Larry Lorenzen

Jim Lorenzen (died 1986), 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 to Los Angeles (1954), Alamogordo, New Mexico (1954)—near Holloman Air Force Base, fostering military ties—and Tucson, Arizona (1960). APRO became a leading group, emphasizing field investigations with scientists like James E. McDonald and James Harder, who testified before Congress in 1968. Unlike NICAP, APRO avoided cover-up theories and studied humanoid encounters. Key publications co-authored with Coral: 'UFOs: The Whole Story' (1969), 'Encounters with UFO Occupants' (1976), 'Abducted!' (1977). APRO declined after a 1969 schism forming MUFON and disbanded post-Coral's 1988 death.