UFO RESEARCH NEWSLETTER

Magazine Overview

This issue of the UFO RESEARCH NEWSLETTER, Vol. III, No. 8, covers the period of December 1973 to January 1974. Published by UFO Research Associates (UFOR) in Washington, D.C., the newsletter focuses on a wide array of UFO sightings and related phenomena reported across the United States and internationally.

15 Million Americans See UFOs

The lead story reports on a Gallup Poll conducted November 2-5, indicating that over 15 million Americans, or 11% of the population, have seen UFOs. This is a significant increase from the 5% reported in 1966. The poll also revealed that 51% of Americans believe UFOs are real, up from 46% in 1966. Furthermore, nearly half of the population (46%) believe in intelligent life on other planets, with seven out of ten of those individuals also believing UFOs are real. The poll highlighted the extraordinary public awareness of the UFO subject, with 95% of the population aware of it, marking one of the highest awareness levels in 37 years.

UFOs Blanket Country in Fantastic Encounters

This section details numerous UFO sightings from at least 14 states and three foreign countries during September-December 1973, with a peak in October. Witnesses included astronauts, pilots, radar technicians, police, and various other professionals.

• Skylab II Astronauts: In mid-September, astronauts Alan L. Bean, Owen K. Garriott, and Jack R. Lousma observed a red object brighter than any planet, approximately 30-50 nautical miles from their spacecraft. A UPI story also reported they photographed a strange light in Earth's upper atmosphere on August 27, 1973, neither of which has been explained.
• Turin, Italy: Thousands of witnesses reported an object hovering and rotating on its axis on December 4. Police cars rushed to the scene, and the UFO suddenly shot upwards and disappeared at great speed. The sports editor of La Stampa reportedly photographed a saucer, which a NATO liaison officer ruled out as a satellite.
• Bahia Blanca, Argentina: On November 3, six Navy technicians tracked a UFO with sophisticated instruments for 20 minutes. They were certain no aircraft was in the area and logged it as a UFO. In the same area, truck driver Dionisio Yanca reported seeing a brilliant white light approaching at great speed.
• California: Reports continued to flood in, with specific incidents detailed in previous issues.
• Sonora, California: On September 12, construction workers Donald Hardin and Guy Davis saw a large silvery disc hovering over a canyon. It appeared to be a 'double disc' shape with a golden-orange glow. Other witnesses, including a logging trucker and a cafe waitress's husband, also saw the disc. On September 14, Mrs. Jean Cleveland observed a glowing, pale orange 'pregnant oval' hover for 70 seconds before shooting upward and east.
• Simi Valley, California: On October 4, Gary J. Chopic reported a 'space cone'-shaped object. After stopping to investigate dust, he saw a large UFO (30x50 feet) with a 'blunt nose,' pinkish-gray in color, hovering just above the ground. A human-like creature emerged, crawled to the rear, and disappeared. A mist surrounded the object before it vanished. Police Lieutenant C.G. Chrestman stated Chopic was sincere and thought he saw something.
• Gualala, California: On October 19, a teacher and eight teen-agers saw a ball-shaped, orange-yellow object land in a meadow. The object lit up the woods, rose slowly, and darted off to the east. The witness later found a 'round discoloration spot' and a hole in the meadow.
• Vancouver, Washington: Residents observed an object 'shaped like a World War II mine, with little spikes surrounding it,' described as bright, white-gold. Photographs were taken.
• Reno, Nevada: On October 28, Dwight Cogan saw a bubble-shaped object, flat on the bottom, about the size of three automobiles, approximately 100 yards away. It had lights on its bottom that 'lit me all up,' and bluish-gray beams.
• Duncan, Oklahoma: On October 27, police officers observed two UFOs. Officer Beryl Blair saw a bright light with red above and pale blue below. Detective Pleasant Foster reported a second sighting. Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper Floyd Allen chased a 'very bright and oscillating' UFO, which was also tracked by a Ft. Sill radar unit.
• Howard City, Michigan: On September 11, a town council meeting was interrupted by a report of a 'diamond-bright object.' Witnesses saw a 'big, bright, round light' flying rapidly, confirmed by dozens of others. The object was described as unlike any plane or helicopter.
• Six Lakes, Michigan: On September 29-30, deputy sheriffs and a truck driver spotted a huge, round light 'about twice the size of a car and almost too bright to look at.'

New Keyhoe Book A Blockbuster

This section reviews Maj. Donald E. Keyhoe's fifth UFO book, 'Aliens From Space; The Real Story of Unidentified Flying Objects.' The book is described as a blockbuster, alleging convincing circumstantial evidence of a CIA-Air Force cover-up of UFOs. Keyhoe, a former director of NICAP, reviews the cover-up, presents previously unpublished sighting reports, and discusses the role of NICAP and the University of Colorado's UFO Project. The review notes Keyhoe's emphasis on the possibility of UFO hostility and provides evidence that the Air Force ordered the capture of a UFO in the Redmond, Ore., case of September 24, 1959. Keyhoe also suggests NICAP may be infiltrated by the CIA. He writes that the suppression of truth about UFOs is 'the greatest public deception in American history.' The book also explores the theory that the Northeast power blackout of November 9, 1965, was caused by a UFO. It reveals U.S. Air Force Academy and Rand Corp. documents concluding UFOs are probably extraterrestrial.

Startling Aerial Encounters

This section details several dramatic UFO encounters:

• Ohio: On October 17, near Mansfield, Capt. Lawrence Coyne of the U.S. Army's 316th Medical Detachment and his crew encountered a 'cigar-shaped, metallic gray' object with a dome. The object, traveling at over 600 mph, abruptly slowed to match the helicopter's speed of 100 mph and hovered. The helicopter's radio went dead, and the aircraft performed a maneuver impossible under its own power, climbing rapidly. FAA officials were baffled by the object's deceleration and the helicopter's climb. The object also emitted a green spotlight.
• Ohio: On October 17, William Grizer reported a 'solid white' object, half the size of his car's hood, landing on his car hood. It had a rainbow effect and scared him. He discovered four scratch marks on the hood.
• Michigan: On September 11, near Howard City, a 'diamond-bright object' was reported. The object flew rapidly, and witnesses confirmed its presence. The town lights flickered as the UFO flew overhead.
• Tennessee: On October 18, Troy Pryor reported a 'strange object' descending and hovering near his motorcycle, causing it to sputter. The object made a 'humming sound' and opened its bottom.
• North Carolina: On October 19, James L. Triche saw a star-like object emitting regular flashes. David Simpson reported his car's motor and lights went out, and an 'oval-shaped thing' appeared with eyes like 'balls of fire.'
• Maryland: On October 17, Mrs. Jacob Bowers was awakened by a humming sound and saw an oblong-shaped, red object with a transparent bubble on top, containing a 'human figure.'
• Pennsylvania: On October 17, Edward Deutsch saw a UFO 'about the size of a tractor-trailer tire' circling his car, causing the car to turn around and become extremely hot.

UFO Lands on Top of Car

• Mississippi: On October 16, Henry Brown reported feeling a weight on his car as doors opened and cool air entered. He then saw a squash-shaped object with blue, yellow, and gold rings. Marion Moor reported three white objects in close formation over her radio station, causing a decrease in power. Eleven policemen observed a UFO with six to eight bright lights, which moved at speeds up to 110 mph and then accelerated to an estimated 1,500-2,000 mph. Sheriff Billy Ferrell noted 'unusual clarity' in his radio conversations during the sighting.

Object Causes E-M Effects to Car

• Arkansas: On October 20, Frances Miller and Mary Giacomini saw a silver saucer, about half the size of a Volkswagen, that approached on a collision course. It hovered, causing their car's motor and electrical system to fail. A 'steady humming' was emitted before the object flashed a blinding glow and disappeared.
• Louisiana: On October 16, Charles Reeves spotted two objects. Town lights in the area dimmed and went out as a UFO flew over the lake.

UFO Research Newsletter Notes

• The next edition was scheduled for mailing around January 15, 1974, due to the high volume of October 1973 reports.
• Thanks were extended to Paul C. Cerny, G.L. Bernier, John A. Lutz, and Robert E. Barrow for their assistance.
• Readers were wished a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Sighting Capsules

Brief summaries of additional sightings were provided:

• June 12, 1973: Marin County, Florida - Police and others saw an object emitting red flame, possibly a satellite launch.
• June 12, 1973: Ballarat, Victoria, Australia - Three witnesses observed a large object flashing red and orange.
• June 13, 1973: Chanute, Kansas - Robert Wilson and his son saw a slow-falling star move rapidly, possibly Skylab.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the widespread nature of UFO sightings in late 1973, the increasing public belief in UFOs and extraterrestrial life, and the persistent allegations of government cover-ups and suppression of information by agencies like the CIA and Air Force. The editorial stance, as reflected in the review of Keyhoe's book and the overall presentation of sightings, appears to be one of serious consideration of UFO phenomena and a critical view of official explanations, suggesting that many events remain unexplained and potentially involve advanced technology or non-human intelligence. The newsletter actively solicits reports and thanks contributors, indicating a commitment to documenting and disseminating UFO-related information.