Location: Fort Polk, Louisiana

Date: July 1952 Time: 19:00

According to the report, a Mr. H.J. was a young private in the U. S. Army infantry undergoing basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana. One evening in July, around 7pm, he was on maneuvers with his platoon, which was comprised of approximately nine men. All of the infantry men in the area were divided into red and blue teams and given military assignments. Suddenly, H. J. and his platoon saw a flying saucer land/crash “out in the boondocks.” The area immediately surrounding the craft was badly burned and he could still feel the heat emanating from the craft. He described it as “egg shaped,” and being as wide as a three bedroom single story ranch house. The center section had a “fin” running along the outer circumference which was still rotating when they came upon it. He estimated its size to be approximately 24 feet in diameter. There were no lights or windows on the craft. Using their walkie-talkies, the platoon contacted headquarters and informed them of the situation.

Shortly thereafter, medics, military police, and high ranking brass arrived at the scene. A portion of the UFO apparently retracted downward revealing a ramp which provided access to the interior. H. J. and his platoon saw the medics carry one small dead humanoid out of the craft on a stretcher. Then he saw two live alien creatures walk out who were aided by medics. He described them as about three to four feet tall and very “skinny” with large heads. The source indicated that he was approximately 15 yards away from the craft during the time of the retrieval operation. According to the U. S. Army private, once senior officers arrived on the scene, “peons like me had to get away from the craft.” All of the individuals in his platoon were strictly warned never to discuss the incident. The officer in charge was a Lt. Whiting. He was also involved in the loading of the craft onto a military low-boy trailer via a crane. Once removed from the scene, the private had no idea where the craft eventually ended up.

HC addendum

Source: Leonard Stringfield dictation notes collection March 15 1982, citing Mr. Peter Rank. Type: H