John Burroughs

John Burroughs is a retired U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant who served as one of the key military witnesses to a significant unexplained incident in December 1980. Stationed at RAF Woodbridge in Suffolk, England, he was among the first security personnel to investigate strange lights near Rendlesham Forest, and he documented his observations in official witness statements.

On December 26, 1980, Burroughs experienced a close encounter with an unidentified craft that had lasting consequences. He reported close proximity to an unidentified craft displaying unusual flight characteristics, and he experienced physiological effects following the encounter. He also documented observations of colored lights, animal disturbances, and ground impressions at the site.

Burroughs pursued a protracted legal battle to obtain recognition of health effects from the encounter. He fought for access to his classified medical records held by the Veterans Administration, which had been placed in a classified file, an unusual action he argues proves government acknowledgment of health effects. He became the first person in U.S. history to receive full VA disability benefits for injuries sustained during a UAP encounter, an achievement facilitated with assistance from Senator John McCain's office.

Burroughs has remained a vocal advocate for military witnesses and transparency regarding UAP encounters. He co-authored "Encounter in Rendlesham Forest" (2014) with Jim Penniston, and he remains an active advocate for recognition of health effects experienced by military UAP witnesses. He continues to speak publicly about the incident and its long-term impacts.