On 25 March 1948, a mysterious Unidentified Flying Object was detected and picked up on their scopes by three separate and strategically situated RADAR units located in the southwestern part of the United States. Among these radars was a very high-powered experimental installation, prominently perched on a mountain top in the unique four corners area—an intriguing region where the states of Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado converge. Remarkably, it seems that the beam emanating from this advanced RADAR unit had some kind of unforeseen effect on the central control system of the flying object, for, almost immediately, it appeared to go out of control. The object fluttered and wobbled erratically from side to side, and it appeared to be taking a concerning trajectory towards the ground below.

Contact with the mysterious object was attempted through radio communication, but unfortunately, there was no response received. The situation prompted an immediate notification to the Air Defense Command (ADC), leading to the quick activation of local military units on standby. Drawing from previous experience with this sort of elusive bogy image, the director of the high-powered radar site took swift action and wired a crucial special message to General George C. Marshall, the esteemed Secretary of State. In this urgent message, the director informed him that an unidentified flying object was on the verge of crashing somewhere in the four corners area. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Marshall quickly convened an impromptu meeting that included the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the National Security Council, and the President himself. They were subsequently connected via direct voice-to-voice communication with that vital top-secret radar station, allowing them to stay informed in real-time.

Marshall ordered ADC and their associated military units to maintain their standby status, explicitly instructing them not to take any action unless he personally authorized such measures. Following this directive, he promptly initiated contact with the MJ-12 group, an entity that would later come to be recognized as "The Committee of 12" and/or "The Special Group" (for further details, refer to Chapter II). Subsequently, he placed the specialized unit of Army Counterintelligence, known as the Interplanetary Phenomenon Unit (IPU), which operates under the Scientific and Technical Branch, on a heightened state of Red-Alert. This elite unit was established shortly after the collection and analysis of debris remnants from the Roswell and Magdalena incidents, which were found to consist of unusual materials with origins yet to be determined. The IPU executed its operations out of Camp Hale, Colorado, with the unique and critical mission of efficiently collecting and transporting crashed and/or disabled Flying Saucers to designated secret locations.

By means of triangulation, based upon detailed information collected from the three separate radar units, the proposed area of impact was carefully calculated to be in the vicinity of Aztec, New Mexico. This critical information was immediately radioed to General Marshall, who, recognizing its importance, quickly relayed it to the IPU Commander stationed at Camp Hale. In response, a scout team was promptly dispatched by helicopter from Camp Hale to the Aztec area, aiming to secure the site for further investigation.

Within just a few short hours, the skilled members of the IPU Scout Team successfully sighted the unidentified object resting prominently on top of a rugged rocky plateau in a notably difficult area located approximately 12 miles northeast of the small town of Aztec. The object, which appeared to exhibit a distinctive circular shape, was noticeably dented on top, and was estimated to be roughly 100 feet in diameter. With a sense of urgency, the Scout Commander skillfully radioed back to IPU Headquarters situated at Camp Hale, conveying the crucial information, "We have a Flying Saucer on the ground about 12 miles northeast of Aztec." He took care to provide the exact map coordinates to ensure precise location tracking. Shortly thereafter, the IPU Commander promptly relayed this significant message to General Marshall.

At that very instant, all communication was abruptly cut off with the radar station facilities, leaving only a connection open between the IPU and General Marshall. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, General Marshall issued an order to the Air Defense Command to "de-activate," effectively meaning going off alert status. In addition, all local military units received instructions to resume their usual business activities without concern. Meanwhile, the Radar Stations were informed that there had indeed been a false alarm, and they were directed to go off standby mode, returning to their regular operational routines.

Marshall then decisively ordered the commander of the Investigation and Recovery Unit (IPU) to promptly organize a specialized recovery team. This dedicated unit knew exactly what to do, having been rigorously practicing for circumstances just like this for almost an entire year. As this highly trained commando-type unit was heading south towards Aztec, Marshall took the initiative to contact Dr. Vannevar Bush. He provided a detailed briefing on the unfolding situation, emphasizing the urgency of the matter. In his conversation, he instructed Dr. Bush to quickly assemble an impromptu scientific team that could accompany the IPU team to the crash site, ensuring a thorough examination of the mysterious incident.

Dr. Vannevar Bush was the distinguished Director of The Research and Development Board (R&DB), which served as the peacetime counterpart to the wartime Office of Scientific Research and Development. Under his leadership, groundbreaking advancements were made, including the development of the atomic bomb, RADAR technology, the proximity fuse, magnetic anti-submarine warfare systems, and many other essential devices that played pivotal roles in military operations. Bush was not only renowned for his innovative scientific mind, but he also possessed exceptional organizational skills and credible leadership abilities that made him a standout figure in his field. His reputation was widely recognized throughout the entire scientific community; he had an incredible talent for persuading any scientist, regardless of their status or position, to set aside their personal projects and join the urgent cause at hand. This remarkable ability was precisely how he successfully assembled the crucial C6R&D team during the pressing wartime emergency situation.

Bush organized an exceptional and diverse team composed of several prominent names, including the brilliant Dr. John Von Neumann, a renowned physicist-mathematician from Princeton University, who was instrumental in establishing the foundational principles that underpin our modern-day handheld calculators and computers; the visionary Dr. J. Robert Oppenheimer, an individualist and free-thinking physicist who famously led the Manhattan Project and was pivotal in the development of the atomic bomb at Los Alamos, New Mexico; and the distinguished Dr. Detlev Wulf Bronk, a physiologist and biophysicist of international acclaim, who served as the chairman of the National Research Council, was a respected member of the Medical Advisory Board of the Atomic Energy Commission and participated as a member of the Scientific Advisory Committee at Brookhaven National Laboratory until 1946, also holding the position of Coordinator of Research at the Air Surgeon's office.

These distinguished scientists were urgently called and instructed by President Bush to convene at Durango Airfield, located on the outskirts of the town of Durango, Colorado, as quickly as humanly possible. He emphasized to them that this mission was of extreme significance and required the utmost level of secrecy. They would receive a thorough briefing on the detailed circumstances and parameters of the operation upon their arrival at the airfield. President Bush, himself, was assigned to be completely in charge of overseeing the scientific segment of this critical operation, reporting directly to General Marshall for further coordination and oversight.

In the meantime, the dedicated and skilled IPU Scout Team circled cautiously over the recently crash-landed disc, meticulously radioing back to the main recovery team a detailed and precise route over a challenging network of unimproved dirt roads that led to the crash site from Durango Airfield, which was located approximately 35 miles to the north. The main recovery team was informed that the disc had a substantial diameter of at least 100 feet, prompting the realization that they would require at least three heavy equipment hauling trucks and trailers, along with an abundance of dismantling equipment to properly handle the situation.

The Scout Team also diligently watched for any evidence of Civilian personnel in the immediate area surrounding the crash site. They noticed a rustic ranch house situated within a half mile of the crash, promptly informing the main team members of the precise location. This crash site was located on a plateau that offered a stunning view overlooking a deep and secluded canyon, which was marked on the survey maps as Hart Canyon. After conducting some initial checks, the main team commander was swiftly informed that this crash site was actually located on a cattle ranch owned by a Mr. H.D., who is still living; and that the ranch house was currently being occupied by him and his family, adding another layer of complexity to the investigation.

The convoy of diligent IPU team members reached the mysterious crash-site, virtually unnoticed by the unsuspecting civilians living in the area, by taking great care to not arouse any undue interest. They skillfully maneuvered through the terrain, taking maximum advantage of the natural ridges and deep ravines of the rugged plateaus that lined the dramatic walls of Hart Canyon.

No military press agent was available to replicate the same blunder that Colonel Blanchard and Lieutenant Haut made on that fateful day, 8 July 1947, at Roswell Army Air Force Base. The brass learned a significant and sobering lesson from that complicated recovery operation. The Roswell incident established a precedent for how NOT to handle such a delicate situation in the unfortunate event that it ever occurred again. In light of the mistakes made during that incident, specific procedures were developed and put in place. This entire operation was to be conducted under a shroud of the utmost secrecy and confidentiality. No one was to know about this critical recovery effort outside of the very small group of men directly involved, and they were sworn to an ABOVE TOP-SECRET OATH, which carried dire consequences if broken, ensuring that the details would never see the light of day.

General Marshall called the Secretary of the Interior, urgently asking him to expedite the transfer of the specific piece of property on which the crash site was located, shifting it from the private ownership of H.D. to Federal Status! Marshall executed this delicate maneuver in such a way as to not arouse any suspicions regarding the true nature of the operation, and he carried it off successfully, maintaining the utmost discretion throughout the process.

Upon arrival at the crash site, the dedicated IPU recovery team sprang into immediate and coordinated action. Carefully positioned roadblocks were established at strategic locations along all access roads within a two-mile radius of the crash scene (these roadblocks were intentionally placed so they could not be seen from the nearby highway). Guards were diligently posted at each roadblock, equipped with explicit orders to turn away all individuals who did not possess the proper identification and pass-cards necessary for entry. The owner of the ranch, along with his family, were effectively placed under house arrest within their own ranch house. They were told that a top-secret military operation was currently underway, and it was, therefore, their patriotic duty to remain indoors during this critical situation. Additionally, they were instructed in a very emphatic and authoritative manner not to disclose any information regarding what had transpired on their ranch. Needless to say, H.D. continues to refuse to answer any questions pertaining to this bizarre incident to this very day. He has been properly intimidated and remains silent.

The equipment hauling trucks were cleverly camouflaged to convincingly resemble oil drilling rigs, just in case anyone managed to get past the strategically placed roadblocks or happened to glance in the direction of the covert activity from a distance. Every single aspect of the operation was meticulously covered in its minutest detail with the express purpose of diverting any possible notice away from it, ensuring that everything remained under the radar.

The dedicated scientific team arrived on the scene shortly after the hardworking IPU team had already established their initial presence. They quickly went into immediate action, acting with purpose and urgency, first checking for any possible radioactivity in the surrounding area. Both the ground and the unusual disc-shaped machine were meticulously gone over with Geiger counters to ensure thorough evaluation. Meanwhile, the rancher's water supply and livestock were placed under strict quarantine until they could be rigorously tested and proven fit for human consumption, prioritizing public safety above all else.

Immediately after all the preliminaries were taken care of, the ship itself became the main object of attention, capturing everyone's curious gaze. There simply didn't seem to be any feasible way of access into the saucer's mysterious interior. The entire surface of the craft was remarkably smooth and appeared to be one continuous piece, devoid of seams, breaks in contour, fasteners, or any other visible evidence of the joining of metals which would typically indicate construction. Scattered across its surface were what appeared to be "windows" or "ports." While these features seemed to be metallic at first glance, they were, in fact, transparent when viewed from a very close distance, reminiscent of our one-way mirrors or the advanced polarized glass technology that we have today.

These scientists were completely silent with awe as they meticulously examined the exterior of this truly amazing ship of unknown origins. Some of them just stood back, taking in the entire breathtaking scene, while others crawled under and around it, feeling its intriguing texture and unique shape. Finally, to break the heavy and tense silence that had settled over the group, Bush firmly told the men to get to work, for this entire crucial project must be completed as soon as possible, leaving not a trace of evidence behind that could raise any suspicions.

The first thing that absolutely had to be done was to gain entry into the mysterious interior of the craft. The ship was examined very carefully and methodically, but despite their thorough efforts, the team could not find anything that even remotely resembled a door or hatch to enter through. Finally, after much deliberation and close inspection, one of the scientists, with keen eyes, noticed what appeared to be a double-pushbutton type mechanism (a knob-shaped protrusion with a button situated right in the middle) located on one of the cabin's walls. Efe anxiously motioned for the others to come over and take a closer look for themselves. One of the scientists, in a fit of determination, picked up a hammer and forcefully beat the “porthole” “glass” out with unrelenting effort. Meanwhile, another scientist discovered a long pole, which he then used to poke through the hole made in the “port,” barely managing to reach the elusive pushbutton mechanism. At last, the button was finally pushed, and to their astonishment, a door opened downward from the cabin's side, descending gracefully through the disc's rim flange as if inviting them inside.

Immediately, one by one, the scientists scrambled up the narrow ramp, their hearts racing with anticipation, before stepping into the dimly lit cabin chamber. There, slumped over the intricate instrument panel were two human-like beings, astonishingly about four feet in height and charred to a deep chocolate brown color, the result of some mysterious and catastrophic mishap known only to them. The air was thick with tension as the scientists exchanged bewildered glances, trying to comprehend the situation before them.

The instrument panel featured several push-buttons and an array of control levers, all labeled in a series of hieroglyphic-type symbol forms that were completely unknown to any of the scientists on our dedicated team. Oppenheimer, who had an extensive knowledge of Sanskrit, made an intriguing remark that the symbols did show some resemblance to Sanskrit to a certain degree, although it was far from a direct match. Additionally, the instrument panel was adorned with blinking lights, and an assortment of symbols illuminated small display screens that reminded the team of our modern digital readouts found on watches, calculators, and similar devices. Amidst these advanced features, there was also a persistent beeping sound emanating from something that closely resembled our contemporary handheld portable transistor radios. The scientists found themselves once again captivated and profoundly amazed by these incredibly sophisticated devices, which none of them had encountered in any setting before, highlighting the depth of their technological marvels.

Examining the ship closely, they discovered another chamber situated within the cabin that must have served as some sort of sleeping quarters or rest area for the crew. The chamber contained retractable beds that seamlessly pulled out from the walls, designed for efficiency in a confined space. Furthermore, there were 12 more charred bodies sprawled around on the floor, remnants of a tragic event that had unfolded. They carefully carried these small, lifeless bodies outside and laid them in even, respectful rows on the ground beside the craft, honoring the lost lives as they processed the grim scene before them.

Immediately, Dr. Cetlev Malf Bronk began to examine the bodies with extreme care and meticulous attention to detail. These little creatures, with their strange features, were either dwarfs piloting an incredibly advanced aircraft from some obscure country on this Earth, or they were indeed aliens of extraterrestrial origin that had traveled across the vastness of space. His thoughts quickly turned toward the critical aspect of preservation. He turned to Dr. Bush and inquired if they could obtain some specialized cryogenic equipment with which to properly preserve these remarkable bodies for further detailed examination and extensive study. Bush's mind then naturally drifted to the expertise of Dr. Paul A. Scherer, who had worked closely with him as the Director of the Transition Division of CGR&D (Office of Scientific Research and Development) during the tumultuous times of the war, and who was now serving alongside Bush on the Board of Directors of the prestigious Carnegie Institute in Washington, D.C. Scherer's specialty was cryogenics, and he had cultivated numerous invaluable connections all over the U.S. regarding cryogenic equipment, materials, and advanced techniques that could prove essential for their groundbreaking research.

Dr. Bush immediately radioed his colleague, Dr. Scherer, briefing him in detail on the unfolding situation regarding the mysterious incident. Scherer instructed Bush to secure some dry ice as a temporary measure for preserving the bodies until further investigation could be conducted. Meanwhile, he quickly began reaching out to some crucial contacts located in the southwestern part of the country to gather more information and resources.
While Bush was conferring with Scherer in a heated discussion about the implications of the sighting, another dedicated group of scientists and military personnel was diligently examining the mysterious craft very thoroughly for any feasible way to disassemble it. They first attempted using cutting torches, but after several failed attempts, it was clear there was no success to be had. The torches didn’t even phase the strangely resilient metal, which bore a brushed aluminum type appearance that was both fascinating and perplexing. Following this, they moved on to diamond drills and diamond cutting saws, hoping to have better luck. One bit and blade after another dulled very quickly, rendering their efforts utterly ineffective. The material simply could not be penetrated, no matter what tools they employed. Finally, after an exhaustive and meticulous examination, one particularly observant scientist found a location on the inside of the craft where there was some sort of interlocking key device. With a mix of excitement and trepidation, he pulled on the device, and to their amazement, a seam opened up on the ship, stretching from top to bottom at that particular location. As he continued his inspection, he moved around the ship and discovered several of these interlocking devices spaced out at equal intervals. Here it was—the key to the disassembly problem they had been diligently searching for all along.

While the ship was being meticulously disassembled, Dr. Von Neumann and Dr. Bush found themselves increasingly captivated by the intricacies of the control panel. They discovered that the panel featured several drawers that smoothly rolled out, yet astonishingly, no visible wiring was apparent to them. These intriguing drawers appeared to be integral sections of the "electrical" circuitry from which the controls received their power, reminiscent of modern-day electronic devices that utilize integrated circuits. They were genuinely amazed at how this entire control panel, which undoubtedly functioned based on principles akin to those of computer technology, could be compacted into such a remarkably small and efficient space. Dr. Von Neumann and Dr. Bush had pioneered the development of the first computers during the war, yet those early machines required entire rooms filled with extensive electronic equipment, elaborate wiring, and other components to operate effectively. In stark contrast, each of these pull-out "drawers" contained thousands of microscopic pull-out "chips," prompting them to ponder the nature of the technology they were encountering.

What kind of advanced technology were they truly dealing with in this intriguing scenario? What profound mysteries surrounded the origin of this enigmatic ship? Countless questions remained, patiently waiting to be explored and thoroughly answered, urging those involved to dive deeper into the unknown. Each query opened up new avenues for investigation and understanding, fueling curiosity and the desire for knowledge for years to come.

There is much more to this intriguing case that will be thoroughly delved into on a separate page that focuses specifically on the remarkable occupants of the ship, as well as offering in-depth analysis on the ship itself. Prepare to have your mind blown by the astonishing findings that were discovered during the investigation.