DATE: December 26, 2002
WITNESS: Chris Xxxxxx
NOTARY: Beverlee Morgan
(1) My name is Walter G. Haut
(2) I was born on June 2, 1922
(3) My address is 1405 W. 7th Street, Roswell, NM 88203
(4) I am retired.
(5) In July, 1947, I was stationed at the Roswell Army Air
Base in Roswell, New Mexico, serving as the base Public
Information Officer. I had spent the 4th of July weekend
(Saturday, the 5th, and Sunday, the 6th) at my private
residence about 10 miles north of the base, which was located
south of town.
(6) I was aware that someone had reported the remains of a
downed vehicle by midmorning after my return to duty at the
base on Monday, July 7. I was aware that Major Jesse A.
Marcel, head of intelligence, was sent by the base commander,
Col. William Blanchard, to investigate.
(7) By late in the afternoon that same day, I would learn
that additional civilian reports came in regarding a second
site just north of Roswell. I would spend the better part of
the day attending to my regular duties hearing little if
anything more.
(8) On Tuesday morning, July 8, I would attend the
regularly scheduled staff meeting at 7:30 a.m. Besides
Blanchard, Marcel; CIC [Counterintelligence Corp] Capt.
Sheridan Cavitt; Col. James I. Hopkins, the operations
officer; Lt. Col. Ulysses S. Nero, the supply officer; and
from Carswell AAF in Fort Worth, Texas, Blanchard's boss,
Brig. Gen. Roger Ramey and his chief of staff, Col. Thomas J.
Dubose were also in attendance. The main topic of discussion
was reported by Marcel and Cavitt regarding an extensive
debris field in Lincoln County approx. 75 miles NW of Roswell.
A preliminary briefing was provided by Blanchard about the
second site approx. 40 miles north of town. Samples of
wreckage were passed around the table. It was unlike any
material I had or have ever seen in my life. Pieces which
resembled metal foil, paper thin yet extremely strong, and
pieces with unusual markings along their length were handled
from man to man, each voicing their opinion. No one was able
to identify the crash debris.
(9) One of the main concerns discussed at the meeting was
whether we should go public or not with the discovery. Gen.
Ramey proposed a plan, which I believe originated from his
bosses at the Pentagon. Attention needed to be diverted from
the more important site north of town by acknowledging the
other location. Too many civilians were already involved and
the press already was informed. I was not completely informed
how this would be accomplished.
(10) At approximately 9:30 a.m. Col. Blanchard phoned my
office and dictated the press release of having in our
possession a flying disc, coming from a ranch Northwest of
Roswell, and Marcel flying the material to higher
headquarters. I was to deliver the news release to radio
stations KGFL and KSWS, and newspapers the Daily Record and
the Morning Dispatch.
(11) By the time the news release hit the wire services, my
office was inundated with phone calls from around the world.
Messages stacked up on my desk, and rather than deal with the
media concern, Col Blanchard suggested that I go home and
"hide out."
(12) Before leaving the base, Col. Blanchard took me
personally to Building 84 [AKA Hangar P-3], a B-29 hangar
located on the east side of the tarmac. Upon first approaching
the building, I observed that it was under heavy guard both
outside and inside. Once inside, I was permitted from a safe
distance to first observe the object just recovered north of
town. It was approx. 12 to 15 feet in length, not quite as
wide, about 6 feet high, and more of an egg shape. Lighting
was poor, but its surface did appear metallic. No windows,
portholes, wings, tail section, or landing gear were visible.
(13) Also from a distance, I was able to see a couple of
bodies under a canvas tarpaulin. Only the heads extended
beyond the covering, and I was not able to make out any
features. The heads did appear larger than normal and the
contour of the canvas suggested the size of a 10 year old
child. At a later date in Blanchard's office, he would extend
his arm about 4 feet above the floor to indicate the height.
(14) I was informed of a temporary morgue set up to
accommodate the recovered bodies.
(15) I was informed that the wreckage was not "hot"
(radioactive).
(16) Upon his return from Fort Worth, Major Marcel
described to me taking pieces of the wreckage to Gen. Ramey's
office and after returning from a map room, finding the
remains of a weather balloon and radar kite substituted while
he was out of the room. Marcel was very upset over this
situation. We would not discuss it again.
(17) I would be allowed to make at least one visit to one
of the recovery sites during the military cleanup. I would
return to the base with some of the wreckage which I would
display in my office.
(18) I was aware two separate teams would return to each
site months later for periodic searches for any remaining
evidence.
(19) I am convinced that what I personally observed was
some type of craft and its crew from outer space.
(20) I have not been paid nor given anything of value to
make this statement, and it is the truth to the best of my
recollection.
Signed: Walter G. Haut
December 26, 2002
Signature witnessed by:
Chris Xxxxxxx