APRO Bulletin - 1957 11 00 - Nov

Magazine Overview

This issue of THE A.P.R.O. BULLETIN, dated November 1957, is the official copyrighted publication of the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (A.P.R.O.). It is dedicated to the investigation of unidentified objects. The main focus of this issue is "THE NEW MEXICO STORY," detailing numerous sightings and related events.

The Levelland Case

The issue begins with a detailed account of the Levelland, Texas incident on the night of November 2nd and early morning of November 3rd, 1957. Multiple witnesses, including Pedro Saucedo, Joe Salaz, Ronald Martin, and Newell Wright, reported seeing a large, glowing, egg-shaped or ellipsoid object, approximately 200 feet long. The object reportedly caused vehicle engines and lights to fail when it approached. Police Patrolman A. J. Fowler confirmed receiving reports from Saucedo and 14 others who were visibly upset or terrified. Sheriff Weir Clem and Highway Patrolmen Lee Hargrove and Floyd Cain also reported seeing similar flashes in the sky.

James D. Long, a truck driver from Waco, Texas, reported a similar experience near Levelland, where his truck's motor and lights quit when he approached a large, egg-shaped glowing mass parked in the road. He fainted from fright.

CBS-TV Gets UAO Film

On November 3, 1957, CBS-TV News cameraman Russell B. Day filmed 35 to 40 feet of film of a UAO in Deming, New Mexico. He had been watching for six nights. The object, described as larger than bright planets but smaller than the moon, maneuvered and occasionally changed from yellow to orange. Visibility was good, with no clouds.

Later that evening, what is believed to be the same object followed the automobile of Kenneth Clear and his family for 15 miles on State Road 26.

Interesting Sidelights on UAO Reports in Tularosa Basin

On Tuesday, November 5th, rumors and events surrounding UAO happenings began to surface. Terry Clarke, News Director for Radio Station KALG, worked with the Director to gather reports. Mrs. Lorenzen provided a taped interview commenting on the Levelland sighting. That night, she interviewed Mr. Stokes, convincing him to release his account publicly. A taped interview between Mr. Clarke and Mr. Stokes was recorded.

The New Mexico Story (Continued)

At 8:55 p.m. on November 4th, James W. Stokes, a retired Navy man and electrical engineer working at Holloman Air Force Base, reported a significant sighting while driving south on U.S. Highway 54 near Orogrande. His car radio died, followed by the engine. He observed a large, mother-of-pearl colored egg-shaped object approaching from the northeast, which then made sharp turns, passed over the highway, and ascended swiftly into the northwest. Stokes reported feeling a "pressure" and a wave of heat. His car restarted without difficulty afterward. Sky conditions were ideal for the sighting.

Stokes reported that the object was seen below and among clouds at about 1500 feet altitude, and was moving at an estimated 1500 miles per hour. He believes the clouds dissipated as the object made contact. He also noted that the object did not appear to get lower than 1500 feet.

Other observers, Allan D. Baker and a man named Duncan, were not located. It is speculated that people associated with White Sands Proving Ground might have been cautioned against corroborating the story. Baker's pictures are believed to be at Wright Air Development Center.

At 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Stokes was interviewed by Holloman AFMDC officials. News agencies and newspapers sought the story. A recorded interview was made at KALG, and a story was written for the press wires.

Mrs. Lorenzen also did a taped interview at KALG regarding the Levelland sighting.

Object Seen Over A-Bomb Bunkers

On Sunday, November 3rd, two Army Range patrols spotted a huge, oval object, nearly as bright as the sun, hovering over cement and earth bunkers used for atomic blast observation. The object was seen at about 3 a.m. and again at 8 p.m. The object was estimated to be oblong or egg-shaped, nearly as bright as the sun, and at least 200 feet long. In the first instance, it hovered about 50 feet above the bunkers, then ascended at a 45-degree angle, blinking on and off. The second patrol saw it descend to about 50 yards above the bunkers before it went out. Lt. Miles F. Penney investigated but found no physical evidence. No motorists reported motor trouble with their jeeps.

On Tuesday morning, November 5th, KALG Radio received numerous calls. Stokes was called in to speak with Holloman officials, and an official release was issued. Holloman officials stated they had no reason to doubt Stokes' story and that he was a capable observer. Stokes was scheduled for a physical examination due to a pronounced sunburn.

Test Pilot Sees UAO

A test pilot flying from Big Spring, Texas, on Sunday afternoon, November 3rd, reported seeing a large, glowing object while en route. He landed at Holloman AFB and was overheard discussing the UAO. The object passed over his aircraft "going like a bat out of hell." The pilot did not know if the trail left was from the light or vapor.

Holloman Employee Sees UAO

On Tuesday morning, November 5th, two Alamogordo residents observed unusual things. Don Clarke, an electronics technician, saw an orangish-red cigar-shaped object at about 15 degrees elevation in the western sky. Lyman Brown, Jr., observed a yellowish-orange light at about 4:40 a.m. that same morning, which proceeded across the sky, arcing toward the East, and then "went out." Afterward, a searchlight beam performed a "looping" maneuver above where the light disappeared.

Recent Sightings

This section details numerous UAO sightings from various locations:

• Wellington, New Zealand (June-Oct. 1957): International Geophysical Year scientists are receiving mysterious radar echoes from 70 miles up, possibly ionized particles, not believed to be caused by solar activity or Sputniks.
• Katoomba, Australia (July 16, 1957): Mr. J. Hickey, Sr. reported a vivid, bright object with four distinct flames ejected from it, hovering for six minutes.
• Thermopolis, Wyoming (July or Aug. 1957): A dozen residents reported a round, ice-blue object, as big as a garage, with windows, hovering about 10 feet off the ground.
• Las Cruces, New Mexico (Oct. 3, 1957): State Police Officer Robert Gilliland reported seeing flares followed by a bright flash and more flares.
• San Pedro, California (No date, 1957): An unconventional object was seen by observers.
• Cocoa, Florida (Oct. 8, 1957): A whitish oval-shaped object was seen near Cape Canaveral for two consecutive nights.
• Denver, Colorado (Oct. 10): CAA announced a large fireball was "undoubtedly a meteor," but pilots described it as green, then white to orange, moving slowly and parallel to the earth's surface.
• Covington, Indiana (Oct. 15): Mr. Robert Moudy reported his combine engine conked out when a "flying object resembling a fried egg-sunny side down" flew over his field.
• Chicago, Illinois (Oct. 20): Miss Therese Jolicoeur sighted a large, dark shape with a greenish tinge.
• Hancock, Michigan (Oct. 18, 1957): A very brilliant light was observed descending slowly toward the earth.
• Portales, New Mexico (Oct. 25, 1957): Cobweb-like strands up to 50 feet long fell from the sky.
• London, England (Oct. 29, 1957): British Royal Air Force Intelligence investigated a UAO sighting over an atomic bomber base.
• Vienna, Austria (Oct. 28, 1957): Radio Prague reported a falling object that exploded in the air.
• Myersville, Maryland (Sept. 8-15, 1957): Mr. and Mrs. Edwards and family observed a round, glowing golden mass each evening.
• Caracas, Venezuela (Sept. 28, 1957): Julio Ramos and Dr. Mata de Gregorio observed a greenish-blue arrow-shaped object.
• Mobile, Alabama (Oct. 1957): Veteran airline pilot Capt. W. J. Hull observed a glowing object that stopped in midair.
• Roane, Knox County, Tennessee (Oct. 8, 1957): Many residents saw a "V-shaped" object in the sky.
• Ciudad Bolivar, Coro, and Trujillo, Venezuela (Oct. 12, 1957): An oval-shaped luminous object leaving a luminous trail was spotted.
• Bachquero, Venezuela (Oct. 21, 1957): A farmer observed two cylindrical-shaped objects with three-pointed tails and no wings.
• Brownwood, Texas (Oct. 26, 1957): Game wardens and a deputy sheriff observed a "flashing" object.
• Ciudad Bolivar, Venezuela (Oct. 27, 1957): Police officers observed a luminous sphere moving in a south-north direction.
• San Antonio, Texas (Oct. 28, 1957): A "sky concussion" was reported.
• Barcelona, Venezuela (Oct. 29, 1957): A gigantic ball of fire was observed.
• San Cristobal, Venezuela (Oct. 30, 1957): A strange rocket-like object was seen.
• Brenham, Texas (Nov. 2, 1957): Newsman Tom Whitehead and Ed Fischer watched a large, glowing object.
• Ciudad Trujillo, Venezuela (Nov. 3, 1957): Huge objects estimated to be 5,000 feet in diameter hovered above a coffee factory.
• Spooner, Wisconsin (Nov. 4, 1957): Residents observed a cigar-shaped object.
• Los Angeles, California (Nov. 6, 1957): Richard Kehoe reported an egg-shaped spaceship with "little men."
• El Paso, Texas (Nov. 7, 1957): Marfa area residents reported a mystery light.
• Brownwood, Texas (Nov. 7, 1957): More than 50 residents watched a brilliant UAO.

AF Appeals to Taxpayers

The Air Force issued a statement that investigating "major" UAO sightings costs approximately $10,000, citing the Schmidt "sighting" as a hoax. The bulletin suggests this policy of ridicule discourages public reporting.

Three See UAO at Orogrande, New Mexico

On November 7th, Mr. and Mrs. Trent Lindsey and their son Byron observed an "oblong, metallic object" while driving south on highway 54 near Orogrande. The object appeared to be about the length of a dime held at arm's length and had sharply defined edges.

Off Beat

This section addresses the claims of one R. O. Schmidt, who reported seeing a "space ship" with four men and two women. The bulletin dismisses his claims as likely fabricated, noting the crew spoke "high German."

UAO Connected News

This section discusses theories and opinions on UAOs. It mentions an ATIC release stating the Air Force has found no evidence of flying saucers in ten years. It also quotes Mr. Ed Francisco, a propulsion engineer, who suggests an element of hallucination in most reports. The bulletin criticizes the media for qualifying individuals as experts based on unrelated fields.

Dr. Dinsmore Alter is quoted as calling the UAO influx a "hysteria" caused by Sputnik. The bulletin argues that UAOs appeared the day after Sputnik and provided a distraction from the US lagging in satellite research. It suggests a form of censorship is in effect, with wire services ordered to "soft-pedal" UAO news.

A sign-painter named Harold J. Berney was taken into custody by the FBI for obtaining money under false pretenses, claiming to have learned to build a "magnetic flux modulator" from visiting Venus.

Lincoln La Paz is mentioned as an "expert" who claims UAOs are not from outer space. The bulletin questions his qualifications.

Arthur Ticknor, a chemical engineer, claimed to have seen saucers taking off from an abandoned airstrip near Clovis, New Mexico, in 1953. The bulletin expresses skepticism about soldiers allowing him to observe such an event.

Dr. Olavo Fontes will be featured in upcoming issues.

Baffling New Radio Tones

A mysterious radio signal, not emanating from Sputnik, was detected. The FCC initially classified the information but later stated they did not know what it was. The bulletin suggests it is not a terrestrial government project.

Coast Guard Cutter Sights UAO

On November 5th, the crew of a Coast Guard Cutter sighted a brilliant "mystery object" about 200 miles south of the Mississippi River Delta. Radar tracked the object for 27 minutes.

Airmen See UAO - Officials React

On November 7th, six airmen from Holloman Air Force Base reported sighting an unidentified flying light. The Holloman AFMDC Daily Bulletin issued a statement requesting that all military and civilian personnel refrain from making public statements on controversial subjects like UFOs without contacting the Information Services Officer, threatening disciplinary action.

From the Editor's Desk

The editor wishes members a happy holiday season and provides an update on the Director's book, which is progressing satisfactorily but delayed due to Mrs. Lorenzen's busy schedule.

Sputnik's Erratic Orbit

C. F. Krafft discusses the theoretical physics of Sputnik's orbit, noting its slower advancement than expected. He suggests an unknown force might be acting on it, or that its plane maintains position relative to the combined gravitational field of the earth and sun.

Object Haunts Chicago Suburb

A glowing, red-orange object was sighted over Elmwood cemetery on November 4th. Patrolmen and a fireman observed the object, which appeared to fold up like a parachute before speeding into the west.

Summary of Sightings (Continued)

Additional sightings are detailed from various locations, including Venezuela, Texas, Wisconsin, and California, with descriptions of objects, their behavior, and witness accounts.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The bulletin consistently questions official explanations for UAO sightings, particularly those from the Air Force, and suggests a pattern of dismissal or ridicule. There is a strong emphasis on witness testimony and the collection of detailed reports. The organization appears to be a non-profit group dedicated to solving the mystery of unidentified objects. The editorial stance is critical of government secrecy and media handling of UAO phenomena, advocating for open investigation and public awareness. The issue also touches on the psychological impact of events like Sputnik on public perception and interest in UAOs.