NICAP Reporter - Vol 2 No 12 - 09 1964 - No 24

Magazine Overview

Title: N. I. C. A. P. REPORTER
Issue: Vol. 2 No. 12
Date: September 1964
Publisher: National Investigations Commission on Aerial Phenomena
Country: USA
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Reports of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFO), Possible Related Incidents and Subjects

Girl Who Saw UFO Is Growing Taller

This article details the case of Sharon Stull, a 10-year-old girl who, one month after witnessing a strange, egg-shaped object in the sky on April 28, began to grow rapidly, gaining 5.5 inches and 25 pounds in a single month. Her mother, Mrs. Max Stull, reported that Sharon also underwent significant personality changes, becoming more mature and taking on household responsibilities. Sharon had suffered eye and facial burns after gazing at the object from the Lowell School grounds and still requires dark glasses. She was treated at Bataan Memorial Hospital. A scientist named C.E. Lorenzon visited Sharon, and a Los Angeles physician offered to examine her free of charge, though the family could not afford to travel. Mrs. Stull expressed confusion and distress over the situation, stating, "It has been a nightmare ever since." The report originates from The Tribune-Albuquerque, New Mexico, dated 6/29/64, with credit to Mr. Paul Matelis.

Weird Visitation Reported

This report by Phil Hess, from The Missoulian-Sentinel, describes a Missoula area couple, Mr. and Mrs. Allen Lund, who have experienced multiple visits from an object they described as a "ship definitely not of this world" since April. The object landed near their home on the side of a mountain and aimed a powerful light beam at their windows. The Lunds' grandson claimed to have spoken with a man from the craft. Mrs. Lund first saw the "ship" in early April. The object was described as a large "top-shaped ship with a row of lights around its circumference" that could be dimmed or brightened. An airplane's approach caused the craft's lights to extinguish, only to reappear after the plane passed. One night, a beam of light from the ship illuminated the feet of Mrs. Lund and her daughter, Mrs. Connie Savage, as they slept. Mrs. Lund believes the occupants were observing human life. The craft's lights at full brightness made the area appear like daylight, even at night. Before the April sightings, the Lunds' property was frequented by wild game, but no animals have been seen since. The craft's presence also spooked their dogs and horses. The object made no audible sound but created an impression of noise by the "cessation of normal sound." A large diameter light emitted from the bottom of the ship. Additionally, the Lunds noted that their oil furnace would "light itself" when the ship was nearby. Mrs. Savage's son, Kyle, reported talking to a man in the barn, whose name was difficult to pronounce. Kyle would disappear for hours and then reappear. During these disappearances, the dogs would run into the house, and the oil furnace would light. The Lunds observed the object leave one night, joining four others that moved east. Mrs. Lund is convinced the ship is "not of this world" and believes the occupants are friendly, though she admitted to being frightened when the light entered her bedroom. Other odd occurrences included television reception on channel 7 being disrupted when the ship was near. Personal articles belonging to Mrs. Savage also vanished and reappeared. Dr. Reuben Diettert and his wife reported seeing a distant object, which their son, Dr. Gerald Diettert, observed through a telescope. He described it as pentagon-shaped with orange-red and green lights on its corners. The report is from The Missoulian-Sentinel-Missoula, Montana, dated 7/25/64.

Turnerville, Georgia Sighting

On July 7, 1964, nine persons in Turnerville, Georgia, sighted an unidentified flying object. Two women who witnessed it reported feeling a stinging or burning sensation after it departed. Miss Diane Hickman, 16, awoke with a red, puffed face and bloodshot eyes, despite not having been in the sun. Jimmy Ivester provided a detailed account: while visiting his parents, he and his family, along with a neighbor, were inside when their television set began broadcasting static. Going onto the porch, they saw an object moving towards them, initially thought to be a crashing plane. The object had three lights in a row (red, clear, red) blinking on and off and appeared to be about the size of an automobile. As it approached, witnesses noticed a peculiar odor identified as similar to "brake fluid, formaldehyde and embalming fluid." The object, dark except for the lights, moved across the horizon, hovered over a garden about five feet from the ground, and emitted a brilliant green light from its bottom. This green light illuminated the forest. The object then moved away and disappeared. Later, around 10:30 p.m., it was sighted again. Sheriff A.J. Chapman of Habersham County, who arrived later, also smelled a "most peculiar odor," which he likened to brake fluid. The object made no noise and had no visible exhaust. Ivester described the bottom as "shaped like a bowl" with a ridge. Mrs. Fred Rodaker, a witness, saw the object and believed "there was a man in that thing." Mrs. Russell Hickman, Diane's mother, also felt a "stinging, burning sensation on my arms and face" similar to a sunburn through a windshield. The report is from The Times-Gainesville, Georgia, dated 7/9/64.

Lavonia, Georgia Sighting

On June 29, 1964, near Lavonia, Georgia, Beauford E. Parham reported a strange incident involving a flying object. While driving near Lavonia, a circular object "hissing down" and "stopped in the air like a humming bird" over his car. Parham, a district manager for Family Record Plan, Inc., described the object as "about the size of my car top and about 6 feet high," attracted by his car's headlights. It made two passes, coming from high in the sky, and then swooshed over his car, leaving behind an odor like embalming fluid. The object caused his arm to burn and left a substance on the car's chrome. Marks were found on the roof. During a third pass, Parham stopped his car and turned off the lights, causing the object to whiz away and disappear. He reported the object gave off terrific heat and had a yellow flame visible through openings. Albert Myrick, an FAA employee, and other personnel examined Parham's car and reported the story to Warner Robins Air Force Base. Oily spots were found on the car's top. A Geiger counter test did not indicate radioactivity. Later, on July 24, the U.S. Air Force suggested "ball lightning" as an explanation, which Parham rejected, stating the object did not behave like lightning. He insisted parts of his car were deteriorating from contact with the object, citing blistered paint, a burned arm, a damaged radiator, and a collapsing water hose. Parham drew a diagram resembling a giant top. He also mentioned that two days after his experience, a woman sustained third-degree burns from a similar object in the same area. The report is from The Herald-Spartanburg, South Carolina, dated 7/25/64.

Fort Worth, Texas Sighting

On June 26, 1964, a fiery object streaked across the Fort Worth sky, reportedly causing a sonic boom. A Weather Bureau spokesman estimated its speed at nearly 70,000 mph. The object illuminated Fort Worth brightly for three to five minutes before fading north. Sightings were reported as far north as Oklahoma City. Palestine police spotted it first, alerting Cleburne police, who then notified Fort Worth lawmen. The object was reportedly brightest over Fort Worth, so bright that a policeman could not see his patrol car's lights, and another could read a newspaper by its light. The object seemed to fade over Haslet, and residents reported hearing an explosive boom. Lawmen searched the Haslet area but found no traces. The report is from The Press-Fort Worth, Texas, dated 6/26/64.

Dale, Indiana Sighting

On June 14, 1964, William T. Powers, a civilian investigator for the U.S. Air Force's "Project Blue Book," visited the Gilbert Engelbrecht farm near Dale, Indiana, to investigate a "glowing object" seen by 18-year-old Charles Engelbrecht. Charles reported being frozen in place while watching the object cavort in the backyard and then streak away. The object was on the ground near the back steps, and a "strange power" held him away from it. A water trough was overturned, a feed can knocked over, and a power lawn mower was displaced. Charles described the object as rising and disappearing over a barn, leaving a smell of sulfur. His parents had seen a similar light previously, thinking it was a falling star. Authorities found a burned spot in the grass, about the size of a saucer, with three indentations forming an isosceles triangle. The Air Force investigator measured these holes. An Indiana University astronomy professor suggested it might have been lightning, but Powers noted that lightning doesn't typically rise from the ground. Powers retrieved material from the burned spot, described as metal-like, light in weight, and grooved on the surface. Charles Engelbrecht mentioned that others in the area had also reported seeing a "thing." Powers was also investigating 11 other flying objects in Lansing, Michigan, some of which were identified, but one object seen by four people, characterized by a "bright light which came straight down and made a lot of noise," remained unidentified. The report is from The Independent-Huntingburg, Indiana, dated 6/18/64.

Near Yankeetown, Indiana Sighting

On June 14, 1964, Paul Sellner, 19, and John Sellner, 16, of Boonville, reported seeing a "UFO" near Yankeetown. They observed a large object on the Kentucky side of the river that then veered to the Indiana side, heading directly towards them at treetop level. It appeared to be about 10 to 15 yards in diameter and was visible for about 10 minutes. They reported it made no sound but was plenty scary. An Evansville radio station reported that the object hit a farmhouse in the vicinity, causing a television set to blow up, though this could not be confirmed. The Sellner brothers maintained that the object never touched the ground. The report is from The Enquirer-Boonville, Indiana, dated 6/18/64.

Morgantown, West Virginia Sighting

Between 8 and 8:30 p.m. on May 25, 1964, several residents of Morgantown, West Virginia, reported seeing an unidentified flying object. A Granville resident described it as a "blazing airplane." Police investigated but found no signs of a crash. Rik Harkness reported his wife also saw the object. Charles Berry of FAA confirmed that the times and locations reported by the Granville woman and Mrs. Harkness coincided. Another report came from Bunner's Ridge. Mrs. Harkness provided the most vivid description, calling the object "top-shaped and glowing like an overheated stove." She estimated its height at about 10,000 feet. The object moved slowly, hovered, and then shot upward, leaving a vapor trail. Mr. Derry reported that the control center in Cleveland, Ohio, had received reports of similar objects in Pittsburgh, Youngstown, and DuBois, Pennsylvania. Three airline pilots also spotted the object. The report is from The Post-Morgantown, West Virginia, dated 5/26/64.

Tipton County, Indiana Sighting

State Trooper James Bradley is convinced that unidentified flying objects exist after observing one on Sunday evening, May 17, 1964. Sheriff Verle Grimme of Tipton County received a call from a farmer who, with his family, sighted a flying object that was "changing color and size as it hovered in the night sky." Trooper Bradley met the farmer and observed the object, describing it as the "darndest thing I'd ever seen." As they watched, the object dipped, changed color from dull red to a whiter, more brilliant light, and seemed to flatten its shape as it resumed forward flight. Sheriff Grimme decided to head north and radioed that he still had the object in sight. Minutes later, it "disappeared" in the west, at the same time Bradley and the farmer's family lost track of it. Air Force officials at Peru announced they were still attempting to classify the object. The report is from The Daily Ledger-Noblesville, Indiana, dated 5/20/64.

Cicero, Indiana Sighting

On May 19, 1964, four Hamilton County police officers, including Troopers Bradley and Boomershine, along with Marshal Larry Cook, sighted a UFO above Cicero and Morse Reservoir. Marshal Cook spotted a "strange light" moving northwest at 10 o'clock. The object moved slowly at an altitude not much higher than conventional aircraft, with its light varying from brilliant white to reddish-orange. When Bradley and Boomershine arrived, the object gained altitude rapidly, became brilliant white, and disappeared northwest around 11:10 p.m. The report is from The Ledger-Noblesville, Ind., dated 5/20/64.

Norseman, Western Australia Sighting

On April 21, 1964, a Main Roads supervisor reported sighting a strange red light over the Eyre Highway, about 146 miles east of Norseman. The man's vehicle had broken down. At 7:30 p.m., he saw a strange light directly above him that appeared to touch the earth and then climb at an angle several times. The object seemed close, and his dog became agitated. He fixed his car and sent a report to the police. The report is from West Australian-Perth, W.A., Australia, dated 4/23/64.

Adelaide, South Australia Sighting

On March 13, 1964, six reports of objects in the sky were received in Adelaide, South Australia. Reports varied from "bright flying discs" with dark edges to a bright light. One witness, near Tilley Swamp, reported a 200-foot flying object that followed his car. He described it as making a noise similar to a high-pitched generator whine and appearing to hang as if on a cord. It was silvery in color and moved off at an incredible speed. The report is from The Advertiser-Adelaide, S.A., Australia, dated 3/14/64.

Southern Victoria Province, Australia Sighting

On January 15, 1964, people in Southern Victoria Province reported seeing a mysterious pencil-shaped object in the sky. At Trafalgar, Rev. R.E. Hillbrick saw a pencil-shaped light moving west. At Rye, Mr. H. Morgan described a long, thin object that shone yellow and was not a plane, based on his 25 years in the Air Force. At Philip Island, Mr. J. Collins saw a thin object about 100 ft. long moving back and forth, with a white light flashing from the front. First Constable Bray reported seeing the object through field glasses, appearing to leave a trail of flame and sparks. An officer stated no planes were reported in the area. The report is from The Sun-Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, dated 1/16/64.

Laidley, Queensland, Australia Sighting

On December 22, 1963, a group of mysterious flying objects "buzzed" a house near Laidley, Queensland. Accompanied by a hissing sound, "eight or nine" cylindrical objects about 1 ft. in diameter swooped low over the house and plunged towards the ground about half-a-mile away. The objects were described as traveling "at a terrific rate." A search for wreckage proved fruitless. The report is from The Courier Mail-Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, dated 12/23/64.

North Sea Sighting

On November 20, 1963, the collier Thrift, searching off Girdle Ness, reported an unsuccessful search for a mystery object that disappeared into the sea. Four crew members, including the skipper Capt. J. Murray, saw a "flashing red light" that passed within a mile of the ship's port side, 15 to 30 ft. above sea level, and then disappeared three miles astern. The collier had two radar contacts, but they vanished when the ship approached. Lifeboats and a Shackleton aircraft joined the search, dropping flares, but no traces of wreckage were found, though it was believed something fell into the water. Capt. Murray stated, "It passed about three quarters of a mile off our port side, flashing brilliantly until it disappeared. It made no noise at all, yet we could hear the Shackleton when it was miles away." The report is from The Northern Echo-Darlington-Durham, England, dated 11/22/64.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of the N.I.C.A.P. REPORTER predominantly focuses on eyewitness accounts of unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and related phenomena. Recurring themes include the physical and psychological effects on witnesses, the description of various object shapes, sizes, and behaviors, and the presence of unusual lights and sounds. Several reports detail trace evidence left behind, such as burns, car damage, and ground impressions. The magazine appears to present these reports without overt skepticism, allowing the witness testimonies to speak for themselves, while also noting official explanations or investigations by entities like the U.S. Air Force. The editorial stance seems to be one of documenting and disseminating information on UFO phenomena, suggesting a belief in the reality of these unexplained events and their potential significance.

FAQ

Q: What unusual physical changes did Sharon Stull experience after seeing a UFO?

A: Sharon Stull, a 10-year-old girl, reportedly grew 5.5 inches and gained 25 pounds in one month after seeing a UFO, and her personality and habits changed significantly.

Q: What physical effects were reported by witnesses of UFOs in this issue?

A: Reported physical effects include eye burns, stinging or burning sensations on skin, and damage to vehicles such as blistered paint and corroded metal.

Q: What types of objects were described in the UFO sightings?

A: Objects were described as egg-shaped, top-shaped, circular, pentagon-shaped, cylindrical, and pencil-shaped, with various lights and behaviors.

Q: Did the U.S. Air Force offer any explanations for these sightings?

A: The U.S. Air Force suggested 'ball lightning' as a possible explanation for one incident, though witnesses often found this explanation inadequate.