The Exeter New Hampshire Incident

On September 3, 1965, teenager Norman Muscarello was hitchhiking near Exeter, New Hampshire when he encountered a large UFO with pulsating red lights. Police officers Eugene Bertrand and David Hunt also witnessed the object. The case became one of the most famous UFO sightings of the 1960s, inspiring John Fuller’s book “Incident at Exeter.”

Norman Muscarello

The primary witness:

• 18 years old
• Hitchhiking home
• Near Kensington
• Around 2:00 AM
• Terrified by what he saw

The Initial Sighting

Muscarello encountered:

• Huge object with red lights
• Approached him silently
• He dove into ditch
• Object retreated
• He ran to a house

Going to Police

Muscarello:

• Arrived at Exeter station
• Visibly shaken
• Reported his sighting
• Officer Bertrand took him seriously
• They returned to the field

Officer Eugene Bertrand

Earlier that night:

• Had comforted a frightened woman
• She reported being followed by lights
• Didn’t file report
• Now connected the events
• Accompanied Muscarello back

The Joint Sighting

In the field:

• Object rose from behind trees
• Pulsating red lights
• 80-90 feet in diameter
• Approached silently
• Both witnesses terrified

Officer David Hunt

Arriving on scene:

• Also witnessed the object
• Confirmed the sighting
• Watched it fly away
• Third credible witness
• Reported officially

The Object

All witnesses described:

• Large dark shape
• Five bright red lights
• Lights pulsed in sequence
• Silent movement
• Wobbling motion

Investigation

Project Blue Book:

• Investigated the case
• Proposed aerial refueling operations
• Officers disputed this
• No aircraft matched
• Case listed as unknown

John Fuller’s Book

“Incident at Exeter” (1966):

• Documented the case
• Investigated further sightings
• Became bestseller
• Brought attention to issue
• Classic UFO literature

The Witnesses

All three:

• Were considered reliable
• Passed scrutiny
• Never wavered
• Police officers credible
• Muscarello consistent

Additional Sightings

Fuller found:

• Many other Exeter area sightings
• Pattern of activity
• Multiple witnesses
• Same general period
• Wave of encounters

Significance

The Exeter case is significant for:

• Multiple credible witnesses
• Police officers involved
• Inspiring major book
• Never adequately explained
• Classic UFO case

Legacy

The Exeter incident became a cornerstone of UFO history. The credibility of the police officers, the teenager’s obvious terror, and the inadequate official explanation made it a case that couldn’t be dismissed.