In the antiseptic, impersonal medical room, Hank’s discomfort was compounded by his complete undressing. While still in great pain he was examined from head to toe. No stone was left unturned, so to speak. They treated him as if he were the baby of some rare animal species being firstborn in captivity. It became evident that Hank could not communicate with everyone involved so I was asked to be a translator. I had no trouble understanding that the normal anesthetic we were administering had little or no effect. Suddenly, with Hank’s discomfort still a concern, everyone’s attention became divided between the being and a new person arriving on the scene.
This new person was obviously important yet seemed to make everyone uneasy. Even Hank recoiled in fear when he came close. He barked a few stern orders and several people, myself included, marched into a nearby conference room. The man introduced himself as Frank Drake and told us he was head of the operation. The reports would henceforth be titled “Project OZMA” (with an “S”). As the sound of his continued briefing faded into a daydream I thought that my regimented life had just jumped the track and was now speeding off in a totally new direction.
This extraordinary story, according to the witness, is not fiction.
Oscar is a simple country person from rural Missouri where he lives with his wife, three children and a menagerie of stray animals. His life is seemingly uncomplicated and unhurried. However, his eyes reflect a clarity indicative of inner knowledge and understanding. We first came to meet this man as the result of a lead from nuclear physicist and renowned UFOlogist, Stanton T. Friedman. At the “Show Me UFO Conference 1989” in St. Louis, Friedman asked Bruce Widaman, State Director of Missouri MUFON, if he would attempt to locate a witness that called responding to the “Unsolved Mysteries” show on the Roswell crash. The person in question had possibly been involved in a crash retrieval while in the military. The tip had come from a former neighbor of Oscar’s.
Widaman, of course, agreed to follow up since Friedman felt the investigation should be handled locally. It was known that the witness did not have a phone. So with little less than a name, town and rumor to go on, the search began. Widaman and Alex Horvat, Public Information Officer for Missouri MUFON, arrived in the small town near St. Louis after dark. After questioning a girl at a local convenience mart no further leads were found.
Horvat suggested checking the local bar. This produced a description of a front yard that might be the elusive witness’. After driving up and down the lane several times, one yard seemed more appropriate than the others so they hesitantly stopped. Stepping from the car into the country night proved harrowing enough as several large dogs snarled and barked from the surrounding darkness. Widaman was further unnerved when a large black dog began licking his hand as he knocked on the door. Not knowing whether he was being greeted or tasted by the animal, Widaman was relieved to see someone answer.
After a brief explanation of who and what our investigators were, an invitation to sit and talk came as a positive sign. The stranger did not know where “Bill,” the name given Friedman was, but that he was his brother. After Widaman and Horvat explained their purpose and some of their feelings and ideas he finally conceded that he was in fact the man they were looking for. He explained that his real name was Oscar and that the name “Bill” had been given so he would know where any inquiries were coming from.
As Oscar told the story that began this article it became obvious that because of his military background, the name was necessary for his protection. The account unfolded further to reveal horrible injustices to Hank and to Oscar himself. At the direction of Drake, the team conducted medical experiments such as spinal taps, marrow sampling, taking organ specimens and other exploratory surgery on Hank without anesthsia. Oscar had spent many hours over three months communicating with and growing close to the alien.
One day he stepped between Drake and Hank with his .45 caliber pistol drawn and demanded an end to the torture. Drake withdrew but the next monring Oscar had new orders to depart immediately for Saint Albans Hospital in Connecticut where he was incarcerated for debriefing. He remained isolated for several months until the efforts of Lt. Charles Turner, Oscar’s commanding officer, got him moved to a psychiatric ward. His family, who had now been out of touch with him for almost three months, was told that Oscar had suffered a head injury during a submarine accident. After spending time under psychiatric care, which would damage his military record, he was oddly enough given an honorable discharge.
After having returned to civilian life Oscar and his father embarked on a hiking trip to North Dakota. They purposely entered the restricted area surrounding the base where Oscar had been stationed.