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1966: Unidentified Flying Objects, May (folder B48-26)
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1966: Unidentified Flying Objects, May (folder B48-26)
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The original documents are located in Box B48, folder "1966: Unidentified Flying Objects (folder 26)" of the Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. Copyright Notice The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Gerald Ford donated to the United States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections. Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library. 1966: Unidentified Flying Objects, May (folder B48-26) Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers LEGISLATIVE UFO (VAN HORN, W.) RE: STUDY May 19, 1966 Mr. William E. VanHorn Civil Defense Director Hillsdale County Hillsdale, Michigan Dear Mr. VanHorn: I wish to thank you for sending ne a copy of your letter of May 12th to Representative Hutchinson along with material substantiating the report on the UFO sighting. PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY I appreciate your making this available to me and in turn I thought you would like to see the enclosed releases, the most recent of which tells of the university investigation which is to be made as a result of my urging that a Congressional investigation be held. Kindest personal regards. Sincerely, Gerald R. Ford, M.C. GRF:jb enc. William E. Van Horn, Director HILLSDALE COUNTY CIVIL DEFENSE 40 S. Manning Street HILLSDALE, MICHIGAN 49242 May 12, 1966 Honorable Edward Hutchinson, 4th District Congressman, House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. Thank Dear Sir; You are no doubt familiar with the U.F.O. incident that occured in Hillsdale, Michigan on March 21st, 1966. This is the incident in which the Hillsdale College co-eds, their house director and I had the opportunity to witness what I refer to as an Unidentified Flying Object. For the past seven weeks some of my staff members and I have been conducting an investigation into the U.F.O. sit- uation and the side effects upon the people of our own locality. From the many letters I have received from peo- ple all over the United States, my observation would be that most of the people throughout the entire country have reacted the same way. PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD BRARY I was extremely aggrevated to have the United States Air Force and Dr. J. Allen Hynek, come into our city, spend so little time in their investigation and then attempt to make us look like a group of idiots. I can honestly say that I expected this and in fact made a statement to the Hillsdale Daily News as to what their findings would be previous to the Air Force and Dr. Hyneks statement to the press was released. This was very much in line with the U.F.O. investigation and their Project Blue Book. I have enclosed a portion of the results of our own invest- igation and also one of the photographs. This is the mat- erial that I want to release at this time. I am sure that if you will study this report that you will see that we are not a group of idiots as the Air Force and Dr. Hynek has attempted to make us look. I also am very sure that there are many other people who have been laughed at, ridiculed and embarrassed because they reported what they observed and were very sincere in doing SO. It is my sincere opinion that many people have made very good observations of U.F.O.'s and have withheld the inform- ation because of the fear of being made to look like fools. I do not think that this is right and feel that this has for some reason been intentionally done to cause people to shut up and to stop bothering the Air Force. William E. Von Horn, Director HILLSDALE COUNTY CIVIL DEFENSE page 2 40 S. Manning Street HILLSDALE, MICHIGAN 49242 I feel that this situation is very serious and that this has been demonstrated by our investigation. No, not the U.F.O.'s, but rather the trend that has developed from the entire mode of investigation that has been carried on by the Air Force regarding the situation. What I am saying, gentlemen, is the American people are afraid and hesitant to report anything because of being ridiculed. Stop and think! This could well be the common denominator by which our aver- age citizen could fail to report even a subversive or un- American act or person. This is my honest concern. As far as the U.F.O. situation is concerned, I definitely feel that Unidentified Flying Objects are present, even though I was a skeptic previous to this incident. Perhaps more serious thought and attention should be given to the U.F.O. investigation and that in some manner the invest- igation should be conducted so that the findings released would not cause ridicule and embarrassment to those that are concerned. PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD BRARY I therefore, as a citizen and public official, request that there be a Congressional Investigation conducted, not into the U.F.O, situation but into the- ineffective, inadequate, and assinine methods and answers being issued by the Air Force in regards to their investigation and findings. It would be far better to release no information than to use the Marsh Gas Theory. Sincerely, William E.Uanthen William E. VanHorn Civil Defense Director, Hillsdale Co., Hillsdale, Mich. Copy to: Hon. Weston E. Vivian, 2nd Cong. Dist. Hon. Gerald Ford, 5th Cong Dist. lvh Fage 3 Release Date Release to: Press, Radio and Television From: William "Bud" Van Horn, Civil Defense Director, Hillsdale County Michigan Regarding: U.F.O. observation March 21, 1966 and the investigation by the U.S. Air Force and Dr. J. Allen Hynek. On the evening of Earch 21, 1966 a group of College Co-eds and myself had the opportunity of observing an Unidentified Flying Object. Upon the release of this news and on March 24ᵗʰ, 9 Dr. J. Allen Hynek representing the United States Air Force arrived in Hillsdale to carry on an PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY investigation of our observation. Dr. Hynek was accompanied by two young Airmen, one of which was a Chauffeur and the other Airman, Second Class Dennis Hambly, who I was told was an official member of the investigating team. After spending the short time of 3 hours in the City of Hillsdale and making what I would consider a whirwind investigation or our observation the representativies left the City. Having previously heard of the type of investigations that were conducted by the United States Air Force with regards to the U.F.O. sightings, I was very interested in the type of personell that would conduct this investig tion, and the methods that would be used. It was my considerate opinion that Dr. Hynek had his mind made up as to what his Page 2 findings would be before he ever reached the City of Hillsdale. I also observed the his main line of questioning was relative only to that which would fit the Marsh Gas theory. Although there was nothing to my knowledge from the information given Dr. llynek that would fit the Harsh Gas theory, he irregardless found it fit to state that Marsh Gas is what we were observing. Dr. Eynek was not or at least didn't to me display any intent interest in the type of movement of the Vehicle that we were observing nor did he volunteer any thought or explanation of the observation the girls had made of the object descending from the sky which prompted them to call the Civil Defense Office. At no time did Dr. Hynek step a foot into the area where the Vehicle was located that the girls and myself had been observing. PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY It is my very considerate and sincere opinion that: 1) The observation that was made by the girls and myself was a U.F.O. and definitely was not Harsh Gas. 2) That the investigation conducted by Dr. Hynek and the Air Force was very incomplete and was merely a token apperance sort of act. 3) That from the many, many very good sightings we have had reported to us, came from very responsible people in most cases, and that they are very well founded. It is my sincere belief that the people making these reports have made a definate observation. In some of the cases we have been able to prove that it was not & U.F.O. and in many of the cases we could either make no decision or did definitely confirm them as U.F.O.'s. With the aforementioned thoughts in mind, and having seen many of our good people laughed at and ridiculed and caused embarrasment because they reported most sincerely Page 3 that which they had witnessed, by men and myself for the past seven weeks have conducted a most sincere and open minded investigation into the U.F.O. situation in our own locality. I have attached a majority of our findings for the peoples consideration, Previous to our original sighting on March 21ˢᵗ, 2 I-1 could have been considered a "Skeptic," However, now after seeing the investigation that was conducted here in Hillsdale, by the Air Force, and after conducting our own investigation (3 hrs. VS 7 week7), I am firmly convinced that the U.F.O. does exist. And in conclusion, I would state that if the whirl- PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY wind investi ation that was conducted by the Air Force regarding the Millsdale U.F.O., and the personell that conducted it are representatives of our U.S. Air Force, I the feel that our people have a great deal more to be con'erned about than the U.F.O. situation. From this investigation I have found that the people are afraid to make any statements with regard to what they have witnesses. This is true in our own locality and I would say pretty generally throughout the entire United States. I say this from the great number of letters that I have received from people from all our United States. It is my sincere opinion that this fear of comminicating that has been instilled in people, could well be the common denominator which would cause, or maybe has c used people Page 4 to fail to report some subversive or unamerican acts or persons. It is my belief that the U.S. Air Force could use a more tactful mode of investigation than has been used in the past, rather than that which makes those people who in all sincerity report something, to look like fools. Euilliam E. Dan Herr, Derector, Hillidar County Civil Defense PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY REGARDING U.F.O. INVESTIGATION BY HILLSDALE COUNTY CIVIL DEFENSE THE ATTACHED INFORMATION IS THE RESULTS OF THE U.F.O. INVESTIGATION CONDUCTED BY THE HILLSDALE COUNTY CIVIL DEFENSE ORGANIZATION, HILLSDAI E COUNTY, MICHIGAN. THE REPORT ISIN FOUR PARTS AS FOLLOWS: PART 1 at Dr. J. Allen Hynek's Press release of March 25, 1966 which is page 1 through page 5. My referals and comm- ents to Dr. Hyneks statements are found on pages 6 through 11. PART 2 & This part contains the reports of a soil analytical test which was conducted from soil and various things taken from the area where the U.F.O. was located when we observed it on March 21, 1966. Also attached to this part is a photograph of the element Boron which is found floating on a pond, which was very near the location. PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY PART 3 - This part contains a photostatic copy of a letter which was written to myself by Dr. llynek. Also on pages one and two are found my answers and or questions to Dr. liynek's letter. PART 4 @ This part contains a photograph taken in July of 1965 in Hillsdale County. I have had the negative of this picture in my possession and have had this checked and found it to be authentic. The object is in focus which discounts a spot on the lens of the camera. Also the negative does not have any flaws and it definitely is not a superimposure. This is a part of our findings that we want at this time to release. However in the future there may be more information which we will want to release. Signed William William E. Van Horn, Director, Hillsdale County Civil Defense PART NUMBER ONE PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY Page 1 STATEMENT ON THE DEXTER AND HILLSDALE UFO SIGHTINGS by DR. J. Allen llynek Scientific Consultant to Project Blue Book; The Air Force has asked DO to make a statement on my findings to date. This I am happy to do, provided it is clearly understood that my statement will refer to the two principal events as reported to me: The event near Dexter, Mich. on Karch 20, and a similar one at Hillsdale, Eich., on March 21, It does not cover the hundreds of unexplained reports as opposed to the thousands of explained cases made not only to Project Blue Book, but those from other countries, over the past several years, as described in recent books and articles, I have not investigated those such as the one near Exeter, N. II, and those in the western states last year, not the puzzling foreign cases, PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I IBRARY such as that at Cuernavaco, Exico, last fall. I have recom- mended in my capacity as Scientific Consultant, that competent scientists quietly study such cases when evidence from responsible people appears to warrent such study. There may be much of potential value to science in such events. We know a very great deal more about the physical world in 1966, than we did in 1866 but, by the same token, the people in the 2066 may regard us as very incomplete in our scientific knowledge. We must not in our haste to have answers, br Fredrick Smiths. If then, It is understood I am not making a blanket statement to cover the entire UFO phenomenon over the past 20 years in this and other countries, 1 am prepared to discuss 1-1 the Dexter and Hillsdale sightings. # 1 Page 2 Now, in addition to these two specific cases there has been a flood of other reports from this area, both before and after last Sunday and Monday, and I could not possibly have had the time to investigate all of these. I have had time, however, to determine that in Hillsdale, over and above the sincere and honest reporting by the young ladies at Ilillsdale College of 2 a very puzzling sighting, certain young men have played pranks with flares. And, I have also determined that the pictures released yesterday to the press were taken on March 17, near Hilan, Mich., and have no reference whatever to the sightings on March 20 or 21 st, and are without any question a time e.posure of the rising cresent moon and the planet Venus. I emphasize that this explanation refers to those specific pictures PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I IBRARY and not to the two cases now in question. At long last now, the Dexter and Hillsdale cases: Here are the hard facts, the residue, the common denominator after 3 sifting out as much of the subjective, peripheral, and inconsistent statements as I have been able to do in this short time. 4 The majority of observers in both cases reported only lights--red. yellow and green, silent glowing lights, near the ground. They have not described an object. Even the only two observers who did describe an object have stated that they were no closer than 500 yards better than a quarter of a mile away 8 distance which does not allow details to be determined. $5 Witnesses have described glowing lights lights that seemed to move but never far from a definite local, or which suddenly disappeared and popped up at another place. # 2 Page 3 6 Now what was the locale in both instances? In both cases, a swamp, In both cases the location of the glow was pin-pointed: in Dexter it was seen between two distant groups of people, and at Hillsdale it was seen in a swampy depression between #7 the girls and distant trees. It was in both cases a very localized phenomenon. I think that this is a most significant point 8 * dismal swamp is a most unlikely place for a visit from outer space: It is not a place where a helicopter would hover for several hours, or where a soundless, secret device would likely be tested. Now what is a swamp? It is a place of rotting vegetation and of decomposition. Swamps are not the normal province of the astronomer; he usually has his eyes trained toward loftier PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY plades--yet the Dutch astronomer, Minnaert, in his book, is Light and Color, in the Open Air, If has this to say about swamps. Ile describes lights that have been seen in swamps by the astronomer Bessel and other excellent observers. The lights, he says, resemble tiny flames, sometimes seen right on the ground, sometimes floating above it. The flames go out in one place and suddenely appear in another, giving the illusion of motion. The colors, he says, are sometimes yellow, sometimes red and blue-greed. No heat is felt, and the lights do not burn or char the ground. They can appear for hours at a time and sometimes for a whole night. Generally there is no smell, and usually no sound, except the popping sound of little explosions, such as when a gas burner ignites. # 3 Fage 4 Where does the gas come from, and what lights it? The rotting vegetation produces marsh gas which can be trapped by ice and winter conditions. When a spring thaw occurs, the gas may be released in some quantity. The flame, Minnaert says, is a form of chemical luminesence and its low temperature is one of its peculiar features. Exactly how it occurs is not known and this in itself might be made a subject of an interesting study. The glowing lights on the swamp near Dexter and Ilillsdale # 9 were observed for two to three hours. No sounds were heard. except for popping sounds. The lights were red, green or 10 yellow and they appeared to move sideways, and to rise a short distance. I emphasize this would not be seen frequently--it 11 is of a unique character. I have never seen it myself and I PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY can easily understand the dismay of the witnesses who say it and who sincerely described what they saw. It seems likely that as the present spring thaws came the trapped gases CH4, H2S, PH3, resulting from decomposition of organic materials were released. The chemistry book by Sienko and Plane has this to say: "In air, phosphine, PH3, usually bursts into flame, apparently because it is ignited by a spontaneous oxidation of the impurity P₂H₄₀ The will-o-the wisp, sometimes observed in marshes, may be due to spontaneous ignition of impure PH3, which might be formed by reduction of naturally occurring phosphorous compounds." # 4 Page 5 Other scientists have pointed out to me that in swamps the formation of H2S and CH4 from rotting vegetation is common. these could be ignited by the spontaneous burning of the Phosphine, PH3° It would seem to me that the association of the sightings with swamps, in these particular cases, is more than 12 coincidence. No group of witnesses observed any craft coming to or going away from the swamps. The glow was localized there. Deputy Fitzpatric described the glow as coming from beyond a rise adjacent to the swamp, and visible through the trees. He stated that the lights brightened and dimmed much as stage lights do smoothly and slowly. The girls at Hillsdale described almost the identical thing. This could have been due to the release of variable quantities of marsh PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY gas. The disappearance of the light when people got close with flash-lights or car lights, would indicate that the glow seemed # 13 bright only to dark-adapted eyes. The night was dark there # 14 was no moon. The Hillsdale girls kept their rooms dark in order to see the lights in the swamp. I emphasize in conclusion that I cannot prove in a Court of Law that this is the full explanation of these sightings. It appears very likely, however, that the combination of the conditions of the particular weather conditions that night 15 there was little wind at either location Mere such as to have produced this unusual and puzzling display. # 5 # 1 Dr. Hynek states he is refering specifically to the Dexter and Hillsdale areas, I am answering only to the Millsdale investigation of which I am most familiar. # 2 Dr. llynek was very well aware that the flare incident occured on Wednesday March 23rd and not on the evening of Narch 21st # 3 The only statements that Dr. Hynek was interested in were the inconsistant ones and it is my belief and knowledge from questioning people that the inconsistant statements were very few. # 4 We did not describe the outline of an object but Dr. PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY Hynek was not interested when we attempted to describe to him the ascending and descending in a uniform manner of two seperate color lights to a height of approximatily 100-150 feet. He was informed by myself that at one time I could make out a convexed surface between the two lights which I estimated 25 feet between. # 5 This was by no means the description that was given Dr. Hynek with regards to the lights in the Hillsdale area. The lights did increase and decrease in brilliance. It is very evident that his description as stated in his release could have been taken from any one of many books describing Marsh Gas. # 6 # 6 The Fillsdale area where the observation was made is not a swamp but rather a wooded area, And how would Dr. Hynek know what the area was as he was never in it. The closest he got to the erea was the center of Barber Drive, a road which runs parallel to the area. # 7 This to me was no phenomenon as this was definitely some type of a vehicle which had the atility to ascend and descend and to move very freely and smoothly from one side to the other and in doing so, both lights being observed moved uniformly and remained a stationary distance apart. # 8 I disagree with this for two reasons: A. A swamp is usually a place where there are no PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY people around and also in most cases requires & period of time to enter and get to. B. Also a swamp is generally a source of water which could well be needed by a space vehicle. # 9 To the best of my knowledge there were no sounds heard in the Tillsdale incident and Dr. lynek was very definitly informed of this. With regards to the popping sounds this again is a discription which can be found in any one of many books describing Marsh Gas. # 10 I do not Mall lights ascending and descending to end from 8 height of 100 to 150 feet a short distance. # 7 # 11 Dr. llynek states that he has never seen the phenomenon of Marsh Gas. I have personally many times witnessed this as a young hoy having been raised near a swamp in Jonesville, Wichigan. I can very assuredly state we were not observing Harsh Gas the evening of Earsh 21st His further formula description of Earsh Gas is very correct. # 12 Dr. Hynek is way off in left field on this statement. He was told not only by myself but also by the College girls of the observation made by the 17 girls of the approach of the object from the northeast, flashing by their window, disappearing to the south of them and then reappearing over the area and descending to where PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I IBRARY we observed it. Dr. llynek was not interested in listening to this type of information and was extremely avasive on any questions that were asked regarding anything such as this. In addition, the glow was not localized as stated by Dr. Hynek but rather the lights did as I have stated before secend and descend and sove from side to side in a uniform manner. #: 13 The night was dark as most nights are, but there was an occasional sighting of the moon as the sky condition was from a broken to a scattered condition. #1: 14 This statement is true that the lights were off in the room from which we were baking the observation. However just outside end below the windows there is this row # 8 of flood lights which were on which discounts the total darkness theory. # 15 I offer the following wind velocities from an official recorded source in defience of Dr. Hynek's statement that there was little wind the evening of March 21st I estimated the wind approximately 10 miles per hour and the following wind velocities are taken from the record of an official U.S. agency for the area: March 21, 1966 Time Wind Velocity 9 p.m. 130° at 10 K. 10 p.m. 130° at 7 K. PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY 11 p.m. 110° at 10 K. 12 p.m. 120° at 8 K. March 22, 1966 1 a.m. 040° at 8 K. 2 a.m. 100° at 10 K. The air has to be extremely quiet and calm for Marsh Gas or Methane to accumulate in mass and form a glow, The above wind conditions would prove that this could not happen. We also offer the following evidence and research to support our statements that this was not Marsh Gas: Marsh Gas as known under the chemical term of Methane (CH₄) ) is a gas which is created and produced from rotting vegitation. This process of decay is created by an enzyme which is produced by bacteria. There is an # 9 optimum temperature at which these bacteria are most active and that temperature is from 35° C to 40° C. A temperature of 60° C will destroy them and as the temperature lowers below 35° C, the bacterial action will become gradually retarded which in essence means that the process of decay is gradually slowed meaning that the gas formation is slowed or eventually stopped. To further substantiate my theory that Marsh Gas could not have been present at this time and with the fore going explanation of the bacterial action to produce the Marsh Gas I herewith provide an account of the temperatures of our area from November 1 1st 1965 through March 21st 1966 to show that the optimum temperature was not present for this action. PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY These temperatures are given as observed by the official United States Weather Observer for our area: November 1965 Average High 9° C Average Low Average Mean 4°c December 1965 Average Eigh 4° C Average Low -3° o C Average Mean -1° -1 C January 1966 Average High -30 C Average Low -11° C Average llean -7° C February 1966 Average Figh 30 C Average Low -7° C Average llean -30 C March 1966 Average High 11° C (to 21st.) 1 Average Low -1° C Average llean 5° C # 10 For 5 month period Average High Average Low -1° -1 -6° o C C C Average Hean It is my sincere belief that the bacterial requiring a temperature of 35° to 40° C optimum temperature and our average mean temperature being -1° C that it would have been impossible for little gas if any to have been present at this time of the year. If any gas was present, my contention is that it could not possibly have been present in quantity enough to last for the period of time that we were makeing the observation. PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY # 11 PART NUMBER TWO PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY May 3, 1966 Mr. William Vanhorn 40 So. Manning St, Hillsdale, Mich. Dear Sir: We the undersigned give full consent for the usage of out report or any part there of. These tests may be used for any purpose or end to your suiting. We are sending with this letter an extra copy of our report and two photographs which we feel shows some signifigance to our con- clusions. PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY Sincerely Kysling Vandenberg Jerry Wilson RESERCH ON HILLSDALE U.F.O. SIGHTINGS Index-I Index of Tests Taken. I. Soil Tests A. Acid- Base Test B. Solubility Test C. Composition Test D. Radiological Test II. Plant Tests. (Green and Fungi) A. Paper Chromatography B. Tests for Measuring Life Functions. C. Starch Test D. Clorophyll TestE. E. Radiological Test F. Spectrum Test on Plants Clorophyll III. Animals Tests A. Blood Hemoglobin Test B. Metabolism Check C. Reflex Test PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY D. Radiological Test IV. Mineral Tests A. Acid-Base Test B. Type of Rock Specimens c. Check of Characteristics (chemical o' structural changes) D. Radiological Tests V. Water Tests A. Microscopic Analysis B. Acid-Base Test C. Composition of Materials in the Water D. Radiological Test Index II Environment Facts Index. I Temperature II Pond Life III Range and Time of Radiological Changes LV Changes of Visible Appearance caused by the U.F.O. Continued Page II Index III Conclusions Indox I Conclusions of Soil Tests II Conclusions of Plant Tests III Conclusions of Animal Tests IV Conclusions of Mineral Tests V Conclusions of Water Tests VI Conclusions of Environment Facts VII Main Conclusions #1 I Soil Tests a. Acid-Base Test Acid content of three which is very heavy and Base content of seven or eight which is almost neutral. b. Solubility Test PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY The seil was very soluble in a water solution. c. Composition Test There was no change in soil compostion except for a elight additive of Boron. d. Radiological Test The redition reading on the soil was thirty-one hundredth roentgens per hour. (.31r/hr.) II Plant Tests (Green and Fungi) a. Paper Chromatography Test. There were found only green and yellow pigments in this test, the blue pigment did not show up in this test, so we presume the blue pigment was destroyed. b. Tests for measuring life functions. The plants were found to be healthy. C. Starch Test. This was found to be normal. (content) d. Clorophyll Test. This was found to be normal. (content) e. Radiological Test. The reading on the plants was threehundred fifteen thousanths roentgens per hour. (.315 r/hr) f. Spectrum Test on Plant Clerophyll The blue pigment was gone, 1t did not show up in this test presuming again that the blue pisment was completely destroyed. (continued) Page III III Animal Tests a. Blood Hemeglebin Test Amphibian: The hemeglobin was slightly reduced. Crustation: The hemoglobin showed no change from normal. b. Metabolism Test. Amphibian: Had slower than normal metablism but now improving. Crustation: Could detect no metabolic change from normal. c. Reflex Test. Amphibian was slugish when first captured but has now improved. Crustation no change detected, d. Radiological Test. Crustation: Three thousand one hundred twenty five -ten thousanths. (.3125 r/hr) Amphibiant Three thousand seventy five-ten thousanths (.3075 r/hr) IV Mineral Tests. a. Acid-Base Test All rocks, ingenous, metmorphic and sedimintary were found to be neutral. b. Type of Rock Specimen. I. Ingenous 2. Metamorphic 3. Sedimentary c. Check of Characteristics, PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I IBRARY All charecteristics of the rocks found to be normal for each type of rock. There were no chemical or structural changes. d. Radiological Tests 1. Ingenous .31 r/hr 2. Hetamorphic .31r/hr 3. Sedimintary .3125 r/hr V Water Tests a. Microsconic Analysis All mieroscopic animals and plants dead,cause unknown. b. Acid-Base Test The water was neutral of both acid and base. c. Composition of materials in the water, All minerals found in the water normal with the exception of a slight trace of Boron d. Radielogical Test. The water had a .315 r/hr reading. VI Environmental Tests Taken 3/23/66. a. Temperature 1. Water 42° 2. Air 54° F No unisual heat shown Continued Page IV B. Pend Life 1. Crustation 2. Amphibiens, there was an unusally large number of them. 0. Range and Time of Radiological Changes, The first meter reading the meter showed thirty three hundreths roontgens (.33 r/hr) and its last reading 3 hours later showed twenty seven hundreths roentgens (.27r/hr) d. Changes of visible apperance caused by the U.F.O. No apparent changes in evironment were visible. CONCLUSIONS: SOIL: I. The soil had above normal radiation and also had abnormal content of Boron. The Boren is alien to this type of soil. II. PLANT The plants had above normal radiation. Blue pigments did not show up in the tests and were presumed to be destroyed but this did not seem to effect the life junctions of the plants. III POND LIFE Crustation and Amphibian radiation was higher than normal but the highest radiation was recorded in the emphibian. Also the amphibian was effected noticeably where the erustation was not. PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I IBRARY IV Mineral Sedimentary rocks were elightly higher in radiation than either ingenous or metamorphic rocks, There was no other change dither chemical or structural, V. WATER All microscopic plants and animals were dead. The water had above normal radiation and abnormally contained Boron. VI Environment The environment had above normal radiation and it contained a small amount of Boren which is foreign to this soil. MAIN CONCLUSION: VII The area contained an abnormally high amount of radiation from some unknown source. The area also strangely contained Boron which WSB found in both water and soil, These two facts are the only ones which would substanViate the presence of a U.F.O. In our opinion were not saying that there was a U.F.O. but we also do not know how to account for these two facts. However we belaeve it could not. be swamp gas because of the high winds on the night of the sighting. With these high winds the gas would not have formed a mass and remainesstationary. We also do not believe it was pranksters because ve searched the swamp thoroughly for any sign of evidence to explain the phenomen. Kipling Vandenberg Jerry Wilson PART NUMBER THREE PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY (wed- 3 DEARBORN OBSERVATORY NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY EVANSTON, ILLINOIS 60201 29 March 1966 Mr. Van Horn Van Horn Funeral Home Hillsdale, Michigan Dear Mr. Van Horn, I am much interested in the new evidence that I hear you are turning up in the UFO matter. The high radioactivity, if confirmed, would surely be a significant matter. I sun enclosing a copy of my actual press release which I hope you will read carefully and let me have your comments. You will note that I have limited my discussion to the two "swamp cases". I have received many letters written prior to the release, from people in farm areas who proposed this solution independently, stating that they have been familiar with such glowing lights over swamps since childhood. You will also note that I have recommended that a basic scientific study of well-attested UFO cases be made. I made such a recommendation as long ago as 19521 The terrific "noise" represented by the thousands of misiden- tifications etc., I believe prevented such recommendations from being taxen seriously. If there was 80 much "noise" there probably wasn't any "signair. I, on the contrary, have always felt that the whole UFO phenomenon is wor- thy of investigation and independently said so on the dust jacket of Jacques Vallee's book, The Anatomy of a Phenomenon, which, incidently, I suggest you read. I am anxiously awaiting your report on the sightings of the lights we talked about on the phone just before I left Ann Arbor. Was rapid motion ever definitely established? If there is any substance to the reports of lights PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY high in the sky, then of course this is worthy of further investigation. I repeat that my interpretation applied only to the swamp areas. I am anxious for you to read my press report since many of the things I said were taken out of context, as they most frequently are. You are undoubtedly one of the most responsible witness observers in the entire Michigan Affair" and I think it would be most unfortunate 1f you and I found ourselves in opposite camps. I'm sure that we both want to know what the actual facts are. J. J. Sincerely, aller Allen Hynek Hyndr JAH:mmp Enclosure Regarding Dr. llynek's Letter Attached is a photostatic copy of a letter written to me by Dr. J. Allen Ilynek on March 29, 1966. This letter to me is quite confusing in as much as it would give quite a different opinion of Dr. Hynek than I derived of him upon his visit to [lillsdale during the investigation. In reading this letter one would be led to believe that Dr. Eynek was very sincere in getting more to the bottom of the U.F.O. situation than he was upon his visit to Hillsdale. However, as I have previously stated it did not appear to me that Dr. llynek was interested in any statements other than those which might fit the Narsh theory, In the second paragraph of his letter Dr. Eynek states PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY that his findings of Earsh Gas were in essence from the letters that he had recieved from farm area people, proposing the Marsh Gas explanation. Still in his press release he admits that he has never witnessed Marsh Gas, I too have recieved letters 'from people in the farming areas who claim that it could not have been Marsh Gas at this time of the year. I have seen Marsh Gas and know that this WEB not what tre were observing. To me, it is unusual for an expert to form an opinion such as this without further researching, especially when one is as unfamiliar with something as Dr. Hynek was with Marsh Gas. # 1 You will notice in the third paragraph of his letter that he states he had recommended a basic scientific study of the well-attested U.F.O. cases be made. Ile has in fact also stated on the dust cover of the book "The Anatomy of a Phenomenon," that he has always felt that the U.F.O. phenomenon was worthy of investigation. In the fourth paragraph of his letter, Dr. Hynek is refering to one of our most unusual sightings, which I witnessed myself. This particular sighting I shall not release any information on at this time other than to say that it occured on the evening of Earch 24, 1966 at approximately 8 p.m. The sighting was referred to Selfridge Air Force Base Radar and I was told that there were two inantimate blips on the Radar Scope. After studying Dr. Hynek's letter and if his feelings PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY are as stated in the letter, I have a question in my mind. Dr. Hynek being the scienfific consultant to the Air Force regarding the U.F.O. situation, and having made the recom- mendations, where then is the block and why hasen't more intensive research been carried out? Someone, somewhere is forming-this block for some unknown reason and I believe this is the thing that should be found. # 2 PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY PART NUMBER FOUR LEGISLATIVE UFO (VALLACE, E. E.) RE: STUDY May 19, 1966 Mr. and Mrs. Paul B. Wallace 4609 Palos Verdes Drive, North Rolling Hills Estate, California Dear Mr. and Mrs. Wallace: Thank you for your posteard of May 11th telling me that you are in favor of further investigation of unidentified flying objects. 1 appreciate having your support and thought you would like to see the enclosed releases. PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY Kindest personal regards. Sincerely, Gerald R. Ford, M.C. GRF:jb enc. 4609 Palas Verdes Dr. n. Rulling Hills E satates, Calif. How. Gerold R: Gord may 11, 1966 House Office Bldg. Washington d.c. Hear Sir: We are in favor of further investigation of Unidentified I lying Objects. PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORDI BRARY Respectfully yours, Eleanar 15. Wallace GREAT RESTATES, D.C.VS Pw 186.64 84 1966 40 THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS U.S.POSTAGE How. Gerald R. Ford House Office Bldg. Washington, H.C. 20515 PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY LEGISLATIVE UFO (*2 nd RE: SEC. def May 17, 1966 Mr. Robert E. Barrow 4167 Cleveland Road Syracuse, New York 13215 Dear Mr. Barrow: Thank you for your letter of May 9th concerning UFOs and a statement made by the Secretary of Defense. While I did not see Mr. McNamara's full statement, I am sure that it is important for our national security to quickly and thoroughly identify any flying objects that pass over our borders. PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY While I had called for public Congressional hearings of UFOs, I feal that the announcement that a contract is being let to a university where teams of scientists will study the unexplained sightings, is a step in the right direction. I am told that the report will not be biased in favor of the Air Force and that it will be made available to the public. Officials of NICAP tell me that this meets with their general satisfaction. Kindest personal regards. Sincerely, Gerald R. Ford, M.C. GRF:jb VPO 4167 Cleveland Road Syracuse, New York 13215 May 9, 1966 Congressman Gerald R. Ford Congress of the U.S. Office of the Minority Leader House of Representatives Washington, D.C. Dear Mr. Ford: A few days ago, I read a summary of Robert S. McNamera's views on unidentified flying objects, which had been made during the closed session on the Administration's Foreign Aid Bill. I find myself utterly infuriated by what I have read. For one thing, McNamera said each report of a UFO is thoroughly investigated and that "If anything, I am in- clined to think the investigations are more extensive than actually required. it This statement alone demonstrates that either the Defense Secretary has a closed mind on the pos- sibility of UFOs flying in our atmosphere or that he is PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD BRARY just repeating the customary denial long given by the Air force and Defense Department. McNamera went on to say that the Air Force does not place "any real credence in the reports we have received to date," and "That doesn' mean that a report tomorrow may not be sound and warrant the full investigation that we give it." How, I would like to know, will McNamera know if tomorrow's report warrants full investigation if he maintains his view that "the investigations are more extensive than ac- tually required?" In other words, if The Defense Secretary believes that investigations should be reduced, how does he expect to know when a report needs investigating? I hope that does not seem like double-talk. McNamera continued his testimony and stated that photos of UFOs are nothing other than illusions. He said, "The condition of the viewer and the physical circumstances in the environment at the time generally create optical illu- sions if How can anyone with as much authority as our Defense Secretary make such a ridiculous statement? He is questioning the reliability of military and reputable civilian personnel as a whole, and obviously not wishing to discuss the authen- ticity of each individual photo. And what about motion pic- tures of disc-shaped objects, such as the one taken by Chief Warrant Officer Delbert C. Newhouse, Navy Photographer? There are several such films taken by honest, in many cases trained, individuals. And how about gun camera photos taken by the Air Force pilots? With such an attitude, I am most surprised that Mr. McNamera places faith in photographs taken by military men in Viet Nam of Viet Cong locations. How can he accept Viet Nam pho- tos as truth, but reject UFO photos (taken by men with just as much experience) Both types are taken by military men, and I am angered by the fact that McNamera refuses one kind just because he can't conceive of anything flying in our at- mosphere that has better speed and mancuverability powers than aircraft known to him. By making such absurd statements, our Secretary of Defense has furthered the Air Force cause of "explaining away" UFOs and, even more important in my mind, the ridiculing of honest observers. Honest people are harder to find these days, and I am disheartined by this policy of "stepping" on sincere observers just to keep an outmoded policy of official UFO censorship going. It seems more likely to me each year that the policy is only existing because the few behind it are afraid of the consequences to them should Congress discover that the facts are being hidden. If UFO photos are not to be believed, I wish that someone would tell the Air Force that they can release the photos taken over three weeks age by Ohio police officers who chased one in a patrol car for one and at half hours. The Air Force immediately stepped in and took the officers' negatives, promising a full report after analysis. But that was morethan three weeks ago. How long does it take PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY photo experts to analyze a photo? I'm certain that the Air Force would just as soon forget that photo or at least that the public would, Because 80 many reliable photos have been taken recently ---19 this the reason McNamera made it a point to "debunk" past UFO photos? These are more reasons adding to the solid, undeniable fact that public hearings must be held. Let the Air Force bring out its files and prove that thousands of obsevers in this and other countries are deluded or mistaken. Let them give sufficient reason why all of their own men have made 80 many"errors" in misrepresentation of conventional objects. Let the Air Force prove, and not just quickly deny, the censorship and sighting information in the Files of the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena If is false. I'm sure that public hearings would cause a few faces to become red and I do not mean those of the NICAP staff and members. Sincerely, Robert RobertBarrow E. Barrow Robert Member, National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP) LEGISLATIVE UFO (KEIFER, E.) RE: SUPPORT INVEST May 16, 1966 Mrs. E. Keifer 11120 National Blvd., Apt. 5 Los Angeles, California 90064 Dear Mrs. Keifer: This is just a note to acknowledge and thank you for your recent postcard supporting my proposal for an investigation of unidenti- fieddflying objects. PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY While as you know the House Committee on Armed held one day of hearings which were published, the investigation ended there. How- ever a contract is to be let to a university where teams of investi- gators will begin work this fall. I am assured that this indepen- dent report will be made public and while I had called for a Con- gressional investigation, this is a step in the fight direction. Kindest personal regards. Sincerely, Gerald R. Ford, M.C. GRF:jb MAY How Gerald R Ford 5-5-66 Please use all possible means to bring the facts in re U.F.O. to light. E. very interested person has seen U.F.O. dion eyes, knows of so many th sightings his and/or planations so offered are all insult that all these ridiculous ex to the intelligence of the V: spuble and much information E keifer - The government In any pretures Respectf ally aptl 5-11120 national Blvd Los angeles Calix 90064 40 THIS SIDE OF CARD IS FOR ADDRESS U.S.POSTAGE Hon. Gerald R. 7 ard House Office Bldg. Washing tou, N. C. 20515 LEGISLATIVE UFO (EARLY, G. W.) RE: INFO May 18, 1966 Mr. George W. Eatty 9 Hiram Lane Bloomfield, Connecticut Dear Mr. Early: Thank you for your letter of May 11th telling me of the difficulty you have been having in getting information about UFOs from the Air Force, and in- dicating your support for my proposal for a Congressional investigation. PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY I appreciate your support and thought you would like to see the enclosed copy of the hearings held by the llouse Committee on Armed Services, As you know further hearings are to be held this fall and an investigation made by an university, independent of the Air Force, and the results in the form of a report are to be made public. We called the Air Force Láiison and they said they were pleased to send us some of their information on UFOs. They are sending it to me and I will forward it on to you under separate cover. Kindest personal regards. Sincerely, Gerald R. Ford, M.C. GRF:jb enc. 5/20/66 : Material sent GEORGE W. EARLEY 9 HIRAM LANE bloomfield, CONNECTICUT 06002 11 May 66 Rep. Gerald Ford House Office Building Washington, D.C. coming 5/18 AF Dear Representative Ford: I have tried on several occasions to obtain ufo information from the USAF, informati which they have publicly proclaimed is available to the public. I am still without my requested information, or answers to questions I asked of them. I am attaching a copy of a letter sent them last November, well before this year's flap. In March, when I resubmitted this letter, I also requested a copy of their summary for 1965 which I had heard from a newsbroadcast was available. Still no response. Having gotten no response some months ago from Representative Daddario, I am turning to your in the hope that you can obtain this information for me. PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY I would also like to say that I certainly support your call for a full inquiry into the USAF handling of the ufo controversy. If nothing else, the public relations aspect of it is in bad need of improvement. I shall look forward to hearing from you at your earliest convenience and extend my thanks in advance for any aid you can give me on this. yours very truly, Georgia Enly 18 November 1965 USAF U.F.O. Office The Pentagon Washington, D.C. Dear Sir: I have just received a copy of a magazine called UFO International, publixhed in Los Angeles by a Mr. Gabriel Green. In this issue (No. 23, dated October 1965), Mr. Green publishes a number of "saucer" photographs taken at various locations in New Mexico by a Mr. Apolinar (Paul) Villa, Jr., 601 Niagra, N.E.; Alberquerque, New Mexico. Mr. Villa allegedly took 8 pictures during April 1965; 7 are shown in the magazine. The story also indicates that an earlier series was taken in June, 1963 and Mr. Green has had postcards made up showing one of these photographs. A copy of this post card is onclosed for your information. (All pictures were taken in color. I would appreciate knowing if the USAF has made any sort of an investigation into Mr. Villa's experiences - he claims to have met with and talked to persons operating these saucers - and photographs and if so, what conclu- $ions have been reached about them. Also in the same issue of Mr. Green's magazine, mention is made of a Mrs. Madeline Fodeffer of 12905 Falmouth Drive, Silver Spring, Waryland who showed about 10 minutes PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY of filmof a UFO on the Oct 7th (1965) Mike Douglas TV show. I would appreciare knowing if this has been investigated and hwat conclusions have been reached by the USAF. I have also heard, mainly on some local radio stations, reports of flying saucers in the Plainville/Southington areas of Connecticut. Has the Air Force done any investigating of these reports and what results have been obtained? Any other information which you may have regarding the above flying saucers reports, as well as any material on saucersightings of this past summer would be welcome. Thank you very much; I shall look forward to hearing from you at your earliest con- venience. very truly yours, A copy 1 this letter was again sent to the USAF on March 15, 1966 but I still have no reply. As I was using 6 Herhead stationery, there is HOW no way the address could have been loot. LEGISLATIVE UFO (LEVINE, J.) RE: INFO May 18, 1966 Mr. Joel Levine 68-54 Kessel Street Flushing, New York, New York 11375 Dear Mr. Levine: Thank you for your recent letter asking if an investigation will indeed be conducted and if I can send you information about it. I appreciate your support of my proposal for a Congressional investigation. As a result of my action, the House Committee on Armed Services did hold PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY one day of hearings after which it was decided that a contract would be let to a university. Teams of investigation are due to start work in September on a part-time basis, and I am sorry bht that is all the infor- mation that I have been given at this time. I do not know what University will be chosen, nor do 1 know when the re- port will be finished or when it will be made phblic. I do know however, that the report will be made fully available tp the public, and I assume that at that time, public announcement of its availability will be made in the papers. I regret that I cannot give you more information at this time. While 1 had called for a Congressional investigation, I feel that this is a step in the right direction. Kindest personal regards. Sincerely, Gerald R. Ford, M.C. GRF:jb Dear Denator, I am a high school student, and d attend an Earth Science class. Under direction of our teacher we have been conducting extensive research concerning Unidentified glying objects. The were very happy to lear you propose a congressional inguing into the matter, for such an investigation aside from being invaluable in its own right, would serve to reaffirm the general public's right to know about important issues. & have written to ask you if such an investigation will indeed be conducted, and if so, would you be generous enough to furnish no information about it. may d wish you the best of luck in your enterprise. Thank you very much for your attention and patience. Sincerely yours, Joel Levine LEGISLATIVE UFO (JOHNSON, R. 8.) RE: SIGHTING May 12, 1966 Mrs. Ruth B. Johnson 95 Cottage Street Randolph, Massachusetts / Dear Mrs. Johnson: I wish to acknowledge and thank you for your letter of May 2nd enclosing the article about the UFO that you and your husband saw. PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I iBRARY 1 appreciate having your support of my proposal for an investi- gation of these sightings and am glad that you wrote Be on this. Thank you for your support and encouragement. Kindest personal regards. Sincerely, Gerald R. Ford, M.C. GRF:jb PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY Jo: Rep. Genald Ford PORTER-SEAL CORPORATION anmed Services Committee Porter-Seal Permanently Seals Hause office Buil ding Radiators - Blocks - Boilers "Mechanics Choice Since 1915" Washington D.C. RANDOLPH, MASSACHUSETTS, U. S. A. Telephone 963-3300 SUBJECT DATE U.F.O. 5/2/66 Speed Letter Dear Mr. Lond: Here is a clipping about those" crazy" until the other night are saw else one U.F.O. my hushand & I were when sceptics mr. me namara on any one now can't convience me that there rent the such truth a thing out Leo what american you people get Good luck ! can to Sincerely, Ruth B Johnson