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This Project Blue Book file on the Socorro, New Mexico sighting of 24 April 1964 compiles an Air Force record card and a large set of press clippings. The clippings cover policeman Lonnie Zamora's report of an egg-shaped object with four landing marks and scorched brush, plus J. Allen Hynek's investigation and follow-up reports from La Madera, Edgewood and elsewhere. An Air Force summary says soil and brush analysis found no foreign material, radiation or propellant, that the case remains open, and that later related sightings were explained or found to be hoaxes.
“The Advance”6 pages
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and a drawing of this marking will be attached at the end of the report. Mr Zamora is firm in that the color was Red. At this point of altitude (20 ft max) the flame was no longer visible and the craft hovered for not more than a few seconds and began to move laterally to his right (BW) along the line of the gully just missing the dynamite shack by not more than two or three feet and fading in the distance near a mill about 6 miles away. Lonnie Zamoras description of the object is vague. The only specific detail being the red marking. All descriptions are general in nature. At no time did the flight of the object rise above the mountain background. Disappearance of the object from time of hovering took about 3 minutes. About 3 minutes later Sgt Chavez arrived on the scene. Area background. Photos have been obtained of the background. An airfield (Private) is located about a mile to the opposite side of the gully where the object was located and Zamora's car was parked. There is a large white signboard at the edge of the area. To the right about 200 ft is the dynamite shack, about 6ft tall, 4 ft square and silver in color. Measurements of these factors can be made if deemed essential. The sighting was made at least an hour before sunset. At 630 pm the sun was still visible above the mountains to the West. Lt Holder was visited and the report made by the FBI agent (Mr Barnes) and Capt Holder read by Major Conner. Capt Holder claimed no knowledge of the red mark. Extensive diagrams of the holes had been made and measurements taken. He indicated that the samples could be analyzed at White Sands. Also a check had been made with the local Radar stations and no U/I tracks carried at the time of the sighting. Further check indicated that no helo activity was in the area. White Sands has two or three white helos, but at the time were located at the other end of the range and were not in operation, the base activity being secured until Monday morning. A copy of the FBI report and Capt Holder's report and measurements to be forwarded to Major Conner, along with analysis of the charred specimen. No conclusion as to cause could be reached by myself or Major Conner. Coral Lorenzen and husband were in Socorro at the time and had interviewed both Lonnie Zamora and Sgt Chavez, and also Capt Holder prior to the arrival of Major Conner and myself. Included in Major Conner's IR as attachments will be the FBI report, Capt Holder's report, Photos of the area, and specific slides taken that evening by a state Trooper accompanying Sgt Chavez to the scene. Specific statements as to radar activity, (none) Helo activity (all known helos not in area) and inquiry into the red marking should be made. Copies of the local news releases have been forwarded to Capt Q and the basic investigative efforts have been completed. I called Capt Q upon return from Socorro at 1930, Sunday 26 April and advised him of the above information. DAVID N MOODY TSGT, USAF
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