Exeter Incident
A teenager and two police officers watched a UFO hover over a field—bright red, pulsating, absolutely silent. The Air Force couldn't explain it. The incident became a book and a classic case.
The Exeter Incident of 1965 involved multiple credible witnesses, including two police officers, and became one of the most documented UFO cases of the decade.
The Event
According to documented accounts, on September 3, 1965, 18-year-old Norman Muscarello was walking home when he saw a large, silent object with pulsating red lights. It appeared to descend toward him. He flagged down a car and was driven to the police station.
The Police Involvement
Officer Eugene Bertrand took Muscarello back to the location, and both men witnessed the object. It rose from behind trees with bright red lights pulsating sequentially. It was completely silent, and farm animals reacted with panic.
Second Officer Arrives
Officer David Hunt arrived and also witnessed the object. All three men observed it for an extended time. The object eventually moved away. The experience lasted approximately 30 minutes.
The Description
All witnesses agreed on key details. The object was very large (approximately 80-90 feet) with extremely bright red lights that pulsated in sequence. It was completely silent, could hover and move rapidly, and frightened nearby animals.
The Investigation
The case was investigated by the Air Force (Project Blue Book), journalist John Fuller, and UFO research organizations.
Air Force Explanation
The Air Force initially suggested temperature inversion or KC-97 aircraft from a nearby base. However, witnesses rejected these explanations, as no aircraft matched the description.
The Book
John Fuller wrote “Incident at Exeter” (1966), which documented the case thoroughly. He interviewed all witnesses and examined additional sightings in the area. The book became a bestseller.
Additional Sightings
The Exeter area experienced a wave of sightings. Multiple witnesses in various locations reported similar objects during the same period. A pattern emerged, and the area became nationally known.
Officer Credibility
The police officers were key to the case’s significance. They were trained observers with no history of unusual claims. They were visibly affected by the experience, remained consistent in their accounts, and had nothing to gain from reporting what they saw.
Legacy
The Exeter Incident is significant because of multiple independent witnesses, police officer involvement, the duration of observation (30+ minutes), detailed consistent descriptions, and well-documented investigation.
Sources
Three men stood in a New Hampshire field and watched something impossible. Two were police officers—trained, credible, sober. For thirty minutes they watched red lights pulse in silence. The Air Force had no answer. The object left. The mystery remained.