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This Project Blue Book file on the Socorro, New Mexico sighting, held by the Internet Archive, collects Air Force records and 1964 press clippings. It covers policeman Lonnie Zamora's April 24, 1964 report of an egg-shaped object with four legs, the scorched brush and ground depressions, and Dr. J. Allen Hynek's investigation. An Air Force summary says soil and brush analysis found no radiation or propellant and the case stayed open. Later New Mexico reports were judged known objects or hoaxes.
“Hector Quintanilla”29 pages
## INFORMATION RELATIVE TO THE SOCORRO SIGHTING OF UFO BY LONNIE ZAMORA At 0530, Sunday 26 April 1964, I received a call from Captain Hector Quintanilla requesting that the Socorro sighting be investigated immediately and that he be advised as soon as possible of the results of an initial investigation. This action was dictated by a call from the Command Post at 330, a call from the Emergency Action Group at 430 and another call from the Command Post just prior to my notification of the event. The contacts for data already collected were Lt Col King (268-2107) and Capt R T Holder (Scan White Sands 835-1385). At 0600 I contacted the Base Duty officer and was informed that Major Conner was the Kirtland Investigator for UFO reports. I contacted Major Conner and requested permission to accompany him to Socorro. I contacted Col King and a meeting was arranged for 0830. The only information that Col King had was in the form of an FBI report made by agent Barnes on Friday night following the sighting. This report was forwarded to Washington and Col King had NOTIFIED, the Command Post. (This FBI to be included as an attachment in Major Conner's report. REPORT. A geiger counter was obtained and Major Conner and I departed for Socorro at 1030 arriving 1200 in Socorro. We contacted Sgt Chavez, the State Police officer who was the first to reach Lonnie Zamora (Only witness) and during the interview the following information was obtained. Shortly after 1700 Lonnie Zamora was on patrol and radioed in to the city Police that there was a 10-74 (auto accident) and he was proceeding to investigate. It appeared as if an auto had turned over and two people were standing by it's side. From the ensuing activity monitored on the radio Sgt Chavez immediately made an effort to reach patrolman Zamora and arrived about 3 minutes after the object under observation by Lonnie Zamora had disappeared. Sgt Chavez then went to the area where the craft or thing was supposedly sighted and found four fresh indentations in the ground and several charred or burned bushes. Smoke appeared to come from the bush and he assumed that it was burning, however no coals were visible and the charred portions of the bush were cold to the touch. Sgt Chavez contacted the FBI, who in turn contacted White Sands and Agent Barnes and Lt R T Holder of the latter organization arrived to conduct an investigation and obtain various samples of the soil and charred bush. Sgt Chavez secured the area and made an investigation of the ground surrounding the scene. He determined that the only tire marks were those of Patrolman Zamora's vehicle and the State Police car 800 yards and found no prints or track activity of any kind other than that noted in the FBI report. Further he stated that the marks were definitely "fresh", and the dirt showed evidence of "dew" or moisture. Sgt Chavez is firm in that no track activity was evident. At no time did he observe the craft or object described by Patrolman
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