L. James Lorenzen

L. James Lorenzen, an American ufologist, co-founded the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO) in January 1952 with his wife Coral Lorenzen in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, to scientifically investigate UFOs. They relocated APRO to Los Angeles (1954), Alamogordo, New Mexico (1954)—where both worked at Holloman Air Force Base—and Tucson, Arizona (1960). APRO emphasized field investigations, collaborated with scientists like James E. McDonald and James Harder, who testified before Congress in 1968, and was praised by J. Allen Hynek as one of the top civilian UFO groups. Unlike NICAP, APRO avoided government cover-up theories and explored humanoid sightings. Co-authored books include 'UFOs: The Whole Story' (1969), 'Encounters with UFO Occupants' (1976), and 'Abducted!' (1977). APRO declined after the 1969 MUFON split and Jim's death in 1986; Coral died in 1988, leading to disbandment.