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This Black Vault release compiles 1964 newspaper and wire service clippings plus a Project Blue Book summary on the Socorro, New Mexico sighting by policeman Lonnie Zamora on April 24, 1964, when an egg-shaped object left four depressions and burned brush. It covers J. Allen Hynek's site visit, APRO and NICAP comment, and related New Mexico reports at La Madera, Edgewood and Albuquerque. The Air Force summary reports that soil and brush analysis found no radiation or propellant, and the case remained open.
“New Mexico State Police”25 pages
UFO sighting. The data was collected and no positive conclusion reached. On Tuesday, 28 April 1964, Capt Quintanilla directed Doctor J Allen Hynek to Socorro to obtain additional data. Com posite results of the investigation by Capt Holder, Sgt Moody, Dr Hynek and Major Conner indicated that the attached narrative depicts the true circumstances of the sighting. ## b. Specific Findings from Efforts to Date: (1) On the evening of 24 April 1964 Sgt Chavez of the New Mexico State Police accompanied by Agent Burns of the FBI and Capt Richard Holder conducted a search of the area surrounding the sighting. There were no automobile tire markings or markings of any sort in the area other than those located at the site of the alleged landing and so noted in Capt Holder's report. (2) Radioactivity: Major Conner and Sgt Moody checked the area for radiation. There was no radioactivity in the area of the sighting. (3) Helo Activity: A check was made to determine if any helicopter activity was in the area at the approximate time of the sighting. This check was conducted at White Sands by Capt Holder who talked with the pilots and operational personnel. All helicopters at White Sands were in the hangars at the time of the sighting. Sgt Moody checked all ANS helicopters at Kirtland AFB and the landing gear did not coincide with the marks on the ground. Helo activity was checked within a radius of 300 miles including Biggs AFB at El Paso with negative results. All military helos including those associated with Project Cloud Gap have been eliminated as a possible cause of the sighting. However, civilian helicopter activity was not completely determined. (4) Radar Surveillance of the Area: Capt Bolder contacted radar sites at White Sands and Almagordo. He was informed that there was no unidentified activity in the area during the time of the sighting. (5) Soil Samples: The soil samples obtained at the sighting were given to Dr J Allen Hynek by Capt Holder. They were turned over to Captain Quintanilla who in turn submitted them to ASD for analysis. Laboratory analysis of the soil was completed on 19 May 64. It included spectrographic analysis which revealed that there was no foreign material in the soil samples. Also, no chemicals were detected in the charred or burned soil which would indicate a type of propellant. There was no significant difference in elemental composition between the different samples.
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