E.J. Smith

E.J. Smith (full name Emil J. Smith) was a veteran United Airlines captain and pilot who became a significant figure in early UFO research. On July 4, 1947, Smith and First Officer Ralph Stevens reported observing four to five flat, circular objects during Flight 105 near the Pacific Northwest. Smith's credible testimony as an experienced airline pilot lent substantial weight to early UFO accounts, with contemporary journalists noting his reliability as an observer. Following his sighting, Smith collaborated with private pilot Kenneth Arnold in late July 1947 to investigate the Maury Island incident, meeting with alleged witnesses and U.S. Army Air Force intelligence officers. Smith's account was among the first high-profile reports from trained aviation professionals, helping establish the credibility of UFO witnesses in the emerging field of UFO research.