UFO Newsclipping Service - 1970 04 - no 12

Magazine Overview

This issue of The U.F.O.R.C. Clipping Service from April 1970 is a compilation of news clippings and articles related to unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and flying saucers. It features reports from various locations in the United States and Canada, scientific perspectives, and discussions on the ongoing investigation and public perception of UFO phenomena.

UFO Lecture and Scientific Assertions

The cover story highlights an upcoming lecture by nuclear physicist Stanton T. Friedman, titled "Overwhelming proof shows saucers real." Friedman, employed by TRW Systems, has over thirteen years of experience in nuclear systems and has spoken to numerous technical and lay audiences. He is convinced that Earth is being visited by intelligent, controlled vehicles from off-world. His lecture aims to cover misconceptions about UFOs, the feasibility of interstellar travel, arguments against extraterrestrial visitors, the inadequacies of the Condon report, and specific sightings. Admission is $1.50 for adults and $1.00 for students.

Another article features Prof. Hermann Oberth, a renowned scientist, who asserts that flying saucers are real and are space ships from another solar system. He believes they are manned by intelligent observers who have been investigating Earth for centuries, possibly for scientific investigation rather than invasion. Oberth dismisses explanations like optical illusions or mass hallucination, citing radar confirmations and pilot observations that distinguish them from known phenomena. He concludes that "Unidentified Flying Objects" are very real and are visitors from outer space.

UFO Sightings and Witness Accounts

The issue is rich with reports of UFO sightings from different regions:

• March 12, 1970, Gardena, California (Valley News & Tribune): Reports on Stanton T. Friedman's lecture.
• March 6, 1970, Roseburg, Oregon (News-Review): Several reports of a burning object sighted in the western sky, described as a ball of fire, trailing fire, and leaving smoke. One witness, Byron Auer, saw what appeared to be a ball of fire, while Dale R. Hoskins observed an object trailing fire that moved too fast for a plane.
• March 5, 1970, Eureka, California (Times-Standard): A brilliant white unknown flying object was seen over northern Humboldt County, described as very low, very large, leaving a blue vapor trail, making no noise, and breaking up into a crescent.
• February 18, 1970, Windsor, Ontario, Canada (Windsor Star): Arthur Bray, a lieutenant commander in the Canadian Forces, presented a position paper to the Senate committee on science policy, stating there is no doubt of the existence of UFOs and questioning their purpose.
• February 21, 1970, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada (Niagara Falls Review): Joe Adams, a Grade 10 student, presented a display on UFOlogy, demonstrating how many UFO pictures are faked and illustrating common causes of misidentification.
• February 20, 1970, Salisbury, North Carolina (Evening Post): Three North Rowan Senior High School students reported seeing a low flying object described as orange, moving toward China Grove.
• January 15, 1970, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina (Sun News): Reports of unidentified flying objects sighted between 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., described as bright lights moving across the sky, some disappearing, and others moving in a steady line. Witnesses included air traffic controllers who confirmed the objects were within radar range.
• January 27, 1970, Merritt, British Columbia, Canada (The B.C. Merry-Go-Round): Reports of sightings around Duncan, including a brilliantly lighted circular object with a glass dome and two human-like creatures inside, and a large bright yellow craft seen by Vern Stanley-Jones and others.
• March 12, 1970, Clarion, Iowa (Wright Co. Monitor): Reports of a bright light with no sound mystifying observers near Dows, with three subjects noticing lights hovering erratically and moving in a direct line.
• March 16, 1970, Calgary, Alberta, Canada (The Calgary Herald): Canada's UFO-study team at the University of Toronto has failed to get off the ground due to a lack of physical evidence.
• March 12, 1970, Sacramento, California (Union): A student, Sharon Cavanaugh, questioned whether the Air Force should have dropped UFO research, believing UFOs exist and are friendly.
• October 24, 1954, The American Weekly: An article by Prof. Hermann Oberth discusses his thesis that flying saucers are real and visitors from outer space.
• December 22, 1969, Aviation Week & Space Technology: Reports that the Air Force has terminated its 21-year investigation of UFOs, shifting Project Blue Book records to the USAF Archives, based on findings that there is no evidence of extraterrestrial visitors.
• March 12, 1970, Boise, Idaho (Statesman): Dr. Allen Hynek, an astronomer and consultant to the Air Force, was scheduled to speak on unidentified flying objects.
• March 4, 1970, Alliance, Ohio (Review): UFORA researchers, despite skepticism, are investigating UFOs, believing they are friendly and here for peaceful purposes. They have developed a flying saucer detector and are seeking to establish contact.
• Undated, The Merrittonian: A report detailing a 14-year-old's photograph of a UFO, analyzed by the U.S. Air Force, which was denied as an object but later confirmed by Tinker AFB radar.
• Undated, The American Weekly: An article by Prof. Hermann Oberth reiterates his belief in flying saucers as extraterrestrial spacecraft.

Scientific and Governmental Stance

The issue reflects a divided scientific and governmental approach to UFOs. While some scientists like Friedman and Oberth assert their reality, official investigations, like the U.S. Air Force's Project Blue Book and Canada's UFO-study team, have concluded with a lack of conclusive evidence. Dr. Allen Hynek, a long-time consultant to the Air Force, is noted for his upcoming speech, suggesting continued scientific interest. The UFORA researchers, however, maintain a belief in the friendly nature of UFO visitors and aim for scientific investigation and potential contact.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue include the persistent reports of unidentified flying objects, the scientific debate surrounding their origin and nature, and the challenges faced by official investigations. There is a clear editorial stance supporting the investigation of UFO phenomena, highlighting witness accounts and scientific opinions that lean towards the reality of these objects as extraterrestrial visitors. The publication seems to advocate for continued research and an open mind towards the possibility of alien contact, while also acknowledging the skepticism and official dismissals.

The issue also touches upon the historical aspect of UFO sightings, with references to reports dating back to 1731, suggesting that the phenomenon is not new. The idea of communication with potential extraterrestrial visitors is explored, with suggestions for using radio signals and mathematical symbols. The articles collectively present a picture of a public and scientific community grappling with a phenomenon that defies easy explanation, with a strong undercurrent of belief in the extraordinary.

Title: UFO's reported in local area
Issue Date: March 4, 1970
Publisher: The Review
Document Type: Magazine Issue

This issue of 'The Review' focuses on recent UFO sightings in the North Clackamas County area, alongside historical accounts and official perspectives on unidentified flying objects.

Local Sightings in Oregon

The main article details two separate UFO sightings in the Clackamas High School and Oak Grove areas of Oregon during the week of March 4, 1970. The Jim Ellis family reported seeing a bright, white light object hovering near the ground, which then rose into the air, moved towards their house, and sped away toward Portland. Mrs. Ellis described the object as having three large light sources, white in color, and emitting a high-pitched 'hmmm' sound. It was visible for about 10 minutes, and its size could not be established. George Chiewe, another resident, corroborated seeing a bright object made up of three lights in the same vicinity.

On Sunday evening, around 7:30 p.m., Mr. and Mrs. L. H. Deano of Oak Grove reported seeing a slow-flying, glowing object heading east. Mr. Deano, an aerial photographer with 30 years of experience, stated that the object's actions and shape led him to believe it was not an airplane or helicopter. He observed sparks flying from under the object and noted it gave off a steady light and appeared to be climbing before disappearing into the clouds. He emphasized that he had never seen an airplane with similar characteristics.

Historical Context and Official Stance

The article draws parallels between these recent sightings and the 'eerie reports and observations that occurred near Exeter, N. H., a few years back.' It notes that police in the local area reported no calls concerning UFOs.

The issue also touches upon the Air Force's stance on UFO investigations. It mentions that the Air Force had officially cancelled its Unidentified Flying Objects (UFO) program due to a lack of interest and concern. The article references the closure of Project Blue Book, the Air Force agency that maintained files on reported UFO sightings. Secretary of the Air Force Robert C. Seamans Jr. announced the project's closure, stating it 'cannot be justified either on the ground of national security or in the interest of science.' This decision followed a 1968 report by the University of Colorado, which concluded that little scientific knowledge had been gained from official UFO investigations dating back to 1947.

Additional Reports and Theories

Several other newspaper clippings from various dates and locations are included, providing a broader context of UFO reporting:

• The Ladysmith-Chemainus Chronicle (January 28, 1970): A letter to the editor from Rene Moeri expresses skepticism about nurses reporting UFOs and questions the U.S. Army's ability to identify such phenomena, referencing historical military failures.
• The Hamilton Spectator (April 17, 1952): Reports on a 'Giant Whirling Smoke Ring' seen over Hamilton, described as black and about 200 yards in diameter, which traveled at tremendous speed.
• Tacoma News Tribune (September 27, 1950): An article titled 'Paper Unknown' discusses a 'Sancer' that 'Ficats to Earth' and a theory that flying saucers might dissolve upon touch, citing Philadelphia police observations.
• The Hamilton Spectator (November 11, 1950): A report titled 'It's twinkle twinkle little saucer' describes three girls in Preston, England, seeing a luminous, oval-shaped object.
• Tacoma News Tribune (August 15, 1952): An article titled 'Objects in Sky Dip and Glide Like Feathers' presents a theory that some reported UFOs were actually feathers.
• The Times (July 11, 1950): Features a photograph of a 'Disk Snapped,' with a description of a movie taken by a photographer showing a bright flying object.
• The Christian Science Monitor (December 19, 1969): Reports that the Air Force was dropping its UFO project but would still answer queries. It also mentions a study on 'Lunar Dust Bacteria Deaths Under Study.'
• Tacoma News Tribune (October 13, 1952): A group of New Zealand scientists formed a society dedicated to proving that flying saucers exist.
• The Christian Science Monitor (March 12, 1970): An article titled 'Wagon wheels in the sky?' describes an unidentified flying object seen by Donald Leonard in Shallow Lake, Ontario, Canada.
• The Christian Science Monitor (November 21, 1969): Features an article about Professor James Harder of the University of California, Berkeley, who believes UFOs are real and from other planets, despite the 'unfashionable' nature of such views.
• Tacoma News Tribune (July 31, 1952): Reports on 'Blast Felt; Discs Seen Over City' in Tacoma, Washington, with mysterious noises and sights, including a strange object dropping smaller objects.
• The Christian Science Monitor (February 12, 1951): Discusses the theory that flying saucers are real but are actually huge balloons used in cosmic ray studies.
• Tacoma News Tribune (June 20, 1952): Reports on 'Saucers' Flit In Sky Again' in Tacoma, with sightings of four mysterious silver objects.
• Tacoma News Tribune (September 15, 1949): An article titled 'Flying Saucer Riddle Simple to Olympia Man' suggests that some sightings were due to reflections from jet formations.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this collection of articles are the persistent reporting of unexplained aerial phenomena, the skepticism and official explanations offered by authorities, and the enduring public fascination with UFOs. The editorial stance, as suggested by the inclusion of various clippings and the main article's focus on local sightings, appears to be one of documenting these events and presenting different perspectives, from witness accounts to official dismissals and scientific theories. The issue highlights the ongoing debate and mystery surrounding UFOs, spanning decades and geographical locations.