Brief
Walter Haut
The claims the writer was given for Walter Haut, in the order they were given.
1
The Roswell Army Air Field press release of July 8, 1947 was issued by public relations officer Lieutenant Walter Haut, on order from the base commander.
“The release was Issued by public relations officer Lieutenant Walter Haut, on order from the base commander.”
Communion 2013-06-16 ch14:14274-14372 administrative
2
At midday on 8 July 1947, Colonel William Blanchard ordered his base public information officer Lieutenant Walter Haut to issue a press release announcing that the US Army had recovered a flying disc.
“At midday on the same day, 8 July 1947, Blanchard ordered his base public information officer Lieutenant Walter Haut to issue a press release announcing that the US Army had recovered a flying disc.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch7:11681-11874 administrative
3
Former US Army public information officer Lieutenant Walter Haut testified in a 2002 deathbed affidavit that he was taken out to a hangar by Colonel William Blanchard to view recovered child-sized bodies with abnormally large heads, lying under a tarpaulin at the base.
“There is also the extraordinary deathbed affidavit of former US Army public information officer Lieutenant Walter Haut, who testified in 2002 that he was taken out to a hangar by Colonel Blanchard to view recovered child-sized bodies with abnormally large heads, lying under a tarpaulin at the base.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch7:17570-17864 testimony second hand
4
Walter Haut alleged that Colonel William Blanchard allowed him to see an apparent alien craft in a hangar approximately 3.7 to 4.6 metres in length, slightly less wide, about 1.8 metres high and more of an egg shape, with poor lighting but a surface that appeared metallic.
“he alleged that Blanchard allowed him to see an apparent alien craft in a hangar ‘approx. 12 to 15 feet in length, not quite as wide, about 6 feet high and more of an egg shape. Lighting was poor, but its surface did appear metallic’.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch7:17911-18135 testimony second hand
5
Walter Haut said he was convinced that what he personally observed at the Roswell base was some type of craft and its crew from outer space.
“Haut said, ‘I am convinced that what I personally observed was some type of craft and its crew from outer space.’”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch7:18146-18252 testimony second hand
6
Walter Haut alleged that Colonel William Blanchard's press release was a ruse to divert public attention from the main recovery operation of the craft from a different site.
“Haut also alleged Blanchard’s press release was a ruse to divert public attention from the main recovery operation of the craft from a different site.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch7:18262-18407 testimony second hand
7
Sceptics charged that Walter Haut might not have been in full possession of his faculties so close to his own death and that the authors of Witness to Roswell, Don Schmitt and Thomas Carey, actually wrote his dramatic affidavit.
“Sceptics charged that Haut might not have been in full possession of his faculties so close to his own death and that the authors of Witness to Roswell, Don Schmitt and Thomas Carey, actually wrote the dramatic affidavit.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch7:18414-18627 opinion second hand
8
Don Schmitt told the author of In Plain Sight that nobody worked on Walter Haut or spent more time with him than Schmitt and Thomas Carey did, trying to get him to open up.
“‘Nobody worked on Walter Haut, spent more time with Walter Haut than we did, trying to get him to open up,’ Schmitt told me.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch7:18639-18759 testimony second hand
9
Don Schmitt acknowledged that he and Thomas Carey drafted what Walter Haut told them into an affidavit, but said Haut was very clearly of sound mind and approved every word.
“He acknowledged they did draft what Walter told them into an affidavit, but Haut was very clearly of sound mind, approving every word.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch7:18765-18894 testimony second hand
10
Don Schmitt said they prepared Walter Haut's statement based on all the information Haut had provided them through the years, and that Haut read through it with his daughter, a notary, and another witness present.
“‘We prepared the statement based on all the information that Walter had provided us through the years. And he read through it; his daughter was present. There was a notary present, there was another witness present.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch7:18901-19107 testimony second hand
11
Don Schmitt said that, as Walter Haut's daughter wrote in a statement, if Haut had disagreed with a word of the affidavit, he would never have signed it.
“And, as his daughter wrote in a statement, if Walter would have disagreed with a word of it, he would never have signed.’”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch7:19116-19229 testimony second hand
12
One problem with Walter Haut's posthumous affidavit was that he was not around to answer further questions about it, and he had previously sworn an earlier affidavit making no mention of recovered extra-terrestrials or a craft.
“One problem, of course, with Walter Haut’s posthumous affidavit was that he was not around to answer further questions about it, and he had sworn a previous affidavit making no mention of recovered ETs or a craft.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch7:19461-19694 observation
13
Walter Haut's daughter, Julie Shuster, witnessed his affidavit.
“His daughter, Julie Shuster, who witnessed his affidavit, was employed by Roswell's UFO Museum”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch7:20333-20421 administrative
14
Julie Shuster was employed by the Roswell UFO Museum, a local tourism attraction co-founded by her father Walter Haut.
“was employed by Roswell's UFO Museum, a local tourism drawcard co-founded by her dad”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch7:20391-20472 administrative
15
Critics suggested Julie Shuster had a financial incentive to promote the extra-terrestrial explanation of the Roswell incident and that her dying father Walter Haut was willing to go along with it.
“The suggestion was made that she had a financial incentive to promote the extra-terrestrial hypothesis and that her dying father was happy to oblige.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch7:20477-20619 opinion
16
Don Schmitt considers the suggestion that Julie Shuster and Walter Haut fabricated a UFO story for financial gain unfounded, saying Julie Shuster was paid a nominal salary not much above minimum wage to run the Roswell UFO Museum.
“laughed at that suggestion, saying that Julie ... was paid a nominal salary, not much higher than the minimum wage, to keep the museum going. 'It was hardly a financial incentive for her and her dad to concoct a UFO story,' he said.”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch7:20836-21106 opinion first hand
17
Don Schmitt considers Walter Haut sincere and truthful in his affidavit about the Roswell incident.
“'No one was in any doubt that Haut was sincere and truthful in what he said in his affidavit.'”
In Plain Sight 2023-11-17 ch7:21113-21195 opinion first hand
18
Walter Haut remained in Roswell after his retirement.
“One of these was Walter Haut, who had remained in Roswell after his retirement.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch11:1367-1435 administrative
19
Whitley Strieber and Anne Strieber met Walter Haut at his home and had a fairly extensive conversation with him about his work as Roswell Army Air Force Base press officer.
“We met him at his home and had a fairly extensive conversation with him. He described his work as base press officer”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch11:1594-1703 observation first hand
20
Walter Haut told Whitley Strieber and Anne Strieber that he had been surprised when a lid had suddenly been put on the whole Roswell story.
“commented that he had been quite surprised on that day when a lid had suddenly been put on the whole thing”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch11:1716-1817 testimony first hand
21
Walter Haut expressed disappointment that the greatest story of his life had been spiked.
“He expressed disappointment that the greatest story of his life had been “spiked.””
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch11:1824-1898 testimony first hand
22
Walter Haut affirmed that Jesse Marcel's description of the debris found in the desert thirty miles from Roswell was unusual.
“He affirmed that Col. Jesse Marcel’s description of the debris that had been found in the desert thirty miles from Roswell was unusual”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch11:1908-2035 testimony first hand
23
Walter Haut said it was his understanding that the Roswell debris had been flown to the Air Materiel Command at Wright Field.
“said that it was his understanding that it had been flown to the Air Materiel Command at Wright Field”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch11:2048-2144 testimony first hand
24
When Whitley Strieber asked Walter Haut whether the remains of a kite or weather balloon would have received the treatment given to the Roswell debris, Walter Haut said no.
“I asked him whether the remains of a kite or weather balloon would have received that treatment and he said, simply, “No.””
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch11:2151-2269 testimony first hand
25
Walter Haut told Whitley Strieber that Jesse Marcel was one of the most honest people he had ever known.
“I asked for a description of the debris, but only got the response that Jesse was one of the most honest people he had ever known.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch11:2274-2398 testimony first hand
26
When asked about the existence of bodies at Roswell, Walter Haut became evasive, which Whitley Strieber and Anne Strieber both later agreed suggested he was trying not to lie but also not to tell the truth.
“When I got to the issue of the existence of bodies, he became, Anne and I both later agreed, rather evasive... we concluded later that he had been trying not to lie but also not to tell the truth.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch11:2406-2644 observation first hand
27
When Anne Strieber asked Walter Haut whether he couldn't talk about it, he replied something like, if I couldn't tell you, then I wouldn't.
“At one point, Anne said to him, “You can’t talk about it, can you?” His reply was something like, “If I couldn’t tell you, then I wouldn’t.””
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch11:2798-2935 testimony first hand
28
Walter Haut died on 2005-12-15.
“Walter died on December 15, 2005”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch11:3064-3092 administrative
29
In 2007, Walter Haut's family released an affidavit that he had sworn and sealed in 2002 in anticipation of death, with instructions that it be made public after his passing.
“In 2007, the family released an affidavit that he had sworn and sealed in 2002 in anticipation of death, leaving instructions that it should be made public after his passing.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch11:3183-3349 administrative
30
Paragraph 13 of the Walter Haut affidavit states that when he entered the B-29 hangar designated as Building 84, he was able to see a couple of bodies under a canvas tarpaulin, with only the heads extending beyond the covering and no features discernible.
“Paragraph 13 states that, when he entered the B-29 hangar designated as Building 84, “I was able to see a couple of bodies under a canvas tarpaulin. Only the heads extended beyond the covering, and I was not able to make out any features.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch11:3539-3768 testimony second hand
31
Only the heads of the bodies under the canvas tarpaulin in Building 84 extended beyond the covering, and Walter Haut could not make out any features.
“Only the heads extended beyond the covering, and I was not able to make out any features.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch11:3688-3768 observation first hand
32
The Walter Haut affidavit states that the heads of the bodies appeared larger than normal and the contour of the canvas over the bodies suggested the size of a 10-year-old child.
“The heads did appear larger than normal and the contour of the canvas over the bodies suggested the size of a 10-year-old child.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch11:3778-3900 testimony second hand
33
The heads of the bodies Walter Haut observed appeared larger than normal, and the contour of the canvas over the bodies suggested the size of a 10-year-old child.
“The heads did appear larger than normal and the contour of the canvas over the bodies suggested the size of a 10-year old child.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch11:3778-3900 observation first hand
34
The Walter Haut affidavit states that at a later date in William Blanchard's office, Blanchard extended his arm about 1.2 metres above the floor to indicate the height of the bodies.
“At a later date in Blanchard’s office, he would extend his arm about 4 feet above the floor to indicate the height.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch11:3907-4015 testimony second hand
35
At a later date in his office, William Blanchard indicated the height of the recovered bodies by extending his arm about 1.2 metres above the floor.
“At a later date in Blanchard's office, he would extend his arm about 4 feet above the floor to indicate the height.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch11:3907-4015 testimony first hand
36
Whitley Strieber states that a height of about 150 centimetres would have been the height of the beings that were coming around his cabin in the late 1980s, and a little taller than what Walter Haut remembered.
“This would have been the height of the ones that were coming around my cabin in the late 1980s, and a little taller than what Walter Haut remembered.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch11:6577-6715 observation first hand
37
Walter Haut's affidavit regarding the 1947 Roswell incident was dated and signed on 2002-12-26.
“Dated: December 26, 2002”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:109-122 administrative second hand
38
On the morning of 1947-07-08, Walter Haut attended a regularly scheduled staff meeting at Roswell Army Air Force Base at 7:30 a.m.
“On Tuesday morning, July 8, I would attend the regularly scheduled staff meeting at 7:30 a.m.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:1137-1228 testimony first hand
39
The 1947-07-08 staff meeting at Roswell Army Air Force Base was attended by William Blanchard, Jesse Marcel, Sheridan Cavitt, James I. Hopkins, Patrick Saunders, Isadore Brown, and Ulysses S. Nero.
“Besides Blanchard, Marcel; CID Capt. Sheridan Cavitt; Col. James I. Hopkins, the operations officer; Major Patrick Saunders, the base adjutant; Major Isadore Brown the personnel officer; Lt. Col. Ulysses S. Nero, the supply officer... were also in attendance.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:1231-1486 testimony first hand
40
Brig. Gen. Roger Ramey, William Blanchard's boss from Carswell Army Air Field in Fort Worth, Texas, and his chief of staff Thomas J. DuBose also attended the 1947-07-08 staff meeting at Roswell Army Air Force Base.
“and from Carswell AAF in Fort Worth, Texas, Blanchard's boss, Brig. Gen. Roger Ramey and his chief of staff, Col. Thomas J. DuBose were also in attendance.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:1464-1608 testimony first hand
41
At the 1947-07-08 staff meeting, Jesse Marcel and Sheridan Cavitt reported on an extensive debris field in Lincoln County, approximately 120 kilometres northwest of Roswell, New Mexico.
“The main topic of discussion was reported by Marcel and Cavitt regarding an extensive debris field in Lincoln County approx. 75 miles NW of Roswell.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:1620-1760 testimony first hand
42
At the 1947-07-08 staff meeting, William Blanchard gave a preliminary briefing about a second debris site approximately 65 kilometres north of Roswell, New Mexico.
“A preliminary briefing was provided by Blanchard about the second site approx. 40 miles north of town.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:1769-1866 testimony first hand
43
Samples of unidentified crash debris were passed around the table at the 1947-07-08 staff meeting and were unlike any material Walter Haut had seen before.
“Samples of wreckage were passed around the table. It was unlike any material I had or have ever seen in my life.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:1872-1979 testimony first hand
44
The 1947 Roswell crash debris included pieces resembling metal foil, paper-thin yet extremely strong, and pieces with unusual markings along their length.
“Pieces, which resembled metal foil, paper thin yet extremely strong, and pieces with unusual markings along their length were handed from man to man, each voicing their opinion.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:1985-2154 observation first hand
45
Walter Haut was born on 1922-06-02.
“I was born on June 2, 1922.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:212-234 testimony first hand
46
No one at the 1947-07-08 staff meeting at Roswell Army Air Force Base was able to identify the recovered crash debris.
“No one was able to identify the crash debris.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:2163-2201 testimony first hand
47
Roger Ramey proposed a plan at the 1947-07-08 meeting, which Walter Haut believes originated with Ramey's superiors at the Pentagon, to divert attention from the more important debris site north of Roswell by acknowledging the other location.
“Gen. Ramey proposed a plan, which I believe originated with his bosses at the Pentagon. Attention needed to be diverted from the more important site north of town by acknowledging the other location.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:2319-2509 opinion first hand
48
At approximately 9:30 a.m. on 1947-07-08, William Blanchard phoned Walter Haut's office and dictated a press release stating that the Roswell Army Air Force Base had in its possession a flying disc recovered from a ranch northwest of Roswell, with Jesse Marcel flying the material to higher headquarters.
“At approximately 9:30 a.m. Col. Blanchard phoned my office and dictated the press release of having in our possession a flying disc, coming from a ranch northwest of Roswell and Marcel flying the material to higher headquarters.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:2659-2874 testimony first hand
49
Walter Haut was tasked with delivering the 1947 Roswell flying disc press release to radio stations KGFL and KSWS and to the newspapers the Roswell Daily Record and the Roswell Morning Dispatch.
“I was to deliver the news release to radio stations KGFL and KSWS, and newspapers the Daily Record and the Morning Dispatch.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:2888-3003 testimony first hand
50
After the 1947 Roswell flying disc press release reached the wire services, Walter Haut's office was inundated with phone calls from around the world.
“By the time the news had hit the wire services, my office was inundated with phone calls from around the world.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:3014-3119 testimony first hand
51
In July 1947, Walter Haut was stationed at Roswell Army Air Force Base in Roswell, New Mexico, serving as the base Public Information Officer.
“In July, 1947, I was stationed at the Roswell Army Air Base in Roswell, New Mexico, serving as the base Public Information Officer.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:310-437 testimony first hand
52
William Blanchard suggested that Walter Haut go home and "hide out" after the flying disc press release caused a flood of media inquiries.
“rather than deal with the media concern, Col. Blanchard suggested that I go home and "hide out."”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:3162-3253 testimony first hand
53
Before Walter Haut left the base, William Blanchard personally took him to Building 84, a B-29 hangar located on the east side of the tarmac at Roswell Army Air Force Base.
“Before leaving the base, Col. Blanchard took me personally to Building 84, a B-29 hangar located on the east side of the tarmac.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:3260-3381 testimony first hand
54
Walter Haut observed that Building 84 at Roswell Army Air Force Base was under heavy guard both outside and inside when he first approached it in 1947.
“Upon first approaching the building, I observed that it was under heavy guard both outside and inside.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:3389-3484 observation first hand
55
Inside Building 84, Walter Haut was permitted from a safe distance to observe the object recently recovered north of Roswell.
“Once inside, I was permitted from a safe distance to first observe the object jus recovered north of town.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:3492-3593 observation first hand
56
The recovered object Walter Haut observed inside Building 84 was approximately 3.7 to 4.6 metres in length, slightly less in width, about 1.8 metres high, and egg-shaped.
“It was approx. 12-15 feet in length, not quite as wide, about 6 feet high and more of an egg shape.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:3599-3692 measurement first hand
57
The lighting inside Building 84 was poor, but the surface of the recovered object appeared metallic to Walter Haut.
“Lighting was poor, but its surface did appear metallic.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:3699-3745 observation first hand
58
Walter Haut observed no windows, portholes, wings, tail section, or landing gear visible on the recovered object inside Building 84.
“No windows, portholes, wings, tail section, or landing gear were visible.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:3755-3820 observation first hand
59
From a distance inside Building 84, Walter Haut was able to see a couple of bodies under a canvas tarpaulin.
“Also from a distance, I was able to see a couple of bodies under a canvas tarpaulin.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:3830-3904 observation first hand
60
Walter Haut was informed of a temporary morgue set up to accommodate the bodies recovered at Roswell in 1947.
“I was informed of a temporary morgue set up to accommodate the recovered bodies.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:4251-4324 testimony first hand
61
Walter Haut was informed that the 1947 Roswell wreckage was not radioactive.
“I was informed that the wreckage was not "hot" (radioactive).”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:4333-4381 testimony first hand
62
Upon his return from Fort Worth, Jesse Marcel described to Walter Haut taking pieces of the 1947 Roswell wreckage to Roger Ramey's office and, after returning from a map room, finding the remains of a weather balloon and a radar kite substituted in place of the original wreckage.
“Upon his return from Fort Worth, Major Marcel described to me taking pieces of the wreckage to Gen. Ramey's office and after returning from a map room, finding the remains of a weather balloon and a radar kite substituted while he was out of the room.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:4396-4642 testimony second hand
63
Jesse Marcel was very upset over the substitution of the weather balloon and radar kite for the original 1947 Roswell wreckage, and he and Walter Haut would not discuss it again.
“Marcel was very upset over the situation. We would not discuss it again.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:4648-4714 observation first hand
64
Walter Haut was allowed to make at least one visit to one of the 1947 Roswell recovery sites during the military cleanup.
“I would be allowed to make at least one visit to one of the recovery sites during the military cleanup.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:4722-4817 testimony first hand
65
Walter Haut returned from a 1947 Roswell recovery site with some of the wreckage, which he displayed in his office.
“I would return to the base with some of the wreckage which I would display in my office.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:4826-4907 testimony first hand
66
Walter Haut was aware that two separate military teams returned to each 1947 Roswell recovery site months later for periodic searches for remaining evidence.
“I was aware two separate teams would return to each site months later for periodic searches for any remaining evidence.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:4916-5026 testimony first hand
67
Walter Haut was convinced that what he personally observed at Roswell in 1947 was some type of craft and its crew from outer space.
“I am convinced that what I personally observed was some type of craft and its crew from outer space.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:5037-5131 opinion first hand
68
Walter Haut affirmed he had not been paid or given anything of value to make his 2002 sworn affidavit about the 1947 Roswell incident, and that it was the truth to the best of his recollection.
“I have not been paid or given anything of value to make this statement, and it is the truth to the best of my recollection.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:5139-5249 administrative first hand
69
Walter Haut's affidavit specified that the statement was to remain sealed and secured until the time of his death, at which point his surviving family would determine its disposition.
“THIS STATEMENT IS TO REMAIN SEALED AND SECURED UNTIL THE TIME OF MY DEATH, AT WHICH TIME MY SURVIVING FAMILY WILL DETERMINE ITS DISPOSITION.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:5264-5392 administrative first hand
70
On 1947-07-07, Walter Haut became aware that someone had reported the remains of a downed vehicle by mid-morning after his return to duty at Roswell Army Air Force Base.
“I was aware that someone had reported the remains of a downed vehicle by midmorning after my return to duty at the base on Monday, July 7.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:615-751 testimony first hand
71
Jesse Marcel, head of intelligence at Roswell Army Air Force Base, was sent by base commander William Blanchard to investigate the reported downed vehicle debris on 1947-07-07.
“I was aware that Major Jesse A. Marcel, head of intelligence, was sent by the base commander, Col. William Blanchard, to investigate.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:754-875 testimony first hand
72
By late afternoon on 1947-07-07, additional civilian reports came in regarding a second debris site just north of Roswell, New Mexico.
“By late in the afternoon that same day, I would learn that additional civilian reports came in regarding a second site just north of Roswell.”
The Fourth Mind 2025-01-15 ch28:889-1022 testimony first hand