1992: The UFO Problem

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

HEADQUARTERS AIR UNIVERSITY

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE AL 36112,5001

October 16, 1992

HQ AU/IMD

50 LeMay Plaza South

Maxwell AFB AL 36112-6334

This is in response to your Freedom of Information Act request of September 14, 1992, for a copy of the “Thesis Submitted to the Air Command and Staff College of Air University …” entitled “The UFO Problem: Time for a Reassessment” by J. King, Major, USAF, dated June 1968.

The requested document is releasable and a copy is attached. there is no charge for the document.

Sincerely

/s/ Lucy P. McInnis

LUCY P. McINNIS 1 Atch

Chief, Records Management Division Copy of Thesis

Directorate of Information Management

Strength Through Knowledge

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AIR COMMAND AND STAFF COLLEGE

THE UFO PROBLEM: TIME FOR A REASSESSMENT

by John R.King, FR 47113, 1930- Major, USAF

A Thesis Submitted to the Air and Staff College of Air University in Partial Fulfillment of The Requirements for Graduation

June 1968

Thesis directed by Dale E. Downing, Lieutenant Colonel, USAF

No. 0670-68

AIR UNIVERSITY

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, ALABAMA

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ABSTRACT

The debate centered around whether or not UFOs are extraterrestrial space vehicles, or whether they exist at all, has raged for many years. During the course of the debate the United States Air Force, official govern- ment agency responsible for UFO report evaluation, has been subjected to severe criticism for the manner in

which it has handled this problem. This paper presents the positions of the critics, outlined the Air Force re- sponse and general approach to the subject and concludes that the Air Force has performed ineptly. Recommendations are made for the future conduct of UFO investigations.

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PREFACE

Anyone attempting a discussion of the UFO problem must present his scientific/technological credentials to the reader. Failure to present some assurance that things scientific and technological are not totally be- yond the comprehension of the writer exposes the writer to possible dismissal as untrained and/or unreliable.

The writer of this paper presents the following: Occupation: Active duty Air Force officer with over fourteen years service.

Academic Experience: Scientific. Chemistry, Biology, Botany, mathematics. Baccalaureate degree in Geology, University of Cincinnati, 1953.

Member, Sigma Gamma Epsilon national geology honorary fraternity.

Civilian Experience: Soils technician, The H. C. Nutting Company, General Engineering Testing, Cin- cinnati, Ohio.

Air Force Experience: Technical officer. Communications- cs operation, maintenance. Radar site selection. Project Officer, Minuteman System program Office, in charge of develop- ment and aquisition of minuteman II Ground Electronics System (Launch Control and Sta- tus Monitoring System – digital data).

iii

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

ABSTRACT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii

PREFACE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii

Chapter

I. INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

The Psychology of the Times

The Antagonists and the Bewildered

Formalities of the Approach to the Subject

The Plan

II. THE POSITION SPECTRUM AND SALIENT CHARACTERISTIC .. 9

The Ultra Group (Hostile)

The Ultra Group (Benevolent)

The Normal Believers

The Converts

The Neutrals

The Non-Believers

III. THE AIR FORCE AND UFOS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Past Performance

The Current Situation

IV. THE IMPLICATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Political

Sociological

Military

V. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS . . . . . . . . . 91

FOOTNOTES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

APPENDIX A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

APPENDIX B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

APPENDIX C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

APPENDIX D . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

BIBLIOGRAPHY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

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CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

The Psychology of the Times

We have not yet arrived at the point in our culture where it is in vogue to believe in flying saucers. On the contrary, if one suggests that these machines might exist, and that we need to look at the problem objective- ly, he frequently meets with a not so subtle change in the topic of conversation. Why is this so?

Within the last twenty years, Man has discovered that through his conscious efforts he can improve his material lot in marvelous ways. He no longer waits for accidental discoveries to take place. Rather, he active- ly searches out answers in the physical sciences and con- verts these discoveries into tangible and practical materi- al things for the good of humanity. The general advance- ment of what is known as technology is attributed to scientists, to the scientific method, and to the pragma- tism of the laboratory. The accomplishments in technolo- gy have been so impressive that scientists and things sci- entific have assumed an aura almost of infallibility.

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We are living in a pragmatic society. However, one

detects a curious thing about all this objectivity. There

has been built up almost a cult of allegiance to, and un-

questioned confidence in, the scientist of today. the

high priests are the coldly objective scientists, who

“prove” truth and falsity in mathematical formulae and

in laboratory demonstration. Their ability to do this

in many areas has been quite convincing. This success

has in large measure been responsible for the commonly

heard statements, “It’s not scientific,” or, “Science

has proven that…etc.” Science is looked upon as the

authority. However, people forget that some of the mis-

conceptions of mankind have been shared with, or even

caused by, the scientists of the times. The concept of

the flat Earth and the concept of the Earth as the cen-

ter of the universe were concepts commonly held by the

scientists and people of the times. We today hold dif-

ferent views about the nature of the Earth. Hopefully

we are closer to the truth. It must be remembered that

every succeeding generation has modified the scientific

“truths” of past generations. No generation should be

so brash as to think that it has once and for all deter-

mined the ultimate in scientific truth.

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Man continues to be egocentric and arrogant about

his status in the universe. he has a tendency to be-

come resentful and confused when he is confronted with

a problem which he feels may be beyond his capacity.

Scientists have developed what is known as the scienti-

fic method. This approach to a problem includes as one

of its precepts testing of hypotheses. This testing

places emphasis on demonstrations perceivable to the

five obvious senses. The scientific community until re-

cently has looked askance at any attempt to include ad-

ditional senses to the human inventory. Science has been

using the five senses as the intellectual base for support-

ing or refuting hypotheses. the scientific method has been

sacrosanct. To challenge its adequacy has been heretical.

Then along came things like psychic phenomena: clair-

voyance, clairaudience, precognition, apportation, psychic

surgery. In some scientific circles this must have been

traumatic. Psychic attributes are not included in the

five standard senses. Immediately some scientists set

about to prove that demonstrations of psychic powers were

either fraudulent or could be explained in terms of the

five senses. Others refused to discuss the topic at all.

Some of the open-minded scientists started to do what

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True objectivity demands: investigate, on the assump-

tion that these powers may in fact exist, and may war-

rant a change in the established order of things. Out-

of-hand rejection based on ignorance appears to be more

human than scientific. These scientists who decided that

psychic phenomena deserved investigation have been sub-

jected to the scoffings and ridicule of the “stable”

scientific community to the extent that much investiga-

tion has had to be conducted clandestinely and anonymous-

ly to preserve scientific reputation. Today, investiga-

tions into psychic phenomena do not carry the paralyz-

ing stigma of the past, but the existence of psychic

senses is still not universally accepted.

The writer’s point is that objectivity may be sub-

ject to various definitions, depending on how closely

this objectivity conforms to the norms of the times.

It appears to be much easier to be objective about any

given “fact” or theory if the “fact” or theory fits neat-

ly into the body of information currently accepted as

valid. A “fact” or theory which fits may be taken almost

as prima facie proof of itself. On the other hand, if

some piece of information turns up which runs counter to

current thought, which is unscientific, or which shakes

the egocentricity of the scientific community or Man

himself, then that piece of information or theory meets

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with particular non-objecvtivity. man finds it extreme-

ly difficult to accept or even to objectively investi-

gate anything which threatens to shatter his emotional

equanimity or his high regard for himself.

The Antagonists and the Bewildered

It is not at all surprising that the UFO debate has

frequently become charged with emotion. It contains

within it many of the characteristics of the Earth-as-

the-center-of-the-universe debate; it is probably viewed

by some in the scientific community as a threat to their

reputation of near-omniscience; it carries implications

of the highest import to Man’s status and future. The

idea of the existence of UFOs ( and the corollary that they

are operated by intelligent beings who are extraterrestrial)

is emotionally difficult for Man to contemplate. A large

section of society probably wishes that the problem would

go away. The writer feels that, at least subconsciously,

this wishful thinking has pervaded what is claimed to be

an objective investigation. Currently the debate is con-

centrated on what constitutes valid proof and evidence.

The non-believers insist on physical, “scientific” proof

and evidence. they are adamant. The believers maintain

that there is already ample evidence, which should be

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accepted by the non-believers. But among the believers

are those who have taken up positions so far away from

the norm that they have earned nothing but the scorn and

ridicule of the non-believers. These believers have serv-

ed the non-believers well, because it is in the far out

literature that monsters, little green men and ray guns

appear, and the non-believers can point to this litera-

ture as they make their sweeping statements about the

mental condition of believers. And so the debate rages.

Formalities of the Approach to the Subject

The Problem: To investigate the bases for the op-

posing positions taken in the existence of extraterrestri-

al unidentified flying objects in order to determine the

validity of the predominantly negatively oriented position

of the U.S. AIr Force.

The Major Objective: To determine the advisability

of a modification in the Air Force’s public relations

approach to the subject of UFOs.

The Specific Objectives:

– To identify the various camps which are study-

ing the UFO problem and to characterize their attitudes

and consider their arguments.

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– To weigh the divergent positions.

– To assess the political, sociological and

military implications contained in the UFO

debate.

– To analyze the advisability of the current

Air Force approach to the UFO problem in

view of the implications.

Research Limitations: Research will be limited to

source materials available in the Montgomery, Alabama,

area, with the possible exception of written or tele-

phonic contact with Air Force Project Blue Book person-

nel and special project personnel at the University of

Colorado.

Assumptions:

That: –

– The Air Force will not modify its approach

to the problem prior to the completion

of this paper.

– Physical evidence of the type acceptable

to the Air Force will not be re-

ceived prior to the completion of this paper.

– Cognizance over UFO matters will not be

removed from the Department of the Air Force.

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The Plan

In succeeding chapters the author will review the

various schools of thought of the believers, will pre-

sent their respective stands, and will present the types

of evidence offered by each school. He will also present

the position of the non-believers and of the U.S. Air

Force. An analysis will be made of the opposing and non-

committal positions, with an attempt to present the salient

points of each position. In the closing chapters, some

of the debate will be explored, and certain conclusions

drawn and recommendations made for consideration by the

Air Force.

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CHAPTER II

THE POSITION SPECTRUM AND

SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS

The Arena

In the UFO debate there are many shades of opinion,

from the ultra-liberal to the ultra-conservative, with

a graduation of opinion between these two extremes. As

is usual in a debate with high emotional content, and

on a subject with such profound implications, the most

vociferous are to be found at the extremes, with the

middle ground pleading for objectivity on the one hand

and open-mindedness on the other.

Diagrammatically, the position spectrum might be de-

picted as follows. The diagram indicates the names of

the principal spokesmen for the respective positions.

There is no absolute line of demarcation between the con-

tiguous positions of the believers. However, there are

in each group certain rather clearly identifiable central

traits which do not appear as major traits in the other

groups. These key characteristics have been used by the

author as the basis for the position spectrum.

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The Position Spectrum

————–The Family of Believers————— Neutral Non-Beliver

Ultra group Ultra group Normal Converts

(Hostile) (benevolent) Believers

Barker,G. Adamsky,G. Aime’, M. (USAF) – – – USAF – – – – USAF

Edwards,F. Bethurum,T. Girvan,W. Hynek,J. Fuller,J. Airman mag.

Kent,M. Fry,G. Hall,R. Ruppelt,E. Jung,C. Menzel,D.

Steiger,R. Leslie,D. Keyhoe,D. Look mag. Project

Blue Book

Williamson,G. Lorenzen,C. Quintanilla Tacker,L.

Skully,F. Simon,B. Von Braun,W.

Vallee,J. Sagan, C.

Young,M. Time mag.

University—-University

of of

Colorado Colorado

Note: Dashes for USAF, Qunintanilla/Project Blue Book and University of

Colorado indicates that the position is either not clear or tends to

vacillate

<<< CUFON Note: original has dashed line between “Qunintanilla” and Project >>>

<<< Blue Book. Original diagram is turned 90 degrees. >>>

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The Family of Believers

Although there are differences of opinion in some

areas, all groups in the family of believers have cer-

tain characteristics in common. Among these are:

– A belief in the existence of UFOs as extrater-

restrially originating space vehicles controlled by in-

telligent beings.

– Enthusiasm and active attempts through personal

contacts and published material to persuade the popu-

lace that UFOs do exist.

– A general contempt towards the investigative ef-

fort of the USAF and towards its official pronouncements

and findings. This contempt of the USAF effort is the

most important single unifying factor within the camp

of the believers and presents itself to the Air Force

As a common position.

The Ultra Group (Hostile). Although this group is

smaller than the group which believes that space visitors

are benevolent, the members of this group will neverthe-

less be heard. The literature of this group contains

claims of hostile actions by space beings. Hostility

in this context includes instances of death and injury

supposedly related to UFO appearances, abductions, the

appearance of monster-like beings, reconnaissance of

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defense installations, harassment of aircraft and auto-

mobiles, power blackouts, imminent invasion of the world

and other happenings which purportedly take place because

of the basic hostility of the space beings towards Man. [1]

It is this group which publishes the sensational, alarmist

material so often seen at the news stands. The emphasis

is on the threat to mankind. It is claimed that the space

beings have mastered space travel and are using this know-

ledge to menace the Earth. the inference is that the space

beings are sub-humans who are morally and spiritually de-

generate.

Usually the books of this group are of the paperback

type and deal with only one or two alleged incidents of

hostile action on the part of space beings. the writing

is usually not of the highest caliber, and the depth of

thought and of analysis leaves much to be desired. In

addition, care is usually taken by the authors to conceal

the identity of the person or persons involved. [2] This

prevents any reader from pursuing independent investiga-

tion. While this prevents a reader from confirming the

story, it likewise protects the author from exposure. Be-

cause of the sensationalism, the concealment of the identi-

ty of the principals involved, the shallow treatment of the

subject and the general alarmist approach, the credibili-

ty and qualifications of the authors is subject to question.

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One suspects commercial motives in the bulk of this type

of literature

Nevertheless, one does find a few works which are

serious attempts to warn of the malevolent nature of at

least some of the space beings. [3] In any serious investi-

gation of a problem all factors and approaches should be

considered. For this reason, claims of hostile actions

must be considered and not rejected out of hand.

What are hostile actions/ For the purpose of this

paper, hostile actions are defined as actions which re-

sult in the death or injury of human beings and actions

which disrupt the normal flow of human activity in a

manner antagonistic to human interests. There are in

the literature many examples of hostile actions on the

part of space beings: death of two South AMerican tech-

nologists, [4] death of Capt. Mantell (USAF), [5] disappear-

ance of U.S. aircraft, [6] injury to a scout master in

Florida, [7] abduction of a South American farmer, [8] abduc-

tion of Mr. and Mrs. Barney Hill, [9] the appearance of a

monster-like being in Virginia, [10] reconnaissance of de-

fense installations, [11] harassment of aircraft and auto-

mobiles, [12] power blackouts [13] and actions which purported-

ly indicate preparations for an invasion of the Earth. [14]

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members of the group claiming hostility on the part

of space beings take the ominous approach. In addition

to citing examples of distasteful contact with space

beings, they also claim suppressive actions on the part

of mysterious representatives of space societies, and

even threatening visits by individuals who, in the opin-

ion of the visitee, represent such agencies as the CIA,

FBI and clandestine US government agencies. [15] It is

claimed that these visitors issue threats to UFO investi-

gators to terminate their investigations immediately.

It is claimed that the reason for such government interven-

tion is that the implications in the existence of extra-

terrestrial beings are so serious that the government

does not want their existence proved to the public. [16]

The subject of implications is treated in chapter IV of

this paper. Suffice it to say at this point that the

implications are serious enough that the rationale for

suppression is not altogether unreasonable.

Those who claim hostile intent share the burden of proof is

upon them. As with the other camps, the hostile group

has no convincing hardware-type evidence. The evidence

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is circumstantial. Conclusions are drawn from the frame

of reference of the observer. For example, if an indi-

vidual suffers temporary paralysis caused by some action

on the part of a space being, he, as a human being , may

consider this to be undesirable and a hostile act. This

is a subjective conclusion drawn from an act which in it-

self contains no malevolent or benevolent connotation.

In this example, consider that paralysis may likewise be

a beneficial condition to prevent death or injury to the

observer by keeping him a safe distance from harm. The

same rationale can be used for the death, injury, abduc-

tion and reconnaissance incidents cited in the literature.

these acts could be considered benevolent or neutral in

intent as well as malevolent. For this reason, the author

has found that hostile type literature is more interesting

from the standpoint of description of the incident than

from the conclusions drawn. The account of the abduction

of Mr. and Mrs. Barney Hill is one of the most compelling

report in the literature and is highly recommended to in-

terested readers. [17] While such an abduction would admit-

tedly be very unnerving to the abducted, the incident

caused no harm, if one can discount the possible long term

psychological effect of the experience on the Hills.

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In summary, the proponents of hostility tend towards

sensationalism, address only specific cases without re-

gard to the general context, are rather superficial in

their treatment, may conceal the identity od the prin-

cipals and draw conclusions concerning intent which do

not necessarily follow from the incidents. On the other

hand, some of the points made worthy of consideration,

especially those which relate to implications.

The Ultra Group (Benevolent). this group is charac-

terized by claims of periodic personal contact with saucer

beings, trips in flying saucers to other planets, tours

of exotic cities on other planets and discussions with

extraterrestrial beings concerning their way of life, at-

titudes, philosophies and reasons for contact with the

Earth. As a general rule, the extraterrestrial beings

described by this group are similar to Man in physical

characteristics, but of much higher order of intelli-

gence. The space beings are technologically, morally,

and spiritually for advanced and either directly or through

implication attempt to allow Man that he, too, can attain

this higher degree of development. The space beings are

benevolent and urge the spiritual approach to life. [18] They

have a fraternal attitude towards Man. Their visits to

Earth occur either as a part of programmed visits to

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various parts of space for educational or recreational

purposes or specifically for the purpose of enlighten-

ing Man. In addition, there is some concern with Man’s

experimentation with nuclear energy, since atmospheric

detonations modify the lines of magnetic force around

the Earth sufficiently to cause an imbalance of the mag-

netic relationships within the solar system. [19] this dis-

turbs the space beings for at least four reasons: They

use magnetic forces for power for their space ships; [20]

they use magnetic lines of force for navigation; [21] they

do not want to see the planet Earth significantly altered,

since this would cause an imbalance within the solar sys-

tem; and they feel that Man has within himself the poten-

tial for spiritual development, which would suffer re-

gression in the event of world nuclear suicide. [22] So,

the interest of the space beings in humanity is one of

self interest in addition to the more compelling desire

to see Man advance spiritually. It is claimed that through-

out the history of Man the space beings have taken an

interest in the spiritual development of Man. [23] Propo-

nents of the benevolent approach cite many cases of con-

tact between Man and the space beings throughout history.

Classic examples of such contacts, supposedly not proper-

ly recognized, are the miracle at Fatima [24] and Ezekiel and

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the wheel. [25] The cloud by day and fire by night which

guided Moses on his journey out of Egypt is also claimed

to have been a space ship. [26]

the general approach of the benevolent space beings

is to discuss problems of humanity in very broad terms.

Concepts of love for fellow man, cooperation, pursuit

of things spiritual, a downgrading of material wealth….

all these topics are discussed by the space beings with

select Earth beings. The message is that Man’s value

system is in error and that pursuit of his present way

of life is contrary to the universal plan nd prejudi-

cial to Man’s further spiritual enlightenment. Mastery

od space travel, telepathic communication, reception and

display of images three-dimensionally and in color as

exact reproductions of the original, electromagnetic

transmission or power….all these technologies and abi-

lities are presented as only natural consequences of high-

er spiritual development. [27] It is pointed out that Man

does not yet recognize that relationship which exists be-

tween the spiritual and the material and therefore strug-

gles along in his feeble efforts to advance his technolo-

gy without truly understanding what he is doing. The

point is made that Man will continue to ponder the “whys”

in his scientific investigations until he has reached the

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point in his spiritual development where he will be able

to comprehend the interrelationship between the spiritual

and the material, and be able to use this understanding

to further his interests, which he will recognize as spiri-

tual.

Although the emphasis is on the spiritual shortcomings

of Man, as a matter of course during these discussions the

Earth contactee is treated to tours of space vehicles and

contacts with space beings. [28] the space people are usual-

ly described as being similar to Man in stature, facial

features, skeletal structure, etc., but of superior intel-

ligence and ethical development….soft spoken, kind,

gentile, polite and with a radiance which comes from super-

ior spiritual development.

The most convincing writers in this group present

comprehensive, lucid, logical, literate writings in the

highest ethical tradition. Students of philosophy,

world religions, occult sciences and the Bible will find

that the purported statements if the space beings are in

consonance with the major religious beliefs of Man. Ac-

cording to authors of this group, the space beings have

long ago recognized the universal truths scattered through-

out all Earth religions and have been able to synthesize

these truths into an ethic which they live in their daily

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lives. This recognition of and adherence to the Truth

gives the space beings individual powers which we consider

supernatural, but which they claim derive as a natural

result of spiritual development.

Here again, the evidence presented by this group is

not physical. That is, they do not present pieces of

apace ships or other tangible items. They ask us to be-

lieve their accounts on face value because the contacts

did in fact occur as written. In some cases the author

presents affidavits warranting the truth of the story or

has signed statements by the witnesses. [29] Affidavits not-

withstanding, many in contemporary society will find the

spiritual approach to be too rarified to accept and will

continue to insist on physical evidence as the only accept-

able scientific proof.

The Normal Believers. The author has included the

word “normal” in identifying this group because its member-

ship is composed of individuals who would be considered

rational human beings, as opposed to cult-oriented, by

the uninitiated. The Normal Believers are, nevertheless,

believers. As such, they still are targets for the non-

believers, but are not subjected to the intensely sarcas-

tic criticism reserved for the Ultra Believers. The Normal

Believers are convinced that UFOs exist and urge a serious,

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methodical approach to investigating UFO incidents.

In addition, they feel that some attempt should be made

to understand the extraterrestrials: to try to determine

the reasons for their Earth visits.

This group takes an approach acceptable to modern

society. That is, their approach is pragmatic, practi-

cal and in consonance with the scientific method. It is

this group which shows an objective approach to the prob-

lem while at the same time vigorously urging a serious

investigation into the UFO phenomenon.

The emphasis in this group is on establishing for the

populace that UFOs do exist. the interest of this group

is in feasibility, technology and the establishment of

motive or intent. Their general approach is documentation

of sightings, description of incidents, establishment of

witness credibility and sincere requests for a thorough

and methodical investigation.

The National Investigations Committee on Aerial Pheno-

mena (NICAP) is the single best representative organization

for this group. It consists of respected and “normal”

members of society who are specialists in fields such as

the physical sciences, the humanities, psychology, etc.

In addition to members and consultants in the Washington,

D.C. area, the location of the home office, NICAP has

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qualified regional representatives who are on call to

respond to reports of sightings in their respective

geographical areas. Reports of sightings are investi-

gated promptly and documented much in the same format

as is recommended by the Air Force. [30] The NICAP report,

“The UFO Evidence,” is an excellent example of the object-

ive, thorough approach of NICAP. The report consists

of complete reports of sightings: diagrams of space ve-

hicles as sighted, statements on color, size, shape,

maneuvers, direction of movement, etc. Most impressive

are the paragraphs on witnesses. NICAP has collected

sightings from diverse individuals whose testimony can-

not be lightly dismissed. reports come from airline

pilots, technical people and a host of other men, women

and children, either as individual or group witnesses

to sightings. many sighting reports come from indivi-

duals who were skeptics prior to their personal involve-

ment in a sighting. NICAP is thoroughly convincing in

pointing out that UFO sightingg do not only come from

UFO cultists, but come from random sources and from people

of various educational levels and occupations. In one

section of the report there is a table showing compari-

sons of UFO shapes, size, color, maneuvers, etc. The

reader is immediately struck with the consistency in

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characteristics which is apparent among re-

ported at different locations and at different periods

of time by different witnesses. However, these consis-

tencies are apparent not only within the NICAP report

but appear throughout the literature, whether the UFO

is supposedly benevolent, malevolent or neutral. (Ap-

pendix A to this paper describes those characteristics

of UFO sightings most commonly reported throughout the

literature.)

The Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO)

is another organization which uses a “rational” approach,

but organizational discipline appears not to be as re-

fined as NICAP’s. Hover, in addition to being rela-

tively objective, the APRO periodical publication enables

a reader to learn of recent sightings in the world short-

ly after they are reported to APRO. [31]

lest it be assumed that the Normal Believers are all

members of one or the other of the above cited organiza-

tions, the author offers the following examples of the

types of statements which come from independent techni-

cal people:

– Dr. Herman Oberth, noted German rocket expert:

These objects are conceived and directed by intel-

ligent beings of a very high order. They probably

do not originate in our solar system, perhaps not

even in our galaxy. [32]

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– Dr. James E. MacDonald, professor of meteorology at

the University of Arizona and senior physicist at the

Institute of Atmospheric Physics in Tucson:

(UFOs) are probably extraterrestrial vehicles

engaged in something of the nature of a recon-

naissance operation. (This conclusion is) the

least unsatisfactory hypothesis for accounting

for the fascinating array of UFO phenomena that

are now on record. [33]

– from the noted psychoanalyst, Dr. Carl Jung, after

he tried to explain UFOs as a psychic manifestation:

Unfortunately, however, there are good reasons

why the UFOs cannot be disposed of in this simple

manner. It remains an established fact, supported

by numerous observation, that UFOs have not only

been seen visually but have also been picked up

on the radar screen and have left traces on the

photographic plate. It boils down to nothing less

than this: that either psychic projections throw

back a radar echo, or else the appearance of real

objects affords an opportunity for mythological

projections. [34]

– Dr. Leo Sprinkle, professor of psychology at the

University of Wyoming, after having seen “something in

the sky, round and metallic looking:”

“…from a personal viewpoint, I am pretty well

convinced that we are being surveyed.” [35]

Perhaps the key characteristic of the Normal Believers

is their belief that the whole issue of the existence of

UFOs is being suppressed by the Air Force. this allega-

tion is dealt with more fully in Chapter III. There are

various reasons given for this alleged suppression, but

the most popular are the impotence of NORAD against UFOs

—————————————————————————

and orders given to the Air Force to debunk UFOs to

prevent mass hysteria among the populace. [36] The Normal

Believers argue that to ignore a reality is to take an

ostrich-like approach to the problem, and furthermore,

the populace would be able to cope woth the realization

that UFOs exist without hysteria. It is claimed that

the Ir Force knows UFOs exist, protestations to the

contrary notwithstanding. SO, the Normal Believers

persist in their efforts to establish the existence of

UFOs. That a congressional hearing on UFOs took place

in 1966 largely because of the pressures of this group

attests to its influence. [37]

The Converts. Those who have been neutrals, skeptics

or outright non-believers but who have eventually sided

with the Believers have been placed in this category.

This group, although relatively small, contains indivi-

duals who speak persuasively, its members having been

at one time in the neutral or negative camp. In addi-

tion, the top level converts have been, or are present-

ly, officially connected with the U.S. Air Force inves-

tigation of UFOs.

The author places in this category Edward J. Ruppelt

(formerly Capt. Ruppelt, chief of Project Blue Book,

1951-1953), and Dr. J. Allen Hynek, (director of Dearborn

—————————————————————————

Observatory, director of the Lindheimer Astronomical

Research Center, Chairman of Department of Astronomy

at Northwestern University and consultant to the USAF on

the UFO problem since 1948.) ____ of the understandable

characteristics of this group is the tendency to issue

ambiguous or ambivalent public statements on the sub-

ject of UFOs which st__ _____ t the speaker to

maneuver in response to diverse external pressures.

Their official and public relationship to the Air Force

investigation most likely causes these investigators to

assume this relatively safe, non-commital, fence-sit-

ting position. However, the difference between the pub-

lic position and the private position can be rather easi-

ly detected by the serious researcher.

Let us look at a few of the statements of Captain

Ruppelt and Dr. Hynek as exemplifying this sometimes

subtle shift from non-belief or skepticism to belief.

Capt. Ruppelt (deceased) was the chief of the Air Force’s

Project Blue Book, the project charged with the resonsi-

bility for investigating UFO reports, from 1951 until 1953.

During the course of his tenure in this position, he and

his staff studied over 4500 reports of UFOs. All reports

were subjected to military intelligence analysis proce-

dures. they were analyzed through consultations with

—————————————————————————

astronomers, physicists, aerodynamic engineers and

psychologists in the course of the Air Force investiga-

tions. [38] After his release from the Air Force, Captain

Ruppelt wrote a now famous book about these investiga-

tions entitled “The Report on Unidentified Flying Objects.” [39]

The following statements by Capt. Ruppelt appear in

the Book.

I know the full story about flying saucers and

I know it has never before been told… [40]

Personally, I don’t believe that “It can’t be.”

I wouldn’t class myself as a “believer” exactly,

because I’ve seen too many UFO reports that first

appeared to be unexplainable fall to pieces when

they were thoroughly investigated. But every time

I begin to get skeptical I think of the other re-

ports, the many report made by experienced pilots

and radar operators, scientists, and other people

who knew what they are looking at. These reports

were thoroughly investigated and they are still

unknowns. Of these reports, the radar-visual

sightings are the most convincing. When a ground

radar picks up a UFO target and a ground obser-

ver sees a light where the radar target is loca-

ted, then a jet interceptor is scrambled at inter-

cept the UFO and the pilot also sees the light

and gets a radar lock on only to have the UFO

almost impudently outdistance him, there is no

simple answer. We have no aircraft on this earth

that can at will so handily outdistance our

latest jets. [41]

What constitutes proof? Does a UFO have to land

at the River Entrance to the Pentagon near the

Joint Chiefs of Staff offices? Or is it proof

when a ground radar station detects a UFO, sends

a jet to intercept it, the jet pilot sees it, and

locks on with his radar, only to have the UFO

streak away at a phenomenal speed? Is it proof

when a jet pilot fires at a UFO and sticks to his

story even under the threat of Court Marshal? Does

this constitute proof? [42]

—————————————————————————

Maybe the final proven answer will be that

all of the UFOs that have been reported are

merely misidentified known objects. Or may-

be the pilots, radar specialists, gene-

rals, industrialists, scientists, and the man

on the street who have told me, “I wouldn’t

have believed it either if I hadn’t seen it

myself,” knew what they were talking about.

maybe the Earth is being visited by inter-

planetary space ships. [43]

The reader asks himself, “What does Capt. Ruppelt,

the former chief of Project Blue Book, really think about

the reality or non-reality of the existence of UFOs”

This writer suggests that Ruppelt’s personal beliefs

are rather thinly disguised, if at all.

Dr. Hynek, the present consultant to the Air Force

in UFO matters, makes statements similar in approach

to Ruppelt’s. The following are examples. For the

congressional record, Dr. Hynek made the following

statement:

During this entire period of nearly twenty

years I have attempted to remain as open-

minded in this subject as circumstances per-

mitted, this despite the fact that the whole

subject seemed utterly ridiculous, and many

of us firmly believed that, like some fad or

craze, it would subside in a matter of months. [44]

In a well known magazine, Dr. Hynek made this statement:

In 1948, I was asked by the U.S. Air Force

to serve as a scientific consultant on the

increasing number of reports of strange

lights in the sky. I was then Director of

the Astronomical Observatory of Ohio State

University, and am now the Chairman of the

Astronomy Department at Northwestern. I had

—————————————————————————

scarcely heard of UFOs in 1948 and, like

every other scientist I knew, assumed

that they were nonsense. [45]

Hynek’s early skepticism and caution is further reveal-

ed in this statement:

It has come to my attention rather force-

ably through correspondence and personal

contact, that many of my colleagues in

various fields are more than just a little

interested in the “natives”, although they

might well disclaim this interest if chal-

lenged. I certainly would not have expres-

sed openly any such interest had I not been

asked to do so officially many years ago,

first under Project Sign and later under

Project Blue Book. [46]

The shift from skepticism to cautious urging that the

subject of UFOs be taken seriously can be seen in the

following statements:

Despite the seeming inanity of the subject,

I felt that I would be derelict in my scien-

tific responsibility to the Air Force if I

did not point out that the whole UFO pheno-

menon might have aspects to it worthy of

scientific attention. [47]

All of this increased my own concern and

sense of persona; responsibility,. and moti-

vated me to urge the initiation of a meaning-

ful scientific investigation of the UFO pheno-

menon be physical and social scientists. I

had guardedly raised this suggestion in the

past and at various official hearings, but

with little success. UFO was a term that

called forth buffoonery and caustic

banter precisely because scientists paid no

attention to the raw data – the reports them-

selves. [48]

—————————————————————————

Still, on the average, if several pilots

and/or poicemen concur on the main points

of the story, particularly if the duration

of their experience was long enough (a mat-

ter of minutes rather than seconds) to have

brought their judgement into play, it is

difficult to brush aside their seemingly

hardheaded testimony. And when one gets

reports from scientists, engineers and tech-

nicians whose credibility by all common

standards is high and whose moral caliber

seems to preclude a hoax, one can do no less

than hear them out, in all seriousness. [49]

As a scientist, I must be mindful of the

lessons of the past; all too often it has

happened that matters of great value to

science were overlooked because the new

phenomenon simply did not fit the accepted

scientific outlook of the time. [50]

I cannot dismiss the UFO phenomenon with a

shrug. I have begun to feel that there is

a tendency in 20th Century science to for-

get that there will be a 21st Century science,

and indeed a 30th Century science, from which

vantage points our knowledge of the universe

may appear quite different than it does to us.

We suffer, perhaps, from temporal provincial-

ism, a form of arrogance that has always ir-

ritated posterity. [51]

Referring to a methodical investigatiuon which he proposes,

Dr. Hynek says the following:

Admittedly, I will be surprised if an intensive,

year long study yields nothing. To the contrary,

I think thatr mankind may be in for the greatest

adventure since dawning human intelligence turned

outward to contemplate the universe. [52]

This writer feels that the foregoing statements need no

commentary. It is to be remembered that the statements

come from a man who has been officially connected with

the UFO problem since 1948 and has been privy to most,

if at all, of the data officially reported, in addition

—————————————————————————

to having been personally involved in many of the

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