Journal of UFO History - Vol 1 No 2

Magazine Overview

Title: Journal of UFO History
Issue: Vol. I, No. 2
Date: May-June 2004
Publisher: A Publication of the Donald E. Keyhoe Archives

This issue of the Journal of UFO History is dedicated to exploring various facets of UFO history, drawing from the Donald E. Keyhoe Archives. It features a mix of historical accounts, broadcast analysis, and researcher interviews, aiming to encourage international contributions and scholarly examination of the subject.

Editorial

The editorial section highlights that this issue contains a variety of information on UFO history, including excerpts from a 1966 NBC-TV special and other archival materials. It invites suggestions from readers for future content, mentioning planned features such as correspondence from noted researchers, past media coverage, significant letters and reports, rare photographs, and interviews in the 'Dialogue' series. The publication also encourages comments via 'Letter to the Editor' and invites longer commentaries or articles (200-500 words) from those wishing to contribute analyses, information, documents, or photographs relevant to UFO history.

Cover Story: Early UFO Summit Meeting

The cover features a photograph of an "Early UFO summit meeting in New York City, March 28, 1959." The accompanying caption on page 2 explains that between 1958 and 1965, NICAP staff members frequently visited New York City to consult with individuals like Isabel Davis, Ted Bloecher, and Lex Mebane of CSI, whose files were housed in Davis's apartment. The cover photo was taken by Walter N. Webb during one such trip, featuring NICAP staff members Bud Ledwith, Albert Andre, Dick Hall, and Ted Bloecher. Don Neill, a NICAP staff volunteer, is also mentioned as being present but out of the frame. The caption notes that Davis and Bloecher later became NICAP staff members and were in Washington during the 1966-67 UFO wave.

Notable Broadcasts of the Past: "THE OPEN MIND" - NBC Public Affairs Presentation

This section details a significant television special broadcast on February 27, 1966, titled "Are Flying Saucers Only Science Fiction?" The transcript is on file at the Donald E. Keyhoe Archives. The program, moderated by historian Eric F. Goldman of Princeton University, featured a panel including Dr. Donald H. Menzel (Harvard College Observatory), Dr. Frank B. Salisbury (Colorado State University), John Fuller (author and journalist), Dr. R. Leo Sprinkle (University of Wyoming), and Dr. J. Allen Hynek (Northwestern University).

The discussion focused on recent multiple witness sightings at Exeter, New Hampshire, on September 3, 1965, which had been investigated by John Fuller. A notable clash occurred between Dr. Menzel and John Fuller regarding the Exeter case. Excerpts reveal Menzel's view that the Exeter sightings were "run of the mill," similar to thousands of cases he had examined in Air Force files. Fuller countered by detailing his extensive investigation, including interviewing 60 people and recording 70 hours of tape, emphasizing his efforts to disprove the sightings. He questioned Menzel's basis for calling them "run of the mill" and whether Menzel had personally investigated.

Menzel clarified his "run of the mill" comment by referring to the disagreement between two police officers regarding the object's altitude (one stating 100 feet, the other 9,000 feet away). Fuller, however, presented his tape-recorded reenactment where the second policeman, Patrolman David Hunt, stated the object was "just immediately over the trees." The panelists also touched upon Aime Michel's arguments about UFOs sighted along straight lines.

Dr. Hynek described Michel's work as an attempt to do something objective, independent of witness belief. Dr. Salisbury expressed his impression of the Exeter sighting's detail, suggesting it was difficult to explain as Venus or a weather balloon, and that it presented an opportunity for scientific investigation.

The discussion delved into the nature of evidence, with Menzel emphasizing the potential for hoaxes and unintentional misidentifications, particularly concerning camera footage. Hynek noted that many hoaxes at Wright Field were accompanied by photographs.

Toward the end, Hynek, as a consultant to the Air Force, recommended the establishment of a scientific panel to study UFO phenomena objectively. Menzel, while agreeing more scientific investigation was needed, reiterated concerns about hallucinations and camera artifacts. He suggested that while many UFOs have natural explanations, there are "erudite varieties" that warrant investigation.

Post Script: The broadcast was followed about two weeks later by a major wave of UFO sightings in Michigan and New England, which led to Congressional hearings, an Air Force review, and the establishment of the University of Colorado UFO Project. Both Hynek and Menzel were invited to brief the project scientists.

Chronology of Early UFO History: 1950

This continuing feature presents a chronological list of significant UFO reports from 1950. The period of March-May 1950 is highlighted as particularly important for UFO history due to frequent reports from credible witnesses. The section poses the question: "Who knew what and when did they know it?"

• Key entries include:
• March 8, 1950 (Dayton, Ohio): A round UFO seen by a TWA airliner crew, tracked on radar and chased by two F-51 fighters.
• March 16, 1950 (Dallas, Texas): A Navy chief petty officer saw a flat oval UFO pass beneath a B-36 bomber.
• March 17, 1950 (Farmington, New Mexico): A retired Army captain and others saw dozens of flying discs gyrating.
• March 18, 1950 (Near Bradford, Illinois): A private pilot reported a luminous oval object passing his plane at high speed.
• March 20, 1950 (Near Little Rock, Arkansas): Pilots saw a disc-shaped object with portholes.
• March 26, 1950 (Near Washington, D.C.): A former Air Force inspector dove his plane toward a disc-shaped object that zoomed away.
• March 29, 1950 (Ironwood, Michigan): Seven pilots observed a round UFO moving into a strong wind.
• April 27, 1950 (White Sands Proving Grounds, New Mexico): A UFO was spotted and photographed during a missile firing.
• April 27, 1950 (Goshen, Indiana): A TWA airliner was paced by a reddish disc-like UFO.
• May 11, 1950 (McMinnville, Oregon): A farm couple photographed a hovering disc (photos later published in LIFE Magazine).
• May 20, 1950 (Flagstaff, Arizona): An astronomer observed a "powered" disc-like object.
• May 29, 1950 (Near Washington, D.C.): American Airlines pilots reported a dark elliptical UFO circling their aircraft.
• May 29, 1950 (White Sands Proving Grounds, New Mexico): A UFO was tracked and photographed by two theodolite stations.

Readers are directed to Donald E. Keyhoe Archives on Richard Hall's website for more information.

Dialogue with Jan L. Aldrich: Early UFO History: Documents & Records

This section features an interview with Jan L. Aldrich, a retired U.S. Army master sergeant and long-time participant in UFO studies. Aldrich, a NICAP member, has a particular interest in the historical aspects of UFOs.

Aldrich's "Project 1947" focuses on the early history of UFOs, prioritizing events in 1947, followed by pre-1947 incidents, UFO events from 1948-1965, and official/scientific interest. He explains his fascination with pre-1947 events, noting that the 1947 UFO wave brought many such stories to light. He used 1965 as an arbitrary cutoff point for his research, coinciding with the end of Project Blue Book.

Regarding his report on the 1947 sighting wave, published by the UFO Research Coalition in 1997, Aldrich states it built upon Ted Bloecher's earlier work. He discovered Bloecher's project near completion and noted that Bloecher added hundreds more reports to his published work, "The Report on the UFO Wave of 1947."

In 1993, Aldrich reviewed nearly 1,300 incidents from Bloecher's research and found many more reports yet to be uncovered. His Project 1947 involved screening 5,000 newspapers and now benefits from access to many official records. He confirmed a point noted by Aime Michel and Dr. James McDonald: that almost all types of UFO behavior and appearance were first documented in 1947 accounts.

Aldrich also discussed his report on the Scandinavian "Ghost Rocket" sightings of 1946. He revealed that these sightings continued into the mid-1990s, with a drop after the fall of the Soviet Union. He mentioned that researchers continue to find official documents from the UK, Sweden, and US archives related to these events, suggesting the GRs investigation might have been the first UFO inquiry, with some participants moving into UFO investigations.

Aldrich is also a driving force behind the Sign Historical Group (SHG), a name suggested by Wendy Connors. SHG's purpose is to record and preserve UFO history, regardless of whether UFOs exist, focusing on the historical record of investigations and writings by figures like Keyhoe.

SHG's current activities include:
1. Historical preservation: Obtaining and preserving files and documents.
2. Research: Producing oral histories of witnesses, investigators, and scientists.
3. Cataloguing: Identifying significant UFO-related materials.

Aldrich highlighted the main thrust of SHG's oral history program as documenting incidents involving nuclear weapons or facilities. He also promoted the "Sign Historical Group UFO History Workshop Proceedings" published in 1999, available online at www.project1947.com/shg/, as a way to establish credibility with interviewees.

Aldrich expressed concern about the "great lack of critical thinking" among UFO proponents, where "skilled story telling" is often preferred over careful investigation. He criticized argumentation tactics used by both skeptics and proponents, such as editing points, answering only small details, and using rhetorical tricks to avoid factual refutation.

Responding to hard-nose skeptics, Aldrich stated they prefer "skeptical one-liners" over examining core UFO cases. He also noted that many UFO proponents inadvertently aid skeptics by giving credence to hoaxers and con-men, ultimately causing UFO witnesses to bear the brunt of the conflict. He believes most hard-core case reports indicate perplexed individuals honestly trying to describe extraordinary experiences.

Notable Quotes

• Dr. David M. Jacobs (Temple University): "Because few scientists have [carefully studied the literature and conducted field investigations], most know practically nothing about UFOs. Their ignorance of the subject has much to do with their attitudes toward it." (1980)
• Albert Einstein: "These people have seen something. What it is I do not know and I am not curious to know." (1952 letter)
• Maj. Gen. Donald J. Keirn (Air Force): "We have no proof that intelligent beings exist elsewhere, but UFO reports have emphasized our innate curiosity... [Some] may have already achieved a higher level of social and technological culture than our own." (1959 talk)

Suggested Reading

The issue provides a list of suggested reading, including books by John G. Fuller, Donald H. Menzel & Lyle G. Boyd, Frank B. Salisbury, and J. Allen Hynek.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the historical documentation of UFO phenomena, the analysis of early sightings and investigations, and the critical examination of UFO research methodologies and community dynamics. The editorial stance appears to be one that values rigorous historical research, encourages critical thinking, and seeks to present a balanced perspective on UFO phenomena, acknowledging both the evidence and the challenges posed by skepticism and internal community issues. The publication aims to be a serious archival resource for UFO history.

This issue of the Journal of UFO History, dated April 24, 1964 (though the content discusses events and resources related to this date and beyond), features a dialogue on the state of ufology and a detailed historical case update. The publication appears to be a specialized journal focused on UFO research and history.

Aldrich Dialogue

The issue opens with a continuation of a dialogue between 'Hall' and 'Aldrich' concerning the progress and challenges in the serious, scholarly study of UFOs. Aldrich expresses discouragement with the 'foolishness' within ufology, noting that it is largely a volunteer effort by people who are overtaxed and underfunded. He suggests that ufology should cease chasing every new fantastic claim and instead focus on aspects that might appeal to official or scientific interests. The 'nuclear connection' is highlighted as a potentially fruitful area due to its national security implications. Aldrich mentions that SHG (presumably a research group) proposed historical projects to the CFi (Committee for Freedom of Information) and the SCI-FI channel, but these lacked the sensational appeal for a pop-culture world. Despite this, some of these projects are being pursued slowly due to their low cost and minimal financial support requirements. Further information on these efforts can be found at www.project1947.com.

Book Advertisement

A book titled "Proceedings of the Sign Historical Group UFO History Workshop," edited by Thomas Tulien, is advertised. It is a 220-page perfect-bound paperback available for $20 plus $3 for postage and handling in the U.S. Payment should be made via check or money order payable to Tom Tulien, with mailing instructions provided to an address in Minneapolis, MN.

UFO History Web Sites

This section provides a correction and a list of recommended web sites for UFO history research. The NICAP (National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena) web site address was corrected to www.nicap.org, described as a "rich goldmine of historical information." Other sites of interest include:

• www.fufor.com (The Fund for UFO Research)
• www.cufos.org (The Center for UFO Studies)
• www.mufon.com (The Mutual UFO Network)
• www.larryhatch.net (UFO sighting map plottings and analysis)
• www.cisu.org (Centro Italiano Studi Ufologici-CISU), with an English site at www.ufo.it/english/cisu.htm
• www.anomalia.org (Fundacion Anomalia), described as a Spanish UFO research funding organization.

Historical Case Update: A Famous Date in UFO History: April 24, 1964

This article focuses on a significant date in UFO history, April 24, 1964, detailing two key incidents.

Gary Wilcox Sighting, Newark Valley, New York

On April 24, 1964, Gary Wilcox, a young farmer in Newark Valley, New York, reported an encounter with a shiny egg-shaped object and two small humanoid beings. This sighting occurred at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. NICAP investigators, including Walter Webb, conducted thorough investigations of this case. A summary of the case is found in "The UFO Evidence, Volume II" (Scarecrow Press, 2001).

On the 40th anniversary of the sighting, the editor received an email about a follow-up interview with Wilcox. The article includes a verbatim quote from the editor's knowledge of Wilcox, describing him as a shy school kid who was a farmer at the time of the sighting, possibly stressed by double jobs, fatigue, and economic pressures on his marginal dairy farm.

Later, Wilcox worked for IBM in Endicott, NY, as a first-line manager, having lost his shyness and becoming an average, straightforward individual. He retired from IBM in 1992 and now runs a small construction firm in northern Pennsylvania. The local newspaper, the Press and Sun-Bulletin in Binghamton, NY, was re-running Gary's story on its 40th anniversary.

A significant detail is added by Gerry Curkendall, a Newark Valley resident. He reported that at the time of the original news story, he had used a Geiger counter from his employer (IBM) to check Gary's site. The reading was "off the scale" for an area of 400 feet square.

Lonnie Zamora Sighting, Socorro, New Mexico

On the same day, April 24, 1964, Officer Lonnie Zamora encountered a landed egg-shaped object and two humanoid beings in Socorro, New Mexico. This sighting occurred around 5:45 p.m. Mountain Time.

Journal Subscription Information

Information is provided for subscribing to the Journal of UFO History using PayPal, with options for a 1-year subscription at $28.00 and a 2-year subscription at $50.00. An email address ([email protected]) is also provided.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue reflects a concern for the scholarly advancement of ufology, advocating for a more focused and scientifically appealing approach rather than sensationalism. The editorial stance appears to favor rigorous investigation, historical documentation, and the exploration of potentially significant connections, such as the nuclear link. The inclusion of a detailed historical case, the correction of research resources (NICAP website), and the listing of various research organizations and their web presences underscore a commitment to providing reliable information and tools for researchers in the field. The emphasis on historical projects and the promotion of specific research groups suggest an editorial direction that values long-term, evidence-based study of UFO phenomena.