Orbiter - No 36 - 1992

Magazine Overview

Title: ORBITER
Issue: #36
Date: September/October 1992
Publisher: The New England Aerial Phenomena Report

This issue of Orbiter focuses heavily on the Roswell UFO incident, particularly the role of Sheriff George Wilcox, and explores various related topics including witness testimonies, potential cover-ups, and the development of a UFO museum.

In This Issue

The issue features several articles and reprints:

• P. #2: Bits 'N Pieces by Jim Melesciuc, detailing an odd ball-lightning event witnessed during a severe storm in Maine.
• P. #3: Roswell: The Confusing Involvement of Sheriff George Wilcox by Christopher D. Allan, which critically examines the sheriff's actions and the military's subsequent handling of the Roswell crash.
• P. #6: E.T., CALL HOME is a reprint from the Albuquerque Journal, discussing the town of Roswell's hopes to capitalize on its UFO notoriety by establishing a museum.
• P. #9: The Boston Herald article detailing a near collision between a British airliner and a UFO in 1945, along with the Air Miss Report.
• P. #11: A diplomatic note on recommendations from Bob Kingsley's article, Paradigms & Propaganda.
• P. #13: Why Did The Soldier Go AWOL? revisits the case of six soldiers who went AWOL from their intelligence unit in Germany.
• P. #14: Childhood Trauma: Memory Or Invention? is a reprint from The New York Times, examining the fragility of human memory and its implications for pro-abductionist beliefs.
• P. #16: The United Air Lines; Emmett, Idaho Case is a nostalgic piece from the Blue Book files.

Roswell: The Confusing Involvement of Sheriff George Wilcox

This extensive article scrutinizes Sheriff George Wilcox's role in the initial stages of the Roswell crashed disc affair. According to Kevin Randle and Donald Schmitt's book 'UFO CRASH AT ROSWELL', Sheriff Wilcox was involved when Mac Brazel brought crash debris to his jail on Sunday, July 6, 1947. Wilcox then contacted Roswell Air Field, and USAF personnel examined the debris. Two deputies were sent to the ranch where the crash occurred, arriving before the military. They reported finding no debris but noted a blackened area of ground. The article questions the logic of Wilcox sending deputies to a remote ranch in another county, especially after calling the military, and highlights the military's subsequent cordon of the area, preventing even the sheriff from accessing it.

Conflicting accounts emerge regarding the timeline and Wilcox's knowledge. While his daughters, Phyllis McGuire and Elizabeth Tulk, suggest he felt it was a military matter and was told he had 'no need to know,' they also mention he discussed the affair privately with his family. Barbara Dugger, Wilcox's granddaughter, claims the soldiers threatened the Wilcox family with death if they spoke about the incident, and that Inez Wilcox (Sheriff Wilcox's wife) knew about bodies being found, possibly even a survivor.

The article points out inconsistencies, such as the military allowing Wilcox's deputies a head start if the matter was of national security importance. It also contrasts Frank Joyce's account, a radio announcer who claimed he suggested Wilcox call the military, with Phyllis McGuire's statement that Wilcox acted immediately after Brazel's arrival. The article concludes that the testimony of the three women (Inez, Phyllis, and Barbara) is full of holes and contradictory, suggesting it may be unreliable.

E.T., CALL HOME

This article from the Albuquerque Journal reports on Walter Haut, the man who issued the original press release about the Roswell 'flying disc' in 1947. Now, 45 years later, Haut is involved in plans to open the world's first UFO museum and research center in Roswell. He believes the UFO crash is a significant historical event for New Mexico and wants the town to benefit from its notoriety. Haut, along with Glenn Dennis (a mortician who claimed to have received calls from military doctors about alien bodies) and real estate dealer Max Littell, are working on establishing the museum. They aim for it to be a non-partisan research facility, despite Haut's personal feelings about the incident initially seeming insignificant.

UFO Encounters: New magazine

A brief mention of a new magazine from Aztec Publishing, 'UFO Encounters,' with a contact address in Norcross, GA.

Brits Baffled by Close Call with UFO

This article, a reprint from The Boston Herald, details an incident on July 27, 1992, where a Britannia Airways Boeing 737 nearly collided with a UFO at 14,000 feet over southern England. An official Civil Aviation Authority report and investigation by the British UFO Research Association could not identify the lozenge-shaped object, ruling out conventional explanations like aircraft, balloons, or missiles. Radar detected a primary contact behind the 737 moving southeast, while the aircraft experienced a close pass, with the object estimated to be only 30 feet above the wing.

Other Mentions

• 'LA VAGUE OVNI BELGE' ou LE TRIOMPHE DE LA DESINFORMATION': A publication on the 'Belgian Wave' is mentioned, with researcher Marc Hallet critiquing its claims.
• Magic Mountain Publishing: A caution is issued regarding this publisher, with a reader reporting non-receipt of magazines and newsletters.
• Childhood Trauma: Memory Or Invention?: A New York Times article is reprinted, discussing the unreliability of memory, particularly in the context of UFO abduction claims.
• The United Air Lines; Emmett, Idaho Case: A nostalgic piece from the Blue Book files.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine consistently explores UFO phenomena with a critical yet open-minded approach. There is a strong emphasis on investigating witness testimonies, scrutinizing official accounts, and questioning potential government cover-ups. The editorial stance appears to favor in-depth analysis of historical cases like Roswell, while also acknowledging the psychological aspects of witness accounts and the potential for misinterpretation or fabrication. The inclusion of diverse articles, from personal sightings to official reports and critiques of publications, suggests a commitment to providing a comprehensive overview of the UFO field.

This issue of 'Paradigms & Propaganda,' authored by Bob Kingsley, explores the interconnectedness of unexplained phenomena, psychological debates, and unusual personal narratives. The magazine delves into the mysteries of crop circles and UFOs, the complexities of memory and trauma, and a peculiar case of soldiers going AWOL.

Paradigms & Propaganda by Bob Kingsley

Bob Kingsley's article begins by referencing a 1991 'revelation' from 'Today' newspaper that Doug Bower and Dave Chorley started the crop circle craze in Britain in 1978. While this explanation offered a simple solution for those with a passing interest, dedicated 'circle hunters' found it insufficient, believing that hoaxing could not account for every crop circle. Kingsley poses the question of what truly creates these genuine crop circles, suggesting possibilities like plasma vortices, non-corporeal consciousnesses, or UFOs, but concludes that "we're really no closer to the answer, despite the grand claims made by all sides."

He draws parallels between the debunking techniques applied to UFOs and crop circles. Kingsley suggests that if the United Kingdom had a Freedom of Information Act, it would be easier to ascertain the extent of British government and military involvement in investigating these phenomena. He notes that crop circles have appeared on Ministry of Defence land in Wiltshire, making it inconceivable that the military hadn't taken notice, potentially seeing possibilities for exploiting new energy sources. The absence of such an Act in the UK means the extent of government files on UFO cases and their potential role in ridiculing the UFO phenomenon remain unknown, a fate that crop circles may also be suffering.

Kingsley posits that close encounters with UFOs are unlikely to be publicly explained because it is not in their nature to provide answers. Instead, they prompt wide-ranging questions in the minds of those involved. Similarly, encountering a crop circle has a profound effect on people, opening new areas of thought and broadening viewpoints. Some individuals grapple with the moral and spiritual implications, while others gain deeper insight.

He argues that this 'raising of awareness' among ordinary people might be dismissed by academics clinging to establishment views. However, science itself is undergoing a shift, moving away from a purely reductionist, mechanical view of the universe towards a more probabilistic and indeterminate paradigm that acknowledges the influence of subjectivity and the experimenter's participation. Our consciousness, Kingsley asserts, plays a role in the evolving universe.

Despite the efforts of debunkers, Kingsley believes the ultimate truth about UFOs and crop circles will prevail. While not all UFO sightings are inexplicable and not all crop circles are genuine, those who experience the 'real thing' gain a new appreciation for the universe's intricacies and a greater awareness of our limited understanding of the physical realm and the neglected development of human consciousness.

Why did the soldier go AWOL? The Ouija Board told him to by Nancy Plevin

This article, written by Associated Press Writer Nancy Plevin, details the unusual story of six US Army Intelligence analysts who went AWOL from their posts in Augsburg, West Germany, on July 9, 1990. Initially reported as having gone to Florida to await the Second Coming of Jesus Christ in a UFO, the soldiers' story took a stranger turn when one of them, Vance Davis, revealed their true motivation.

Davis claims that "Ouija Board spirits told them they were needed to help lead the world through an impending cataclysm." He clarifies that Jesus Christ is not expected to arrive in a flying saucer. The spirits allegedly predicted the Gulf War and the 1990 Iran earthquake. At the end of May 1990, the group was advised to leave the service, as serious events were predicted in the next five years that would hinder their growth and destiny.

Their mission, according to Davis, was to teach and prepare people for "world chaos," the "changing of the Earth," and the "Rapture," a fundamentalist Christian belief. When they could not find a legal way to leave the Army, the Ouija Board's message was "Leave, just leave." Stunned, they followed this directive, believing "things would work out."

The six soldiers, all with top-secret security clearances, were arrested five days later in Gulf Breeze, Florida, after one was stopped for a broken tail light. They were honorably discharged from Fort Knox, Kentucky, after an Army investigation found no evidence of espionage. Their punishment included reduction to the lowest rank and forfeiture of half a month's pay for being AWOL and forging leave papers.

Davis, who was a specialist, identified the other soldiers by rank and age: Pfc. Michael Hueckstaedt (19), Pfc. Kris Perlock (20), Pfc. William Setterberg (20), Spc. Kenneth Beason (26), and Sgt. Annette Eccleston (22).

It all began innocently in November 1989 with experimentation into ESP, parapsychology, ghosts, and Tarot cards. The Ouija Board became their primary tool, and Davis claims "someone showed up" spiritually. In the months that followed, spirits allegedly predicted major world events.

After their arrest and release, the group split up. Davis, now 27, lives in Albuquerque with his wife and daughter, doing odd jobs and giving seminars on "self-sustaining lifestyles." He believes they are meant to help "put the pieces back together" after the predicted global chaos, which includes numerous earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, devastation in New York City, and race riots leading to martial law.

Davis mentioned that the group might write a book, pursue a movie deal, or even do an advertisement for Parker Brothers, the maker of the Ouija Board.

(Source: Boston Globe 8/16/92)

Item from toilet on plane falls, strikes house

This brief report describes an incident where an item from a toilet apparently fell from a passing plane and crashed into the attic of a Medford, Massachusetts home, causing damage to the roof and a bathroom ceiling. No injuries were reported. The object was described as a "block of blue crystallized liquid, probably used as a disinfectant." Authorities, the Medford Fire Department, and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating.

Childhood Trauma: Memory or Invention? by Daniel Goleman

Daniel Goleman's article explores the contentious debate among psychologists regarding recovered memories of childhood abuse. Critics argue that some therapists, through methods like hypnosis, may inadvertently implant false memories in patients, leading to fabricated accusations, akin to the hysteria of the Salem witch trials.

Conversely, proponents of recovered memory therapy highlight cases where symptoms like depression are linked to repressed childhood sexual abuse. They point to widely publicized cases, such as George Franklin being convicted of murder based on his daughter Eileen Franklin-Lipsker's recalled memory, and Frank Fitzpatrick's recollection of sexual abuse by a priest, Father James R. Porter, which was allegedly corroborated by about 50 other individuals.

The debate is fueled by the increasing number of such cases, leading 21 states to extend statutes of limitations for sex-abuse cases. However, corroborating childhood abuse memories often proves difficult, creating a struggle for belief.

Dr. John Kihlstrom, a psychologist at the University of Arizona, expresses concern about the suggestibility of memory, stating, "Everything we know about the memory of events says it is highly susceptible to reinvention."

Dr. Elizabeth F. Loftus, a psychologist specializing in eyewitness testimony, conducted an experiment where subjects were persuaded to remember details of an imaginary incident of being lost as a child, demonstrating the malleability of memory. Critics worry that methods like hypnosis and "narcoanalysis" can lead patients to confuse fantasies with facts.

On the other hand, Dr. Renee Fredrickson, a psychologist, states that a "large number of repressed memories of childhood sexual abuse that were later corroborated, and only a small number that were proven wrong." Both sides agree that the trauma of sexual abuse is severe and can lead to memory repression.

The article also touches upon the implications of this debate, including lawsuits against therapists by parents claiming false accusations and the establishment of the False Memory Syndrome Foundation, which has been contacted by over 650 parents alleging false accusations from their adult children.

A Confession Recanted

This section discusses the case of Paul Ingram, who is appealing a prison term for sexual abuse after recanting his confession. Sociologist Dr. Richard Ofshe testified for the defense, arguing that Ingram became convinced of his guilt due to his daughters' accusations and police interrogation, leading to the creation of false memories. Dr. Ofshe conducted an experiment where he invented facts, which Ingram eventually recalled as memories, demonstrating how suggestion can influence memory recall.

Poll: Second coming of Christ in 21st century

This brief report summarizes a poll conducted by Time Magazine and CNN. Key findings include that 53% of Americans expect to see the second coming of Jesus Christ in the 21st century, 76% expect a woman president and a black president to take office, and 55% predict religion will play a bigger role in American lives. The poll also surveyed expectations regarding cures for diseases, contact with extraterrestrial beings, and global environmental issues.

THE UNITED AIR LINES EMMETT, IDAHO CASE PROJECT SAUCER CASE NO.10

This section presents a comic strip detailing the Emmett, Idaho case from July 4, 1947. Captain E.J. Smith and First Officer Ralph Stevens of United Air Lines reported seeing five "queer objects" in the sky, which later increased to nine discs. The stewardess, Miss Morrow, also witnessed the event. The Air Force officially denied having any experimental craft of that nature in Idaho and stated they were "completely mystified." The comic notes that the Air Force, in its concerted effort to explain away cases by the end of 1949, suggested that "illusory effects are most likely" given the sunset sighting, and that the objects could have been ordinary aircraft, balloons, birds, or pure illusion.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The issue consistently explores phenomena that challenge conventional understanding, from the unexplained nature of crop circles and UFOs to the subjective and often debated realm of human memory. There's a recurring theme of questioning official narratives and seeking deeper truths, whether through government transparency (or lack thereof) regarding UFOs, or through the psychological exploration of repressed memories. The editorial stance appears to favor open inquiry and a willingness to consider possibilities beyond established scientific or governmental explanations, while also acknowledging the potential for misinterpretation and fabrication, particularly in the context of memory and psychological therapies. The inclusion of the soldier's AWOL story, influenced by a Ouija board, further emphasizes a willingness to engage with narratives that fall outside the mainstream.