APRO Bulletin - 1971 03 00 - March-April

Magazine Overview

This issue of The A.P.R.O. Bulletin, dated March-April 1971, is published by the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization, Inc. (APRO) and focuses on various aspects of UFO research and sightings. The cover prominently features a report on "TWO OBJECTS REPORTED IN MARYLAND," alongside articles exploring "UFO Ultrasound: Key to Injuries" and "Industrial Scientists Accept UFOs."

Key Articles and Reports

Two Objects Reported in Maryland

This section details a significant UFO sighting that occurred on January 21, 1971, near Elkton, Maryland. The report, based on an investigation by Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Graziano, describes Elvis Arnold, his wife Sharon, and her sister Lynn Holding witnessing two objects. The objects were described as lights that appeared to stop over trees and an open field, exhibiting a searchlight and blinking lights. The witnesses followed the objects, which met over a field and hovered together before one departed and the other approached the car's location.

UFO Ultrasound: Key to Injuries

Written by Robert Barrow, an APRO Field Investigator, this article explores the possibility that therapeutic ultrasound (US) might be related to injuries reported by UFO witnesses. Barrow explains that US uses high-frequency sound waves and, while beneficial in controlled medical doses, excessive levels can cause physical damage. He posits that if UFOs possess a similar technology on a much larger scale, it could explain the symptoms reported by observers, such as burns, aching, and tingling. A significant challenge to this theory is that ultrasound requires a medium to travel, and the article speculates on how UFOs might overcome this limitation, possibly through their own medium or by utilizing atmospheric conditions or phenomena like "angel hair."

Industrial Scientists Accept UFOs

This section reprints the concluding article from a poll conducted by Industrial Research, a journal with a circulation of 90,000 in the research and engineering community. The poll revealed that a majority of its readers (54%) believed UFOs exist, and three-quarters thought the government was withholding UFO data. Most respondents did not find the Condon Report definitive. When asked about the origin of UFOs, 32% cited outer space, 27% natural phenomena, and 0.6% communist nations.

Follow-up: Delia, Kansas Material

This section reports on a metallurgical study of material collected at Delia, Kansas, following a UFO incident. The analysis, conducted by Dr. Walter W. Walker, concluded that the metallic chips and white oxide deposit were likely from an "aerial flare of terrestrial origin," indicating it was not extraterrestrial.

Press Reports

• This section compiles several UFO sighting reports:
• Western Australia: Miners at the Thadura copper mine reported viewing a UFO on December 7, 1970. Eighteen personnel witnessed the object, described as bright, white, and oval.
• Brazil: On February 6, 1970, a Brazilian Air Force plane chased a red, luminous object near Recife.
• Washington, USA: On February 16, 1970, a man and his daughter observed a round object with lights near Soap Lake Mountain.
• Mississippi: On April 12, 1970, a "ball of smoke" caused significant damage to a house near McLain, with authorities unable to provide an explanation.

Missouri Cases: 1857-1970

• Authored by Ted Phillips, an APRO Field Investigator, this comprehensive report analyzes 275 UFO cases from Missouri. Key findings include:
• Case Distribution: Most cases (223) were reported after 1966. Only 3% are classified as unknowns, with 27% as possible unknowns.
• Landings: 17 cases involved landings, with 3 leaving marks. Occupants were reported in 3 of these landings between 1961 and 1969.
• Object Characteristics: Landed objects were often reported as discs, glowing at night or metallic in daylight, typically around 20 feet in diameter. Tripod landing gear was noted in some cases.
• Anomalous Effects: Reports include animal reactions, electromagnetic effects (like engine failure), and close approaches.
• Formation Sightings: 10 cases involved objects flying in formation.
• Photographs: 5 instances of photographs being taken.
• Witness Numbers: The majority of cases involved 1-2 witnesses.
• Time of Day: 73% of sightings occurred at night, 27% in daylight.
• Patterns: The report identifies potential two-year sighting patterns and a geographical pattern where 64% of sightings fall within a belt 50 miles wide around a line from Lancaster to Springfield, Missouri.

The UFO Manifestation

Dr. P.M.H. Edwards, a Professor of Linguistics, discusses the psychological and sociological aspects of UFO sightings. He argues against attributing UFO phenomena solely to spiritual or psychophysical explanations, urging a focus on more practical theories and the scientific method. He suggests that UFOs might be capable of traveling at velocities approaching the speed of light and stopping instantaneously, citing the Valensole incident as an example of unusual plant dessication possibly linked to UFO trajectories.

UFOs and the ETH

Rayford R. Sanders, an aeronautical engineer and APRO Consultant, discusses the Extraterrestrial Hypothesis (ETH). He notes the historical resistance to new scientific ideas and how UFOs face similar skepticism. Sanders highlights the increasing acceptance of UFOs, with polls indicating millions of Americans have seen them and a significant portion believe they exist. He explores the possibility of extraterrestrial origins, suggesting that UFO occupants are likely humanoid and may originate from outside our Solar System, despite the challenges of interstellar travel.

UFO Story Shot Down

This brief report debunks a story published in Midnight magazine about a supposed UFO base in the Bahama Islands and Dr. Jonathon Wright, a NASA physicist. APRO contacted NASA, which stated they had no record of such a person or department.

APRO Computer Project Ready

APRO announces the readiness of "Project Comcat," a new system designed to catalog all APRO UFO reports. This project replaces the previous Committee for Computer Data Processing (CCDP) and aims to catalog reports from APRO and cooperating organizations.

NAA UFO Publication

APRO recommends "Science & the UFO," a publication documenting the August 1969 UFO panel meeting in Denver, Colorado.

UFO Reports at New Low

This section notes a decrease in UFO reports following a surge in January and February, attributing some recent sightings to bright planets. APRO anticipates a potential increase in reports in late 1971 and winter 1972 and urges members to continue gathering clippings and reports.

Wisconsin Sightings

• This section details several UFO sightings from Wisconsin in September 1970:
• September 8, 1970: Martin Verhoven and his wife Chris observed an erratic, color-changing light near Madison.
• September 8, 1970: Mrs. Richard Hodges saw a large, slow-moving object resembling a plane heading east to west.
• September 8, 1970: Four women (Mrs. G., C., T., and L.) reported seeing a bright white object, possibly cigar-shaped or box-shaped, with lights on its "wingtips."
• September 8, 1970: Mrs. Ann Georgeson and her children observed a cigar-shaped object that moved erratically and appeared to tip.
• December 1, 1970: Jan Peterson and her family reported a triangular arrangement of three bright lights in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, which changed color and intensity.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The bulletin consistently promotes the scientific investigation of UFO phenomena, encouraging logical reasoning and the collection of data. There is a clear stance against dismissing UFOs and a belief that research will eventually yield solutions. The publication emphasizes the importance of field investigators and data analysis. Recurring themes include the potential technological capabilities of UFOs (e.g., speed, propulsion), the possibility of extraterrestrial origins, and the need for government transparency regarding UFO information. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry, data-driven analysis, and a commitment to uncovering the truth about the UFO phenomenon, while also debunking unsubstantiated claims.