65_HS1-834228961_62-HQ-83894_Serial_438 Serial 438 of 62-HQ-83894 — the FBI's report on the Lonnie Zamora sighting at Socorro, New Mexico on April 24, 1964, written by Albuquerque SA D. Arthur Byrnes Jr. and dated May 8, 1964 — one of the most-investigated and widely-cited unexplained UFO cases in U.S. history.
The Zamora/Socorro file is publicly available on FBI Vault and has been mirrored extensively on The Black Vault and elsewhere for years.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
In Reply, Please Refer to Albuquerque, New Mexico
File No. May 8, 1964
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT
SOCORRO, NEW MEXICO
APRIL 24, 1964
Special Agent D. Arthur Byrnes, Jr., Federal
Bureau of Investigation, stationed at Albuquerque, New
Mexico, was at Socorro, New Mexico, and at the State
Police Office there on business late afternoon of
April 24, 1964.
At approximately 5:45 to 5:50 P. M., Nep Lopez,
radio operator in the Socorro County Sheriff's Office,
located about thirty feet down the hall from the State
Police Office, came into the State Police Office.
Mr. Lopez advised M. S. Chavez, New lMexico State
Police, that he had just received a radio call from Officer
Lonnie Zamora to come to an area about one mile southwest
of Socorro. The call was in relation to some unknown
object which "landed and has taken off." Agent Byrnes
finished his work in the State Police Office at Socorro
at approximately 6:00 P. M., April 24, 1964, and there-
after proceeded to the site where Officer Zamora,
Socorro County Undersheriff Jim Luckie, Sergeant M. S.
Chavez, and Officer Ted Jordan, New Mexico State Police,
were assembled.
It may be noted that it has been the observation
of Agent Byrnes that Officer Zamora, known intimately for
approximately five years, is well regarded as a sober,
industrious, and conscientious officer and not given
to fantasy.
Officer Zamora was noted to be perfectly sober
and somewhat agitated over his experience.
Special Agent Byrnes noted four indentations
in the rough ground at the '"site" of the object described
s document contains
neither recommendations
®er conclusions
of any Lind. 1t is the property
of the FBI, and is a loa
n to your agency;
its contents are not
to be distribyuted outside your
agency,
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT
by Officer Zamora. These depressions appeared regular
in shape, approximately sixteen by six inches rectangular.
Each depression seemed to have been made by an object
going into the earth at an angle from a center line. Each
depression was approximately two inches deep and pushed
some earth to the far side.
Inside the four depressions were three burned
patches of clumps of grass. Other clumps of grass in the
same area appeared not to be disturbed. One burned area
was outside the four depressions.
There were three circular marks in the earth
which were smooth, approximately four inches in diameter
and penetrated in the sandy earth approximately one-eighth
of an inch as if a jar 1lid had gently been pushed into
the sand.
No other person was noted in the area the night
of April 24, 1964. No other objects were noted in the
area possibly connected with the incident related by
Officer Zamora.
So far as could be noted, there were no houses
or inhabited dwellings in the area or in sight of the area.
1 .-
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Albuquerque, New Mexico
In Reply, Please Refer
to usy 8, 1964
File No.
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OGBJECT
SOCORRO, NEW MEXICO
APRIL 24, 1964
Special Agent D. Arthur Byrmes, Jr., Federal
Bureau of Investigation, stationed at Albuquerque, New
Mexico, was at Socorro, New lMexico, and at the State
Police Office there on business late afternoon of
April 24, 1964.
At approximately 5:45 to 5:50 P, M., Nep Lopez,
radio operator in the Socorro County Sheriff's Office,
located about thirty feet down the hall from the State
Police Office, came into the State Police Office.
Mr. Lopez advised M. S. Chavez, New Hexico State
Police, that be had just received & radio call from Officer
Lonnie Zamora to come to an are2 about ome mile southwest
of Socorro. The call was in relation to some unknown
object which "landed and has taken off.” Agent Byrnes
finished his work in the State Police Office at Socorro
at approximately 6:00 P. M., April 24, 1964, eand there-
after proceeded to the site where Officer Zamora,
Socorro County Undersheriff Jim luckie, Sergeant M. S.
Chavez, and Officer Ted Jordan, New Mexico State Police,
were assembled.
It may be noted that it has been the observation
of Agent Byrnmes that Officer Zamora, known intimately for
approxinately five years, is well regarded as a sober,
industrious, and conscientious officer and not given
to fantasy.
Officer Zamora was noted to be perfectly sober
and somewhat agitated over his experience.
Special Agent Byrnes noted four indentations
in the rough ground at the "site" of the object described
This decument contains neither recom
mendations
nor conclusions of any kind. it is the preperty
of the FBY, and is 2 loan to your agenc
y; it and/er
Hs contonts are not te be distr
ibuted outside your
agency,
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT
by Officer Zamora. These depressions appeared regula r
in shape, approximately sixteen by six inches rectan gular.
Each depression seemed to have been made by an object
going into the earth at an sngle from a ceante r line. Each
depression was approximately two inches deep and pushed
some earth to the far side.
Inside the four depressions were three burned
patches of clumps of grass. Other clumps of grass in the
same area appeared not to be disturbed. Ome burned ares
was outside the four depressions.
There were three circular marks in the earth
which were mmooth, approximately four inches in diameter
and penetrated in the sandy earth approximately one-gighth
of sn inch as if a jar 1id had gently been pushed into
the sand.
No other person was noted in the area the night
of April 24, 1964. No other objects were noted in the
area possibly connected with the incident related by
Officer Zamora.
fo far as could be noted, there were no houses
or inhabited dwellings in the area or in sight of the area.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Albuquerque, New Mexico
In Reply, Please Refer to
File No.
Hay 8, 1964
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING CBJECT
SOCCRRO, NEVW MEXICO
APRIL 24, 1964
Special Agent D, Artlax Byrnes, Jr., Federal
Bureau of Investigation, statiomed at Albuquerque, New
Mexico, was at Socorro, New lexico, axd at the State
Police Office there om business late afternoon of
April 24, 1964,
At approximately 5:45 to §:50 P. M., lep lopez,
radio operator in the Socorro County Sheriff's Office,
located about thirty feot down the hall from the State
Police Office, came into the State Police Office.
v, lopez advised #. 8. Chavez, New lexito State
Police, that he had just received 2 radioc call from Officer
Lonnie Zamora to ¢oms to an area about one mile southwest
of Socorro. The call was in relation to some unimown
object which "landed and has taken off.” Ageont Byrnes
finished his work in the State Police Office at Socorro
at approximately 6:00 P. M., “pril 24, 1964, and there-
after proceeded to the site where Officer Zamora,
Socorro County Undersheriff Jim lLuckie, Sergeant M. 8.
Chavez, and Officer Ted Jordan, New Mexico Stmte Police,
wore asscmbled.
It may be noted that it has been the chservation
of Agent Byrues that Officer Zamora, kmown intimately for
approxinately five years, it well regarded as a sober,
industrious, and counscientious officer and not given
to fantasy.
Officer Zamors was noted to be perfectly sober
and somewhat agitated over his experience.
Special Agent Byrnes noted fowr indentations
in the rough ground at the "siteTM of the object described
This dacument contai ns neit!
ithe :
"o conclusions of any kind.
._ Sogrogl Gl
of the FBY, and is a loa # is the property
n to your. agency; it and/or
s conte
i : Ms are not to
be i
distsibuted eutsid
e your
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT
These depressions appeared regular
in shape, mmuxymw-u inches rectangular
gach deprossion meemed to have boon made by =a object
going into the earth at an angle from a center line. Each
depression was spproximately two inches deep and pushed
somg onrth to the far side.
Inside the fouwr depressions were three burned
patches
of clumps of grass. Other clumps of grass in the
sane svea sppesred not to bo disturbed. One burned ares
was outside the four depressions.
There were three circulsy marks in the emxrth
which were smooth, approximstely four inches in dismetor
and pesotrated in the sandy earth approximestely one-eoighth
o&nfihufla;nmmmwmwmto
sand.
No other person was noted in the area the
of April
24, 1964. No other objects were noted in the
aren possibly comnected with the ineident related
by
officer Zamore.
fo far as could be noted, there were no houses
or inhebited dwellings in the aren or in sight of the avesm.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Albuquerque, New Mexico
In Reply, Please Refer to
May 8, 1964
File No.
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT
SOCORRO, NEW MEXICO
APRIL 24, 1964
The following data were obtained from Officer
Lonnie Zamora, Police Department, Socorro, New Mexico,
the night of April 24, 1964, and early morning, April 25,
1964, as related by Officer Zamora.
Lonnie Zamora, 606 Reservoir Street, Socorro,
New Mexico, 835-1134, Officer Socorro Police Department
about five years, office phone 835-0941, now on 2:00 P. M.
to 10:00 P, M. shift,
About 5:45 P. M., April 24, 1964, while in
Socorro 2 Police Car (1964 Pontiac white) started to chase
a car due south from west side of Courthouse. Car was
apparently speeding, and was about three blocks in front.
At point on Old Rodeo Street, (extension of Park Street
south), near George Morillo residence (about one-half mile
south of Spring Street). The chased car was going straight
ahead toward rodeo grounds. Car chased was a new black
Chevrolet, (it might have been Floyd Reynolds' boy, Vivian,
about 17). Chased car still about three blocks ahead.
This document contains
neither recommendations
nor conclusions of
any kind. it is the preperty
of the FBY, and is a loa n to
your agency; it
and/er
its contents are not to be
distributed outside
your
agency,
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT
Lonnie alone.
At this time heard a roar and saw a flame in the
sky to the southwest some distance away--possibly a half
mile or a mile. Came to mind that a dynamite shack in that
area had blown up. Decided to abandon the chase, and to
check on the flame. The flame was bluish and sort of orange
too. Could not tell size of flame. Sort of motionless
flame, slowly descending. Was still driving the police car
and could not pay too much attention to the flame. It was
a narrow type of flame. It was like a "stream down'-- a
funnel type--narrower at top than at bottom. Flame possibly
three degrees or so in width--not wide. The flame was
possibly a mile south of Socorro, in isolated area.
The flame about twice as wide at bottom as top,
and about four times as high as top was wide. Did not
notice any object at top, did not note if top of flame was
level. Sun was to west and did not help vision. Had green
sun glasses over prescription glasses. // \ Could not
see bottom of flame because it was behind the hill.
No smoke noted. Noted some "commotion'" at bottom--
dust? Possibly from windy day--wind was blowing hard. Clear
sunny sky otherwise--just a few clouds scattered over area.
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT
Noise was a roar, not a blast. Not like a jet.
Changed from high frequency to low frequency and then
stopped. Roar lasted possibly ten seconds--was going towards
it at that time on the rough gravel road. Saw flame about
as long as heard the sound. Flame same color as best as
recall. Sound distinctly from high to low until it disappeared.
Both car windows were down. No other spectators noted--no
traffic except the car in front--and car in front might have
heard it but possibly did not see it because car in front
was too close to hill in front, to see the flame.
After the roar and flame, did not note anything,
while going up the somewhat steep rough hill toward the
flame site. Got up about half way first time, wheels started
skidding, roar still going on, had to back down and try twice
again before made the hill. Hill about sixty feet long, fairly
steep and with loose gravel and rock. While beginning third
time, noise and flame not noted.
After got to top, traveled slowly on the gravel
road westwardly. Noted nothing for awhile, for possibly
ten or fifteen seconds, went slow, looking around for the
dynamite shack--did not recall exactly where the dynamite
shack was.
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT
Suddenly noted a shiny type object to south
about 150 to 200 yards. It was off the road. At first
glance, stopped. It looked, at first, like a car turned
upside down. Thought some kids might have turned over.
Saw two people in white coveralls very close to the object.
One of these persons seemed to turn and look straight at
my car and seemed startled--seemed to quickly jump somewhat.
When I first saw the object, (when I thought it
might be a car), I saw what appeared to be two legs of
some type from the object to the ground. At the time, I
didn't pay much attention to what it was--I thought it was
an accident--I saw the two persons. I didn't pay attention
to the two '"legs?". The two '"legs'" were at the bottom
of the object, slanted outwards to the ground. The object
might have been about thee and a half feet from the ground
at that time. I just glanced at it.
At this time I started moving my car towards them
quickly, with idea to help. Had stopped about only a
couple seconds. Object was like aluminum--it was whitish
against the mesa background, but not chrome. Seemed like
//f in shape and I at first glance took it to be an
~
overturned white car. Car appeared turned up like standing
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT
on radiator or on trunk, at this first glance.
The only time I saw these two persons was when I
had stopped, for possibly two seconds or so, to glance at
the object. I don't recall noting any particular shape
or possibly any hats or headgear. These persons appeared
normal in shape--but possibly they were small adults or
large kids.
Then paid attention to road while drove towards scene.
Radioed to sheriff's office, "Socorro 2 to Socorro, possible
10-44 (accident); I'1l be 10-6 (busy) out of the car checking
the car down in the arroyo."
Stopped car, was still talking on radio, started
to get out, mike fell down, reached back to put up mike,
then replaced radio mike in slot, got out of car and turned
to go down to where knew the object (car) was.
As my mike fell, I got out of car, at scene area,
I heard about two or three loud '"thumps," like someone
possibly hammering or shutting a door or doors hard., These
"thumps" were possibly a second or less apart. This was
just before the roar. The persons were not seen When I got
up to the scene area.
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT
Hardly turned around from car when heard roar,
(was not exactly a blast), very loud roar--at that close
was real loud. Not like a jet--knows what jets sound like.
started low frequency quickly, then roar rose in frequency
(higher tone) and in loudness--from loud to very loud. At
same time as roar saw flame. Flame was under the object.
Object was starting to go straight up--slowly up. Object
slowly rose straight up. Flame was light blue and at bottom
was sort of orange color. From this angle, saw what might
be the side of object (not end, as first noted). Difficult
to describe flame. Thought, from roar, it might blow up.
Flame might have come from underside of object, at middle,
possibly a four feet area--very rough guess. Can not
describe flame further except blue and orange. No smoke,
except dust in immediate area.
As soon as saw flame and heard roar, turned away,
ran away from object but did turn head several times towards
object. Bumped leg on car--back fender area. Car facing
southwest. Glasses fell to ground, left them there. Ran
to north--car between him and object.
Object was C::) in shape. It was smooth--no
windows or doors. As roar started, it was still on or near
ground. Noted red lettering of some type, |
like
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT
Insignia was about two and one-half feet high and about
two feet wide, guess. Was in middle of object, like
. Object still like aluminum-white.
After fell by car and glasses fell off, kept
running to north with car between me and object. Glanced
back couple of times. Noted object to rise to about level
of car, about twenty to twenty-five feet, guess--took I
guess about six seconds when object started to rise and I
glanced back. I ran I guess about half way to where I
ducked down--about fifty feet from the car is where I ducked
down, just over edge of hill. I guess I had run about
twenty-five feet when I glanced back and saw the object about
level with the car and it appeared about directly over the
place where it rose from.
I was still running and I jumped just over the
hill--I stopped because I did not hear the roar. I was
scared of the roar, and I had planned to continue running
down the hill. I turned around toward the object and at
same time put my head towards ground, covering my face with
my arms. Being that there was no roar, I looked up, and I
saw the object going away from me, in a southwest direction.
When the roar stopped, heard a sharp tone whine from high
tone to low tone. At end of roar was this whine and the
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT
whine lasted maybe a second. Then there was complete
silence about the object. That's when I lifted up my head
and saw the object going away from me. It did not come
any closer to me. It appeared to go in a straight line
and at same height--possibly ten to fifteen feet from ground,
and it cleared the dynamite shack by about three feet. Shack
about eight feet high. Object was traveling very fast. It
seemed to rise up and take off immediately across country.
I ran back to my car and as I ran back, I kept an eye on the
object. I picked up my glasses, (I left the sunglasses on
the ground), got into the car, and radioed to Nep Lopez,
radio operator, to "look out the window, to see if you could
see an object." He asked, "What is it?" I answered, "It
looks like a balloon." I don't know if he saw it. If Nep
looked out his window, which faces north, he couldn't have
seen it. I did not tell him at the moment which window to
look out of.
As I was calling Nep, I could still see the object.
The object seemed to 1lift up slowly, and to 'get small" in
the distance very fast. It seemed to just clear the Box
Canyon or Six Mile Canyon Mountain. It disappeared as it
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT
went over the mountain. It had no flame whatsoever as it
was traveling over the ground, and no smoke or noise.
Can't tell how long saw object second time (the
"close" time), possibly twenty seconds--just a guess--from
time got out of car, glanced at object, ran from object,
jumped over edge of hill, then got back to car-and radioed
as object disappeared.
Just before Sergeant Chavez got to sceme, I got
my pen and drew a picture of the insignia on the object.
Feeling in good health. Last drink--two or three
beers--was over a month ago. Noted no odors. Noted no
sounds other than described. Gave directions to Nep Lopez
at radio and to Sergeant M. S. Chavez to get there. Went
down to where the object had been and I noted the brush was
burning in several places. At that time, I heard Sergeant
Chaves, (New Mexico State Police at Socorro), calling me
on radio for my location, and I returned to my car, told
him he was "looking at me." Then Sergeant Chavez came up,
asked me what the trouble was, because I was sweating and
he told me I was white, very pale. I asked the Sergeant
to see what I saw, and that was the burning brush. Then
-9
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT
Sergeant Chavez and I went to the spot, and Sergeant
Chavez pointed out the tracks.
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Albuquerque, New Mexico
In Reply, Please Refer to May 8, 18964
File No.
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT
SOCORRO, NEW MEXICO
APRIL 24, 1964
The following data were obtained from Cfficer
Lonnie Zamora, Police Department, focorro, New Meoxico,
the night of April 24, 1964, and early morning, April 25,
1964, as related by Officer Zamora.
Lonnie Zamora, 606 Reservoir Street, Socorro,
New Mexico, 835-1134, Officer Socorro Folice Department
sbout five years, office phone 835-0941, now on 2:00 P, M.
to 10:00 P. M. shift,
About 5:45 P, M., Apwril 24, 1964, while in
Socorro 2 Police Car (1964 PFontiac white) started to chase
a car duo south from west side of Courthouse. Car was
apparently speeding, and was about three blocks in fromt.
At point on Old Rodeo Etreet, (extemsion of Park Street
south), near George Morillo residence (about one-half mile
south of Spring Street). The chased car was going straight
ahead toward rodeo grounds. Car chased was a new black
Chevrolet, (it might have been Floyd Reynolds' boy, Vivian,
about 17). Ciased car still about three blocks ahead.
This document contains neither
recommendations
#or conclusions of any
kind. it is the property
: the FBI, a0d is a loan to your
agency; it and/or
contents are not to
be distributed
o
i
outside
your
UNIDENTIFIED
FLYING (BJECT
Lonnie alone.
At this time heard a roar and saw o flame in the
sky to the southwest some distance away--possibly & half
mile
or a mile. Came to mind that a dynamite shack in that
arvea hnd blown
up. Decided to sbandon the chase, and to
chock
on the flame, The flmme was bluish and sort of orange
too. Could not tell size
of flame. Sort of motionless
flame, slowly descending. Vas still driving the police car
and could not pay too much attemtion to the flame. It was
2 narrow
type of flame. It wes like a "stream down'e- &
funnel type--narrower at top than st bottom. Flmme possibly
three degrees or S0 in width--not
wide. The flame
was
possibly a mile south
of Socorro, in isolated avea.
The £lsme sbout twice as wide at botiom as top,
and about fowr times us high as top was wide. Did not
notice any object at top, did uot note if top of flmme was
level. Sun was to west and did mot help vision. Had green
sun glasses over maseription glasses. /7| Could not
/
ok
see bottom
of flame becsuse Lt was behind the hill.
o smoke notod. Noted some "commotionTM at bottom—-
dust? Possibly from windy day--wind was blowing herd., Clear
sunny sky otherwise-—just & few clouds scattered over area.
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING (BRECT
Noise
was a roar, mot
& blast. Not like
& jet.
Changed from high frequemcy to low frequenmcy and then
stopped. Ropr lasted possibly ten seconds--was going towsrds
it at that time on the vrough gravel road. Faw Liame about
a8 long 2& beavd the sound. Flame same color as best as
recikli., Sound distinctly
from high to low until it disappeared.
Both car windows
were down. No other spectators noted--no
traffic except the car in fromt--mid car in frout might have
heawd it but possibly did not se¢ it because cmxr in front
was too clome to hill in frout, to see the flmme.
After the roar and Llsme, did not note anything,
while going up the somewhat sleep rovgh 21l toward the
flsme site. Got up about bhalf way fivet tinme, wisels started
skidding, roar still going on, had to back down and try twice
sgain before made the hill, Hill sbout sixty feet long, fairly
stoep snd with loose gravel and yrock. While beginmning third
time, noise and flame not noted.
Aftor got to top, traveled slowly om the grawl
road westwardly. Noted nothing for awhile, for possibly
ten or fifteen seconds, went olow, looking sround for the
dynamite shack--did not recall exsctly where the dynmmite
sheck was.
UNIDENTIFIED
FLYING CBJRCT
Suddenly noted & shiny type ohject to south
sbout 150 to 200 yards. It was off the road, At first
glance, stopped. It looked, at first, 1like 2 cmr turned
upside down. Thought some kids might have turned over.
Baw tvo people in white coweralls very close to the object.
One of those persons seemed to furn and lock straight at
my caxr and seemed startled--seemed
to quickly junp somewhat.
When I firet saw the object, (vhen I thought it
might be a oar), I saw what appeared to be two legs of
some type from the object to the groumd, At the time,
I
didu't pay smch attention
to what it was--I thought it was
an accidort--I
saw the two persoms. I didn't
pay attention
to the two "legs?"’. The two "lags" were nt the bottom
of the object, slanted outwerds to the ground. The object
might have been sbout thee aund 2 half feet irom the groumd
at that time. I just glanced
at it.
At this tise I started moving my car towsards them
Quickly,
with idea to help. Had stopped
sbout oniy a
couple seconds. Object was like aluminum--it
was whitish
sgaioet the mesa backgroumd,
but pot chrome., Seemed like
[} 7 tn cmpe wed 3 ob Sives gleass Siok 3% 15 be a
M
overturned
white car. Cm appesved turned up like standing
i
UNIDENTIFI ZD
FLYING OBJECT
on radiator or on trunk, at this firet glamnce.
The only time I saw these two persons was when I
had stopped, for poss ibly
two seconds or so, o glance at
the object. I don't recall noting any particulsr shape
or possibly any hats or headgesr. These persons appeared
normal o
in shape--but possibly they were small adults
large kids.
Then paid attention to road while drove towards scone.
Radioced to sheriff's office, "Socorro 2 to Socorro, possible
10-44 (accident); I'11 be 10-6 (busy) out of the cir checking
the car down in the arroyo.”
£topped car, waes still talking on radio, started
to got out, mike fell down, resched back to put up mike,
then replaced radio mike in slot, got out of car and turned
to go down to where kmew the object (car) was,
A2 my mike fell, I got out of cxr, at scens area,
I hourd sbout two or three loud "thumps," like someone
poseibly hammering or shutting & door or doors bad. These
"thamps"
were possibly a second
or less apart. This was
just before
the roar. The persons were not seen when I got
up to the scene area.
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING CBJECT
Hardly turned around from car when heard roar,
(wvas not exactly & blast), very loud roar--at that close
was veal lowd. Not like a jet--Imows what jets sound like.
Started low frequency quickly, then voar rose in frequency
(higher tone) and in loudness--from
loud to very loud. AS
same time as roar saw flame. Flame was under the object.
Ohject was starting to go straight up--slowly up. Object
slowly rose straight up. ¥Flame was light blue and at bottom
was sort of oramge color. ¥From this angle, sav what might
be the side of object (not emd, as first noted). Difficult
to describe flmme. Thought, from roar, it might blow up.
Flame might have come from underside of object, at widdle,
possibly & four feet area~-very rough guess. Can not
doscribe flame further except blue and orangs. No smoke,
except dust in immediate area.
As soon as saw flame and heard roar, tuarned away,
ran sway from object but did turn hesd several times towards
object, Bumped leg on car-~-back fender area. Car facing
southwest. Glasses fell to ground, left them there. Ran
to norih--car between him and object.
Object was C> i shape. It was smooth--no
windowe or doors. As romr started, it was still on or nesr
ground. Noted red lettering of some type, like m .
FLYING
UNIDENTI OBJRCT
FIED
Insignin was about two and ono-half feet high and sbout
two foet wide, guess. ¥as in middle of object, like
/A) . Object still like alumimum-white.
Aftor fell by oar and glasses foll off, kept
running to north with car between me and objeci. Glanced
back coupl e
of times. Noted objec t to about level
to rise
I
of cax, sbout twenty to twenty-five feet, guess-—took
guess about six secunds when object started to rise and I
glanced back., I ran I guess about half way to where I
ducked down~-sbout f£ifty feot from the car is wheve I ducked
down, just over edge of hill. I guess I had run shout
twenty-£five feet when I glanced back and saw the object about
level with the car and it appeared about directly over the
place where it rose from.
I was still rusning and I jumped just ovexr the
hille-] stopped because I did not hear the roar. I was
scared of the roar, and I had planned to continue running
down
the hill. I twned sround toward the object and at
same time put my head towards ground, covering my face with
ny arms. Being that there was no r»oar, I looked up, and I
saw the object going awey from me, in & scuthwest directiom.
¥hen the rosr stopped, heard s shexrp tone whine from high
tone to low tome, At end of romr was this whine and the
UNIDE NTIF
IED FLYING OBJECT
whine lasted maybe & second. Thon there was complete
silence sbout
the object. That's when I lifted up my head
and saw the cbject going sway from me. It did not come
any closer
to me. It appeared €0 go in a strvaight line
and
at same beight--possibly
ten to fifteen feet from ground,
and it cleaved the dynamite shack by sbout thwee fset. Shack
sbout eight feet high, Object was traveling
very fast. It
seensd to vise up and take off immediately across country.
I ran back to my car and #s I ran back, I kept an eoye on the
cbject. I picked
uwp my glasses, (I left the sunglasses
on
the ground), got into the car, and radiced to Nep Lopez,
radio operstor, to "look out the window, to ses if you could
seo an object.” He asked, "What
is it?" I snsweved, "It
looks Iike s balloon.” I don't imow if he maw it. If Nep
looked out his window, which faces north, bhe couldan't have
seen it., I did mot tell him at the moment which window %o
look
out of,
Az I was oalling Nep, I could still se¢ the object.
The object seowmed to 1ift up slowly, and to "got small” in
the distance
very fast. It seomed to just clear the Box
Canyon or Six Mile Canyon Mountain., It disappeared
ss it
~8en
UNIDENTIFI ED
FIYING OBJECT
went over the mountain. It had no flame whatscev it
aser
was traveling over the ground, and no smobke 0r noise.
saw object second time (the
Can't toll how long
"glose" time), possibly twenty seconds-—-just a guess-——from
time got out of car, glanced at object,
ran from ohject,
jumped over edge of hill, them got back to car and radiced
as object disappeared.
Just before Sergeant Chevez got ¢o scene, I got
ny pen and drew & picture of the insignia on the object.
Feoling
in good health. last driak-~iwo
or three
beers--yas
over a month ago. Noted
mo odors. Noted
ne
sounds other than described. Gawe dirvections to Nep Lopez
at radio and to Sergesnt M. €. Chavez to get there. Went
down to where the object had boén and I noted the brush was
burning
in several places. At that time, I hosmrd Sorgeant
Chaves, (New Mexico State Folice at Socorra), ¢alling me
on radio for my location, and I returned to my car, told
him he was "looking
st me." Then Sergesnt
Chavez came up,
ssked wme what the trouble was, becsuse I was sweating and
he told m¢ X wasm white, very pale., I asked
the Sergeant
to seoe what I saw, and that was the burning byush, Then
-G
MNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT
Sergesnt Chavez and I went to the spot, and Sevgesnt
Chavez pointed out the tracks,
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
Albuquerque, New Mexico
In Reply, Please Refer to May 8, 1964
File No.
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT
SOCORRO, NEW MEXICO
APRIL 24, 1964
The following data were obtained from Officer
Lomnie Zamora, Police Department, Socorro, New Mexico,
the night of April 24, 1964, and early morning, April 25,
1964, as related by Officer Zamora.
Lonnie Zamora, 606 Reservoir Street, Socorro,
New Mexico, 835-1134, Officer Socorro Police Department
about five years, office phone 835-0941, now on 2:00 P, M.
to 10:00 P. M. shift.
About 5:45 P. M., April 24, 1964, while in
Socorro 2 Police Car (1964 Pontiac white) started to chase
a car due south from west side of Courthouse. Car was
apparently speeding, and was sabout three blocks in fromt.
At point on 0ld Rodeo Street, (extemsion of Park Street
south), near George Morillo residence (about one-half mile
south of Spring Street). The chased car was going straight
ahead toward rodeo grounds. Car chased was a new black
Chevrolet, (it might have been Floyd Reynolds' boy, Viviam,
about 17). Chased car still about three blocks ahead.
This document contains neither recommendations
nor conclusions of any kind 3 it is the property
..‘ the FBY, and is a loan to your agency; it andfor
its contents are not to be distributed outside
your
agency,
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING CGBJECT
Lommie zlome.
At this time heard a yoar and saw & flame in the
sky to the southwest some distance away--possibly a half
or a mile.,
mile Came to mind that a dynamite shack in that
area had blown
up. Decided to abandon the chase, sad to
check
on the flame. The f£lame was bluish and sort of orange
too. Could not tell size of flame. Bort of motionless
f£lane, slowly descending. Was still driving the police car
and could not pay too much attention to the flame. It was
a narrow
type of flame. It was like a "stream down''—w a
funnel type--narrower at top than at bottom. Flase possibly
three degrees or so in width--not
wide. The fiame
was
possibly & mile south of Socorro, in isolated area.
The flame about twice as wide at bottom as top,
and about four times as high as top was wide. Did not
notice any object at top, did not note if top of Llame was
level. Bun was to west and did not help vision. Had greem
sun glasses over prescription glasses. /‘ Could not
{
see bottom of flame because it was behind the hiil,
No smoke noted. Noted some “"commotion” at bottow—
dust? Posgibly from windy day--wind was blowing hawrd. Clear
sunny eky otherwise--just a fow clouwds scatiered over arvea.
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT
Noi se
was & roar, not & blast. a jet.
Not like
Changed fraom high frequency to low frequency and then
stopped, Roar lssted poseibly tem seconds--was going towsrds
it at that time on the rough gravel road. Saw flame about
as long a= heard the sound. Flame same color as best s
recall, Sound distinctly from high to low uniil it dissppeared.
Both car window s No other spectators noted--no
were down.
traffic except the car in front-~and car in front night have
heard it but possibly did not see it because car in front
was too close to hill in front, to see the fliane.
After the roar and f£lmme, did not note anything,
while going up the somewhat steep rough hill toward the
flame site. Got up sbout half way first time, wheels started
skidding, vour still goiag on, had to back down and try twice
again bofore wade the hill, Hill about sixty feet long, fairly
steep and with loose gravel and rock. VWhile beginning thirgd
time, noise and flame not noted.
After got to top, traveled slowly om the gravel
road westwardly. Noted nothing for awhile, for possibly
ten or fificen seconds, went slow, looking around for the
dynanite shack--did not recall sxactly where the dynamite
shack was.
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECT
fuddenly noted a shiany type object to mouth
sbout 150 to 200 yards. It was off the road. At first
glance, stopped. It looked, at first, like a car turned
upside down. Thou ght
some kids might have twrned over.
Saw two people in white c
[…truncated…]