The Lonnie Zamora Encounter

On April 24, 1964, Socorro Police Officer Lonnie Zamora encountered an egg-shaped metallic object with two small figures nearby. The landing traces left behind made this one of the most thoroughly investigated and credible UFO cases ever recorded.

The Officer

Lonnie Zamora:

• Socorro Police Officer
• Experienced lawman
• No UFO interest
• Excellent reputation
• Credible witness

The Afternoon

April 24, 1964:

• Around 5:45 PM
• Pursuing speeder
• Heard loud roar
• Saw flame
• Investigated

The Sound

Initially heard:

• Loud roar
• Like explosion
• Thought dynamite shack
• Changed pursuit
• Went to investigate

The Flame

He observed:

• Bluish-orange flame
• Descending
• In gully area
• South of town
• Off-road location

The Approach

Driving rough terrain:

• Toward the flame
• Multiple approaches
• Finally crested hill
• Saw the object
• And two figures

The Object

Zamora saw:

• Egg or oval shape
• White metallic
• On legs
• In the arroyo
• About 150 yards away

The Figures

Near the craft:

• Two small figures
• White coveralls
• Child-sized
• One seemed startled
• Looked at him

His Reaction

Zamora:

• Thought accident
• Started toward them
• They disappeared
• Behind/into craft
• Object powered up

The Departure

The object:

• Made loud roar
• Bluish flame beneath
• Rose slowly
• Then shot away
• Horizontal flight

Physical Evidence

At the site:

• Landing marks
• Rectangular depressions
• Burned brush
• Scorched ground
• Physical traces

The Investigation

Multiple agencies:

• Socorro Police
• State Police
• FBI
• Project Blue Book
• Army investigators

J. Allen Hynek

Project Blue Book consultant:

• Investigated personally
• Found Zamora credible
• Physical evidence real
• Case significant
• Never debunked

The Landing Traces

Four depressions:

• Rectangular shape
• Arranged in pattern
• Consistent with legs
• Measurable
• Photographed

The Burned Vegetation

Plant material:

• Burned and singed
• In specific pattern
• Under where craft sat
• Heat evidence
• Real effects

The Symbol

Zamora saw:

• Red insignia
• On craft side
• Drew it
• Has varied in retellings
• Distinctive marking

Skeptical Attempts

Some suggested:

• College hoax
• Balloon experiment
• Lunar lander test
• None confirmed
• No definitive explanation

Against Hoax

Arguments against:

• Physical evidence
• Zamora’s reputation
• Immediate investigation
• No confession
• Nothing proven

Blue Book Assessment

Project Blue Book:

• Listed as “unknown”
• Could not explain
• Physical evidence solid
• Witness credible
• Rare classification

Hynek’s View

The scientist:

• Found compelling
• Good police work by Zamora
• Physical evidence important
• Changed his thinking
• Formative case

Significance

Zamora case significant for:

• Single credible witness
• Physical evidence
• Official investigation
• Blue Book unknown
• Hynek influence

Legacy

The Lonnie Zamora encounter remains one of the most credible UFO cases on record. The combination of a reliable witness, immediate investigation, and physical evidence makes it nearly impossible to dismiss.