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1966: Unidentified Flying Objects, July (folder B48-28)
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1966: Unidentified Flying Objects, July (folder B48-28)
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Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
Legislative Issues Files
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Unidentified flying objects
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The original documents are located in Box B48, folder "1966: Unidentified Flying Objects
(folder 28)" 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United States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives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, July (folder B48-28)
Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
LEG.
UFO
(PUIELSCRIEFTER
RE: COST OF BLUE
BOOK
July 15, 1966
Mr. Ray Phielschiefter
1537 3rd Avenue North
Texas City, Texas 77590
Dear Mr. Phielschiefter:
Thank you for your letter of July 8th enclosing the photos regarding
UFOs. I was interested to see these but as you know my main concern
has been that a Congressional investigation be held and 4 report be
made fully available to the public rather than trying, to become an
authority myself on this subject. Nevertheless, I am pleased that
you sent the photos.
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
Regarding the questions that you asked, I do not have these figures
on hand so I have written to Air Force lieadquazters here, requesting
an answer to your questions and asking for a copy of the regulations
that you wanted to have.
As soon as I have a reply, I will be writing you again.
Kindest personal regards.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford, M.C.
GRF:jb
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY
JUL 2 9 1966
Dear Mr. Ford:
Recently you requested information on unidentified flying objects
(UFOs) in behalf of Mr. Ray Phielschiefter, Texas City, Texas.
Funds are not appropriated or specifically identified in budget
estimates for the investigation of UFO reports. Since this effort is
accomplished by temporary diversion of resources and is incidental
when compared to the over-all command operation, the Air Force has not
established a separate accounting system to identify the costs asso-
ciated with the investigation of UFO reports. Consequently, we are
unable to answer Mr. Phielschiefter's questions regarding this aspect
of our program.
Air Force Regulation 200-2, Unidentified Flying Objects, governs
the conduct of the UFO program. The purpose of this regulation is to
provide guidance to Air Force personnel on investigating and preparing
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
UFO reports and releasing information.
The purpose of Joint Army-Navy-Air Force Publication (JANAP) 146
is to provide uniform instructions for the peacetime reporting of what
is judged to be vital intelligence sightings. It deals in UFOs only
as a catch-all class of sighting that does not fall into a recognized
category such as ships, submarines, aircraft, or missiles.
Both of the above publications are for internal use and guidance
only and are not available for distribution to the general public.
Mr. Phielschiefter may peruse these publications at any Air Force base.
If we may advise you further, please call on us.
Sincerely,
DWIGHT F. COVELL, Colonel, USAF
Congressional Inquiry Division
Office of Legislative Liaison
Attachment
Honorable Gerald R. Ford
8/2/66 copytoms.P.
House of Representatives
SusenseE
"P"
(CHAPMAN, J. M.)
RE: QUESTION
BY PHIELSCHIEFTER
July 15, 1966
Colonel John M. Chapman
Chief, Air Force Liaison Office
6656 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C.
Dear Colonel Chapman:
Enclosed is a letter that I have received requesting certain
information about Air Force's "Project Blue Book" and also
asking for a copy of a certain Air Force regulation.
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
I would appreciate any assistance that you could give that
would be helpful in answering his questions and providing
him with the copy of the regulation he wishes to have.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford, M.C.
GRF:jb
enc.
Dear cangressmen Ford
July 8,1966
Thank you far answering my
letter and sending me the infar-
mation Dappreciate it hery much.
I am certainly glad to hear
that the air force is going to let
same of our leading unigrersities
make an inhletigation of FO sight-
ings Kausehery knowing the
air fance and the way in which
it has kept important UFO facts
from the american people, 2 am
inclined to believe that theair
fance will not do as it said it
will da. of course, 2 could he
wrong, and I most certainly
hope that 2 am.
I am enclasing a packet of
Phataes I hope that you will
find these intersting
Could you answer me the bat
lawing questians
1.
Kam much maney dose theair
have spend per CFO report that
it investigates!
©Kam much money has the air
barce spen
to date?
I have been trying to get a
Copy of air force regulation
200-2 and JANAP 146 (B) but
have been unable to da so Da
you think you could get a Copy
of these orders har me If sa,
I will he farevery in your debt
Kapeing to hear from you
soan
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
Sincerely
Ray Phielechiefter
Ray Philschiefter
1537 3rd alam
Texas City, texas 795.40
LEGISLATIVE
UFO
(JACOBSON, J.)
RE: BOOK
July 25, 1966
Mr. James G. Jacobson
140 N. Louise
Glendale, California 91206
Dear Mr. Jacobson:
I wish to acknowledge and thank you for your letter of July
21st regarding UFOs and about the object that was sighted
crashing into a river in Brazil.
As you know, there are more than 600 unexplained sightings
of which this is undoubtedly one, and for this reason I
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
have called for a Congressional investigation of these
sightings so that all the facts might be known to the public.
I appreciate having your specific recommendations about the
CIA making an attempt to recover whatever it was that did
crash into the river.
Thank you for your interest in this matter.
Kindest personal regards.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford, M.C.
GRF:jb
July 21, 1966
the Hou. Gerald R. yord
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C.
Dear Mr. 2nd
you have shown Concern lately
about proper investigation of UFO's.
I have read in a book "trangers from
The this by Brad steiger, award Books, 1966
Published by Universal Publishing & Distribution
Corp., 800 second are, N.Y., N.Y.
d Can't say much for the accuracy
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD BRARY
and depth 1 reporting of the book but there
is one article which n of interest if there
is only the slightest chance of its being
true. On pages 83-86 h report is given of
a U.EO. that was observed by many people
to have developed parent trouble and crashed
into the Peropavia River in 1 the too Paulo
province of Brazil. It was not found
by amatem searchers presumably
because of the dey mud in the river
I ful the U.F.O. should be searched
fn by some U.S. Organization like the
C/A n some other group who can
marshal the proper equipment to
search the mud for the supposed
U.F.O. with embarassing the U.S. government
through an open search because of the
likely failure to find anything.
Sincerely your
James G. Jacobson
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
140 N. hourse
Glendale 6, Colif.
91206
LEGISLATIVE
UFO
(RELYEA, HC)
RE: CONG.
INVEST.
July 26, 1966
Mr. Harold C. Relyea
23 Elm Street
Camden, New York 13316
Dear Mr. Relyea:
This is just a note to thank you for sending me a copy
of your letter of July 22nd to Representative Mendel
Rivers, Chairman of the House Committee on Armed Services,
in support of my proposal for a Congressional investigation
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
of UF08.
Your support is certainly appreciated.
Kindest personal regards.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford, M.C.
GRF:jb
July 22, 1966
Hon. L. Mendel Rivers, Chairman
Armed Services Committee
House of Representatives
Washington D.C.
Dear Chairman Rivers:
During the past four weeks 1 have been concerned with a
phenomenon commonly known as unidentified flying objects and for
various reasons, which I elaborate below, I began researching this
topic. My interest in this phenomenon was timulated by the ce-
cent Michigan sightings and the request for a congressional in
vestigation my Congressman Gerald Ford. By profession I an a pol-
itical scientist and, like many other Americans, I have read RC-
counts in the press concerning UFC's and have heard about then but
I have never really given the topic much consideration.
Recent events, as indicated below, have changed my attitude
toward this matter and, in view of the Fact that your committee has
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
held hearings on the matter, I would like to obtain further infor-
mation and comment. I LOS also addressing my remarks to Rep. George
P. Miller, Chairman of the House Science and Astronautics Committee,
in the hope that he too will comment on this matter.
First, I believe any investi ation by congress should be on
a bi-partism basis as X believe thi matter merits cooperation be-
tween both parties in obtaining facts and substantial data which
can, and must, be presented to the American people.
Second to vilew of the fact that this Congress has just rati-
fied and made into law x bill concerning public information and ex-
scutive agencies, more material than has thus far been given to the
American people must be made available, We cannot continue to ignore
or stifle inquiry into this matter. The Congressmen and Senators of
this country as well as heir President, believe information held by
certain executive agencies should be made available to the people. Does
this include information on this phenomenon? If not, why not? Why
does not Congress, the appropriating agency of our government, know
more about this matter than they have thus far indicated?
Thirdly, I understand the whole investigatory matter has been
turned over to a pilot university who's faculty will investigate the
matter on a part-$ime basis, alloting certain sections of the inquiry
to cooperating university faculties, including about seven in all. I
understand that this investigation is being conducted on a grant basis
with the Department of the Air Force. In connection with this type of
investigation let me point out two hurdles. First, as Jaques Vallee
points out in his book, Anatomy of A Phenomenon - a book highly praised
by the Air Force, that there exists a "Harvard Syndrome", that is, a
certain professional antagonism among astronomers and astrophysists too-
ward this matter. And secondly, this Air Force contract basis for the
investigation, while commendable and very much appreciated, does not
offer itself as the best basis for completely empiracle work, particu-
larly in the eyes of the American public.
2-
At this point, then, I an strongly advocating a full congressional
investigation, either by the House Armed Services Committee or the House
Science And Astronaution Committee. While 1 an not familiar with Chair-
man Willer's role as a congressional leader, I an familiar with the fine
work conducted by you and the Armed Services Committee. You have already
conducted some inquiries and I would urge further investigation, if for
no other reason than making the whole question one of public record. By
own congressmen, Rep. Alexander Pirnie, supports this action, as 1 on sure
many others on the committee do, both Democrats and Republicans.
I would appreciate hearing from you in regard to this matter, as I
would also appreciate hearing from Chairman Miller, If your committees
have any information which you can afford no I would be most grateful. I
an particularly interested in your comments. Thank you for your attention
in this matter and your kind consideration.
Sincerely,
Harold C. Relyea
Copy: Hon. George P. Willer
23 Eln Street
Hon. Gerald Ford
Carden, New York 13316
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
Brook Beecher
Thody TrailsCamp
LIFO
Dear Honorable Sir,
northport attachtive michigan
Thank you very much for
your courtesy in replying to my
hasty letter. Since I had spent
25 hourspreparing atysewritten
report for you I didnot feet that
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
youproperly answered myletter
The Last lether yousentme was
Complete and informative With
authe details 2 believe you know of
Thank you for your well written
and informated Letter a The questions
Ive asked you are complete. Thank you
verymuch. your friend BroohBerha.
LEGISLATIVE
UFO
(beecher, B.)
RR:E STUDY
July 8, 1966
Mr. Brook Beecher
Shady Trails Camp
The University of Michigan
Northport, Michigan 49670
Dear Mr. Beecher:
Thank you for your recent letter. I am afraid that I still do
not know what university will be chosen to receive the grant and
conduct the investigation. We have checked with the Air Force
just days ago and they still have no word as to what university
will be chosen.
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
I an sorry that you feel I did not answer your letter correctly
about what is being done and what is my opinion of the present
situation is. I gave you as much information as I have, that is,
the Air Force has now decided to choose a university that will re-
ceive a grant to study the unexplained sightings and then in turn
will choose five other universities to assist on a geographical
basis. As to my opinion of the present situation-II would have
hoped for more of a Congressional investigation than the one day
of hearings that was held by the House Committee on Apard Services,
but I feel that the present course of action is a step in the
right direction.
I regret that I cannot give you more information at the present
time or give you more of an opinion about the present situation
but that is simply all the information that I have at the present
time. I want to be sure that any investigation will be objective
and that a report will be made fully available to the public, and
all indications are that this will be true of the university study.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford, M.C.
GRF:jb
an
Beecher's Clearwater "the The Jamily Resort
on
Lake
ANNANDALE, MINNESOTA
Aonsterald RFord Vhere Parents with
Children can enjoy vacationing together."
gran
&
Dear Honorable Sir,
Jam thanking you
for your return still reply don't tomy
frow
letter on VFOS. Bertwhen you
mentionedacollege was going
to investigate this situationihat
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
rubo thrused upon fines t imp twomant
college will do this? the harsh
is handlyworth their th time(thAF)
theway they treat the sightings as
mirages t hoones of felt you 2nd
not properly answermy letter
correctly a boat what is being
done and whates goutopinion
of the present situation. of P lease
clear this uppor me Thank you
willie waiting to hear from you
your friend BrookBucher
LEGISLATIVE
UFO
(relyea, E. c.)
RE: STUDY
July 14, 1966
Mr. Harold C. Relyea
23 Elm Street
Camden, New York 13316
Dear Mr. Relyea:
I wish to acknowledge and thank you for your letter of July 13th regarding UFOS.
You say that over the past four weeks you have been reading books about this sub-
ject; I am pleased to know of your interest in these matters. I must admit that
I did not have a deep interest in the subject until the sightings occuredin Mich-
igan and it became apparent that several Michigan people are very concerned about
this matter as well as many others across the country.
Although I have net read the books you mention, many of those who have written to
me about flying saucers have mentioned them. As you may know, shortly after the
Michigan sightings, I called for a Congressional investigation of UFOs, writing
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD BRARY
to the chairmen of the House Committees on Science and Astronautics and on Armed
Services. As a result of this action, the House Committee on Armed Services did
hold one day of hearings. Enclosed are some of the press releases that I issued
at that time. The Armed Services hearings were published and although I no longer
have copies of these hearings, you may still be able to obtain them by writing to
the committee.
As you will note from my statements, I expressed my feelings that the American
people are entitled to a more thorough explanation than has been given them by
the Air Force to date.
One result of the hearing was the decision to appoint a committee of independent
scientists to study the more than 600 unexplained sightings. It was originally
proposed that these scientistà would be chosen by the National Academy of Sciences.
However a change in plans was made and it was then proposed that a contract would
be let to a university after September 1st and that certain members of the faculty
would study the unexplained sightings on a part-time basis. Another change in plans
was made, and the most recent information we have is that the Air Force will award
a grant, not a contract, to one university, which in turn, will select five other
universities to assist it in conducting an investigation. The five other universities
thus chosen, are also to receive grants for their part in the study. The last news
we had was that the "lead" university was to be chosen sometime this month. We
have continued to check on the status of this matter but as far as we know at this
date no university has yet been selected to become the "lead" university. We were
told that this and the other universities would sift through all the evidence, make
an objective study and make the results of their report fully available to the public.
Mr. Harold C. Relyea
July 14, 1966
Page Two
Thus far, we have received no evidence to the contrary that this would be true. A1
though I have no information as to exactly when the "lead" university will be chosen,
I would hope that it would be soon and that the news of the selection would be widely
publicized in the news media.
While I had called for a Congressional investigation and still continue to feel that
it would be helpful, 1 also feel that the university study, as it is proposed, would
be a step in the right direction and would be a help in bringángtykés matter out into
the open. This is the status of the investigation at present.
While I do no have the facilities to maintain a mailing list to let all of those
who have written the know about further developments, I can assure you that I will
be issuing statements when significant developments do occur.
I appreciate having your support for my idda of a Congressional investigation and
I hope this letter will be useful ân keeping you up-to-date on the progress being
made in this direction.
I too, hope that you will have helpful replies to the others that you wrote to, as
you express this desire in your letter.
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BR BRAR
Kindest personal regards.
Sincerely,
Geradd R. Ford, M.C.
GRF:jb
enc.
July 13, 1966
House of Representatives
Hon. Gerald Ford
Rayburn Building
Washington D.C.
Dear Congressman Ford:
good fine
During the last four weeks I have been reading books concerning
unidentified flying objects. My interest in this phenomenon was stime
ulated by activities by these "objects" in your home state, Michigan
Well
Quite frankly, I have never been interested in this matter before. By
develop
profession I am a political scientist and, like many other Americans,
I have read accounts of UFO's and heard about them on the news but I
time
have never given them much thought,
Two facts have changed my indefference toward this phenomenon.
First, after reading three books - Donald Keyhoe's Flying Saucers From
Outer Space (1953), Edward J. Ruppelt's The Report On Unidentified Fly-
ing Objects (1958), and Frank Edwards' Flying Saucers - Serious Business
(1966) - I an convinced that our Air Force knows more about these objects
PHOTOCOPY FROM QUO FORD BRARY
than they are revealing to the press and the public. Further, I think
the above authors indicate rather clearly that private individuals and
public employees have suffered indignation and ridicule when they report
sightings of phenomena to the Air Force. This policy of belittling both
the phenomenon of UFO's and those who sight them is disgraceful. I real-
ize that many of the reports received are pranks or sightings of known
aerial objects. But it must be clear to many government representatives
and the people of this country that some kind of aerial objects are en-
tering our air space from a point outside our air space - extra terrestial
or interplanetary - I don't know.
Secondly, the President of the United States has just signed into
law a. bill for making the records of certain executive agencies available
to the public. The Department of Defense, the Department of the Air Force
and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base/Project Blue Book, all fall under the
jurisdiction of this bill. The Congressman and Senators of this country,
as well as our President, believe certain information should be made public.
Does this include information on this phenomenon? If not, why not? If they
do not exist, why the secrecy, why the unanswered letters? Why doesn't
Congress, the appropriating financial agent of our government, know more
about this phenomenon than they indicate. What happened to your own inves-
tigation into this matter announced shortly after the Michigan sightings?
I address this letter to you, to my own congressman who sits on the
Armed Services Committee, to my Senators and other concerned servants of
the people of this country. I address it to all of you in the hope that
each of you will reply to ne on this matter. And I address this letter to
you not only as of citizen interested in some vague unknown phenomenon, but
as an American concerned with having other Americans better informed and
knowledgeable of the activities of government and as a professional man in-
terested in promoting truth. It is my sincere hope that you, and your col-
leagues, will reply at your earliest convience in regard to this matter.
m2m
Thank you for your interest and attentions
Sincerely,
23 Ela Street
Camden, New York 13316
Copies:
Hon. Alexander Pirnie
Sen. Jacob K. Javits
Sen. Robert F. Kennedy
Presidential Press Secretary
Director - Project Blue Book
ВОИО
ens
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
LEGISLATIVE
UFO
(NEWMAN, C. L.)
RE: BEARINGS
July 13, 1966
Mr. Charles L. Newman
220 Main Street
Cold Spring Harbor
Long Island, New York
Dear Mr. Newman:
Thank you for your letter of July 10th urging me to continue my stand for
open Congressional hearings on UFOs. As you may know, as the result of
my request the House Committee en Armed Service did hold some hearings.
These hearings were published a couple of months ago and I understand that
the supply of printed copies is now exhausted. Although these hearings
were short in duration, one outcome was the present decision to award grants
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
to six universities to conduct an objective study and make their reports
fully available to the public.
One lead university will be chosen to receive a grant and it will in turn
pick the five others to assist it, who will also receive grents. While
I am not as optimistic as you are about the chances for open Congressional
hearings, I will continue to maintain my position that they should be held.
In the meantime, I feel the university study should be a step in the right
direction. Thank you for your interest and support.
Kindest personal regards.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford, M.C.
GRF:jb
220 Main St.
Cold Spring Harbor
Long Island, N.Y.
11724
10th July, 1966
House Minority Leader
Gerald Ford
House of Representatives
Washington D.C.
My Honorable Mr. Ford:
I know that you are interested in Unidentified Flying
Objects, especially after the sightings in your home state
of Michigan. I urge you to continue your stand for open
Congressional Hearings on the subject.
had
I realize that they have already have closed hearings
on UFOS but what the public wants is open hearings so that
the public will know what is going on.
It would be interesting to know the outcome of those
closed hearings but that we will probably never know.
It seems that the Air Force and the Government is a-
fraid the public will panic if told the truth. How ridi-
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
culous! Aren't we already living in the age of the H bomb?
We haven't paniced.
It is my belief as it is NICAP'S (National Investiga-
tions Committee on Aerial Pheonomena) that the UFOS, are
extra- terrestrial spaceships under Intelligent control.
Many people have asked why haven't they contacted us?
It could very well be, that they are incapable of contacting
us even though they may want to. Or that they are waiting
for the opportune moment to do so which is not in my esti-
mation too far off.
We need other men like you of high political ranking
who will fight the Air Force's secrecy. But the Air Force
is not all to blame. It is somebody higher up capable of
making these decisions. Have you ever heard of the 54-20
group in the White House. It is my belief that it this is
this group that is responsible.
Keep up the good work and I am sure that soon, we
will have these open Congressional Hearings.
Respectfully Yours,
Charles H Remman
Charles L. Newman
LEGISALTIVE
UTO
(HACK, R.)
RE: STUDY
July 14, 1966
Mr. Richard Back
Perkins Street
Bristol, Connecticut 06010
Dear Mr. Back:
I wish to acknowledge and thank you for your letter of July 12th. I am glad to
hear that you support my proposal of a full and open Congressional hearing on
the matter of UFOs.
I am also pleased to have your comments about several articles that you have
notéced that have reference to this topic, especially the one by Clare Booth
Luce, as she called here when she was gathering information for the article
and sent us a complimentary copy.
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
I was also interested in the quotation by Dr. Hynek. However in correspondence
I have had with him, he has expressed this interest in a full and open investi-
gation to be performed by others than the Air Force. In fact I believe it was
he that made the suggestion during the one day of hearings that the Committee
on Armed Services held, that an independent panel of scientist$ should be chosen.
Being unfamiliarywith all the circumstances surrounding the Heflin sighting, I
would not know whether a month would be an unreasonable amount of time to take
to conduct an investigation of this sighting. In some circumstances it might
be granted that a longer period of investigation might be conducive to more
thorough study and greater significance in results.
Regarding the reports in the Southwest, you will note in my letter to the chair-
men of the House Committees on Armed Swevices and on Sérence and Astronautics
that I feel these sightings cannot be easily explained away as planets such as
Jupiter or Venus. I appreciate your suggestion that I check with the National
Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena here in Washington and you will be
pleased to know that I have had extensive correspondence as well as phone calls
with the staff and directors of the Committee as well as with many of their mem-
bership across the country. I assure you that I am indeed solidly behind the
idea of having Congressional hearings and will continue to be 80. However, as
you may know the latest development is that grants are to be made to six univer-
sities to conduct an independent study of the sightings. I an sorry that I
do not have any more information to give you at present, but as far as we know,
Richard Hack
rerkins Street
Bristol, Conn. 06010
July 12, 1966
Hemerable Geralf R. Ford
House Office Building
Washington 25, D,C.
Dear Senator:
I have read with enjoyment your comments on unidenti-
fied flying objects in the national press, and 1 heartily agree
that the time is past due for a Congressional investigation. And
not just a short preliminary hearing, but 8) full, open-doors,
searching exposure of the entire situation. glad you support
I have gleaned certain items from several articles 1
have read here and there which I believe you should know. 1 urge
you to bring these incidents to the attention of your colleagues
and/or the appropriate committee.
1,
The first is taken from an article on UFOs by Clare
Booth Luce, in McCalls. She backs an investigation, and reports
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
that she has heard that Blue Book consists of one major (Major
yuintanella, the chief) and a sergeant. And that this is very in-
adequate, as 1 am sure you will agree.
The second is an admission by er. J. Allan Hynek be-
2
fore the Committee on Armed Services that "enough puzzling sight-
ings have been reported
to warrant closer attention than Project
blue book can possibly encompass. = Doubtless, you have read this.
And this state of affairs exists concerning one of the most ob-
viously important subjects on the world scene today!
on August 3, 1965, Rex Heflin photographed a UFO in
Calif. it took the Air rorce a month after the story was released
in the papers to get around to questioning neflin. Now, even if
they happened to be busy at the time, a month is still out of the
question. And why does the Air Force repeatedly state they conduct
a scientific investigation when they dally SO long in questiomning
witnesses?
The fact that the project seems to be inefficient in
the use of taxpayers' money is bad enough, but consider the solu-
tions offered to baffling cases:
page 2
in August, 1965, you undoubtedly read about numerous UFO reports
in the Southwest. You may have read about this: The AF explained
several sightings as the planet Jupiter, and the stars Aldebaran,
Betelgeuse, Capella Rigel, etc. And you may have read the follow-
ing quote: "Somebody has made a mistake. These stars and planets
are on the opposite side of the earth from Oklahoma City at this
time of year. " That was Robert Risser, director of the Oklahoma
Science and Art Foundation planetarium.
That is the kind of thing I urge you to investigate.
I suggest you check with the National Investigations Committee
on Aerial Phenomena in Washington and see what other examples
they can give you. They have hundreds.
extensive correspo
There are a great many people in this country who are
tired of AF mishandling of the situation. NICAP can show you
hundreds of clippings from newspapers, editorials, etc. The
Gallup polls say five million Americans have seen unusual objects
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I 1BRARY
in the sky. If the AF 10% unexplained statistic holds, that means
five hundred thousand UFOs cannot be explained.
The Gallup noll also says fifty million people believe
there is something to the UFO situation.
If your whole ARE life were to be run by politics, you couldn't
ignore that many neople being cheated out of the truth by a
frightened official agency. agency.
You can check up and verify everything I've told you.
In fact, I suppose you already have So I urge you to throw your
incalculable political weight behind the fight for hearings.
Sincerely yours,
Richard Hack
Richard Hack
P.S. Enclosed find Heflin photograph, NICAP can give you details.
It is completely unexplained and very authentic.
LEGISLATIVE
UFO
RE: STUDY
July 12, 1966
Mr. Frank F. Bateman, Jr.
Box 5371 College Station
Raleigh, North Carolina
Dear Mr. Bateman:
Thank you for your letter of July 9th. I accept your apologies,
although none were really needed, and I assure you that I genuinely
interested in seeing that all the facts are made known about UFOs,
that they are carefully examined, and that a full report is made
available to the public.
of course I cannot say at this point what the outcome of the investi-
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
gation to be made by the six universities, but I every indication that
I have is that it will be an objective study and that the results will
be fully available to the public.
I think it is important to note that the Air Force is not going to
award a contract to any university as stated by AWST but instead
one grant will be made to one university which will itself be entire-
1y responsible for the selection of the other universities and conse-
quently the grants they will receive.
I cannotsspeak in behalf of the investigation to be made by the uni-
versities of course, and I would rather not pre-judge the quality of
their report until we actually see some results. Your continued
interest in seeing that an objective report is to be made is appreciated.
Kindest personal regards.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford, M.C.
GRF:jb
Box 5371 College Station
Raleigh, North Carolina
July 9, 1966
Hon. Gerald R. Ford
House of Representatives
House Office Building
Dear Congressman:
You are entirely correct. In my letter of June 30th which
accompanied a typescript on UFOs, I had assumed that, because
of your position in the government, you had knowledge of the
reasoning behind the Air Force policy of secrecy concerning
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
UFOs and that therefore your public statemants were politi-
cally motivated and were in no way meant to bring about an
objective analysis of the subject, which would have been in
conflict with the Air Force policy. From your letter of July
6, I find that I was entirely mistaken. You seem to be as
genuinely interested as any UFC-ologist in discovering the
cause of the UFO phenomenon and resolving the present con-
troversy. With all sincerity, please accept my humblest
apologies for having accused you of false intentions.
I do not consider myself as being narrow minded, which
is probably the impression that the letter gave, nor is this
the image I wish to convey.
I hope that with any future correspondence, you will not
judge it entirely according to the tone of the first
letter.
Like many persons outside of politics in this country,
I have a strong questioning attitude concerning any state-
ment made by a member of Congress, of the military, or of
the executive departments. Also, I have been of the belief
that when it comes to the subject of UFOs, Congress is
powerless before the Air Force. And, I will readily admit
that with such an attitude it is extremely difficult to be
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
objective and that it does at times lead me astray, as
happened with the letter of June 30th.
I, like all persons interested in understanding the
cause of the UFO phenomenon must be, am extremely thankful
for the efforts that you have made and the results of those
efforts. I never intended to imply that I was not. However,
I felt that if you would defend UFOs before the public, then
you should also defend them before Congress. This you did.
But, because I was looking for words not action, I failed to
grasp this fact. In the future I will have to broaden the
scope of my attention.
There is one point which I would like to make concerning
the giving of grants to six universities for independent
study of the UFO phenomenon (according to your letter of July
6 and the July 4 issue of "Aviation Week and Space Technol-
ogy"). There are three avenues of approach which can be tak-
en:
1. The selection of universities by the Air Force (AWST
stated that the" USAF hopes to award a contract by
September whose personnel would be prejudiced
against the existence of a UFO phenomenon. For example
if the universities with which Drs. Hyneck and Menzel
are associated are chosen, the objectivity of the whole
project can be fairly questioned.
2. The selection of universities which have objective
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
personnel but which will be restricted to investigating
only existing reports (post event data), that is they
will not be allowed to conduct original scientific re-
search. They will in all probability reach the same con-
clusion as the Air Force.
3. The selection of universities which will be allowed to
scientifically study the phenomenon, that is, attempt
real time scientific observations of UFOs (radiological,
spectroscopic, etc.) and to reach objective conclusions
based on their scientific findings.
From past events, I would say that number one will win out.
However, if the Air Force desires to improve its image, num-
ber two will win. I am more than likely wrong, and I hope
SO.
Again, please accept my apologies.
Thanks for your interest.
Frank Frank Sincerely, F. Bateman, F. Bateman Jr. Jr.
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
LEGISATIVE
UFO
(SATEMENA, F.)
R:E RE TYPESCRIPT
July 6, 1966
Mr. Frank F. Bateman, Jr.
Box 5371 College Station
Raleigh, North Carolina
Dear Mr. Batermin:
I have received your letter of June 30hh with the radio script that
you enclosed.
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
You state that I failed to mention the subject of UFOs on the House
floor, and for that reason you believe that my public statements were
not what I actually desired.
Of course you are welcome to have your own opinions on this matter, but
I did all I personally could, issued five press statements, was success-
ful in getting the llouse Committee on Armed Services to hold hearings
and publish them, and now it is announced that six universities across
the country will be given grants to conduct an independent investigation
of the unexplained sightings.
I feel I have accomplished more by my demands for a Congressional in-
vestigation than was done before, despite what was said or not said on
the House floor. Your script is returned with this letter and it has
been examined.
Sincerely,
Cerald R. Ford, M.C.
GRF:jb
enc.
UFO
Box 5371 College Station
Raleigh, North Carolina
June 30, 1966
Hon. Gerald R. Ford
House of Representatives
House Office Building
Washington, D. C.
Dear Congressman:
Enclosed is a typescript of an April 27 broadcast on
Unidentified Flying Objects presented over radio station WKNC
in Raleigh, North Carolina.
I have mailed this copy to you for two reasons. First,
because you took a positive stand on UFOs during the rash of
sightings in your state of Michigan, and second, because you
failed to mention the subject on the Floor of the House of
Representatives.
I am aware of your busy schedule and cannot expect you to
read the typescript, however, if you do, you may find some
interesting aspects (scientific) and insights. I personally
feel that your public statements on the subject were for the
record" and not what you actually desired. Your lack of any
statement on the Floor of the House (according to the
Congressional Record) tends to indicate this.
the
wall acc of Thank you will could for Cmlum your than time. due
Frank Sincerely, F. Bateman,Jr.
Frank F. Bateman, Jr.
FFB:jr./ak
Enclosure
LEGISLATIVE
UFO
(GROSKOPF, 8.)
RE: WHY NO STUDY
July 12, 1966
Mrs. Harvey Groskopf
Hartman,
Arkansas 72840
Dear Mrs. Groskopf:
Thank you for your recent "memo" including quotes form an interview
with John G. Fuller and from my letter of May 4th.
I wish to up-date some of the information that was contained in my
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD LBRARY
letter. I am now informed that a grant will be made to one univer-
sity instead of letting a contract and that that university will
choose five others to assist in the study and they will also receive
grants after they are selected by the university.
I feel that the matter of getting all the information we can about
these UFOs is important and If Mr. Fuller feel it is important too,
that is fine. I do not know what twemendous fabrications of the
Air Force Mr. Fuller is referring thus I cannot comment on the motives
behind the awarding of grants to universities to made an independent
study.
You ask why Congress itself does not conduct an investigation. As
you know this is the action that I called for and as a result, the
House Committee on Armed Services did hold one day of hearings and
publish them. I have continued to urge a Congressional investigation
but as you know, my part has been outnumbered by 2-to-1 in both the
House and the Senate since the 1964 election. Perhaps there was not
enough public support for this position--you may wish to pose this
question to those in power to make this decision.
Kindest personal regards.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford, M.C.
GRF:jb
Memo
July 8, 1966
John O. Fuller, author of the recently published "INCIDENT ARE
extter", in on interview on the TODAY IV program this morning:
"The Airforce has become involved in tremendous fabrications
(concerning UFOS) by trying to explain away thange they dan't
explain."
From et letter dated Buy 4, 1956 received from Representative
Gerald R. Ford (M10h):
"My main concern hav been that on impartial investigation be
mude of the unexplained sightings and that the facts revesled by
this inquiry be made fully available to the public. while 1 had
felt this and Congressional Investigation would best serve this
purpose, the House Committee on Assad Services has decided to let
& contract after July 1 to 3 university to allow it to make &
full study into the matter. 1 an assured by the Air Fores that
the investigation will be fair and thorough."
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
If this matter is as important 08 IT. John 0. Fuller BOYS it 10,
and if the Air Force han-been engaged in such "trenendous fabri-
cations" they BOBB to know nothing about, why concern then at
concerning something
all? why form out this investigation to strit university. why
does not congress conduct such an investigation itself?
H.O.
LEGISLATIVE
uro
(sullett, T.)
RE: INVETIGATION
July 8, 1966
Mr. Theodore Gray Hullett
561 - 37th Avenue
San Francisco, California
Dear Mr. Hollett;
Thank you for your letter of July 5th with your personal message
of support for a Congressional investigation of UFOs. I know
that I received many of the cards that you addressed and I appreciate
having your support.
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD BRARY
As you know, as the result of my request for a Congressional investi-
gation, the House Committee on Armed Service did hold hearings and
although they were brief, it was also decided that grants would be
made to six universities to further study the unexplained sightings.
A lead university will be chosen and will, in turn, choose five
others to assist it, on a geographical basis. I am sorry that I
have no information at the present time as to what university will
be chosen.
Thank you again for your support and I look forward as well to the
report which will be made public by the universities.
Kindest personal regards.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford, M.C.
GRF:jb
SAN FRANCISCO INTERPLANETARY CLUB
Mr. Theodore Gray Hullett
President
561 37th Avenue
San Francisco, California
94121
USA
-
Legislative
UFO
(Hoffman, Marc)
July 11, 1966
Mr. Mare Hoffman
1913 Shady Lane
Oreland, Pennsylvania 19075
Dear Marc,
Thanks for your note of July 7 about the UFO club. I am sorry that I do
not have a UFO club and 60 I will return to you your membership card and
contribution.
I do have some press releases on unidentified flying objects. I am send-
ing these to you in the hope that you and your fellow club members will
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
find them interesting.
Kindest personal regards.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford: M.C.
GRF:bu
Encl.
7/2/66
1913 shady Lahe
areland, Penna, 19075
Dear Gerald,
I am enclosing my membership card,
a small contribution, and 9 UFO booklet
which I received from NASA. IF I can
help in any way with the newspaper,
please me.
Marc Hoffman
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD 1BRA
LEGISLATIVE Q
UFO
(WEITZEL, W.)
RE: BLUEBOOK
July 7, 1966
Mr. William B. Weitzel
5709 Woodmont Street
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15217
Dear Mr. Weitzel:
I wish to acknowledge and thank you for your letter of July 2nd en-
closing material that would tend to substantiate mishandling of UFO
reports by Project Blue Book.
I was interested to receive the material that you sent and to examine
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
it. While I am not qualified to comment on this specific sighting,
it is hoped that the investigation that is to be conducted by six
universities will be more thorough and objective and will avoid the
pitfalls of earlier studies.
As you know, the lead university will be chosen shortly and will
receive its grant and pick five others to assist it. I share your
concerns and hope that we will see some results.
Kindest personal regards.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford, M.C.
GRF:jb
NATIONAL INVESTIGATIONS COMMITTEE
ON AERIAL PHENOMENA
TELEPHONE: NORTH 7-9434
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20036
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICES:
CABLE ADDRESS:
SKYLIGHT
PITTSBURGH SUBCOMMITTEE
1536 CONNECTICUT AVE., N. W.
5709 Woodmont St.
MAJOR DONALD E. KEYHOE
Pittsburgh, Pa. 15217
July 2, 1866
USMC (RET.) DIRECTOR
Honorable Gerald Ford
House of Representatives
Clipping On "BlueBook"
Washington, D. C.
Dear Mr. Ford:
About five weeks ago, we exchanged correspondence briefly over events
surrounding the UFO sighting in Ohio - Pennsylvania on April 17, which involved
the pursuit of an object in view of several witnesses. I sent you a photocopy
of a letter I had mailed to Congressman William Stanton, detailing some
peculiarities involved in the Air Force's explanation of this case.
At that time, your reply explained that your chief interest in the UFO
topic was sponsoring a Congressional investigation into the handling of such
cases by the Air Force. You included a press release from your office, pointing
out that you had accomplished something toward an improvement of the situation.
The real point of my communication to you, and my correspondence with
Congressman Stanton, was to illuminate a typical instance of mishandling of
a UFO report by Project Blue Book. In documenting the UFO sighting, my primary
interest in working on that case, I felt it necessary to document as well, the
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I IBRARY
Project's lack of thoroughness and the extreme degree of inaccuracy in their
explanation of this event as a combination of observations of Echo and Venus.
The impression left in the public mind was that either (1) the deputies who chase
the UFO were subject to unaccountable attacks of prolongued hysteria, or (2) the
Air Force is doing a shoddy job of investigating and explaining UFO reports.
The first possibility has absolutely no foundation in fact. I have just
completed a 126-page report to NICAP, on my investigation of the "chase", and
information relating to Major Hector Quintanilla's performance relevant to
that event. A copy of the table of contents of this report is enclosed, along
with my introduction to the section on Congressional correspondence. I am also
enclosing a copy of a recent letter to Congressman Stanton, which included a list
of points which Major Quintanilla heard at his belated interview with the
deputies, which points are a strong rebuttal of the major's explanation.
I am forwarding this material because I share your concern over the official
(mis Dhandling of the UFO problem. I feel that, as long as the basic structure of
Project Blue Book, and the procedures of its investigators, remain in their present
form, no amount of augmenting at other levels will suffice to correct the problem.
I believe that a close look should be had at the reasons why that Project has
regularly deprecated the actual and potential significance of the UFO phenomenon,
and that something should be done to correct the adverse effects of this depre-
cation on all citizens who have or could have contributed, or might yet do so,
to our fuller understanding of the problem.
Sincerely yours,
William B. Weiket
William B. Weitzel, Chairman
A privately-supported fact-finding body serving the national public interest
Pittsburgh NICAP Subcommittee
LEGISLATIVE
UTO
(EATEMAN, P.)
RE: INFO
July 29, 1966
Mr. Frank F. Batewan, Jr.
Box 5371
College Station
Raleigh, North Carolina
Dear Mr. Batenan:
This is just a note to thank you for your letter of July 25th en-
closing the three articles from the publication Flying Saucer Review.'
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
I am pleased to have these and wish to thank you for passing them
along to me.
Kindest personal regards.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford, M.C.
GRF:jb
Box 5371
College Station
Raleigh, N. C.
July 25, 1966
Hon. Gerald R. Ford
House of Representatives
House Office Building
Washington, D. C.
Dear Congressman Ford:
Enclosed are three excellent articles from several recent
issues of the highly recognized English UFO publication
"Flying Saucer Review. " Two of the articles are by Jacques
Vallee who is presently conducting an extremely objective
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
statistical analysis of the UFO phenomenon. It is hoped that
these articles will be of some interest to you. (There is no
need for their return.)
Sincerely,
Frank Frank F. I. Bateman, Bateman Jr.
LEGISLATIVE
ufo
(KONLEY, R. G.)
R:E EFFICACY OF UNV.
STUDY
July 1, 1966
Mr. Raymond G. Konley
1815 E. Newberry Blvd., Apt. E
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211
Dear Mr. Konley:
Thank you for your letter of June 29th regarding UFOs and for your comments about
the book 'Incident At Exeter." I appreciate having your comments and your
interest in this matter.
The most recent we have from the Air Force indicates that a total of six univer-
sities will be studying the unexplained sightings; one lead university and five
others chosen by that university.
While I had called for a Congressional investigation, I feel that this is a step
in the right direction. As you know it was my request for such an investigation
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD |BRARY
that occasioned the hearings, short as they were, that were held by the House
Committee on Armed Services.
You askiin your letter, "How in the world will such a university be able to do
a better job in answering this so-called mystery, if, after 20 years, with a
team of experts and scientists, the Air Forces' 'Project Bluebook' cannot or
will not?
Of course it is certainly possible that the six universities working together
will not come up with any additional information that will help clear up this
matter, but I hope that they will. In any event, 1 would want them to at least
have a chance to do this before I would judge their efforts. I think this is
only fair and I am hopeful that this study might promote meaningful debate on
this subject as you express interest in this in your letter.
Kindest personal regards.
Sincerely,
Gerald R. Ford, M.C.
GRF:jb
RAYMOND G. KONLEY
1815 E. Newbarry Blvd., Apt.E
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53211
(HON.) GERALD R. FORD
JUNE 29, 1966
CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES
OFFiCE OF THE MINORITY LEADER
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Dear Mr. Ford:
My purpose in writing to you
again, is to bring to your attention something
I hope you will find very interesting regarding
M.F.O.S
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY
a Mr. John S. Fuller has just published a
book, titeled, "Incident at Eveter", covering
documentedwell, witnessed M.F.O. activity m the
state of Mew Hampshire.
Mow, I realize that the armed Services Committee,
in letting a contract to some university, to study
M.F.O.S and make a full reporton them is well in-
tentioned, but 'there are some questions that are
quite evident many people will be wondering;
as well as myself.
How in the world will such a university he able
to do a better job in answering this so, called
mystery, If, after 20 years, with a team of -
experts and scientists, the air Forces' "project
Blue Book"- connot or willnot:
Itseems to me its just another method of passing
the wellwork buck, and bodgeing an issue that
many people to day would like some honestanswers
to, don't you agree? This is mearly going to be
duplication.
If ever there were strong evidence about M.F.O.A
and eventralproof, it is in Mr. Fullers book,
and l sincerely hope you willobtain a copy of
"Incident at Epeter' for personalvarification
for future debate in Congress.
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD iBRARY
ask the Congress, If automobiles andelnsecti-
sides M.F.O.*? con be debated, why not the sacred cow
Whatwillle goined from such silence, if a series
of M.F.O."make mass lavdings in or near populated
public? centers to conse.realpanic from on un-informed
If the air Fronce would stop trying to cotch
or destroy proven M.F.O.A which they should realize
by now thing connot ofter 2 years of hotpursuit,
instead, they should try to make some intelligent
contact with them pointing out, that courtesy might
work where bulleta have failed, in as much as
M.F.O. are nota national defence wong os they
stead footly maintain.
Thanking you once again for your kind attention,
Sincerely,
Baymond S. Monley
PHOTOCOPY FROM GERALD FORD I BRARY