Interview of Gerald Anderson, 07/24/1991

Interview Context and Introduction 00:10

"I’m a nuclear physicist with a very strong interest in flying saucers."

• Stanton Friedman, a nuclear physicist, introduces himself as he prepares for an interview with Gerald Anderson regarding a significant event involving a crashed flying saucer in New Mexico in July 1947.

• It is noted that a polygraph examiner has found no evidence of deception in Gerald’s accounts after extensive questioning.

Gerald Anderson's Background and the 1947 Incident 01:06

"My name is Gerald Anderson, and I was born October 4th, 1941, in Annapolis, Indiana."

• Gerald Anderson recounts that he was born in Annapolis, Indiana, and provides a brief overview of his family's move to Albuquerque, New Mexico, shortly before the incident in question.

• On July 4, 1947, he and his family visited the Plains of San Agustin, searching for banded moss agate, which they believed was abundant in the area.

Discovery of the Disc-Shaped Object 02:54

"There was a large silver disc-shaped object embedded in the side of the ridgeline."

• As Gerald and his family walked along a dry wash in the area, they came across a large silver disc-shaped object embedded in the ground. The estimated diameter of the object is discussed, with Gerald suggesting it was about 35 feet across.

Description of the Non-Human Bodies 03:42

"There were four bodies; they were not human."

• Upon closer inspection of the crashed vehicle, Gerald describes the discovery of four non-human bodies, two of which were dead, one severely injured, and one seemingly unharmed.

• The creatures were described as having unusually large heads, with features like large oval-shaped black eyes, a small nose, and no visible ears. Their skin had a bluish tint, and they lacked hair.

Details of the Craft and its Environment 07:20

"This craft had come in from the east, bounced off one ridgeline, and then crashed into the ridgeline."

• Gerald elaborates on the nature of the craft, mentioning that it appeared to have made contact with the ground in a way that left a noticeable impression.

• The surroundings were unusually hot due to the New Mexico climate, but shockingly, the area directly beneath the craft seemed to have a cooler, air-conditioned effect.

Close Encounter Experience 11:18

"When I reached up and put my hand on the side of it, it felt like it just came out of a freeze."

• Despite the oppressive heat of the environment, Gerald describes feeling a remarkable chill emanating from the craft. His tactile interaction revealed that the metal was cold to the touch and smooth.

• This extraordinary encounter continues to affect Gerald as he recounts his memories of being a young witness to what many would call an extraterrestrial event.

Initial Encounter with the Entity 12:09

"There was a smell in the area, like acetone, and that seemed to be coming out of that gash."

• Gerald Anderson recalls a distinct smell reminiscent of acetone, which filled the air near the crash site, intensifying his curiosity about the strange object. As he approached, he felt a chilling sensation, prompting him to step back for a moment.

• While his father and uncle attempted to communicate with the entity using Spanish and sign language, their efforts were in vain as the creature did not understand their words. In a moment of impulsiveness, Gerald reached down and touched what he initially thought were plastic dolls, only to realize they were lifeless beings.

Emotional Reaction and Understanding the Situation 13:56

"Suddenly I realized that these weren't dolls; I thought they were moving dolls until I touched it."

• Upon touching the entity, Gerald experienced a wave of panic as he recognized he was interacting with a dead being, which shocked him greatly. Memories of past encounters with deceased relatives rushed back, amplifying his fear and confusion.

• Following this realization, he moved behind his father and uncle for safety, as the entity appeared to be looking back and forth between them, seemingly trying to comprehend the situation. In an intense moment, the entity locked eyes with him, leading to a surge of overwhelming emotions, including depression and fear.

Interaction with the Archaeological Group 15:24

"An older man and five younger students—boys and girls—walked up and were talking to my father."

• A group arrived at the scene, consisting of an older man and several students. The older man, who seemed to lead the group, was dressed in explorer gear and was later identified as a doctor involved in an archaeological project.

• This doctor attempted to communicate with the entity in multiple languages, thinking perhaps it was an extraterrestrial being that had crash-landed. The group initially believed they were witnessing a meteorite, only to realize they were looking at metallic wreckage instead.

Military Intervention and Threats 20:53

"He went nuts. He went into absolute panic, worse than what he did when he saw us."

• As military vehicles arrived—marked by a large white star—Gerald observed the sudden shift in the entity's demeanor. It became panicked upon seeing the soldiers, triggering chaotic reactions.

• A military officer began issuing aggressive commands, threatening the civilian onlookers and warning them to keep silent about the incident. The officer's demeanor created an atmosphere of intimidation, conveying the serious nature of the situation and asserting the military's control over the site.

Encounter with Military Personnel 22:55

"We came very close to having someone shot."

• Gerald describes a tense encounter where his group was confronted by armed military personnel, notably a man named Ted who had a violent temper. The situation escalated as rifles were pointed at people while a sergeant occasionally intervened. The urgency of the moment was palpable, as there was genuine concern for safety.

Forced Relocation and Observations 24:13

"They herded us up on cattle just up the Arroyo back in the direction we'd come from."

• The military personnel directed Gerald and his group to move in a certain direction, despite protests about needing to return to their original path. They were moved uphill where their car was parked, and throughout this ordeal, they were not searched for weapons or other items.

Military Presence and Equipment 26:00

"When we got back onto the highway, this place was absolutely full of military personnel."

• Upon returning to the highway, the abundance of military equipment was striking. Gerald noted the presence of observation aircraft and various military vehicles including ambulances and trucks, indicating a major operation was underway. He felt as if they were witnessing an invasion force.

Unable to Communicate and Leaving 28:00

"They said, 'No, you just turn around and head out of here now.'"

• After a lengthy wait, the group was instructed to leave the area instead of returning for water. This was under strict orders to remain silent and not to look back, highlighting the tense control exerted by the military personnel during their exit from the scene.

Family Reaction and Aftermath 30:07

"They decided to tell her about what we saw."

• Upon returning home, the family's reaction was apprehensive, especially from a religious perspective. They were concerned about the implications of what Gerald and his companions had witnessed, preventing open discussion of the event among the family members to avoid fears and superstitions.

Discovery of a Strange Diary 32:15

"At my father's funeral, a lot of his personal belongings were given to us."

• Gerald recounts the discovery of a diary belonging to his father during a family gathering after his death. His cousin handed him photocopies of the diary, which contained reflections and experiences related to the event they had encountered, sparking a complex mix of emotions about their shared history and the silence surrounding it.

Gerald Anderson's Background and Occupation 33:57

"I'm a security officer in the state of Missouri and you've been doing police sort of work for several years."

• Gerald Anderson is a deacon in the Episcopal Church, actively participating in lay Christian ministry.

• He has an extensive background in law enforcement, being a licensed security officer in Missouri who has completed state academy training.

• In addition to his police work, he is pursuing a nursing degree, having already earned several associate degrees from community colleges in general studies.

Connection to the Diary and Forensic Analysis 34:56

"I was told that that wasn't the only diary... what I had was a copy."

• Anderson discusses his involvement with a diary that is purportedly linked to an unsolved mystery case. He was made aware that the versions of the diary he encountered were photocopies rather than originals.

• He contacted a woman named Valentino, who was hesitant to provide original documents but ultimately agreed through a bishop's intervention. Valentino believed the materials to be the "work of the devil."

• Forensic analysis revealed that the ink used in the diary dated to the early 1970s, which suggests that it is not an authentic original but was documented prior to any public attention on the case.

Details About His Experiences and Public Reaction 40:32

"I was kind of miffed… the program wasn't quite accurate."

• After an unsolved mysteries program aired in 1990, Anderson felt compelled to correct inaccuracies about his experiences, particularly regarding the portrayal of events and locations.

• The excitement and notoriety surrounding his story led to media coverage, positioning him as a celebrity within the context of UFO and unsolved mystery discussions.

• Anderson received overwhelming support from his peers and professors, with 99% being supportive of his claims and only one professor expressing skepticism. His boss, an avid ufologist, was particularly encouraging.

Engagement with the UFO Community and Further Interviews 44:01

"I attended a UFO conference… and you’ve got a response from that audience."

• Anderson has participated in UFO conferences, where he was introduced by John Carpenter and received overwhelming support from attendees.

• He has also been interviewed by various individuals, including Linda Howe, who was working on a documentary, highlighting the interest and scrutiny surrounding his experiences.

• His interactions with notable figures in the UFO community have had a significant impact on how he is perceived and the attention his story has garnered.

Conversation with a Discomforting Attitude 44:45

"I don't feel comfortable with people who call other people liars and charlatans and phonies."

• Gerald Anderson expresses discomfort with individuals who approach discussions by accusing others of dishonesty. He feels that such attitudes are counterproductive and makes him want to distance himself from the conversation.

• He recounts an interaction where he was confronted with a strong negative perspective regarding research integrity, leading him to terminate the dialogue quickly.

• Anderson disputes claims made by the person he spoke to, including the assertion that they had a two-hour conversation filled with contradictions, stating, "that's not quite true." He clarifies that there has been no further contact with this individual or any others with a similar negativity.

Helicopter Trip Details 45:50

"On that first trip to the plains, it was you, Bob Bigelow, and a pilot in the helicopter."

• Anderson details the participants in their first helicopter trip to the plains, noting that he was accompanied by Bob Bigelow and a pilot, rather than any negative investigators.

• He recalls the seating arrangement in the helicopter, where he sat in the front passenger seat while Bob Bigelow was directly behind him, indicating an organized exploration team.

• The helicopter refueled in Dale, Arizona, and Anderson mentions that the stop took about 25 minutes, emphasizing that logistical arrangements were well-planned and executed during their investigation.