NARA-Blue-Book-Socorro-1964 — Project Blue Book case file: Socorro, New Mexico, April 1964

TL;DR

Turns out the only thing brighter than the flames was the paperwork.

• Project Blue Book PDF, U.S. Air Force, 24 Apr 1964, Socorro, NM.
• Officer Zamora saw oval white object with blue/orange flames and two figures in coveralls.
• Air Force concluded object remained UNIDENTIFIED; no further determination.

AI summary

A 1964 case file from Project Blue Book details the sighting of an unidentified object in Socorro, New Mexico, reported by police officer Lonnie Zamora. The object was described as oval, aluminum-white, with blue and orange flames, and two figures in white coveralls were seen. Military and police investigated, collecting soil samples and checking for radiation, but found no evidence of extraterrestrial origin. The document includes witness accounts, analysis of ground markings, and discussions about potential hoaxes and secret government projects. It also references other sightings in the area and mentions a rotating navigation beacon and a hoax hypothesis. The Air Force concluded the object remained unidentified. The file spans multiple pages and includes newspaper reports, interviews, and technical correspondence.

Full text

Page 1

PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD
1. DATE LOCATION . CONCLUSIONS
25 Apr 64 Socorro, New Mexico 0 Was Balloon
0 Probably Balloon
3. DATE-TIME GROUP 4. TYPE OF OBSERVATION 0 Possibly Balloon
Local night Ground-Visual Ground-Rador 0 Was Aircraft
Probably Aircraft
GMT AirVisual Air-Intercept Radar Possibly Aircraft
5. PHOTOS 6. SOURCE
Yes 0 Was Astronomical
D Probably Astronomical
No civilian 0 Possibly Astronomical
7. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION B. NUMBER OF OBJECTS | 9. COURSE Other_.. Ground light
2 Insufficient Data for Evaluation
pot reprtd one back and forth Unknown
10. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING 11. COMMENTS
Witness reported a light going back and forth Clouds in area. Navigation beacon at
pver a mountah of Socorro while he was location. Probable reflection from
iriving North. rotating beacon o n clouds.
ATIC FORM 329 (REV 26 SEP 52)

Page 4

PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD
1. DATE LOCATION .. CONCLUSIONS
24 April 1964 Was Balloon
Socorro, New Mexico - Probably Balloon
3. DATE-TIME GROUP 4. TYPE OF OBSERVATION Possibly Balloon
Local 1745 Ground-Visual Ground-Radar a Was Aircraft
25/0045Z Probably Aircroft
GMT AirVisual Air-Intercept Radar Possibly Aircraft
5. PHOTOS 6. SOURCE D Was Astronomical
Yes Physical Spec Probably Astronomical
No Civilian Possibly Astronomical
7.LENGTH OF OBSERVATION 8. NUMBER OF OBJECTS 9. COURSE 0 Other UNIDENTIFIED
Insufficient Data for Evaluation
0 xUnknown
Less than lo minutes one Stationary,SW or West
10. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING 11. COMMENTS
Sighting of landing by Lonnie Zamora. Initially believed to be observation
of Lunar module type cafiguration.
SEE CASE FILE. Effort to date cannot place vehicle
at site. Case carried as UNIDENTIFIED
pending additional data.
I
ATIC FORM 329 (REV 26 SEP 52)

Page 5

Tab A TWX and Messages
1. TWX regarding Capt Quintanilla's visit to Socorro dtd 30 Jun
2. TWX from SAFOI dtd 13 May
3. Surmary
4. Letter to SAFOI dtd 28 May
n6 Memo from Capt Quintanilla to Col de Jonckheere, dtd 27 Apr
Initial report received at FTD
Tab B Investigative Data
1. 14 May letter to Cloud Gap
2. : Opal Grinder
3. Maj Mitchell
Ltr to FAA, 27 May
5. Miscellaneous Data
Tab C Lunar Module Information
l. Basic List
2. Douglas A/C, dtd 20 May 64
3. Hughes A/C, dtd 20 May & 26 May 64
4. Cleveland Pneumatics, dtd 20 May 64
5. Goodyear, DTD 19 May 64
Menasco, dtd 20 May 64
7. Unanswered letters seven)
Tab D Miscellaneous Notes

Page 6

ICLA
JOINT MESS FORM UNCLASSIFTED
SPACB BELOW RESERVED FOR COMMUNICATION CENTER
ZNR 30JuN64 15 33z
TOT-30/16408
PRECEDENCE TYPE MSG (Check) ACCOUNTING ORIG. OR REFERS TO CLASSIFICATION
ACTION ROUTINE SYMBOL OF REFERENCK
BOOK MULTI SINGLE
INFO ROUTTIE
F.ROM:
FTD, WRIGET-PATTERSON AFB, OHIO
TO: ARMDS, HOLLOMAN-AFD,NEW-MEXIEO.
INFO+-AFMDC, HOLLOMAN AFB, NEW MEXICO RUWGBA
UNCLAS/TDEW(UFO)
FOR MDG, INIFO MDFC. REFERENCE TELECONS MR SEYEN, CAPT WEIMER
AND CAPT CULTTANILLA, 24 JUN 64.C CAPTAIN HECTOR QUINTANILLA,
AO 2231554, WILL ARRIVE ON OR ABOUT 6 JUL 64 FOR MEETING WITH
MDC COMMANDER. CAPT QUINTANILLA IS CLEARED UP TO AND
INCLUDING TOP SECRET
COORDINATION: TDXS J0Gim (YDATE
3015262
30
MONTH YEAR
JUN 64
SYMBOL BIGNATURI
TDEW/UFO 04
TYPED (OT STaMpOd) NAME AND TITLE
3Q-W ERIC T de JONCKHEERE
PHONE 69216/66378 RA.K NA.o ASWA COLONEL, USAF
SECURITY CLASSIFICATION DEPUTY FOR TECHNOLOGY AND SUBSYSTEMS
UNCLASSIFIED
DD FORM 173 REPLACES DD FORM I73. 1 OCT, 49, WHICH WILL BE USED UNTIL EXHAUST

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FTD 1 -
•
WPA044CZCSQD996ZCJYB301 ⑥
ER RUCDSQ •
ZNR
R 132130Z
FM/CSAF
Td RUCDSQ/AFSC FTD WPAFB OHIQ •
RUWGKD/AFSWC KIRTLAND AFB NMEX
INFO RUEAGL/AFSC Cu
•
BT
INCLAS FM MSAF-0IPB 78007.
NUMEROUS INQUIRES CONCERNING AIR FORCE INVESTIGATION AND EVALUATION
OF THE RECENT UFO SIGHTING AT SOCORRO, NEW MEXICP, 24 APRIL, CONTINUE
TO BE RECEIVED FRON NEWS MEDIA, FROM THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, AND
MEMBERS OF CONGRESS. THIS HQ IS UNABLE TO RESPOND PROPERLY PENDING
•
RECIEPT OF YOUR CONCLUSIONS. REQUEST APPROPRIATE ACTION BE
TAKEN TO INSURE THAT REPORTS OF PERSONNEL ASSIGNED TO INVESTIGATE
AND EVALUATE THE SIGHTING BE COMPLETED AND FORWARDED IMMEDIATELY.
BT
C

Page 8

accident.- which waa orange sighted Wash 25 TDEW
be normal in shape. was located toward the C. b. automobile a. The Hq USAF SAFOI PB
the idea of helping them. him and seamed startled. in color. Mr Zamora one half mile away. DC UFO Sighting, Socorro,
out of his car, checking the object. stopped, probably two seconds or so. object which was off the road. object. slowly descending.
He informed the Socorro orfice that he wculd object and radiced the sheriff's office at Socorro of a possible that Mr Zamora saw the two pecple in white coveralls was when. be. appeared to look like an overturned white automobile. . but not Like chrome. Objeet was oval ahape and at first glance objecte One of these persons seemed to stoy and look straight. at. this point be saw two people in whito coveralls, quite close to the v upside down. He thought some kids might have turned it over. He suddenly noted to the south of his position a shiny looking for the shack; he could not recall exactly where the shack. Zanora traveled slowly on the gravel road still driving his car and did not pay too much attention. streamed down into sort of a funnel shepe. - At this time he was However, he claims that the flame was bluish and sort of blown up and decided to go to the shack and not puraue the speading Police Department, believed that a dynamite shack in the area had roar and saw a flame in the sky to the southwest, approximately car in Socorro, Mr Lonnie Zamora heard what he believed to be a At approximately 1745, 24 Apr 64, while giving chase to a. a by Mr Lonnie Zamora, of Socorro, following is a resume on the unidentified flying object (Mrs Gaiser) New Mexico, 24 Apr 64
At this point Mr Zamora proceeded towards the The two persons appeared to The object was like alumimum-white, smooth, At this point Mr Zamora was traveling with At first glance it appeared as He noted nothing for a while and be went slowly The flame was of a narrow could not tell the size of the flame HE Mr Zamora, whe-is a policeman for the Socorro New Mexico.
I be busy and The only time westward type and
acar 13 May 644

Page 9

was under the object. was
- object had first been seen. at leaat another 50 feet.
saw came from cuter space, nov or ever. Mr Zamora claims thot 1 Object traveled six miles in three mimrtes. the object going avay.from hin. there vas dust in the immediate area. was of low frequency and then rose
217 services. There is no indication that this vehicle which Mr Zamora. did in fact see a man made object which probably belongs to one of the 2, It is my belier that Me Zamora is telling the truth. and that hee three loud thamps, like someone possibly ahutting or opening a door, was facing Farth and could not see the object frou this angle. object. The radio operator failed to spot the object because he at the station to look out the window and see if be could spot the T )r Zamora vent back to hie car and asked the radio operator shack where it cleared the shack by what appeared to be When there was couplete silence, he Lifted his head and sav like an ostrich, expecging the object to blow up. fell to the ground, got up and proceeded avay from the object for He bumped his leg on the back fender of his murto, lost his glasses, the flame and heard the roar be turned and ran avay from the object was light blue and sort of orange, but he saw no amoke. Object rose slowly and flame was coming from the bottom. Object started to go straight up, At the same time that the roar was heard he saw a flame. He then hearda roar, a very loud roar but not like a jet, which with the sheriff's office and proceeded towards where the object the radio and started to get out. He finished his convernation d. Mr Zamora stopped his car while he was still talking on
Sgt Chaves of the Hen object had no flame whatscever as. three.feet The ob ject appeared to go straight The roar lasted He fell to the ground and covered himgelf As Boon as Mr Zamora aak. However, The color Blowly. The flame in frequency and very very loud.
-

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There was no evidence of markings of any sort in the area other than the
shallow depressions at the location where Mr Zamora reported sighting the
object.
Laboratory analysis of soil samples disclosed no foreign material or radiation
above normal for the surrounding area.
Laboratory analysis of the burned brush showed no chemicals which would
indicate a type of propellant.
There was no evidence presented that the object was extraterrestrial in origin
or represented a threat to the security of the United States.
The Air Force is contimuing its investigation and the case is still open.
For several days following this report, other sightings were reported in the New
Mexico area. In each case the sighting was determined to be a known object or
natural phenomena. Two of the reports were determined to be hoaxes.
2

Page 12

UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT REPORT
SOCORRO, NEW MEXICO, 24 APRIL 1964
On April 24, 1964, a Socorro, New Mexico policeman, Mr Lonnie Zamora, reported
sighting an object about a mile south of the town at approximately 5:45 pm, in an
unpopulated area full of hills and gullies and covered with sagebrush. Following
is a summary of his report to Air Force investigators:
Mr Zamora reported that while chasing a speeding car north on US 85, he heard a roar
and saw flames in an area where a dynamite shack was known to be located. He aban-
doned chase of the auto and proceeded to where he believed an explosion had occurred.
After traveling a little-used road and experiencing considerable difficulty in trying
to drive his car up a gravel-covered hill, he said he then observed what he thought
was an overturned car standing on end. At this point he was about 8oo ft distant
from the object and his car was at the crest of a hill with the object ahead of him
in a gully. He reported that during this first glance he saw one or two figures in
coveralls whom he assumed to be occupants of the object. This is the only time he
saw these figures; he did not see them again. After radioing to Police Headquarters
at Socorro that he was proceeding to investigate what he believed to be an auto
accident, he drove to a point about l5o ft from the gully where the objeot rested
and stopped the car to proceed on foot. He said the object was white, egg or oval-
shaped and apparently supported i on girderlike legs. I He said he heard a roar and saw
smoke and flame coming from the bottom of the object. At this point, Mr Zamora be-
lieved that the object was about to explode and he became frightened, turned, and
ran to shield himself behind the police car, bumping his 1 leg and losing his glasses
on the way. He said that he crouched down, shielding his eyes with his arm while the
noise stopped and he glanced i up. He reported that the object had risen to a point
about 15-20 ft above the ground and the flame and smoke had ceased. At this point, he
reported, he noted a design on the object which he described as markings in red about
1 to l it in height, shaped like a crescent with a vertical arrow and horizontal line
underneath. He stated that the object remained stationary for several seconds and
then flew off in a southerly direction following the contour of the gully.
Within moments afterward, Sgt Chavez of the New Mexico State Police arrived on the
scene in response to Mr Zamora's earlier radio call. He observed no object, but he
reported i that there were some slight depressions in the ground and apparently burned
brush in the area where Mr Zamora had reported seeing the object. The brush was
cold to the touch. Sgt Chavez reported the incident to local military autborities
who conducted the initial investigation.
The Air Force sent investigators from their project office at Wright-Patterson AFB,
Ohio. The investigation disclosed the following facts:
No other witnesses to the object reported by Mr Zamora could be located.
There were no unidentified helicopters or aircraft in the area.
Observers at radar installations had observed no unusual or unidentified blips.
,
There was no unusual meteorólogical activity; no thunderstorms. The weather
was windy but clear.
JN

Page 13

TLEW
UFO Sighting, Socorro, New Mexico, 24 Apr 64 28 Mmy Q4
Hq USAF SAFOI PB (Mrs Gaiser)
Waah D C. 20330
l. The following is a resume on. the unidentified flying object
sighted by Mr Lonnie Zamora, of Socorro, New Mexico on 24. Apr 6h
results of the.investigation so far, conclusione reached by FID
and courses of action in contimuing the investigation.
Background Information;
(i)At.approximately 1745, , 24 Apr 64 an unidentified
flying object wag observed by Mr Lonnie Zamors in Socorro, Nev
Mexico. The sighting was reported to Sgt Chavez of the New
Mexico State Police. The object sighted by Mr Zamora had left
markings in the ground as vell as several burned spots in the
officer Capt Holder of the Stallicn Site at Waitc Sands noti
ricdr Capt Holder conducted an initial investigation of the
sighting and obtained samples of the charred areas and dirt
surrounding the markings left by the-UFO.
organizations such as.APRo and NIcAP received vord of the sight.
Newspaper accounts of
he ighting had become much distorted vith reports of little
en running around and a rocket ship blasting off into space.
The account of the sighting carried in the El Defensor & Chieftain
dated Tuesday, 28 April 1964 and the, account. by UPI representative
Charles Richard, carried inthe Albuquerque Journal, 27-April 1964
are essentially correct. As result of vide nevs coverage and
publio interest in the sighting, Captain Hector Quintanilla, Project
Ofricer, directed TSgt Davdd Moody to assist in' the investigation
for the Air Force: Sgt Moody contacted Major Conner, the Officer
at Kirtland ArB responsible-for unidentified flying object inveati
gations, and acccmpanied him-to Socorro. Information obtained
during this investigation revealed that the sighting vas Iegitimate
and there was no indication that a hoax vas being perpetrated. The
results of Capt Holder's investigation were received, interviews
with Sgt Chavez and Lonnie Zamora were conducted. A geiger counter
was used to determine if radiation was present in the area of the

Page 14

U7o sighting. The data waa collected and no poaitive conclusion
reached. On Tuesday, 28 April 196k, Capt quintanilla directed
Doctor J Allen Hynek to Socorro to obtain additional dats. Com.
posite results or the investigation by Capt Holder, Sgt Moody,
Dr Hynek and Major Canner indicated that the attached narrative
depicts the true circumstances of the sighting-
b. Specifie Findings from Errorts to Datet
(1) On the evening of 2k April 1964 Sgt Chavex of the
New Mexico State Police acccupanied by Ageut Burns of the FBI and
Capt Richard Holder condueted s search of the area surrounding the
sighting. There. were no autcmobile tire markings or markings of
any sort in the area other than those Iocated at the site of the
alleged landing and so noted in Capt Bolder's report.
(2) Radioactivity:: Major Conner and Sgt Moody checked
aree for radiation. here vas no redioactivity in the ares
of the aighting.
my belicopter activity vas in the area at the ayproxinate tine
of the sighting. This check vas conducted at Mhite Sands by.
Capt Holder who talked vith the pilots and operational personel.
All helicopters at Mhite Sands vere in the hangars at the time ei
the sighting- Sgt Moody checked all ARs helicopters at Kirtland
ArB and the landing gear did not coincide with the marks on the
ground. Helo aetivity vas checked within radius of 300 miles
including Biggs ArB at El Paso vith negative results. All military
helos including those associated with Project Cloud Gap have been
elininated as a possible cause of the sighting. However, civilian
helicopter activity.vas not ccapletely determined.
(4). Radar Survellance of the Areai Capt Holder contacted
sites at White Sanda and Almagordo. He vas.informed that
as no unidentiried ectirity in the area during the- tine of
sightingoszs
(5) s the sighting
2
over. to Captain Quintanilla who in turn submitted them to AsD for
analyais. Laboratory analysis of the soil was completed on 19 May 64.
It included spectrographic analyais which revealed that there was no.
foreign material in the soil samples. Also, no chemicals were
detected in the charred or burned soil which would indicate a type
of propellant. There was no significant difference in elemental
composition betveen the different samples.
2
TO

Page 15

(a) Personnel vorking on the development of
VTOL type aircraft and lunar modules were consulted. vrOL.
type a/e vere not eliminated as possible cause due to the
absence of a blast effect in the ares. There xre several
types of dueted blast devices which would divert the force of ths
blast cutward. Hovever, they were not eware of an eperational
craft of this nature.
(b) Lumar Nodulercontigurations confora not.only
to the description of the object but alao have girder like lege
or pods which would produce markings such as thoae found at
Socorroe One knom experimental model, constructed by Bell Air
craft Corporation, is located at Edvards ArB.
of Tuesday 28 Apr 64 carried an article indieating that ap
unidentified tourist traveling North an U 8 85 baw the UFo jua
before it landed He also observed the police car heading up.
the hill toward the spot where the Uro landed. If this is true,
the Uro not cnly dissppeared in the direotion of White Sand's but
also came from that same direction. A telepbone coll to Mr Opa)
Grinder of Whiting Brothera Service Station indicated that he was
the source for reporting that an unidentified tourist had observed
the unidentified flying object. He veriried that the inforuaticn
in the news artiele was correet.
C Genaral Conclusions to Date:
(1) Evalnation of the data contained in the various
tigative reports *confirne that a sighting definitely did
occur The-description of the objeet' and rlight characteristics
are coincident vi th that erpected of a beLicopter, VToL or Lunar
Module configuration Current investigative efforts are being
to estabLish br identiry the specific vehicle which caused
Hghting phe following statenent by Captain Hector Quintanilla
t a strtenent which eay be released to the press;
Conclnsiont The investigators at Mright-Patterson have
not been able to identify or deteraine what type of vehicle or object
Mr Lounie Zamora observed on 24 April at Sbcorro,lNex Mexico. The
object or vebicle displayed flight characteristics vell vithin the
State-of-the-Art and the sighting cannot be attributed to atmospheric
or astronomical phenomena. In this respect, I can categorically
state that the vebicle or object observed by Mr Lonnie Zamora was
not an inter-planetary space vehicle visiting the planet Earth.
This case is still cpen and the investigation is atill in progress.
3

Page 17

NARRATIVE OF SOCORRO, NEW MEXICO SIGHTING, 24 APRIL 1964
Shortly after 5:30 pm on Friday, 24 April 196l Bgt Lonnie Zauora
of the Socorro Police Department was chasing a speeding auto
North on U s 85 in the line of duty. While in pursuit he heard
a roar and saw flames in an area where a dynamite ahack was known
to be located. He abandoned chase of the auto and proceeded to
where he thought an explosion had occurred. In order to reach
this spot he had to travel a little-used road cver several hills
and gullies. After two or three efforts to drive his car up a
graveL-covered incline he reached a crest where the object was
visible. At this point, 8oo ft frou the objeci, be observed
what he thought to be a car overturned and standing on its endi.
There were one or two objeets described as coveralls which hs
ssvmed to be cecupants of the vehicle. He radioed in to po)ice
heedquartera that he was proceeding to investigate a lo-7h (auto
aceident). Proceeding up the road to a point.about 15o ft. frem.
the gully where the object vas, he stopped the car, got out, and
headed toward the object. The object vaa on girderlike legs, white
(not chrcme) and egg shaped or oval. As he approached the objeot
thare vern some noises and flame and amoke began to come from the:
botton of the vehiole. The noise increased from low pitch to high
pitch, vas different from that of a jet or helo and not like any-
thing Bgt Zamors had ever beard. The flame was blue like a wolders
torehs turning to orange or yellow at the ends. Thinking that the
object yas geing to explode he became frightened. The time was
approximately 17h5 (1 1/2 bours before sunset), the sun was to his
back, alightly to the right. He turned, ran beck to get behind the
police car, buping his leg and losing his glasses on the vay. He
crouched dowm, shielding his eyes vith his arm while the noise con.
The object had risen to a point about 15-20 ft.
groumd and the flame and gmoke had'ceased to come from
the'ObjectaiTher objeet:had ar red narking about 1 ft or maybe 18
inches in height ahaped like crescent vith a vertical arrow
foreseveraL seconds and then Plev off in a SW direction following
the contour of the gully. It cleared the dynamite shack by not
more than 3 it. Be watched the object disappear in the distance ov
a point on Highvay 85 about 6 miles frcm where he was standing. The
object took about 3 mirates to travel that far. Disappearance vas
by fading in the dirtance and at no time did he observe the object
to rise more than 20 ft off the ground. 1a
While proceeding to the locaticn when the object was assuned to be
an arto Sgt Zamora was in radio contact vith police headquarters.
The State Police use the same network and his call vas monitored
by Sgt Chavez of the New Nexico State Police.. Sgt Zamora attempted
13

Page 19

Memo, from Capt Quintanilla, 27 April 1964
a
TO: Colonel de Jonckheere
At O715, 26 April, when I reported for duty as OD, I was informed by
Major Sameshims, 25 April OD, that he had received a UFo report via-
telephome at 2l30 EST, 25 April; from the l0o5th Special Irvestigation
Group, Washington, D C. The UFO report had been received by the loo5th
from Lt Col King, CID, of Albuquerque, New Mexico.+ Lt Col King had read
about the sighting in the local nevspaper and had also been provided
data- by the FBI. The FBI was informed of the sighting by the New Mexico
State Police. The New, Mexico State Police arrived at the-scene, at A
approximately 1728 MsT and three mirmtes after the object took off vith- if
a roar and disappeared to the West The witness claims that he say a
ball shaped object approrimately l5 feet long and two. white objecis which
resembled white coveralls. i Wben the Army at White Sands heard of the
incident they roped off. the area and the FBr in Albuquerque proceded to
thevara. They confirmed that something" had been there and the arny took
soil samples of 4 x 5" impressions vhich were found where the alleged
vehiele: had Ianded.The impressions appeared to be burmed and the
surround area was clean.
E
At.O330, 26 Apriry Col Cole from the Air Force Command Post called
see if any follow up action had been taken. At Ok30 26 April, Col
Harris from the, Emergency Action Group, JCS comnications Centor
called and vanted additional details, especially names. At 0539 26
April, Col Perkins frcm the Air Force Cormand Post called and suggested
ve get in touch with Capt Holden from White. Sands, at o728 26 April,
I placed a call to the OD at. Kirkland and asked bin to locate, Sgt Moody
for me. Sgt Moody is presentIy on TDy at Kirkland on Project Cloud Gap
At. Ogh5 Sgt Moody. caIled and I asked him to get together with the Uro.
reporting officer at Kirkland and investigate the sighting : At il25
Major Connor, Kirland Uro reporting officer, and Bgt Moody called and
I suggested the marner in which they should conduct the investigaticnr and
the people whom they should contact. Ma jor Connor and Sgt Noody left
for Mhite Bands after my pbone, caiL equipped vith a Geiger Counter
At 2l35 I received telephone call rrom.Sgt Moody who was mov back at
Kirkland Major Connor and Sgt Moody had talked vith the vitnesa-
LounieZamora..) Mr Zamora is the Soccorro, Ney Mexico Deputy Marahall.
He uses the same radio frequency as the Nev Mexico State Police and
that is the reason the New Merico State PoLice arrived at the scene
as fast as they did Mr Zamora called the, New Mexico State Police
over his radio when he was scared by the vehicle. At his closest obser-
vation, be was lo3 feet from the object. Major Connor and Sgt Moody
measured the ares of alleged landing for radiation - no radiation was
present. Photos of the area werer taken and will be on the-way 27 April.

Page 21

Summary of UFO Raport received by phone on 25 April 196l:
Caller: Captain Theodbre W. Cuny, loo5th Special Investigation Group, Wash.
Called at 2130 EST, 25 April
Call received by OD (Maj K S Sameshima
UFO data was received by Capt Cuny from a Lt Col King, Counter Intelligence
Division, Albuquerque, New Mexico, who in turn read about it in the
lodal newspaper and also was provided data by the FBI.
The alleged UFO sighting took place at a bout l8oo MST on 24 April.
The object allagedly was witnassed in a rural area on the Stallion
Range Center, Cocorro, New Mexico.
The alleged witness was a reputable local police officer by the name
of Lonnie Damora.- Damora was chasing a-speeding motorist when he
saw the bbject from the road at a distance of about 2oo feet.
Heclaims to have seen_two_men in white_overalls get into the silver
colored foot-ball shaped object about 15 fest long. The vehicle
allegedly took off with a roar, rose to an altitude of feet and
disappeared rapidly to the west.
Upon being informad of this, the Army (a Captain R T Holder of White
Sands) ropsd off the area. Also the FBI at Albuburque proceeded to
the area, and allegedly confirmed that "something" had been there.
They reportedly found L"x5" impressions in the ground somewhat like
stand lags; the impressions appeared burned--noms of the other area
appe aed to be burned.m The newspaper stated that the Army took soil
samples.
The above is all Capt Cuny could report.
It is sugested that Lt Col King, Albuquerque 268-2l07 be contacted
for-proper questioning of Lonnie Damora.
6apnil
0330 Coe Cole, AF Corn. Post caeled - wanter to bnow
if There frllor-p cetin bein txken
on ea riG to L'r. Caataal.
0430 Cot itarris Ernerg. Aetion Gp, ses com etr called .
053.
se torch bese with Caft Hoidew
835-1385
thru SCAN White.Sards
Darnore instar Dieued
by chare3, New Marico
Polire 17

Page 23

M/R: On 18 May 1964 TSgt Moody called Mr Opal Grinder at 835-9916 in Socorro
New Mexico regarding the article appearing in the Socorro ElDefansor &
Chieftan concerning an additional witness to the Zamora sighting.
Mr Grinder manages the Whting Brothers Service Station. He could give
no information other than that appearing inthe newspaper article.
He did not remember the type of car or license. I He assumed that the
occupant was going or returning from vacation, due to luggage and clothing
in the car. The car xxebad a single occupant. He stated that the
witness said the object came from the East over the highway and had remarked
about the low altitude and odd appearance of the craft.
He will be on the look out in case the witness returns to Socorro.
19

Page 24

M/R: Capt Quintanilla contacted the FID liaison office at
Holloman AFB regarding the Socorro sighting and requested
that he, Maj Mitchell make discreet inquiry as to a possible
vehicle which may bave caused the sighting.
During the latter part of May Lt Col Conkey visited W-P AFB,
and at this time informed Capt Quintanilla that he had no
knowledge of a vehicle at White Sands capable of causing
the sighting as described by Lonnie Zamora.

Page 25

TDEW/Capt H Quintanilla/69216
Request for Identification of Markings 21 May 64
FAA Control Systems-Division
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Dear Sir,
The attached marking has been observed and reported to the
USAr in commection vith an unidentified flying object sigbting
at Socorro, Nev Mexico. The Air Force is investigating the
case-and identification of this marking would sssist in de-
teraining the cause of the sighting. The marks were estimated
to be about one foot to eighteen inches in height, colored
red Any assiatance which you may offer will de greatly.
ppreciated. Ihe attached TWx indicates the high level of in-
terest in this sighting,j.
FOR THE COMOMANDER
ERIC:T de JONCKHEKRE 2 Atchs
Colonel, USAF 1. Marking
Deputy for Technology 2TWX
and Subsystems
Excerpt from letter J Douglas Stewart
"With reference to the marking of U.S. X
A/C, the Code of Federal Regulations,
Title 14, Pars l-l9, has some very
specific things to say about how
our A/C must be marked, experimental
and otherwise. Also, a civilian
firm must apply for an Experimental
Certificate on Form ACA-305
(Para. 1.74-1) ........…...
and 3-D drawings of the A/C.
As I'm sure you know ........
........n FAA's Control Systems
Division in Oklahoma City. "

Page 27

ÉDERAL AVIATION AGENCY
5300 South Portland Avenue
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73119
JUN 2 1 1964
STATES OF
IN REPLY FS-970
REFER TO:
AIR MAIL
Eric T. de Jonckheere
Colonel, USAF
Deputy for Technology and Subsystems
Air Force Systems Command
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
Dear Sir:
In reply to your inquiry of May 27, 1964, we are unable to
furnish any information as to the type markings you submitted
for our examination.
United States registration markings for civil aircraft are
preceded by the alpha 'N" followed by one-to-five digits,
one-to-four digits followed by one letter, or one-to-three
digits followed by two letters, displayed in twelve-inch
characters. We have no knowledge of any particular country
using symbols as reference to their registration.
If we may be of further assistance, please let us know.
Sincerely yours,
b.dickey
H. Moody, Manager
Control Systems
Data Establishment
2 2

Page 28

PROJECT CLOUD GAP
TEST HEADQUARTERS
U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION IN REPLY REFER TO:
Los Alamitos, California
CG-12/ojk
20 May 1964
Captain Hector Quintanilla Jr.
Chief, Aerial Phenomena Branch
Headquarters Forei_n Technology Division
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
Dear Captain Quintanilla,

Text continues in the original file (168 pages).

Same topic: title & summary match

• FBI file 62-HQ-83894, Serial 438

Same period: 1964

• USG-UAP-D002 — Interagency Correspondence Concerning Space Fragments, 1962-1964