APRO Bulletin - 1957 01 00 - January

Magazine Overview

This issue of The A. P. R. O. Bulletin, dated January 1957, is the official publication of the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization. It focuses on UFO research, featuring articles on prominent figures, recent sightings, and organizational news.

Tombaugh - Satellites and Spaceships

The lead article discusses Clyde Tombaugh, the discoverer of Pluto, and his views on satellites and spaceships. The author expresses curiosity about potential misinterpretations of Tombaugh's statements in an AP release. A phone conversation with Tombaugh reveals his perspective on 'celestial visitors' and the possibility of advanced civilizations capable of interstellar travel. Tombaugh notes that while he has observed unexplained celestial phenomena, he hasn't seen any personally since 1951 or 1952, and emphasizes the need for careful consideration of radar tricks and the unknown nature of these phenomena.

Member Relates UAO "Hushup"

A new member, referred to as Mr. X, recounts an experience of being pressured by a Civil Service Board of Inquiry to remain silent about his research into the UAO mystery. Despite his qualifications as a mechanical and industrial engineer, he was sworn to secrecy. The article suggests that incidents like this, along with the affair of Senator Russell's letter, contribute to a distrust of the Air Force among both UAO enthusiasts and the general public due to their reluctance to provide clear statements and the spread of rumors.

The Senator Russell Letter Revealed

This section details a letter from Senator Richard B. Russell, chairman of the Armed Services Committee, responding to a request for information about a sighting he reportedly witnessed in Europe in late 1955. The Senator, after discussing the matter with 'affected agencies of the Government,' stated that it was 'not wise to publicize this matter.' An administrative assistant to Senator Russell later clarified that while they couldn't dictate publicity, they hoped for fair reporting. The article implies that the Senator did see something, and government agencies are keen to keep the incident unpublicized.

The Case of The Missing Y-33

A T-33 jet aircraft disappeared over Goshen, Indiana, on December 8th, after reporting over the area. Despite a nine-day search by Air Force planes and civilian craft, no clues were found. The plane was presumed lost in Lake Erie. Informants suggest 'mysterious' or 'unusual' circumstances surrounding the loss, with further details promised if corroborated.

Editorial: An Editorial

The editorial addresses the rebranding of the former Civilian Flying Saucer Investigations Group of Seattle as the 'Aerial Phenomena Research Group' with a new publication, 'A. P. R. G. Reporter.' The editorial notes the similarity in name and format to A. P. R. O., highlighting A. P. R. O.'s established reputation for factual reporting and scientific approach. It then outlines A. P. R. O.'s unique characteristics: it's an official research organ, not a 'fanzine'; it's in its sixth year of operation; it focuses on minimizing misidentified conventional objects by recruiting technical and scientific personnel; it has top men in various scientific fields as members, some of whom must remain anonymous; it is the oldest existing UAO research group; and it is the only UAO research group headed by a woman. The editorial also discusses the challenges faced by the Director due to her gender and defends her qualifications. It emphasizes the need for financial support and announces a membership drive, offering one month's free membership for each new one-year member recruited. The editorial concludes by wishing Donald E. Keyhoe success as the new Director of NICAP.

Jessup Comments On Snark Losses

M. K. Jessup comments on the loss of many Snark missiles in the Atlantic, suggesting that the disappearances in the Florida-Puerto Rico triangle might be more than mechanical failures. He speculates on the possibility of Russian submarines or a more sinister pattern of 'disappearances' in the region, referencing his book 'The Case for the UFO.'

On The Scientific Front:

This section covers various scientific observations and news:

• Willey Ley is mentioned for an article in 'Mechanix Illustrated' suggesting UFOs are secret weapons.
• On The Moon: Ted R. Best reports sighting a 'pipeline' of 150 miles in length and two miles in diameter.
• Horatio Gonzales observed white, brilliant apparent 'domes' in the south region of the moon.
• MARS: The Director attended a lecture by Dr. Albert G. Wilson, discussing observations of two tremendous explosions on the Mars disc in 1954 and a W-shaped cloud in 1954 and 1956. Dr. Wilson attributed the cloud to dust and the explosions to reflections, but the Director notes inconsistencies and the unlikelihood of the W-shaped cloud being a coincidence.

On The Missile Front:

Wags in Florida refer to the Atlantic Ocean as 'Snark-Infested Waters' due to uncontrolled Air Force Snark missiles. Speculation exists about Russian submarines using frequency-jamming devices. The article suggests UAOs might be involved, possibly attempting to discourage human tendencies toward mass suicide.

Jessup Comments On Snark Losses (Continued)

Jessup further elaborates on the 'disappearances' in the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Antilles, linking them to an increasing number of plane crashes and suggesting a sinister pattern. He notes that the U. S. Military should investigate this history.

Telonic Research

APRO received a request for comment on the closing of Telonic Research but found it insignificant to UAO research, as TRC had not contributed constructively.

Jackie Saunders' Observation

Jackie Saunders shares an excerpt from 'River of Life' by Rutherford Platt, discussing a profound discovery made by the Mt. Palomar telescope regarding the nature of the cosmos, suggesting it may not be infinite and hinting at new dimensions.

NICAP

This section addresses apprehension among UAO enthusiasts towards the new National Investigations Committee for Aerial Phenomena (NICAP). It details NICAP's accomplishments, including a statement from Admiral Delmar S. Fahrney about high-speed objects in the atmosphere, and its financial plan. The article criticizes NICAP's payroll, the lack of UAO research experience among its officers, and its policy of not hiring individuals who might be biased towards UAO. It questions APRO's potential endorsement of NICAP given the latter's paid officials while APRO members work without compensation. A quote from an anonymous researcher expresses concern about NICAP's potential to 'bring outfits like yours to heel' and criticizes the policy of doling out votes based on contribution size.

The Biblical Theory For UAO

An ongoing correspondence with William C. Lamb of Newcastle, Wyoming, is mentioned. Lamb theorizes that some UAO are angels of God and others are representatives of Satan. His claims include a sighting in 1922 of a disc and a creature, and in 1905, a disc-shaped object with a sound like a swarm of bees. His description of a green-clothed being is compared to the 'Green Monster' of Flatwoods, West Virginia.

UAO Definition

The bulletin announces that from this time forward, 'flying saucers' or unidentified flying objects will be referred to as UAO (unconventional aerial objects), a term deemed to approximate a clear description.

International Lunar Society Formed

Dr. H. Percival Wilkins of Great Britain announces the formation of the International Lunar Society, aimed at amateur astronomers interested in lunar surface discoveries. The society is exclusively focused on lunar observation and research, not UFOs.

What Lit Up Mauna Loa?

A ranch employee reported a burst of light on the summit of Mauna Loa volcano on November 30th. The following day, a resident reported a steady glow. A U. S. Weather Bureau party found no sign of recent volcanic activity. The article questions what could have lit up the mountain for two hours, congratulating Mr. Riley Crabb for his investigation.

The Savage Picture

APRO requests patience from members ordering copies of the 'Savage picture,' explaining that demand exceeded expectations and a backlog exists due to photographer vacations and equipment modification.

Oddities

An explosion rocked Indianapolis on September 11th, with a spokesman initially thinking a truck had hit a building. No explanation was forthcoming.

Recent Sightings

This section details numerous UAO sightings from various locations:

• California (circa 1941): A physicist's widow and her husband observed a large, blazing object traveling north and low.
• California (Spring 1943): The same observer reported a flashing object high in the sky.
• California (1955): A UAO was tracked for 600 miles at high speed and altitude, with the Air Force unable to intercept it.
• Texas/Florida (1956-01-22): A flight engineer observed a bullet-shaped object with yellow flame spurts, moving at high speed.
• New Mexico (1956-07-14): A pale yellow ball approached Holloman AFB, then displayed red lights and disappeared at high speed.
• Ontario, Canada (1956-08-28): A man reported being chased by a flying saucer for six miles.
• Pennsylvania (September 1956): Charles W. McGrady observed a grayish, dishpan-shaped object that emitted gray smoke and moved in an elliptical path.
• Venezuela (1956-10-18): Workmen observed an orange-colored disc-shaped object that changed course and ascended rapidly.
• Venezuela (1956-11-24): Five orange, 'bean-shaped' UAOs were observed crossing the sky, making a sharp turn and vanishing.
• Florida (1956-11-08): A 'bar-bell' shaped object was tracked by radar in Miami, exhibiting unusual speed and hovering behavior.
• Japan (1956-11-09): Multiple observers saw round, silvery objects maneuvering and changing formation.
• Maryland (circa 1956-11-10): Mrs. Mary Blalock observed two moving lights that whirled together and then disappeared.
• New Jersey (1956-11-21): Harry J. Sturdivant reported a disability from the stench of a UAO that zoomed low over the Delaware River.
• South Dakota (1956-11-19): A huge red ball was sighted west of Aberdeen and near Redfield.
• North Dakota (1956-11-19): Four persons saw an oblong-shaped object disappear over a hill.
• South Dakota (1956-11-19): Three people spotted a large object with a red center and blue-green tail.
• Minnesota (1956-11-19): A large red revolving flame with a silver cone-shaped structure was seen.
• Minnesota (1956-11-29): Harold Thompson reported a bright object with small windows that varied in color and ascended.
• South Dakota (1956-11-27): C. W. Klingman and students saw a silver-colored object like a balloon gondola that hovered and then shot up at an angle.
• South Dakota (1956-11-27): Young people saw a merry-go-round-shaped object that glided slowly and stopped.
• South Dakota (1956-11-27): High school students observed a round, white, shiny object near their classroom window.
• Colorado (circa 1956-11-25): A round, orange light was observed stationary over Pike's Peak, then moved south.
• Maryland (1956-12-03): Two men reported a flat, oval-shaped, bright object streaking away from a transport plane.
• California (1956-12-05): Observers saw a white glowing disc hovering over the coastline, which then flew toward San Clemente and vanished.
• Minnesota (1956-12-02): Mr. and Mrs. Ford Moffett and guests chased a luminous object with red and green windows.
• Japan (1956-12-10): Three high-school students observed a round, silvery object that hovered and ascended out of sight.
• Japan (1956-12-11): Thousands watched a yellow-colored ball of fire traveling from north to southeast at low speed.
• Venezuela (1956-12-13): A Swedish ship reported a strange craft descending from the sky, giving off flares, shaped like a cone, and diving into the water.
• Nebraska (1956-01-06): E. M. Hoberg watched a UAO described as a red ball that changed colors and sped southeast.
• Nevada (1957-01-17): Mr. Art Johnson observed a huge white ball that descended from the sky and headed toward Nellis AFB, emitting a flaming exhaust.
• Michigan (1956-12-22): Observers saw a brilliant blue-white flash of light.
• California (1956-12-26): A large brilliant object was seen passing over Eureka.
• Connecticut (1956-08-19): Mr. and Mrs. Wermann watched a fiery object that followed a leisurely course, changed direction, and appeared to rebound from an invisible wall.
• South Dakota (1956-11-25): Mrs. Robert Wasanaar and her sons observed a large, round, reddish-orange object that seemed suspended and then disappeared.
• South Dakota (1956-11-26): Residents spotted an unconventional aerial object at Hot Springs, coinciding with an unidentified radar 'blip' at Ellsworth AFB.
• South Dakota (1956-11-26): Two state motor patrolmen reported seeing a 'salad-bowl' shaped object swaying back and forth across a road.
• New Zealand (circa 1956-10-10): A motorist reported seeing the figure of an old man in the road that vanished into thin air.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the ongoing mystery of unidentified aerial objects (UAOs), the perceived secrecy and reluctance of government and military organizations (particularly the Air Force) to disclose information, and the scientific investigation of these phenomena. The APRO Bulletin maintains a stance of rigorous, fact-based research, distinguishing itself from 'fanzine' publications. It emphasizes the importance of qualified scientific personnel and a critical approach to UAO reports. The editorial also highlights the organization's longevity and its unique leadership. There is a clear skepticism towards unsubstantiated claims and a focus on credible evidence and analysis, while also acknowledging the unexplained nature of many reported incidents.