UFORUM - 1956 12 - Vol 1 No 09

Magazine Overview

Title: UFORUM
Issue: VOLUME ONE NUMBER NINE
Date: DECEMBER 1956 JANUARY 1957
Publisher: NORTH JERSEY U. F. O. GROUP
Country: U. S. A.
Document Type: Magazine Issue

Editorial Stance and New Policy

This issue of UFORUM, published by the North Jersey U.F.O. Group and serving as the publication of the Grand Rapids Flying Saucer Club, announces a significant shift in its subscription policy. Moving forward, the magazine will accept subscriptions on a "free-will offering basis," meaning any contribution, monetary or otherwise, will be accepted. The editors explain that this change is possible now that they have acquired a mimeograph machine, which was a prior capital investment. Their primary goal is the "dissemination of information and not making a profit," with a current circulation of approximately 60 copies. The magazine emphasizes its commitment to presenting "all aspects of the 'Saucer' saga or 'UFO' mystery in an educational fashion," striving to include "all the facts" gleaned from readings and investigations. Crucially, the editorial stance is to present both "scientific" viewpoints and what is termed the "lunatic fringe," asserting that "we do not feel we have the right to censor either point of view."

NICAP and Project Skylight

A major focus of this issue is the announcement of the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP), headquartered in Washington, D.C. This nine-man board of governors, detailed in the March 1957 issue of FATE magazine, is poised to launch a "detailed scientific investigation of flying saucers." The committee believes "there exists more than enough evidence of certain and obvious aerial phenomena to justify independent evaluation." The board comprises notable individuals from various fields, including:

• Dr. Charles A. Mancy (professor of physics)
• Rear Admiral Delmer C Fahrney (USN-retired)
• A.M. Sonnabend (president, Hotel Corporation of America)
• Rev. Albert H. Baller
• Brig. General Thomas B. Catron (retired)
• Frank Edwards (radio-TV commentator)
• Talbot T. Speer (publisher)
• Rev. Leon C. Levan
• Col. Robert Emerson (USA-retired, nuclear physicist)

General Albert C. Wedemeyer (USA-retired) will serve as an evaluations advisor. Their first investigation is designated "Project Skylight," and the committee has stated that "Under no circumstances shall there be any form of so-called secret classification of the committee's findings, or restrictions as to their dissemination."

The article also mentions other prominent figures interested in UFOs, such as William P. Lear and Air Chief Marshall Lord Dowding. Rear Adm. Fahrney is quoted as stating that "reliable sources indicate that there are 'objects coming into our atmosphere at speeds and accelerations...which' neither Russia nor the United States are able to achieve 'at this time'." Fahrney also noted that while he had not seen a saucer himself, he had spoken with scientists and engineers who reported seeing objects directed by "an intelligence."

William P. Lear, a Grand Rapids industrialist, believed "flying saucers are real" based on numerous manifestations, simultaneous observations, and the potential of electrogravitational field theories. He also claimed to have seen a saucer with his pilot.

Clyde W. Tombaugh, discoverer of Pluto, suggested that UFOs seen in recent years might originate from outside our solar system. His recent satellite search yielded no results, but he believes directed phenomena are "unlike any other phenomena I ever observed."

Air Chief Marshall Lord Dowding believed in flying saucers due to cumulative evidence, citing "10,000 sightings" that convinced him, and stated that most sightings could not be explained scientifically.

Government Secrecy and Saucer Groups

Paul Harvey reported in November 1956 that the Pentagon was censoring flying saucer information, with articles submitted for clearance being "blue penciled by Pentagon security officials." The House investigators are looking into this. An anecdote is shared about a report on flying saucers that was released, then stamped secret, and then unclassified again. Furthermore, the Army reportedly refused to allow the publication of a book by a former intelligence officer, despite its contents having been previously published.

George Van Tassell is mentioned as advising saucer groups to remain separate and autonomous, warning against a "hush-hush" group trying to unite all saucer groups into a national organization (like NICAP) to divide them.

Children's Sightings

An article titled "OUT OF THE MOUTH OF BABES..." explores why there are fewer reported saucer sightings by children. The editor posits that children, spending more time outdoors and possessing minds less clouded by preconceived notions, might be more open to observing and reporting such phenomena. Unlike adults who might fear losing prestige, children are less inhibited. The editor recounts asking a class of ten-year-olds about unusual sky phenomena and receiving twelve reports, some with drawings, indicating that children are indeed observing unusual events.

Several specific sighting reports from children are detailed:

• Sighting 1: Two silver lights moving fast west to east, no sound (August).
• Sighting 2: A steady red light moving fast (August 1956, 10 PM).
• Sighting 3: A round, silvery-gray object, half the size of a full moon, flying north from south at 600 mph, 150 feet wide, 8,000 feet high, no sound (October 1955, 6 PM).
• Sighting 4: A round object, orange, black, and silver, 50 feet high, 250 feet long, flying at 500 feet altitude, making a ticking sound (October 7, 1955, 7:30 PM).
• Sighting 5: A big, silver object, smaller than the moon, flying northwest to southeast and returning, at 90 mph with a jet-like noise (May 1955, 4:25 PM).
• Sighting 6: A bright orange object flying fast and straight from northeast to southwest, visible for 4 seconds, no sound (October day, during recess).
• Sighting 7: A small white cloud leaving a vapor trail, moving very fast with no sound (April 1955, Marne, Michigan).
• Sighting 8: A bright orange steady light moving fast west to east, no sound (October 23, 1956, 4 PM).
• Sighting 9: A green object heading northwest, traveling at 5,000 mph, 1.5 feet wide, smaller than the full moon; a steady green light circled and blinked out (June 9, 1956, 8:30 PM).
• Sighting 10: A steady red light moving fast from southwest to northeast, smaller than the full moon, no sound (September 7, 1956, 9 PM, Tawas on Lake Huron).
• Sighting 11: A red object moving fast, about ten inches in diameter, headed northeast, stopped, waited, then returned southwest. A green light was seen from the bottom (September 1956, Saturday night).
• Sighting 12: A sighting at 9:30 PM in July 1956 at camp (Wilder's lodge).

Suggested Periodical Readings

The issue also lists several "Suggested Periodical Readings" from various organizations and publications, including:

• C.R.I.F.O. "ORBIT"
• SAUCERS (Flying Saucers International)
• BORDERLAND SCIENCE RESEARCH ASSOCIATES (BSRA)
• LITTLE LISTENING POST
• FLYING SAUCER REVIEW
• F.S.Service Ltd.
• Civilian Saucer Investigation
• THE VISITOR (Interplanetary Relations)
• PROCEEDINGS of the College of Universal Wisdom
• A.P.R.O. Bulletin (Aerial Phenomena Research Organ.)
• THE FLYING SAUCER-(Flying Disks Research Center)
• C.P.D.V.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around the ongoing mystery of unidentified flying objects, the efforts to investigate them scientifically (exemplified by NICAP), and the challenges posed by potential government secrecy. The editorial stance is one of open inquiry, aiming to present diverse viewpoints without censorship, and encouraging public participation through subscriptions and the sharing of personal experiences. The inclusion of children's reports highlights a belief in their uninhibited perception of phenomena. The magazine also serves as a hub for connecting various UFO research groups and publications.

Title: UFORUM
Issue: 11
Date: Undetermined (content suggests mid-1950s)
Publisher: UFOrum
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of UFORUM, dated issue number 11, focuses on UFO sightings and alleged extraterrestrial encounters, with a prominent feature on Buck Nelson's purported journey to Mars, the Moon, and Venus. The magazine presents a collection of witness accounts and case studies, primarily from the mid-1950s, alongside a narrative about a personal space voyage.

Buck Nelson's Trip to Mars, the Moon, and Venus

The lead article, "MY TRIP to MARS, the MOON and VENUS" by Buck Nelson, details his extraordinary claim of traveling to these celestial bodies in a Venusian spacecraft. Nelson recounts his early life and first contacts with spacemen, who eventually invited him on a trip. Before departing, he was given the "TWELVE LAWS OF GOD" by the Venusians. His journey included stops on Mars and the Moon, both of which he states are inhabited. The trip concluded with a visit to Venus, the home base of the spacecraft, where he met dignitaries and was entertained. Upon his return to Earth, a "distant cousin" named Bucky visited on Christmas Day, leaving a tape recording titled "Bucky's Christmas Message to the World." The article also mentions a foreword and postscript by Fanny Lowery of Clarkston, Michigan, and offers Buck's book for sale.

UFO Sightings in Michigan

The issue begins with several UFO sighting reports from Michigan. One incident occurred at 3 Mile Road near Comstock Park, where three ladies at a camp observed a round object with steady red lights that flew down, circled three times, and then ascended rapidly. The object emitted a red-orange light and was described as smaller than the full moon, making no sound.

Another sighting involved Mr. and Mrs. John R. Landefeld, who reported a red ball with a little yellow passing over their camp on a Saturday evening in July 1956. They described it as moving from east to west, flashing on and off with a pulsating motion, and making no sound. The article notes that Mr. Landefeld's description might differ from other witnesses, and he has reportedly seen numerous objects. A sketch of the object seen by a student is reproduced.

Mr. Landefeld also reported a sighting on January 12, 1957, while driving with his son on Plainfield. They saw a yellowish object moving in a pulsating fashion from north to south around 9:30 PM, which made no sound.

Flying Saucer Round-Up

This section presents condensed extracts from CRIFO's monthly publication 'Orbit,' featuring various UFO sightings from the past year.

• Case 145 (May 20, 1950): An unidentified location featured a report from a prominent scientist who saw an object resembling a tipped parachute, moving SE to NW, estimated at 3-5 ft, with a speed of 100-200 mph and no engine noise.
• Case 146 (August 28-30, 1955): In Yonkers, NY, Leo Wiegers, a civil service employee, reported seeing a fuzzy bright object through a 30x telescope that resolved into a clear, bright image, initially thought to be Saturn but too large. It moved slowly due west and was pure white with a faint blue haze. Wiegers reported a similar sighting on August 30, 1955.
• Case 147 (March 7, 1956): In El Paso, Texas, J.W. Thompson witnessed an object shaped like a small pipe that fell ablaze to the ground, scattering grayish ash. The Air Force had no comment.
• Case 148 (February 10, 1956): In Pecos, Texas, military and civil authorities could not account for an aerial explosion about 25 miles NW of Pecos, with no wreckage found.
• Case 149 (February 15, 1956): In Helmville-Ovando, Montana, three women reported an airplane trailing smoke and parachute-like objects falling from it. A ground search found nothing, but two days later, a boy reported a large explosion with red and yellow flames and smoke.
• Case 150 (February 17, 1956): In Anderson, S.C., columnist Frank Acker reported an incident where millions of blackbirds flew out of the south in a panic. Later, a peculiar looking, highly polished metal wheel-like object was seen, which seemed to revolve.
• Case 151 (March 20-22, 1956): The Cincinnati 'Enquirer' reported an unidentified object that burned like a bright beacon for 45 minutes. It appeared as an intense bluish-white light and, through binoculars, a compact galaxy of lights. Dr. Paul Herget, director of the Cincy observatory, identified the object as the planet Venus, noting that it would appear brighter until May and be mistaken for a flying saucer by many. CRIFO felt that 6 out of 17 reports during this period were not Venus and defied conventional explanation.

Cases 152-158 are noted as missing from UFOrum files.

Additional Sightings and Investigations

• Case 159 (May 15, 1956): In Ottawa, Canada, the defense ministry blamed a false alarm for a jet plane crash that killed 15 people, suggesting that true facts can be hidden.
• Case 160 (May 11, 1956): In Pueblo, Colo., the Air Force reported six successive nights of UFO sightings, described as dull, fluorescent glows, mostly triangular, but one was round and brighter. They were visible for only 5-6 seconds due to their speed.
• Case 161 (May 10, 1956): In Salt Lake City, Utah, three uranium prospectors saw a large silvery object 'spinning or floating,' described as elliptical rather than round, and the brightest silvery thing they had ever seen.
• Case 162 (May 9, 1956): In Jacksonville, Fla., Joan Frost reported seeing two stars moving very high, flashing on and off. Later, a round, red object with three lights appeared, making no sound. The bus driver and other passengers also witnessed it.
• Case 163 (July 1, 1956): In Bromley, Ky., Mr. and Mrs. Harlan Grimes saw a huge glowing object, about the size of the moon, shining through their bedroom window.
• Case 164 (July 10, 1956): In Cincy, Ohio & Northern Kentucky, two witnesses saw a circular object, "lit up like a lantern," pacing an air transport, appearing larger and brighter than the aircraft's landing lights.
• Case 165 (July 2, 1956): In Conway, Mass., Jack Pease reported an object composed of one light, traveling at high speed but able to reverse course, with a low-pitched hum detected.
• Case 166 (June 29-July 3, 1956): In Yonkers, NY, Leo Wiegers reported an orange-red object moving at considerable speed, and a silvery-whitish object the next night. Others in the area reported seeing an orange UFO.
• Case 167 (July 16, 1956): In Los Angeles, a mysterious light glowed brilliantly, with the control tower estimating its altitude at 2000ft. It emitted a strong reddish glow, moved in a SW'ly direction, and was visible for a few minutes before vanishing.
• Case 168 (July 19, 1956): In Hutchinson, Kans., radar picked up a ball of fire traveling east at high speed, described as green or 'bluish green.'
• Case 169 (June 17, 1956): In Cincinnati, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Tasset saw a stationary, silent, brilliant spot in the NW sky that grew in size, appearing fiery red and bowl-shaped with dangling red streamers.
• Case 170 (July 22, 1956): Over Pixley, Calif., Major Merwin Stenvers, an Air Force pilot, described a mid-air incident involving a loud bang, severe vibration, and a dive. The plane was damaged, with the tail section badly damaged and part of the elevator missing. An official suggested it looked like something had struck it from above.
• Case 171 (November 28, 1955): In Hong Kong, China, a bright light was witnessed over Lyemun Pass. It appeared stationary until a Meteor jet took off, after which the light moved westward, diminishing in size and brightness, changing shape from a bulging line to a white disc.

Williamson and Laughhead Expedition to Peru

The issue also reports on the departure of Ric Williamson and his wife Betty and son Mark, along with Dr. Charles Laughead, his wife Lillian, and two children, from Prescott, Arizona, on December 2, 1956. This trip, the first leg of which is to Peru, is for research in anthropology and missionary work in a valley known as "Valley X." They will also investigate reports of "flying saucers" in the Lake Titicaca area. Ric Williamson is noted as an anthropologist and author of "The Saucers Speak" and "Other Tongues-Other Flesh." Dr. Laughead is remembered for his 1955 prediction of a great catastrophe on December 21, 1955.

Other News and Announcements

Briefly mentioned are new Saucer Groups formed in Brisbane, Australia, and Japan; twelve V-formation UFOs over Fukayama City; an upcoming International Saucer Congress in London; a bright green star seen in Central Europe; reports of strange giants and their craft near the Chilean frontier; and a "Little Listening Post" in Washington, D.C.

The magazine concludes with a subscription offer for UFORUM, asking readers to send their name and address for a free-will offer to UFOrum, Box 142, Route 1, Ada, Michigan.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are UFO sightings, alleged extraterrestrial encounters, and space travel. The editorial stance appears to be one of open reporting and investigation of these phenomena, presenting witness accounts and case studies without immediate dismissal, while also acknowledging potential misidentifications (like Venus) and the possibility of hidden information in official reports. The magazine seems to aim at documenting and disseminating information within the UFO community.