Summary
McDonald was arguably the most credentialed scientist to seriously investigate UAP cases during the Cold War era, combining his atmospheric physics expertise with methodical field investigation and congressional testimony. His challenge to the Condon Report's methodology and his documentation of cases the Air Force had dismissed as explained remains a foundational text in serious UAP research.
Roles
- -Senior Physicist, University of Arizona Institute of Atmospheric Physics
- -UAP Scientific Investigator
- -Author - Science in Default (1969)
Organizations
Education
- -Ph.D., Physics, Iowa State University, 1951
- -B.A., Chemistry, University of Omaha, 1942
Early Career
- -Served in U.S. Navy during WWII as meteorologist
- -Joined University of Arizona atmospheric physics faculty in 1954
- -Rose to senior physicist and section chief at Institute of Atmospheric Physics
Related Documented Cases
Westall School UFO Incident
Tier 2April 6, 1966 · Westall, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Levelland, Texas Encounter
Tier 1November 2-3, 1957 · Levelland, Texas and surrounding Hockley County
RB-47 Incident
Tier 1July 17, 1957 · Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma - multiple states
Exeter, New Hampshire Incident
Tier 2September 3, 1965 · Exeter, New Hampshire, USA
Loch Raven Dam Encounter
Tier 2October 26-27, 1958 · Loch Raven Dam, Baltimore County, Maryland, USA
Gemini 7 Bogey Sighting
Tier 2December 4, 1965 · Earth orbit, approximately 175 miles altitude
Gemini 4 McDivitt Cylindrical Object Sighting
Tier 2June 4, 1965 · Earth orbit (Gemini 4 mission, approximately 175 miles altitude)