Document · 24 April 1964
Project Blue Book case file: Socorro, New Mexico, April 1964 (Lonnie Zamora)
The U.S. Air Force's Project Blue Book file on the sighting by Socorro police officer Lonnie Zamora on 24 April 1964, one of the few landing cases Blue Book left officially unidentified. The 168-page file includes the record card, investigation summaries, FTD correspondence, statements and press clippings. Released on Blue Book microfilm at the National Archives; our copy was assembled from NARA's page images and the OCR text is imperfect.
Sources: National Archives, Project Blue Book (NARA ID 302532129)
Facts and claims
- documented The Project Blue Book record card files the case under Socorro, New Mexico, 24 April 1964, 17:45 local, as a ground-visual observation of one object lasting less than 10 minutes, with "Physical Spec" (physical specimens) noted. Its comment reads: "Initially believed to be observation of Lunar module type configuration. Effort to date cannot place vehicle at site. Case carried as UNIDENTIFIED pending additional data." Source: doc-bluebook-socorro-1964.pdf
- documented A 28 May 1964 resumé from the Foreign Technology Division to the Air Force information office says the object had left markings in the ground and several burned spots, that the area was secured by Sgt Chavez of the New Mexico State Police, and that Capt. Holder of the Stallion Site at White Sands took samples. It states that "the sighting was legitimate and there was no indication that a hoax was being perpetrated". Source: doc-bluebook-socorro-1964.pdf
- documented The Air Force's case summary records Zamora's account: while chasing a speeder he heard a roar and saw flame, then saw what looked like an overturned car with one or two figures in coveralls; from about 150 ft he saw a white, egg-shaped object on girder-like legs that rose with a roar and flame, showed a red insignia, and flew off to the south. Sgt Chavez arrived moments later, found slight depressions and burned brush, and saw no object. Source: doc-bluebook-socorro-1964.pdf
- documented The investigation found no other witnesses to the object, no unidentified helicopters or aircraft in the area, no unusual or unidentified blips at radar installations, and no unusual meteorological activity; the weather was windy but clear. Source: doc-bluebook-socorro-1964.pdf
Connected files
Programs
- Project Blue Book (case file of)
Incidents
- Socorro landing (New Mexico, 1964) (documents)
Mentioned in this file
- Lonnie Zamora (Person)
- National Archives and Records Administration (Organization)
- National Air and Space Intelligence Center (Organization)
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