Wilbert Smith Archives Files Box 1136 20 1136-20-p004

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the Philippines, according to Saunders and Harkins. The first reported fatality due to a UFO occurred on 7 January 1948 when Capt. Thomas Mantell, leading a for- mation of four F-51s, was asked by the control tower at Godman Airfield, Ken- tucky, to investigate a UFO. Mantell reported he spotted the unknown object and was climbing to 20,000 feet. Seeing nothing unusual themselves, the other pilots remained behind. None of the air- craft was equipped with oxygen, but Mantell still felt compelled...