Alamogordo, NM: Sgt. Charles Moody Abduction with 85 Minutes Missing Time
Air Force Sergeant Charles 'Chuck' Moody, a decorated Vietnam veteran with 14 years active duty stationed at Holloman AFB, drove out to watch the Perseid meteor shower. At 1:20 a.m., a 50-foot diameter object descended and hovered 20 feet above the ground, glowing and making a buzzing sound. Through a rectangular window he saw human-shaped forms. His car battery died. When the buzzing stopped, he felt calm, then saw the object ascend. His watch read 2:45 a.m. — 85 minutes of missing time. Through self-hypnosis (suggested by Dr. Abraham Goldman, former Air Force flight surgeon), Moody recalled beings close to six feet tall (leader shorter), 'very much like us' but with larger hairless heads, small eyes and ears, thin lips, communicating telepathically. They showed him the propulsion unit containing diamond/crystal structures. They told the Lorenzens that 'in the near future there will be contact — limited contact.' APRO investigated extensively.
Background
1. Air Force Sergeant Charles Moody, a decorated Vietnam veteran stationed at Holloman AFB, experienced a close encounter while watching the Perseid meteor shower. He reported seeing a large object descend and hover near him, followed by a period of missing time.
The Incident
On August 12/13, 1975, Sergeant Charles "Chuck" Moody drove about fifteen minutes outside of Alamogordo, New Mexico, to observe the Perseid meteor shower. At approximately 1:20 a.m., he witnessed a 50-foot diameter object descend from the sky and hover roughly 20 feet above the ground, about 300 feet away from his location. The object emitted a slight glow, wobbled briefly, then stabilized and produced a buzzing sound.
Moody observed human-shaped figures moving within the craft through a lighted rectangular window. He became frightened and attempted to start his car, but the battery was dead. After the buzzing ceased, Moody felt a sense of calm and observed the object ascend into the sky. He was then able to start his car, but noticed his watch read 2:45 a.m., indicating that 85 minutes had elapsed with no memory of what occurred during that time. He arrived home at 3 a.m.
Investigation
The FAA announced it would investigate phantom helicopter harassment and cattle mutilations in New Mexico in the summer of 1975. Tom Adams attempted to determine through FOIA whether this investigation occurred. The relevant FAA offices denied any knowledge of such an investigation, even after Adams provided a newspaper account announcing the start of the probe. Adams concluded that the FAA apparently found "reasons not to announce their findings." It is not explicitly stated whether Moody's case was part of this investigation.
Significance
The Charles Moody incident is significant as a reported abduction case involving a military serviceman. Moody, described as a credible witness who had previously dismissed UFO stories, reported a close encounter with a craft and experienced missing time, a common element in abduction narratives. The case adds to the body of evidence suggesting a pattern of abduction phenomena. The incident also occurred during a period when rumors of an underground alien base near Mount Archuleta were circulating.