The National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (Nicap)

# SECTION IV

# Army, Navy & Marine Corps

The other armed services, required by law to channel UFO reports to the Air Force, have also contributed some important cases to the public record. It is impossible to determine how many additional military reports have not been made public. Several of the cases in this section, however, strongly suggest that the on-the-record reports are only a small sample.

Several Navy cases can be detailed here primarily because of the background and personal connections of the NICAP Director. As a graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy (class of 1920) and former Marine Corps aircraft and balloon pilot, Major Keyhoe knows many active and retired officers, including Admirals who have held important positions. Some have taken an active part, supporting NICAP's investigations.

Rear Admiral Delmer S. Fahrney, USN (Ret.) - still a NICAP member - served for a time as Chairman of the Board of Governors. Adm. Fahrney, credited with important aeronautical and guided missile development work, has obtained several highly significant UFO reports from his associates in aerospace activities.

Vice Admiral R. H. Hillenkoetter, USN (Ret.), a long-time acquaintance of Major Keyhoe, also served on the NICAP Board of Governors for five years. His service as a former Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), coupled with a distinguished Naval record in war and peace, cause his statements about UFOs to be of unusual interest. In 1960, Adm. Hillenkoetter said the UFOs appeared to be intelligently controlled. "They wouldn't be maneuvering accidentally. I think they are under intelligent guidance from all things seen." In 1961, Adm. Hillenkoetter joined with a majority of the NICAP Board in urging a Congressional investigation of the UFO problem.

Hq Sq Sec, First Air Force Mitchel Air Force Base, NY 20 September 1957

Mr. Donald E. Keyhoe Director NICAP 1536 Connecticut Ave,N. W. Washington 6, D. C.

Dear Sir:

The following is a quote:

"Sighting of unconventional objects was made at Ft. Devens, Mass. between 2015 and 2055 hours, 17 Sep 57. Sky conditions varied from clear to partly scattered clouds. During the period a total of 8 objects, round in shape, were sighted from the ground. One went from East to West and then South. Two went from West to Northeast. Two went from East to West. One from West to East.

Exact time for each of the foregoing sightings was not reported, but they are listed in the order which sighted. Sometime after the sightings were made two conventional aircraft were sighted in the area and identified as such.

The color of the unidentified objects was orange, speed unknown, but reportedly faster than conventional aircraft and approximately of jet aircraft.

Altitude of objects varied with the lowest altitued estimated 5,000 feet. Just one object was sighted at this altitude, the remaining 7 appeared to be considerably higher. The objects made no sound and left no vapor trail. Bedford Air Force Base reported that they had only one jet aircraft up during the period. The Fort Devens Airport Duty Officer reported sighting a jet aircraft which was further to the north than the unidentified objects. These objects which changed direction did so in a gradual swing. All objects except the first one sighted appeared in steady flight. The first object appeared to be oscillating up and down. Lights utilized by conventional aircraft were not sighted on the objects. The objects appeared to be very small in size. The G-2 at Fort Devens reported that the objects were sighted by several people in one area and two people from a different location."

UNCLASSIFIED

HEADQUARTERS

KAGNEW STATION

APO 843, New York, New York

SUBJECT: Unidentified Objects

11 February 1957

TO: Chief, US Army Security Agency Arlington Hall Station Arlington 12, Virginia ATTN: GAS22

1. The following, a summary of statements given by several members of this organization pertaining to unusual objects in the sky, is submitted for your information and any action deemed necessary.

2. At approximately 1045 hours, 21 January 1957, M/ Sgt Billy J. Woodruff, Sgt Frank Haverly, SP2 Robert O. Clewell, SP2 George R. Dean and SP3 Gerald L. Fennell, while returning to the 4th USASA Operations Area, noticed an unusual object in the sky. M/Sgt Woodruff was the first to see it, and brought it to the attention of the others. They all stated that at first they thought it was an airplane flying either directly toward or directly away from them, at an altitude of about 2000 feet. However, upon further observation they saw that it was not a plane, but rather an object with the appearance of a large shiny metal ball. The object was not moving, and even after they had changed their position on ground several times, the object still appeared to be motionless and to have the same shape. Suddenly the object disappeared. A few minutes later they saw what they believed to be the same or a similar object. This time the object acted in the same manner as stated above; it remained motionless for a few minutes and then suddenly disappeared. Later in the day M/Sgt Woodruff and Capt Jesse M. Strong observed two brownish objects maneuvering in close formation at high altitude. They first thought the objects to be birds; then one of the objects broke formation and took off at a right angle from the other object, in level flight, at a very high rate of speed. M/Sgt Woodruff stated that he knew that it was not a bird because it was disk shaped.

3. Several other persons have reported unusual objects in the sky, both prior to and after this incident, but their statements have been hazy and of little value, because the objects were always seen during the hours of darkness, and no clear description could be given.

FOR THE COMMANDER:

/s/James A. Muncie

/t/JAMES A. MUNCIE

Capt, MI(Arty)

Intelligence Officer