TOP SECRET: THE FBI AND "PROJECT MOGUL" (1947)

July 8, 1947, a press release went out over the wires at about 3 p.m. Roswell Air Field officers and the
local news spread the word. One of those pesky - and reoccurring - flying discs, previously reported from around the country since early May was in the hands of the United States Army Air Corps at the Roswell Army Air Field.  That evening, and by next day's issues of many newspapers, the word was that General Ramey, in charge of the 8th Army, had dumped the saucer - it was just a normal weather balloon.

In the 1990's the Air Force dived deep into the consistent tale of crashed saucer in the desert. They pulled from out another explanation. It had not been just a weather balloon BUT it had been part of an ultra, top-secret activity known as "PROJECT MOGUL."  It was so secret that none could know about it. It was essentially an ordinary weather balloon (sometimes a multiple balloon array) with a shiny rawin (abbreviation of Radar Wind) target. The only thing "secret" was the testing equipment or instrument box that carried instruments to make readings to try and track nuclear testing down by the Soviets. 

The testing was done under the oversight of New York University with Albert Crary and Charles Moore "in the field."  

This SUPER, TOP-SECRET project was less than that by late August and early September f 1947. FBI files include one also found in Project Blue Book. A photo of a random collection of "junk" found in Hackensack, NJ. is in both file systems. Tubes, wires, bits of ceramic used in electronic systems, and various other slightly charred items had been spread out on a tarp or sheet. Possibly something very similar had been found near a farm in Danforth, Ill. The FBI descriptions of both seem to imply that. 

Hackensack, NJ "debris"

In an FBI Memo of September 23, 1947 from E.G. Finch to D.M. Ladd labeled "Instrument found on farm near Danforth, Ill" there is a rundown of a memo from the 3rd of September.  Items had been sent to a lab, inquires made and a Mrs. Whedon of the Army Engineers had stated the item was one used by the Air Force on tests classified as "Top Secret."

The memo further indicated that Special Agent S.W. Reynolds, Laison Section,
had contacted the Intelligence Division of the Air Force. They had advised him the instrument Mrs. Whedon alluded to was used in "OPERATION MOGUL." The memo can be found on the FBI Vault sight in the "UFO" files, part 4 and page 18.

Now, go back to 9 July 1947 when Brig. General George F. Schulgen had met with Special Agent S.W. Reynolds in the Laison Section and the general had solemnly stated that neither the War Department (which meant in that day the Army) nor the Navy had any projects that might be confused with the "flying discs" being reported. 

In September a confidential letter being sent to various units and commanders strongly implied the FBI was doing the investigations in the reports of "ash can lids and toilet seats." Implying the serious stuff was being investigated by the Army Air Forces. This letter was brought to the attention of Hoover and a polite but very distinct breaking off of cooperation between the two groups resulted. 

It is very odd that such a top-secret project - as the 1990's Air Force report wished people to believe -  was being so easily discussed in September of 1947.

The Pre-Arnold Sightings of 1947: a CHRONOLOGY IN PROCESS

1950 hoax; many of the 1947
ones were similar in size and shape

So many writers, newspapers, documentaries and debunking sources have stated that the modern "UFO" craze of the 20th century began with the story from Kenneth Arnold. The fact this is so often repeated is an indication that few actually do any deep research before attempting to discuss the subject. The Arnold sighting was the first to achieve wide-spread national coverage, because other stories were appearing, more regional and localized across the country from January onward of 1945. In truth, reports can be traced back into 1946 but the terms are more fluid: missiles, rockets, ghost rockets, foos, globes, spheres, lights, objects, etc.

So - why a look at such early reports? The basic premise of those who deny any possible alien non-terrestrial aspects to the subject of the UFO or UAP is the assumption that all events began with Arnold and all that follows are merely responses (positive or negative) to that stimulus. In uncovering the fact that the government was aware and watching a phenomena for which no name had yet emerged in the days prior to Arnold's nationwide coverage reveals that the ideas do not change much later. Some thought it was some new threat from the German scientists and then in the hands of Russian Scientists (who now "held" some of those same brains post WW2 just as the USA held some via "Operation Paperclip"). Some pressed for a as yet unknown natural phenomena, perhaps one resulting from the atomic bomb use and subsequent tests. LaPaz was concerned in this area with his "green fireballs" research and "Project Twinkle." He was also a bit concerned they might be alien in origin.   Realizing that the military was concerned and mystified is illuminating.

Pressing for details to develop a chronology is necessary to get the big picture of what was happening in these years. To get a glimmer that perhaps a strange convergence was occurring as a new strange natural phenomenon appeared (the large number of meteors/meteorites, green fireballs, etc.) in the 1940's, the appearance of odd "disc" shaped objects (whose shapes, due to perspective, might be defined as delta, football, cigar, globes, spheres, etc.) and a super-secret set of military experiments with new high speed, high altitude balloons, and altitude aircraft and missile designs.

1943

1943 - A Lloyd Kenyon, of Oregon, reported he had seen silvery disks while in the Russel Islands. He assumed the high and fast-moving objects were some new types of aircraft.  I am working on a chronology list that will include specific dates, descriptions, explanations.

1945

April 17 , 1945 - Fisherville, Kentucky. Mr. Hendry saw 2 red glowing objects shaped like spheres that came down from the clouds, moved around and came over his house and yard, lighting the backyard up with a brilliant and pulsing light.

1947

February 1947 - Helsinki, Finland

March 1947 - 3rd or 4th (Sunday), Augusta, Maine, 3-4 round discs.

May 1947 - Oklahoma CityOK, Washington State, Richmond VA, Manitou Springs CO

June 1947 - Bakersfield, California; Delaware; Hungary; Clarion IA; Merione IA; Hamburg NY; Rainer WA; DesMoinesIA; SeattleWA; PortlandOR; MontgomeryAL; Illinois; BoiseID; Wm AFB AZ; PhoenixAZ; LosCrucesM; DouglasAZ; WhiteSandsNM; Hawaii; YukonOK; Mt AdamsOR

July 1947 - ClayCenterKS; ElemderAlaska; Maryland; JacksonOH; PhoenixAZ; WestTrentonNJ; NovaScotia; RoswellNM; WarrenOH; PortlandOR; OakRidgeTN; OakDaleCalif; ShreveportLA; ArlingtonVA; EugeneOR; East troy WIS; ChengfuChina; KingmanAZ; RutlandVT; MidlandMIC; MiltonWIS; PawhuskaOK;CoffevilleKS; MountainHomeID; LakeBuckeyeFL; San AntonioTX; BarnsdallOK; MuskogeeOK; ColumbusKS;MurocCAL; SussexENG; Japan; Holland; Brazil: TempeAZ; HollywoodCAL.

[Historic Note - July 9, FBI memo notes a meeting with agents and Brig. General George F. Schulgen where the officer expressed the suspicion that the "first stories" may have been started for political reasons or personal publicity. He had interrogated an AAF pilot who had said he had seen on of the things, along with scientists and psychologists, and the pilot was convinced as to what he saw. Schulgen offered a deal where the FBI took on the background checks and establishing the nature and motive of the first reports. The FBI wanted access to any other discs found (they indicated some had been found and not shared. Later, feedback came to Hoover that the AF was having the FBI do little more than "grunt" work chasing down reports of "ash cans and toilet seats" and withdrew cooperation. Enough documents exist to indicate that there was a block of "quality" reports and that from those a list of required elements were generated by Schulgen and his intelligence office. All the aspects included aspects mostly theoretical at the time. They had been conceptualized but very few had been developed to the level in the reports.]

[Historic Note - July - A certain percentage of these sightings will include obvious and often juvenile hoaxes. There are also some that appear to be the product of a deliberate attempt to debunk and make light of the subject and pushing forward an aggressive theory of ridicule. These are commonly 30 inches in diameter, often had a fin, were made of metal or wood painted with silver paint. Sometimes still tacky when found. In southern Texas will be some found with return to messages that urge the finder to contact an Army depot in Washington state.  Apparently calls to learn more at that facility met with stony silence. Note that on July 8-9, especially in the state of Texas, the question of legal actions taken against any who share data on 'discs' if they were learned to be part of a government atomic experiment (under current espionage and atomic energy rules and laws of the time) appears in newspapers. The confused message is these are pranks, imaginary, hoaxes, people seeing things, but remember you get the death sentence for spreading information about them.  

August 1947 - SilverSpringsOH; MilanItaly; HollaranAFBNM; TwinFallsID; BethelareaALS; DanforthIL; HackensackNJ;Placerville?; PhiladelphiaPA; PhiladelphiaPA; BostonMAS; Japan

September 1947 - OswegoOR; LoganUT; TorontaCAN; MidwayIslands to Oshu; SalmonDamID; 

[Historic Note: General Twining issued memor of Sept 23 indicating the objects are unknown but real]

October 1947 - Mexico; VeniaOH; DaytonOH; LasVegasNV; DauphinMANITOBA; DodgevilleWIS; PhoenixAZ; SanFranciscoCA

[Historic Note: Yeager breaks the sound barrier Oct.14; planes had run through June and July but details on flight paths hard to find]

November 1947 - CapeBlancoOR; BoiseID

December 1947 - Oslo Norway; LovelockNV; xx3N and 114 degrees22South {over ocean]

Brigadier General George Francis Schulgen (1900-1955): He Met with the FBI 9 July 1947

Brigadier General George Francis Schulgen (1900-1955)

Born 22 April 1900 in Traverse City, Michigan to Louis Francis Schulgen, native of Michigan or Illinois (records vary) and his Austrian born wife. He would lead a long career in the military as pilot and intelligence officer.

He attended Michigan A and M achieving an M.E., prior he had earned a B.S. at attended various pilot and flight schools.

In 1928 he sets sail from Manilla, Philippine Islands on the U.S. Grant heading to California. He gives Wright Field as his residence and indicates he is a Lieutenant. 

According to the 1930 Federal Census he was staying at the Burbank Arms Hotel in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He is listed as an “officer, Army Air.” He may have been pursuing training, engaged in some mundane task but it is interesting that in this window of time Donald H. Menzel was spending summers as at the observatory as a student and that nearby is both Harvard and M.I.T. A lot of innovative thinking was going on in both locations at the time. A lot of work that would have invovled potential intelligence or security tasks.

In 1931, he married and in 1935 he was living with his wife at Langley Army Air Field, Hampton, Virginia. Langley would be the first air field dedicated to the concept of air power. 

The 1940 Census shows him living in Greene Co., Ohio.  Several address notations after that indicate he was at Wright Airfield in Dayton, Ohio.

One military directory entry indicates he entered service 5 December 1941.  His photo is included in many of the records of the Truman Archives and indicate he was a part of the U.S. Reparation Mission that made the determination about how much each allied nation might be able to pay to support victims of the 2nd WW. On that May 1946 mission he was in - according to the photos - Vienna, Manchuria, Germany, among other places (Photographs - Search | Harry S. Truman (trumanlibrary.gov)). 

He is part of a memo of a 9 July 1947 meeting with FBI agents in regard to the 'flying discs' of the day.  He had met with agents 9 July 1947. He was described as "Brigadier General, Chief of Requirements Intelligence Branch of Army Air Corps Intelligence. "

Special Agent E.G. Fitch wrote up the meeting and submitted it to his superior D.M. Ladd on 24 July 1947. The subject was "flying discs." The memo is found in the FBI archival files (see pg 44 of section 1 at FBI Records: The Vault — UFO Part 1 of 16). At that time, he is listed as part of Army Air Corps Intelligence.  There is another memo of the conversation of 9 July 1947 that provides even more details on Schulgen's ideas about the source and the role the FBI might play.

Brig. Gen. Schulgen is then forwarded the famous "Twining Memo", by General Nathan F. Twining, that asserts that things being seen at the time are real. This is followed by a "Collection Memorandum" of 28 Oct 1947 where outlines some potential avenues of investigation, correlates sightings to provide guidelines for what investigators should look for and some people (Russian and German designers of aircraft) who should be located and interviewed.  His task as Chief of Requirements of the Intelligence Branch was to assess, organize and provide information as to what "to be on the look out for" when seeing things in the sky.

Elements of the October memo are very informative and include: 

Object: This memo sets out the current intelligence requirements in the field of flying saucer type aircraft. 

General: "An alleged "flying saucer" type aircraft or object in flight , approximately the shape of a disc, has been reported by many objservers from widely scattered places, such as the United States, Alaska, Canada, Hungary, the Island of  Guam, and Japan.  This object has been reported by many competentent observers, including USAF rated officers. Sightings have been made from the ground as well as from the air." This statement is followed by "Commonly reported features that are very significant and which may aid in the investigation are as follows.

Those important aspects were : flat bottom with extreme light reflecting ability; absence of sound (a faint roar when operating under super performance conditions); extreme maneuverability and apparent ability to hover; a plan form approximating ...oval or disc with a dome shape on surface; the absence of exhaust trail except in a few instances when it was reported to have a bluish color, like a diesel exhaust, which persisted for approximately an hour. Other reports indicated a brownish smoke trail that could be the results of a special catalyst or chemical agent for extra power; the ability to quickly disappear by high speed or complete disintegration; ability to suddenly appear without warning as if from extremely high altitude; size most represented approximated that of C-54 or Constellation type aircraft; the ability to group together very quickly in a tight formation when more than one aircraft are together; Evasive action ability indicates possibility of being manually operated or possibly by electronic or remote control devices; under certain power conditions, the craft seems to have the ability to cut a clear path through clouds - - width of path estimated to be approximately one-half mile. Only one incident indicated this phenomenon.

Of note is one statement in the preface and introductory material: "The first sightings in the U.S. were reported around the middle of May. The last reported sighting took place in Toronto, Canada, 14 September. The greatest activity in the U.S. was during the last week of June and the first week of July."

"Research and Development" : where he cites activities by the Russians, the potential role the Horton Brothers and their sister might be playing in designing an innovative disc craft, etc. "Control" provides descriptions - based on the "good reports" they had collected - of technical aspects and requirements of control of such a craft. "Items of Construction" - types of materials, construction and fabrication requirements. "Items of Arrangement" details such retractable domes, crew member space needs, cabin pressure equipment, towing, bomb bay use etc. "Landing Gear" what type was used (conventional, tricycle, multiple wheels, etc.), retractable, jettison, features for a hand gear. Provisions required for ice, snow or water take off. Skid arrangements, etc. "Power Plant" was information on the propulsion system: reciprocating (piston), jet propulsion (rockets, jets, ramjets, pulse jets or combinations); nuclear (atomic power). He notes this type of aircraft would be characterized by lack of fuel systems and fuel storage place. 

According to other biographical information he retired in 1948 (New York Times bio) and died in 1955.

Military Directory:

Born 23 April 1900, Michigan.

Pvt. S.A.T.C. 2 Oct. 1918 to 21 Dec 1918

A – Michigan G.S.C. 2 Dec 1941. Grad.: C and G.S.Sch., 39 

Air Service Primary Flying School ,24, 

Flying Cadet  A.S., 11 March 1924-7 July 1924

2nd Lt. A.S. 15 June 1924

1st Lt. 31 May 1930

Capt (temp) 20 April 1935

Major (Temp) 11 March 1936

Lt. Col. 5 Dec 1941 

Air Service advanced Flying School, Pursuit Course 25, 

A.C Engr, School, 29

Major 31 Jan 1941

A.C. Tactical School., 38 

B.S. in M.E. Michigan Agricultural College., 22

Rated: cam. Plt; C. Obsr.

George F. Schulgen and his brother William A. Schulgen are listed in the various military directory resources located.

In 1950 a 12 Part Serial Entertained at the Theater: "Flying Disc Man From Mars" (1950)

 d6b3731b6dd645040f08005d93f41a8d--flying-disc-movie-posters.jpg (735×585) (pinimg.com)

The multi-part serials were always a delight. Bad dialogue, bad acting, but lots of hammy action were guaranteed. In 1950-1952 theaters had this one advertised. A Republic Pictures 12-part serial, of a hero who learns of plans of Martians to take over the world and he must single-handedly stop them! 

Dr. J. Allen Hynek noted in his book The Hynek UFO Report that by the early 1950's when discussions of minimizing the whole "flying saucer" subject included asking Walt Disney or some other cartoonist producer to be enlisted to aid in creating "debunking" themed features or shorts. Disney because in WW2 that production company had been utilized to create dozens of propaganda films for the military and the U.S. Government.   

Additionally, there is a claimed gag project used by the military during and after the war years that may lack clear documentary evidence in all facets of their claim has enough anecdotal evidence to provide some convincing arguments. For a fascinating look at the issues of propaganda in films and the press - U.S. "Propaganda" Films - IMDb

THE FLYING SUACERS: THE FIRST UFO MOVIE (1950)

A tale torn from the pages of the newspapers indeed. " The CIA sends playboy Mike Trent to Alaska with agent Vee Langley, posing as his "nurse," to investigate flying saucer sightings. At first, installed in a hunting lodge, the two play in the wilderness. But then they sight a saucer. Investigating, our heroes clash with an inept gang of Soviet spies, also after the saucer secret."  The film was made on a budget and utilized a lot of canned imagery of Alaska as backdrop. It was released Jan 05, 1950, Director Mikel Conrad, also provided the story (after an alleged sighting he had) and worked with screenwriter Howard Irvin Young to bring the story to life. 

The early 'UFO files' in the FBI and CIA records indicate that the story dovetails smoothly with either a real perceived threat or one that became a viable cover story for other things going on in the years of "Project Grudge".

January through June of 1947 people across the country reported seeing "formations" or single objects they could not identify, and which appeared to be maneuvering in ways that suggested they were not the normal things seen in the skies. The first story to really hit the "big time" was the one where Kenneth Arnold reported seeing nine strange looking and odd moving craft near Mt. Rainer, in Washington State. There it was the happenstance of a) a search and rescue going on to locate a downed plane, b) successful businessman-pilot involved, and c) radioed report of what was seen to air traffic control. Reporters waiting seeking a story found one and ran with it and it extended far beyond the scope of many of the earlier ones. Earlier stories were often merely highly localized or regional in scope. Once the people involved were no longer recognizable the story immediately lost credibility and moved to a back page filler or was merely noted in an editorial about 'these crazy times.'

Military leaders were quick to downplay the whole story and ignore the existence of the others. Tongue in cheek comments about the new "pink elephant" was now a flying one were the tone. Only the crazy, drunk or pranksters were seeing anything! 

Then July 8, 1947 in the late afternoon a story went out over the wire service that the "Roswell Army Air Field (RAAF) had captured a flying disc!"  The flurry of activity included collecting the debris, shipping it to Ft. Worth and/or Wright Patterson Field in Ohio (based on telegrams), and immediately setting in place a retraction or rebuttal to the previous day's announcement from the Roswell AA Field and the local press there. On July 9, 1947, smaller headlines announced the 'flying disk' or 'flying disc' was emptied, full of gas, or other similar cute phrases that dismissed the find as nothing more than a 'normal' and run of the mill neoprene weather balloon with a foil and balsa wood raywin target.  The highly trained men of the only military flight unit trained and cleared for nuclear weapons transfer had mistaken a common weather balloon and accessories that went up weekly at airfields all over the country and all over their region in New Mexico. Oops, the press stories said, pardon the egg on the faces of the boys from Roswell. 

Records document that July 9 and 10 were spent with numerous meetings, press meetings, statements and interviews with one purpose to refute the headline of July 8. 

On July 10, 1947, General George F. Shulgen (he was actually a Brigadier General at the time according to his biographical information) met with D.M. Ladd of the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding the issue of the "flying disks".  Ladd wrote up the meeting in a memo sent to C.G. Fitch of the FBI. In the memo Schulgen is defined as "Chief of the Requirements Intelligence Branch of Army Air Corps Intelligence."  A copy of the memo is in the FBI's declassified files online. 

Schulgen , in the memo, was quoted as saying that "all Air Corps installations have been alerted to run out each reported sighting to obtain all possible data to assist in this research project."   The memo further stated Schulgen had shared "in passing" that an Air Corps pilot who believed that he saw one of these objects was thoroughly interrogated by General Schulgen and scientists, as well as a psychologist, and the pilot was adamant in his claim that he saw a flying disk."  Into the early years of the 1950's the witnesses of seeing flying saucers, disks or objects were not questioned but were interrogated. At the time of the Robertson Panel, copies of a revised "Interrogation Form" for the flying objects was considered over a series of meetings. Copies are available in the files of Project Blue Book. 

Here, casually again?, "General Schulgen advised that the possibility exists that the first reported sightings of the so-called flying disks were fallacious and prompted by individuals seeking personal publicity or were reported for political reasons.

Then, he added "He stated that if this was so, subsequent sightings might be the result of a mass hysteria."  Then he went on to suggest early sightings had been made by individuals of communist sympathies with a view to causing hysteria and fear of a secret Russian weapon." 

A memo from Schulgen, dated 28 October 1948, indicates this later title and the content of the multipage memo indicates he was seriously exploring the possible/probable transfer of the German Horton Brother aerial designs being utilized by the Russians. The Horton brothers and one sister were all gifted aircraft designers and their plans were truly impressive. The Horton brothers were eventually located but the sister was harder to find.

This multiple page memo outlines - very specifically - what things to look for as to construction, design, power, movements, etc. So specific, that one has to wonder. It is true that several aircraft designers were working - and had been since the late 1930's - on revolutionary designs of delta wings, pilot spaces, and power packages. Some even played with a disc like shape but - according to all available records they always had trouble with the power, leveling and directional elements of the craft. The flying flapjack was touted as a possibility shortly after Arnold had his sighting. As were dream machines being worked on with Northrup and others. The problem was they looked good on paper but getting them to achieve the concept was a little harder. The Soviet government apparently realized the value of blueprint intimidation but posting images of sleek jets with big saucer attachments.  They never, apparently, flew but they left the question do they have one or not? Despite the fears of Russian super crafts invading the U.S. the Russians had no clues what the things were either. 

Seriously, had the U.S. or Russia had craft capable of flying the way the things being reported had looked and moved (speed, sudden stops, hovering, sharp 90 degree turns, and strange colors not then in use on planes) surely the Korean War would have been shorter and a more decisive victory for one side or the other.   

Instead, the global aspect of the sightings coupled with the so ahead of the time maneuvers and looks lingered, feeding Cold War fears without comforting them, and leading to many a time when jets were scrambled because no one knew what the objects were. 

So - that first UFO movie - could have been written from this memo as it emphasized the only strange things to be seen in the skies are foreign craft designed by alien nations intent on destroying the good old U S of A.  

More importantly - had the Russians, or any other superpower, had a craft of the capabilities of the flying disks being reported. Another nation - England, the US, Canada, Australia, someone, would have acquired that secret and replicated it to maintain the balance of power. Just as Russia acquired the "secrets" to the atom bomb, the balance of power in the air would have been matched and/or exceeded in a swift and decisive manner.  Yet, none of that happened. The jet planes hurlted into air during the Korean Conflict were already on the drawing board. Designers had to discover that design of plane and power of the engine had to work in harmony. Early failures of the jet stemmed from trying to get the same results from jet engine as a propeller-based engine when attached to a propeller-based chassis. The structure of the craft - more delta or swept back wings - they would allow the jet powered plane to truly fly.  In 1947 and 1948 those were still in the future,

So what were those things being seen? As another General, this one Nathan F. Twining, said in a memo, "they are real."

------------

More on Bridigier General Schulgen:

His official bio at "Biography of Brigadier-General George Francis Schulgen (1900 – 1955), USA (generals.dk)"  infers a different role. In that source he is listed with this information: "1945-XX-XX–1947-XX-XX Attached to the Civil Affairs Division, Office of the Chief of the Army Air Force 1948-06-XX."  Schulgen is listed in the 1948 Official Army and Air Force Register, Volume 1, under "brigadier Generals." Is not listed, at this date, on the Air Force Biography directory online at Biographies (af.mil).    He died 18 February 1955 and the New York Times listed him as retired "former Chief of Staff of the First Air Force." 

WORDS TO REMEMBER IN 2022: SEN. HARRY REID IN 2017

The U.S. Military conducted in 2017 the largest -ever- "Forced Insertion Exercise" over North America (Dec. 9, 2017) dropping hundreds of parachutists and crisscrossing the skies over a dozen states.  Those included South Carolina, Illinois, Kansas, Wyoming, Montana, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and even Canada. 

That EVENT generated a lot of reports to MUFON and other groups.  Some investigators in some regions (such as Montana do not totally support the belief that all objects sighted and tracked were part of the JFIX operation). They suspect that data suggests something else was ALSO in the skies overhead.

Just days later, the U.S. Government admitted it had NOT closed the book on "UFO's" but had been spending millions continuing to study them. 

Senator Harry Reid said, via his Twitter post on 16 Dec. 2017: 

"If anyone says they have the answers, they're fooling themselves. We don't know the answers, but we have plenty of evidence to support asking the questions. This is about science and national security. If America doesn't take the lead in answering these questions, others will."

The Dec. 2017 events were said to be  USAF C-17s & C-130s participating in JFEX17 (Joint Forced Entry Exercise). See - That Massive Cross-Country USAF Airlift Exercise Was the Largest of Its Kind, Ever (thedrive.com). For a discussion of those not agreeing all the sightings were of USAF objects see - Mass Sighting Line of Red & White Lights Likely Not Military Craft. - (ufosightingsmontana.com)

THE SPACE MEN (AND WOMEN)

 The phenomena of the "contactees" is an important field to explore. I personally feel it is not related to true UFO phenomena but is a metaphysical strand that runs alongside the other. The goals, methods, and message of the encounters with the "space brothers" is too closely similar and consistent with earlier "cults" of the seance, spiritualism, fairies, angels, and religious experiences.

Also, there is the strong common trait that many of these "contactees" were recognized as and investigated as nothing more than disturbed individuals or con artists.

Adamski, Bethurum, Van Tassel, Stranges, Nelson, Dean, Standing Horse, Aho, Scmidt and the Mitchell Sisters all shared a "special" contact with a space person who conveyed to them fantastic 'science', prophesy and calls for world-wide peace and harmony. These all operated in the Cold War Era, with the years between 1950 and 1960 considered their peak.

Many - military, politicians, and others - believed them to be the agents of unrest and chaos, either as operatives of the Soviet Union or demonic forces at work in society. Others merely questioned their mental stablity.

They all share some common aspects -

All were "chosen" or specially selected to be the contact person of these beings.

They all represented an "ideal" in terms of looks, build, nature, or conduct. Tall gorgeous "Nordic" males and females. Tall, dark and handsome intellectual males. Lush, nude females who seek a sexual encounter (for purely scientific purposes of course). Perfect - but human - figures and forms.

The message was similar in almost all cases. The alien and robot depicted in the film "The Day the Earth Stood Still" (1951) are an example. 

1. Humans must turn from their wicked ways (in this instance that is the use or development of atomic weapons).

2. Humanity must grow or evolve to become part of something larger (deity, ruling group, alliance, galactic force). This evolving may include changes in customs, values, methods, education, spiritual actions, or lifestyle.

3. Humans must tame their wild ways and adopt peace and live in harmony.

4. Once humanity changes, they will be welcomed into something larger and find peace, harmony, etc. 

In 1961, this model was bumped, a little like a pinball in a machine and the pattern shifted.  In that year Betty and Barney Hill had an "interrupted journey."  For the first time an "abduction" event occurred. They were taken - an act of violence - and taken aboard a ship, they had invasive and painful experiments performed and although one alien was said to dialogue with Betty, over all the event was one they remembered only through a painful hypnotic regression therapy process. Most significantly, the sketches of these aliens by the Hill's was not the human "ideal." 

Although, a few "contactee" type encounters would continue and provide speakers for space and UFO conferences into the 1970's they were being pushed aside by a new and not so pleasant experience of the "Alien Abduction" marked by painful events, missing time, fear, and trauma. This large body of people would move the peace and harmony of the 'space brothers' off the stage of 20th century UFOlogy.

What caused that?

Did a small, little known series of CIA projects called Blue Bottle, Artichoke and MK-ULTRA have anything to do with the growth of the "space brothers"?  Did the use of drug, early mind control experiments and who knows what else provide the common storyline elements?  They served to keep the laugh track in place for anyone talking about 'flying saucers' or "UFO's'.  In fact, even as scientists, such as Carl Sagan began to seriously talk about hunting for non-terrestrial life - the laugh track was running at full blast. If someone (government, military, super-secret black-op agency) was seeking to hide this 'space brothers' movement made the perfect screen. A survey of the skeptical and ridicule-tinged entries on several supposedly objective encyclopedia type sites give testimony to that. 

Did they - any of the groups mentioned above - have anything to do with the emergence of the oft times traumatic 'alien abduction' phenomena?  Will we ever know.

"Gloom Added to Enjoyment of Disk Craze": Spies and Whizzing Flying Disks and Courage in 1947

 The Brenham Banner Press of Brenham, Texas had the most detailed piece in papers of July 9, 1947 - the same day General Ramey was in Ft. Worth emptying the "saucer" from Roswell.  As if to distract attention or to pave the way for a heavy handed approach to the topic of flying disks another story (in banner headline size) reads "Old Story of Stolen Atomic Secrets Just Brought to Light". 

The story "Gloom Added to Enjoyment of Disc Craze" was subtitled "Death Penalty Due if Saucers are A-Bomb Test."  The article was datelined Houston, Tex, July 9 (UP) stating an assistant U.S. Attorney Joseh Cash, Houston, said a person "is subject to the death penalty or life imprisonment [line is marred in digital copy] -ject of the saucers turn out to be part of an atomic experiment.

"The penalty may be $25,000 fine and 50 years imprisonment if the information is divulged innocently. The heavier penalty will be applied if the information is given out with intent to harm the United States. The attorney says his warning is based on the Espionage Act of 1917 and the Atomic Energy Act of 1946."

This goes a long way to explaining why so many early military and FBI files use terms such as "interrogate" when talking to people who claimed they had seen a flying disk. They had no clue what they were, they were being seen all over the country, even by military pilots, and so their fears of Russian spies arises to color and direct their actions. 

In light of this level of intimidation, think how brave some of these early witnesses had to be to speak out - to be "interrogated" by FBI, military and then ridiculed after the fact. 

ATMOSPHERICS: Are Clouds Confused with UFOs?

 Clouds are a critical and natural aspect of life on planet earth. They are part of the system of rain, weather, and winds that make life possible on the Earth.  At one time people were keenly aware of every type of natural object found in the skies - knew that some love to be diverse and offer something new occasionally - and formed a cycle that was natural and needed.  Today, when our gazes are too often focused on a small electronic device in our hands and not the natural world around us - some can get confused.  There are a few photos and videos of people who have confused natural cloud formations with "UFO's." The top image is one example. It is a lenticular cloud formation and can be an impressive "saucer shaped" object hovering grandly in a sky.  They are often stationary or appear so for long periods of time. They can be captured in full sunlight as seen below or in a fading sunlight that paints them gold and pink with shadows emphasizing the saucer or cigar shape of the cloud.

This is a lenticular cloud seen in Palm Desert (which is adjacent to Palm Springs, CA) in April 2008.}} |Source=Own work by uploader |Author=Jackiemu |Date=April 2008 |Permission= |other_versions= }} <

This chart shows of main types of clouds seen and the various heights they will be seen in the skies. 

The weather service (NOAA) and the space service (NASA) have captured photos of some of the numerous clouds seen as they traverse the skies forming or dissipating in their trek in the water-rain-evaporation cycle that our small blue dot of a planet requires to survive. 

Clouds are often soft, diffused around the edges giving a fluffy or puffy appearance. Sometimes there might be sharp angles but they seldom last long. Ask anyone who has ever lain on a grassy yard to watch the cloud animals change and morph into something else under the winds crafting them with the caprice of a sculpting child. 

They may - for a time look sharp and strange - especially those lenticular clouds. Stick around, soon it will seen how they respond to the winds tugging at them, pushing them onward, or breaking them apart in total. 

Many cases in Project Blue Book explained sightings as "clouds" misidentified, or other odd atmospheric phenomena such as "Sun dogs", "Ice Pillars", and other rare but normal and natural sights. A few people caught reflections and clouds and tried to pass them off as UFO's. These were easily explained for what they really were. 

 A serious searcher into the unknown will take the time to explore the known about this planet and understand how people unfamiliar with their own environment can mistake a cloud for a UFO.

DO-IT-YOURSELF UFO IDENTIFICATION GUIDE

Unidentified Flying Objects / Project Blue Book

THE IDENTIFICATION CHECKLIST

These are drawn from actual training materials used to help civilian and military witnesses identify what they saw in the skies.  They are extremely helpful in understanding how to identify those cases of unidentified flying objects described in case files and verify those that cannot be readily identified as ordinary or natural objects misidentified.

BALLOONS

Shape: Round, cigar, pinpoint or bowling pin

Size: Up to 100 ft. size (generally appears pinpoint to pea held at arm’s length)

Color: Silver, white, or tints of color. Dark against clouds.

Speed: Speed-large scale erratic speed ruled out. In general, hovering to slow apparent speed.

Formation: Single to cluster

Train: No train or trail of exhaust

Sound: No sound

Time in Sight: Longer time

Course: Straight with gradual ascent unless falling

Lighting: Usually at sunset or sunrise

AIRCRAFT

Shape: Conventional to circular or elliptical

Size:  Pinpoint to actual

Color: Silver to bright yellow. Jet exhaust may be yellow to red.

Speed: Angular speeds.  Small objects crossing major portion of sky in less than a minute can be ruled out. Aircraft will not do such; meteors will.

Formation: 2- 20; more than 20 likely birds.

Train: May or may not have train, trails or exhaust

Sound: Loud to shrill. Zero to loud; loud to low depending on altitude or winds aloft. High enough – no sound.

Time in Sight: More than 15 seconds; usually 1-2 minutes

Course: Steady. Straight or gently curving. Not erratic – may appear still if approaching head one.

Lighting: Night or day

METEORS

Shape: Round to elongate form

Size: Pinpoint to size of moon

Color: Flaming yellow, red, green, or blue possible (and combinations with white)

Speed: Crosses expanse of sky in a few seconds, except of coming head-on

Formation: 1: Can break apart; occasionally can appear as small group

Train: Luminous trail may appear briefly (seldom lasting longer than 30 minutes). Usually day but can be visible at night under right conditions

Sound: None

Time in Sight: Longest 30 seconds; generally less than 10 seconds

Course: Generally straight down but not necessarily. Can rarely curve up slightly (giving a slight rise to movement)

Lighting: Mostly night but can be seen in day

Other: Exceptionally bright ones are “fireballs” or “bolides”. Rare and very spectacular, occasionally known to light up large areas to daylight levels. Origin of these is still debated.

STARS/PLANETS

Shape: Pinpoint to star like

Size: Never appreciable

Color: Yellow, white to rainbow variations

Speed: Stars apparent speed carry them East to West; may seem erratic due to air fluctuations and psychological factors as the mind compensates

Formation: No clusters (beyond well-known night time constellations); a report of 4-5 bright clustering lights would rule out stars.

Train: None

Sound: None

Time in Sight: Clear stars are visible. Rise and set over course of the night

Course: Always described in 24 hr. cycle around pole; in sky moving E-W; stars in the west sky set within 1 – 2 hours; stars in the east, always go higher in the sky

Lighting: Night but can – rarely – be visible in the day

 SEARCH LIGHTS

Shape: Round to elliptical

Size: Pea size at arm’s length to large luminous glows; depend on cloud height

Color: White fluorescent

Speed: Stationary to fantastic

Formation: Usually one but occasionally 2-3

Train:  No train, trail or exhaust

Sound: No sound

Time in Sight: Generally long

Course: Circling, stationary, erratic; small tight arcs; scattered clouds can give the impression of movement

Lighting: Night

OPTICAL PHENOMENA

In this category fall reflections, sundogs, mirages and they vary in form by category.

Size: Star like to luminous glow

Color: Generally yellow

Speed: Stationary to fantastic

Formation: Any

Train: No train, trail, or exhaust

Sound: No sound

Time in Sight: Any

Course: Any

Lighting: Day and night

Other: One of the standard types is a “sundog”, with one to four images placed alongside the sun with a halo circle at intervals of 90 degrees. Another report is often a bright planet or even the moon shining through the light overcast clouds. Mirage reflections are said to occur frequently when temperature inversions exist in the atmosphere.

This is an extremely rare and hard to find illustrated booklet on questions and answers on UFOs. During the dawn of the UFO age, the United States government could not identify correctly those mysterious flying objects published a 40 pages booklet entitled: Aids to identification of flying objects (1968). As a result that this saucer menace could be otherworldly beings or secret communist weapons, they decided to publish this booklet as a guide for properly identifying these flying objects. This title has the following chapters: INTRODUCTION, SHAPE, METEOROLOGICAL AND ASTRONOMICAL FACTORS, RADAR SIGHTINGS, PHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECTS, PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS, VISUAL PERCEPTION, QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS, BIBLIOGRAPHY. Saucerian Publisher was founded to promote Flying Saucer, Paranormal, and the Occult books. Our vision is to preserve the legacy of literary history by reprinting editions of books that have already been exhausted or are difficult to obtain. Our goal is to help readers, educators, and researchers by bringing back original publications that are difficult to find at a reasonable price while preserving the legacy of universal knowledge. This title is an authentic reproduction of the original US Airforce's Aids to identification. This book is a facsimile reproduction of the original printed text in shades of gray. Because this material is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protect, preserve and promote knowledge in the world. This book has been formatted from their original version for publication to letter size. IMPORTANT, although we have attempted to maintain the integrity of the issues accurately, the present reproduction could have missing and blurred pages poor pictures due to the age of the original scanned copy. Because this material is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protect, preserve and promote knowledge in the world. 

Please, copy and paste for our books: https: //saucerianbooks.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

 

 

AN INTRIGUING MYSTERY WITH SOME STRONG IMPLICATIONS

UPDATE: The partial article appears to be an attempt to invoke the espionage laws in reference to the "flying disks" (see section 793-798 of Title 18 U.S. Code). It should be recalled that on the same page as stories of Roswell there was an ongoing story of spies who had stolen atomic secrets from the locked down and thought impenetrable Manhattan Projects labs. This appears the only place this article has been located - El Paso just south and east of those top-secret projects in New Mexico. This may explain the early fears of Communist sympathizers using the 'disks' to invoke fear. What else might this say? - M.H.

The source for the image is the FBI's files related to "UFO's" and found in their "Vault."  There is no clear identification as to the source for this newspaper clipping. A scrawled letter before it with a couple of other clippings seems to suggest the San Antonio area of Texas but it is not clear. The article "First it's Flying Disks..." references a Palestine, Anderson Co., Texas event around 9 July 1947.

What really interested me was that cut off article below it..."Revealing Flying Disk Data May Bring Prosecution".....What?  "Anyone willfully communicating information bearing on the defense or security of the nation."

Just what was THAT? Why was that printed? Who was behind that entire statement? Just what was going on?

In its historical context this event of the fire balls was reported in Palestine around July 9, 1947. FBI files reveal 10 July 1947 a memo between D.M. Ladd and C.G. Fitch concerning the "Flying Disks".  Ladd had a discussion with General George F. Schulgen, Chief of Requirements of Intelligence Branch of Army Air Corps.

Apparently, a El Paso Times paper circa July 8, 1947.  "Revealing Flying Disk Data..."

Schulgen had informed Ladd that all faclities were on alert, instructed to collect all possible data about sightings, and noted one AAF pilot who said he saw one was "thoroughly interrogated" by the General and psychologists and the pilot was "adamant in his claims that he saw a flying disk..."

A paragraph followed with a "?" in the margin. "General Schulgen advised that the possibility exists that the first reported sightings of the so-called flying disks were fallacious and prompted by individuals seeking personal publicity or were reported for political reasons. He stated that if that was so, subsequent sightings might be the result of a mass hysteria. He pointed out that the thought exists that the first reported sightings might have been individuals of communist sympathies with a view to causing hysteria and fear of a secret Russian weapon." Just to when he dated the "first sightings" is unclear.  The sightings of things in the sky in 1947 began as early as January and can be tracked in FBI files, Project Blue Book, and newspaper accounts all across the city and some of its major populated areas.

Schulgen tossed the FBI a bone by suggesting that they could work together and the FBI could track down those original witnesses and verify their intent in sharing the stories of sighting objects. Here may be the birth of the "Men in Black" mythos. The FBI had a look they were to achieve across the board with all agents. A standard dark suit, shoes, crisp white shirt and dark tie. 

Then comes a truly interesting paragraph: "General Schulgen assured {BLANK} that there was no War Department or Navy department research projects presently being conducted which could n any way be tied up with the flying disks." The absence of any assurances about any Army or Army Air Corps projects may be significant. Such "weasel" phasing of words, a parsing of terms that speaks the truth just not all the truth, is very interesting here. It may be, also, that the War Department was synonymous with Army (read the original National Security Act of 1947. In that section about the Army they are first referred to as the War Department).

Here is one link to the memo in question, the other can be found on the FBI Vault site. 

FLORIDA (and elsewhere) 1947 FLYING DISCs

 Picture4.jpg (800×406) (una.edu)

 Shoals, FL Flying Saucer - see the excellent article

here. For more fun reading of 1947 - pre-Roswell and across the country - explore the FBI UFO Files at FBI UFO Case File : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Exploring the FBI files will also illuminate the fear of Russian spies and the straight-faced statement of General Schulgen post-Roswell that there was no military project being hidden by the event. The number of sightings reported from all over from July 6 to July 8 - prior to the Roswell story going out on the wires is truly astounding. It is amazing how many researchers have failed to see and grasp the significance of these reports. Add to these the reports that pre-date Arnold and its is even more amazing. 

It will also underscore that the "flying discs" or "flying disks" did not begin with Arnold. They were being seen in numbers (just as Arnold saw them) prior to his report. There were - in this time period - a lot of HOAXES. The kind high school, college, or bored working men might come up with. ALL are based on an understanding of the saucers as small, cymbal sized, shiny objects. Some even had return to military bases messages; of course, the CO's all denied any knowledge of these.

APRO LETTER TO PRESIDENT J.F. KENNEDY (1961)

Concerning UFO "Contactees":

"Objective research is handicapped and inhibited by the existence of elements which introduce bogus evidence and in general focus disrepute on the subject.

A group of cults has arisen characterized by the claim of "contact" with "space people."

These cults feed on the fact many individuals, in the face of modern technology, have become disillusioned with conventional religions.

Clues: the "contactee: invariably makes it clear that he possesses some special quality which induced the space beings to select him as their communicant.

His spacemen are consistently tall and  handsome (ideal from a human standpoint)..."

APRO Letter, 31 March 1961 to President John F. Kennedy. APRO Bulletin (March 1961).

Dr. R. Cedric Leonard (1934 - )

 Dr. R. Cedric Leonard (1934- ).  He first appeared on the stage of the unexplained when he published a book in 1969, "Flying Saucers, Ancients Writings and the Bible"

. He worked in geology and anthropology for some time but soon was carving out a life and profession as an author and lecturer on the pseudohistorical belief in ancient astronauts and the mythical city of Atlantis.

Leonard was born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1934. He received his B.A. degree from the University of Oklahoma, with a major in Anthropology and a minor in Classical Culture. At Oklahoma City University he majored in Koine Greek language. Then returning to the University of Oklahoma he took Homeric Greek and Attic Greek language, as well as Classical Greek composition. During these studies, by special arrangement, he also completed a Greek Studies program with Sanskrit as its object. He completed his doctorate in Comparative Religion at the unaccredited Neotarian College of Philosophy in Kansas City, Missouri. He is self-taught in Canaanite inscriptions and Egyptian hieroglyphics. Source: http://wikibin.org/articles/r.-cedric-leonard.html

He worked with several early Unidentified Flying Objects groups, including the Oklahoma based group founded by Oklahoman Hayden C. Hewes known as the International UFO Board and the Midwest UFO Network which soon become the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON). 

According to pieces in local newspapers in Oklahoma, he taught some no-credit classes at local Oklahoma City institutions such as South Oklahoma City Junior College in 1974, and spoke to local events at the New Age Center in Oklahoma City and an annual Psychic Research event. 

His published works include: 

“Flying Saucers, Ancient Writings and the Bible,” Exposition Press, New York, 1969.

“Report on Project Lahoma: Pleistocene Bone Site,” (field report), Geology Department, University of Oklahoma, Norman, 1971.

“UFOs in Antiquity,” Conference Proceedings, MUFON, Quincy Illinois, June 17, 1972.

“The Thera Volcano: With emphasis on the Bronze Age eruption,” (class paper) Geography Department, University of Oklahoma, Norman, 1975.

“A Geological Study of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge,” Special Paper No. 1, Cowan Printing, Bethany, 1979.

“The Vestiges of Atlantis,” Special Paper No. 2, Cowan Printing, Bethany, 1979.

“Quest for Atlantis,” Manor Books, New York, 1979.

“Quest for Atlantis II,” Books by Lulu.com, World-Wide-Web, 2005

Atlanteans in America. https://atlantisquestscience.wordpress.com/science/atlanteans-in-america/

Dr. Frank Stranges

 His bio says he had advanced degrees in theology, psychology, and criminology. He was a minister. He was a philosopher. He had met and traveled with a man from Venus - one Valiant "Vai" Thor in the 1960's.  Who was he really and who or what was Valiant Thor? In the early 1960's Stranges met an alien ...he chronicles the story in his book STRANGER AT THE PENTAGON.

Here are the Venusians: Jill, Donn, and Valiant.

Here is a later life photo of Frank Stranges. A man who apparently tried to pass himself off as an FBI agent according their files. 

Here is his author page from Stranger at the Pentagon. He claimed to be the founder and director of the National Investigations Committe on UFO's (founded 1967 in California, Webpage: Dr. Frank Stranges, founder of NICUFO (a now defunct group).

President of International Evangelical Crusades and the International Seminary of California. He received masters and doctoral degrees in colleges sponsored by the Independent Assemblies of God.

See this detail biography of the man at God's Celestial Ambassador - The Life and Times of Dr. Frank E. Stranges - Part 1 (rense.com)

Read his book on Thor, Stranger at the Pentagon,  here.

A 1965 Triangle Craft

A March 1965 file showed this sketch of a slightly domed craft with lights below and a triangular shape from below. 

 

TWO STRANDS OF EXPERIENCE: CONTACTEES AND WITNESSES

I have been doing some additional reading and study into this sub-set of the 'flying saucer' era. The more I read in philosophy, sociology, psychology and history the more I agree that those the strands may mingle on occasion, what is at work are two separate rivers of human experience.

One is what might be termed METAPHYSICAL and one is SCIENTIFIC/TECHNICAL.

The METAPHSYICALS have been around for centuries and are reflected in those who saw fairies, angels, demons, saints, gods and the like.

Swedenborg in about 1751 wrote of encountering life forms on earthlike planets via psychic communication. By the late 1800's spiritualism was growing wildly and influencing many. At the same time fictional works were exploring through fantasy and early science fiction trips to the moon, to Mars, through time. As the new century dawned work of Perceival Lowell Mars and the approach of Halley's Comet influenced people as well.

There were also social stressors in the growth of the industrial revolution and the diminishment of the rural agriculture social model, the influx of new machines and methods that threatened livelihoods, global conflicts over short time, loss of life, loss of trust, loss of familiar social values or structures.

Even in to the 1920 and 1930 the concept of space travel was still the field of fantasy for most and firmly within the contact spirit or seance matrix.

It has been noted that before 1947 all such other worldly and out of this world communications or visits were all done via psychic communications, seances, and the like.

After 1947 and Kenneth Arnold's sighting, a new wrinkle emerges with the idea of flying saucers as ships from other worlds.

At the post WW2 era there is post war trauma, want, collapse of social structures once familar and common, new demands as technologies threatened jobs, and global fears of atomic war and other tensions began to emerge. These social stressors would be enough to once more send the metaphysical strand in motion and as it grows it evolves to envelop this new flying saucer phenomena.

In additional, numerous researchers have noted that the group we label "contactees" shared that spiritualism motif of finding and using "special messengers", of spreading a message of peace and positivism, and a warning to change ways and see the higher road as individuals and societies.

The motivations and goals of this group - as is clear - are different than those who witnessed objects seem performing in ways that they knew were unfamiliar or beyond current technology or science.

THE SKEPTICAL MOVEMENT

 I ran across this term in a newsletter from Cincinnati for and by skeptics. In one section was a very strange comment:

"Friday Night Talks and Magic / Opening by Randi – Randi opened the meeting mostly with recognizing people in the audience who had helped set up the meeting or were speaking. He mentioned The Pale Blue Dot of Carl Sagan and mourned the loss of many of the leading lights of the skeptical movement, Stephen Jay Gould, Isaac Asimov, and Carl Sagan " (Wayback Machine (archive.org))

A "skeptical movement"? That seems to imply a continuing state of skepticism. It seems to imply a nearly religious adherence to the concept of skepticism regardless of facts to the contrary or evidence pointing a different way. It seems tinged with a similar fideism as religious or political fervor unswayed by anything but one narrow and focused worldview.

Wikipedia provided this definition: " A philosophical movement refers to the phenomenon defined by a group of philosophers who share an origin or style of thought. Their ideas may develop substantially from a process of learning and communication within the group, rather than from outside influences. Major philosophical movements are often characterized with reference to the nation, language, or historical era in which they arose."

This is a fascinating definition. Such movements are defined by the group and its thinking rather than - outside influences - one has to wonder, if contradictory evidence is one of the outside influences ignored in favor of the views held dear by the "movement?'

How does that differ from religious fervor that holds tenets sacred and ignores outside influences with which it does not agree?  

Such slavish devotion to skepticism as a belief system - a movement is just as bad as a religious adherence to belief in aliens, flying saucers, and the like. 

I am reminded of the words of Dr. J. Allan Hynek who emphasized that what was important was following the evidence to whatever place it lead one. Science does not seek belief but evidence. Evidence does not demand faith or a belief system and it does not operate in a closed movement system where it only interacts with the parroting heads of others in the "movement."

THE AIR FORCE LOVED "CONTACTEES'

The nuttiness of the "contactee" movement was a counterpoint to most of UFO investigation in the 1940's and the 1950's and its presence helped the debunkers - the U.S. A.F. and other agencies - to denigrate many sightings or witnesses. On more than one occasion, the Air Force even used a contactee experience to cover or divert attention from other events that were a lot harder to explain.

November of 1957 was a tense time for the Air Force. In fact, the entire year had been filled with a lot of really hard to explain events that stretched the creative faculties of the investigators and the higher ups. IN October the Antonio Villas Boas incident occurred in Brazil where he claimed seduction by a lovely alien female. Then Ella Louise Fortune, who was a nurse on the Mescalero Reservation close to Three Rivers, NM snapped a picture while driving along Hwy 54. The glowing ovoid disc like object appeared to be hovering over Holloman AFB. It was a photo that would be reprinted in newspapers across the country. Then to make it all worse was the "Lights at Levelland" in Texas on Nov. 2-3. For more than 20 miles in all directions of the Texas town communities reported incidents (Clovis on the NM border,  Canadian, Midland, in Texas). Reports included an egg shaped object, blasts of heat, and torpedo shaped UFO (remember that one mentioned photographed over Holloman?). Sheriff's and their deputies were reporting these as well as red, brilliant, lights that blocked roads and whizzed by overhead. 

One can almost hear the relief in the typed communications and press releases once the story of just a couple of days later emerged.  Nov, 5, 1957 a grain buyer's life was forever changed when he encountered an otherworldly craft - and the occupants. You can read his mimeographed story here.  His Project Blue Book case file can be found here. 

The Air Force listed his report as "hallucination."  Long discussions with mental health experts provided them with enough material they were able to hold this case as the standard against which all other events of the time should be measured. 

original sketch of ship encountered in Nebraska

A flyer advertising one of the talks given by the contactee with detailed drawing of the ship. 

The letter (below) sent out to the public in those years, reassuring them of the results of the research.

As a result, the awkward issues raised by a host of witnesses in New Mexico (with sketches of disc shaped saucers and odd bullet shaped projectile crafts) and similar reports from Texas around Levelland and beyond, the Kearney case allowed them to lump them all together under the same damning umbrella. It is hard to tell what you have seen when every word is being weighed and compared to a man who was believed to be best housed in a mental institution.