Just Cause - 1994 03 - No 39 - New Series

Magazine Overview

This issue of "Just Cause," dated March 1994, Number 39, is published by Lawrence Fawcett and edited by Barry Greenwood. The magazine, based in Stoneham, Massachusetts, focuses on government investigation of strange light phenomena and UFOs. The cover headline announces a look back "180 YEARS AGO!" into government interest in aerial phenomena.

Government Investigation of Strange Light Phenomena - 180 Years Ago!

The lead article traces the origins of government interest in aerial phenomena beyond the commonly cited 1947 date, going back to World War II and even 1915. The article focuses on the "Blue Light Affair" of late 1813, during the War of 1812. Commodore Stephen Decatur, commanding a squadron at New London, Connecticut, which was under British blockade, observed blue lights on the heights surrounding the harbor. He interpreted these lights as signals from traitorous New Londoners to the British fleet, indicating his squadron's attempt to leave the harbor. Consequently, Decatur turned his squadron back, leading to a significant controversy.

The article cites contemporary newspaper accounts, including the Connecticut Gazette and The Niles Weekly Register, detailing the event and the subsequent debate. It highlights the indignation expressed and the measures taken to punish those involved. A follow-up report in the Connecticut Gazette on December 21, 1813, confirmed the sighting of blue lights, citing Commodore Decatur, Captain Jones, and Captain Biddle as witnesses. The Niles Weekly Register reported the incident nationally on December 25, 1813.

Commodore Decatur's letter to the Secretary of the Navy, William Jones, dated December 20, 1813, is quoted extensively. In it, Decatur expresses his frustration with the seemingly traitorous act and the difficulty in detecting those communicating with the enemy. He notes that the editor of the New London Gazette alarmed the public and denounced the signal-makers, incurring censure from some neighbors. Decatur confirms that the signals were repeated and seen by multiple individuals within his squadron, yet some men affected disbelief.

The article draws parallels between the "Blue Light Affair" and modern UFO flaps, emphasizing that it deals with unexplained lights rather than extraterrestrial intervention. It notes that while military men attested to the lights, other news media expressed doubts. A comment from the Rhode Island American is quoted, which initially doubted the report but later, on the authority of a respectable paper from Norwich, stated the report was "TOTALLY INCORRECT," claiming blue lights were seen from enemy ships, not from the land.

Despite contradictory reports, the article notes that the blue light witnesses reacted angrily to debunking attempts, asserting the reality of the lights. The Niles Weekly Register, on January 8, 1814, criticized efforts to invalidate the report, suggesting that people were alarmed by the potential treason. The article concludes this section by noting that the Connecticut Gazette on January 12, 1814, reported blue lights being exhibited on both sides of the river and answered by British ships.

Congressional Inquiry into the "Blue Lights"

The issue then shifts to the U.S. House of Representatives' involvement. On January 24, 1814, testimony was heard on the "Blue Lights" affair. Mr. Law introduced a resolution for a committee to inquire into whether treasonable correspondence or information was given via blue lights or signals from the shores near New London to the blockading squadron, potentially aiding the enemy. He stated his belief that the report was incorrect but felt an inquiry was necessary due to the official nature of the claims.

Several representatives debated the resolution. Mr. Mobley supported the inquiry, emphasizing the need for investigation. Mr. Fisk of New York expressed concern about setting a precedent for the House exercising inquisitorial power. Mr. Erres of Virginia proposed amending the motion to inquire into the expediency of providing laws for punishing such acts, short of treason. Mr. Roberts moved to lay the resolution on the table, and Mr. Jackson of Virginia also wished for time to consider it. Mr. Rass of Tennessee opposed laying it on the table, preferring a direct negative. Mr. Calhoun of South Carolina deemed the object too diminutive for the House's attention. Mr. Wright of Maryland expressed surprise at the inquiry's origin.

The Speaker intervened, confining debate to the motion to lay the resolution on the table. The motion to lay it on the table passed with 89 votes for and 42 against. The article notes that the term "Blue Light Federalist" later became incorporated into the U.S. political lexicon to describe a traitorous person. It concludes that the effort for a full inquiry was tabled, ending the first government inquiry into strange luminous phenomena.

Henry Adams, in "History of the United States of America During the Second Administration of James Madison," is quoted assessing the "Blue Lights" situation. Adams noted that Decatur's charge caused ill feeling and delicacy in New London, suggesting Decatur might have been better off proving his assertion first. Adams acknowledged that blue lights were often seen, but their origin (British or American, sea or shore) was disputed, and that while signals might have been used, they were visible to Decatur, raising questions about their arrangement and purpose.

UFO Skeptic's Claim and Its Interesting Consequence

This section addresses a claim made by UFO critic James McGaha, a retired Air Force major, on the Montel Williams Show on December 27, 1993. McGaha stated that an Air Force regulation explicitly prohibits any member from taking a UFO report, calling it a court-martial offense. The authors of "Just Cause" were astonished, having never encountered such a regulation in their dealings with government agencies.

They contacted the Air Force Legal Service Agency, which oversees the Air Force's military justice system. In a letter dated February 9, 1994, Loren Perlstein, Associate Chief of the Military Justice Division, responded that they had researched their files and found no cases involving "UFO" or "unidentified flying object," let alone prosecutions for anything related to UFOs. They also contacted the legal section at Headquarters, Air Force Space Command, which also had no knowledge of such a regulation and saw no practical reason for anyone accepting a UFO report to be court-martialed.

The article notes that while Air Force officials do refer UFO witnesses to civilian law enforcement, McGaha's claim of a court-martial offense is unsubstantiated. The authors express fascination that there isn't a single case in the Air Force's legal system where UFOs were an issue in a prosecution. They mention widespread claims of witnesses being threatened with pension revocation, fines, or prison terms, citing JANAP 146, which required UFO reports by military personnel to be kept from the public, a violation punishable under the U.S. Communications Act of 1934 and Title 18 of the U.S. Code. Despite numerous leaks of military UFO information, no court-martial has occurred. The authors conclude that there should no longer be a concern for "national security" regarding UFOs, and ex-military personnel should feel comfortable discussing UFO information without fear of legal retaliation.

The Mantell "UFO" - A Smoking Gun, Maybe!

This article begins a more extensive treatment of the Mantell story, noting that late information is still being analyzed. It recounts the UFO incidents that took place over central Kentucky on January 7, 1948. Reports began around 1 PM about a strange object over Elizabethtown, Kentucky. State police advised Fort Knox military police of a circular object, estimated at 250-300 feet in diameter, moving westward. Tower personnel at Godman Field described the object as like a "parachute with the bright sun shining on top of the silk," "round and whiter than the clouds," and "an ice cream cone topped with red." It remained stationary for about 1½ hours.

A flight of four P-51 aircraft was in the area. Captain Thomas Mantell of the Kentucky National Guard was asked by Godman Tower to investigate. Three aircraft, including Mantell's, pursued the object. Mantell's wingmen broke off at 22,500 feet, but Mantell continued despite being ill-equipped for high-altitude flight (his original flight plan was for 4000 feet). Mantell closed in on the UFO, describing it as metallic and of tremendous size. At 3:18 PM, Mantell's plane dove into the ground at Franklin, Kentucky, killing him instantly. The official explanation was that Mantell blacked out due to oxygen deprivation and lost control of his P-51. The object was initially explained as the planet Venus, then later as a Skyhook balloon, a classified reconnaissance balloon.

Further UFO activity was reported in Clinton County that evening. At 7:35 PM, a point of light was sighted, initially stationary with a red glow, then moving up and down, changing from red to green, and disappearing southwestward. Another witness described the object as cone-shaped with the pointed end down, white, changing to red, and trailing a green mist, with a bouncing movement.

A Nashville astronomer from Vanderbilt University reported a pear-shaped balloon with a cable and basket attached, moving SSE at 25,000 feet at 10 MPH between 4:30-4:45 PM.

The article states it is necessary to retell this incident because it will be important for assessing what happened to Mantell and what was responsible for other sightings in Kentucky on January 7, 1948. The issue includes photographs of a Skyhook balloon launching from Camp Ripley, Minnesota, by personnel of the General Mills Research Laboratories, with the explanation of their relevancy to the Mantell story to be provided in the next issue.

Important Notice

Effective immediately, all subscribers, correspondents, and exchange publications must send communications to CAUS, Box 176, Stoneham, Massachusetts 02180. Lawrence Fawcett will be indefinitely suspending his activities with CAUS due to impending retirement and a move to Florida. Fawcett and the editor revived "Just Cause" in 1984 after a hiatus. The magazine evolved into its current form as an organ that reports, analyzes, and critiques events related to government interest in UFOs and civilian UFO research. The editorial stance is realistic, acknowledging that while governments may withhold information, they likely do not possess a definitive "answer" to the phenomena. The organization aims to sift through government records and provide straight assessments.

Larry Fawcett's devotion to UFO investigations spans over thirty years. He was the Early Warning Coordinator in New England for the Air Force's Condon Committee, a prime investigator in the "Andreasson Affair," and a lecturer. He will be taking a well-deserved break. The editorial "we" will become "I" with the editor.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of "Just Cause" demonstrates a commitment to historical research into unexplained phenomena, particularly those involving government interest. The "Blue Light Affair" and the Mantell incident are presented as early examples of mysterious aerial events that have parallels with modern UFO sightings. The magazine critically examines official explanations and government handling of information, as seen in the debunking of the "Blue Light Affair" and the questioning of Air Force regulations regarding UFO reports. The editorial stance is one of realistic inquiry, emphasizing the need for proof and a critical analysis of government records, rather than advocating for conspiracy theories. The publication aims to provide objective assessments and highlight gaps in the historical understanding of UFO phenomena. The transition in editorial leadership signifies a continuation of this mission, with the editor taking sole responsibility for the publication's direction.