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214 Kent Road,
Alexandria, Va.,
Dec. 2, 1954
Chief, Office of Naval Research
Navy Department
Washington 25, D. C.
Attention: Lt.Cdr. Frank Thomas, ONR.
Dear Sir:
In the past few months, I have received conflicting statements from various sources about the Navy's part in the investigation of Unidentified Flying Objects, and its opinions in certain cases. I should greatly appreciate official answers giving the Navy position in regard to the following items.
1. The Tremonton, Utah motion pictures, taken by Navy Warrant Officer Delbert C. Newhouse, July 2, 1952. In the May, 1954 issue of TRUE Magazine, Capt. Edward J. Ruppelt, USAFR, states that photographic experts found the Navy's evaluation methods faulty. This is contrary to my understanding. I have been led to believe, by informed sources, that the Navy analysis made these points:
A. They (the objects) appear to be a light source rather than reflected light. It is felt that if they were reflected light some blinking would have occurred as they passed through the flight movements observed on the film.
B. The size of the objects could not be determined as they appear merely as points of light, however they all seem to be of the same size.
C. The shape of the objects could not be determined for the same reason, but they appear circular.
D. The general color of the objects seems to be bluish-white, the other colors noted apparently being due to color aberration in the lens and to processing defects.
E. Speed of the objects can be calculated only on the basis of the distance from and their movement relative to, the observer. It is felt that if the objects were balloons or aircraft of known dimensions, they could have been identified if within a distance of 5 miles.
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NW 9/1/98
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