Magazine Summary

THE A. P. R. O. BULLETIN

Magazine Issue THE AERIAL PHENOMENA RESEARCH ORGANIZATION 1960s

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Summary

Overview

This issue of the APRO Bulletin details a case where James Flynn was injured by a beam of light from a UFO in Florida, with medical reports supporting his account. It also covers reports of mysterious space signals from Russia, a UFO sighting near an electrical power complex in Australia, and numerous other sightings from Fiji, Canada, and various US locations. The publication also reviews Jacques Vallee's book 'Anatomy of a Phenomenon' and discusses the issue of censorship regarding UFO information.

Magazine Overview

This issue of The A.P.R.O. Bulletin, dated May-June 1965, published by The Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO) in Tucson, Arizona, focuses on a significant incident where a man was reportedly injured by a UFO.

Man Injured in UAO Encounter

The lead story details the experience of James Flynn, a 45-year-old rancher from East Fort Myers, Florida. Flynn reported being injured by a "short beam" of light from a hovering unidentified aerial object (UAO) on March 12, 1965. He was found nearly blind with his right eye looking like a "bloody marble" and his forehead injured. After being treated at Lee Memorial Hospital, medical reports from his personal physician, Dr. Harvey Stripe, and an ophthalmologist, Dr. Paul Brown, confirmed the injuries, including hemorrhaging in the eye and a depressed spot on the forehead. Dr. Stripe noted that the lack of deep tendon reflexes indicated a "real rather than a psychic experience." Flynn described the object as cone-shaped, about 30-32 feet tall, with rows of windows and a band of bluish-white light. The incident also involved his swamp buggy stopping unnaturally and a large circular area of burned ground cover where the object had hovered.

The La Selva "Contact"

This article by L. J. Lorenzen recounts the experience of Mr. Sid Padrick from Watsonville, California, who claimed a space ship contact and boarding. Padrick reported that an entity named "Mr. Zno" came from a planet "behind a planet which we can see." The author suggests this might be a metaphor for the unconscious mind, referencing C. G. Jung's work on flying saucers as a modern myth.

Russians Announce Space Signals

Soviet News Agency Tass reported on April 12, 1965, that radio astronomers at the Sternberg Institute in Moscow had been monitoring "mysterious space signals" believed to be from an intelligent source since 1960. These signals were weak and occurred regularly every 100 days. Professor Iosef S. Shklovsky, one of the astronomers, was quoted, but later clarified that Tass had distorted his work. Dr. Frank M. Branley of the Hayden Planetarium commented that while it's possible to receive signals from an intelligent source, the Russians' announcement was not definitive.

Musicians Spot UAOs

William E. Bolson reported to the Seattle Intelligencer on February 1, 1965, that he and fellow musicians saw two objects on January 31, 1965, near Maple Valley, Washington. The objects moved in a "crazy pattern," appearing like a "flying dumbbell," and changed color from white to red to green before disappearing.

Another Mystery Light Over Fiji

On June 5, 1965, on the island of Taveuni, Fiji, an unknown source illuminated the sky, accompanied by ear-splitting explosions. An islander described it as a "strange and terrifying experience" with a "bluish white light followed by sparks." A report from Sydney, Australia, noted that this event occurred in an area affected by a blackout that also impacted much of Sydney and New South Wales.

New Book: "Anatomy of a Phenomenon"

This section reviews Jacques Vallee's book. The reviewer, while acknowledging the book's quality, takes issue with Vallee's classification of UFO researchers as "enthusiasts" and "cultists." The reviewer argues that Vallee's inclusion of myth and legend, such as the Miracle of Fatima, is inappropriate for a scientific appraisal. The review also notes that Vallee's suggestions for a scientific research program are similar to what APRO would have done if funded, and criticizes Vallee for making the same errors in dating and timing that he criticizes others for.

The Censorship Situation

This editorial discusses the concept of censorship regarding UFO information. It posits that immediate disclosure of UFOs would cause widespread panic and economic disruption. The author argues against the notion that the Air Force or government is actively censoring UFO news, suggesting that scientists who speak against extraterrestrial visitations may be doing so due to their own predispositions or a fear of losing their status. The piece contrasts the approaches of astronomers like Menzel and Levitt, who use ridicule, with those who seek factual evidence.

Western Sightings: Spring '64 Flap

This section compiles several sightings from the western United States during the Spring of 1964. These include:

  • Mrs. G. L. Kriger in Tijieras, New Mexico, saw a bright silver, spinning, oval-shaped object.
  • Residents near Cortez, Colorado, reported seeing two cylindrical objects with fins.
  • A report from Farmington, New Mexico, described a cylindrical object tumbling in the air.
  • Two men in Albuquerque, New Mexico, observed a metallic, noiseless, egg-shaped object near the Manzano Mountains.
  • Residents in Grangeville, Idaho, watched an oblong-shaped object hover near an Air Force radar installation.

UAO Over Electrical Power Complex

In Hallam, Australia, on June 12, 1964, five witnesses saw a stationary red light near an electrical power complex. The object accelerated and disappeared towards Melbourne at high speed. The investigation by the Victorian Flying Saucer Research Society suggested the UFO might have been interested in the main transformer lines supplying power to Melbourne.

Pathologist Views UFO

Dr. Richard S. Woodruff, a Vermont State Pathologist, reported seeing three UFOs on January 4, 1965, with a State Trooper. They described the objects as carrying an orange-red light and moving rapidly.

Huge UFO At Staunton, Va.

Horace Burns of Grottoes, Virginia, claimed to have seen an 80-foot-high UFO on December 21, 1964, near Staunton. He described it as cone-shaped with a band of bluish-white light. Burns stated the object landed, causing his car engine to stop, and registered high radiation counts on the landing spot. Investigators expressed doubts about the authenticity of the claim, noting the unusual nature of a large object landing on a major thoroughfare.

Electronic "Space Sleuth"

This brief report mentions a new, partly secret project by the Naval Research Laboratory designed to provide the U.S. Space Surveillance System with rapid computation of the speed of unidentified objects.

Three View UFO In Canada

Fishermen Alphonse Gaudet, Eric McInnis, and Arnold Gaudet sighted a silver, wingless object near North Cape, Prince Edward Island, on November 27, 1964. They estimated its altitude at 2,000 feet and described it as having orange-colored fins.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include detailed accounts of UFO sightings and encounters, often with physical evidence or witness testimony. There is a strong emphasis on the potential for injury from these encounters, as highlighted by the lead story. The publication also addresses the issue of censorship and the public's right to know, while expressing skepticism towards sensationalism and advocating for a scientific approach, albeit one that acknowledges the reality of the phenomenon. The editorial stance appears to be that of a dedicated research organization seeking to document and understand UFO activity, even when faced with skepticism and potential cover-ups. The review of Vallee's book suggests a critical but engaged perspective on academic approaches to the subject. The publication also highlights the global nature of UFO sightings, with reports from the US, Canada, Australia, Fiji, and the Soviet Union.

The injury to Flynn's forehead is not an ordinary one. The bleeding in the right eye is not ordinary either.

— APRO Bulletin

Key Incidents

  1. 1965-06-05Taveuni, Fiji

    An islander reported a bluish-white light and ear-splitting explosions, followed by a strange and terrifying experience.

  2. 1965-01-31Maple Valley, Washington State, USA

    Musicians reported seeing two objects traveling together in a 'crazy pattern', described as a 'flying dumbbell', changing color from white to red to green.

  3. 1965-03-12East Fort Myers, Florida, USA

    James Flynn reported being injured by a 'short beam' of light from a hovering object after his swamp buggy stopped unnaturally.

  4. 1964-06-12Hallam, Australia

    Five witnesses in two cars saw a stationary red light near an electrical power complex, which then accelerated and disappeared.

  5. 1965-01-04Vermont, USA

    A State Pathologist and a State Trooper reported seeing three silver, wingless objects with orange-red lights.

  6. 1964-12-21Staunton, Virginia, USA

    Horace Burns reported an 80-foot-high UFO landing, causing his car engine to stop and registering high radiation counts on the landing spot.

  7. 1964-11-27North Cape, Prince Edward Island, Canada

    Fishermen reported a silver, wingless object with orange-colored fins, estimated at 30 feet in diameter, disappearing at high speed.

  8. 1964-05-08Tijieras, New Mexico, USA

    Mrs. G. L. Kriger reported seeing a bright silver, spinning, oval-shaped object with no windows or noise.

  9. 1964-05-02Cortez, Colorado / New Mexico, USA

    Residents reported seeing two cylindrical-shaped objects with fins flying at high speed.

  10. 1964-05-11 to 1964-05-12Grangeville, Idaho, USA

    Residents and Sheriff watched an oblong-shaped object hover and move horizontally near an Air Force radar installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened to James Flynn in Florida?

James Flynn was injured by a 'short beam' of light from a hovering UFO, resulting in a depressed area on his forehead and vision problems in his right eye.

What did the Russians announce regarding space signals?

Soviet astronomers announced they had been monitoring 'mysterious space signals' believed to be from an intelligent source since 1960, which Tass later modified its interpretation of.

What is the APRO Bulletin's stance on UFO censorship?

The bulletin argues that immediate official disclosure of UFOs would cause widespread panic and that the 'AF' or 'government' censoring news is often a misinterpretation of the complex philosophical and societal implications.

What was the review of Jacques Vallee's 'Anatomy of a Phenomenon'?

The review found the book well-written and interesting but criticized Vallee for labeling researchers as 'enthusiasts' and 'cultists' and for including myth and legend in a scientific appraisal.

What was the Staunton, Virginia UFO incident?

Horace Burns claimed to have seen an 80-foot-high UFO land, causing his car engine to stop and registering high radiation counts on the landing spot, though investigators expressed doubts.

In This Issue

People Mentioned

  • Sid Padrickwitness
  • Mr. Znoalleged alien contact
  • C. G. Jungauthor
  • Iosef S. Shklovskyastronomer
  • Dr. Frank M. Branleyastronomer
  • James Flynnwitness
  • Dr. Paul Brownophthalmologist
  • Mrs. Flynnwife
  • Dr. Harvey Stripephysician
  • Henry BillySeminole Indian friend
  • Dr. Ross Chapinphysician
  • Jacques Valleeauthor
  • +8 more

Organisations

  • APRO
  • Tass
  • Sternberg Institute of Astronomy
  • Hayden Planetarium
  • NASA
  • Victorian Flying Saucer Research Society
  • Federal Aviation Agency
  • Naval Research Laboratory
  • NICAP

Locations

  • Watsonville, USA
  • Tucson, USA
  • East Fort Myers, USA
  • Florida, USA
  • Everglades, USA
  • Big Cypress Indian Reservation, USA
  • Lee Memorial Hospital, USA
  • Fiji, Fiji
  • Taveuni, Fiji
  • Canua Levu, Fiji
  • Sydney, Australia
  • New South Wales, Australia
  • Kent, USA
  • Renton, USA
  • +6 more

Topics & Themes

UAO encounterAlien contactUFO injuryUFO sightingGovernment censorshipUFOUAOalien encounterinjuryFijiRussiaspace signalsmusiciansFloridaEvergladesNew MexicoVirginiaAustraliaCanadaradio astronomy