NICAP Reporter - Vol 5 No 03 - 12 1966 - No 51

Magazine Overview

Title: NICAP REPORTER
Issue Date: December 1966
Volume: Vol. 5 No. 3
Issue Number: No. 51
Publisher: National Investigation Commission on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP)
Editor: Robert J. Gribble

This issue of the NICAP Reporter focuses on recent UFO sightings and official reports, with a strong emphasis on unidentified objects being tracked by governmental agencies and observed by civilian witnesses across the United States.

NASA Reports Three "Unknown Objects" Orbiting Earth

The lead story details a report from NASA concerning three "unknown objects" discovered orbiting Earth via radar tracking in May and June. Officials from NORAD confirmed the tracking but provided no description of the objects' size or shape, stating only that "What's up there is unknown." Military officials initially resisted listing these objects in the Satellite Situation Report, fearing that UFO enthusiasts would misinterpret them as evidence of extraterrestrial visitors. However, their objections were overcome, and the objects were listed in the September 30 and October 15 reports. These reports are published by NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, with information largely supplied by NORAD. The objects were reviewed by the International Committee on Space Research (COSPAR) and assigned the code letters "1966-00A, OOB, and OOC."

Huge Flying Disc Reported Over Pacific Ocean

Peter Rasmussen, a seaman from Sonoma County, California, reported an incident at sea on June 26, 1966. While on watch aboard a ship approximately 800 miles southwest of Hawaii, he observed an unusual light that transformed into a huge disc-like object. The object hovered silently over the ship for several minutes before disappearing straight up. Rasmussen described it as having a solid-like center, possibly metal, with a pulsating white light and a semi-transparent outer rim. He estimated the object's height at around 10,000 feet and its solid portion to be 600 to 700 feet across. Three other seamen, including the ship's captain, also witnessed the event. The ship's log entry for June 26, 1966, at 0350 to 0402, described a "Strange flying object observed passing from 060 degrees overhead to 220 at 20 degrees altitude emitting halo-like glow of varying size, shape and luminosity."

UFO Seen--Took Control of Auto

Leon P. Gaines, a 21-year-old man from Peoria, Illinois, reported that a round blue object took control of his car on September 24. While driving his girlfriend home, he saw the object hover. Later, as he drove home, the object reappeared, zoomed into the sky, and then "seemed to take control" of his car. The brakes and doors reportedly failed, and the steering apparatus malfunctioned. The object remained above his car for several miles before he regained control and reported the incident to the police. He stated he knew it was not the moon and was frightened by the experience.

Scientist Says 'Little Moon,' No Longer Orbits Earth

This section reports on a "little moon" that had apparently orbited Earth for nine years, ending in January. John P. Bagby of Hughes Aircraft Company published a report in the British scientific journal 'Nature,' detailing eight occasions on which this object was seen as a moving star. The report is noted as being of special interest in light of sightings by Gemini astronauts of unidentified bright objects.

UFO's in the Sky, 'Monsters?' on Ground

On October 14, Albuquerque, New Mexico, experienced unusual activity. State Patrolman James Childers observed a plane trailing a massive smoke cloud, followed by two large black objects flying into the sky. Separately, residents reported seeing a bright light streaking across the sky. The article also details reports of a "monster" appearing nightly at the McGuire residence, described as having a black body and white face, crying like a baby, and causing physical discomfort. On the night of the UFO sightings, a sheriff's deputy reported that at least 10 other persons also saw the "monster."

Moderate UFO Activity Continues Over New Jersey

Several sightings are reported in New Jersey. A Korean War Air Force veteran reported two "bright lights" near the Wanaque Reservoir. Four Ringwood teenagers reported similar objects. On July 31, a large red ball was sighted over several towns, emitting a brilliant white light. On August 3, a large, bright white light was seen in Leonia. On August 5, a pulsating, orangy-yellow oval object was sighted over Totowa. On August 7, a bright red ball appeared in the skies, exploded with a white flash and loud boom, and was seen over multiple towns. On August 16, a cigar-shaped object described as "red and pulsating" was sighted. On August 18, a UFO was sighted streaking over Essex, Morris, and Somerset Counties. On August 24, a cigar-shaped object with flashing lights was observed at Franklin Lakes. On August 31, a dull gray, egg-shaped object was sighted over Jersey City. On September 9, a glowing object was sighted over Middleton, followed by a UFO approaching Port Monmouth and then moving away. Seven aircraft were observed converging on the area. On the same night, a glowing object was spotted hovering near Bell Telephone Laboratories and later at East Keansburg. On September 17, three teenagers spotted two brightly lit, round objects over Totowa, one hovering low. On September 29, an object described as "sort of round, shiny and blue" was reported hovering near Basking Ridge, with television interference noted. On October 2, a "circular, white craft" with a band of light and a red band on top was sighted.

Landings, Close Approaches in North Dakota

On August 19, a Federal employee reported unusual interference on his car radio near Donnybrook, followed by a flash of bright light and a UFO floating down from a hill. The object appeared perfectly round, bright, and like polished metal. It floated down to about 50 feet above the valley floor and moved towards the witness, passing over trees and a railroad track before stopping directly over a small farm pond. It then tilted and shot into the sky. The witness and a friend returned to the area and found hundreds of boulders pulled out of the hillside, with damp undersides and holes. They also found three round depressions in the ground on a flat area at the top of the hill, suggesting an object with triangular landing pods had set down and vibrated there.

Randy Rotenberger, 11, reported sighting a silver UFO with red and green flashing lights near Gwinner, North Dakota on September 13. He described it as looking like "two bowls put together," hovering over the ground with three "pegs" on the underside and antennas. The object was about eight feet thick. His mother reported that Randy was scared and convinced something was wrong.

West Virginia Man Reports 'Contact with Occupant of Landed UFO'

Woodrow Derenberger recounted an encounter on November 2 while driving home from Marietta, Ohio. He reported a "dark long object" traveling at highway speed cut in front of his vehicle. The object, described as charcoal gray, metal, and shaped like an old kerosene lamp globe, moved along the pavement, blocked the highway, and stopped. A "man" then emerged, communicated through "thought waves or mental telepathy," and described himself as about 6 feet tall, 35-40 years old, with dark hair, a dark complexion, and shiny blue clothing. The UFO, hovering 50-75 feet above the highway, then dropped down, and another occupant helped the first one on board.

UFO's Active Over NASA Space Centers

On August 26, B.F. Funk, an aerospace engineer, sighted UFOs near Fort Payne, Alabama. He described bright objects approaching in a triangle formation, growing larger and changing color from white to orange before making a sweeping turn and disappearing. He estimated the objects were about 3000 feet up and traveling 300 miles per hour, with each object estimated to be about 30 feet in diameter.

A Gardendale, Alabama mother described an experience on September 22 where something suddenly went between her and the moon, blacking it out. Her son saw two pairs of large green lights that shot away, accompanied by a shrill vibrating sound and car vibration. On the same night, residents of Morgan County, Alabama, reported a brilliant UFO soaring across the sky. Joe Kyle reported his house shaking and television streaks. Another witness, Gene Newman, owner of Radio Station WHRT, saw something with two lights make a "dive" at him while landing his plane. Mike Hill reported "two flame like lights" that appeared to vibrate.

On October 4, UFO activity shifted to Southern Mississippi, with reports from Gulfport, Biloxi, and Long Beach areas of a round object with a "thing" on top, appearing about 10 times the size of a star. The following night, a "disc with ruffles around the edge" was sighted over Columbia, Mississippi. Mrs. Eva Beets watched the UFO for about two hours, describing it as deep yellow, almost red, with scallops around the edges, dipping and dancing.

Weird Lights Scare Five Teenagers

On September 17, Joe McFarland and Edward Alcorn, both 17, reported observing a bright circle of light about 25 feet above them in a wooded area near Spiro, Kentucky. The light was about 30 feet across and lasted only a few seconds. They later returned with three other witnesses and saw another light, which blinked and moved away. They found small round objects on the ground that crumbled into powder. Judy Alcorn, sister of Edward, was later hospitalized.

Notes to Members

The NICAP Reporter notes the discontinuation of the monthly public meeting sponsored by NICAP/Seattle due to a drop in attendance. They thank members for sending in hundreds of UFO sighting clippings. The organization is operating on a pay-as-we-go basis and is seeking donations for a new printing machine. A list of new books on UFOs is provided, including "Flying Saucers" by Coral Lorenzen and "The Truth About Flying Saucers" by Hayden Hewes. Members are advised to check magazines like Look, Saturday Evening Post, Playboy, and Man To Man for upcoming articles on UFOs.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The NICAP Reporter consistently presents accounts of UFO sightings from various witnesses, often emphasizing official confirmations or investigations where available. The publication appears to maintain a stance of serious inquiry into aerial phenomena, providing detailed reports of sightings, witness testimonies, and any associated official statements or findings. The editorial stance is one of documenting and disseminating information about UFOs, encouraging member participation through clipping submissions, and promoting awareness of related literature and media coverage. The focus is on presenting factual accounts and official data, while acknowledging the public's fascination with the subject.