UFORUM - 1957 11 - Vol 2 No 02

Magazine Overview

Title: UFOrum
Issue: Volume Two, Number 14 (dated November 1957 / January 1953, likely a typo for 1957)
Publisher: Grand Rapids Flying Saucer Club
Type: Non-profit, educational organization publication.
Affiliations: Member of Michigan Flying Saucer Federation and cooperating with the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena.

Editorial Content

This issue of UFOrum, published by the Grand Rapids Flying Saucer Club, focuses heavily on a wave of reported UFO sightings across the United States in November 1957, termed a 'saucer paroxysm'. The publication welcomes original articles and experiences related to UFOs.

Key Articles and Reports:

• U.S. Seized by Saucer Spasm in November: This lead article details a significant increase in UFO reports during early November 1957. The Air Force is mentioned as being affected but remaining unshaken.

• Levelland, Texas (11-3-57): A prominent report describes a mystery object, large and ablaze with light, seen by over a dozen people. At least five instances of car engines stalling upon approaching the object were reported. Sheriff Weir Clem observed the brilliant light, and one witness fainted. Patrolman A. J. Fowler described the object as approximately 200 ft. long, egg-shaped, and lit up like fire or neon lights. Deputy Sheriff Pat McCullough and Sheriff Clem witnessed the object streak across the sky. Farmhand Pedro Saucedo and his friend Joe Salaz reported their truck's lights dying and engine stalling as the object passed overhead. Saucedo described it as torpedo-shaped or rocket-like, but much larger. Truck driver Ronald Martin also reported his truck engine dying and lights going out when a 'big ball of fire' dropped on the highway, changing to bluish-green before rising. Newell Wright, a Texas Tech student, reported a similar occurrence.

• White Sands Proving Ground, N.M. (11-4-57): While the Levelland story was emerging, another sighting occurred. Two MP patrols reported a huge oval object, 'nearly as bright as the sun,' hovering near the site of the first atomic bomb explosion. One sighting was made by SP3 Forrest R. Oakes and SP3 Barlow, who saw a bright light about 50 ft. above an old A-bomb bunker. The object ascended at a 45-degree angle, blinked, and disappeared. They estimated its size as '200-300 ft. long.' An earlier sighting on Sunday morning (0300) by Cpl. Glenn H. Toy and Pfc. Wilbanks described a 'very bright object' descending to about 50 yds above the bunkers, becoming bright as the sun, then falling to the ground. The object was described as 75-100 yds in diameter and egg-shaped, landing about 3 miles away. Officials at White Sands denied any connection to base activity.

• Lubbock, Texas (11-4-57): James Stokes, an engineer from Holloman AFBase, reported that 10 autos were stopped on a desert highway. Occupants saw a strange object flying from the NE. Stokes's car radio and engine died. He described the object as brilliant colored, egg-shaped, making a shallow dive, and passing within 2 miles. He felt a 'heat wave' and noted no sound or vapor trail. His car's battery was steaming, but the engine started normally. Allan D. Baker of Los Cruces, N.M., reportedly shot pictures.

• Fiji Islands (11-4-57): A report received in Honolulu stated that a white clergyman and four natives saw a dazzling, white, circular object descending from the sky over the South Pacific. They observed it hovering about 20 ft. above the sea, revolving, and appearing to have a figure of a man on it. A blinding light shone on them as they approached, causing them to feel weak. The object then went straight up. A Seventh Day Adventist Church official, R.O.Aveling, reported a similar stationary object at 5000 ft., 'swinging in a balloon-like motion,' changing from white to deep flashing red before disappearing after about 5 minutes. The date of this sighting may have been October 30th.

• Chicago, Ill. (11-5-57): Three policemen and a fireman reported seeing a peculiar round, glowing, orange-red object in the sky. Patrolman Joseph Lukasck described it as 200-250 ft. in diameter, descending from 600 ft., and 'folding into itself like a parachute.' Their carlights reportedly dimmed as they focused a spotlight on the orb. The object disappeared after folding inward. Another policeman, Dan Giovanni, saw the object from a distance.

• Martinsville, Virginia (11-5-57): Mrs. Ruby Hairston and her family saw a strange red glare that changed from bright red to pale amber-pink and then brightened again.

• New Orleans and Gulf of Mexico (11-5-57): The Coast Guard Cutter Sebago sighted an unidentified flying object over the Gulf at 0521. It resembled a brilliant planet moving at tremendous speed and was seen for about 3 seconds. The object was tracked on radar for 11 minutes before visual contact and for 16 minutes afterward, darting off and returning. Commander James Schrader reported the object was seen at latitude 25.47 N, longitude 89.24 W, about 200 miles south of the Mississippi River mouth. Radar logs show the object moving N to S, then closer, contact lost, regained, faded, regained, and finally lost at 175 miles north of the ship.

• New York (11-5-57): A mysterious radio signal, not from Sputnik, was baffling listeners and officials. NBC reported the signal was heard near Sputnik's frequency but had a different tonal pattern. The FCC initially classified information about the signal but later changed its mind. A similar signal was heard in Phoenix, Ariz., in October after Sputnik I was launched.

• Cairo, Egypt (11-5-57): A flaming object fell into an Alexandria school courtyard. Dr. Sherbiny, dean of science at Alexandria University, examined it and suggested it might be from a satellite or flying saucer. He described it as 'small, of solid rubber, containing a minute valve,' about 3 inches wide with lenses on both sides. He stated it could not have come from an airplane due to its altitude and was part of a scientific apparatus.

• Spooner, Wisc. (11-5-57): Residents, including an Episcopal minister and a newspaper editor, reported sighting a strange object in the sky. The editor, William Stewart, confirmed seeing a distant object but could not identify it. The editor notes that these sightings might be mistaken for the planet Venus, which was prominent in the western skies.

Suggested Periodical Readings:

• The issue lists several other UFO-related publications and organizations, including:
• The U.F.O. INVESTIGATOR (National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena, Washington D.C.)
• The VISITOR (Interplanetary Relations Group, Belleville, Michigan)
• FLYING SAUCER REVIEW (Flying Saucer Service Ltd., London, England)
• FLYING SAUCER (Civilian Saucer Investigation, Auckland, New Zealand)
• The FLYING SAUC (Flying Disks Research Center, Sao Paulo, Brazil)
• PROCEEDINGS of the College of Universal Wisdom (Yucca Valley, California)
• Australian SAUCER RECORD (Aus. Fly. Sau. Res. Soc., South Australia)
• U.F.O. NEWS REPORT (Flying Saucer Research Group, Yokohama, Japan)
• UFO NEWSLETTER (North Jersey U.F.O. Group, Horristown, New Jersey)
• LITTLE LISTENING POST (Washington D.C.)

Other Content:

• Co-Editors: Darrel Cole, Art Gibson, Bob Hillary, Don Plank.
• Reporters: C.L. Myers (West State), E.W. Maier (South State).
• Grand Rapids Area Reports (11-6-57): Several reports of strange objects and reddish clouds in the Grand Rapids area. This section also mentions a talk given by George Hunt 'Ric' Williamson, author of "The Saucers Speak" and "Other Tongues--Other Flesh," about his archeological expedition to South America. Williamson's findings in Peru, including massive stone statues observable from the sky, led him to suggest ancient civilizations may have had flying capabilities, possibly using Flying Saucers. He estimates the age of these monoliths at 25,000 years or more.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence of UFO sightings, the characteristics of the objects observed (shape, light, behavior, effects on vehicles), and the reporting of these phenomena by ordinary citizens and some official personnel. The publication appears to be a platform for documenting and disseminating UFO-related information, encouraging readers to share their own experiences. The editorial stance is one of active reporting and collection of UFO data, with a clear interest in the subject matter, as evidenced by the listing of other research groups and publications. The mention of 'Official U.S. Government designation' on the cover suggests an attempt to legitimize or categorize UFO phenomena within a governmental framework, though the specific nature of this designation is not elaborated upon within the text. The inclusion of an archeological report by 'Ric' Williamson hints at a broader interest in potential ancient connections to aerial phenomena.

This issue of UFORUM, dated November 1958, is primarily dedicated to documenting a significant wave of Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) sightings that occurred across the United States and Japan during that month. The publication presents a collection of eyewitness accounts, often detailing the appearance, behavior, and perceived characteristics of the observed phenomena.

United States Sightings

The majority of the reports focus on sightings within the United States, with a notable concentration in Michigan and Ohio. These accounts describe a diverse range of aerial phenomena:

Michigan Sightings:

• Detroit Area (November 6, 1957): Hundreds of reports described mysterious objects, characterized by dancing, bobbing, and dashing movements. These were seen as white, orange, or red lights, with some accounts mentioning a red ball with a halo of lighter colors. Police and newspaper switchboards were flooded with calls.
• Adrian, Michigan (November 6, 1957): Deputy Sheriff Gordon Rogers, along with three other witnesses, including ambulance driver Lyle Letts and Deputy Sheriff Harold Smith, observed a bright red object traveling northeasterly. The object appeared to leave a 'reddish cloud' and was followed for several miles at speeds up to 65-70 mph. Waldon Stewart, editor of the Adrian Telegram, described the object as a light, not a reflection, star, meteor, or aircraft, with no discernible shape but behaving in a 'very, very strange manner.' It was described as self-luminous with pulsating red, white, and green lights emanating from within. The object was observed for about two hours.
• Benton Harbor, Michigan (November 6, 1957): Mrs. Dan Stolfio reported an orange-red glow in the trees near her home, which rose and formed an orange halo. Virginia Jewell and Betty Ann Martin saw a similar object hovering. Bob Allen, a disc jockey, reported a purplish and blue oblong light pulsating to orange. Don Buehler and Dean Manley investigated and found a patch of grass that might have been slightly singed.
• Los Angeles, California (November 6, 1957): Reports from Hollywood Hills described a ball-of-fire, while San Fernando Valley residents saw a great green light. A housewife in Corona Del Mar saw an orange object resembling a jack-o-lantern hovering over the ocean. Personnel at Los Alamitos Naval Air Station reported UFOs continuously between 1805 and 1925. Lt. Richard Spencer described an object that appeared star-like and glowed in varying colors. Three Air Force weather observers also sighted a UFO over Long Beach Municipal Airport.

Ohio Sightings:

• Montville, Ohio (November 6, 1957): Olden Moore, a plasterer, reported seeing a bright object in a field near Montville at 2330. It loomed up as large as a house, seemed to split apart, with one section disappearing and the other settling in a field. Moore observed it for 15 minutes and heard a ticking sound. Ken Locke, the Civil Defense director, reported a Geiger counter reading of 150 mikroroentgens in the center of a 50 ft. diameter area where the object was seen, significantly higher than the normal radioactivity of 15-20 mikroroentgens.
• Thompson, Ohio (November 7, 1957): Mrs. E.A. Markell reported a glowing orange object, shaped like a flattened pumpkin, hovering over the Thompson Ledges at 0615. It disappeared traveling North or Northwest, emitting a bright glow that was almost blinding. The object was only a few hundred feet from her trailer.
• Orwell, Ohio (November 6, 1957): John Shaffer (16) and Timothy Sadowski (15) reported seeing a cigar-shaped UFO at high altitude, with lights streaming down from what appeared to be two portholes. Shaffer also reported seeing a second UFO with intense white brilliance that traveled swiftly.
• Windsor, Ohio (November 15, 1957): Ray Connor, a Sheriff's deputy, reported a UFO that looked like an open umbrella with two sticks dangling, emitting white, red, and green glows.
• Chardon Area (November 7, 1957): Ira A. Canfield, Chardon school superintendent, reported a blue-colored something. Mrs. Kovach reported an object appearing to land. James E. Morris reported a round object with a blue streamer. Mrs. James Laundy reported a reddish spinning object. Alton Brockway reported a brilliant blue object at high altitude.
• Springfield (November 5, 1957): The first blue light report in the nation was from Springfield.
• Ashtabula Area (November 6, 1957): Winthrop Davis reported a low, bright object while traveling east, brighter than a star and larger, which moved away, came closer, and then disappeared.

Other US Sightings:

• Grand Rapids: A reddish cloud was noted over Grand Rapids, possibly related to the Adrian sighting.
• Eaton County, Michigan: Deputies reported a red light that appeared to bounce as it sped south.
• Decatur, Michigan: Police chief Donald Miller saw a light that changed from orange to red and then dark brown.
• Willow Run Airport: Airline pilots and control tower personnel reported a red ball sighting at 2040.
• Kalamazoo: Observers reported a white light, three times brighter than a star.
• Western Wayne County: Similar lights were reported.
• Inkster: Two patrolmen reported seeing a light at 2000.

Japan Sightings

This issue also features reports from Japan, sourced from the periodical UFO NEWS REPORT, published by the Flying Saucer Research Group in Japan. These sightings suggest a significant event occurred in November.

• Fukushima Prefecture (November 1, 1957): Yukimi Yoshinari and five others saw a mysterious red-orange object that spun, danced, rotated, and ascended out of sight after 50 minutes. It made no sound.
• Tokyo (November 4, 1957): Over 25 people saw a strange glowing orange object over Ginza, described as circular and very orange. It lasted about 15 seconds.
• Yokohama (November 4, 1957): A yellow-orange, silent object, the size of the full moon, was seen traveling from North to South.
• Okayama (November 7, 1957): Mrs. Fusako Hatano and 15 students observed more than 20 strange objects during moon eclipse observations. The UFOs were described as red-orange or blue-white, silent, and fluttered in semi-circles.
• Kurushiki City (November 7-8, 1957): Similar objects were spotted. On November 8th, 30 students saw a fiery red object pass over their school at terrific speed.
• Okayama (November 9, 1957): Three fiery red objects were seen flying in formation.
• Tokyo (November 9, 1957): Five witnesses saw an anchor-shaped mystery object, blue above and white below, which later turned red.
• Japan (November 10, 1957): The Tokyo Astronomical Observatory received thousands of inquiries about a mysterious 'green fireball' seen between 1730 and 1800. Most eyewitnesses reported a light green or red fireball that exploded without a sound, like a 'flare bomb,' leaving a pale-colored tail.
• Tokyo Heliport (1730): Mr. Rokunosuke Shimizu spotted 4 semi-crescent shaped UFOs in formation, moving SW to NE, described as 'greenish color' and making no sound.
• Wakayama Prefecture (1745): A greenish-white UFO was seen.
• Gifu City (1750): A light, the size of the moon, was seen moving silently at a speed faster than a jet plane.
• Nagoya City (1750): A fireball with sound was reported.
• Chigasaki City (1750): A greenish-white UFO exploded without sound.
• Ise City (1753): A silent greenish object left a vapor trail.
• Tokyo (1753): A greenish object, 5 cm. in diameter, exploded without sound.
• Tokushima City (1753): A greenish UFO, the size of a football, moved slowly. The chief weather forecaster suggested it was likely a flying saucer.
• Tokyo Central Station (1754): A greenish-white object left a vapor trail and made no sound.
• Washington Heights, Tokyo (1755): An egg-shaped UFO exploded silently.
• Tokyo International Airport (1755-1800): Many reports of a greenish-red object silently exploding.
• Sendai City (November 12, 1957): A flaming object was spotted at 1640, which suddenly and silently broke into pieces and disappeared 10 minutes later.
• General Japan Sightings (November 21-28): Numerous other sightings were reported.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the sheer volume and geographical spread of UFO sightings, the variety in reported object shapes, colors, and behaviors, and the consistent reporting of silent operation. The editorial stance appears to be one of serious reporting and documentation of these phenomena, presenting them as potentially significant events that warrant public attention, contrary to what the publication suggests are 'AirForce pronouncements' downplaying such occurrences. The inclusion of detailed witness accounts, some involving scientific measurements (Geiger counter), and the mention of affidavits and photographic evidence (though not reproduced here) underscore the magazine's commitment to presenting these reports as credible.

The publication also highlights the international nature of UFO activity, with a significant portion dedicated to sightings in Japan, suggesting a global phenomenon. The use of terms like 'mysterious,' 'strange,' and 'eerie' by witnesses, as quoted in the text, reflects the perplexing nature of these encounters. The magazine aims to inform its readers about these unexplained aerial events, encouraging further investigation and discussion.

Title: UFORUM
Issue: 21
Volume: 27
Date: November 1957
Publisher: Grand Rapids Flying Saucer Club
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of UFORUM, a publication by the Grand Rapids Flying Saucer Club, focuses heavily on UFO sightings reported in November 1957 and critically examines the U.S. Air Force's handling of these phenomena. The magazine presents a collection of witness accounts from various locations, alongside commentary on official responses and alleged cover-ups.

Key UFO Sightings and Reports

The magazine details numerous UFO sightings, providing specific dates, locations, and witness descriptions:

• November 1957 (General): The Air Force alerted its radar network to watch for strange flying objects approaching U.S. and Canadian radar stations, following reports of six saucer-shaped UFOs at an altitude of 7000 ft.
• Pell City, Alabama (November 6, 1957): James Moore, 34, reported seeing a giant flying saucer, estimated to be 600 feet long and 150 feet wide, hovering about 200 feet off the ground. His car battery died during the investigation.
• Augusta, Georgia (November 6, 1957): A mysterious red ball sighted over the Savannah River AEC plant was believed to be a light on a water tank.
• Houston, Texas (November 6, 1957): William Rush, 19, reported an egg-shaped, bright red object that caused electrical interference and killed his car engine. James Busby sighted a 'fireball' object traveling SW.
• Western Florida (November 6, 1957): Early morning risers reported a dazzling object speeding along a 400-mile stretch of the coast. Bill Johnson, editor of the Panama City Herald-Telegraph, described it as larger than a basketball with an orange glow.
• Dunn, North Carolina (November 7, 1957): Lester E. Lee reported a lampshade-shaped object that zoomed up with a noise like a dynamite blast and a flash of light.
• Fountain City, Tennessee (November 7, 1957): Several people reported a basketball-shaped object hovering, described as a 'red light'.
• Knoxville, Tennessee (November 7, 1957): 12-year-old Everett Clark claimed space-men tried to abduct his terrier, Frisky. A cigar-shaped imprint was found in a pasture.
• Atlanta, Georgia (November 7, 1957): Mary Joyce Rudder and Betty Ann Hall reported an object resembling an automobile sliding on its side with bright lights, which one witness said chased her car.
• Sudbury-On-Thames, England (November 7, 1957): A 'football-like' flying object landed in a school yard.
• Petoskey, Michigan (October 30, 1957): Undersheriff Richard Zink reported a meteor-like object with 'fuzzy' edges and changing colors (gold to dark red, orange, and yellow) heading SW.
• Holly (Braxton County), West Virginia (November 8, 1957): Residents observed a cigar-shaped craft, estimated 40 ft. long with portholes, emitting fire and smoke, and attempting to land on a hill-top during a storm. Witnesses reported seeing people working around the object.
• Benton Harbor, Michigan (November 8, 1957): Joe and Ted Davidson reported a 'fiery ball', about 2 ft. in diameter, rising from the highway.
• Kearney, Nebraska (November 5, 1957): R.O. Schmidt reported an object that stopped his car. He was approached by two men who invited him inside a craft where two women and two men were working on wires and instruments. He described the occupants speaking 'high German' and their ability to move around inside the craft via magnetic power. They stated they were not there to do harm and that an announcement might be made in the future. Schmidt was later confined to an asylum, but released when public opinion suggested he was being silenced.
• Charlotte, Michigan (November 10, 1957): A truck driver reported seeing a 'brilliantly white' object traveling very fast, initially mistaken for Sputnik.
• Beaumont, Texas (November 5, 1957): A sighting was reported by police, other officers, and a reporter.
• San Angelo and Amarillo, Texas (November 3, 1957): Sightings were reported by USAF and CAA tower operators.
• Other Reports: Sightings were also noted from Kodiak, Alaska; Dominican Republic; Ottawa University, Canada (November 4); Johannesburg, South Africa (November 5, involving a jet chasing UFOs); Australia (November 8, by government observers at Mt. Stromlo); Louisiana, Norway, Netherlands (November 9); France and Eau Claire, Wisconsin (November 10); Worthington, Ohio (November 12); and Fort Wayne, Indiana (November 13).

Air Force Response and Criticism

The lead article, "Major Keyhoe Cut Off Air During Television Program!", criticizes the Air Force's reaction to the November UFO flap. The magazine alleges that the Air Force acted 'panicky,' labeling technicians as incompetent and offering 'hoax, hysteria or halucination' as explanations. It points out that the Air Force issued conflicting statements and had drafted explanations months in advance. UFORUM disputes the Air Force's claim that only 2% of sightings remained unexplained, citing a TIME magazine report that acknowledged an 'unknown' factor of 20% for about 4000 sightings. The article also mentions the "UFO:-The Enigma of the Skies" presentation on Armstrong Circle Theater, where Harvard astronomer Don ld Menzel offered his 'heated air theory,' and notes that NICAP Director Donald E. Keyhoe was allowed to speak but questions who was responsible for censoring the end of his talk. The magazine implies that the Air Force's promise to 'open its secret UFO files' was misleading, as the cases presented had already been made public.

Support and Subscription

UFORUM states that it is supported entirely by reader donations. To receive the publication, readers are instructed to send their name and address to UFORUM, Box 142, Route #31, Ada, Michigan.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue are the prevalence of UFO sightings across diverse geographical locations and the perceived lack of transparency and honesty from official government and military bodies, particularly the Air Force, in addressing these phenomena. The editorial stance is critical of official explanations, suggesting a deliberate effort to downplay or conceal information about UFOs. The magazine champions the work of individuals like Donald E. Keyhoe and organizations like NICAP in their efforts to uncover and disseminate information about UFOs, positioning itself as a platform for sharing these reports and challenging official narratives. The emphasis on witness accounts and the detailed cataloging of sightings underscore a belief in the reality of these unexplained aerial phenomena and a distrust of established authorities.