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The original documents are located in Box B48, folder "1966: Unidentified Flying Objects
(folder 27)" 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United States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives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, June (folder B48-27)
Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
LEGISLATIVE
UPO
(THOMPSON, J. D.)
RE: SUPPORT
June 29, 1966
Mr. John D. Thompson
1340 Orchard Park Nr. Dr.
Indianapolis, Indiana 46280
Dear Mr. Thompson:
Thank you for your recent letter in support of my proposal for a
full Congressional investigation of UFOs. As you know, the
House Committee on Armed Services did hold one day of hearings
after which it was decided that an independent study should be
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD 1 BRARY
made of the unexplained sightings.
The Air Force plans to announce shortly the name of a university
which will receive a grant to make such a study and which will,
in tillm, select five other universities to assist it and also
receive grants.
Thank you also for your comments on the Air Force restriction and
you may be assured that your observations do not go unheeded.
Kindest personal regards.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford, M.C.
GRF:jb
John D. Thompson
1340 Orchard Pk. Nr. Dr.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA (46280
Dear Mr. Ford,
I am sending this letter in full support of the
investigation of unidentified flying objects (UFOS). Asa good
citizen I myself have seen such phenomenon. I have seen these
objects just last year, I have sent a report to Project Blue
Book Chief, Maj. Hector Quintanilla Jr. regarding this subject.
I have observed the skies vary much lately do to my sighting,
and in the past I have seen this same phenomenon many times do
my frequintly observing. Some of the other reports are on file
by the National Investigation Committee On Aerial Phenomena in
Washington.
Also regarding this subject I whish you would look into
this bit of information. That under the Joint Chiefs Of Staffs
Regulations (JANAP 146, section III, title 18, Code 793) Threatens
imposition of penalties of 1to 10 years imprisiment and/or up
to $10,000 fine any Air Force pilot who reviles an (Offical-
Report). I feel that this restriction should be thrown out and
eliminated completly. And that the people should be able to
know whats going on in our own Armed Forces, I also believe that
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
certain things shoud be kept from the public, but this one should
not be placed on the officers or any one man.
Sencerly, Assoceated member /
NICAP2
John D. Thompson
LEGISLATIVE
UFOs
PEDAS, TED
RE: INFO
June 28, 1966
Mr. Ted Pedas
AstroncmgyDirector
Farrell Area School District
Farrell, Pennsylvania 16121
Dear Mr. Pedas:
1 am most honored that you wish to include my actions on the subject
of the UFOs in your planned series of columns on this subject.
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
1 so enclosing 4 statements on this subject which 1 hope may be of
some use to you, If you need further assistance, do not hesitate
to call on me,
Kindest personal regards.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford M.C.
GRF/td
June 25th, 1966
Farrell Area
School District
Mr. Ted Pedas
Astronomy Director
Farrell, Pa. 16121
Congressman Gerald R. Ford
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.
Dear Hon. Ford,
During the recent "flying saucer" outburst you were instrumental for making
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
statements to the press concerning a congressional investigation on this subject.
I am the astronomy and space science writer for five area newspapers (Comined
circulation of over 1,000,000) and am now in the process of preparing a multi- series
of columns on UFOs. I wish to include your own actions on this subject and would
appreciate receiving any information available from your office.
Thanking your for your cooperation.
Sincerely yours,
Ted Pedas
LEGISLATIVE
UFO
(OLSEN, T.)
RE: STATUS OF INVEST.
June 27, 1966
Mr. Thomas M. Olsen, Director
UFO Information Retrieval Center, Inc.
P. 0. Box 57, Riderwood,
Maryland 21139
Dear Mr. Olsen:
Thank you for your letter of June 23rd requesting information on the status
of the investigation of UFOs that my call for a Congressional inquiry prompted
Matters have changed since my press release of April 21st and the Air Force
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
has now decided not to let a contract to an independent group of scientists,
but rather to issue grants to six universities to make a study of the unegalained
sightings. We are told by the Air Force that the lead university will be
revealed in the papers sometime within the next month and then that university
will pick five others to assist it and they will also receive grants. We
are told that the current investigations that are made when they begin work,
probably still sometime in the fall, will be done on a geographical basss,
with the closest university checking out the sighting.
I am sorry that I cannot give you any further information at this time such
as the name of the lead university or the others as this is all the information
that I have been provided by the Air Force.
Kindest personal regards.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford, M.C.
GRF:5b
IMMEDIATE REPLY PLEASE
X
NOTE ENCLOSURES
REPLY NO LATER THAN
UFO Information Retrieval Center, Inc.
P. O. Box 57, Riderwood
Maryland 21139, USA
TO
The Hon. Gerald R. Ford, Jr.
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.
20001
SUBJECT Name of UFO Study Group
DATE
MESSAGE
23/6/66
After reading your press release dated 21 April,
stating that the USAF has contracted with a group of scientists to make an independent
study of UFO - starting soon after 1 July - we submitted the enclosed inquiry (copy
dated 23 April 1966). Unfortunately, we did not have the correct name of this special
study group and we received a negative reply. (Copy also enclosed, dated 23 May.) We
would appreciate your help in supplying the official name inorder that we may inquire
again. (Colonel Spaulding's objection reguarding the "voluminous UFO files" is no more
applicable to our proposed effort than it is to the subject scientific study.)
SENT BY Thomas mohan
Thomas M. Olsen, Director
DATE
REPLY
ANSWERED BY
Send white and pink copies with carbon intact. Pink copy is returned with reply.
Form #PK-1 © Business Envelope Mfrs. Inc.
Pearl River, New York 0 Melrose Park, III.
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
MAY 23 1966
Dear Mr. Olsen:
The Secretary of the Air Force has asked that I reply to
your letter offering to provide a computer scan of UFO reports
for study by the Carl Sagan Committee.
Dr. Carl Sagan was a member of the Scientific Advisory Board
ad hoc Committee which recently studied the UFO program, but he
has indicated that he has no knowledge of a Carl Sagan Committee.
In any case, it would not be feasible for us to transport
our voluminous UFO files to a facility capable of producing this
work.
I regret that we cannot give you a more favorable reply.
Sincerely,
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
SEAULDING
Mr. Thomas M. Olsen, Director
Lt Colonel, USAF
UFO Information Retrieval
Chief, Civil Branch
Center, Inc.
Community Relations Division
P. O. Box 57, Riderwood
Office of Information
Maryland 21139
LEGISLATIVE
UPO
(LYONS, J.)
RE: STATUD OF INVEST.
June 27, 1966
Mr. James Lyons
105 High Street
Fall River, Massachusetts
Dear Mr. Lyons:
Thank you for your letter of June 23rd requesting information on the status
of the investigation of UFOs that my call for a Congressional inquiry prompted
As you may know, the Air Force originally decided to let a contract to an
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
independent group of scientists to make a study of the enexplained sightings,
but now plans to issue stants to six universities to make this study. We
are told by the Air Force that the lead university will be revealed in the
newspapers sometime within the next month. After that university is chosen,
it will in turn choose five others to assist it and they will also receive
grants for this work. Work will probably begin in the fall, with the burden
of current investigations being assigned on a geographical basis.
I am sorry that I cannot give you any further information at this time, but
this is all that we have been told. As you know I wanted a Congressional
investigation, but feel that this is a step in the right direction.
Kindest personal regards.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford, M.C.
GRF:jb
Gerald R. Ford
June 23, 1966
Representative
Dear Mr. Ford:
Sometime ago during the controversy over unidentified flying objects
you called for "full blown" open congressional hearings. Although a partly open hear-
ing was held on April 5, 1966, this was not sufficient to dull public concern. Little
publicity was given to this hearing.
Since many inquiries on this subject have been proposed before but met
with apathy or unconcern resulting in failure, maybe with your influence a different
attitude will be taken. In reading into the UFO subjects it seems many other congress
men also hold your view, but nothing has been done. Could you tell any plans that may
be instituted. What is your opinion now? I am well aware of all the Air Force's official
opinions.
Thank You
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
James Lyons
105 High St.
Fall River, Mass.
LEGISLATIVE
UTO
(PHIELSCRIEFTER, R.)
BE: STATUS or INVEST.
June 28, 1966
Mr. Ray Phielschiefter
1537 - 3rd Avenue North
Texas City, Texas 77590
Dear Mr. Phielschiefter:
Thank you for your letter of June 25th asking what Congress is doing to solve
the UFO mystery. As you may know, as the result of my calling for a Congress-
ional investigation, the House Committee on Armed Services held hearings and a
copy of these hearings is enclosed.
As the result of these hearings it was initially decided to let a contract to
an independent group of scientists, who would then make a study of the unex-
plained sightings, make a report independent of the Air Force's findings, and
make it fully available tp the public. These plans were changed and they
Air Force now plans to make grants to six universities to make an investigation
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
of the unexplained sightings.
The lead university will be announced within a month we are told and that thiss
university will select five other universities to assist it. These universi-
ties will also then receive grants and will proceed on their study of the
sightings, with current observations being handled on a geographical basis.
I can not tell you at this time what university or universities will be chosen
because the Air Force has not as of yet released this information. However it
should be carried in the newspapers. You ask for my personal views of the
UFO mystery. My personal view as expressed in the enclosed statements, is that
a Congressional investigation should be held, all the evidence, examinde, and a
full report made to the public. While I called for a Congressional investigation,
I feel what is being done is a step in the right direction. You asked in your
letter for reports or documents that I may have. Enclosed you will find a copy
of the Armed Services hearings that I hope will be interesting. The other in-
formation enclosed has been sent to me by various correspondents and I can not
vouch for its authenticity, however since you wished any material I might have,
I am passing it along.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford, M.C.
GRF:jb
enc.
Dear dir:
June 25, 1966
time
I would like to know
what cangress is doing to
salve the C10 mystery 2 2t
is obhiaus that the air have
is failling in its duty to
let the american people know
the truth about F or
I would greatly appreciate
any infarmation you cangine
me about what cangress is
daing towards a Cangres-
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
sinal hearing anc FOR.
also I would appreciate the
fallowing information.
1.
what are your awn person-
al niews of the UFO mystery?
2
what are same of the
hiews of other cangressmen
towards UFOR?
3
Da you have any UFO
reports, documents an can-
gressinal reparts an UFO2
and if so could you send
them to me?
IT is sincerely hoped
that cangress will innes-
800125 enuf
rib roll
tigate the U FO problem and
then give a repart to the are
people I far one want toor
know what is going and
the air fance will not tell
the people and frankly it
can not see any reasant
why such information is
being withheld radni fino
who Please reply soon im
-serana a brawat priab
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
4 0 =1 no pm Sincerely
edt. etoireraps BayPhielechiefter
pnivallab
marrep huis luage us tahno
-
metrum navelt ga swell lo
Ray Phielschiefter
nencize 3rd are harth
Texas city,
09 fino eval naps alo
nov ss , themurab setraper
$ 0 = U na straper lanisserp
loner May blua as pr fino
ematmelt
bepad <<0
pluvine Iline
LEGISLATIVE
UFO'S
EARLEY, GEORGE
RE: FURTHER
INVESTIGATION
June 21, 1966
Mr. George $ Earley
9 Hiram Lane
Bloomfield, Connecticut 06002
Dear Mr. Earley:
Thank you very much for your letter of June 16 concer-
ning the URO's.
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
Further hearings into this question are planned for the
fall. Those hearings will be conducted by one or more
universities which have not been designated as of yet.
I am very sorry but 1 do not know when this designation
will be made, who might be so deiggatädd, or when the
hearings will start, 1 am sure, however, that there will
adequate coverage of these investigations when they do
take place.
Kindest personal regards.
Sincerely,
Cerald R. Ford M.C.
GRF/td
UFO
GEORGE W. EARLEY
9 HIRAM LANE
bloomfield, CONNECTICUT
06002
16 June 1966
Rep. Gerald R. Ford
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.
Dear Representative Ford:
My sincere apologies for such a belated letter of thanks for the material on ufo
which you were kind enough to have sent to me. I found the hearing report most
interesting; the USAF report which you forwarded some days later was, of course,
identical with material already inserted in the hearing report. I find it odd
how chary they seem to be about giving out information about a phenomena which
they repeatedly say offers no threat to the security and well-being of the USA.
Having some additional questions about ufo and having been sent the address in the
Pentagon to which one can write - this having been in the Washington STAR - I wrote
on 1 June 1966 to Mrs. Sarah Hunt at SAFOI, including with my letter copies of
prior letters which had never been answered. As yet I still have no reply but
would hope that they will reply shortly - it seems that at least a minute amount
of my tax money could be so speant.
I am enclosing here a page of the hearing report with some marginal notes. As you
probably recall, the USAF in its annual summary of ufo sightings, points with pride
to the small total of "Unknowns" and on the attached sheet is listed 10 years of
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
ufo data with "only" 3.4% unknowns out of the 10 year total of 6817 sighting reports.
I note, however, that there is another category called "Insufficient Evidence"
which contains 1240 sighting reports (18.1%) which are equally unidentified! I
submit that the USAF has been doing a bit of statistical manipulating here
semantic
manipulation as well! It may well be claimed that if there were more data that the
"Insufficient Evidence" reports would be identified as various conventional objects
and/or phenomena the fact remains, however, that they are still unidentified and
no amount of figure or word flummery should be allowed to obscure the fact. Together,
these two categories account for over 20% of the total sighting reports made during
the 10 year period reported on; an examination of the figures released for 1965 will
show similar high percentages. I would certainly be interested in your comments
on this as well as any comments you might be able to elicit from the USAF.
I note too that the hearing report reports the USAF as saying that they do not know of
any scientists who back NICAP's hypothesis that some UFO reports are of extra-terrestrial
spacecraft. I am also enclosing a list of NICAP advisers and Board members and can
only wonder why none of these people were not called. You will note NASA personnel and
former military flight personnel as well as others of technically qualified backgrounds,
You also mention further hearings to be held in the fall -could you provide details on
this as there was nothing in the papers here. Thank you again for yourassistance in
this matter.
Yours very truly,
unio.-
Gerge
18.1%
417 237 -3,4%
6001
6000
I
2, 167
1, 167
665
1,240
916
6, 817
1, 1,295
805
67
2, 167
226
83
51
59
37
81
47
27
34
87
40
70
23
48
916
"The World of Flying Saucers," by Menzel and Roy. A scientific examination of
the classic UFO reports.
Total
"Tht Moon. Meteorites, and Comets," Dated 1963, by Middlehurst and Kuiper,
Continuous analysis of Soviet moon photos. Chapter on Siberian meteorite
123
IL
20
99
88
143
19
1964
562
61
55
L
123
83
and photos or comets computation of various comet orbital photos.
"The Nature of Light and color in the Open Air," by Minnaert, Dover Publica-
tions. This is an excellent paperback written in understandable lay language.
0
2
5
2
2
3
3
4
4
85
73
23
59
50
82
14
399
57
23
5
85
16
13
3
0
I
58
"Meteors," by Oliver. Standard text by foremost authority on meteors.
1963
"Photographic History of Mars," 1905-61, by Slipher, E. C., published by Lowell
Observatory.
136
68
19
16
15
95
36
5
136
11
6
3
3
3
3
4
5
2
0
2
65
77
15
3
2
474
65
"Anatomy of a Phenomenon," by Valle, Jacques.
1962
"First Man to the Moon," by Von Braun, Wernher.
4
3
2
6
3
4
3
4
203
77
37
115
77
69
13
591
119
84
9
203
17
13
3
6
1
5
77
Total UFO (object) sightings¹
1961
Year
Total
Unidentified
235
99
22
45
3
13
12
6
2
5
9
4
4
3
9
9
4
0
3
Source
105
94
21
14
1960
557
187
235
94
sightings
1947
122
12
Case files.
0
8
3
0
3
12
40
4
144
14
14
11
5
4
5
3
1
0
4
156
7
Do.
144
63
31
65
75
75
1948
1949
186
22
Blue book, page 108.
1959
390
100
1950
210
27
Case files.
1951
169
22
Do.
56
7
29
9
7
3
2
00
5
9
1
3
4
13
10
1
5
1952
1,501
303
Blue book, page 108.
1958
221
104
50
111
93
10
827
168
231
93
1953
509
42
Case files.
1954
487
46
Do.
1955
545
24
Do.
1956
670
14
Do.
1957
1,006
14
Do.
1957
341
210
114
6
18
37
2
z
8
5
12
6
z
1
191
120
14
27
1
5
0
6
1,006
179
144
341
120
1958
627
10
Do.
1959
390
12
Do.
1960
557
14
Do.
93
132
61
0
14
1961
670
88
13
131
3
222
16
3
3
9
1
6
1
1
9
3
4
3
0
0
591
Do.
1962
474
15
1956
222
148
61
Do.
1963
399
14
Do.
1964
562
19
Do.
Statistical data for years 1953-64 1
3
2
5
0
4
95
65
0
24
79
52
&
135
18
1
4
8
4
65
1965
886
16
Do.
1955
135
124
102
545
14
Z
0
1
Total
10,147
646
0
92
44
1
6
1
9
4
3
9
3
3
7
L
1
9
0
L
137
80
69
102
58
46
1954
437
137
59
1 Compiled Jan. 17, 1966.
0
70
4
15
2
4
1
3
8
9
0
4
0
175
73
15
1
1
1
78
64
83
42
1953
505
101
175
62
TOTAL CASES BY CATEGORY
2
ASTRONOMICAL SIGHTINGS
OTHER CASES
Hoaxes, hallucinations, unreliable reports and psychological causes.
Astronomical
Aircraft
Balloon
Insufficient
Unidentified
Total
Other
Satellite
Stars and planets
Total
Meteors
Other
Missiles and rockets.
Reflections
Flares and fireworks
Mirages and inversions
Search and groundlights.
Clouds and contrails
Chaff
Birds
Radar analysis
Photo analysis
Physical specimens
Satellite decay
Total
1 Compiled Nov. 1, 1965.
Other
Board of Governors
Dr. Marcus Bach, Palos Verdes Estate, Cal.; Rev. Albert Baller,
minister, Clinton, Mass.; Col. J. Bryan, II, USAFR, Ret.,
Richmond, Va Mr. Frank Edwards, TV-radio commentator,
author and lecturer, Indianapolis, Ind.; Col. Robert Emerson,
USAR, research chemist and physicist, Baton Rouge, La.; Mr.
Dewey Fournet, Jr., former AF Intelligence major and Monitor of
USAF UFO Project; Mr. J. B. Hartranft, Jr., Pres., Aircraft
Owners and Pilots Association, Washington, D.C.; Dr. Leslie K.
Kaeburn, physicist, University of Southern California; Rear Adm.
H. B. Knowles, USN, Ret., UFO researcher, Eliot, Maine; Prof.
Charles A. Maney, professor emeritus of physics and astronomy,
Defiance College, Ohio; Dr. Charles P. Olivier, Pres., American
Meteor Society, professor emeritus of astronomy, University of
Pennsylvania; Dr. Bruce A. Rogers, research engineer, Texas
Engineering Experiment Station, College Station, Texas.
Advisers List
1. Science & Technology:
Mr. Kenneth Steinmetz, astronomy, Denver,
Colorado
Dr. James C. Bartlett, Jr., astronomy,
Baltimore, Maryland
Mr. Walter N. Webb, astronomy, Charles
Mr. Norman S. Bean, engineer, WTVJ,
Hayden Planetarium, Massachusetts
Miami, Florida
Mr. Robert Beck, Pres., Color Control
Company, Hollywood, California
II. Aeronautics & Space:
Mr. Jack Brotzman, physics, Naval Re-
search Lab, Washington, D.C.
Mr. Don Berliner, member Aviation/Space
Writers Assoc., Washington, D.C.
Dr. Hugh S. Brown, diagnostician & heart
specialist, Spokane, Washington
Capt. C.S. Chiles, Eastem Airlines,
New York, N.Y.
Mr. A.L. Cochran, electronics engineer,
Alexandria, Virginia
Mr. George W. Earley, admin. engineer,
major aerospace firm, Connecticut
Dr. F.P. Cranston, Jr., assoc. professor of
physics, Humboldt St. Coll., California
Mr. Samuel Freeman, past pres., Nat'l.
Aviation Trades Assoc., Bedminster, N.J.
Dr. Fred C. Fair, prof. emeritus of engi-
neering, N.Y. University.
Mr. Morton Gerla, aviation ordnance,
Jamaica, N.Y.
Dr. Robert L. Hall, social psychology,
National Science Foundation, Wash., D.C.
Capt. R.B. McLaughlin, USN, missile
expert, California
Mr. William H. Hall, RCA Field Engineer,
Jacksonville, N.C.
Maj. John F. McLeod, USAFR, pilot,
Jacksonville, Florida
Mr. Frank Halstead, astronomy, Duluth,
Capt. William B. Nash, Pan American
Minnesota
Airways, Germany
Dr. Leslie K. Kaeburn, biophysics, Univ.
Mr. W.R. Peters, former First Officer,
of Southern California
Pan American, Florida
Professor N.N. Kohanowski, geology,
Mr. L.D. Sheridan, Jr., former USMC
University of North Dakota
pilot, Ponte Vedra, Florida
Dr. Fulton Koehler, professor of math-
Lt. Col. Howard C. Strand, A.N.G. com-
ematics, University of Minnesota
mand pilot, Michigan
Dr. Magoroh Maruyama, Anthropologist,
III. News & Public Relations:
Stanford University, Calif.
Mr. James C. Beatty, former ground ob-
Mr. Delbert C. Newhouse, aviation pho-
server corps official, Puerto Rico
tography, California
Mr. Albert M. Chop, NASA information
Miss Susan Quinn, M.S. Psychology, Di-
officer, Houston, Texas
rector of Pan American Schools, Rich-
Mr. Lou Corbin, Chief, WFBR News
mond, Virginia
Bureau, Baltimore, Maryland
Mr. Ralph Rankow, photography, New
Mr. Lee R. Munsick, news and radio,
York, N.Y.
Morristown, N.J.
Mr. Frank G. Rawlinson, physics, NASA
Mr. Leonard H. Stringfield, public rela-
Space Flight Center, Maryland
tions official, Cincinnati, Ohio
Mr. J.R. Riess, research engineer, Lake-
Mr. George Todt, columnist, Los Angeles
wood, Ohio
Examiner, California
New Adviser
Mr. Robert F. Morse, a member of Brandt & Morse Consulting
Engineers, Richmond, Va., has agreed to serve as a NICAP Ad-
viser. Mr. Morse, who recently became a NICAP member, is a
professional engineer and a licensed private pilot. He has been
investigating the UFO subject personally since 1947 and has
amassed a large collection of literature.
Formerly a member of a prominent early UFO investigation
group, which subsequently disbanded, Morse says he "decidednot
to join any more UFO organizations until one particular one would
prove to stand the test of time and to have its feet on the ground
(not) an organization that might at times follow down the
blind alleys brought about by the Lunatic Frings."
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
PHY OF RECOMMENDED U.F.O. MATERIAL
John Fuller (G.P. Putnam's Sons; scheduled for
$5.95) A detailed study of UFO sightings in
rend, 1965. Also examines other recent UFO
ery; 1965 $4.95) -"...a new and provocative
nonly called UFOs. Vallee's suggestions that
mational scale be given increased scientific
on." - Dr. J. Allen Hynek, Chairman, Dept. of
Llian UFO consultant to the USAF.
1964 $5.00) see other side for description.
and Lyle G. Boyd (Doubleday 1963; $4.50)
bok may help you to understand more about the
vestigated and resolved", this debunking
science fiction writer is both factually
rity.
& Richard Hall (Richard Hall, 1916 17th St.,
lysis of the UFO problem in general. Factual
Contains important documents in appendix.
William-Frederick Press, 1962 $4.45) -
mena Research Organization (APRO) contends
, people into disbelieving in the existence
pean and South American UFO reports not
L.J. Tacker (Van Nostrand, 1960; $3.50)
who was the Pentagon spokesman on UFOs for
ivestigations; includes an appendix of "fact
te of book publication.
eyhoe, USMC, ret. (Putnam, 1960; $3.50) An
gations, and the operations of NICAP. Con-
tory of UFO sightings.
Aime Michel (Criterion, 1959; $4.50)
Criterion; 1956; $3.95)
ot E.J. Ruppelt, USAFR (Doubleday 1956 $2.95)
olt, 1953 $3.00)
rhoe (Holt, 1953 $3.00)
of Intelligent Life on Other Planets
1, 1966 $6.95) - An excellent discussion of
heories of cosmology, by the Science Editor of
sdell, 1964 $5.75) - The detailed report, with
il, of a study made for the USAF by the RAND
acteristics of stars and planets capable of
di has estimated the probability of finding
un. (A "popularized" version, co-authored with
MAN from Random House at $4.95. The Blaisdell
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
LEGISLATIVE
UPO
(Leoneason, 3. D.)
RS: INFO
May 24, 1966
Mr. Ronald D. Leonhardt
146 South Third Street
Medford, Wisconsin 54451
Dear Mr. Leonhardt:
Thank you for your letter of May 16th telling me of your support of
my proposal for a Congressional investigation of UFOs. I am pleased
to have your backing and am sending my most recent pless release on
this matter as well as others I have issued.
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
I have also asked the House Committee on Armed Services to send you
a copy of the hearings that they held. Thank you again for your
support and interest.
Kindest personal regards.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford, M.C.
GRF:jb
enc.
,YFD
146 South Third Street
Medford, Wisconsin 54451
May 15, 1966
The Honorable Gerald Ford
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Since World War II there have been many reports of
unknown objects in our skies and around the world. There
has been much credible, scientific evidence that forces
one to take a serious attitude toward these reports.
You, no doubt, are familiar with the National Investigations
Committee on Aerial Phenomena, directed by Major Donald E.
Keyhoe, U.S.M.C., Ret. As an associate member of this organi-
zation, I know of their efforts to promote an open investigation
of the facts. I wish to thank you for your recent call for
congressional hearings. If you can send me any reports on
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
these or other related hearings, I would deeply appreciate
it.
Please continue to search for the truth in regard to
these mysterious happenings in our skies. If, indeed, we
are being visited by an extraterrestial civilization, it
would be one of the most important occurrences in the history
of mankind. Thank you for your interest.
Sincerely yours,
HOLD
Ronald Ronald D. Leonhardt D. Leonhardt/
LEGISLATIVE
UFO
(GEISLER, W, c.)
RE: STUDY
June 1, 1966
Mr. William C. Geisler
5444 Woodside Road
Mentor on the Lake, Ohio
Dear Mr. Geisler:
Thank you for your letter of May 26th. I assure you that I do still Weel
that there should be a Congressional investigation of UFOs. I think the
enclosed statements will display that I have continue to maintain that this
should be done.
However as the result of my request, the House Committee on Armed Services
did hold some hearings and the outcome of this was the call for a study
by a university as described in the most recent press release enclosed.
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
I have had correspondence with Bill Van Horn and thus appreciate having
your comments. You ask what the real answer is, and 1 still feel that
it is a Congressional investigation. llowever the university study will be
a good step in the right direction.
Kindest personal regards.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford, M.C.
GRF:jb
enc.
5444 Woodside Road
Mentor on the Lake, Ohio
May 26, 1966
Congressman Gerald Ford
Longworth Building
Washington 25, District of Columbia
Dear Congressman Ford;
During the recent Hillsdale, Michigan sightings of Unidentified
Flying Objects you made a public statement that there should
be congressional hearings on the subject. Do you still feel
the same way?
I have become very interested in UFO investigations and have
spent quite some time researching the subject. But I would
like to hear some answers from the United States Air Force
besides the 'party line' they have been handing out the past
nineteen years.
Dr. J. Allen Hynek did an excellent job of 'explaining' the
Hillsdale sightings with the phrase "swamp gas, If but William
Van Horn, Defense Director of Hillsdale County, Michigan has
some rather different opinions. According to Mr. Van Horn,
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
Dr. Hynek spent only three hours on his Hillsdale investigation,
before making his conclusions. Mr. Van Horn, however, found
that the average monthly temperatures proved that swamp gas
could not form at all, and that furthermore, during the night
in question, the wind condition was such that if swamp gas
could have appeared, the wind would have dispersed it before it
became visible.
Dr. Hynek represents the UFO investigations for the Air Force
"Project Blue Book. " Now WHY would a representative of the
U. S. Air Force come out with such a statement after only a mere
token appearace at the scene?
It's my opinion that the Air Force, as well as other federal
agencies, have been, and still are withholding information from
the public about the subject of UFO. It is only public minded
officials like you, Mr. Ford, who can get to the bottom of it,
or the top, as the case may be, and keep the public informed.
We no longer live in the days of Orson Wells, and the American
public has become vastly more sophisticated in the past twenty
years. What is the real answer?
Dilliam Sincerely,
William C. Geisler
LEGISLATIVEQ
UFO
(SAMURICK)
RE: STUDY
Junée7, 1966
Mr. Mark A. Samwick
3533 Roger Drive
Wantagh, New York
Dear Mr. Samwick:
Thank you for your letter of May 31st about the investigation of UFOS.
There certainly has been progress made in the study of these sightings.
The House Committee on Armed Services held one day of hearings and then
decided that a contract should be let to a unitersity to make an objective
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
study of the unexplained sightings, and later make their report public.
We continue to check on the status of the project with the Air Force
and they tell us now that the contract may not be let until after Sept-
ember 1st, and that it may be to more than one university.
This is the most recent information that we have, but I thought you would
like to have copies of the press statements that I issued earlier this
year. Copies of the ARmed Services Committee hearings are available if
you wish to write the Committee for them.
Kindest personal regards.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford, M.C.
GRF:jb
enc.
3533 Roger Drive
Wantagh, New York
May 31, 1966
Honorable Gerald R. Ford
514 Crown View Drive
Alexandria, Virginia
Dear Sir,
In the newspapers of late March of this year, I read that you were
trying to promote a Congressional investigation to probe the Air Force
treatment of UFOs, but that Defense Secretary Robert S. McNamara and oth-
ers were presenting opposition. I was glad to hear that someone with
authority was doing something to bring the Air Force's censorship of UFO
sittings out into the open. Unfortunately, however, I have not heard any
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
more about the investigation over the past two months.
I am seventeen years old and I am a junior in high school. For the
past four or five years, I have been collecting articles and reports on
UFO sittings, and this has grown to become my hobby. I would like you to
know that my friends and I support your views on this subject, as I am
sure many other people do.
I am writing this letter to find out if you have made any progress
in promoting the investigation. I would appreciate any information you
could send me about the investigation and the sitting at Ann Arbor.
I realize that you are very busy, but I hope that you can find some
time to answer this letter. Thank you very much, and I wish you the best
of luck with your investigation.
Sincerely,
Mark a. Samwick
LEGISLATIVE
UFO
(SMILEY, C. H.)
RE: RPOGRESS
June 6, 1966
Mr. Chartes H. Smiley
4204 Greenwood
Holt, Michigan
Dear Mr. Smiley:
I wish to thank you for your recent letter on UFOs with your comments
on the CBS television program. 1 thought you would be interested
in the enclosed release, which is my most recent.
We have continued to check on the status of the investigation of
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
the sightings that is going to be donducted by a university or
universities as a result of my request.
We are now told that the contract for this investigation will not
be let until this fall and that is the most recent information that
I have. I do not know what university or universities will be chosen,
nor do I know what date the contract will be let. However I am assured
that the study will be objective and that the results will be made
public.
Thank you for your support.
Kindest personal regards
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford, M.C.
GRF:jb
enc.
Dear Sir
not knowing how to May what
2 would like to say, I will try
my but
not long ago, C.B.S. Felevior
had a program on U.F.O.s.
I was not pleased how they
tried to cover up the realsubject
at hand. They said thice people
were wing thing made by the
United States, notin those direct
words, but thes is whal they
bad weryone to believe.
I realize the United Shales has
many thing that myselfuned
many others know nothing about.
Butdons the United States that
these plains
objects in pop. asius, Inwould say
NO.
Many people in the United
States were sinching the fine about
U.F.O. are they or are they not from
Outer Space. This program I think
set there people. to think, no it
is no pailb.
This program showed me nothing.
I do believe these are or is someone
or some thing outthere.
In my lact hither baching you
on this subject you didmotanower
my question on where I may find
the progress our government in making.
last letter. I would also want you
I thank you for answing my
to know I am back of you 100%
on this subjuct.
Charles H. Smiley
4204 Greenwood
Charles Smity Charly
Holts Michiyan
LEGISLATIVE
UFO
) (beecher, B.)
RE: SUPPORT
June 10, 1966
Mr. Brook Beecher
3907 Lewis Avenue
Long Beach, California 90807
Dear Brook:
Thank you for your letter of June 4th indicating your support for my
action that have been directeuwtowards a Congressional investigation
of UFOs.
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
I appreciate your encouragement and thought you would like to see the
enclosed press release, in case you had not seen it. We do not know
at this time what University will be carrying out this project. As
you may also know, the House Committee on Ammed Services did hold one
day of hearings as the result of my request.
Kindest personal regards.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford, M.C.
GRF:jb
enc.
BROOK BEECHER
3907 LEWIS AVENUE
LONG BEACH CALIFORNIA. 90807.
GERALD R. FORD
MAY 30th, I966.
ASSOCIATE MEMBER N.I.C.A.P.
OFFICE OF THE MINORITY LEADER
FINISHED JUNE 4, I966.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WASHINGTON D.C.
DEAR HONORABLE SIR.
MY NAME IS BROOK BEECHER, I AM 15 YEARS OLD AND VERY INTERESTED IN THE
SUBJECT OF UFOs. THE ORGANIZATION I BELONG TO (NICAP) IS TRYING TO BRING THE FACTS OUT.
I HATE TO BOTHER YOU BUT THERE IS SOMETHING GOING ON THAT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE DONT UNDERSTAND
AND DONT LIKE.. PLEASE BE IN A RELAXEFUL STATE WHILE I GLADLY INFORM YOU.
I AM TALKING ABOUT THE UFO SIGHTINGS THAT ARE INVESTIGATED BY-OUR AIR FORCE. HUNDREDS
THEM HAVE BEEN SEEN BY POLICEMEN, PILOTS AIR FORCE AND CIVILIAN, ASTRONOMERS AND SCIENTISTS
THEY HAVE BEEN TRACKED ON RADAR MANY TIMES AT AIR FORCE AND OTHER BASES AT SPEEDS UP TO NINE
THOUSAND MILES AN HOUR. AISO THEY HAVE BEEN PHOTOGRAPHED ON GUN CAMERAS AND TELESCOPE CAMORAS
H PHOTOCOPY EROM GERAL FORD, BRARY
BY MANY PEOPLE, INCLUDING AIR FORCE MEN POLICE AND MANY OTHER PEOPLE OF GOOD RELIABILITY
AM AWARE THAT PHOTOGRAPHS CAN BE FAKED AND PEOPLE CAN BE HOAXERS. BUT HOW OAN THEY EXPLAIN,
THE ONES THAT WERE SEEN AND TRACKED ON RADAR AND EVEN PHOTOGRAPHED BY NEWSMEN, POLICE AND OTHER
PEOPLE LAST AUGUST FOR TWO WEEKS? THEY WERE SEEN IN SAINT PAUL MINNESOTA AND PHOTOGRAPHED
FLYING ABOVE THE CAPITOL DOME. THEY WERE ALSO SIGHTED IN OKLAHOMA CITY, KANSAS CITY, AND MINNEA-
POLIS. IN MINNEAPOLIS AND SAINT PAUL ALONE DOZENS OF POLICE OFFICERS REPORTED THEM. IN SAINT
OF IT
PAUL PART WAS BLACKED OUT WHEN ONE OF THE SIGHTINGS OCCURED. ALSO NORTH HOLLYWOOD,SANA ANA, AND
MANY OTHER CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES ALONG REPORTED THEM. MANY OTHER COUNTRIES S.AW THEM AND
PHOTOGRAPHED THEM TOO INCLUDING PORTUGAL, SATIAGO, CHILE AND BUENOS AIRES. DURING THE FLAP MANY
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE REPORTED THEM OVER WHOLE CITIES IN MEXICO. THE AMOUNT OF SIGHTINGS INCREASED
so RAPIDLY THAT ONE OF THE NEWS PAPERS IN MEXICO SAID II TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS HAVE INCREASED
=
GREATLY OVER THE PAST YEAR AND HALF OF THE INCREASE CAME FROM OUTER SPACE. YOU MIGHT THINK THEY
WERE METEORS, KITES, AIRCRAFT, ILLUS IONS AND OTHER THINGS THAT CAN FOOL A PERSON. BUT DO THEY
TURN 90 DEGREE ANGLES, GO THOUSANDS OF MILES AN HOUR AND STOP ALL OF A SUDDEN? WE CANT DO THIS!
2"
IF WE DID WE WOULD BLACK OUT BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE G FORCES THRUSHED AGAINST US. UFOs HAVE
BEEN KNOWN TO CAUSE CARS TO STOP, TVs GO BLUR, AND RADIOS GO DEAD. WHEN THE OBJECT FLIES A&
WAY ALL OF THESE ARE IN NORMAL WORKING CONDITION. A LOT OF SCIENTISTS THINK THIS IS WE TO
MAGNETIC INTERFERENCE CAUSED BY ELECTROMAGNETIC FORCE FIELDS.
DO METEORITES STARS & PLANETS SHOW ON RADAR? THEN WHEN AIR FORCE JETS APPROACH THEM,
THE SCREEN GOES BLANK AND THEY ARE LEFT TO CHASE EMPTY AIR. TMEN THEY REAPPEAR AGAIN SOMES
=
=
WHERE ELSE. NOW ONE MAY THINK, OH IT DOESNT HAPPEN VERY OFTEN WHY BOTHER? THEY ARE WRONG 1
AIR FORCE JETS CHASE THEM AND SOME HAVE CRASHED DOING so. OUR AIR FORCE CHASES THEM ALL THE
TIME DURING A FLAP. A FLAP IS A WAVE OF UFO SIGHTINGS SEEN DURING A CERTAIN PERIOD. WHAT HAPPENS
TO PILOTS WHO REPORT THIS? THEY ARE TOLD TO WRITE DOWN THIER REPORT AND FORGET IT. WHEN THE FORD
RETIRE, LUCKILY SOME OF THEM HAVE ENOUGH COURAGE (BEYOND TEN YEAR RESTRICTIONS) TO REPORT EX
REPORTS
ACTELY WHAT THEY SAW AND ADMIT THAT OUR AIR FORCE IS AND HAS BEEN KEEPING ALMOST ALL UFO THAT
If
If
II
CAN NOT BE IDENTIFIED IN ANY WAY. WHEN THEY DO THIS THE AIR FORCE CALLS THEM NUTS OR CRAZY, FREM
MAYBE SOME OF THEM ARE, BUT IS IT POSSIBLE THAT EVERYONE OF THEM IS CRAZY OR INSANE? ME AND
MANY OTHER PEOPLE DONT THINK so
PHOTOCOPY
OH LET ME TELL YOU HOW THE AIR FORCE EXPLAINED THE ONES THAT WERE SEEN LAST AUGUST
THE THIRD WHICH IS JUST ONE OF THE MANY FLAPS OR WAVES THAT HAVE OCCURED SINCE I947. I SHALL
QUOTE FROM THE MINNEAPOLIS TRIBUNE DURING THE EIGHT STATE WAVE THAT STARTED AT ONE IN THE
MORNING AND LASTED THOUGH OUT THAT EVENTFUL DAY. If THE AIR FORCE SAID WHAT HUNDREDS OF PERSONS
SAW SUNDAY NIGHT AND BEFORE DAWN YESTERDAY WAS THE PLANET JUPITER OR ASSORTED STARS. ( THE
KANSAS CITY RADAR STATION PICKED THEM UP AT I BELIEVE 21,000 FEET HIGH). ORDINARY RADAR DOES
NOT PICK UP PLANETS OR STARS THE AIR FORCE LISTED.2 THAT IS AS FAR FROM THE TRUTH AS YOU CAN
GET" SAID ROBERT RISSER, DIRECTOR OF THE SCIENCE AND ART 0 FOUNDATION PLANETARIUM IN L. OKLA
HOMA CITY. HE SAID WATCHERS IN OKLAHOMA CERTAINLY DID NOT SEE THE STARS AND PLANET THE AIR
FORCE LISTED. SOMEBODY HAS MADE A MISTAKE. THESE STARS AND PLANET JUPITER ARE ON THE OPPISITE
SIDE OF THE EARTH FROM OKLAHOMA CITY AT TIME OF YEAR. (OVER BY INDIA). THIS WAS WHAT THE MINNEAPOLE
PAPER SAID LAST AUGUST 4, I966. IT SHOULD HAVE HIT THE FRONT PAGE. BUT NO. IT EITHER IS IN A
SECTION OF THE PAPER NOT VERY NOTICEABLE OR NOT AT ALL. (SOME PAPERS I AM AWARE OF THIS, DO
PUBLISH THE NEWS IN ITS PROPER PLACE). IT WAS ON THE RADIO EVERY DAY AND TV STATIONS ANNOUNCE IT
BUT WHY NOT IN THE PAPERS? THAT IS WHAT MOST PEOPLE LOOK AT. THIS I WISH I COULD ANSWER.
THE LAST FLAP (MARCH&APRIL I966) PRESENTS A GOOD CASE OF AIR FORCE RIDICULE OF REBORTS.
ON MARCH 20th, 1966, 40 PEOPLE AND I2 POLICEMEN SAW A UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT HOVERING
HOVERING OVER THE GROUND(REFERRED AS SWAMP GAS). THE SAWMP I AGREE IS AN UNLIKELY PLACE FOR A
VISIT FROM OUTER SPACE. THE NEWS BROADCASTER SAID MAYBE OUR SWAMPS ARE PARADISE FOR THEM, HUH.
I WAS JUST JOKEING, SOMETIMES READING A LONG LETTER AS MINE CAN GET VERY BOREING. THE NEXT DAY
87 GIRL COLLEGE STUDENTS, A CIVIL DEFENSE DIRECTOR AND AN ASSISTANT DEAN SAW A UFO HO VER ABOVE
A SWAMP FOR FOUR HOURS AND TAKE OFF. I ADMIT COLLEGE GIRLS CAN GET PREETY EXCITED AND START
IMAGINING THINGS, B UT SIGHTINGS INCREASED GREATLY FOR 7 MORE DAYS ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES
- TEXAS, CALIFORNIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, GEORGIA, OHIO, WISCONSIN, AND MICHIGAN. FROM MAINE TO THE
ROCKIES OBJECTSYET TO X IDENTIFY POPPED OUT OF THE SKY WITHOUT THE EXCEPTION OF THE COLLEGE
PRANSTERS WHO SET OF ROTARY BALLONS TO DECIEVE THE PEOPLE OF THE SAN GABRIEL VALLEY. WHILE THIS
WAS HAPPENING THE AIR FORCE REFUSED TO TALKTO REPORTERS. AND IT DENIED KEEPING UFO REPORTS
PHOTOC FROM GERAL FORD BR RY BRARY
UNDER SECURITY. FINALLY AFTER MANY PEOPLE OF GOOD RELIABILITY REPORTED SEEING THESE THINGS
THE AIR FORCE SENT IN DR. H. ALLEN HYNEK(WHOM IM SURE YOU ARE WELL FAMILAR WITH) A US AIR FORCE
INVESTIGATOR TO HEAD INVESTIGATIONS IN MICHIGANS SWAMP AREAS. THEY EXPLAINED THEM ALL RIGHT, HE
SAID IT WAS PROBABLY SWAMP GAS CAUSED BY ROTTEN VEGETATION. DONT TELL ME THAT SWAMP GAS JUSTS
APPEARS, HOVERS, AND FINALLY FLYS AWAY TO JOIN FOUR OTHER SWAMP GASES IN THE SKY. AND TO BE
SWAMP GAS IT HAD TO BE ON FIRE TO SHOW SUCH A FLARE. MANY PEOPLE ARE BEGINNING TO REALIZE THAT
SOME OF THE AIR FORCES EXPLANATIONS ARE NEITHER REASONABLE NOR INTELLIGENCE. A POLICEMEN TOOK
A PHOTOGRAPH OF TWO UFOs STREAKING ACROSS THE NIGHT SKY. PROFESSOR HYNEK SAID IT COULD BE A
TIME EXPOSURE OF THE PLANET VENUS AND THE RISING MOON, WELL MAYBE so, AND MAYBE 90% OF THE
3IGHTINGS ARE BALLONS, KITES, HOAXES ETC. BUT THERE ARE so MANY SIGHTINGS THAT THE AIR FORCE
CAN NOT ACCOUNT FOR, THAT THEY SOMETIMES HAVE TO MAKE UP AN EXPLANATION TO QUITE DOWN THE PEOPLE
AND SOME OF THIER DEBUNKING STORIES ARE SO RIDICULOSIS THAT YOU BEGAN TO WONDER IF THIER
IMAGINATION IS VERY BRIGHT AFTER ALL. ONE SIGHTING THE AIR FORCE LISTED AS THE PLANET MARS, IT
SOON GOT AROUND LATER THAT THE PLANET WASNT EVEN UP UNTIL AN HOUR AFTER THE SIGHTING OCCURED.
SOMETIMES THE AIR FORCE RELY ON THIER EXPLANATIONS so MUCH THAT THEY DONT EVEN BOTHER
TO INVESTIGATE. THIS MAKES PEOPLE MAD AND VERY DISGUISTED so MUCH THAT THEY JUST CANT
QUITE SWALLOW THE EXPLANATIONS DOWN.
THE AF EXPLANED THE HOVERING OF A UFO SIGHTED BY COLLEGE GIRLS, A DEAN AND A CIVIL
DEFENSE DIRECTOR FOR FOUR HOURS WERE PROBABLY MISCHIEVOUS BOYS HOLDING FLARES IN THE AIR
AS A PRANK. ALSO THEY DECLINED THE JUDGMENT OF PEOPLE BY EXPLANING NUMERIOUS OTHER SIGHTINGS
AS BALLONS SWITH ROTARY BLADES & FLARES (WHICH UNDOUBTEDLY SOME WERE) KITES AND IMAGINATION,
MAYBE QUITE POSSIBLE THAT MOST OF THEM WERE, BUT COULD IT BE POSSIBLE THAT ALL OF THE so
CALLED GHOSTS THAT ARE TRACKED ON RADAR CAN BE so SIMPLE EXPLANED AS RADAR PHENOMENA, AND
THAT ALL OF THE RELIABIE PEOPLE THAT DONT BELONG TO THE CRACKPOT SOCIETY WHICH INCLUDES
PILOTS, POLICEMEN, SCIENTISTS, AND MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE EITHER SEEING MIRAGES AND OTHER
ASTRODOMICAL EFFECTS OR IMAGINING THINGS THAT DONT EXIST. NO I DONT THINK so AND NEITHER
DO MANY OTHER PEOPLE. THIER MUST BE SOMETHING TO THIS I DONT THINK THE AIR FORCE KNOWS WHAT
WHO USUALLY THIS IS NOT TRUE IN SOME
PHOTOCOBY FROM GERALD FORD BRARY
THEY ARE ( FLYING SAUCER IS THE TERM USED FOR PEOPLE LIVING A GENERALLY DULL LIFE TRYING
HORROR INTO
TO BRING EXTERRISAL EXISTENCE) I DONT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE I DONT DOUBT S AUCERS ARE REAL PIIER
MUST BE SOME FORM OF LIFE BEYOND THAT WE KNOW OF, BUT FOR THE TIME BEING I SHALL STICK TO
THE NAME UFOS .BUT WHENEVER AN AF INVESTIGATION IS LEAD OUT THEY SHOULD INCLUDE WE THE PEOPE
WHO ARE INTERESTED IN ON IT. WE WOULD LIKE VERY MUCH CONGRESS TO INVESTIGATE THIS SITUATION
WHICH IS CRITICAL.
SOMETIMES YOU DO GET AROUND TO TALKING ABOUT IT.BUT MOST OF THE CONGRESSMEN MUST
FEEL IT IS A WASTE OF TIME SINCE THE AIR FORCE CAN EXPLAN THEM so EASILY. ON AUGUST6 I96I
THE NEWSPAPER NOTED" NO HOUSE INVESTIGATIONS OF THE UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS WILL BE
HELD THIS SESSION". THE AIR FORCE IS UNIERSTOOD TO HAVE SUCCEEDED IN BLOCKING IT. IT IS
BELIEVED HOWEVER THAT THE AIR FORCE AS USUAL, HAS BEEN URGING AGAINST ANY UFO HEARINGS AT
ALL. THE AIR FORCE IS THE SOLE OFFICAL INVESTIGATOR AND REPORTER ON UFO SIGHTINGS. ITS
REPEATED STORY IS THAT ALL OF THE SIGHTINGS CAN BE EXPLANED AWAY AS FAMILIAR OBJECTS, MIS-
IDENTIFIED. THERE ARE SOME SIGHTINGS so REALISTIC THAT THE AIR FORCE HAS TO MAKE UP AN
EXPLANATION TO QUITE DOWN PUBLIC. 20 YEARS AGO THE AIR FORCE FEARED A PUBLIC PANIC. NEW THEY
WHICH WILL COME IN DUE TIME.
FEAR AN RISEING ATTACK FROM THE PUBLIC FOR SECURING SOME OF THESE REPORTS FOR so LONG.
WHEN PEOPLE ATTACK THE AIR FORCE FOR LEBUNKING THE SIGHTINGS so RIDICILOUSLY THEY ARE MEANT
FOR THE WHOLE AIR FORCE. THIS IS NOT FAR^BECAUSE THE WHOLE AIR FORCE IS NOT INVOLVED ONLY A
VERY SMALL PORTION OF IT( I INVESTIGATING OFFICER AT EACH AIR FORCE BASE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR
REPORTS SUBMITTED IN HIS AREA TO BE SENT TO WRIGHT PATTERSON AFB FOR IDENTIFICATION IF NOT
ON THE SPOT IDENTIFIED.) PLEASE ! I AM NOT TRYING TO ATTACK THE AF BY SAYING IT IS AFRAUD I
WAS ONLY TO CALL TO THE POINT OFC WHAT I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN HEARING.
AIR FORCE PILOTS HAVE CHASED UFOs AND SOME HAVE DIED DOING so. I DONT THINKUFOS ARE
A THREAT TO OUR NATIONAL SECURITY SOMETHING ORIDINARY OR UNUSUAL MUST HAVE OCCURRED WHITE
18-1948
THE CHASE WAS ON. ONE CASE WHICH OCCURRRED
YEARS AGO I WILL CALL TO YOUR ATRENTION
WAS AT GODDARD AFBASE. UNKNOWNS WERE TRACKED ON RADAR SO THE COMMAND SENT OUT JET INTERSCERS
TERS TO PURS UE THE OBJECT. A SQUADON OF PLANES SET OUT FOR THE UFO. FINALLY THEY GAVE UP
20,000 feet
GERALD FORD F51 BRAR #
CHASE. BUT THE SQUAD LEADER CAPTAIN MANTEL REARED OVER NEAR IT WAYNUP HIGH. HIS LAST WORDS
WERE (MY GOD I CAN SEE PEOPLE IN ID WHICH ALLY DOESNT MEAN MUCH. BUT THE FACT THAT HIS For
WAS FOUND WITH A WRECKED PLANE BELOW. THE AIR FORCE SAID HE WAS CHASEING THE PLANET VENIUS
FOR A REPORT IN SCHOOLALL MY AFCASES
IT WAS STILL DAY ( I DONT HAVE THE FULL DETAILS WITH ME I SENT IT TO A FRIEND OF MINE) AND
USUALLY WHEN VENIUS CAN BE FOUND ONCE IT IS PRETTY HARD FOR THE PILOT TO KEEP TRACK OF ITs PROTOC
AND VENIUS DOES NOT GET TRACKED ON RADAR!
JRMB
WHAT
VOIDLI
CANT
MAKE
TCO
DON'T
HAVE
THE
REPORT
WITH
MW
WERE
SENT
COT
TO
ENTERCES
A
LAKE SUPERIOR NOVEMBER 23, I953
AN UNKNOWN OBJECT WAS REPORTED IN THE SKY OVER LAKE SUPERIOR. FROM KINROSS AIR FORCE BASE
IN MICHIGAN, AN F-89 JET TOOK OFF TO INVESTIGATE? AT CONTROLS WWERE LT. MONCLA JR., AND IN
REAR COCKPIT PREPARINT TO TRACK THE UFO WAS LT. WILSON. AN AF RADAR CREW EOLLOWED THE WHOLE
OPERATION FROM THE GROUND. THEY SAW THE F-89 FOLLOW THE EUFO FOR I60 MILES .OVER LAKE SUPER-
IOR. THIER WAS NO ADVANCE INDICATION OF ANY TROUBLE. BUT SUDDENLY THE UFO BLIPS AND THE JET
BOTH MERGED ON THE RADARS COPE. THE REST WAS SILENCE .RADIO CALIS TO MONCLA & WILSON WERE UN-
ANSWERED. A TWO DAY SEARCH OF THE LAKE TURNED UP NOT A SINGLE PEICE OF WRECKAGE NOT A LIFE-
JACKET, NOT A SLICK OF OIL. THE AIR FORCE MADE ALL KINDS OF ATTEMPTS TO EXPLAN AWAY THIS
WEIRD EPISODE. AT FIRST THEB UFO WAS EXPLANED AS AN OFF COUSE CANADIAN AIRLINER, THEN AS A
(PLANE)
ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE JET. BUT NEITHER HELD WATER.IT IS A POSITIVE FACT SUBSTAINED BY
6#
THE CANADIAN AIR FORCE IT SEIF IN LETTERS TO NI.CAP, THAT NO CANADIAN AIR B. CRAFT OF ANY
KIND WERE IN THE VISINITY AT THE TIME. I SHALL LET YOU ON A EQUALLY WEIRD INCIDENT.
ON APRIL 8, I964, THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS & SPACE ADMINISTRATION LAUNCED FROM CAPE
KENNEDY THE FIRST TWO MAN GEMINI CAPSULE. THE CAPSULE WENT INTO ITS PLANNED ORBIT AROUND
THE EARTH. THIS FIRST TEST WAS A GREAT SUCCESS. YOU READ ABOUT IT THE NEXT MORNING IN THE
PAPER.
B UT THIER WAS SOMETHING YOU DIINT READ. THE GEMINI CAPSULE WAS STILL IN ITS FIRST
ORBIT WHEN FOUR UNKNOWN SPACECRAFT FIEW UP TO IT. WHILE STARTIED RADAR TRACKERS WATCHED
THIER SCREENS IN OPEN MOUTHED AMAZEMENT, THE FOUR TOOK UP POSITIONS AROUND THE CAPSULE-- TWO
ABOVE IT ONE BENEATH, ONE AFT. THEY DREW CLOSE TO THE TO THE CAPSULE AND PACED IT FOR A
FULL ORBIT OF THE EARTH. THEN APPARENTLY FINISHED WITH WITH THIER SCRUTINY, THEY PULLED AWAY
AND VANISHED INTO THE UNKNOWN.THE FACT YOU HAVENT HEARD IT- HAVENT BEEN ALLOWED TO HEAR IT-
IS AS FRIGHTING AS THE STORY ITSEIF YOU WISH TO CHECK ON THESE INCIDENTS THEY ARE ON FILE
AT NI. CAP WASHINGTON D.C.
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD BRARY
I WENT TO LISTEIN TO COLONEL HARRY F. MAY USA.A.E. RESERVE OFFICER AT A LECTURE. HE SAID
THAT WE WITH THE HUMAN EYE CAN ONLY SEE I MILEOMETER OF I MILEOMETER OF ONE PERCENT OF ALL OF
THE LIGHT RATS KNOWN TO MAN. THESE FIGURES HE PUT TOGETHER WITH HIS OWN STUDY OF COSMIC & UIT-
RAVIOLENT RAYS. THE MEANING OF THESE STATEMENTS ARE NOT OF MUCH VALUE. BUT AFTER THE LECTURE
I WENT APOUN THE PLATFORM TO QUESTION HIM. THE QUESTION OF MOST IMPORTANCE I THREW AT HIM WAS
WHAT ARE AIR FORCE REGULATIONS & RESTRICTIONS REGARDING THE INVESTIGATION OF UNIDENTIFIED FLY-
ING OBJECTS 200-2 PARAGRAPH 9&II.MY DID HE STIFFEN HE SEEM TO BE THINKING WHERE DID YOU GET
KNOWLEDGE OF SUCH RULES. OTHER PEOPLE WERE LISTEINING AND I DID NOT WISH TO HARM HIM BEING AN
OFFICER ONLY DOING HIS LUTY, I TOLD HIM TO FORGET THE QUESTION THAT I KNEW WHAT THEY CONTAINED.
YOU MAY ASK WHAT IS STATED IN ITS CONTENTS. THIS I CAN NOT% TELL YOU WORD FOR WORD
ONLY THE AF KNOWS THIS. BUT I SHALL INFORM YOU OF THE GENERAL STATEMENTS IN IT. AF REGULATION
200-2 par 9 STATES ONLY EXPLANED CASES MAY BE RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC IN THE AREA OF OCCURENCE.
THIER JOB AS YOU KNOW IS TO TURN A UFO TO AN IDENTIFIEDABIE FLYING OBJECT IN A MATTER OF MINUTES.
PAR. II AF REG. 200-2 RESTRICTS AIR FORCE PERSONNAL FROM PUBLICY DISCUSSING UFs. THE NEXT
TIME CONGRESS HAS A HEARING WITH THE AIR FORCE PRESIDING ( THE LAST ONE WAS A SHAME ONLY ONE
HOUR TWENTY MINUTES ALLOWED TIME ) ASK THEM WHAT 200-2 STATE IN REGARD TO UFO I DENTIFICATION
SPECIFICALLY PARAGRAPH 9&III IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO HEAR WHAT THEY SAY. THEY SAY THIER FILES
ARE OPEN TO NEWS REPORTERS BOOK WRITERS ETC. BUT WHEN I RECIEVED APOUN REQUEST THE ANNUAL
1966
PROJECT BLUEBBOK REPORT FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE AF I NOTICED ON PAGE 5(DATE FEBRUARY 1965)
UNDER NON AVAILABILITY OF MATERIALS II SHALL QUOTE FROM IT" THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE FOR
INTERNAL USE ONLY AND ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR DISTRIBUTION TO THE PUBLIC. THESE CONCERN INTERNAL
MANAGEMENT AND PROCEDURES FOR FORWARDING UFO REPORTS TO THE APPROPRIATE AGENCY. (WORD FOR WORD)
THE FIRST MENTIONED WAS AF REGULATION 200-2, THE SECOND AND LAST IS JANAP I46. WHY? BECAUSE
THE AIR FORCE DOESNT WANT THE PUBLIC IN GENERAL TO TO HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF THIER RULES PRETAINING
TO THE SECURITY OF CLASSIFIED CASES .WHT ARE THEY CLASSIFIED I CAN NOT TELL YOU BECAUSE I DO NOT
KNOW. ON PAGE $ (9) OF THE SAME BOOKLET WHICH IS AVAILABLE FROM THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
OF STATISTICS FOR 1965 UNDER STARS AND PLANETS FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST (DURING THE AUGUST
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
JULY)UFO FLAP) YOU WILL SEE THE NUMBER 55 AND FOR THE OTHER MONTHS LESS NUMBERS RANGING FROM
o TO 20 MOST OF THESE I FEAR WERE DURING THE NIGHT OF AUGUST 3 WHEN THEY WERE IDENTIFIED BY
THE AIR FORCE AS BEING THE PLANET JUPITER AND STARS RAGAL WHICH WAS NOT EVEN UP IN THE SKY THAT
NIGHT TO THE VISIBILITY OF THE UNITED STATES BUT WERE SHINING WHERE INDIA SHOULD BE. YET TO THE
AF IT IS LISTED AND STILL REMAINS AS IDENTIFIED.
BEFORE I CLOSE MY LETTER I WILL KEEP YOU UP TO DATE OF A SIGHTING WHICH OCCURRED THE
I7th OF APRIL I966. DEPUTY SHERIFF DALE SPAUR AND IEPT SHERIFF W.L. NEFF OF RAVENNA OHIO SPOTTED
AN UNIDENTIFIED OBJECT(UFO) AT 5 a.m. AND CHASED IT FOR 86 MILES FOR A HOUR AN A HALF FROM
NEAR
RAVENNA OHIO TO CONWAY PITTSBURG HUNDREDS OF OTHER PERS ONS IN BOTH STATES REPORTED SEEING THE
BRILLIANT AND SHINNY OBJECT. SPAUR SAID HE COOCKED IT UP% TO I03 MILES AN HOUR. WHEN WE GOT
STALLED IN TRAFFIC, IT WAITED FOR UB", HE SAID.POLICE CHIEF GERALD BUCHERT TOOK A PH)TOGRAPH OF
THE OBJECT IN HIS BACK YARD. THE AIR FORCE EXPLANED THE OBJECT WHICH WAS DESCRIBED AS TWO
SAUCERS ON TOP OF EACH OTHER ZIG ZIGGING BACK AND FORTH ACROSS THE ROAD AS THE PASSAGE OF A
8#
SATELLITE. AS IT APPROACHED THE SOUTHEAST PORTION OF THE SKY, IT DISAPPEARED, AND SHERRIF SPAUR
FOCUSED HIS EYES ON THE PLANET VENIUS. POLICE SHERIFF ROSS DUSTMAN ORITICIZED THE REPORT.
= I GO ALONG WITH MY MEN" DUSTMAN SAID. IT WAS NOT A SATELLITE AND NOT VENIUS. I'VE SEEN
VENIUS MANY TIMES, BUT I NEVER SAW VENIUS 50 FEET ABOVE A ROAD AND MOVING FROM SIDE TO SIDE
LIKE THIS WAS... I HAVE NEVER SEEN VENIUS CONTROLLED BY SOMEONE LIKE THIS. THE AIR FORCE SAID
NOTHING TURNED UP IN THE PHOTOGRAPH POLICE SHERIFF BUCHERT TOOK SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE
CAMERA. THEN ASKED HIM NOT TO RELEASE IT. NOT TO RELEASE PHOTOGRAPHS NOTHING TURNED UP IN.
THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG HERE OR A MISTAKE HAS (SHALL I SAY A LOT OF MISTAKES) HAS OCCURRED
AND THE PUBLIC INGENERAL OUGHT TO BE NOTIFIED ABOUT IT.
I WROTE TO OUR LOCAL CONGRESSMEN MR ORAIG HOS MER OF LONG BEACH AND LET HIM ON A FEW
FACTS I THOUGHT HE MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN HEARING ABOUT IT. 2 WEEKS LATER I RECIEVED A RESPECTIVE
ANSWER FROM CONGRESSMEN HOSMER. IT SAID" DEAR BROOK; RATHER THAN GO INTO DETAIL IN REPLYING TO
YOUR LETTER ABOUT UFOs, I AM ENCLOSING A COPY OF THE HEARINGS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON ARMED
SERVICES ON APRIL 5, 1966, WHICH I BELIEVE YOU WILL FIND MOST INTERESTING." IN OTHER WORDS SINCE
HE HAS A CAMPAIGN COMEING UP HE SIMPLY DOES NOT WANT TO BECOME INVOLVED. BUT IT WAS VERY NICE
OF MR.HOSMER TO SEND ME THE BOOKIET ON THE ARMED FORCES COMMITTEE HEARING OF UFOs THEN LEAVE
ME WITH A BLANK EXPRESSION. WOULDNT PEOPLE THINK HE WAS OFF BEAM IF HE PROPOSED A BILL FOR A
CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION? OUR DISTRICT IS VERY FORTUNATE TO HAVE SUCH FINE CONGRESSMEN so
THIER NO USE IMPLYING APOUN HIM AN UNKNOWN BURDEN OF WHICH HE COULD NOT HANDLE HE IS BETTER THE
MJ. DONALD E, KEYHOE
WAY HE IS. IF YOU WISH MORE INFORMATION ON THIS SUBJECT I SUGGEST YOU TRY AND CONTACT WHICH HE
WILL BE MORE THEN GLADE TO SERVE YOU, AND IS DIRECTOR OF N.I.C.A.P.. THEY CAN BE REACHED BY
PHONE ING NOrth 7-9434. I FELT YOU WERE THE ONLY ONE NOW THAT I COULD TRUST AND WRITE TO I
KNOW YOU WILL DO A VERY GOOD JOB ABOUT THIS AND PLEASE DONT FEEL ALONE WE ARE ALL WITH YOU ON
THIS SUBJECT AND LET ME KNOW IF I CAN BE OF ANY MORE SERVICE TO YOU AT ALL. (PLEASE). I AM JUST A
ONLY IO WORDS A MINUTE
BEGIN NING TYPER BUT TYPED IT so YOU COULD UNDERSTAND IT. I HAVE SPENT 25 HOURS ON THIS AND
OPPIED IT TWICE. PLEASE IN YOUR ANSWER LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THE SITUATION AND TELL ME
WHAT IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT I DONT KNOW. PLEASE INFORM ME OF WHAT ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN THAT
YOU KNOW OF.. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND I WILL BE WAITING VERY ANXILOUSLY, RETURN REPLY. REQUESTED.
YOUR FRIEND BROOK BECHER
BrookBeecher
LEGISLATIVE
UFO
(JESUS, D. B.)
RE: SUPPORT
June 1, 1966
like David B. Jesus
1437 No. Alta Vista Boulevard
Hollywood, California
Dear Mr. Jesus:
Thank you for your letter of May 26th indicating your support for
my actions that have been directed towards in Congressional investi-
gation of UFOs.
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
I appreciate your encouragement and thought you would like to see
the enclosed press release, in case you had not seen it. We do
not know at this time what university will be carrying out this
project.
Thank you again for your interest.
Kindest personal regards.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford, M.C.
GRF:jb
enc.
1437 No. Alta Vista Boulevard
Hollywood, California 90046
May 26, 1966
The Honorable Gerald R. Ford
Minority Leader
House of Representatives
Washington, D. C.
Dear Congressman Ford:
I have just completed reading your letter of March 28, 1966 to L. Mendel
Rivers, in which you requested a hearing on unidentified flying objects. I
am writing to congratulate you on your courageous and correct stand on UFO's.
Although I have never seen such objects myself, while I was on active
duty in the U. S. Army in Thailand, in 1962, a radar sighting occurred. To
my knowledge, it was never adequately explained. After arriving back in the
States, I wrote to Project Blue Book about the case in question. I was informed
that Blue Book had never heard of the incident.
I have two friends who are former Air Force officers. One had a UFO
sighting at SAC headquarters in Omaha. He is convinced the UFO's are real
objects that could not be manufactured by earth technology. (He held the
rank of major in the Air Force, and is now an engineer for a major aero-space
company.) My other friend was a Captain, who used to investigate UFO. sighting
reports in the field-not on the Blue Book staff. He tells me that at least 2/3
of the reports were never even sent to Blue Book! He was stationed at a radar
site, in the mid-1950's, and at least three times in & six month period UFO's
were tracked on radar. On each occasion, the station's microwave was knocked
out for a 10 minute period.
This is the first time that I have ever written to a governmental official
solely for the purpose of telling him what a fine job I think he is doing. I
sincerely hope that you will continue in your efforts to bring out the truth,
whatever it may be, about the unidentified flying objects. With best wishes,
Dark Jesu
David B. Jesus