NICAP Reporter - Vol 2 No 08 - 05 1964 - No 20

Magazine Overview

Title: N. I. C. A. P. REPORTER
Issue: Vol. 2 No. 8, Issue No. 20
Date: May 1964
Publisher: National Investigations Commission on Aerial Phenomena

This issue of the NICAP Reporter, published by the National Investigations Commission on Aerial Phenomena, focuses heavily on a significant UFO incident in Socorro, New Mexico, on April 24, 1964, and compiles other related sightings from the same period.

The Socorro Incident: April 24, 1964

The lead story details the sighting by City Policeman Lonnie Zamora of a four-legged, egg-shaped object landing and taking off in a gully near Socorro. Zamora described seeing two persons in the gully with the object, which then rose straight up and disappeared. Evidence at the scene included four shallow holes where the object's legs had landed, burned greasewood, seared green grass, and two round depressions. Zamora noted lettering on the object that was not in English and did not resemble known aircraft markings.

An unidentified tourist traveling on U.S. 85 also witnessed the object flying low and commented on its unusual appearance, describing it as a "funny-looking helicopter." Opal Grinder, manager of Whiting Brother's Service Station, confirmed the tourist's observation of low-flying aircraft.

Maj. William Conner of Kirtland Air Force Base and an Air Force Sergeant visited the UFO scene. Capt. Richard T. Holder, U.S. Army up-range commander, was contacted by local authorities and determined that neither White Sands Missile Range nor Holloman Air Force Base had any known objects that would match the description.

Investigation and Analysis

Dr. J. Allen Hynek, a special consultant to the Air Force on unidentified flying objects, visited the Socorro site with Zamora. He found the site heavily trampled by curious onlookers, limiting the scientific value of the evidence. Hynek noted that no radar had picked up the object, which he considered a significant discrepancy in an otherwise solid account. He stated that he found nothing to discredit Zamora and that the story was told without intent to perpetrate a hoax, but he was puzzled by the lack of evidence for a powerful ignition source.

Dr. Hynek also mentioned that the red markings on the UFO, as described by Zamora, were an inverted "y" with a bar across it, and that no Air Force officials had suggested these markings be kept secret.

Dr. Lincoln LaPaz of the University of New Mexico, known for his work on fireballs and meteorites, supported Zamora's reliability as an observer.

Other Witness Accounts and Physical Evidence

Zamora's account is further detailed, including his initial belief that an explosives storage building had blown up due to the noise. He described the object as appearing to be an overturned car upon first sight. He saw two small, "child-like" figures in white coveralls standing by the object. The object was described as about 150 yards away when first seen, and about 50 feet away when it took off. The take-off was accompanied by a sharp whining sound and flames, but no explosion.

State Police Sgt. Sam Chavez, State Policeman Ted Jordan, and Undersheriff James Luckie confirmed that the burned grass and greasewood were still hot when they arrived. The military later took samples of the burned earth. The object's landing gear left shallow holes, about a foot long by six inches wide, suggesting a slow, controlled landing.

The dimensions of the object were estimated: about 2 feet long legs, 12-15 feet between landing holes, and a width of nine or more feet. The seared vegetation suggested an extremely hot flame.

UFO Sightings Re-enacted

Dr. Hynek had Policeman Zamora re-enact the sighting. Despite the re-enactment, Hynek found no evidence of a powerful ignition source. He expressed a desire to find a natural explanation and asked for information on any geophysical prospecting or experimentation in the area.

Additional Sightings in New Mexico

The issue compiles several other UFO reports from late April 1964 in New Mexico:

• April 25, 1964 (Near Tularosa, NM): A motorist reported a "bright object" going down near Round Mountain.
• April 25, 1964 (Near Espanola, NM): Two men reported seeing a strange flying object that came toward their car and then veered away, emitting a blue flame.
• April 26, 1964 (Near Caballo, NM): George Mitropolis reported seeing and hearing a glowing, luminous object with exhaust flames, described as an upside-down bathtub.
• April 26, 1964 (La Madera, NM): Orland Gallegos reported seeing a bright metal, egg-shaped object on the ground emitting blue flame. The ground was smoldering and had depressions similar to the Socorro site. Investigators noted paw prints resembling those of a mountain lion and evidence of extreme heat, including melted glass and metal.
• April 28, 1964 (Near Edgewood, NM): A 20-year-old youth reported firing six shots at a fluorescent or glowing green object hovering about 100 feet above his car.
• April 28, 1964 (Albuquerque, NM): A 10-year-old girl reported suffering burns to her eyes, nose, and face after watching a strange egg-shaped thing in the sky. Her doctor diagnosed conjunctivitis and first-degree sunburn, noting that the sun exposure was insufficient to cause such burns.

Publication Information

N.I.C.A.P. REPORTER is the official monthly bulletin of the National Investigations Commission on Aerial Phenomena, based in Seattle, Washington. The subscription cost is $1.50 per year in the U.S., its possessions, Canada, and Mexico, and $2.25 for other countries. The organization is a non-profit entity serving the public through education since 1955, with Robert J. Gribble serving as Director and Editor.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout this issue is the reporting and investigation of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and their potential implications. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious inquiry and documentation, presenting witness accounts and evidence from various sources, including law enforcement, military personnel, and civilian witnesses. The focus on the Socorro incident and the compilation of other sightings suggest an effort to gather and analyze data on UFO phenomena. The publication also highlights the challenges in investigating such events, including the lack of definitive proof, the impact of public curiosity on evidence, and the need for scientific analysis. The inclusion of Dr. Hynek's involvement indicates an attempt to bridge civilian reporting with official scientific consultation.