
advised that he had asked Lieutenant BROWN just what he had found out regarding
the discs, and Lieutenant BRONN had confidentially informed him that they had
obtained a picture of a disc, which appeared to be authentic, which picture
was taken by a man in Phoenix, Arizona.
The picture, according to Lieutenent
BROWN, was of a circular object with a hole in the center, and of another object
that looked like a flying wing. He stated that when Lieutenant BROWN told him
this that he immediately thought of the object seen by DAHL.
He stated that
after hearing DAHL's story, Lieutenant BRONN and Captain DAVIDSON's attitude
had changed immediately, and that they appeared disinterested. It was then
suggested that they all go to Mauri Island and look for the disc fragments.
Lieutenant BROWN and Captain DAVIDSON stated that they had to return to Hamilton
Field immediately. Mr. ARNOLD stated that Lieutenant BROWN and Captain DAVIDSON
were very careful to gather up all of the fragments which had been brought to
the room by DAHL and CHRISMAN.
-3 -
━ PAGE 93 ━
Director, FBI
Re: Flying Dises - Tacoma, Vin.
August 27, 1947
He stated that the next morning he received a call from CHRISMAN,
who told him that Lieutenant BROWN and Captain DAVIDSON had been killed in a
B-25 crash.
He stated he does not know how CHRISMAN knew who had been in
the plane before anyone else.
He also stated that during the above conference
numerous telephone calls were received from the press, wanting to know about
the conference.
He stated that someone kept tipping the press off as to what
was going on and what was being said daily verbatim. He informed that PAUL
LAND and MORELLO, United Press men at Tacoma, appeared to know all that took
place during the conference, and even knew of the crash of the B-25 and those
aboard, before the Army released this information. Mr. ARNOLD informed that
when he received news of the crash, that he and Captain SMITH fully expected
to be contacted by Army Intelligence, as they were the last people with
Lieutenant BROWN and Captain DAVIDSON, however, they were never contacted.
He further stated that he and Captain SMITH went down to the United
Press to see what the survivors of the crash had informed about the crash and
that MORELLO had told them that the mysterious informant who had been calling
had told him that the B-25 had not crashed, but had been s hot down, also that
MORELLO's Army informant had said that an observer at Kelso, Washington, had
seen the plane throw out a landing flare after the two survivors had jumped
from the plane, and that the plane had gone into a steep dive and dove into a
hillside, and further that one engine had been on fire, but that the fire
apparatus, protecting the engine, had failed to function.
Mr. ARNOLD stated
that DAHL then came to see him and Captain SMITH and told them to go home and
forget about the dises, that such things as the B-25 crash had been happening
to him all along.
Mr. ARNOLD stated that he then called Mr. PALMER at Chicago and told
him that the deal was off and that if he wanted his $200.00 back, he could
have it; that two men had been killed and he was getting frightened of the
whole thing. He stated that PALMER informed him that it was all right with him
to keep the $200.00, however, he would send him an additional check for the
trouble he had put to. Mr. ARNOLD advised that previous to this telephone call,
ho are hot add son that
Captain SMITH had called his friend, MORRIS RODDY, of the Chicago Times and had
told him that he did not have any faith in Army Intelligence and for RODDY to
conduct an investigation on PALNER and get to the bottom of this disc fantasy.
Mr. ARNOLD also advised thet previous to the two above telephone calls, he had
asked the press to investigate PALMPR, as Army Intelligence had informed him thet
they could not find PALMER and knew nothing concerning him, and appeared not to
be interested in PALMER, who seemed to know more about the flying dises than
anyone else.
Mr. ARNOLD stated that he personally thinks thet PALMER's business
is
a blind for something else and that DAHL and CHRISMAN will do anything that
PALMER asks him to and will not talk unless PALMER tells him to. Mr. ARNOLD
stated that he still wanted to get to the bottom of the disc fragment story
so he and Captain SMITH had decided to go to Mauri Island on Sunday, August 3,
-4-
━ PAGE 94 ━
Director, FBI
Re: Flying Discs - Tacome, "n.
August 27, 1947
1947, however, when CHRISMAN was approached in this regard, and they had gone
to the boat house where CHRISMAN kept his boat, CHRISMAN could not seem to
make the boat run, and after making some excuses that he had to return to his
his mechanic should have the boat repaired and they could all proceed to Mauri
unable to locate CHRISMAN at any of the telephone numbers he had given them.
They located DAHL in a movie, according to ARNOLD, and that DAHL,
after making some efforts to locate CHRISMAN, had informed them that CHRISMAN
had left town for a few days. He further informed that about this time the
press contacted them and told them an informant had called and told them
that CHRISMAN was on his way to Alaska in an Army plane.
Mr. ARNOLD advised that Captain SMITH had informed him that he had
made an appointment with Major SANDERS at McCord Field and intended to tell
Major SANDERS the complete story.
During the afternoon, Captain SMITH and
Major SANDERS came to the hotel room, according to ARNOLD, and some of the
fragments that DAHL had brought to Mr. ARNOLD's room, following the conference,
were shown to Major SANDERS.
Upon viewing the fragments, Major SANDERS, accord-
ing to Mr. ARNOLD, stated that they were nothing but slag from the copper mill,
however, before Major SANDERS left, he gathered up every fragment in the room,
according to Mr. ARNOLD, and took them with him. Mr. ARNOLD stated that he
then left for Boise, Idaho.
Mr. ARNOLD produced a letter dated August 5, 1947, from PALMER
in which PALMER attempts to encourage Mr. ARNOLD to continue his investigation
into the flying discs. This letter is also being enclosed to the Bureau.
Mr. ARNOLD also gave SA JETTE a copy of the article sent to Mr. PALMER and
to the Commanding General, Wright Field, layton, Ohio, regarding his sighting
of the nine discs near Mount Rainier on June 24, 1947. This article is also
being enclosed to the Bureau. Mr. ARNOLD advised that he is vitally interested
in this matter and knows that there must be something to the flying disesstory
He stated that he will do everything in his power to help the Bureau in this
matter. He also advised that he has no connection whatsoever with the Boise
Statesmen.
He stated that the Boise Statesman has never paid him for any
information he has given them. He informed that he sincerely believes that
the Boise Statesman is attempting, as he is, to get to the bottom of the flying
dises story. Mr. ARNOLD stated that he has
told the above story to Army
Intelligence and Major SANDERS and to no one else, with the exception of
SA JETTE.
DAVE JOHNSON, Boise Statesman, Boise, Idaho, advised that the Boise
Statesman has never paid Mr. ARNOLD for
any news item
he has given them, and
has never approached him in this manner. He stated that the Boise Statesmen
is not attempting to push the flying discs story, but merely attempting to
- 5-
━ PAGE 95 ━
Director, FBI
Re: Flying Discs - Tacome, Wn.
August 27, 1947
get to the bottom of the flying dises story as they sincerely believe there is
someone who knows the story of the dises and that they actually exist, and
that the Army, when approached for information, merely state that they know
nothing concerning them.
JOHNSON also informed that Lieutenant BROWN and
Captain DAVIDSON hed contacted him on July 20, 1947, at Boise, -daho, regard-
ing the dises and that is how he met them.
Unless advised th the contrary, no additional investigation is
being conducted in this matter, and it is being considered as Referred Upon
Completion to the Seattle Office.
JEJ: FPMo
Encs. (REGISTERED)
AIR MAIL
SPECIAL DELIVERY
co - Seattle
━ PAGE 96 ━
• 62-83894-111
━ PAGE 97 ━
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
P. 0 ROX 308
BUTIL MONTANA
Encs. to Bureau
Re: Flying Discs
Butte file 65-477
62-83894-111
━ PAGE 98 ━
ENTURE PRESS
305 STUDIO BUILDING
1718 SHERMAN AVENUE
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS
62-83894-111
ICA
AUG 5
430 PM
1947
/11
Mr.
Kenneth Arnold,
Box 387
Boise, Idaho
JNITED
STATES
POSTAGE
AIR
MAIL
━ PAGE 99 ━
VENTURE PRESS
305 STUDIO BUILDING
1718 SHERMAN AVENUE
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS
Auget 5, 1947
Mr. Kenneth Arnold,
Box 387.
Boise, Idaho
Dear Mr. Arnold:
It seems that Mr. Maurice Roddy of the Chicago Times got the
story from Mr. Smith, because he called me, told me he was
running it.
I knew only what you'd told me over the phone.
Now, it seems the newspapers are pestering the very devil out
of all you fellows.
Crisman wired me for instructions, and I
told him to say nothing tà the newspapers, because he'll look
silly if the army explains this as "meteors" or something like
that•
I don't blame you for being alarmed, but I trust you've had no
trouble in your flying since then.
Let's get that straight--
there's no horrible plot infolved. It's probably true that the
two men killed were just aaoidents. It could be true that it
was not an accident, but I don't think there was any connection
with the disks, or anything of that nature, nor is the material
from Murray Island to blame.
Certainly I don't think you'd suffer from completing your report
on your mission, and sending me your affidavit. Also, you'll
have some money coming for that, and no sense to tossing thet out
of the window.
It is unfortunate that the thing seemed so big
you had to call in army intelligence, but it will take them a
long time to proceed to the point d've reached inthis disk mystery•
You see, you aren't the first to see them. They've been known
for nearly forty years, and I have ample proof of that. But
your experience was the first real break toward a solution. I'a
hate to have you drop the matter when all remaining to do is to
file your report with me.
Crisman is willing to contribute his share. I hope you will too.
This thing aust not be hushed up and forgotten. It's much too
importent to the people of America, if not the world. And no
censorship of the matter is legal. You needn't feer that angle.
You certainly did a bang-up job of investigation, also you wrote
one of the best articles about your June 24 experience I've ever
seen. Please do the same on this last business. You owe it to
those two men tiho were killed.
I'd also like to know what developed on those pictures you took
of those "dacks", or whatever they were.
━ PAGE 100 ━
-2-
In short, I'd like to have you continue to keep in contact
with me, and relay to me anything further you learn.
In turn, I'll give you the whole story, which I'm just about
ready to break (not in the newsparers). And if it was as
dangerous as you seem to suspect, I'm afraid I'd have been
a corpse long ago!
But, and this is all you need remember, those disks are not
red corpascles in your eyeball, and they are not something
we can forget about with an ostrich in the sand attitude.
We've got to solve them, publio hysteria or no. As for that
hysteria, if laughing is hysteria, that's all the hysteria
I've noticed!
By all means, I want to thank you for the work you've done.
You know your business, and you handled it like a major.
But I'm hoping you do the easy part now and get that report
on paper.
A check for your June 24 article is going out to you.
Sincerely yours,
DaPalna.
R. A. Palmer
━ PAGE 101 ━
62-83894-111
I1/00L0J
16 TOT 3
CUT HECT
13J
━ PAGE 102 ━
VENTURE PRESS
305 STUDIO BUILDING
1718 SHERMAN AVENUE
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS
Recide.
RIA. Palmex
3093
Bus
nearbon
5200
June 26, 1947
Mr. Kenneth Arnold,
Boise, Idaho
Dear Mr. Arnold:
I have just read an account in the Chicago Tribune concerning
an aerial train composed of at least 9 units shaped like a
pie-plate and silvery in color, traveling at 1200 m.p.h. near
Mount Ranier, as witnessed by you while flying in the vicinity.
This is quite important to me, because I have in my possession
numerous independent confirmations of what you saw, although none
in as great detail as your account. I am interested in publishing
an article in our magazine, written from a personal account by
yourself, and accompanied by pix of yourself, plane, and rough
sketches by yourself, of what you saw.
If you care to do this for me, I am prepared to pay our usual
rates of 2d perword, plus $5.00 for each photograph you can
provide, or for each sketch which can be used by our art staff
to illustrate the article.
Included in this material, we'd like a short biographioal
sketch of yourself as "author background» material.
article would appear under your by-line.
If you are not interested, I would at least appreciate a
letter from you, confirming the newspaper story.
Very truly yours,
Raymond Salmer
Raymond
A. Palmer
Editor, The Venture Press
In your reply, please use airmail.
━ PAGE 103 ━
SOMS LIPS DATA ON KENLISTH ARIULD
I was born March 29, 1915 in Sabela, Minnosota. ly fatherls name
vas Brard Beb Aroldy my nother's maiden nane was Bertha B. Barden. I
was a resident of Minnesota until I was six years old when my fanily
moved to Scoboy, Lontana, where they honesteaded. Ly grandfather, Roland C.
Arnold also horosteaded in Scobey, Montana, and becane quite prondnent
in politiel circles along with Burton K. Wheeler, the fanous Montana
senator.
I went to grade school and high school at linot, North Dakota. I
entered scouting at twelve years of age and achieved the rank of Eagle
scout before I was fourteen. ly forner scout exactive was H. I. Prescott,
now a regional comiasioner for the Boy Scouts in Kansas City, Kansas.
As a boy, I was interested in athleties 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 faney diving in 1932; I was a Red Cross Idfe
Saving Soniner during the yours of 1932, 133 and *3h. I taught swining
and diving at seout camps and the municipal pool in linot, lorth Dalota.
I went to the University of linnesota, where I sian and did fancy diving
under Neils Thorpe, and also played football under Bernie Bierman, but
upon entering collega I was unable to continue fy football cureer because
of an injured knee. My high school football coach was lemn I. Jarrett,
who is now the head football coach of the University of lorth Dakota. I
had little or no finances, and my ambition in furthering ny education in
college was through ny athletics, As a boy in linot, llorth Dakota, I did
a good desl of dog sled racing, placing first with ny dog in 1930 in the
Lion's Club Dog Derby.
In 1938 I wen
work
7 Littleton, Colorado,
a manufacturer of eu
appara
ps. In 1939 I was made
district manager for then ovor a part of the western states, and in 1940
━ PAGE 104 ━
1
Page 2 - Some lafe data on Kenneth Arnold
I established ny own fire control supply known as the Great Western Pire
Control Supply. I have been worlding as an independent fire control.
enginer sinco, and I handlo, distribute, sel), and install all types of
autoratic and manual fire fighting equipment, in the rural, areas over five
western states.
Ly flying experience startad as a boy in Minot, North Dakota, where
I took wy first flying losson fron Berl. T. Vance, who was originally from
Croat 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 untsl 1943.
I was given my pilot certifieate by lid leach, a senior CAA inspector of
Fortland, Oregon, and for the last three years have owned my om airplane
covering my entire territory with sane and flying fron forty to one hun-
dred hours per month since. Due to the fact that I use an airplane
entirely in uy work, in Jamary of this your I purchased a now Cellair
airplane, which is an airplane designed for high altitude take-offs and
short rough field usage.
In the typo of flying I do, it takes a great deal of prectáce and
judgent to be able to land in most any com pasture and get out without
injuring your airplanes the rummys are vory limited and the altitude is
very high in sone of the fields and places I have to go in my vork. To
date, I have landed in 823 cow pastures in nountain meadows, and in over
a thousand hours a flat tire has been sy groatest wishap.
OPY
━ PAGE 105 ━
The following story of what, I observed ovor the Cascade nounteins,
as impossible an it nay soon, is positively true. I nover asked nor wanted
any notorioty for just accidently being in the right spot at the right
tine 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
dae to ary sensitivity of oye sight or judgment than what is coneidered
nomal for ary pilot.
On June 24th, Tuesday, 1947, I had finished sy work for the Central
Air Servico at Chehalis, Vashington, and at about two o'clock I took off
from Chehalis, Washington, airport with the intention of going to Takima,
Tashington. ly trip was delayed for an hour to search for a large narite
transport that supposedly went down near or around the southwest side of
lite Reinter in the state of Washington, (This transport has been dio-
covered at the tine of this writing-July 29, 19h7.)
I flow directly toward lit. Rainfor after reaching an altitude of
about 9,500 feet, which is the approximate elevation of the high plateau
from wich lit. Rainter rises. I had nude one sweep of this high platea
to the westerd, searching all of the various ridges for this narine ship
and flew to the west dow and near the ridge side of the canyon where
A shford, Washington, 1s located,
Unable to see arything that looked like the lost ship, I nade a
360 degree turn to the right and above the little city of linoral, start-
ing Bgain tovard lit, Rainder. I elimbed back up to an altitude of
approximataly 9,200 feet.
The air was so smooth that day that it was a real pleasure flying
higher altitude, I
a ou
21,3
Lane in the
direction of Takins,
━ PAGE 106 ━
Page 2
Washington, which ms almost directly east of my position and simply sat
in my plane observing the sly and the terrain.
There was a DC-4 to the loft and to the rear of me approcimately
fifteen niles distant, and I should judgo, at 311,000 feet elevation,
The sly and air were as clear as crystal. I had not flown nore
than two or three mirutes on my course when a bright flash reflected on
vy airplane. It startled ne as I thought I was too close to some other
aircraft. I looked overy place in the sly and couldn't find where the
reflection had cone fron until. I looled to the left and the north of lit.
Rainder where I observed a chain of nine peculiar looking aircraft flying
from north to south at approziately 9,500 foet elevation and going,
sooningly, in a definite direction of about 170 degrees north to south.
They wore ayprosching lit. Rainter very rapidly, and I merely
assuned they were jet planes. Anyhow, I discovered that this was where
the reflection had come frost, an two or three of the every few seconds
would dip or change their course slightly, just enough for the sun to
strike then at an angle that reflected brightly on zy plane.
These objecte being quite far away, I was unable for a few seconds
to male out, their shepe or their foration. Very shortly they approached
• Ilt. Rainder, and I observed their outline against the snow quite pleinly.
I thought it was very peculiar that I couldn't find their tails
but assuned they were sona type of jet plane, I wa deterined to clock
their speed, as I had two definite points-iit. Rainder and it. Adans— I
could clock then by and the alr was so clear that it was very easy to see
objects and deterine their approsimate shape and sise at alnost fifty
niles.
I remenber distinetly that ry seep second hand on my eight day
clock, which is located on ty instrument panel, read one ninute to 3 P.M.
as the first object
uthern edge of lit.
Rainier. I watched
(0) mate roat and
crest as I had never before
observed airplanes flying so close
the mountain tops, flying directly
━ PAGE 107 ━
Page 3
south to southeast down the hog's back of a nountain ronge. I would
estimate their elevation could have varied a thousand feet one my or
another up or down, but they were pretty much on the horizon to ne which
would indicate they were nour the sane elevation as I was.
They flow like many times I have observed geese to fly in a rather
diagonal chair-like ling as if they were linied together. They seemed to
hold a definite direction but rether swerved in and out of the high moun
tain peaks. Their speed at the time did not impress me particularly; bo-
cause I know that our amy and ass forces had planes that went very fast.
What kept bothering ne as I watched then 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 an sure that ary pilot would justify nore than a second look
at such a plane.
I obcerved that quite plainly, and I estinate ny distance frosthen,
which was alnost at right angles, to be between twenty to twenty-five
miles. I knew they rust be very large to observe their shape at that
distance, even on as cloar a day as it was that Tuesday. In fact, I con-
pared a seus fastener or cowling tool. I had in my pocket with then - hold-
ing it up on then and holding it up on the DG-4 that I could observe at
quite a distance to my left - and they seoned sualter than the DG-lj but
I should judge their span would have been as wide as the furtherest engines
on each side of the fusalage of the DC-4.
The nore 1 observed these objects, the vore upset I becare, as I
an accustoned and failiar with most all objecta flying whether I an close
to the ground or at highor altitudes. I observed the chain of these
objects passing another high snow-covered ridge in betwen it. Rainier
and Mr. Adans, and as the fiest one uns passing the south crest of this
ridge the last object was entering the northern crest of the ridge.
An I was 1)
Elcular ridge, I neasured
it end found it to
I could safely assune
that the chain of these saucer-like objects were at least five miles long.
━ PAGE 108 ━
Page 4
I could quite accurately detemine their pattay due to the fact that
there vore several, high penka that vere a little this side of then as
well as higher peaks on the other side of their pathway.
As the last unit of this fomation passed the northorn-sost high
snow-covered crost of lit. Adans, I looked at uy sweep second hand and 1t
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 conti-
dent after I landed there would be so o ex lanation of wat I saw.
A number of news mon and experts suggosted that I might have been
seeing reflections or even a mirage. This I know to be absolutaly false,
as I observed these objects not only through the glass of my airplane
but turned ay airplane sideways where I could open my window and observe
then with a completely unobstructed view.
Even though two nimtes seens like a very short time to one on the
ground, in the air in two minutes time a pilot can obsorve a great many
things and anything within his sight of vision probably as many as fifty
or siarty times.
I continued ry search for the narine plane for anothor fifteen or
tanty mimites and while searching for thie marine plene, what I had just
observed kept going through ry mind. I becane nore disturbed, so after
taking a last look at Tieton Reservoir I hoaded for Yelina.
I right add that my complate observation of these objects, which
I could even follow by their flashos as they passed lit. Adans, was arouri
two and one half or three minutes - although, by the tine they reached
it, Adans they were out of my rango of vision as far as deterining shape
or form. Of course, when the sun reflected fron one or two or three of
these units, they appenred to be completely round but, I an alding a
dearing to the bost of ny ability, which I an including, as to the shape
I observed these ob
now covered ridges as
vel] as lit. Rainder.
━ PAGE 109 ━
Page 5
Then these objects were flying approdiately streight and lovel,
they were just a black thin line and when thoy flipped was the only time
I could got a judgient as to their size.
Those objects were holding an alrost constent elevation; they did
not soon to be going up or to be coring dom, such as would be the case
of rockets or artillery shells. I an convinced in my own mind that they
were sone type of airplane, even though they did not confor with the
many aspects of the conventional typo of planes that I Inow.
Although these objects have been reported by many other obnervers
throughout the United States, there have been wix or seven other accounts
witten by sone of these observers that I con truthfully say ust have
observed the sane thing that I did; particularly, the descriptions of the
three Tester Air lanos eployees of Ceder City, Utah, the pilot fron
Clahoma City, the loconotava engineer in Illinois, lir, John Corlett a
United Press correspondent of Boise, Inho, Dave Johnson, news editor ab
the Boise Dotly Statemon, Captain Salth-Co-pilot Stevens-and Marty
Morrow of United Air Jines, and Captain Charles 7, Gebian and Jack Harvey
of United Air Ianes both of who only last night, July 20, 1917, made
their observation on United Mr lane flight 105 westbound out of Boise.
It is ny opinion that descriptions could not be very accurate
taken fron the ground unless those saucer-lila disis wore at quite a great
height and there is a possibility that all of the people who observod
pocuiliar objects could have soon the sane thing I did; but, it would have
been very diffieult fron the ground to observe these for more than four
or five seconds, and there is almys the possibility of at ospheric
moisture and dust near the ground which could distort one's vision while
air observers I would judgo to be very accurate.
I have in uy possession letters fron all over the United States
and Durope from peo
is have been observed
over other portion
óden, Bernada, and
━ PAGE 110 ━
Page 6
California.
I would have given alnost anything that doy to have had a novie
camera with a telephoto lens and frois nov on I l1] nover be without one-
but, to contime further with ry story. Then I landed at Zaleina, Mashing-
ton, airport I deseribed what I had seen to my very good friend, Al. Baxter
who is the Genorel. Manager of Central Aircraft Copary. le listened.
patiently and was very courteous but, in a joking way didntt believe if
I did not accurately nome the diutance between these two now-
tains until I landed at Pendleton, Orogon that sane day where I told a
mber of pilot trionds of nine what I had observed and they did not
scoff or laugh but suggested they night bo guided ianiles or sonothing
now. In fact, several forner Arty pilots inforned ne that they hed been
briefed before going into cobat overseas that they might see objects of
sinilar shape and dosign as I described and assured me that I vasn't
drearing or going crazy.
I quote Sonny Robinson, a forner Amy Air Porco pilot who is now
operating dusting operations at Pendleton, Orogon "hat you observed, I
an corvinced, is sone type of jot or rocket propelled ship that in in the
proces of bing tested by our goverment or even it could possibly be by
sone foreign government".
Anyhow, the news that I had observed there spread very rapidly
and before the night was over I vas recoiving telephone calls fron all
parts of the worlds and, to date I have not received one telephone call
or one letter of scoffing or disbelief. The only disbolief that I know
of was what was printed in the papers.
I look at this whole ordeal as not sonothing fumy as sone people
have made 1t out to be. To no it le mighty serious and since I evidently
did observe something that
at least la. John Doe on the street coror or
Pete Andrews on the
ha
does not exist.
Even though I openly invited an Investigation by the Arry
━ PAGE 111 ━
Tae 7
and the PSI as, to the authenticity of uy story or a mentel, and physical
omination as to ny capabilities, I received no interest fron these
two important protective forces of our countay until two weeks after
my obscivation. I will go so far as to assune that 1f our 18litary
Intelligence was not aare of what I observed and reported to the United
and Associated Press and over the radio on two different occasions witch
apparently set the nation buzzing, they would be the very first
I could expect as visitors,
I have roceived lola of requests fros people who told me to sake
a lot of wild guessos. I have based, what I have written here in this
article on positive facts and as far as
messing what it was I observed,
it is just as nuch a systory to me no it
is to the rost of the world.
My pilot's License is 333h07. I fly a Callair airplane, viich is
a throo place single engine land ship that is desiged and mamufactured
at Afton, lyoning an an extrenely high performance, high altitude air-
plane that was nade for nountain work.
The national certificat of my
plano is 33355.
Top
Bright
mura.
no bank traile
ar Naper trails
one lasked
like thes the
becond from fast
gile farmationi
d a letele smaller
→
duetine of traul?
рентя Black
there us at
Dide Viens (clark)
━ PAGE 112 ━
this is а стру пно мелене
Artile I sent to
пізак till
tom Ohio
July 29, 1947
AER MATE.
Raymond A. Palmer
Bal tor,
The Venture Press
305 Studio Building
1718 Sherman Averte
Evanston, Illinois
Doar Ur. Palmer:
I an enclosing the material you requested togather with
photographa, and also a akotch of uy 11fo hiatory.
Tours very gruly,
meth Arnold
This copy is 2 unt to Palmer
Lame
COPY
━ PAGE 113 ━
Form 3811
Rev. 1-4-40
RETURN RECEIPT
Received from the Postmaster the Registered or Insured Article, the original
number of which appears on the face of this Card.
1 .
Raymond A Palmer
ame of addressee,
2
oger 1
(Signature of padressee's agent-Agent should enter address
Graham
Date of delivery
7131
_, 194)
U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
16—12421
━ PAGE 114 ━
Post
Office Department
PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE TO AVOID PAYMENT OF POSTAGE. $300
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
JANSA
• (GFO)
POSTMARK OF DELIVERI
JU. 31--
OFFICE
530 PM
1947
ILL
R lurn to
B, amall
Street and Number,,
or Post Office Box,
204 387
REGISTERED ARTICLE
No.
1240
INSURED PARCEL
BOISE,
No.
IDAHO.
━ PAGE 115 ━
FLUCIAL, D
U, S. DEP
Mr. Tolson
Mr. N. A. 'Ta∞:
AUG 1 4 1947
Com
TELETYPE
Rosen
Me. Tracy
Mr. Egon.
Mr. Gurnen
Mr. Harbo
FBI SEATTLE
8-14-47
5-18 PM
Mr. Moar
DIRECTOR FBI
ROUTINE
BRUCE ARMSTRONG. . M. A.
Fischer
Mr. Pennington
Mr. Quian Tamm
Mr. Nouse
NICHOLS. FLYING DISCS INTERNAL SECURINY-A
NEWSPAPER SEATTLE POST INTELLIGENCER CARRIED ARTICLE ON AUGUST
TWELVE OF REPORT OF FLYING DISCS SEEN BY ONE BRUCE ARMSTRONG OF
BOEING AIRCRAFT COMPANY, AND M. A. NICHOLS, ONE ONE TWO FIVE, SOUTH
WEST ONE HUNDRED AND SECOND STREET, SEATTLE. INVESTIGATION OF
g 0%
SIGHTING BY ARMSTRONG REVEALS OBJECT TO HAVE BEEN PIECE OF UWNBURNT
PAPER WHICH HAD BEEN SEEN BY CONTROL TOWER AT BOEING FIELD. IN-
VESTIGATION OS SIGHTING BY M. A. NICHOLS INDICATES OBJECT WAS
A WEATHER BALLON. LETTER TO FOLLOW.
162-83894-112
A AND H PLS
ORDEIS
135
31
SEP 2
3 22 bk .
0/7
9-19 PM OK FBI WASH DC GAR
EX-83
━ PAGE 116 ━
O.1 Gad
RECEIVED
42 d:
3 55 PM 1
INTERNAL SECURITY
--OT. OF
LASCIAOMI TONI ORA DICHITNE DA DE NO NOCIDES ANTTOS
EVLLUERNECN DND ВОЕЙ, ОРЕК ВА СОИТОГ Зе12UУО20
ді дран ет, годир саламат злонтаА ка
ANDRAT ON MEROBE CE LEMING DISCO PICA LE CHE TEA
МЕРСЬОШЕВ СЕМАТРУ БОРІ ІНІСТРАССЛОВИ СОВКИВ ТРО
рід ритул домодо САрк
RECEIVED
Jc 15 9 31 ДМ 2:
INTERNAL SECURITY
F. B.I.
RECEIVED TELETYPE UNTI
AuG 14 9 20 PM '47
2.8.1. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
A. -
━ PAGE 117 ━
FLUSHAL BUN
U, S. DEP
AUG 1 5 1947
Com
TELETYPE
Mr. Tolson
Mr. X. A. Tan
Mr. Olegs.
Mx. Glavin
Mr. Ladd
Mr. Nichols
Mr. Rosen
Mr. Tracy
Mr. Egan
Mr. Gurnea
Mr. Harbo
Mr. Mohr
Mr. Pennlagton.
Mr. Quion Tam›
Mr. NEST
Miss Gandy
PORTLAND FBI
8-15-47
-1-48
DIRECTOR FBI
FLYING DISCS - SECURITY MATTER DASH X. A MR JOHN BARTLETT,
AGATE BEACH, NEAR OCEAN LAKE, OREGON HAS REPORTED THAT THE EVEN
OF AUGUST SEVEN, AT ELEVEN THIRTY PM HE SIGHTED WHAT HE BELIEVED U
TO BE A DISC BRIGHT IN COLOR UNION HE WAS A TO PRE TO ERVINED.
ONLY A SHORT TIME BECAUSE OF IPECORDED
BOBBITT
EX-42
3. Саренут
SENDSEP 3 0 1947,n
HOLD PLS
тр to
болуів
O6-
78
1-
en
5-50 PM OK FBI WASH DC L
━ PAGE 118 ━
RECEIVED
REE 27 4 30 PM
IG 19
INTERNAL SECURITY
INTERN A & RAN
F. B. 1.
0 F
Aue 15 6 48 PM 247
RECEIVED-LADD
F B I
DEPT DE JUSTICE
RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT
AuG 15 5 53 PM '47
F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
━ PAGE 119 ━
TRUCKAL BUREAU OF INVESIIGATIO
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
COMI
IUNIGATIONS SECTION
AUG 7,
1947
TELETYPE
5
Mr. Toison
Mr. E. A. Tan
Mr. Clege
Mr. Glavio
Mr. Ladd
Mr. Nichols
Mr. Kosen
Mr. Traey
Mr. Pennington --
Mr. Quinn Tamm.
Mr. Nease
Miss Gans
WASHINGTON 17 FROM PHILADELPHIA
8-7-47
9-30 PM DST
Сулу
DIRECTOR FBI URGENT
FlyiNg DiseS
FLYING OBJECT REPORTED OVER PHILA. AUGUST SIX, NINETEEN FORTY-SEVEN•
SABOTAGE. THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER ON AUGUST SEVEN, NINETEEN
FORTY SEVEN CARRIED ITEM CONCERNING FLYING OBJECTS OBSERVED OVER
PHILA., ON EVENING OF AUGUST SIX, FORTY SEVEN. PEOPLE REPORTED AS
OBSERVING SUCH INTERVIEWED BY PHILA. OFFICE, AND SUBSTANTIALLY
1-
FURNISHED FOLLOWING INFORMATION. AT TEN FORTY FIVE, AUGUST SIX,
NINETEEN FORTY SEVEN, A BLUISH WHITE FLAMING OBJECT WAS OBSERVED AT
A HEIGHT OF ONE THOUSN
& THOUSAND FEET OR MORE OVER PHILADELPHIAL
PROCEEDING FROM A NORTHEASTERLY TO A SOUTHWESTERLY DIRECTION.
THIS OBUCT LEFT A BROSE TRAT, OF SMOKE MIO LASTED 2 AT 32 94
TWO SECONDS AND W HISSING OR
BUZZING
SIGHT OF SUCH OBJECT. PEOPLE
OBSERVING THE SAME
SEEMED
JESSIONS IBLE
RELIABLE, AND INCLUDE A FO
FORMER ARMY AIR CORPS
PILOT.
DOES NOT BELIEVE ABOVE MENTIONED OBJECT A
PROPELLED PLANE
SINCE THE ACCOMPANYING SOUND WAS NOT AS LOUD AS THAT MADE BY JET
PROPELLED PLANES.
END PAGE ONE
• UG
HE ESTIMATED ABOVE OBJECT TRAVELED AT A RATE OF
EX-42
T
224
ac.•
Xad d
mw.
Baurn
━ PAGE 120 ━
RECEIVED-TAMM
FBI
U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
AUS 8 9 56 RECEIVED
EP 29 10 56 AM?
INTERNAL SECURITY
F. B. I.
EPT. OF J0C-
Reil 9/29/42
11: 30 Am
ĂuG 8 1T 17 AM 317
ECEIVED-LADE
F
BI
Про:
TUS TH
━ PAGE 121 ━
PAGE TWO
ABOUT FOUR HUNDRED TO FIVE HUNDRED MILES PER HOUR. INQUIRIES BEING
MADE BY ARMY AND NAVY INTELLIGENCE FORCES, PHILA. ON THE REQUEST
OF THE PHILA. OFFICE TO DETERMINE IF EITHER ARMY OR NAVY ARE DOING
ANY EXPERIMENTAL WORK ON NEW TYPES OF PLANES IN VICINITY OF PHILA.
THEY WILL ADVISE PHILA. OFFICE IN NEXT SEVERAL DAYS. LETTER OF
DETAILS WILL FOLLOW.
BOARDMAN
HOLD PLS
━ PAGE 122 ━
RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT
ÂuG 7 9 35 PM '47
F.B.. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
REGEL A KELTOR
U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
Auc 8 5.37 AM '47
RECEIVED
• HU 9S 01 62
INTERNAL: SECURITY
F. B. I.
━ PAGE 123 ━
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STALL OVERNMENT
65-480
TO
FROM
D
Rotor FBI
SAC Butte
DATE:
August 20, 1947
SUBJECT:
FLYING DISCS
Flippler
Refer teletype to the Bureau dated August 15, 1947.
Enclosed please find the newspaper account carried by the Iwin Falls,
Idaho "Times News" on August 15, together with a sheet of paper on which A. C.
URIE attempted to sketch his impressions of the instrument which he claims to
have seen.
Concerning URIE*s sketches, it may be noted that he believed the
rolled outer odge which he attempted to create in his drawing to have been about
a foot through. URIE likewise believed that the tubing or exhaust flame which
he and his sons claim to have seen was about a foot through and extended at
least to the back end of the device. The flame did not appear to taper off nor
to widen out toward the back.
BILLY and KEITH URIE stated that they could see a knot on the side of
the device from which the flanes were shooting, and that they could see day-
light between the exhaust flane and the side of the device. The flames did not
leave any smoke or odor.
ATTACIED
The URIE boys thought that the "side view" sketch should show that
the device was more sharply angled from bottom to top, while URIE himself
thought that it was more streamlined and curved. URIE said that the instru-
DEFERRED NECOLDING
ENCL.
In his notations, URIE mistakenly said that he had seen it on Thurs-
day During interview, he stated that it actually had been on Wednesday,
August 13, 1947, when he and his sons saw the contrivance about 1:00 P.M.
URIE explained that he had sent his boys to the river to get some
rope from his boat. When he thought they were overdue, he went outside his
tool shed to look for them. He noticed them about 300
feet away looking in
the sky and he glanced up to see what he called the flying disc. He said he
could only see it for a moment before it disappeared behind a hill which
obscured his view.
STUP
URIE further stated that the contrivance was about seventy-five
feet in the air. URIE resides in the depths of the Snake River Canyon, which
is about four hundred feet deep and twelve hundred feet across at that place.
According to his account, the contrivance was about three hundred feet below
the rim of the canyon and he saw it against the steep walls of the canyon on
the far side.
Ho
described its color as sky blue and stated that he doubted
if it could be
COPIES
chance that ho
It did not apan like a tope ku t
270
мислі
INDEXED
62-83894-115
104.
,34
EX. 66
34
SEP 23 1S47
TIV
━ PAGE 124 ━
LOS
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━ PAGE 125 ━
BT 65-480
As the machine went by the URIE place, the trees over which it almost
directly passed (Morman Poplars) did not just bend with the wind as if a plane
had gone by, but, in URIE's words, "spun around on top as if they were in a
vacuun."
KEITH URIE, eight years of age, said he first saw the machine coming
down the canyon, heading from east to west and following the contours of the
ground. BILLY, age ten, saw it almost immediately. Both watched it fly out
of sight behind a tree in a matter of moments.
They said they then ran to
their Father and learned that he too had seen the machine.
URIE seemed completely sincere about the incident. He said his wife
and daughter were in the house at the time and had not seen the machine. He
questioned his brother, who also lives in the canyon, but his brother had been
eating at the time and had seen nothing. URIE and his two boys maintained
that they had never before seen one of the disos. URIE, when interviewed, ap-
peared to be a sober, middle-aged man.
JOHN BROSNAN, the "Times News" reporter who originally furnished
Special Agents with information about the incident, likewise stated that URIE
appeared completely sincere about the machine.
No further attempt was made to locate L.
HAWKINS, inasmuch as
J. H.
BROWN, who was with HAWKINS at the time, was interviewed. BROWN's name
was withheld fran the newspaper because HAWKINS and BROWN were fishing at sal-
mon dan while BROWN was supposed to have been working in Twin Falls.
BROWN said simply that he and HAWKINS could hear a roar. They looked
up and could see tee instruments flying at a great height, which BROWN mentioned
something and they were very doubtful that they had seen two planes.
RJG :FO*S
Enc. (2)
- 2 -
━ PAGE 126 ━
━ PAGE 127 ━
ENCLOSURE
62- 83894-115
ENCLOSURE
━ PAGE 128 ━
Re
1111i
aal Newspaper Serving
TWIN FALLS
TWIN FALLS, IDAHO, FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 1947
spayi
Heads Up, Folks! The Discs Are Flying Ag
10F1
/ 20 PT/
SIDE VIEW
BOTTOM VIEW
END VIEW
This is an artist's conception of the flying dise that A. C. Urie saw I sides, and could well be the inspiration for something new in women's
sweeping through Snake river canyon six miles west of Blue Lakes
hats, such as a
"flying saucer"
creation. (Drawing by Vic Goertzen-
ranch. It seemed to be powered by jets emitting a fiery glow on both
staff engraving)
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
* "
*
* * *
Flying Saucer Reported Flashing Down Canyon
At 1,000 Miles Per Hour; Two Others Are Seen
By JOHN BROSNAN
Just
as Magic
Valley and the
nation
were starting to let go of
lampposts after reeling
under a
welter of flying saucer reports, two
more Twin Falls county men
re-
vived
speculation on
the mystery
with vivid descriptions of discs they
saw.
• From A. C. Urie, who operates
the Auger Falls Trout farm
six
miles west of Blue Lakes ranch in
ake river canyon, came perhaps
most detailed account of one of
the fast-flying objects the nation, scription of the flying discs seen by
come concerned about what was de-
has yet produced.
him and his son, Keith, 8, and Billy,
laying them, and had walked down
The flying saucer Urie saw was
10:
toward the river to see if they were
skimming along through Snake river
"I obtained
a close-up view
of
all right.
canyon
at a height of about 75
the flying saucer as it passed by the
"I had a side view at a distance
feet at 1 p. m. Wednesday. At 9:30
trout farm at 1 p.m. Aug. 13 going
of about 300 feet and almost on a
a. m. the same day, L. W. Hawk-
down Snake river canyon at a height
level
with
the
"Two
thing,"
Urie
con-
ins,
Twin Falls county commis-
of about 75 feet from the
canyon
tinued.
of
my
boys,
Keith
sioner and former county sheriff
floor.
I would estimate the
speed
and Billy, were below me
and they
from Filer, also saw two circular
at about 1,000 miles per hour."
also saw
it at about
a 45-degree
objects soaring along at a great
Urie
explained that the incident
angle. They both got a bottom and
height near Salmon dam 40 miles
occurred while the two boys were
a side view, and
we were all look-
southwest of Twin Falls.
coming across the river from the
ing at it from the south side of the
Here is Urie's eye-witness de-
north side in a boat. He had be-
(Continued on
Page 8, Column 6)
━ PAGE 129 ━
TIMES-NEWS, TWIN FALLS, IDAHO
r
Twin Falls News in Brief
Four Parleys
ng
cop
Set on Cassia
To Visit Here
Aurelia Stark, Portland, Ore.,
arriving here soon to visit Mr. and
Mrs. Phil A. Snow.
Marriage License
Kenneth Miracle and Esta
Jay
Pearson, both of Twin Falls, received
School Plar
a marriage license Thursday at the
(From Page One)
known
beans.
asmits
beets.
made
special
ct with
ciety
of
resist
courthouse.
Sublett: 14,
Almo; 24, Hazel;
Births
A daughter was born Thursday
to Mr. and Mrs. Rudy Wageman,
Filer,
county
general hospital maternity home.
Bridge, 30, Springdale; 31, View,
Rector Returns
32, Moulton.
• The Rev. E. Leslie Rolls, rector of
The above districts would be
the Episcopal Church of the Ascen-
orporated into one district wi
sion,
and Mrs. Rolls returned
vould elect five trustees. Trust
Return From College
Thursday
from
Tacoma,
Wash.,
districts
would
be
divided
thus:
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Van Engelen
where they spent their vacation.
District 1, all of Burley school dis-
trict west of Overland and the Bur
and
Fred Van Engelen have re-
reworm
turned from Moscow where they at-
Return to Kansas City
ley-Oakley highway; district 2, all
al con-
Burley school
tended the summer session of
L. Hoffman
University of Idaho.
and
district east
of
his son,
sted use
Overland and
the
Burley-Oakley
Eugene, with Lucille Gahr, has re-
ene di-
highway; district 3, present districts
turned to Kansas City after visiting
Chat al-
BREV
of Declo,
Albion, Springdale
View; district
4,
and
Mr. and Mrs. H. B.
Hogue. Mrs.
high as
Miss Povey Visits
Oakley,
Basin,
Hogue is his mother.
rm con-
Moulton; and district 5,
ars.
Povey, former
Heglar,
Malta,
Elba,
Sublett,
Almo, Bridge
On Trip to East
ol
instructor at Twin Falls high school,
and all
me&-
present unorganized terri-
is visiting here this week. She now
ane was
Mrs. John Hawes and her nephew,
tory.
al DDT
teaches Spanish in a high school at Pat Boland, have gone to Boston
South Pasadena, Calif.
a good
and New York City on a two-week's
freworm
Auto Recovered
vacation to visit relatives.
rs.
ert
Clifford J. Roth, 529 Fifth avenue
for
two
north. reported the theft of his
Visiting Sister
automobile from near the Legion
Mrs.
Robert Swanson, Denver,
e to
at-
hall to Twin Falls police at 5:42 p.
Colo.,
is visiting her
sister, Mrs.
done at
m. Thursday and 18 minutes later
Kenneth Kail. Mrs. Swanson is a
utworms.
reported he had recovered the ve-
former resident of Rupert.
past two
hicle.
done con-
fields in
iph as
25
fields.
ирам
annage is done to the
pods,
he explained, as the insects
burrow into a pod at night, eat into
the seeds, drop to the ground the
next day, and enter
another pod
Permit
Visits Schuberts
Application for a permit to build
Agnes Schubert, Monterey Park,
a 12 by 20-foot private garage of
Calif., is visiting her brother and
cathe construction was Illed Friday
sister-in-law,
Mr.
and Mrs.
in the office of the city clerk by
Schubert,
this month. Miss Schu-
Lola M. Vazquez, 350 Elm street,
bert, former art instructor at Twin
who estimated the cost at $400.
Falls high school, now teaches in
California.
Funeral Held for
Infant at Wendell
WENDELL, Aug. 15 - Graveside
services
were held Thursday eve-
ning for Marian Kay Ems, Wendell.
The infant daughter of Mr. and
Mrs.
Kenneth
Ems died at birth
Thursday morning.
She is survived by her parents; a
brother, Kenneth Ray, 22 months,
and a sister, Janet LaRae, 5. Burial
in the Wendell cemetery was under
the direction of the Frazier mor-
tuary.
the next
night. He recommended
use of five per cent DDT dust
Attend Funeral
at the rate of 20 pounds per acre,
Out-of-town persons who attend-
and said the first application should
ed the Donald Spencer funeral in-
be on now.
clude Mrs. George Robbins, Ingle-
Next speaker was W. D. Hay of
wood, Calif.; Mr. and Mrs. Clifton
the PMA federal-state seed labora-
Adams, Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Vidun,
tory at Sacramento, Calif. He dis-
Wayne
and
Dorothy Adams,
and
cussed the movement of bean seed
Mrs. Norma Lou Veneman, all Po-
in interstate commerce, how the
catello:
Mrs.
Sarah Adams,
Mrs.
seed should be labeled, how to name
Will Severe,
Mr. and Mrs. Lyman
different varieties, and the validity
Adams, Mr. and Mrs. Orvil Adams,
of name assignments.
Mr.
and Mrs.
Howard Adams, Mr.
Carl Blackburn, of the Idaho Crop
and Mrs. Ellsworth Adams, all Oak-
Improvement association, discussed
ley; Mrs.
the general
organization
of
that
Judson Tolman, Logan,
Utah, and Mrs. Alice Miller, Salt
group and spoke of its measures for
Lake City.
seed certification.
The delegates then adjourned to
Clear Lakes resort for a fish fry
The Hospital
Emergency beds only were avail-
William Munger,
38, Passes Here
William H. Munger, 38, 305 Locust
street north, died at 11 a.m. Friday
at the
Twin
Halls counta
Moose to
Meet
Members of the fellowship degree
of the Moose lodge will meet at
12:30 p. m. Sunday at the Moose
hall,
officials announced Friday
Refreshments
will be
served by
Women of the Moose.
Jenkins May Try
Run Tests Friday
WENDOVER, Utah, Aug. 15 (P)-
Ab Jenkins, holder of most of the
Harry Piper, 71,
world's land speed records for dis-
tances of 50 miles or more, may be-
Claimed by Death
gin late tomorrow test runs in prep-
aration for his newest record
BUHL, Aug. 15-Harry Sylvester
sault.
as-
Piper, 71, Buhl plumber since 1926,
Bud Winfield of Los Angeles, de-
died at 9:20 p. m. Thursday at the
signer of the low-slung Mobil spe-
Twin
Falls county general hos-
cial that Jenkins will drive,
pro-
pital from complications following
nounced the car "ready to go."
an emergency operation.
The runs will be made on an 11½
Mr. Piper was born June 6, 1875,
mile circular track on the Bonne-
in Emporia, Kans., and
came to
ville salt flats. 120 miles west of
Idaho
in 1926.
Salt Lake City. Jenkins, former Sar
He is survived by his wife, Mrs.
Lake City mayor,
hoped to make
Nettie
Clussman
Piper;
three
his official runs early next week
daughters, Mrs. Harry Kinter, Buhl;
Mrs. James F. Perchal, Twin Falls,
Traffic Fines
━ PAGE 130 ━
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
ENCLOSURE TO BUREAU
Butte File 65-480
62-83894-115
━ PAGE 131 ━
'Saucer' Seen
Flying Down
Snake Gorge
(From Page
One)
river facing toward the north. The
boys saw
it coming about half a
mile up the canyon,
and we all lost
sight of it in less than a mile."
While
the impression
was still
vivid in their minds, the three got
together and made rough sketches
of what they had seen.
These,
in
turn, were the basis for the artist's
conception
of the strange affair by
Vic Goertzen of Twin Falls for the
Times-News.
"It was all one colorsort of a
light sky blue with a red, tubular
fiery glow at the side of the top or
hood,"
Urie continued.
The canyon
floor is rough
that particular point,
at
and it rode
up and down over the hills and hol-
lows at a speed indicating
type.
of
control
some
faster than
the
reflexes of man. It is my opinion
━ PAGE 132 ━
OUT OUR WAY
LET THAT
ALONE
YOU
FATHEAD, AN'
GO ON ABOUT
YOUR BUSINESS!
THAT'S
FROM
TH' C
IS TH
DO
WHE
THE BUMP-OF
SIDE GLANCES
COPRA T99O DY NEA SERVIL, ING
"If you quit driving to work
save enough money to buy Jui
the yard!"
CARNIVAL
━ PAGE 133 ━
a close up vicer of
62-83894-115
dance
A close up veer. go hu
long
passed la, the
сиден-
To Tail
11
or 1 copings gong down dine le River
had a side vien" at a distance of alout
, 300 рг.
For a level cored tiva
Keith s, Brytle me, and sairit
aT about a 45 degree angle they gaT loth
x3 a boltan and side vein we were all lasting
so noth the south side lotting.
toward the
logs saur it coming gloat a ya ma no tanyon
zan a mil
with a ned tublar frey o low on the side of hood.
━ PAGE 134 ━
hood.
front aren
Pada vim
fide veer
is fTligh
20 вГ.
1 Tou view
10/T, midle,
20 /T. long
The lottom and side reins of the flying
dise going down sue de menes conge at / BM.
Thursday at a distance februt as ft uy
from ground, speed about nad pur.
little noise
4.C. Vein hung
━ PAGE 135 ━
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office: Mem
CuLUm • UNITED S
TO
D.
M.
FROM :
E. G.
Fi.tch
SUBJECT:
GOVERNMENT
DATE: August 20, 1947
DECLASSIFIED
Authority:
NND 90986
Mr.
Mr
Mr
Tolson
E. A.
Tann
Clegg
Glav 1:
Ladd
N1chols
Rosen
Tracy
Carson
Mr
Egan
Gurnea
Mr.
Harbo
Mr.
Mr.
Mohr
PennIngton
Mr. Quinn Tarm
ROOm_
Mr.
Miss Holmes
Miss Gandy
There is attached hereto copies of two memoranda dated July 24,
1947, and July 16, 1947, concerning Byron B.
Savage, Field Engineer, Radio
Corporation of America, Dallas, Texas, 416 N.
W. 29th Street, Oklahoma
City, Oklahona, and Kenneth
Arnold, Box 387, Boise, Idaho.
The se memoranda
were made available to Special Agent S. W. Reynolds of the Liaison Section
by General Schulgen of the Army Air Forces Intelligence.
General Schulgen
requested that the Bureau conduct a background investigation of these two
Individuals mentioned in thg
attached memoranda since they were among the
first to sight the alleged
fLying discs.
He indicated that he desired that
the investigation be directed toward ascertaining nether or not either of
these individuals have any subversive background and to ascertain whe ther
Attachment
62-83894-1/10
SEP 23 1947
EX - 25
52SEPz
━ PAGE 136 ━
COPY
OCAPN/ KDS: op
24 July 1947
#3724-I
MEMORANDUM TO THE SECURITY OFFICER, OCAMA, TINKER FIELD.
SUBJECT: BYRON B. SAVAGE, Field Engineer, Radio Corporation
of America, Dallas, Texas. Residence: 416 N. W. 295h Street,
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.)
RE:
Flyind Disc.
On 23 July 1947, BYRON B. SAVAGE was interviewed at his residence,
416 N. W. 29th Street, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, resting to his alleged
viewing of a flying disc over the vicinity of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Subject, whose age is 38, advised he is married and has one child,
and is presently the holder of a Private Pilot's License, No. 39101
(Single Engine, Land). Subject averred he has extensively studied electron-
ics, sound engineering and aeronautics, and his present occupation, which is
und on tine has on appa bac
Field Engineer for Radio Corporation of America, offices of which are
located in Dallas, Texas, is that of installing theater sound equipment.
SAVAGE stated that between the days 17 May to 21 May 1947, just after dusk,
he observed an object which he believed to be a small aircraft in the south.
SAVAGE advised that the sun had just gone down and the moon had not arisen
on the horizon. SAVAGE related that he and his wife had just departed
their residence and had started to enter their car in the driveway at
416 N. W. 29th Street, Oklahoma City. He judged the time to be between
8:30 pom. end 9:00 p.m., and the lights from the city of Oklahoma City
appeared to be shining on this object when he first saw it. He judged the
object to be about 160° in the south when he first saw it, and as it moved
towerd him he remarked to his wife that "a big white plane was coming over."
SAVAGE stated that when this object was at a 45º angle from him, he
realized it was not a conventional type aircraft, and it appeared elliptical
at first and as it moved closer it appeared perfectly round and wes flat.
SAVAGE advised the object, which appeared to him as a disc, had no appearence
of being spherical and had a ratio of diameter to the thickness of approxi-
mately 10 to l, appearing thicker in the center, but this could not be
positigely ascertained.
SAVAGE judged the object to be at an altitude of
between 10,000 and 18,000 feet, and it left no trailing effects. SAVAGE
related that it appeared to be in bulk as big as the bulk of six B-29s at
an altitude of approximately the same height.
SAVAGE advised that the object
was in his vision approximately 15 to 20 seconds and travelled at a speed
which he judged to be approximately three times that of jet-propelled aircraft.
62-83894-116
ENCLOSURE
━ PAGE 137 ━
Memo to the Security Officer, OCAMA, Tinker Field, dta T
44/47, File
3724-1.
SAVAGE stated that there were no protrusions on this object end as it
went by he listened for a sound of noise, and at one time thought he dis-
tinguished a swishing sound like the rushing of air. This swishing sound
occurred a few seconds after this object had passed him. SAVAGE averred
this sound was not very loud and did not last very long, and it is very
possible that the sound could have been his imagination or expectation, as
he was not sure of the sound. SAVAGE related that he called his wife to
see this object but it had disappeared before she could focus her eyes on
Subject stated that the object appeared to diminish in size and
speed as it moved
ar they, and it was moving in a direction of 350º to the
north. Subject/stated
that the object appeared to be frosty white in
color at all times.
SAVAGE advised that he has held a pilot's certificate since 1934 and
has been flying since 1929. He advised that he would be glad to answer any
further inquiries and will cooperate in every way possible. SAVAGE stated
he was sure this object was not a meteor and in his opinion it must be
radically built and powered, probably atomic.
KALMAN D. SIMON
C.I. U.S. Army
━ PAGE 138 ━
COPY
SON
Incident
4AF 1208 I
16 July 1947
MEMORANDUM FOR THE OFFICER IN CHARGE:
1. On 12 July 1947, Mr. Kenneth Arnold, Box 387, Boise, Ideho,
was interviewed in regerd to the report by Mr. Arnold
strenge objects flying over the Cascede 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 end
the father of two children. He is well thought of in the community in
which he lives, being very much the family men end 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 men of Mr. Arnold's cheracter and apparent integrity would stete
thet 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 thet 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 volune. However,
after having checked an aeronautical map of the area over which Mr. Arnold
claims that he saw the objects it was determined thet 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.
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 this business hed suffered greatly since his report
on July 25 due to the fact that at every stop on his business routes, large
crowds 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
FRANK M. BROWN, S/A, CIC 4th AF
LẠI
62-83894-116
━ PAGE 139 ━
COP
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 pross 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
CONT
02-83894-116
ENCLOSURE
━ PAGE 140 ━
• СОРУ
SOME LIFE DATA ON KENNETH ARNOLD
I was born March 29, 1915 in Subeke, Minnesote, My father's
name was Edward Erb Arnold; my mother's maiden name was Berthe
E. Barden. I was a resident of Minnesote until I was six years
old when my family moved to Scobey, Montana, where they home-
steaded. My grandfather, Rolend C. Arnold also homesteaded in
Scobey, Montana, and became quite prominent in political circles
along with Burton K. Wheeler, the femous Montane 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 Kensas City, Kensas.
As a boy, I was interested in athlotios 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, 133 and '34. I taught swimming and diving at scout
camps and the municipal pool in Minot, North Dekota. I went
to the University of Minnesota, where I swem and did fancy
diving under Neils Thorpe, and elso played footbell under Bernie
Bi erman,
but upon entering college I was unable to continue my
football career because of en injured knee. My high school foot-
bell coach was Glenn L. Jarrett, who is now the head football
coach of the University of North Dakota. I had little or no
finances, and my ambition in furthering my education in college
g5 83844-116
━ PAGE 141 ━
Page 2 - Some Life deta on Kenneth Arnold
was through my athletics. As a boy in Minot, North Dakota, I
did a good deal of dog sled racing, placing 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 apparetus.
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 auto-
metic and manual fire fighting equipment in the rural areas over
five western states.
My flying experience started as a boy in Minot, North
Dekota, where I took my first flying lesson from Earl T. Vance,
who was originelly from Great Falls, Montena. Due to the high
cost et 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 thet I use an airplane entirely in my work, in January
of this year I purchased a new Callair airplane, which is en
airplane designed for high altitude take-offs and short rough
field usage.
In the type of flying I do, it takes a great deal of
NFE
AL
━ PAGE 142 ━
COPy
CONITO
Page 3- Some Life Date on Kenneth Arnold
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 832 cow pastures in mountain meadows,
and in over a thousand hours a flat tire has been my greatest
mishap.
0e
TAL
━ PAGE 143 ━
GA
AUG 1 4 1947
TELETYPE
5-21 PM
K.
Fliester
Mr. Taiso
Mr. W. A. Tomm
Mr. Cleri
/ Clavin
Ladd
Mr. Nichols.
Mr. Rosen.
Mr. Tracy
Mr. Bgan
Mr. Gurnon
Mr. Harbo
Mr. Mohir
Mr. Pennington...
Mr. Quinn, Tamm..
FBI SEATTLE
8-14-47
DIRECTOR FBI
URGENT
L. R. BRUMMETT.
SID DECKER.
FLYING DISCS. INTERNAL SCURITY-X.
AUGUST FOURTEEN NINETINK NINETEEN FORTYSEVEN SEATTLE POST INTELLIGENCER
PUBLISHED ARTICLE TO EFFECT THAT L. R.
BRUMMETT, BOX TWO FIVE FOUR RED-
MOND, WASH, AND SIDNEY DECKER BOX TWO NINE SIX REDMOND, WASHINGTON HAD
SIGHTED TWO DISCS AT APPROXIMATELY NINE AM AUGUST THIRTEEN NINETEEN
FORTYSEVEN. UPON INTERVIEW DECKER STATED THAT TWO VERY BRIGHT OJECTS *8
TRAVELING AT AN EXTREME RATE OF SPEED WERE NOTICED BY HIM AS HEWAS
STANDING NEAR THE REDMOND POST OFFICE. DECKER DESCRIBED THE OBJECTS
AS HAVING NO WINGS, NO TAIL, AND BOTH ENDS WERE TAPERED. DECKER ADDED
THAT THE OBJECTS RESEMBLED A BELLY TANK AND THAT THEY WERE NOISELESS.
THE OBJECTS WERE VERY BRIGHT AND TRAVELING IN A NORTHEASTERLY DIRECTION
OVER REDMOND, WASHINGTON, ONE A BIT BEHIND AND A LITTLE ABOVE THE OTHER
MAINTAINING EQUAL RATES OF SPEED FOR APPROXIMATELY EIGHT SECONDS AT
WHICH TIME THEY DISAPPEARED FROM VIEW. DECKER ADDED THAT THEY WERE
HIGHER THAN A PLANE GENERALLY TRAVELS. BRUMMETT ADVISED THAT HE NOTICED
THE OBJECTS AND CALLED DECKERS ATTENTION TO THEM AND ALSO POINTED THEM
OUT TO A MRS MAMIE ENGLISH. BRUMMETT STATED THAT HE SAW TWO OBJECTS
FLYING AT A FORTYFIVE DEGREE ANGLE NORTHEASTERLY OVER REDMOND
DSEP 301947,5
62=83
EX
HID
SEP,
1947
-l'/
━ PAGE 144 ━
P 27
4 19 PM W
INTERNAL SECURITY
F. B. I.
DFPT. OF 115711
RECEIVED
IG 15
9 31 AM '
INTERNAL SECURITY
F.
B. I.
NOTT
1219.
"LINE NONN
━ PAGE 145 ━
PAGE TWO
TRAVELING AT LEAST THREE TIMES FASTER THAN A PLAN. BRUMMETT ADDED THAT
HE WATCHED THE OBJECTS FROM FIVE TO EIGHT SECONDS AT WHICH TIME THEY
DISAPPEARED FROM SIGHT. ACCORDING TO BRUMMETT THE OBJECTS WERE DESCRIBED
AS BEING NOISELESS, HAVING NO WINGS OR TAIL, LIGHTER THAN ALUMINUM,
TAPERED AT BOTH ENDS AND ONE STAYED A LITTLE BEHIND AND A BIT ABOVE THE
OTHER AND BOTH MAINTAIND EQUAL RATES OF SPEED. FROM BRUMMETTS OBSERVATIO
HE WAS UNABLE TO DECIDE WHETHER THE OBJECTS WERE FLAT OR ROUND. MRS
MAMIE
ENGLISH STATED THAT WHEN BRUMMETT CALLED HER ATENTION TO THE
OBJECTS SHE TOOK A PASSING GLANCE AT THE SKY AND COULD OFFER NO
DESCRIPTION OTHER THAN THEY LOOKED LIKE TWO SILVER BALLS TRAVELING
AT A FAST RATE OF SPEED.
WILCOX
END
SHOLD PLS
9-28 PM OK FBI WASH DC GAR
━ PAGE 146 ━
WY LE 6 G/ 91
$A3038
RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT
ÂUG 14 9 29 PY 247
INIONAEPANT SEB.COGPT. RE JUSTICE
THLU ƯÀ CI DHES SOLGANH
TAUTOU CT LUHANGHHI DE GHO RTNNP
T TO PATNAU TEEE
ahan erpcias auo samuanaaro
MUTE, DUR CALEAE 00Л УТНАВ
━ PAGE 147 ━
• STANDARD FORM NO, 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED:
GOVERNMENT
TO
FROM
SUBJECT:
: Director, FBI
:
SAC, Chicago
FLYING DISCS
RICHARD F. SHAVER - Informant
DATE: September 20, 1947
Reference is made to your letter dated August 1l, 1947 in the above captioned
matter.
Sheriff FRED BAU, McHenry County, Woodstock, Illinois, advised that he had
received no reports of flying discs in the
community of Lily lake, Illinois.
He further stated that he had no record or knowledge of RICHARD F. SHAVER of
Lily Take.
Deputy Sheriff FRANK KELIER, Lily lake, Illinois, advised that he was per-
sonally acquainted with RICHARD/SIZVER, whom he described as a successful
writer of mystery stories. He said he had no information to the effect that
SHAVER was mentally unsound and he believed him to be a substantial citizen.
Mrs. R. IANNES, Lily lake Realty Company, advised she had sold property to
SHAVER on two occasions and was well acquainted with SHAVER and his wife.
She knew of no derogatory information concerning him.
RICHARD SHARPP SHAVER was interviewed at Lily lake, Illinois and advised that
he was the featured writer of mystery stories for Wimazing" magazine, which
magazine is edited by RAYMOND PALMER of the ff-Davis Publishing Company,
Chicago, Illinois. SHAVER at the outset stated that PAIMER had told him the
FBI would contact him regarding flying discs.
SHAVER indicated that the telegram received by the War Department, referred
to in referenced letter, was probably sent by one of his readers, unknown to
him. He said that he wrote mystery stories based on his firm conviction that
under the earth are various caverns formerly inhabited by a super race, who
have since fled to other planets.
This region of caverns he calls Lemuria.
He stated he believes there is valuable machinery and other resources in these
He therefore explained flying discs, which he calls "space ships",
as the mode of travel of the Lemurians coming from other planets to reclaim
the valuable machinery. SHAVER indicated that his theories had aroused a
wide following among readers of "Amazing" magazine.
SHAVER exhibited an article from an edition of the "Chicago Times" for Sunda
August 3, 1947. The article stated that on June 24, 1947, on Murray Island,
off the Washington Coast, there had occurred a mysterious
explosion which was
believed to have been caused by a guided missile or rocket. It further stated
shat the date of the explosion was the same date on which one KENNETH ARNOLD,
a private pilot, sighted the first flying dise at Boise, Idang,
3894-118
R373
310CT.17 1947
COPIES DESTROYED
270
NOV 18 1964
4,41.103
15 SEP 22 X
━ PAGE 148 ━
RECEIVEN
EP 26 4 56 PM '
INTERNAL SECURITY
F. B. I.
━ PAGE 149 ━
Director, FBI
Re: FLYING DISCS
September 20, 1947
The article went on to state that it was believed at the time that there was
some correlation between the flying disc and the Murray Island explosion, and
that RAYMOND PALMER, Chicago magazine editor, had employed ARNOLD to investi-
gate and "cover" the Murray Island explosion.
The article went on to state that on August 1, 1947, at Tacoma, Washington,
there was a conference among officials of the Army and Navy, who discussed
the possible relation between the Murray Island explosion and the appearance
of flying discs.
ARNOLD was supposed to have been in attendance at this
conference. At the conference, authorities brought samples of a lava oxide
metal, allegedly taken from the scene of the Murray Island explosion.
The article stated that following the conference, two pilots left by plane
for Hamilton Field, California, carrying samples of the lava oxide metal.
The article further reported that the plane crashed near Hamilton Field,
California, and it was conjectured that the plane had exploded by reason of
the combustion of the lava oxide metal it carried.
From the above newspaper article, it should be noted that RAYMOND PALMER,
SHAVER's employer, was from the start "exploiting" the appearance of the
flying dises, possibly to enhance the appeal of SHAVER's stories. It is
possible, therefore, that the entire flying disc theory was conceived by
PALMER and SHAVER.
0AG: lab
100-18999
- 2
━ PAGE 150 ━
ANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERAMENT
TO
FROM :
SUBJECT:
Director, FBI
SAC, Anchorage
Saucers.
Flying Disks
DATE: 9-17-47
(2)
Reference is made to Bureau Bulletin No. 42 dated July 30,
1947•
eds
slopen
am
1-70
5 0 0CT13
OPIES DESTROYED
370 NOV 18 1964
This is to advise that two army officers reported to the
Office of the Director of Intelligence, headquarters Alaskan Department,
at Fort Richardson, Alaska, that they had witnessed an object passing
through the air at a tremendous rate of speed which could not be judged
as to miles per hour.
The first officer stated that his attention was attracted to
this airborne object, and he in turn pointed it out to the second of-
ficer. The object appeared to be shaped like a sphere and did not give
the impression of being saucer-like or comparable to a disk. The first-
officer stated that it would be impossible to give minute details con-
cerning the object, but that it appeared to be approximately two or three
feet in diameter and did not leave any vapor trail in the sky.
DEFI
Both officers attempted to determine the approximate altitude
of the object, and from a weather group stationed nearby it was de-
termined that cloud formations at the time the object was sighted were
"scattered above 10,000 feet." The object was noted to be traveling
below the cloud formation.
The first officer stated that in his opinion the object ap-
peared to be metallic and was silver in color, mich like the color of
many airplanes.
The second officer stated substantially the same facts and
also pointed out that the object remined within his vision for ap-
proximately 15 to 20 seconds.
When sighted, the object was traveling
due south at a speed considerably in excess of any plane.
The second
officer stated that the object appeared to him to be approximately 10
feet in diameter and compared it to half the size of a full moon on an
one name nie the Are one or too baded the at tude a poor a e ha.
the same as the first officer except for the fact that due to the size
he believed the object to be, he estimated the altitude to be only
approximately 3,000 or 4,000 feet. The object appeared broadside to
the second officer, and no evidence of a spinning motion or reflection
was noted. As to the color, the second officer pointed out that it
appeared to be a dull metal
finiang Aruey
Carlur L.
Змат
923/41
ENCORDED
6283894-119
chaid
• #-XП
37 SEP
RANK
━ PAGE 151 ━
грог
RECEIVED
LIAISON SECTION
SEP 23
8 57 AM •07
8 7
• DEPT. OF JUSTICE
RECEIVED
NTERNAL SECURM 12 AN
F.
BERNAL SECURI
cOT. OF F. B. I
RECEIVED
P 26 / 48 РМ •
INTERNAL SECURIT
F. B. I.
━ PAGE 152 ━
Letter to Director, FBI
Re: Flying Disks
9-17-47
In conclusion, the second officer pointed out that one of
the remarkable features
of this object was that it was definitely
traveling against the wind.
The exact date of the sighting of this object was not fur-
nished this office, and inasmich as it occurred previously to the re-
ceipt of Bureau instructions in this matter, no further investigation
is being conducted by this office unless specifically requested to do
so by the Bureau.
100-1403
HLM: GWH
━ PAGE 153 ━
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
На то
: Director, FBI
DATE: September
18, 1947
XLEROM : SAC, Philadelphia
SUBJECT:
FLYING OBJECT REPORTED OVER PHILADELPHIA
AUGUST 6, 1947
eds
seppla
Lar
1-г
Remytel August 7 last.
DElYiNg Saucers
Miss ELEANOR NADDLE, 2114 Hobart Street, Philadelphia,
who is employed
by the GEORGE R. GREENWALD MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 1524 Chestnut Street, Phila-
delphia, advised as follows:
DEPUTINGE
HOORDIN
Between 10:30 and 10:45 p.m. on August 6, 1947, she was sitting on
the steps of her home with CECELTA FINE. She was facing north and observed
a large white object traveling at a very fast rate of speed to the south.
There was a buzzing sound, not too loud but plainly audible, just after this
object passed through the air. This white object left in its trait a thin
streak of smoke, which was grayish in color.
Miss CECELIA FINE, 5617 Arlington Street, Philadelphia, who is em-
ployed by the PRESSMAN & GUTMAN COMPANY, INC., Room 1140, P.S.F.S. Building,
Philadelphia, stated she was sitting on the steps. of Miss NADDLE's home on
the evening of August 6, 1947, around 10:45 p.m. engaging in conversation
with Miss NADDLE, when Miss NADDLE abruptly stopped in the middle of her con-
versation and appeared to be frightened. Miss FINE at that time was sitting
in a position in which she was facing south. She did not see any object in
the sky after noting Miss NADDLE's change of expression, but she did hear a
slight buzzing sound.
JOHN SNYDER, 1440 Vankirk Street, Philadelphia, an insurance agent,
who was a former pilot of B-24's in the Army Air Corps, advised as follows:
He was sitting on the steps of his home around 10:45 p.m. on August
6, 1947, with his wife; and his neighbors, the KELLY family, were sitting on
their steps next door to the residence of SNYDER. All of the above parties
were facing east. SNYDER noticed at this time an object, emitting a bluish-
white flame, passing quickly through the air. The object was traveling from
northeast to southwest. Using his experience in the Army Air Corps as a guide,
SNYDER estimated the above object was between
1000 and 3000 feet in the air
and traveling at a rate of between 400 to 500 miles an hour. This object dia
not lose elevation as it passed through the air and left either smoke or a
condensation trail in its former path, which lasted for about two seconds.
A hissing sound accompanied the passing
this object. This sound was moder-
are and not nearly a loud as the ones
accompanying the passage of a rocket
Carlur
107)
RECORDED
62-83894
СБЕНЬ ЗВ
iNDEXED
37 SEP 1891947
73-X1
COPIES DESTROYED
270 NOV 18 1964
━ PAGE 154 ━
RECEIVED
P 20 / 46 PM /
INTERNAL SECURITY
F. B.!.
RECEIVED
ет 9 10 14 АМ '
INTERNAL SECURITY
F. B. I.
RECEIVED
P 26. 1.47 PM '
INTERNAL SECURITY
F. B. I.
━ PAGE 155 ━
Director, FBI
September 18, 1947
JOHN J. KELLY, 1442 Vankirk Street, who is a retired police officer
of the Philadelphia Police Department, advised as follows:
Around 10:45 p.M. on August 6, 1947, he and his wife were sitting on
the steps of their home, when KELLY noticed
an object, resembling to him a
was a clear night, and no storm was brewing. KELLY was sure the object he
saw was no falling star, and he noted the above object did not seem to be
falling but maintained the same altitude.
The wives of SNYDER and KELLY verified the accounts of their husbands
as to the above-mentioned object.
It is to be noted that the SNYDERS and the KELLYS live in Northeast
Philadelphia near Oxford Circle, which is about ten miles removed from the
residence of Miss NADDLE. Miss NADDLE's residence is located in the western
part of Philadelphia. The Misses NADDLE and FINE are not known to the above-
mentioned KELLYS and SNYDERS. It is further noted the observation of Miss
NADDLE, the KELLYS, and the SNYDERS roughly correspond. All of the above
persons seem reliable and not the type to seek publicity or to spread rumors.
Miss NADDLE and JOHN KELLY called the "Inquirer", Philadelphia news-
paper, and inquired if it could offer any explanation as to what they had
seen.
A representative of that paper had advised Miss NADDLE and KELLY that
the object they saw may have been some product of an oil refinery or chemical
company in their neighborhood.
Both the Offices of Naval Intelligence and Army Intelligence in Phila-
delphia were requested by the Philadelphia Office to ascertain if either the
Army or the Navy was doing any experimental work on new types of planes or
equipment, in the vicinity of Philadelphia.
Such was done with negative re-
sults. The Office of Naval Intelligence indicated that an explosion had oc-
curred at the CHARLES LENNIG CHEMICAL COMPANY on August 6, 1947.
S. A. GIMBEL, Safety Department of the CHARLES LENNIG CHEMICAL COMPANY,
ING•, 5000 Richmona Street, Philadelphia, advised as follows:
The above company is a manufacturer and distributor of chemicals.
A fire had occurred on a dump of the company on August 6, 1947, but was
quickly gotten under control. Such fire was confined to the company's prem-
ises and could not have been observed from outside the plant. The CHARLES
- 2 -
━ PAGE 156 ━
Director, FBI
September 18, 1947
LENNIG COMPANY is about two and one-half miles southeast from Oxford Circle.
The account of the fire does not seem to fit into the general pattern of the
above-mentioned flying object, for itis noted that the flying object was
allegedly traveling from a position northeast of Oxford Circle to a south-
westerly direction in Philadelphia. GIMBEL pointed out that, to the best
of his knowledge, there are no oil refineries and chemical companies located
around Oxford Circle or north of such, but that all of the companies of this
type are several miles south of Oxford Circle.
All logical investigation having been conducted, no further action
will be taken on the instant matter unless advised to the contrary by the
Bureau.
FFB/ctg
98-1762
- 3 -
━ PAGE 157 ━
September 27, 1947
RECORDED
EX-29
Major General George C. MoDonald
Assistant Chief Air Staff - 2
The Pentagon
Washington, D. C.
38
94-121
Dear General McDonald:
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has been requested
by your office to assist in the investigation of reported sight-
ings of flying dises.
My attention has been called to instructions disseminated
by the Air Forces relative to this matter. I have been advised
that these instructions indicate that the Air Forces would inter-
view responsible observers while the FBI would investigate incidents
of dises found on the ground, thereby relieving the Air Forces of
ruming down incidents which in mary cases turned out to be "ash
In view of the apparent understanding by the Air Forces
of the position of the Federal. Bureau of Investigation in this
matter, I cannot permit the personnel and time of this organiza-
tion to be dissipated in this manner.
I am advising the Field Divisions of the Federal Bureau
of Investigation to discontinue all investigative activity regard»
ing the reported sightings of flying dises, and am instructing them
to refer all complaints received to the appropriate Air Force
representative in their area.
Sincerely yours,
Tolson
Clavin
NichoTs
Bran
Penr. In to:
Quint Tarm
tele. oom
Miss Gandy
COSTER ahMEn TIONS SECTION
MAILED
SEP 29 1947 P.M.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
163
John Edgar Hoover.
Director
B+709
ТИлЕЦИ зE6БL
247
BECEIAEO
J.S, DEPT. OF JUSTIC
1UK
19
1-
━ PAGE 158 ━
0V2* DEGVRENEMJ DE IRRUGE
LEGSRVE BABENTE DE IANEOTIGVIIOS
+ 2E6 5a Jat1 6/9g
3 30 PY 4/
WHIFED
FEINED-MAIL POn
SOENOYLIOTE
BECLIOM F B'I
RECEIVED
іст 3 4 26 РМ *
INTERNAL SECURITY
F. B.I
порт. (
━ PAGE 159 ━
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO
THE DIRECTOR
FROM
:
DATE: September 25, 1947
Mr.
Tolson
A.
Tant
D. M. IADD
SUBJECT:
FLYING DISES
Carson
Egan
Mr. Gurnea
Harbo
The Bureau was requested by the Air Forces Intelligence to assist
Mohr
Penning tor
the Air Forces in attempting to arrive at an explanation of the above
Quinn Tam
Room
phenomena.
The Air Forces indicated that the alleged sightings of flying
Ho Imes
Miss Gandy
dises might have been made by individuals of Comnunist sympathies for the
purpose of causing mass hysteria in the United States over the fear of a secret
Russian weapon.
The Bureau agreed to assist in the investigation of the reported
sightings, and the Field was advised in Bureau Bulletin No. 42, Series 1947, dated
July 30, 1947, that they should investigate each instance which was brought to
their attention of the sighting of a flying dise in order to ascertain whether or
not it was a bona fide sighting, an imaginary one, or a prank.
The results of the
investigation conducted by the Bureau Field Offices in this matter have failed to
reveal any indication of subversive individuals being involved in any of the
reported sightings.
The Bureau has received a communication in the captioned matter from
the Special Agent in Charge at San Francisco, dated September 19, 1947, which
attached a "restricted" letter that was furnished confidentially to the SAC at
Intelligence, Headquarters, Air Defense Command, Mitchel Field, New York, and is
addressed to the Commanding Generals of the various Air Forces. This letter is
entitled "Cooperation of FBI with AAF on Investigations of 'Flying Disc' Incidents."
This letter states in substance that it was the original intent of the
AC/AS-2, Headquarters, Army Air Forces that whereas the ADC Air Forces would
interview responsible observers, the FBI would investigate incidents of so-called
dises being found on the ground. Further, it indicates that the services of the
FBI were enlisted in order to relieve the numbered Air Forces of the task of
tracking down all the many instances which turned out to be "ash can covers,
toilet seats and whatnot."
RECOMMENDATION:
ENCH
It is recommended that the Bureau protest vigorously to the Assistant
Chief of Air Staff - 2. It is also recommended that the Bureau discontinue all
activity in this field and that the Bureau Field Offices be advised to discon-
tinue all investigations and to refer all complaints received to the Air Forces.
A proposed Bulletin is attached for your approval.
Attachment.
RECORDED
62-83894-121
SWR: AJB
1114)
) a
gre
9-26
N8 19A7
━ PAGE 160 ━
CE.S OH
RECEIVED-TAMM
FBI
U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE
SEP 26
01 AM *47
P.
Cạr 2 28 PM °4
RẾC,
EVEU.
50 PM -47
2.
TUS
━ PAGE 161 ━
O P Y
HEADQUARTERS
AIR DEFENSE COMMAND
Mitchel Field, New York
In reply
refer to:
D 333.5EX
3 September 1947
SUBJECT:
Cooperation of FBI with AAF on Investigations of "Flying
Disa" Incidents•
TO :
Commanding Genrals, First, Second, Fourth, Tenth, Eleventh
and Fourteenth Air Forces
ATTENTION: Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has agreed to assist Air
Force Intelligence personnel in the investigation of "flying diso"
incidents in order to quickly and effectively rule out what are pranks
and to concentrate on what appears to be a genuine incident.
2. It was the original intent of the AC/AS-2, Headquarters,
Army Air Forces that whereas the ADC Air Forces would interview respon-
sible observers whose names would be furnished by AAF, the FBI would
investigate incidents of so called "dises" being found on the ground.
The services of the FBI were enlisted in order to relieve the numbered
Air Forces of the task of tracking down all the many instances which
turned out to be ash can covers, toilet seats and whatnot.
3. It is requested that each A-2 informally coordinate and
cooperate with the FBI, generally keeping the FBI informed of any
proposed calls that intelligence personnel will make on this subject.
Very shortly, with the separation of the AAF from the War Department,
a firm policy will be established to clarify the liaison arrangements
between A-2's and FBI Special Agents. Presently, it is considered
inadvisable to promulgate a formal interim policy -- only to have it
replaced in a month or so by another.
BY COMMAND OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL STRATEMEYER:
/s/ R. H. SMITH
R. H. SMITH
Colonel, GSC
Asst Chief of Staff-Intell.
62-83894-121
ENCLOURE
━ PAGE 162 ━
STANDARD FORI
3. 64
Office Men. widum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO
: MR. LADD
DATE: SEPTEMBER
23, 1947
Mr.
Mr
Tolson
E.
A.
Clegg
GlaviT
SUBJECT:
Nicho
INSTRUMENT FOUND ON FARM NEAR
DANFORTH, ILLINOIS
Tracy
Flying Diers
Carsor
RD
Mr. Gurnea
Har bo
Mr.
Penningtor
Reference is made to
a memorandun to Mr. Harbo from Mr. Baughman
Quinn Tar
Tele. Room
on the above-captioned matter, dated September 3, 1947•
Viss Holmet
Miss Gandy
memorandun indicates that the instrument has been examined by the Laboratory
and the laboratory had contacted a Mrs. Whedon of the Army Engineers and she
indicated that the instrument had been used by the Air Forces on tests which B
were classified as "Top Secret."
The memorandum indicates that Special Agent S. W. Reynolds of the Liaison
Section contacted the Intelligence Division of the Air Forces and was advised that
Mrs. Whedon alluded that the instrument was used in "Operation Mogul." The instru-
ment was loaned to the Intelligence Division of the Air Forces who in turn forwarded
it to Wright Field. The report was received from Wright Field indicating the
instrument had no connection with "Operation Mogul" or any other operation at Wright
Field. It was classified as a hoax in view of the apparent discrepancy between
information developed from Mrs. Whedon and information received from Intelligence
Division of the Air Forces that the Bureau might wish to pursue this matter further.
Mr. Zimmers of the Technical Iaboratory advised Mr. Reynolds of the Liaison
Section that Mrs. Whedon had told him that a Major Hopkins handled the Liaison in
Washington for the tests in which this instrument was used. Lieutenant Colonel George
Garrett of the Intelligence Division of the Air Forces advised Special Agent Reynolds
that he contacted Major Hopkins. He advised that Major Hopkins has had a great deal
of experience in radio and along technical lines. Major Hopkins advised Colonel
Garrett that the instrument could not have been used in the "Operation Mogul."
Hopkins
indicated that from the pictures and particles recovered, it appeared to him to be a
part or portions of an old-type radio loud speaker.
In view of the information received from Major Hopkins, Colonel Garret
stated that he was at a loss as to how to explain the actions of Mrs. Whedon other
than to say that she perhaps gave a false impression as to her knowledge of the
instrument and the "Operation Mogul."
Garrett pointed out that in view of the
report received from Wright Field, together with the statement made by Mejor Hopkins,
he felt that there was sufficient evidence that this instrument was not used in any
APportmont classified project and that in all probability it was just a hoax.
RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that this memorandum be
forwarded to
the Technical laboratory for their information.
RECORDED
62-83894-122
B
SWR: hmmm
MDEXAD 32 OCTER 1947
32
80CT 1 01947 286
EX-81
━ PAGE 163 ━
RECEIVED
LIAISON SECTION
Ост 8° 1 02 АМ *d7
FBI
DEPT. OF DUSTICT
1.8.DG
F B I
LABORATORY DIVISION
SEP 25 10 33 AM '47
RECEIVED-HARBO
RECEIVFI
CUTe
EP 25 10 25 AM 7|
-NICA., ABORATOR
S. DEPT
OF
JUSTICE
10T.0
TOLMOL.COO
GHT 3
PHO
1312.00.1
nade
JOT KNOMIGO
━ PAGE 164 ━
TSNAD-2B/AG/ok
25 August 1947
DECLASSIFIED
Authority:
NND 90986
SDIN
SUBJECT:
Flying Saucer.
TO:
Commanding General
Arny Mir Forces
Washington 25, D. Co
ATIN: AC/AS-2
It Col George Garrett
The specimens of an alleged
"Flying Saucer" brought to this
Conmand by Colonel H, l. MeGoy, which were obtained by the FBI and given
to It.Col Garrett, were examined to determine their connection, if any,
with the socalled "Flying Saucers", or any project at Hq ANG, Wright
Fielde The specimens were carefully examined by both technicians of the
Analysis Division (T-2) and Electronies Sub-division (T-3). The latter
organisation stated that these specinens definitely had no connection
whatsoever with the "Mogal" project nor with any other research and devel-
opment project of this Command,
2. It is also the opinion of this Command that these specimens
have no connection with the so-called "Flying Saucer" or "Dise".
specimens, therefore, are considered as part of a hoax that could be per-
petrated by most anyone seeking publicity or for any other reasons.
3.
The specimens show in the attached photograph include trag-
ments of an undeterminable shape made from plaster of paris or similar
ceranic and containing some electrical resistance wire for measurement
or heating purposes.
The condition of the ceranie indicates that the
resistance wire was heated electrically at one time or another. These
fraguents could not be connected with any AlC project, The other articles
at the top of the photograph reading fron left to right are identitled as
follows:
a.
inum alloy, manufactured by The Nathaniel Baldwin Company of Salt Lake
connected with any ANC project.
Do The second and thiad articles are bakelite coll forms
ENOU, ATTAOR
+
RECORDED
МЕВИИГ СЕСОЬ
162-83894-123
388
32
ĐOT.
1947
6 0 0CT 1619472
195
720)
━ PAGE 165 ━
CO AAY, Wash. DO '
jeets Vying Saucers
25 August 1947
wrapped with ordinary thin enameled copper wire. These coils indicate
that they were skillfully made at one time but were crudely rewrapped by
one not familiar with the art of maling a colle These coils also have no
connection with any ANd projects
The fourth article is a metallie box which is the remains of
an electronte filter condenser made by the Polynet Manufacturing Company
of New Tork, N, I, This article also has no connection with any ANG pros
ject,
The fifth article is the remains of a metallie magnetio
ring that could not be identified as any part of any device used at this
command.
This infomation and attached photograph may be transmitted to
the FBI to infor varioua agencies throughout the United States as to what
action to take in the event other similar specimens are found.
FOR THE COMMANDING GENERAL:
1 Inel:
1 Photo 8-)/2x13
"Flying Saucer"
H. M. MoGCY
Colonel, Air Corps
Deputy Gonnanding General
Intelligence (T-2)
2
CONFIDENTIAL
━ PAGE 166 ━
ENCLOSURE
62-83994-123
ENCLOSURE
━ PAGE 167 ━
"FLYING SAUCER, ALLEGED
SPECIMENS.
233138
CONFIDENTIAL
ENCLOSURE
━ PAGE 168 ━
76
OFFIC
PHOTO
WRIGHT FIELD
OHIO
CONFIDENTIAL
_ --
.T -2
━ PAGE 169 ━
• FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
-TO
:Director, FBI
FROM:
SAC, Salt Lake City
SUBJECT:
FLYING DISCS.
DATE: September 15, 1947
reynolds
etcher
Remytel tenth instant.
On September 10, 1947 an item relative to flying saucers appeared in
the salt bake Tribune indicating that two young couples, Mr. and Mrs. GAYLON
CALDWELL and Mr. andMrs: RICHARD ANDERSON, Logan, Utah, who had been playing
bridge, reported that they saw three brief flights of saucers, the first at
10:40 p.m. and two more before 11:10 p.m. the evening of September 8, 1947.
This news article else contained the namesof KEITH/HUGHES, JOAN CROOKSION, and
Mr. and Mrs. FRED THUNELL of Logan who had likewise made separate reports
having observed these flying dises.
Mr. and Mrs. RICHARD ANDERSON, when interviewed by an Agent of this
office, advised that they, in company with Mr. and Mrs. GAYLON CALDWELL, observed
approximately a dozen objects flying in group formation at about two or
thousand feet in the air.
They stated that they first observed these objects
on September 8, 1947 at 10:30 p.m. when their bridge game broke up and both couples
went out on the porch. The ANDERSONS believed these objects to be similar in
size to pigeons and stated that they seemed to be rather white and illuminated.
They informed that the objects could have been birds; however, they appeared
to be moving faster than birds as they circled the city in approximately one to
two minutes, and then disappeared in a northern direction.
Mr. and Mrs. ANDERSON claimed to have observed no wing movement during
the flight, and are unable to make up their minds as to exactly what they saw.
Mr. ANDERSON informed that Mr. and Mrs. CALDWELL are presently en route to an
unknown city in Nebraska.
Mr. KEITH HUGHES and JOAN CROOKSTON both advised that they were unable
to state how their names appeared in the newspaper as having observed flying
saucers inasnuch as neither had ever had the opportunity to view these flying sT
objects, and the newspaper report was erroneous.
ти
DRAK
Mrs FRED THUNELL advised that she,
her husband, and five other people
had observed flying objects between 10:30 and 11:00 p.m. on the evening of
September 8, 1947. She stated that they saw five groups, each containing
thirty-five to sixty small objects, which were rather yellowish white in color
and were circling the city at a high rate of speed. Mrs. THUNELL stated that
these objects were several thousand feet in the air and it was impossible for
them to determine the size due to the distance, speed and
RECORDED INDEXED
Loudy condition la
Mrs. THUNELL informed that Mr, ang rse
ORMAN FALLEN Mr. Tand Mrs. H. P.
INDERSON,
and Mrs. BESSIE HENDRICKS were present
━ PAGE 170 ━
ОБА,
RECEIVED
LIAISON SECTION
NEP 19-
II 20 AM 247
vipy
8
CEIVED
LIAISON SECTION
II 04 PM P07
в ,
JUSTICE
7 telchu
9-17
RECEIVED
p 17
4 42 PM ^
INTERNAL SECURITY
B. 1.
RECEIVED
RECEIVED
8
2 21 PM:
INTERNAL SECURIT
F.
B.
INTERNAL SECURITY
F. B. 7.
"OT. OF
━ PAGE 171 ━
Mr. and Mrs. NORMA
LI. Logan, Utah, advised that they viewed flying
objects traveling clockwise above the city at approximately 10:30 p.m. the evening
of September 8, 1947. They informed that they first believed the objects to be
lights of an airplane. However, these objects seemed to change in formation and
appeared to be similar to a group of moving stars.
birds.
Mr. and Mrs. HALL believed these objects were traveling much faster than
It was determined that Mr. and Mrs. H. P. ANDERSON and Mrs. BESSIE
HENDRICKS were not available for interview:
investigation.
In view of the indefinite information furnished relative to this matter,
no further investigation is being conducted by this office.
SMK: LMS
AMSD
━ PAGE 172 ━
427 W 3d Avenue
Spokane, Washington
August 8, 1947
Military Intelligence Division, U.S.A•
MeChord Field, Washington
Gentlemen:
Following the reading of an account of the visit of Mr. Kenneth
Arnold, Boise, Idaho, as published in the Spokesman Review under date
of August 7, 1947, the undersigned considered the enclosed account of
an observation of a "flying saucer" would be of interest to you.
This account has not been given to any newspaper or other publica-
tion as yet.
Yours truly,
/s/ R. J. Madden
R. J. MADDEN
Division Plant ingr•
The Pace Tel. & Tel. Co•
gopy
62-83894-125
ENCLOSURE,
━ PAGE 173 ━
-
Report on a "Hying Saucer"
At or about 12:05 p.m», July 29, 1947, a sedan, driven by Steve
Herrmann and carrying R. J. (Bob) Madden in the front seat and Karl Hermann
in the rear seat, was proceeding northwesterly along the road leading from
Canyon Ferry to York, both in Montana sone 25 miles N.E. of Helena•
iately slowed down and gradually brought the sudan to a stop, he and Bob
neanwhile scanning the sky in the direction pointed by Karl in an effort to
see the "flying saucer", but without success•
Approxmiately ten seconds elapsed between the time Karl reported seeing
the "saucer", coming over the horizon at high speed from the southweat, (karl
first thought it a meteor) and travelling northeasterly, and the bringing of
the car to a stop.
As the car came to a stop, Steve, Karl and Bob, simultaneously, saw the
following:
Directly ahead, (NI) 2 to 3 niles distant and approximately 3000 ft.
above the ground, a bright dise hovering and fluttering in the air. Descend-
ing and rising through a vertical distance of fifty or a hundred feet for a
period of about five seconds then, while at the top of an ascent, the "dise"
suddenly swooped to the Northeast at tremendous speed and disappeared into
the clear air within a distance of 200 ft. That is to say it did not pass
beyond an obstruction to further visibility but "melted into thin airl as if
because of tremendous speed.
This disc was, from the viewpoint of the observers, apparently 3 ft.
in dianeter, circular and of no great thickness - approxinately 3 or 4 inches.
The sky was blue with scattered small clouds, the sun was shining
brightly and the disc gleamed and shimmered in the bright sunlight as if
covered with highly polished nickel.
After the disc" disappearedf rom view, the sedan and its occupants
proceeded northwesterly along the road, but could discern no evidence of the
asence of the "dise" along or adjacent to that thorofare.
It is to be remembered that the dimensions as stated above were as
hey appeared to the observers some 2 or 3 miles from the "dise" and the
true dimensions must be considerably greater.
/s/ R. J. Vadden,
Re J. MADDEN,
Division Plant Engr•
This image contains all the
information on the document.
The Pac. Tel. & Tel. Co•
14125
ENGI OSULE
━ PAGE 174 ━
10
Barkow
INSPECTOR
rof
POST-OFFICE DEPARTMENT
BUREAU OF THE CHIEF INSPECTO!
OFFICE OF INSPECTOR
Chicago 7, Illinois
September 19, 1947.
CASE No. 56114-F
LAKE-FOREST, ILLINOIS: Alleged violation of Section 2350, P. L. &
Ro, b
des Are Foundation, sale of informa-
tion oneflying disos.
AH90
Federal Bureau of Investigation,
Washington, D. C.
Gentlemen:
The subject involved in case of above description is
Stevens,
formerly of Lake Forest, Illinois, who may
also have given a Chicago address at various times.
Can you advise whether you have a record of this man
and if so, will you please forward a copy of same to me.
Sincerely yours,
П.N. Barkn
Post Office Inspector.
RECORDE
INDEXID
KAND
62- 83894-126
82
31 SEP 27.1947
EX-83
━ PAGE 175 ━
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO
DIRECTOR, FBI
DATE: September 13, 1947
FROM :
SAC, SEATTLE
SUBJECT:
FLYING DISC SIGHTED
Haynolas
July 29, 1947, near
CANYON FERRI,
• 7 lester
ANTANA, BY KARL HERMANN, STEVE
HERRMANN and R. J. _BOB) MADDEN;
SECURITY MATTER - X
Enclosed herewith for information of Bureau and Butte Division are
copies of the following received September 2, 1947, from H. R. PETERSON, 4th he
Air Force, S-2, McChord Field, Washington:
Letter to Military Intelligence Division, USA, MeChord Field, Wash.
from R. J. MADDEN, 427 W 3rd Ave. Spokane, Wash. dated 8/8/47,
with enclosure of Madden's "Report on a 'Flying Saucer'."
No action being taken by Seattle.
STOP DESX
EEB: hg
100-18945
Enclosures - 2
cc: Butte
2.
ENCL
RECORDED
• Career artsi
Onto uni
18
OCT. 1 1947
5R8
50 0CT 141947
22)
━ PAGE 176 ━
RECEIVED
LIAISON SECTION
SEP 18 2 19 PM '47
58 т
= DEPT. OF SUSTICE
RECEIVED
P 18 10 17 AM '
INTERNAL SECURITY
F. B. I.
SECE OF HIST
RECEIVE
P Z4
3 19 PM
INTERNAL SECURIT
F
B. 1.
letthu
━ PAGE 177 ━
RECORDED
September 24, 1947
Mr. I. H. Barkow
Inspector
Post Office Department
Chicago 7, Illinois
62-83894-126
EX-83
Alloged violation of Seotion 2350, P. L. &
Ro, by des Are Foundation, sale of information
on flying disos.
Reference is made to your letter dated September 19, 1947.
requesting information regarding one C. W. Stevens, your case #56114-F.
FASTE
You are advised that an effective search cannot be conducted
through the files of the Identification Division of the Federal Bureau
of Investigation on the basis of the name only. If you are able to fur-
nish the physical description of Stevens or other means of identification
such as a registry number, a search will be condueted in an effort to
RHG : jb
A L. R. -2
Warm
N1 choI
Rosen
Tracy
Gurne:
Harbo
Mohr
PennIngton
Quinn Tamm
e. Room
is Candy
COMMUNICATIONS SECTION
MAILED 9
SEP 25 1947 P.M.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
U,S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
ONIONAH BENSOS
Ch. Nd h0 L
H2 d3C
━ PAGE 178 ━
STANDARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED Sen
GOVERNMENT
TO : DIRECTOR, FBI
DATE: Sept. 12,
FROM : SAC, SEATTLE
SUBJECT:
FLYING DISKS Reported by BRUCE,
ARMSTRONG
and M. A AICHOLS, Seattle, Washington,
August 12, 1947
SECURITY MATTER X
The newspaper, Seattle Post Intelligencer, carried an article in the
morning issue of August 13 reporting the sighting of flying disks.
The article
appeared on the fifth page and was headed "Blue Triangle LatestThing Seen In
Disks".
Under this caption there was a short writeup which stated, in substance,
that one BRUCE ARMSTRONG,
p.m. on August 12.
The newspaper report further stated that the object seemed
to be fluttering like a leaf, and appeared to be a black or dark blue triangular
substance. In this article also appeared another report of a disk supposedly
sighted by one M. A. NICHOLS, 1125 S. W. 102nd Street, Seattle, and NICHOLS des
cribed it as a big ball reflecting light, giving it a purplish tinge.
Interview with BRUCE ARMSTRONG on August 13 revealed that ARMSTRONG
was standing in front of Section D of the Boeing Aircraft Plant with about ten
other research engineers and had noticed a small black object flying about 200
feet high, going south over Boeing Field runway: ARMSTRONG further stated, upon
interview,
that the object appeared triangular in shape and floated in the
air
like a leaf, and he estimated the speed to be about fifteen miles per hour.
ARMSTRONG could not accurately determine the distance between him and the object
but it is noted that Section D is about half a mile from the opposite side of
Boeing Field where he supposedly had sighted it.
The following other research enginèers were also interviewed regarding
this object:
Mr. JOHN H. STONER
Mr. GEORGE H. STONER
Mr. BEN HAGER
Mr. LEROY PERKINS
RECORDED
INDEXED
praise
Mr. DAN HAGE
The come and go tnton of these men we that the object
162-83894
resembled a black leaf
in flight and looked more like a piece of tar paper then anything CTWher sthe object
reached the end of the runway in Boeing Field it climbed into the sky in a south-
westerly direction and disappeared.
MX. KEN CRANT, operator of the control tower for the Northwest Airlines
was then contacted.
GRANT stated that he reviews all reports of objects seen
9
obtained: LOCKWOOD stated that about 2 o'clock in the
COPIES DESTROYED
270 NOV 18 1964
630CT
━ PAGE 179 ━
RECEIVED
LIAISON SECTION
SeP 18
2 19 PM '47
18 101a.100
NTERNAL SECURITISTICI
B. I.
Fletche
━ PAGE 180 ━
DIRECTOR, FBI
FLYING DISKS, Report of
8/26/47
afternoon there were several pieces of burnt paper which flew over the field,
and he did recall a large piece of burnt paper which the wind had blown
the runway and down the south end of the field. LOCKWOOD estimated that the
paper was approximately three feet in length. Mr. GRANT stated that undoubtedly
this was the object in question, and inasmuch as the control tower has a complete
view of the area in which the engineers had sighted this object if anything fur-
ther was noted it would have appeared in the log.
Mr. M. A. NICHOLS, 1119 S. W. 102nd Street, was then interviewed regard-
ing his report of a flying object. NICHOLS stated that about 4 p.m. on August 12
he had sighted an object which he estimated to be about 35,000 feet in the air,
in a conso it atrocion.
which was flying over his home in a southwest direction. A neighbor, RAY STANLEY,
witnesses who had seen the object at this time were a Mr. and Mrs. GEORGE KROGSTADT,
of 1113 S. W. 102nd Street, Seattle, and their version of the object corresponded
with that of NICHOLS and STANLEY.
Contact with Mr. THOMAS E. GERMAIN, of the Seattle Weather Bureau Office
at Boeing Field, revealed that weather balloons are released every six hours
from his field commencing at 1:30 a.m. The balloons, according to Mr. GERMAIN,
are of a white gum color and reflect the light of the sun at a high altitude.
Although Mr. GERMAIN could not understand why a balloon could have been sighted
at 4 p.m., he nevertheless was certain that, from the description of the object
seen by these people, it must have been either one of his balloons or one released
from some other area
in the vicinity.
No further investigation is being conducted in this matter by this
office.
JJS: JG
62-
━ PAGE 181 ━
IN REPLY, PLEASE REFER TO
FILE NO.
Hederal Bureau of Inuestigation
United States Department of Justice
422 - Federal Office Building, Civic Center
San Francisco 2,
California
September 19, 1947
FOR VICTORY
BUY
ORATED
WAR
BONDS
STAMPS
Director, FBI
Attention: Assistant Director D. M. LADD
RE: REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS
Dear Sir:
I am transmting he rewith coplos of a rostricted" lettor datoe
September 3, 1947, which was furnished to me by Lieutenant Colonel DONALD
L• SPRINGER, A-2, Army Air Forces, Hamilton Field, California, which letter
is designated to certain Commanding Generals in the Army Air Forces from
Colonel R. H. SMITH, Assistant Chief of Staff - Intelligence, Headquarters
Air Defense Command, Mitchel Field, New York, concerning "Cooperation of FBI
with AAF on Investigations of 'Flying Disc! Incidents".
It is my understanding from recent Bureau instructions that we are
to assist the Air Force Intelligence personnel in the investigation of flying
However,
it will be noted from the attached letter that it
is Army interpretation that it was their intent that the Bureau would investi-
gate those incidents of the so-oalled "dises" being found on the ground and
apparently not those which are observed only in flight. Further, the atten-
tion of the Bureau is respectfully called to paragraph two of this letter
and to the last sentence therein which states, "The services of the FBI were
enlisted in order to relieve the numbered Air Forces of the task of tracking
down all the many instances which turned out to be ash can covers, toilet
seats and whatnot."
In the first place, the instructions issued by the Army Air Forces
in this letter appear to limit the type of investigations which the Bureau
will be asked to handle and secondly it appears to me the wording of the last
sentence in the second paragraph mentioned above is cloaked in entirely
called for language tending to indicate the bureau will be asked to conduc
nvestigations only in those cases which are not important and which are nec
almost, in fact, ridiculous•
The thought has occurred to me the Bureau might desire to diseuss
this matter further with the Arny Air Forces both as to the types of investi-
gations which we will conduct and also to object to the scurrilous wordage
which, to say the least, is insulting to the Bureau in the last sentence of
paragraph two.
) ENCT 2 - 83894
BECEIAE
447
RECORDED
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19 0CT-
19
55 0CT 2 2 1947
━ PAGE 182 ━
RECEIVED
іст 4 4 29 PM '0
INTERNAL SECURITY
F. B. I.
DEPT. OF JUS
11 27 AM
RECEIVED-LADD
OFA.
HUST
181"
━ PAGE 183 ━
Director, FBI
RE: REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS
9/19/47
In the event the Bureau decides to discuss the matter further with
the Army Air Forces, it is recommended that no indication whatsoever be
given indicating this letter was referred to me by Lieutenant Colonel
SPRINGER inasmuch as it would undoubtedly cause him serious embarrassment
and would certainly cause the excellent personal relationship which exists
between Lieutenant Colonel SPRINGER and this office to be endangered.
Very truly yours,
Harry M.
KimbaN
Special Agent in Charge
HMK amhr
62-2938
━ PAGE 184 ━
OP Y
HEADQUARTERS
AIR DEFENSE COMMAND
Mitchel Field, New York
In reply
refer to:
D 333.5EX
SUBJECT :
3 September 1947
Cooperation of FBI with AAF on Investigations of "Flying
Diso" Incidents.
TO:
Commanding Genrals, First, Second, Fourth, Tenth, Eleventh
and Fourteenth Air Forces
ATTENTION: Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has agreed to assist Air
Force Intelligence personnel in the investigation of "flying diso"
incidents in order to quickly and effectively rule out what are pranks
and to concentrate on what appears to be a genuine incident.
2.
It was the original intent of the AC/AS-2, Headquarters,
Army Air Forces that whereas the ADC Air Forces would interview respon-
siblo observers whose names would be furnished by AAT, the FBI would
investigate incidents of so called "dises" being found on the ground.
The services of the FBI were enlisted in order to relieve the numbered
Air Forces of the task of tracking down all the many instances which
turned out to be ash can covers, toilet seats and whatnot,
3. It is requested that each A-2 informally coordinate and
cooperate with the FBI, generally keeping the FBI inforned of any
proposed calls that intelligence personnel will make on this subject.
Very shortly, with the separation of the AAF from the War Department,
a firm policy will be established to clarify the liaison arrangements
between A-2's and FBI Special Agents. Presently, it is considered
inadvisable to promulgate a fornal interim policy - only to have it
replaced in a month or so by another.
BY COMMAND OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL STRATEMEYER:
/s/ R. H. SMITH
R. H. SMITH
Colonel, GSC
Asst Chief of Staff-Intell.
62-83894-128
ENCLOSURE
━ PAGE 185 ━
men
Bu Bulletin # 51
10-1-47
(D) FIVING DISCS --Effoctive immediately, the Burenu has discontinued its investi-
gative activities as outlined in Section B of Bureau Bulletin No. 42, Series 1947,
dated July 30, 1947.
All future reports connected with flying discs should be referred to
the Atr Forces and no investigative action should be taken by Bureau Agents.
66-03.854
E:
+62-83894-
NOJ REOOR DID
63 OcT
6 1947
ORIGINAL CC.
510CT 141947
━ PAGE 186 ━
Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO
DATE: September 27, 1947
SUBJECT:
Director, FBI
SAC, Butte
FLYING DISCS SIGHTED MAY 5, 1947,
BETWEEN ELTENSBURG AND SEATTLE, WASHINGTON
72112
Werden JOHN HENRY, Montana State Frison, Deer Lodgo, Montana, has
advised the writer that while driving between Ellensburg and Seattlo, Washing-
ton, about 3:30 P.Mo, on May 5, 1947, he sighted a silver object streaking
across the sky. This was also seen by MELBOURNE I HILL, convict chauffeur,
and Mrs. HiNRY. This object went into a nose dive and they thought it woul
crash. However, before reaching the earth it disintegrated, leaving a long
pillar of "gas"
hanging in the sky. It was particularly odd because this re-
mained in form and did not blow away. It was observed by these three people
while they drove from twenty to thirty miles.
This smoky, gaseous pillar was a long ways off and remained high
in the sir. Warden HINKY said that this silver object was traveling at an
excessively high rate of speed and when it disintegrated it was still a long
way from the earth. Warden HINRY said when he first saw it he thought it was
probably a jet propelled plene but that he couldn't tell except that its mo-
tions were erratic.
He said he had not reported it until he had noticed so
much in the papers about these disos.
Although three people saw it, they de-
cided that they must be "seeing things".
The Seattle Office is requested to advise Mr. H. R. PETERSON, 4th
Air Force, S-2, MoChord Field, Washington.
No further action is being taken by the Butte Office due to the
time elapsing between the sighting of this object and the report.
Conder
WGB: LB
co - Seattle
crushed to map
1013/4 си
2 Nam
RECORDE
12-83794-129
31 ICT 11 1947
INDEXED
5-87
━ PAGE 187 ━
Fletche
9-3
RECEIVED
LIAISON SETTION
EP 31 / 25 PM 947
FB T
SES DEPT OF JUSTICE
RECEIVED
P 30
3 55 PM:
INTERNAL SECURIT
F. B. I.
5: 4
━ PAGE 188 ━
DARD FORM NO. 64
Office Memorandum • UNITED STAT
TO
MR. IADD
SUBJECT:
FLYING DISCS
GOVERNMENT
DATE: October 9, 1947
701sc
A.
There are attached hereto, photographs of various reports
received by the Air Corps in connection with the above-captioned matter.
phut graphe wan
do amitabla to Spezial A gant a
Rasmoldo of
the Liaison Section by Lieutenant Colonel I• L+ Garrett of the Intelligence
Division of the Air Force for completion of Bureau files.
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended
that this memorandum be made
available to Supervisor R. G. Fletcher of the Internal Security Section for
his information.
SWR: hmn
50
indering
necessary
01 2 4 1947
Enle lohnd file
11-12-47
RECORDED
EX-93
162-83894-
19 00T 18/1947
5.88
━ PAGE 189 ━
RECEIVED
Т10 ,9 03 АМ *
INTERNAL SECURITY
F. BYl.
• Ост 9 1246 PM °47
RECEIVED-LADD
S. BED:
JUSTICE
━ PAGE 190 ━
F472
11-23