Missile Found By Rancher in New Mexico
Turned Over to Atomic Group and Flown to Headquarters
San Mateo Times July 8th, 1947 pg.1

ROSWELL, N. M., July 8 — (U.P.) — Possession of a “flying disc” was disclosed today by the intelligence office of the Five Hundred Ninth bomb group of the Roswell army airbase. Officers at the base say that the “disc” was flown in a Superfortress to “higher headquarters” undisclosed. The intelligence office reported that it gained possession of the “disc” through the co-operation of a Roswell rancher and George Wilson, Sheriff at Roswell.

Landed on Ranch
The disc landed on a ranch at Corona, N. M., sometime last week. W. W. Brizell of the Porter ranch was the man who discovered it. Not having telephone facilities, Brizell stored the disc until such time as he was able to contact the Roswell sheriff’s office. Announcement of the discovery was made today by Col. William H. Blanchard, commanding officer of the Roswell army air force base.

No Details
The air base refused to give details of construction of the disc or its appearance. Residents near the ranch on which the disc was found reported seeing a strange blue light several days ago at 3a.m.

ABC Radio News Flash – Roswell UFO Crash

In a statement to the Associated Press Lt. Warren Haught, public information officer at Roswell said: “The many rumors regarding the flying disc became a reality yesterday when the intelligence office of the 400th (atomic) bomb group of the 8th air force, Roswell army air field, was fortunate enough to gain possession of a disc through the cooperation of one of the local ranchers and the sheriff’s office of Chaves county.

The flying object landed on a ranch near Roswell sometime last week. Not having phone facilities the rancher stored the disc until such time as he was able to contact the sheriff’s office, which in turn notified Major Jesse A. Marcel of the 409th Bomb Group Intelligence office.

“Action was immediately taken and the disc was picked up at the rancher’s home. It was inspected at the Roswell army air field and subsequently loaned by Major Marcel to higher headquarters.” The rancher’s name and location of his place were withheld.

George Walsh of radio station KSWS which provided first news of the announcement said that only Major Marcel, Col. W. H. Blanchard, commanding officer at Roswell airfield, and the rancher had seen the object here. The sheriff, Walsh reported, upon receiving word from the rancher went immediately to the intelligence officer at Roswell field.