1947 UFO Sightings: Eyewitness Accounts and FBI Investigations

In September 1947, multiple reports of unidentified flying objects were documented by the Portland Police Department, leading to significant interest from the FBI.

Published: July 28, 2026
Source agency: U.S. Department of War

1947ufosightingseyewitnessaccountsfbiinvestigationsdepartment

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Opening summary

The document provides a detailed account of the events surrounding the UFO sightings reported in Portland, Oregon, on September 11, 1947. Multiple reports were logged by the Portland Police Department, indicating a significant level of public interest and concern regarding unidentified aerial phenomena. The first notice of these unidentified objects was recorded at 5:21 PM, originating from officers in District 18.

Shortly thereafter, Chief of Police Leon V. Jenkins and Officer H. S.

Raney observed a round silver object traveling at an extraordinary speed, which led Jenkins to initially suspect it was a weather balloon. However, the object's rapid movement prompted him to reconsider this assessment, as it was clearly moving too fast for a balloon. The object was reported to be approximately 10,000 feet high and was seen changing shape as it moved across the sky.

Eyewitness accounts from police officers, including Robert D. R. Caldwell, further corroborate the…

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https://www.war.gov/medialink/ufo/release_03/65_HS1-834228961_62-HQ-83894_Section_4.pdf

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