--- PAGE 1 --- 4-606 (REV. 11-20-73) [illegible]ment of Justice [illegible]D FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FILE [illegible] BUREAU DESTROY FOIPA # [unclear: 99308?] INVESTIGATION DO NOT DESTROY FOIPA # 1366404 Declassification authority derived from FBI Automatic Declassification Guide, issued May 24, 2007. COPIED FOR F O I P A MAY 14 1971 BY [illegible] USE CARE IN HANDLING THIS FILE PICKETT STREET Transfer-Call 3421 FBI - CENTRAL RECORDS CENTER HQ - HEADQUARTERS Class / Case # Sub Vol. Serial # 9002 83894 2 53 100 8/11/1274197 RRP003XH3 62-HQ-83894 SERIALS 53-100 SECTION 2 *62-HQ-83894-2* SECTION 2 SERIALS 53-100 COPIED FOR F O I P A MAR. 2, 1976 BY [illegible] --- PAGE 2 --- STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO Director, FBI - Attention: Assistant Director D. M. LADD FROM SAC, San Francisco SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS DATE: August 8, 1947 [stamp: 48103] [handwritten: no] [handwritten/signature: illegible] Reference is made to my letter to the Bureau dated July 28, 1947 entitled as above forwarding a copy of a report furnished to me by Lieutenant Colonel DONALD SPRINGER, A-2, Fourth Air Force, Hamilton Field, California, set- ting forth the results of inquiries made by his office concerning the reported sightings of flying discs. As of further interest to the Bureau in this regard, there are trans- mitted herewith photostatic copies of three letters dated August 4, 1947 and entitled "Investigation of Flying Discs," furnished to me by Major WILLIAM R. GRAHAM, Deputy AC of S, A-2, Army Air Forces, Hamilton Field, California, who is acting in the absence of Lieutenant Colonel SPRINGER, enclosing copies of reports of additional reported sightings of flying discs by persons in Oregon and Arizona, together with the results of their investigations in that regard. It is noted that these investigations were conducted prior to the time Bureau instructions were issued that our own Bureau would conduct inquiries into the reported sightings of flying discs. Copies of these reports are being forwarded to the Portland and Phoenix Offices for the completion of their files in connection with this subject. HMK:emb Enclosures - 3 cc Portland (with enclosures - 3) Phoenix (with enclosures - 3) [stamp: G.I.R. 2 RECORDED & INDEXED] [stamp: 62-83894] [stamp: F B] [stamp: 37 AUG 14 1947] [handwritten: -53] [stamp: 55 OCT 6 1947] [handwritten: R13X4] [handwritten: 130] [handwritten: US] --- PAGE 3 --- [illegible] [stamp:] [unclear: Salt L. C. Div.] F. B. I. RECEIVED-LADD AUG 12 4 42 PM ’47 [stamp:] RECEIVED AUG 19 5 10 PM ’47 INTERNAL SECURITY F. B. I. [illegible] --- PAGE 4 --- STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : DIRECTOR, FBI DATE: August 13, 1947 FROM : SAC, NEWARK SUBJECT: FLYING DISC REPORTED AT HACKENSACK, NEW JERSEY AUGUST 3, 1947 - MISCELLANEOUS Reference is made to the teletype from the Newark Division to the Bureau dated August 4, 1947 stating that a "Flying Disc" had been reported to have been seen at Hackensack, New Jersey on August 3 last by one CHARLES CASELLA, JR. and WILLIAM TRUEX. CHARLES CASELLA, JR., 287 Euclid Avenue, Hackensack, upon interview by Special Agent ARTHUR F. WILLIAMS of this Division, stated that on August 3 he had been standing with WILLIAM TRUEX, a soldier stationed at Fort Dix, observing a "ham" radio rig atop a two-story house on Simons Avenue, Hackensack. It was approximately 7:45 p.m., and they were in this vicinity for the purpose of meeting TRUEX's girlfriend, one JOYCE Mc FARLAND. TRUEX commented to CASELLA that a child had apparently lost its balloon. CASELLA looked and about a block or a half block away noticed a round, black object moving from south to north and east of the spot where he and TRUEX were standing. CASELLA noticed that it was moving too fast to be an ordinary balloon, but he could not discern whether it was globular in form or a disc. He said it was about thirty to forty inches in diameter moving north in a hori- zontal plane about two hundred yards above the top of the hill at Summit Avenue and Simons Avenue. It proceeded at a steady rate, emitted no rays, and was moving fast enough to require them to turn their heads steadily in order to follow it. TRUEX's girlfriend came out about fifteen seconds after they first sighted it. They pointed it out to her, and she said that it looked like a bird on the horizon so small. It faded out of sight shortly thereafter. CASELLA said that a line drawn along its apparent course of flight would go from the vicinity of Bendix, New Jersey to a point west of Westwood, New Jersey. CASELLA also said that a man on the porch across the street also noticed it and pointed it out to the women. CASELLA said that this man seemed excited but did nothing about it. CASELLA said that he was positive it was no optical illusion. He was not facing into the sun and saw the object clearly. He also said that he would have thought nothing of it except for the speed at which it was traveling. AFW:EMC 62- RECORDED INDEXED SE. 162-[unclear: 83894]-53 F B I 37 AUG 14 1947 Ex-50 18 [unclear: 83 OCT 1 1947] COPIES DESTROYED 270 NOV 18 1964 --- PAGE 5 --- RECEIVED AUG 22 2 04 PM '47 INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. --- PAGE 6 --- Letter to Bureau August 13, 1947 Miss JOYCE Mc FARLAND, 476 Simons Avenue, upon interview by Special Agent WILLIAMS, stated that the event in question occurred at about 7:30 on the evening of Sunday, August 3. She said that she was in the house when CASELLA or TRUEX called to her. She went out immediately, and they pointed out the object in question. She saw it just before it disappeared over the horizon, but she declared that it was in view from that time for approximately one minute. She said it was round and silver-blue in color and appeared to be revolving. She said that she did not recall making any comment that it might have been a bird and herself had no idea of what it could be. In view of the distance from which she noticed it, she said that it could not have been more than six inches in diameter but would have been much larger if she had been near to it. Miss Mc FARLAND said that she had never seen anything like it before. She said that across the street the BOOTHS, mother and daughter, were the only people sitting on the porch and she, herself, did not notice anyone pointing toward the object in question. The only other person around, to her knowledge, was GLORIA TRUEX, sister of WILLIAM TRUEX, who remained in the house and did not see the object at all. Mrs. WINFIELD S. BOOTH, 459 Simons Avenue, stated that she was on the porch on the evening in question with her mother but did not notice any unusual object in the sky nor had any man been present there to point out the object in question. The following information was received from TRUEX through interview by Special Agent T. HOWARD WALDRON: Private WILLIAM A. TRUEX, RA 12282003, Company G, 2nd Bat- talion, 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Division, Fort Dix, New Jersey, advised he was born April 12, 1930 at Jersey City, New Jersey and completed eight and one half years of school. He enlisted in the United States Army on May 29, 1947. His mother is Mrs. GRACE FIELDS of 88 Wales Avenue, River Edge, Bergen County, New Jersey. TRUEX stated that on Sunday, August 3, 1947, at 8:00 p.m., he was standing outside the home of his girlfriend, Miss JOYCE Mc FARLAND, 478 Simons Avenue, Hackensack, New Jersey, accompanied by CHARLES CASELLA of 287 Euclid Avenue, Hackensack, New Jersey, who is his sister's fiance. He said that he and CASELLA were looking at the radio antenna on a home near the 478 Simons Avenue address when they noticed an object -2- --- PAGE 7 --- Letter to Bureau August 13, 1947 about two to three feet in diameter moving rapidly about two hundred yards off the ground. TRUEX said he thought at first it was a child's balloon, but when he noticed there was no wind and the object had no strings to it, he decided it was something else. He stated the object was moving in a steady, straight path, going north, and he said there was no exhaust or indication of any motive power for the object. TRUEX said they observed the object for fifteen or twenty seconds. He could not give a description of the object's color or the material it was composed of but said it looked more like a large, flat child's cup than anything else he could think of, as the object was oval on the top and came to a point on the bottom side. TRUEX said that CASELLA stated "Maybe it's a flying saucer". He said he had never seen any- thing move through the air quite like this object, and he had no idea where it came from. TRUEX stated that neither he nor CASELLA had had anything to drink, and there was sufficient light for them to observe the object very clearly. The "Flying Disc" was reported by CASELLA to Sergeant JAMES PERONE of the Hackensack Police Department. Sergeant PERONE advised the writer that his Department had taken no further action nor had they received reports of the object in question from any other source. It may be noted that no other Police Department in the vicinity has brought to the attention of this Division any information regarding this matter. -3- --- PAGE 8 --- [stamp:] FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE COMMUNICATIONS SECTION AUG 5 1947 [handwritten: Fletcher] TELETYPE FBI DETROIT 8-5-47 5-08 PM EST JOH DIRECTOR, FBI URGENT UNSUBS, RAYMOND EDWARD LAND, MRS. LAURA LANE, INFORMANTS, FLYING DISC, MISC. INFO RECEIVED FROM DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY, MIDLAND, MICHIGAN, THAT ON JULY TEN LAST RAYMOND EDWARD LANE AN EMPLOYEE OF DOW AND SUBSIDIARY SINCE ABOUT NINETEEN TWENTY TWO, BROGUTH SOME MATERIAL TO THEIR PHYSICS LABORATORY STATING THAT ABOUT FIVE FIFTEEN PM JULY NINE LAST HE AND WIFE, LAURA LANE, WERE WALKING IN A FIELD OWNED BY DOW AND ABOUT A HUNDRED FEET AWAY HEARD A PUFF NOISE, TURNED AND SAW A BALL OF WHITE ABOUT THE SIZE OF A BUSHEL BAKET BURNING ABOUT A FOOT OFF THE GROUND. THE FIRE DIED OUT IMMEDIATELY AND LANE LATER SCOOPED UP A THREE INCH AREA OF FUSED SAND INTO A CAN AND TOOK THIS TO THE PHYSICS LAB. BOTH [strikethrough: COMPLAINANTS INTERVIEWED.] RAYMOND TELLING SUB- STANTIALLY SAME STORY BUT WIFE RELUCTANT TO TALK AND VERY INDEFINITE ON WHAT HAPPENED. THERE ARE MAKRED DISCREPANCIES IN THEIR STORY. DOW AUTHORITIES CONSIDERED STORY FANTASTIC BUT HAVE EXAMINED MATERIAL AND STATE CONTENTS TO BE ORDINARY SAND, NOT RADIO ACTIVE, BUT GIVING OFF AMMONIA GAS, A SMALL SILVER NUGGET ALMOT PURE EXCEPT FOR SAND, MISED IN IT NOT RADIO ACTIVE, MELTED OR FUSED SAND WHICH GIVES OFF AMMONIA ODOR, AND LITTLE DROPLETS OF SILVER MELTED IN SAND AND SOME OTHER GRAYISH COLOR IN MATERIAL WHICH IS RADIO ACTIVE, LEVEL OF RADIO ACTIVITY EXTREMELY LOW AND EMPLOYEE FORMERLY EMPLOYED BY GOVERN- MET AT LOS ALAMOS PROJECT STATES FUSED SAND HAS SOME CHARACTERISIC [stamp:] RECORDED SE-16 [handwritten:] 62-83894-54 [handwritten:] 135 [stamp:] FBI AUG 7 1947 [routing slip:] Mr. Tolson Mr. E. A. Tamm Mr. Clegg Mr. Glavin Mr. Ladd Mr. Nichols Mr. Rosen Mr. Tracy Mr. Egan Mr. Gurnea Mr. Harbo Mr. Mohr Mr. Pennington Mr. Quinn Tamm Mr. Nease Miss Gandy --- PAGE 9 --- [unclear: RECEIVED-TANK] F.B.I. U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE AUG 6 9 [unclear] AM ’47 RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE AUG 5 6 42 PM ’47 RECEIVED CRIMINAL LABORATORY F.B.I. S. DEP- OF JUSTICE SEP 29 3 25 PM ’47 --- PAGE 10 --- PAGE TWO OF LOS ALAMOS SAND BUT NOT BELIEVED TO BE THE SAME. RAYMOND LAND KNOWN TO HAVE IN HIS POSSESSION SMALL QUANTITY OF LUMINOUS PAINT, RADIO ACTIVE, TO BE AN AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHER, TO HAVE LIMITED KNOWLEDGE OF CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS FROM EMPLOYMENT AT DOW. LAND DESCRIBED AS VERY PECULIAR, SURLY, ANTAGONISTIC TO PLANT PROTECTION OFFICERS, INTERESTED IN PHOTOGRAPHY AND ELECTRICITY. LANE IS WHITE, BORN MAY SEVEN, NINETEEN NAUGHT TWO, AT FREESOIL, MICHIGAN, FIVE FEET NINE AND ONE HALF, ONE HUNDRED FORTY FIVE POUNDS, DARK BROWN HAIR, PARTLY BALD, SERVED US ARMY NINETEEN EIGHTEEN TO NINETEEN TWENTY THREE, CONVICTED NINETEEN TWENTY FOUR MIDLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN, FOR BURGLARY, SERVING SIXTY DAY SENTENCE. NEITHER PARTY ADMITS STORY IS A PRANK, BUT LANE HAS MENTIONED FLYING DISCS AND ROCKETS. ON INTERVIEW LANE WAS RELUCTANT TO DISCUSS MATTER AND NEITHER HE NOR HIS WIFE ARE ABLE TO LOCATE THE EXACT LOCATION WHERE MATERIAL WAS FOUND. ARMY AIR FORCES INTELLIGENCE AT SELFRIDGE FIELD, MICHIGAN, HAVE BEEN ADVISED. SUTEL IF BUREAU DESIRES MATERIAL FORWARDED TO FBI LABORATORY FOR EXAMINATION. [stamp: [illegible]] O-CONNOR CORRECTION LINE ONE WORD FOUR SHOULD RAXXX READ - LANE END 6-16 PM OK FBI WASH DC WJR Called Laboratory O [handwritten: [illegible]] By [illegible] [handwritten: cc: M. [unclear: Harbo?]] --- PAGE 11 --- RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT AUG 5 6 18 PM ’47 F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE [illegible] RECEIVED SEP 30 1 24 PM ’47 INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE RECEIVED AUG 6 4 42 PM ’47 INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE --- PAGE 12 --- STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : Mr. Ladd [unclear] FROM : J. P. Coyne [unclear] SUBJECT: UNKNOWN SUBJECTS; Raymond Edward Lane, Mrs. Laura Lane - Informants; FLYING DISC MISCELLANEOUS DATE: August 8, 1947 Mr. Tolson ______ Mr. E. A. Tamm ______ Mr. Clegg ______ Mr. Coffey ______ Mr. Glavin ______ Mr. Ladd ______ Mr. Nichols ______ Mr. Rosen ______ Mr. Tracy ______ Mr. Carson ______ Mr. Egan ______ Mr. Gurnea ______ Mr. Harbo ______ Mr. Pennington ______ Mr. Quinn Tamm ______ Tele. Room ______ Mr. [illegible] ______ Miss [illegible] ______ Miss Gandy ______ There is attached a memorandum setting forth the pertinent information received by the Detroit Office from Raymond Edward Lane and Mrs. Laura Lane relative to "flying discs." RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that this material be personally delivered by the Liaison Section to the appropriate contact in the War Department. Attachment RGF:MAW:EW [handwritten: Attachment to] [handwritten: S C Jacquem[illegible]] [handwritten: 8/11/47] RECORDED INDEXED 62-83894-55 [stamp: AUG 14 1947] [handwritten: 125] [stamp: SEP 30 1947] [handwritten: 252] [handwritten: #23] --- PAGE 13 --- [illegible] To: [illegible] Date: August 11, 1947 From: Detroit Subject: UNIDENTIFIED FLYING DISCS; Raymond Edward Lane Mrs. Edward Lane - Informants; FLYING DISC MISCELLANEOUS There is attached a memorandum setting forth the pertinent information received by the Detroit Office from Raymond Edward Lane and Mrs. Lane relative to "Flying discs." RECOMMENDATION: [illegible] recommended that this matter be [illegible] by this section to the appropriate [illegible] of the War Department. RECEIVED LIAISON SECTION AUG 11 9 51 AM '47 F B I U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE RECEIVED LIAISON SECTION AUG 26 12 33 PM '47 F B I U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE --- PAGE 14 --- August 8, 1947 FLYING DISCS Information was received from the Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Michigan, that on July 10, 1947, one Raymond Edward Lane, an employee of Dow Chemical Company since about 1922, brought some material to their Physics laboratory. He stated that about 5:15 p.m., July 9, he and his wife, Laura, were walking in a field when they heard a puff noise about one hundred feet away. They turned and saw a ball of white about the size of a bushel basket burning approximately a foot off of the ground. The fire died out immediately and later Lane scooped up a three inch area of fused sand into a can for examination at their laboratory. Upon interview by FBI Agents, Raymond told substantially the same story, but Mrs. Lane was reluctant to talk and very indefinite about what happened. There were marked discrepancies in their stories. Dow authorities considered the story fantastic but have examined the material and state contents are: ordinary sand, not radio active, but giving off ammonia gas; a small silver nugget almost pure except for sand mixed in it, not radio active; melted or fused sand which gives off ammonia odor and little droplets of silver melted in sand and some grayish color material which is radio active. The level of radio activity in this material is extremely low. An employee of Dow, formerly employed by the Government at Los Alamos Project, stated the fused sand has some characteristics of Los Alamos sand but he does not believe it is the same. Raymond Lane is known to have in his possession a small quantity of luminous paint, radio active, to be an amateur photographer and to have a limited knowledge of chemistry and physics. He is described as very peculiar, surly, antagonistic to plant protection officers and interested in photography and electricity. Lane is white, was born May 7, 1902, at Freesoil, Michigan. He is 5' 9½", weighs 145 pounds, has dark brown hair, partly bald, served in the U.S. Army from 1918 to 1923. He was arrested for burglary in Midland County, Michigan, in 1924, for which he served a sixty day sentence. Neither Raymond Lane nor his wife will admit their story is a prank. However, neither are able to point out the exact location of this incident. The Army Airforce Intelligence at Selfridge Field, Michigan, has been [unclear: notified] and the material has been turned over to them. RGF:mae [illegible] [illegible] 62-83894-55 --- PAGE 15 --- [handwritten: 1] FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE COMMUNICATIONS SECTION AUG 8 1947 TELEMETER [handwritten: [illegible]] [handwritten: see 32 [illegible]] [handwritten: Fletcher] [handwritten: copy 9/6] Mr. Tolson ............ Mr. E. A. Tamm ..... Mr. Clegg ............ Mr. Glavin ............ Mr. Ladd ............ Mr. Nichols ............ Mr. Rosen ............ Mr. Tracy ............ Mr. Egan ............ Mr. Gurnea ............ Mr. Harbo ............ Mr. Mohr ............ Mr. Pennington ............ Mr. Quinn Tamm ............ Mr. Nease ............ Miss Gandy ............ WASH 9 FROM CGO 8-8-47 800 PM RLS [strikethrough: DIRECTOR] " U R G E N T " FLYING DISC SIGHTED BY MRS. [strikethrough: ROBERT] LITTLE, SECURITY MATER X. CHICAGO HERALD AMERICAN TODAY REPORTED THAT LITTLE OF SIX THREE TWO SEVEN HARPER AVENUE CHICAGO REPORTED SEEING A DISC THREE THIRTY AM TODAY SAILING ABOVE LAKE MICHIGAN OFF JACKSON PARK BEACH. LITTLE UNAVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW TODAY. FATHER IN LAW JOSEPH REINER, SIX THREE TWO SEVEN HARPER AVENUE, ADVISED LITTLE SIGHTED DISC OVER A MONTH AGO AND SHE IS EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE. NO FURTHER INQUIRY. CONTEMPLATED. MC SWAIN INDEXED [illegible] END ACK RECORDED SEP 17 62-83894 F B I 15 AUG 12 1947 G.I.R.-9 [handwritten: 5-R7] --- PAGE 16 --- RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT AUG 8 9 28 PM ’47 F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE [illegible] RECEIVED AUG 11 10 28 AM ’47 INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. [illegible] --- PAGE 17 --- STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum • UNITED S[illegible] GOVERNMENT TO : D. M. LADD FROM : E. G. Fitch SUBJECT: FLYING SAUCERS DATE: 7/21/47 Mr. Tolson Mr. E. A. Tamm Mr. Clegg Mr. Coffey Mr. Glavin Mr. Ladd Mr. Nichols Mr. Rosen Mr. Tracy Mr. Mohr Mr. Carson Mr. Hendon Mr. Mumford Mr. Jones Mr. Quinn Tamm Tele. Room Mr. Nease Miss Bealm Miss Gandy Colonel Carl Golbranson of the Intelligence Division of the War Department advised Special Agent S. W. Reynolds of the Liaison Section that the War Department has received a telegram, dated New York, New York, July 5, as follows: "FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONCERNING FLYING DISKS SUGGEST IMMEDIATE CONTACT OF MR. RICHARD F. SHAVER LILY LAKE ILLINOIS WHO MAY HAVE IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING THEIR ORIGIN." Colonel Golbranson furnished Mr. Reynolds with a copy of the memorandum entitled "Report on Flying Saucers," dated July 7, 1947, addressed to Commanding General, 32d AAF Base Unit, Bolling Field, Washington, D. C., from John D. Schindler, Jr., a copy of which is attached to this memorandum. The attached memorandum sets forth information and statistics regarding two reportings of incidents of flying disks. There is also attached hereto a map of the Illinois River area which was furnished to Mr. Reynolds by Colonel Golbranson. Colonel Golbranson stated that according to this map the incidents reported in the attached memorandum are in the general vicinity of Lily Lake, which was given as the address of Mr. Richard F. Shaver in the anonymous telegram received by the War Department. Colonel Golbranson advised that in view of the fact that the observation of the flying saucers was made on July 7th and the date of the unsigned telegram is July 5th, together with the proximity of Lily Lake to the points where the objects were observed, he desired the Bureau conduct some investigation of Shaver to determine whether or not he has any information pertaining to the origin of the flying saucers. Mr. Reynolds advised Colonel Golbranson that his request would be made known to you and the results of any investigation would be brought to his attention. RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the field be directed to make inquiries regarding Shaver and, if deemed advisable, interview him regarding any information that he has relative to flying disks. The results of any investigation should be forwarded to the Liaison Section for delivery to the Intelligence Division of the War Depart- ment. Attachments SWR:AJB RECORDED INDEXED 55 SEP 30 1947 62-83894 - 59 96 AUG 18 1947 --- PAGE 18 --- [handwritten: 11] SAC, Chicago August 5, 1947 Director, FBI FLYING DISCS [stamp: RECORDED] [stamp: EX-60] [handwritten: 62-83894-58] The War Department has furnished this Bureau with the following telegram dated July 5 at New York, New York: "FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONCERNING FLYING DISKS SUGGEST IMMEDIATE CONTACT OF MR. RICHARD F. SHAVER LILY LAKE ILLINOIS WHO MAY HAVE IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERN- ING THEIR ORIGIN." The War Department has furnished a memorandum entitled "Report on Flying Saucers", dated July 7, 1947, addressed to Commanding General , 32d AAF Base Unit, Bolling Field, Washington, D. C., from John D. Schindler, Jr., two copies of which are attached. The War Department has stated that the incidents referred to in the attached memorandum are in the general vicinity of Lily Lake, which was given as the address of Richard F. Shaver in the above telegram. It is, therefore, desired that the Chicago Field Division conduct appropriate inquiries regarding Shaver, and in the event such inquiries do not reveal information indicating that he should not be interviewed, he should be interrogated for any information he might have relative to flying discs. It is desired that this matter be handled as soon as possible and the Bureau promptly advised. Enclosure RGF:mae Mr. Tolson Mr. E. A. Tamm Mr. Clegg Mr. Glavin Mr. Ladd Mr. Nichols Mr. Rosen Mr. Tracy Mr. Egan Mr. Gurnea Mr. Harbo Mr. Mohr Mr. Pennington Mr. Quinn Tamm Tele. Room Mr. Nease Miss Gandy [stamp: COMMUNICATIONS SECTION] [stamp: MAILED 5] [stamp: AUG 12 1947 P.M.] [stamp: FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION] [stamp: U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE] [handwritten: R34] [handwritten: 203] [stamp: OCT 6 1947] [handwritten signatures/initials: illegible] --- PAGE 19 --- STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : FBI DATE: 16 July 47 FROM : WDGS, US BRANCH SUBJECT: RICHARD F. SHAVER [handwritten: illegible] 1. Attached hereto: a. Copy of unsigned telegram received by HQ. AAF 9 July 1947,in which it is indicated that Richard F Shaver, Lilly Lake, Illinois may have in- formation concerning the origin of the "flying saucers". b. Copy of a report on flying saucers which were observed by four witnesses while in flight in two airplanes over southern Wisconsin. c. Map with indications as to proximity of the locations where the flying saucers were reported to have been seen in relation to Lily Lake,Ill. that the time 2. In view of the fact/the observation of the flying saucers was made corresponds closely with the date of the unsigned telegram, and considering the proximity of Lily Lake to the points where the objects were observed, it is requested that Mr Shaver be investigated to determine whether or not he has information pertaining to the origin of Flying Saucers. [stamp: EX-66] [handwritten: memo to add] [handwritten: 7/21/47 S/R] [stamp: EX-66] RECORDED INDEXED [handwritten: 162-83894] [handwritten: /30] F B I 36 AUG 18 1947 [handwritten/stamp: illegible] --- PAGE 20 --- [illegible] Received AFBIC-CO 9 July 47 NL PD NEWYORK NY JUL 5 MAJOR PAUL GAYNOR AAF HQTS WASHDC FOR FURTHER DETAILS CONCERNING FLYING DISKS SUGGEST IMMEDIATE CONTACT OF MR. RICHARD F SHAVER LILY LAKE ILLINOIS WHO MAY HAVE IMPORTANT INFORMATION CONCERNING THEIR ORIGIN UNSIGNED 651P. ENCLOSURE 62 - 8394-58 --- PAGE 21 --- 7 July 1947 SUBJECT: Report on Flying Saucers. TO: Commanding General 32d AAF Base Unit Bolling Field Washington, D. C. 1. Following are statistics regarding reports by four witnesses while in flight in two airplanes. 2. Weather CAVU. Visibility exceptionally good. Scat- tered altocumulus 6000 feet. 3. First report:time 1145 hours CST. Alt. of observers 800 feet above the ground. Altitude of saucer 4000 feet MSL. Observed.period - First sighted over Koshkonong, Wisconsin. Flight was observed from town of Koshkonong to Elkhorn, Wisconsin. This flight covered twenty-five (25) miles in fifteen (15) seconds, which is a speed of six thousand (6000) miles per hour. 4. Second report: Time 1430 hours CST. Altitude of observers thirty-five hundred feet (3500) MSL. Altitude of saucer twenty-five hundred feet (2500). Observation period. Observers at East Troy, Wisconsin, flight observed from Eagle, Wisconsin to Muskego, Wisconsin. This flight covered twenty-two (22) miles in twenty (20 seconds, which is a speed of three thousand nine hundred sixty (3960) miles per hour. 5. Flight maneuvers: First observation-saucer descended vertically edgewise through altocumulus clouds, stopped at four thousand (4000) feet and assumed horizontal position and proceeded in horizontal flight from a horizontal position for fifteen (15) seconds covering twenty- five (25) miles and again stopped and disappeared. Second observation: Observed in horizontal flight in a horizontal attitude for a period of twenty (20) seconds covering twenty-two (22) miles. By the time the pilot had removed his camera from the glove compartment of his plane, the saucer disappeared and again reappeared approximately ten (10) miles farther along its course after six (6) seconds making its final dis- appearance. 6. The first two observers were an instructor and a student, having just taken off from Elkhorn Airport. The second two observers, one being Capt. R. J. Southey; Wing Supply Officer and a passenger. 62-83894-58 ENCLOSURE John B. Schindler, Jr. Maj. Air Corps, AAF-CAP Liaison Officer. --- PAGE 22 --- (308) ILLINOIS RIVER WORLD AERONAUTICAL CHART Lambert Conformal Conic Projection Standard Parallels 33° and 45° Scale 1:1,000,000 (308) [illegible small map labels throughout] MINNESOTA IOWA MISSOURI WISCONSIN LAKE MICHIGAN MICHIGAN ILLINOIS INDIANA MISSISSIPPI RIVER MILWAUKEE CHICAGO CEDAR RAPIDS DAVENPORT DUBUQUE ROCKFORD MADISON GREEN BAY GRAND RAPIDS KALAMAZOO FORT WAYNE INDIANAPOLIS LILY LAKE [unclear: X 2894-58?] ENCLOSURE [illegible] (308) PRICE 25 CENTS Date of magnetic information, 1947 Consult Civil Aeronautics Administration Notices for changes of navigation data on this chart after [unclear: 12], 1946 Compiled at Washington, D. C. by the U. S. Coast & Geodetic Survey under authority of the Secretary of Commerce for Civil Aviation and by direction of the Commanding General, Army Air Forces, for the Aeronautical Chart Service, AAF MARCH, 1945 REVISED MAY, 1946 NOTE: It is requested that persons using this chart indicate corrections and additions which come to their attention and notify “THE DIRECTOR, U. S. COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY, WASHINGTON 25, D. C.” U. S. COAST AND GEODETIC SURVEY, WASHINGTON, D. C. N4000-W8500/400X800 SCALE 1:1,000,000 THIRD EDITION ILLINOIS RIVER (308) UNITED STATES --- PAGE 23 --- AERONAUTICAL SYMBOLS LANDPLANE FACILITIES LANDPLANE BASE - MILITARY (COMPLETE FACILITIES) LANDPLANE BASE - CIVIL (COMPLETE FACILITIES) LANDPLANE AIRPORT - MILITARY LANDPLANE AIRPORT - CIVIL LANDPLANE AIRPORT - CIVIL FERRY STRIP (LIMITED OR NO FACILITIES) LANDING FIELD (LIMITED OR NO FACILITIES OR LOGISTIC INFORMATION NOT AVAILABLE) SEAPLANE FACILITIES SEAPLANE BASE - MILITARY (COMPLETE FACILITIES) SEAPLANE BASE - CIVIL (COMPLETE FACILITIES) SEAPLANE BASE - JOINT MILITARY & CIVIL (COMPLETE FACILITIES) SEAPLANE AIRPORT - MILITARY SEAPLANE AIRPORT - CIVIL SEAPLANE AIRPORT - JOINT MILITARY & CIVIL SEAPLANE EMERGENCY ANCHORAGE (LIMITED OR NO FACILITIES OR LOGISTIC INFORMATION NOT AVAILABLE) THE LENGTH OF LONGEST RUNWAY IN FEET IS INDICATED BY THE INNER CIRCLE OF EACH SYMBOL THUS. 2500-3499 3500-4499 4500-5499 5500-6500 OVER 6500 LENGTH UNKNOWN LIGHTING FACILITIES AVIATION ROTATING BEACON AVIATION ROTATING BEACON WITH COURSE LIGHTS AVIATION ROTATING BEACON WITH CODE BEACON AVIATION FLASHING BEACON AVIATION BEACON FLASHING CODE OBSTRUCTION LIGHT HIGHLIGHTING FACILITY LIGHTS LIGHTS—INTERNATIONAL LIGHTSHIP Fixed, Flashing, Occulting, Alternating, Grouped, Red, White, Green, Blue, Seconds. Alternating lights are red and white unless otherwise indicated. Lights are white unless color symbol or notation is given above high water. MOORING MAST LINES OF EQUAL MAGNETIC VARIATION 7°W AIR NAVIGATION HAZARDS DANGER AREA CAUTION AREA PROHIBITED AREA AIRPORT APPROACH AND TRAFFIC ZONES Airport traffic zone Airport approach zone CIVIL AIRWAY BLUE 25 RADIO RANGE COURSES ALL QUADRANTS ARE IDENTIFIED BY LINE ON SIDE OF RANGE LEG. 90° 270° BEARINGS ARE MAGNETIC AT THE STATION RADIO FAN MARKER RADIOBEACON, NON-DIRECTIONAL RADIO RANGE FACILITY FACILITIES AVAILABLE AT AIRFIELD (THE BOX INDICATES THE AIRFIELD AT WHICH THE FACILITIES AVAILABLE ARE SHOWN WITHIN ENCLOSURE) RADIO BROADCASTING STATION (WITH FREQUENCY) MARINE RADIOBEACON RADIO DIRECTION FINDER STATION RADIO COMMUNICATION STATION TRANSMISSION LINE Scale 1:1,000,000 or 1 inch=15.8 miles Nautical Miles Kilometers Statute Miles WORLD AERONAUTICAL CHART INDEX Scale of Series 1:1,000,000 CIVIL CHART SUPPLY Authorized agents for the sale of aeronautical charts have been appointed at certain airports throughout the United States for the distribution of aeronautical charts. A list of these agents, with the dates of latest prints of charts, will be printed from time to time in the Weekly Notice to Airmen. This information may also be obtained from the Director, U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. Requests for charts may also be made to the Director, U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey, Washington 25, D. C., or to authorized dealers. A discount of 20-1/3% from full published prices is allowed on aeronautical and auxiliary charts amounting to $10 gross when made in one shipment to one address. Charts are not returnable. MILITARY CHART SUPPLY (Ref: AAF Reg 65-42, dated 30 Apr. 1944) 1. Aeronautical charts, maps and publications distributed by Aeronautical Chart Service are indexed or listed in the current edition of the AAF “Catalog of Aeronautical Charts and Related Publications.” Miscellaneous maps and charts not appearing in the Catalog will be procured and furnished by Aeronautical Chart Service through special order, when sufficiently identified in requisitions as to name or number; scale, projection, and publisher if known. 2. Requisitions. a. Outside Continental United States: (1) AAF activities are to submit requisitions to the supply facility designated by the Theater Commander to maintain and distribution of aeronautical charts and maps. (2) Theater supply facilities are to submit requisitions for replenishment of stocks of aero- nautical charts and maps through channels to Headquarters AAF, Aeronautical Chart Service, Washington, D. C. b. Within Continental United States: Requisitions from AAF activities within Continental United States are to be submitted to appropriate Regional Store as shown on Aeronautical Chart Supply System geographic diagram in AAF Aeronautical Chart Catalog. Except when emanating from an Air Force, Wing, or Command Headquarters, requisitions are to bear the signature or approval by endorsement of the Base or Station Operations Officer. Quantities of charts and maps requested are to be such as to assure the maintenance of a 30-day supply at all times but not to exceed a 60-day supply. 3. Obsolete Charts. Aeronautical charts rendered obsolete for air by revised edition, when not practicable to correct for conformity with new edition, are to be salvaged if feasible, or else destroyed. Disposition by salvage or destruction is to be made in accordance with provisions of AAF Reg. [illegible]. DRAINAGE FEATURES LARGE RIVERS & STREAMS PERENNIAL CANAL WASH & INTERMITTENT STREAMS DRY LAKE INTERMITTENT LAKE GLACIER SWAMP MUD OR TIDAL FLAT DANGER CURVE CHARTED ROCKS RELIEF FEATURES HACHURES SAND AREA & SAND DUNES SAND RIDGES LAVA FLOW CONTOURS & SPOT ELEVATION APPROXIMATE CONTOURS DEPRESSION CONTOURS BLUFF, CLIFF, OR ESCARPMENT CULTURAL FEATURES LARGE CITY CITY TOWN OR VILLAGE PROMINENT LANDMARKS WITH EXPLANATION NOTE MINE OR QUARRY LOOKOUT TOWER COAST GUARD STATION RACE TRACK BOUNDARY, STATE OR INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY, PARK OR RESERVATION DAM & DAM WITH LOCK 9975 HIGHEST ELEVATION ON CHART 340 SPOT ELEVATION IN FEET RANGER STATION BRIDGE BRIDGE RAILROAD—SINGLE TRACK RAILROAD—MULTIPLE TRACKS RAILROAD—ABANDONED TUNNEL—RAILROAD RAILROAD OVERPASS RAILROAD UNDERPASS HIGHWAY—MAIN ROUTE HIGHWAY—SECONDARY ROUTE TRAIL TUNNEL—HIGHWAY --- PAGE 24 --- [handwritten: [illegible]] [stamp:] FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE COMMUNICATIONS SECTION AUG 6 1947 TELETYPE [handwritten: [illegible]] Mr. Tolson ............ Mr. E. A. Tamm ........ Mr. Clegg ............ Mr. Glavin ............ Mr. Ladd .............. Mr. Nichols ........... Mr. Rosen ............. Mr. Tracy ............. Mr. Egan .............. Mr. [unclear: Gurnea?] ............ Mr. Harbo ............. Mr. Mohr .............. Mr. Pennington ........ Mr. Quinn ............. Mr. Nease ............. Miss Gandy ............ [handwritten: [illegible]] FBI SEATTLE 8-6-47 7-13 PM PST DIRECTOR FBI URGENT FLYING DISCS, S. M. - X. RETEL PORTLAND TO DIRECTOR , SAN FRANCISCO, AND SEATTLE AUGUST FIVE LAST. INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS MCCORD FIELD, WN., ADVISE THAT IN THEIR [illegible] OPINION AND FROM THEIR INVESTIGATION THERE IS NO QUESTION OF THE CRASH OF THE B- TWENTYFIVE AT KELSO, WN. [illegible] APPROXIMATELY TWO FIFTY A. M. , AUGUST ONE LAST HAVING BEEN CAUSED BY ANY SABOTAGE. THEY STATE THEIR INVESTIGATION INDICATES THE LEFT ENGINE BURNED OUT AN EXHAUST STACK WHICH CAUSED THE WING TO BURN AND BREAK OFF. THE LEFT WING AS IT [illegible] BROKE OFF TORE OFF THE TAIL AND THE PLANE CRASHED INTO THE GROUND KILLING CAPT. DAVIDSON AND LT. BROWN INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS OF THE FOURTH AIR FORCE WHO WERE RETURNING FROM MCCORD FIELD, WN., TO HAMILTON FIELD, CALIFORNIA. THE CREW CHIEF AND A HITCHHIKER PARACHUTED TO SAFETY FROM THE PLANE. ONLY FOUR MEMBERS WERE ABOARD THE PLANE, DAVIDSON AND BROWN BEING PILOT AND CO- PILOT AND HAD NO CHANCE TO ESCAPE WHEN THE WING BROKE OFF. LT. COL. DONALD L. SPRINGER, A- TWO [illegible] OFFICER FOR THE FOURTH AIR FORCE, [stamp: RECORDED] [stamp: INDEXED] [handwritten: 62-83894 - 59] HAMILTON FIELD, CALIFORNIA, ADVISED THAT CAPTAIN [unclear: DAVIDSON?] AND BROWN WERE SENT FROM HAMILTON FIELD TO INTERVIEW HAROLD A. DAHL AND FRED CRISMAN AT TACOMA, WN., REGARDING THEIR REPORT OF SEEING SOME FLYING DISCS OVER MAURY ISLAND, WN., AND THAT THEY OBTAINED SOME OF THE DISC FRAGMENTS. CRISMAN AND DAHL ARE PARTNERS IN A LUMBER BUSINESS AT TACOMA, WASHINGTON. [handwritten: [illegible]] [stamp:] COPIES DESTROYED 270 NOV 18 1964 --- PAGE 25 --- [illegible] RECEIVED [unclear] 15 9 01 AM '47 INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. RECEIVED [unclear] 22 10 09 AM [unclear] INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. --- PAGE 26 --- PAGE TWO CAPTAIN DAVIDSON AND LT. BROWN ON THURSDAY, JULY [illegible] THIRTYFIRST LAST INTERVIEWED DAHL, CRISMAN, [strikethrough: KENNETH ARNOLD], FROM BOISE, IDAHO, WHO WAS ONE OF THE FIRST THAT REPORTED SEEING FLYING DISCS AND EMIL [strikethrough: H. SMITH], UNITED AIRLINES POLOT FROM SEATTLE, WN., WHO ALSO REPORTED SEEING FLYING DISCS. THIS INTERVIEW TOOK PLACE AT THE [illegible] WINTHROP HOTEL ON THE AFTERNOON OF JULY [illegible] THIRTYFIRST LAST. CAPTAIN DAVIDSON AND LT. BROWN WERE RETURNING TO HAMILTON FIELD FOR AIRFORCE DAY AND HAD WITH THEM SOME OF THE DISC FRAGMENTS AS REPORTED BY DAHL AND CRISMAN. [illegible]. REPORTER [strikethrough: PAUL LANTZ] OF TACOMA TIMES, AND UNITED PRESS WIREMAN [strikethrough: TED MORELLO] OF TACOMA, RECEIVED ANONYMOMUS PHONE CALLS JULY THIRTYFIRST AND AUGUST FIRST LAST REGARDING THE MEETING AT THE WINTHROP HOTEL OMER THE DISCS FRAGMENTS AND THAT THE B- TWENTYFIVE WHICH CRASHED THE MORNING OF [illegible] AUGUST ONE WAS [illegible] SABOTAGED OR SHOT DOWN. INFORMATION AS YET NOT VERIFIED INDICATED THE ENTIRE STORY STARTED BY DAHL AND CRISMAN POSSIBLY TO PROMOTE SALE OF SLAG FOUND IN A GRAVEL PIT ON MAURY ISLAND, WN. NO INFORMATION AVAILABLE AS YET AS TO THE IDENTITY OF THE INDIVIDUAL WHO MADE THE ANONYMOUS PHONE CALL TO THE TACOMA TIMES AND THE UNITED PRESS. DAHL AND CRISMAN WILL BE INTER- VIEWED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. INVESTIGATION CONTINUING. WILCOX END 11-33 PM OK FBI WA GH 2 --- PAGE 27 --- RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT AUG 6 11 34 PM '47 F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE [illegible] RECEIVED [unclear: AUG?] 22 10 09 AM '[unclear: 47] INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. RECEIVED [unclear: SEP?] 15 9 01 AM '47 INTERNAL SECURITY F.B.I. --- PAGE 28 --- CC - 150 [handwritten: illegible] FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ------ August 14, 1947 TO: COMMUNICATIONS SECTION. SAC, Seattle U R G E N T Transmit the following message to: REURTEL AUGUST TWELVE. IT IS NOTED FROM INTERROGATION OF EMIL SMITH, SMITH CLAIMS THAT DURING THE CONFERENCE ON JULY THIRTY ONE THAT DAHL [handwritten above: Harold A.] AND CHRISMAN APPARENTLY REPEATED THEIR FALSE STORY ABOUT THE MATERIAL [handwritten: illegible] BEING FRAGMENTS OF A FLYING DISC AND ONLY ON SATURDAY NIGHT AUGUST SECOND DID DAHL ADMIT THAT THE STORY WAS A HOAX. IF SUCH IS THE CASE IT WOULD APPEAR EITHER SMITH OR ARNOLD MADE THE ANONYMOUS PHONE CALLS SINCE THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN UNDER THE IMPRESSION AT THAT TIME THAT THE MATERIAL FURNISHED TO CAPTAIN DAVIDSON AND LIEUTENANT BROWN WAS ACTUALLY PARTS OF A FLYING DISC. IT WOULD ALSO APPEAR THAT DAHL AND CHRISMAN, DID NOT ADMIT THE HOAX TO THE ARMY INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS BECAUSE IF THEY HAD DONE SO THE OFFICERS PROBABLY WOULD NOT HAVE TAKEN THE ALLEGED FRAGMENTS WITH THEM ON THEIR FATAL FLIGHT. THIS MATTER SHOULD BE CLEARED UP UPON REINTERVIEW WITH DAHL AND CHRISMAN. WHEN THIS POINT CLARIFIED NO FURTHER INVESTIGATION NECESSARY. HOOVER RGF:mjp [stamp:] FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE COMMUNICATIONS SECTION AUG 14 1947 TELETYPE RECORDED [stamp: illegible] 51 1 62-83894- F B I 1 AUG 15 1947 5 60 Q.I.R.-1 SENT VIA [illegible] 6:58 M Per [illegible] [stamp/handwritten: 2-3417] [stamp: DESTROYED] [stamp: 8 1964] --- PAGE 29 --- F.B.I. Washington, D.C. Dear Sir — I was wondering whether these rockets in which the young students are sending mail or messages from California to — Virginia would have any connection with the so called “FLYING SAUCERS” “Flying Saucers” MRS ARTHUR [illegible] [stamp: RECORDED] [stamp: INDEXED] [stamp: EX-34] [stamp: RETURNED [illegible]] ANDERSON C.D. - 83894 - 61 Mrs. Arthur [illegible] Anderson 16 Medbury Road Springhaven — Chester — Pa [illegible] [unclear: G File] 8/1/47 WH July 9/1947. --- PAGE 30 --- [stamp, inverted:] RECEIVED JUL 14 1 36 PM '47 INTERNAL SECURITY [unclear: DEPT OF JUSTICE?] [handwritten: illegible]