The Roswell Report: Fact vs. Fiction in the New Mexico Desert

balloon files; Neal Stark and Jack Griffin, of the Geophysical Directorate's Aerospace Engineering Group, whose corporate knowledge of Air Force ballooning answered many difficult questions; and to historian Ruth Liebowitz for sharing her files and photographs. Many thanks also to Sheilagh Banacos in Information Management and Evelyn Kindler of the Public Affairs Office.

At the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, DC, it was a pleasure to collaborate with archivist Edward Reese of the Military Reference Branch. Mr. Reese, who retired in October 1994 after more than fifty-three years of faithful civil service, provided a much-welcomed professional logic and calm to our endeavors. Also at the Military Reference Branch, Wil Mahoney's knowledge of Air Force records proved invaluable. At the Washington National Records Center in Suitland, MD, we thank Reference Section archivist Carry Conn, who patiently led us through the stacks, and Richard Boylan, Reference Branch Assistant Chief, for his truly prodigious memory. At the National Personnel Records Center, in St. Louis, MO, archivists Bill Siebert and Eric Voltz helped to map out a search plan, while Carl Paulson capably guided us through it. Pearline Foster shared her time, personnel, and an all-important photocopier. At National Archives II in College Park, MD, Allen Lewis graciously provided access to their excellent facilities.

Numerous individuals agreed to be interviewed for this publication. We would like to express our sincerest thanks to them and their spouses for helping guide us through the complex maze of names, projects, and places that had been shrouded in secrecy by the passing of nearly fifty years. Special thanks go to Athelstan and Kathy Spilhaus, Charles and Wilma Moore, Col. Albert and Jean Trakowski, Lt. Col. Sheridan and Mary Cavitt, and Maj. Irving Newton, USAF (Ret). Also sincerest thanks to Mrs. Emily Duffy and Mrs. Mildred Crary for sharing their recollections and photographs of their distinguished husbands.

We also put to good use the fine reference facilities at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, DC, and thank Eileen Pickenpaugh, the Deputy Librarian, Murray Bradley, head of Research Reports Section, and Ralph Peterson, the Research Report Librarian, all of whom helped immeasurably to make our searches easier.

Our thanks go also to the men and women of the 913th Airlift Wing (AFRES) at Willow Grove ARS, PA, especially to Col. Richard Moss, the 913th Airlift Wing Commander, and Lt. Col. (Col. Select) Robert Hunter, the 913th Logistics Group Commander, for providing end-of-year assistance. And we are grateful to CMSgt. Michael Breitenbach, for sharing his very useful experiences and insights.

We are most grateful to the members of Air Force Publishing—Ray Del Villar, Linda Garmon, and Jack Fischer—who brought this publication into print, and to SRA Garrety Wood of the 11th Communication Squadron Photo Lab for excellent photo reproduction services.

In the course of researching and writing this report, numerous other individuals contributed to the success of the project. Among them were Col. Gerald Merritt, Director,