APRO Bulletin - 1961 01 00 - January

Magazine Overview

This issue of THE A.P.R.O. BULLETIN, dated January 1961, is the official copyrighted publication of the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO). It is issued every other month to members and is dedicated to the eventual solution of the mystery of unidentified objects. The organization is based in Tucson, Arizona.

Key Articles and Reports

UAO Parked On Colorado Mountain Top

This lead story details a sighting on December 24, 1960, near Durango, Colorado. Residents reported an unconventional object resting on a mountaintop. Witnesses described it as round with blinking 'windows' and a glow. Wade Folsom described the top as looking like a 'giant plastic dome.' Attempts to explain the phenomena by witnesses fell short. The account notes that APRO has failed to gather further information. The report also mentions a subsequent investigation by Folsom and others, who found broken tree limbs and strange tracks, some resembling human footprints, others like hoof prints. The article contrasts Folsom's description of the object with his later attempt to explain it away as an 'electrical phenomenon' or 'magnetic wave,' suggesting his explanation is an attempt to rationalize something adverse to his personal inclinations. The article also debunks a Durango Herald report by Hal Piper that dismissed the sighting.

Small Boys See Warm, Landed UAO

This article, forwarded by APRO member Earl Grummett, describes a sighting by two young boys (8 years old) on November 3, 1960, in Wisconsin. The boys observed a landed UAO on a hilltop. They heard a high-pitched humming sound and felt the air become warm. When they approached, the object rose into the air and disappeared. The ground where it had been was warm. A diagram submitted by the boys indicated a 'standard' disc with a cupola and several square windows. Sheriff Gehring, the father of one of the boys, confirmed the boys were telling the truth and found no radiation present with a Geiger counter.

New Mexico Sightings Continue

This section reports on a sighting on January 17, 1961, near Cimarron, New Mexico, by a former weather officer at Holloman AFB and companions. They witnessed unidentified objects, described as amber or orange, flying in a 'V formation.' They observed six lights in the first group and eight in the second and third. The objects were estimated to be 15 miles away and at an altitude of 30,000 feet. A bright light appeared beneath a star (thought to be Mars), and from it, the formation of smaller lights emerged. The bright light then went out, and the formation flew southwest. The objects later returned and disappeared. The report notes that the area has similar terrain and development to other areas where sightings have occurred, and that November 1957 sightings in the area resembled those in Northeastern Brazil.

The Argosy APRO Mention

This editorial addresses an article in the March 1961 issue of Argosy magazine, which mentioned APRO in conjunction with a critique of civilian UFO research by Lt. Col. Tacker of the USAF Public Information Desk. The organization expresses resentment towards Tacker's 'childish attack' but states they will not engage in rash public statements. The article criticizes Tacker's book 'Flying Saucers and the United States Air Force' for its errors and its attempt to discredit civilian research. APRO clarifies its position, stating that unlike some other groups, it does not accuse the USAF of censorship or lying. However, APRO maintains that many Air Force conclusions are not justified by available evidence, attributing this to 'psychological weighting factors' rather than deliberate conspiracy. The editorial references the IGY (Brazil) pictures case from 1958, where APRO offered evidence that the AF allegedly dismissed as a 'hoax.' The article suggests that Tacker's inclusion of APRO in his tirade was due to APRO possessing 'outstanding good evidence.'

"Conspiracy"

This section further elaborates on APRO's stance regarding the 'conspiracy' theory. It states that while APRO does not believe in a planned or deliberate censorship by the USAF since 1953, it does maintain that many Air Force conclusions are not justified by available evidence. The article suggests that the USAF's policy shifted after the 1953 scientific panel, leading to the reorganization that placed non-believers in charge of the study program and ad-men like Tacker in charge of propaganda. Regulations like AFR 200-2 are cited as making it difficult for non-conventional evidence to survive initial reporting. The article concludes that the popular appeal of the USAF withholding information stems from a subconscious hope that someone knows the answer.

Fireball Epidemic In Southwest

Reports of bright, vari-colored fireballs seen over Nevada, California, Oregon, and Arizona on January 15, 16, and 17, 1961, are mentioned. While the descriptions suggest meteoric origin, the widespread nature and descriptions lead to further study.

Bright Objects At Norwell, Massachusetts

An engineer reported observing two bright lights in the west, evenly spaced and resembling automobile headlights, on December 11, 1960. The objects appeared to be traveling faster than a commercial plane and increased in brilliance, resembling a 'magnesium flare,' before disappearing like fireworks. The observer ruled out ordinary reflections due to the daylight conditions.

Odds and Ends

This section compiles several brief sighting reports:

• Calgary, Canada (January 22, 1961): Witnesses reported a metallic object, described as 'hot blue and turquoise,' which appeared to strike the area near Cluny. The Royal Astronomical Society concluded the objects were metallic.
• Near Holland (January 15, 1961): A huge ball of fire was observed off the Dutch Coast, disappearing slowly northward.
• Corpus Christi, Texas (Week of January 10-16, 1961): Residents and Navy personnel were puzzled by a bright hovering light observed for a week.
• Lakeport, California (February 16, 1961): Robert Sneed and his family observed an unidentified light for nearly half an hour.
• Near Clifty Falls, Indiana (January 14, 1961): A hovering UAO, described as the 'size of kitchen stove,' glowing white with two exhausts, was observed for 45 minutes.
• Binghamton, New York (November 25, 1960): Two brilliant balls were observed moving in the north.
• Aitkin, Minnesota (December 5, 1960): Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Bakken observed a spherical, 'halloween orange' object hovering with a bright light projecting upward.
• Buenos Aires, Argentina (December 11, 1960): A strange white light and explosion were reported during a storm, causing houses to shake and a crater to form.
• Sunnyvale, California (December 1, 1960): Peculiar telephone and electric interferences were recorded during a storm, along with reports of a 'big blue balloon with a cone in its tail.'
• Pendleton, Oregon (January 8, 1961): Bill Simmons found a large cake of ice measuring 132 inches in diameter and 7 inches thick, embedded in mud, accompanied by a loud noise.
• Glenburn, Maine (February 5, 1961): A brilliant white light was followed by a 'long, drawn out roar.'
• Cincinnati, Ohio (December 16, 1960): A huge ball of blue-white light was observed traveling ENE.
• Chattanooga, Tennessee (December 16, 1960): A moonwatch team observed an object that was too low and in the wrong direction to be Echo I.
• Fayetteville (no date specified): A newspaper correspondent reported a 'bright green incandescent object with a distinctive tail.'
• Des Moines, Iowa (January 6, 1961): Observers reported a bright green light streaking across the southern sky.
• Langley Field, Virginia (October 24, 1960): Major Ace Evers encountered a 'startling blue and white light' that turned abruptly as it approached his plane.

Rocket-Shaped UAO Over Idaho

On March 4, 1961, a rocket-shaped object was observed flashing across the skies in southeastern Idaho. Witnesses reported it appeared to explode, leaving a trail of blue smoke. Loud rumbling noises were heard minutes later. A helicopter dispatched from Hill Air Force Base found nothing unusual.

Correction

This section corrects a typographical error in the September 1960 APRO Bulletin regarding the speed of Pedro dos Santos' donkeys.

Fireball Over Colorado And Kansas

Reports of bright, vari-colored fireballs seen over Colorado Springs on January 29, 1961, are mentioned. Law enforcement officers were preparing a report for the Air Force regarding objects seen in that general area on January 25th, 28th, and 29th.

"Flaming, Blinking Lights" At Bedford, Mass.

Residents in Bedford, Massachusetts, and other areas reported observing unexplainable 'flaming,' 'blinking' lights on February 5th. NORAD radar recorded nothing unusual, and no formal Moonwatch reports were received by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.

Note Of Explanation

This note informs readers that the upcoming March Bulletin will include a briefing and current sightings, and that the staff felt most members would want to see the full text of this brief.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the reporting of numerous UFO sightings across various locations, the detailed examination of physical evidence associated with some sightings (such as tracks and ice), and the ongoing discussion and clarification of APRO's position on the alleged USAF cover-up of UFO information. The editorial stance, particularly in "The Argosy APRO Mention" and "Conspiracy" sections, emphasizes a commitment to objective analysis of evidence, a rejection of unsubstantiated conspiracy theories while acknowledging potential flaws in official conclusions, and a dedication to presenting all credible case material, including reports of 'little men,' to avoid discounting observational data based on theory. The organization aims to be a source of information and research into the UFO phenomenon without resorting to public spectacles or accusations.