Norfolk Naval Station: Marine F9F Panther Pilot Bathed in X-Ray Light from Disc
On February 11, 1953, a Marine F9F Panther pilot scrambled from Norfolk Naval Station encountered a disc with red blinking lights; a blue-white light made the bones in his hands visible through his gloves. He was warned to 'say absolutely nothing.'
Background
The Intercept
About 10:00 p.m. on February 11, 1953, a Marine Corps lieutenant on intercept-ready status was scrambled aloft in his F9F Panther to check out an unknown blip on Norfolk Naval Station radar. He was ordered to 'run black' (without running lights). Finding nothing, he was returning to base at 20,000 feet when he noticed a blob of light at or near the water.
The Encounter
Momentarily, it rose in an instant to his altitude. As the pilot approached, he discerned a disc shape with red blinking lights on the hull. Suddenly, blue-white light bathed his cockpit. Glancing down, he saw through his gloves and flesh to the bones of his hands. 'It was like an X-ray.' For several seconds he seemed motionless in his surroundings; all sound had ceased, even the roar of the engine.
Aftermath
Then, with a flash of light, the intruder moved away at great speed as sounds and motion returned to normal. A second pilot sent to investigate spotted the unknown in the distance, receding along the North Carolina coast. On his return, the lieutenant with the close encounter was extensively debriefed. When finally released, he was warned sternly to 'say absolutely nothing' about the matter.
Significance
One of the most dramatic military encounters — pilot reports X-ray-like vision through his own hands, followed by enforced silence.