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AIR MATERIAL COMMAND
IN REPLY ADDRESS BOTH
A F F I D A V I
T
STATE OF CALIFORNIA)
COUNTY OF KERN)
The following is a statement given by 1st. Lt. Joseph C. McHenry,
Billeting Officer, Muroc Army Air Field, Muroc, California, statement
given on 08 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 Disc" or a "flying saucer" is true and correct
and it will be noted that the above mentioned observance was made by me
personally while enjoying complete health in mind and body.
On Tuesday 2 July 1947, at approximately nine-thirty A.M. (09:30)
was in conversation with personnel in the Post Exchange Office. My part
of this conversation was as follows:
"Someone will have to show me one of these Discs (sic) before I will believe it."
Upon leaving the Post Exchange, I went directly to my Office and before entering heard one of our
local aircraft in the traffic pattern.
Looking up, as I always do I observed the aircraft, and looked slightly
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, as 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 came
to where I was standing. I pointed in the direction of the objects, and
asked them the question "Tell me what you see up there." Whereupon, all
the three (3) with sundry comments stated, "They are flying Discs". To
further 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 consistant nature stated that the objects
were moving toward the Arizona border.
I had time to look away several times and renew my vision of the
objects to make sure that they were not any results of eye strain, or in
any nature an optical illusion. The objects in question were not repeat,
were not aircraft, the objects could not have been weather balloons
released from this station, since they were traveling against the
prevailing wind, and since the speed in which they were traveling,
disqualified the fact that they were weather balloons.
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 Medical Officers to verify, for my own
curiosity, the actual observance of these objects, but by the time I
reached the back porch seven (7) other personnel were with me, the
objects had by that time, disappeared, 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 disc-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
pointed it 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 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 object 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
consistant 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 voluntarily 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.
1ST. LT. JOSEPH C. MC HENRY, AC
WITNESS:
s/s thomas a. mc millan
A F F I D A V I
T
STATE OF ARIZONA)
COUNTY OF MARICOPA)
The following is a statement given by Capt. Kenneth Boggs ,
Flying Instructor stationed at Luke Air Base , statement
given on 08 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 Disc" or a "flying saucer" is true and correct
and it will be noted that the above mentioned observance was made by me
personally while enjoying complete health in mind and body.
On July 2, 1947 I was an Instrument Flying Instructor
assigned to the 6th Ferrying Group of the Air Transport Command and
based at Luke Air Force Base outside of Phoenix, Arizona. My daily routine consisted of
flying 2, 2 hour instructional periods in the morning with a
different student for each 2 hours. On one flight while proceeding on
the northwest leg of the northern Arizona over the Verde Valley - radio range at 5000 feet
altitude at the normal cruising airspeed of a BT-13A type trainer,
my student and I witnessed an object at this point which to this
date defies logical explanation.
This object appeared from the northeast on a
level flight path and turned while decelerating from a great speed
to fly parallel to us for approximately 30 seconds before it
disappeared from view at a slight climbing attitude (5 degrees)
bearing to the right across out ship's nose and at speed which I can
now estimate to be between 2000 to 5000 miles per hour.
It is
difficult to reconstruct the appearance of the object in detail because it all happened so fast,
but a few
prominent facts are still clear and vivid in my mind. They are:
1) This incident occurred above a fog overcast with clear
and unlimited sky condition above.
2) The object was an International Orange in color, had
an elliptical or rounded forward structure, was proportioned in a
manner as a conventional aircraft's fuselage.
3) The rear of the object either had no significance or I
am unable to remember its profile.
4) No propellers or jet orifice were visible; nor was any
flame, smoke or vapor trailed.
5) It decelerated in an unstable manner. (IE) Wobbling
outward from its banked attitude while turning and dipping
longtitudinally up to ten degrees from its flight path.
6) It flew exactly abeam at our altitude and while in
this position exhibited no other motion than the identical forward
speed of our ship.
7) Its departure from the area also appeared unstable at
the start of its acceleration. It seemed to lurch forward with the
rearward portion wobbling until its direction was established.
8) From its position abeam to ten degrees to the right of
our nose and five degrees high until out of sight took approximately
one and one half second.
Furthermore, I had a camera in the aircraft at
this time and although it was hanging on the 'oil dilution' control
nob and ready to use, I did not use it for fear of photographing a
highly secret aircraft.
I can (remember) telling the student through the
intercom: "Come out from under the hood. Lockheed's jet is flying
formation with us."
The student pushed back the hood and both of us witnessed the object flying alongside and its flight
out of sight. Then the student went back under the hood and the episode was ended. In retrospect, I believe the fact
that neither of us at that time
attached anything unusual about it must imply that it resembled
something which would have encompassed known aerodynamic outlines.
Until I first witnessed an early flight of the P-80, I was under
this impression. Immediately upon seeing the relative slowness of
the P-80 and its easily identifiable outlines, I realized we had
witnessed some inexplicable object...."
IN REPLY ADDRESS BOTH
10 September 1947
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| (1) Metallic or light reflecting surface. |
| f. It is possible within the present U.S. knowledge -- pro- vided extensive detailed development is inderstaken -- to construct a piloted aircraft which has the general description of the object in sub- paragraph (e) above which would be capable of an approximate range of 7000 miles at subsonic speeds.
g. Any development in this country along the lines indicated
h. Due consideration must be given the following:- |
(2) Absence of trail, except in a few instances where the
object apparently was operating under high perfor-
mance conditions.(3) Circular or elliptical in shape, flat on bottom and
domed on top.(4) Several reports of well kept formation flights varying
from three to nine objects.(5) Normally no associated sound, except in three instances
a substantial rumbling roar was noted.(6) Level flight speeds normally above 300 knots are esti-
mated.
(1) The possibillity that these objects are of domestic
origin - the product of some high security project
not known to AC/AS-2 or this Command.(2) The lack of physical evidence in the shape of crash
recovered exhibits which would undeniably prove the
existence of these subjects.(3) The possibility that some foreign nation has a form
of propulsion possibly nuclear, which is outside of
our domestic knowledge.
3. It is recommended that:-
a. Headquarters, Army Air Forces issue a directive assigning a priority,security classification and Code name for a detailed study of this matter to include the preparation of complete sets of all available and pertinent data which will then be made available to the Army, Navy, Atomic Energy Commission, JRDB, the Air Force Scientific Advisory Group, NACA, and the RAND and NEPA projects for comments and recommendations, with a preliminary report to be forwarded within 15 days of receipt of the data and a detailed report thereafter every 30 days as the investi- gation develops. A complete interchange of data should be affected.
4. Awaiting a specific directive AMC will continue the investi-
gation within its current resoources in order to more closely define the
nature of the phenomenon. Detailed Essential Elements of Information
will be formulated immediately for transmittal thru channels.
N.F. TWINING
Lieutenant General, U.S.A.
Commanding
SECRET -3- U-39552
2-3931
T.S. Cont. #
D.I_Hq. USAF
20 September 1947
MEMORANDUM FOR CHIEF, AIR INTELLIGENCE DIVISION
SUBJECT: Analysis of Flying Object Incidents in the U.S.
1. As directed by Cover Sheet, dated 12 Sept. 1947,
subject "Pattern of Flying Saucers," a study was commenced
to determine the tactics of flying objects and the probability
of their existence.2. The attached study "Analysis of Flying Object
Incidents in United States," has been compiled in an attempt
to answer the questions.4. Because the subject matter is of such an elusive
nature, this study is presented as a preliminary report to
be reconsidered when information on hand warrants it.5. Tentative conclusions have been drawn and are as
follows:a. It must be accepted that some type of flying
objects have been observed, although their identification
and origin are not discernable. In the interest of national
defense it would be unwise to overlook the possibility that
some of these objects may be of foreign origin.b. Assuming that the objects might eventually be
identified as foreign or foreign-sponsored devices, the
possible reason for their appearance over the U. S. requires consideration.
Several possible explanations appear noteworthy,
viz:1. To negate U.S. confidence in the atom bomb
as the most advanced and decisive weapon in warfare.
2. To perform photographic reconnaissance missions.
3. To test U.S. air defenses.
4. To conduct familiarization flights over U.S.
territory.6. It is recommended that distribution of this study be
limited to the Air Staff.
| BROOKE E. ALLEN Colonel, U.S.A.F. Chief, Air Estimates Branch<< /td> |
 Roswell Daily Record - July 8, 1947 "The intelligence office of the 509th Bombardment group at Roswell Army Air Field announced at noon today, that the field has come into possession of a flying saucer. According to information released by the department, over authority of Maj. J. A. Marcel, intelligence officer, the disk was recovered on a ranch in the Roswell vicinity, after an unidentified rancher had notified Sheriff Geo. Wilcox, here, that he had found the instrument on his premises. Major Marcel and a detail from his department went to the ranch and recovered the disk, it was stated. After the intelligence officer here had inspected the instrument it was flown to higher headquarters. The intelligence office stated that no details of the saucer's construction or its appearance had been revealed. Mr. and Mrs. Dan Wilmot apparently were the only persons in Roswell who saw what they thought was a flying disk. They were sitting on their porch at 105 South Penn. last Wednesday night at about ten o'clock when a large glowing object zoomed out of the sky from the southeast, going in a northwesterly direction at a high rate of speed. Wilmot called Mrs. Wilmot's attention to it and both ran down into the yard to watch. It was in sight less then a minute, perhaps 40 or 50 seconds, Wilmot estimated. Wilmot said that it appeared to him to be about 1,500 feet high and going fast. He estimated between 400 and 500 miles per hour. In appearance it looked oval in shape like two inverted saucers, faced mouth to mouth, or like two old type washbowls placed, together in the same fashion. The entire body glowed as though light were showing through from inside, though not like it would inside, though not like it would be if a light were merely underneath. From where he stood Wilmot said that the object looked to be about 5 feet in size, and making allowance for the distance it was from town he figured that it must have been 15 to 20 feet in diameter, though this was just a guess. Wilmot said that he heard no sound but that Mrs. Wilmot said she heard a swishing sound for a very short time. The object came into view from the southeast and disappeared over the treetops in the general vicinity of six mile hill. Wilmot, who is one of the most respected and reliable citizens in town, kept the story to himself hoping that someone else would come out and tell about having seen one, but finally today decided that he would go ahead and tell about it. The announcement that the RAAF was in possession of one came only a few minutes after he decided to release the details of what he had seen." |
