American UFO Committee Review Vol 2 No 2

Magazine Overview

Title: AMERICAN UFO COMMITTEE REVIEW
Issue: Volume 2, Number 2
Date: July 1965
Publisher: AMERICAN UFO COMMITTEE
Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of the AMERICAN UFO COMMITTEE REVIEW, dated July 1965, presents a collection of UFO sighting reports from the summer of 1965, alongside organizational updates and commentary on the field of UFOlogy.

Editorial

The editorial, written by Allen H. Greenfield, Editor, marks the second anniversary of the American UFO Committee (AMUFO). Greenfield reflects on the organization's formation through a merger of several previous UFO groups and acknowledges the challenges faced, particularly with the publication of the Review. He notes that despite initial delays and quality issues, the committee is committed to producing a high-level publication. AMUFO's activities include co-sponsoring the annual Congress of Scientific UFOlogists and supporting the United UFOlogical Association. The editorial expresses optimism for the future and calls for member participation.

Key Persons and Organizations

The magazine lists its executive board: Allen Greenfield (Editorial Director), Rick Hilberg (Administrative Director), Allan Manak (Publications Director), and Dale Rettig (Associate Director). It also mentions John Keasler, a columnist for The Miami News, and various news agencies like Associated Press (AP) and United Press International (UPI) that reported on UFO incidents.

Key organizations involved in UFOlogy and mentioned include the American UFO Committee, Research Organization of Aerial Phenomena (ROAP), The United Saucer Research Council of Ohio (USCO), United Federal Observers Research Committee (UFORC), Hawk Research Society (HRS), Illinois Aerial Phenomena Agency (IAPA), United Research Council of UFOlogy (URCU), United UFOlogical Association (UUA), the USAF, and the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA).

UFO Sightings and Reports

The issue details numerous UFO sightings from the summer of 1965:

• July 3, 1965: A lens-shaped UFO was sighted by Chilean and Argentine personnel in the Antarctic, described as yellowish-red, changing to green, yellow, and orange. Interference with electromagnetic apparatus was reported. The same day, a large, round, silver ball was seen by two boys in Shelton, Washington, which shot straight up.
• July 8, 1965: Two California police officers reported a blinking red light, brighter than Venus, that climbed straight up and moved north.
• July 9, 1965: A UFO was observed for 45 minutes at 33,000 feet by staff at Santa Maria Airport in the Azores. Electromagnetic clocks stopped for 10 minutes.
• July 10, 1965: A pinkish UFO was sighted near Oporto, Portugal, at an altitude of 3,000 feet, coinciding with radio static.
• July 12, 1965: An object was sighted over Columbus, Ohio. A science teacher suggested it was a balloon, but another witness was not satisfied with this explanation.
• July 16, 1965: Several people in Buenos Aires, Argentina, reported sightings of bright UFOs emitting various colors. A TV station experienced atmospheric interference, and cigar-shaped UFOs were photographed.
• July 17, 1965: A cigar-shaped, reddish object was sighted over the Rio Plata River between Uruguay and Argentina, moving upward and leaving a vapor trail. Five other witnesses confirmed the report.
• August 1, 1965: Reports of unidentified objects came from eight states, described as lights or egg-shaped objects. The USAF attributed these to planets and stars, a claim disputed by a planetarium director.
• August 2, 1965: Radar detected objects over an eight-state area near Wichita, Kansas, described as similar to airplanes. The USAF cited 'temperature inversion' as an explanation.
• August 2, 1965: In North Texas, residents claimed to see a 'flying saucer' land, but investigations found no physical evidence.

Commentary and Analysis

John Keasler's Column: In his column "Look Up Here," Keasler discusses the growing acceptance of UFO believers, linking it to humanity's space achievements. He humorously anticipates a future where believers might persecute non-believers. He also mentions a sighting by military and scientific personnel in the Antarctic and reflects on the challenges faced by UFO witnesses, noting that while some reports come from individuals experiencing hallucinations, others describe genuinely inexplicable phenomena.

"Objects in sky persist": This article notes that thousands reported seeing mysterious flashing, winking, and sparking phenomena. The Air Force's explanation that these are likely stars or planets is challenged by witnesses, including a high school English teacher who found the claim absurd.

"Cape Area Sky Lit by UFOs, Policemen Say": This report details sightings in the Cape Kennedy area, Florida, where four policemen reported seeing strange orange and yellow lights, with four objects in a diamond formation. Residents in nearby cities also reported similar lights.

"UFOs Reported": This section covers sightings in Fossil, Oregon, where three cigar-shaped silvery objects were observed hovering. The objects were described as about 60 feet long and 12 feet wide, and departed without noise or movement.

"Strange creatures of earth": This piece reflects on the persistent nature of UFO sightings despite advancements in space science. It notes that since 1947, the Air Force has investigated 9,130 reports, with most explained, but some remaining unexplained. It mentions specific incidents, including a UFO affecting a Japanese airliner's instruments and a bright object seen by two California policemen.

"Saucer Sighted": Reports from Argentine sailors in the Antarctic describe a multi-colored, disc-shaped object with occasional flashes, moving generally eastward and westward, and appearing to hover. The object was photographed.

Membership Revisions and Committee Activities

"IMPORTANT MEMBERSHIP REVISIONS, AMERICAN UFO COMMITTEE, EFFECTIVE AS OF JANUARY 1st, 1966": This section outlines changes to AMUFO's membership structure. The Review will be published three times a year, with a membership fee of $2.00 entitling members to six issues. Members are urged to renew by January 1st and include their zip codes. The organization prohibits membership to individuals affiliated with communist or fascist groups. The goals of AMUFO are reiterated, focusing on sponsoring the Congress of Scientific UFOlogists, promoting UFOlogy, public education, and research. Lifetime memberships are available for $10.00.

"1965 UFO Congress: A PHOTO REVIEW": This section provides a photographic overview of the Congress of Scientific UFOlogists, described as UFOlogy's only convention for serious enthusiasts. It features photos of delegates, speakers, and displays from the event, which drew participants from across the U.S. and Canada. Plans for the 1966 Congress in Cleveland are already underway.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the reporting and investigation of unidentified flying objects, the challenges of explaining these phenomena, and the growing public and official interest in UFOs. The editorial stance of the American UFO Committee, as expressed by Allen Greenfield, is one of serious inquiry and a commitment to advancing the field of UFOlogy through publication and organized events, aiming for a high intellectual and printing standard. There is a clear emphasis on documenting sightings, questioning official explanations when they seem inadequate, and fostering a community of researchers and enthusiasts.

The American UFO Committee Review, Volume 2, Number 2, dated September 22, 1965, is a publication from the American UFO Committee, printed in the U.S.A. The cover prominently displays a large photograph of a marquee sign reading 'WELCOME AMERICAN UFO CONGRESS,' accompanied by six smaller inset photographs labeled photo 1 through photo 6. The issue also lists cover credits from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Augusta Chronicle-Herald, Miami News, and Miami Herald.

Editorial and Staff

The publication is based in Atlanta, Georgia, with the editorial office located at 2875 Sequoyah Drive, N. W., Atlanta, Georgia 30327. The staff members credited are Allen H. Greenfield, Rick R. Hilberg, Allan J. Manak, and Dale N. Rettig. The American UFO Committee states that no material in this publication may be reproduced without permission and all inquiries should be sent to their editorial office.

Membership and Subscription

AMUFO membership is offered at $2.00 per year, which includes a subscription to the Review. The Review itself is published three times yearly.

Content Highlights

The issue includes a section titled 'photos, continued,' which features a larger photograph of a group of people in a room, likely from the congress. Another photograph displays a collection of UFO-related publications, including titles like 'SAUCER NEWS,' 'ORBIT,' 'BUFOR,' 'U.F.O. Investigator,' and 'INTERPLANETARY INTELLIGENCE REPORT.' The back page shows the return address for the American UFO Committee and a printed matter mailing label addressed to Sven Olov Larsson in Sweden, indicating international correspondence.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue focuses on the American UFO Congress, as evidenced by the cover headline and accompanying photographs. It also highlights various UFO-related publications, suggesting an interest in the dissemination of information within the UFO community. The editorial stance emphasizes the importance of obtaining permission for reproduction of published material and provides contact information for inquiries and membership. The inclusion of international correspondence indicates a global reach for the organization's activities.