Washington State ‘UFO’ Investigation, 1952-1960

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DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
WASHINGTON

PVH:ms

THE INSPECTOR GENERAL USAF
20th DISTRICT OFFICE OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS
McCHORD AIR FORCE BASE, McCHORD FIELD, WASHINGTON

20D OSI 24-0

10 June 1954

Mr. R. D. Auerbach
Special Agent in Charge
Federal Bureau of Investigation
1015 Second Avenue
Seattle 4, Washington

Dear Sir:

Re: (Unclassified)
Reporting of Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOB)
SPECIAL INQUIRY

On 7 June 1954 at 0735 hours, the following information was transmitted by Special Agent PHILIP V. HOWELL, JR., this office, to the Duty Agent, Seattle Field Division, FBI.

On 7 June 1954, Major EUGENE L. ZECHMEISTER, Director of Intelligence, 25th Air Division (Defense), McChord AFB, reported to this office that two unidentified flying objects had been sighted simultaneously by GALE PECK, Supervisor of local Ground Observer Corps Post, Pasco, Washington, telephone Pasco 6054. The objects were described as traveling together and were in the shape of half-moons, approximately six times larger than a half-moon and of a white color. The two objects formed into one large fireball and disappeared, after being observed for approximately 10 minutes. The time of the sighting was given as 2335 hours, 6 June 1954 and the geographical references were AB5517, Aeronautical Planning Chart 1 to 5,000,000. The altitude was estimated to be 1,000 feet, speed unknown, and the object was at a 5 degree angle to the horizon.

Major ZECHMEISTER stated that the report of the sighting was not considered to be of sufficient substance to warrant investigation by the USAF.

On 8 June 1954 at 2115 hours, Major COURTLAND D. SAWTELLE, Public Information Officer, 25th Air Division (Defense), advised this office that in response to inquiries by newspaper reporters with reference to this sighting, the PIO was making an official release that there had been no radar pickup of the UFOB in question. This information was telephonically transmitted to the Duty Agent, Seattle Field Division, FBI, at 2125 hours, 8 June 1954, by Special Agent HOWELL.

The above is for your information and no investigation of this matter is contemplated by this district office.

cc: Dir OSI

SMAMA—Dec 53—10M

NW 90291
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