Exeter Incident New Hampshire
A teenager and two police officers observed a massive UFO with pulsating red lights hovering over a field. The Exeter Incident became one of the most investigated cases of the 1960s.
On the night of September 3, 1965, a teenager hitchhiking near Exeter, New Hampshire, encountered a massive UFO that would also be witnessed by two police officers. The case became one of the most thoroughly investigated UFO encounters of the decade.
The First Witness
Norman Muscarello was an 18-year-old man who was hitchhiking home after midnight. He was traveling along Route 150 in the Kensington area.
The Encounter
As he walked along the road, Muscarello suddenly saw a huge object rising from the trees before him. The object was characterized by pulsating red lights that appeared to be approaching him, creating a terrifying sight.
His Description
The object was described as enormous in size, with a diameter estimated to be between 80 and 90 feet. It featured five bright red lights that pulsed sequentially, operating in complete silence.
His Reaction
Muscarello, profoundly frightened by what he had witnessed, immediately dove into a nearby ditch. As the object passed over him, he rose again to see it hover nearby before it suddenly retreated.
Getting Help
He then ran to a nearby house, pounding on the door repeatedly, but received no answer. He eventually flagged down a passing car and managed to get to the Exeter police station.
At the Station
Upon arriving at the station, Muscarello was clearly shaken and recounted his experience to Officer Toland in a coherent account. He appeared understandably terrified and was taken seriously by the officer.
Officer Bertrand
Officer Eugene Bertrand was on duty that night and had earlier encountered an upset woman who had also reported seeing a UFO. He, too, witnessed the same UFO and provided crucial corroboration.
The Return Trip
Officer Bertrand took Muscarello back to the location where the encounter had occurred, specifically to Carl’s field, the same area where the object had initially appeared, in an attempt to investigate.
The Object Returns
While standing in the field, the object reappeared, rising over the trees and moving toward them, exactly as Muscarello had described it. Both officers witnessed the event firsthand.
Their Observation
They observed a massive craft with red pulsating lights moving slowly over the field. The entire operation was completely silent.
Officer Hunt
David Hunt, another officer, arrived at the scene and also witnessed the object, serving as a third observer and confirming the presence of the same object.
The Lights
The object was distinguished by five red lights that pulsed in a specific sequence around its perimeter, exhibiting an extremely bright and distinctive pattern, unlike any aircraft lights.
Farm Animals
Nearby horses went berserk, kicking and screaming while dogs howled, indicating a significant animal reaction, providing further corroboration of the sighting.
The Departure
Eventually, the object moved east toward the ocean, initially at a slow pace but then accelerating rapidly before disappearing completely.
The Investigation
The case immediately attracted the attention of the Air Force and was taken up by Project Blue Book. Journalist John Fuller conducted an extensive investigation, resulting in a detailed documentation of the event and a landmark UFO book.
Blue Book Response
Initial explanations suggested an aircraft, specifically a B-47 refueling operation, but this was quickly dismissed due to the incorrect time and the absence of any aircraft.
John Fuller
Journalist John Fuller thoroughly investigated the case and wrote “Incident at Exeter,” which became a bestselling book filled with detailed documentation and established it as a pivotal UFO book.
The Officers’ Position
Both Officer Bertrand and Officer Hunt wrote to the Air Force demanding a retraction of the aircraft explanation, protecting their professional reputations, as they were certain of what they had seen.
Significance
The Exeter Incident is significant because of the testimony of police witnesses, the presence of multiple observers, the animal reactions, the thorough investigation conducted, and the published account of the event.
Legacy
The Exeter Incident remains one of the landmark UFO cases. The multiple police witnesses, the thorough investigation, and John Fuller’s detailed documentation have cemented its place as a cornerstone of serious UFO research.
Sources
- Wikipedia search: “Exeter Incident New Hampshire”
- Project Blue Book — National Archives — USAF UFO investigation files, 1947–1969
- CIA UFO/UAP Reading Room — Declassified CIA documents on UAP
- UK National Archives — UFO Files — MoD UFO investigation records
- British Newspaper Archive — UK press archive