Date: Sun, 20 Sep 2009 07:05:32 -0500
From: Francis Ridge <nicap@insightbb.com>
Subject: Transcription of docs MAXW-PBB4-640, 641,643 for Grays Harbor, Washington; Oct 30, 1948
To: RADCAT
http://www.bluebookarchive.org/page.aspx?PageCode=MAXW-PBB4-640 THIS PAGE IS UNCLASSIFIED
Case file
#24-3
DO #20, MoChord AFB
DETAILS: 1. Investigation initiated' by District Commander, DO
#20, MoChord
AFIB, Washington, on receipt of letter from Headquarters,
Air Materiel Command,
Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio, dated 19 November 48,
subject "Project
SIGN", requesting investigation of an unidentified flying
object allegedly
seen by Major MORRIS and Lt. "KOONEMAN" of the 318th All
Weather Fighter Squad-
ron, McChord AFB, Washington, on or about 30 October 48
while on a controlled
mission for the ir Defense Control Center, 634th Aircraft
Control Squadron,
Everett, Washington. (See Inclosure #1)
AT McCHORD AFB, WASHINGTON
2. On 24 November 48, 2nd Lt ROBERT L. KUNEMAN, A0-2027143, 318th Fighter Squadron, McChord AFB, was interviewed in this
offloe and a sworn
statement obtained. Lt KUNEMAN stated that on 30 October
1948, at approximate-
ly 1430 hours, Pacific Standard Time, he saw a formation of
unidentified ob-
jects, while on a flying mission approximately fifteen miles
northwest of Grays
Harbor, Washington. Lt KUNEMAN stated that these
objects were at approximately
eight thousand (8,000) feet and travelling, apparently quite
rapidly, in an
Easterly, then Northerly direction. The objects were in Lt.
KUNEMAN's sight for
approximately twenty (20) seconds, and he mentioned the
matter to the pilot,
Major MORRIS, who was fairly busy at that time and did not
see the objects. Lt
KUNEMAN stated that these objects first appeared yellow in
color, ohanging to
white, then disappeared, that the objects looked rather
translucent immediately
before disappearance. He could not give any descrription as
to size, shape or
other identifying data. (Sec statement of Lt KUNEMAN,
Inolosure #2.)
3. On 7 December 48, Major HOMER WILLIAM MORRIS,
A0-1699412, 318th
Fighter Squadron, McChord AFB, was interviewed in this
office and a sworn state-
ment obtained. Major MORRIS stated that on or about 30
Ootober 48, Lt. KUNEMAN
and himself left McChord AFB at approximately 1400 hours on
a special instrument
flight controlled by the G.C.I. (606th Aircraft Control and
Warning Group) at
Neah. Bay, Washington. He stated that their first
interception proved to be a
small freighter travelling South. He was given a bearing to
follow for his
second interception and just prior to reaching this location
his Radar Observer,
Lt. KUNEMAN exclaimed over the interphone system that he saw
a very fast-moving
object in the air and asked Major MORRIS if he had observed
it. Major MORRIS
stated that he did not see anything and, inasnuoh as they
had reached the
rcndcsvous of the interception and nothing was visible at
that time, he radioed
the Ground Control Station and asked if they had passed over
their target. He
received the reply, "Break lt off. There is nothing there."
Major MORRIS
stated that the fact that the G. C. I. station had said that
they did have a
target out there and later on stated there was no target
there, was the reason
that he had allowed Lt KUNEMAN to report his observations.
He stated that
KUNEMAN is a trained observer. (See statement of Major
MORRIS, Inclosure #3.
UNCLASSIFIED ----------- http://www.bluebookarchive.org/page.aspx?PageCode=MAXW-PBB4-641 Case file
#24-3
DO #20, McoChord AFB
4. On 24 November 48, this agent
determined, after reviewing the
records maintained by Base Operations and the 83rd Military
Flight Service
Center, McChord AFB, that no United States military or Naval
aircraft were
flying in the general area mentioned by Lt KUNEMAN, on
30 October 1948, between
1500 and 1600 hours.
5. On 24 November 48, 1st Lt
JAMES F. 0HLIGSHLAGER, AQ-758214, 2101st
Weather Squadron, McChord AFB, was interviewed and the
weather sequence was ob-
tained for 30 October at 1618 hours, in the Grays Harbor
area. This sequence
is as followsi,
(unreadable)The winds aloft report was indicated a fifteen (15) to
twenty (20) Knot Velocity
at 290 to 300 from eight thousand (8,000) feet to ten
thousand (10,000) feet.
6. On 7 Deeember 48, Major JAMES H.
ROSE, A0-905550, S-3, 595th Air-
craft Control and Warning Group, McChord AFB, was
interviewed and a verbal
statement obtained. Major ROSS stated that
the Ground Control Station at Neah
Bay, Washington, must have picked up ssame object on the
Radar Scope and then
lost it prior to Major MORRIS airoraft arriving at the
interception, point.
Major ROSE stated to this agent that he would cooperate to
his utmost to
determine if some object was picked up and lost at the time
and date lndicated
by .Major MORRIS and Lt. KUNEMAN.
7. This agent ascertained the following
information relative to
Radar Observer, Lt ROBERT L. KUNEMAN: He is well
thought of, both as to
character and ability, in his organization. He
appeared to be above average
in intelligence. His perception as to color, superiority as
to speed of moving
objects, average; as to size at distance, excellent. His
reliability, aooord-
lng to Major HOMER WlLLIAM MORRIS, pilot, is
excellent. His hobbies: Swimming,
golfing, soft ball, and model railroad trains.
INCLOSURES 1. Copy of letter from Hq Air
Materiel Command, Wright-
Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio, dated 19 Nov 48
2. Statement of 2nd Lt ROBERT L.
KUNEMAN, dated 24 Nov 48
3. Statement of Major HOMER WILLIAM
MORRIS, dated 7 Dec 48
---------- http://www.bluebookarchive.org/page.aspx?PageCode=MAXW-PBB4-642 Deteraine if the object seen by Lt. KUNEMAN on '30 Octotebr 48, at approximately 1450 hours, was pickd up by the Radar Station at Leah Bay. Washington. Obtain all available information on the above if possible.. |