American UFO Committee Review - 1965 06 - Vol 2 No 1

Magazine Overview

Title: AMERICAN UFO COMMITTEE REVIEW
Issue: VOLUME TWO, NUMBER ONE
Date: June 1965

This issue of the American UFO Committee Review is the official informational organ of the committee, published irregularly and available to members. The subscription cost is $2.00 per annum. The committee is a non-profit research and publicity organization and a member of the United UFOlogical Association (UUA).

Editorial: THE UFO MOVEMENT IN MIDSTREAM

The editorial addresses the recurring delays in publication, attributing them to an inherent quality of UFO publications rather than inactivity. The editor discusses the challenges of managing a UFO group, highlighting a significant gulf between leaders and members, and the detrimental 'vicious competition' among UFO organizations. The editorial categorizes groups into 'aristocrats' (large, established organizations that shun others), 'believers' (those who accept every report as genuine), and 'head-beaters' (groups that talk a lot but achieve little). The editor calls for an end to these divisions and petty nonsense, urging members to encourage cooperation.

Sighting Reports: THE FLAP CONTINUES

This section covers the "big flap" of 1964, with the issue aiming to complete coverage of that segment and include new 1965 reports. Several specific incidents are detailed:

• September 7: The Glassboro, New Jersey crater case is described as a childish hoax, despite claims of it being caused by a landed object.
• September 5 (actual sighting Sept. 6th): Mr. and Mrs. Percy Harrison in Salford, England, sighted a star-like object through a bedroom window that vanished behind a chimney. The object was identified by Mr. Harrison as a flying saucer.
• September 11: Mrs. Karen Campbell in Tonce City, Oklahoma, reported a UFO swerving over her car, described as oval shaped, about 4 feet high, and dull copper in color.
• September 20: Multiple people in Rio Dell, California, sighted a multi-lighted object in flight for over half an hour.
• September 21: An object, cigar-shaped and bright, was seen over Northern California, possibly related to the Sept. 20th incident. An Air Force explanation of a jet contrail is dismissed as absurd.
• October 10: A UFO was sighted by a single person in Hasting, Michigan, observed through binoculars and noted to pass in front of stars, suggesting solidity.
• October 12: Citizens in Gateshead, England, reported sighting glowing pink discs.
• October 24: An object moving East to West was sighted by the same person who reported the Oct. 10th sighting.
• October 24: UFOs were sighted above Helsby, England, including a large saucer shape with a dome on top.
• November 7: A bright, star-like object was sighted moving at an irregular, zig-zagging speed from West to East.
• November 27: Drivers and passengers on a Trailways Bus en route from Cedertown to Atlanta, Georgia, reported a green glow that followed the bus, seeming to drop to earth and then rise again.

A BRIEF LOOK AT THE CURRENT FLAP

This section describes the period from April 1964 onwards as the most fantastic for UFO reports, noting the high number of sightings and the nature of the reports, including physical evidence like craters and burns, and cases where UFOs chased vehicles. The author laments that the publicity for this flap is not comparable to the 1952 wave, suggesting the press uses excuses to avoid reporting on the topic. The need for responsible investigators to find answers is emphasized.

AIR FORCE MACHINE ROLLS IN VIRGINIA

This article details the significant wave of flying saucer sightings in Virginia during January 1965, with reports averaging more than one per day, many being spectacular. The Air Force sent a team to investigate, particularly after a sighting of a pyramid-shaped object on the ground by Mr. Horace Burns. Professor Ernest Gehman reportedly detected radiation at the alleged landing site, though the AF team found no trace of it. Initially candid, the AF team later reverted to debunking reports. Major Quintenella is quoted as stating only 16 reports remained unexplained in '64, a figure derived solely from AF-received reports. The article criticizes the AF's assertion that Virginia was the only area experiencing UFO sightings, suggesting it was an attempt to 'shape' public perception. It also questions whether the AF was hiding facts or simply unaware of other sightings occurring simultaneously, including on the West Coast.

WAVENEY GIRVAN DIES

This brief note announces the death of Mr. Waveney Girvan, a leader of British Ufology and editor of Flying Saucer Review, on October 22nd, shortly after a major operation. The publication is expected to continue.

CONGRESS PLANS PROCEED

Announces the upcoming Second Congress of Scientific Ufologists, scheduled for June 26th and 27th in Cleveland, Ohio. AMUFO urges attendance and lists several organizations endorsing the event.

AMUFO BOOK DELAYED

An announcement regarding a planned AMUFO yearbook, delayed due to a high influx of reports and technical issues. The book is expected to be worth the wait and will cost $1.00.

VENUS ? COULD BE...

This scientific piece discusses findings by Johns Hopkins University astrophysicists regarding the clouds surrounding Venus. They suggest the clouds are composed of water ice particles, raising the possibility of oxygen in Venus's atmosphere and, consequently, the potential for life. This finding is based on calculations related to oxygen release from water vapor and sunlight action. The Mariner 2 probe's earlier findings are contrasted with these new conclusions, leading the author to question the reliability of space probe data.

SOME REFLECTIONS ON THE ABOVE ITEM

The editor reflects on the Venus findings, stating he has never subscribed to the theory that UFOs originate from within the solar system, but remains open-minded. The Venus findings bring it back into consideration as a potential UFO source. The editor expresses skepticism about the reliability of unmanned space probe data, particularly in light of conflicting conclusions from the Mariner probe and the Johns Hopkins scientists.

Membership and Publication Information

Membership cards for 1965 are included with the issue. The publication details are listed: American UFO Committee Review, Volume 2, Number 1, Whole Number 3. No material may be reproduced without permission. The editor is Allen Greenfield, and the publisher is Rick Hilberg, with a directive board including Allen Greenfield, Rick Hilberg, Allan Manak, and Dale Rettig.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include reporting on numerous UFO sightings, the analysis and investigation of these sightings (particularly by governmental bodies like the Air Force), and the internal dynamics and challenges within the UFOlogy community. The editorial stance is critical of disunity and lack of cooperation among UFO groups, advocating for a more unified and evidence-based approach. There is also an interest in scientific findings that might relate to extraterrestrial possibilities, as seen in the article on Venus. The publication emphasizes its role in reporting factual UFO data and maintaining integrity.