The Pentagon's UFO Secret: Daniel Sheehan's 40-Year Quest to Expose Alien Craft Retrievals
The intersection of government secrecy and UFO phenomena has captivated public interest for decades, with revelations continuing to emerge about potential recovered extraterrestrial craft. Daniel Sheehan, who served as special counsel to the 1977 Congressional Research Services report for President Carter, has been at the forefront of these investigations for over four decades. His unique position has granted him access to classified materials that few civilians have seen.
Sheehan's journey began at the Jesuit headquarters when he was contacted to assist with President Carter's investigation into UFOs after Carter's own sighting as Georgia governor. During this work, Sheehan gained access to classified portions of Project Blue Book, where he observed photographs of what appeared to be a crashed disc-shaped craft surrounded by military personnel. The contemporary landscape of UFO disclosure is evolving rapidly, with scheduled Congressional hearings and testimony from intelligence officials about recovered non-human technology.
Key Takeaways
Daniel Sheehan gained access to classified UFO crash retrieval photos while working on President Carter's extraterrestrial investigation in 1977.
A new generation of military and intelligence personnel has begun coming forward with previously classified information about non-human technology.
Congressional hearings featuring testimony from intelligence community officials are bringing unprecedented public attention to government knowledge of UFO phenomena.
UFO Phenomenon and Government Intelligence
Carter's Presidential UFO Investigation
After Jimmy Carter was elected president in 1977, he attempted to access information about UFOs based on his personal sighting experience as Georgia's governor. When he requested information from CIA Director George H.W. Bush, he was reportedly denied access, with Bush claiming the president "didn't have a need to know." This rejection prompted Carter to commission the Congressional Research Service to conduct a formal investigation into extraterrestrial intelligence and UFO phenomena.
Bush's Information Blockade
The intelligence community's reluctance to share UFO information extended to the highest office in the nation. Despite Carter's presidential authority, George H.W. Bush, then CIA Director, refused to provide classified UFO intelligence. This apparent stonewalling represents one of the clearest examples of how compartmentalized UFO information became within government structures. Similar patterns of information denial have reportedly affected other officials, including Admiral Wilson, who served as J2 (chief of security) for the Joint Chiefs of Staff but was denied briefings on UFO matters.
Congressional Research Service Study
The Congressional Research Service investigation, initiated by President Carter in 1977, involved multiple experts including Daniel Sheehan who served as special counsel. During this investigation, Sheehan reportedly gained access to classified portions of Project Blue Book that weren't available to the public. This access allegedly included photographs of what appeared to be a crashed disc-shaped craft approximately 50 feet wide with a dome on top. The craft had crashed in a snow-covered field and was surrounded by Air Force personnel documenting the scene. Notably, Sheehan claims to have observed and traced unusual symbols from the craft that didn't match any known human language.
The investigation's findings contributed to ongoing government understanding of the UFO phenomenon, though much of this work remained classified. More recent congressional hearings, including testimony from officials like David Grusch in July 2023, have begun to publicly address topics previously restricted to classified channels.
Daniel Sheehan's UFO Evidence Journey
Blue Book's Classified Materials
Daniel Sheehan first encountered significant UFO evidence while serving at the Jesuit headquarters' public policy office. In 1977, following President Carter's election, the Congressional Research Service contacted Sheehan. Carter, who had witnessed a UFO as Georgia's governor, had requested information from CIA Director George H.W. Bush but was denied access.
This denial prompted Carter to commission a major investigation through the Congressional Research Service. Dr. Marsha Smith, directing the Science and Technology division, recruited Sheehan as special counsel, presuming the Jesuits might have privileged information on the subject.
During this investigation, Sheehan gained access to classified sections of Project Blue Book that contained photographic evidence of UFO crash retrievals. These images convinced him of the reality of the UFO phenomenon.
Photographic Evidence and Jesuit Headquarters
The classified photographs Sheehan viewed showed a classic saucer-shaped craft approximately 50 feet wide with a dome on top. The crashed vehicle had plowed through a snow-covered field and become lodged in an embankment. Air Force personnel could be seen documenting the scene.
Sheehan noted unusual symbols at the base of the dome that resembled no human language. He carefully traced these symbols on a yellow pad and brought his drawings back to Father Davis at the Jesuit headquarters.
In response, Father Davis retrieved an envelope containing another UFO photograph. This image had reached the Jesuits through an interesting chain: from an airline pilot who took it, to his friend (an air traffic controller), to the controller's wife (Davis's sister), and finally to Father Davis himself.
These experiences with both the classified Project Blue Book materials and the photograph in Jesuit possession formed Sheehan's foundational understanding of UFO evidence. This knowledge led him to conduct a three-hour briefing for top SETI scientists at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory regarding the theological implications of extraterrestrial contact.
His exposure to these materials in 1977 marked the beginning of Sheehan's decades-long involvement with UFO disclosure efforts and investigations.
Detailed Examination of Unidentified Aerial Craft Evidence
Disc-Shaped Vessel and Impact Location
Photographic evidence from classified portions of Project Blue Book reveals a remarkable discovery of a disc-shaped craft approximately 50 feet in diameter. The craft featured a distinctive dome atop its circular body and had crashed into a snow-covered field. The impact created a visible trail through the terrain, with displaced soil evident beneath the snow cover. The craft ultimately came to rest against an embankment.
The photographic documentation clearly showed Air Force personnel surrounding the vessel, actively documenting the scene with cameras and recording equipment. This particular incident was definitively not the Roswell case, as indicated by the snowy conditions present at the crash site.
Additional photographic evidence came through unofficial channels. An airline pilot captured an image of an unidentified craft during flight but, fearing professional repercussions, passed the photograph through a chain of individuals. The photo eventually reached Jesuit headquarters through a connection involving an air traffic controller at Seattle airport.
Symbols and Air Force Involvement
The crashed craft displayed unknown symbols positioned at the base of the dome section. These markings were precisely traced onto a notepad during examination of the classified photographs. The symbols appeared to represent some form of written language or communication system but bore no resemblance to any known human language or writing system.
Military response to the incident was significant and organized. The photographs documented numerous Air Force personnel actively collecting evidence at the scene. Their systematic approach included:
Comprehensive photographic documentation
Multiple personnel securing the perimeter
Careful examination of the vessel
Collection of site evidence
This evidence falls within a broader context of recent congressional interest. The House Oversight Committee has scheduled hearings with high-ranking intelligence officials, including Thomas Monheim, Inspector General of the US Intelligence Community. These hearings represent growing pressure from a newer generation of military and intelligence professionals who reportedly seek greater transparency regarding these incidents.
The classified photographs reviewed at the Congressional Research Service during their investigation for President Carter provided compelling visual documentation of military interaction with an apparently non-terrestrial craft.
Evidence Documentation and Firsthand Accounts
Photographic Evidence and Religious Connections
In 1977, while serving at the Jesuit headquarters in Washington DC, the attorney received access to classified materials from Project Blue Book. These documents contained photographic evidence of what appeared to be a recovered craft approximately 50 feet wide with a distinctive dome on top. The craft had crashed into a snow-covered field and was lodged against an embankment. Military personnel were visible in the images, documenting the scene.
The photographs revealed unusual symbols at the base of the dome that resembled writing but matched no known human language. The attorney carefully traced these symbols onto a notepad and shared them with Father Davis at the Jesuit headquarters.
In response, Father Davis retrieved a manila envelope containing an 8×11 black and white photograph of an unidentified craft. This photograph had reached the Jesuits through an interesting chain of custody: it was originally taken by an airline pilot who, concerned about potential professional consequences, gave it to his friend, an air traffic controller at Seattle airport named Michael. Michael then passed it to his wife, who delivered it to her brother—Father Davis himself.
This exchange demonstrates how evidence of unusual aerial phenomena has circulated through unofficial channels, even reaching religious institutions that maintain their own documentation systems.
Government Secrecy and UFO Recovery Programs
The evidence of government retrieval of crashed extraterrestrial craft has been accumulating for decades. Dating back to the 1970s, classified photographs from Project Blue Book have documented what appears to be crashed saucer-shaped craft with unusual symbols that resembled no known human language. One particular incident showed a 50-foot wide saucer with a dome on top that had crashed into a snow-covered field, lodging against an embankment while Air Force personnel documented the scene.
Despite such evidence being collected over 70 years ago, official acknowledgment has been exceptionally slow. Congressional hearings, including recent meetings by the House Oversight Committee, have begun bringing intelligence officials to testify under oath about these matters. The Inspector General of the US Intelligence Community, Thomas Monheim, previously served as general counsel for the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency—an organization known to possess significant UFO-related data.
Younger Personnel Challenging Secrecy Protocols
Military and intelligence officials from newer generations have increasingly questioned the constitutional implications of UFO secrecy programs. Many express genuine concern about the extensive compartmentalization that restricts information even from high-ranking officials. This frustration extends to cases where top military leaders like Admiral Wilson, who served as J2 (Chief of Security for the Joint Chiefs of Staff), were denied access to UFO crash retrieval programs.
The withholding of information has created significant tension within government institutions. Younger personnel view these secrecy measures as not only misleading the American public but also deliberately concealing information from Congress and even presidents—raising serious questions about constitutional oversight and governmental accountability.
Formation of an Internal Disclosure Network
A remarkable development in recent years has been the emergence of an informal alliance of younger military and intelligence professionals determined to bring transparency to UFO programs. This network has strategically navigated the pre-publication clearance process to declassify certain information, enabling significant disclosures to reach the public.
Key examples of their success include:
The 2017 New York Times disclosure - Luis Elizondo and Christopher Mellon received clearance to release military UFO videos
David Grusch's 2023 testimony - Cleared to publicly state under oath that the US possesses "intact non-human extraterrestrial spacecraft"
This coordinated effort represents a shift from isolated whistleblowing to systematic information release through proper channels. Rather than acting as rogue agents, these officials have worked within the system to challenge what they perceive as unconstitutional secrecy, creating pathways for previously classified information to receive proper Congressional and public scrutiny.
Upcoming Congressional Oversight Hearing
The House Oversight Committee has scheduled a significant hearing for Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at 9:00 AM in the House Office Building. This hearing represents the latest development in Congress's growing interest in unidentified aerial phenomena and related government programs.
Witness Testimony and Intelligence Agency Involvement
Thomas Monheim, Inspector General of the U.S. Intelligence Community, will appear as the primary witness under oath. Monheim brings particularly relevant experience to this hearing, as he previously served as General Counsel for the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA). The NGA is considered one of the key repositories for information related to unidentified aerial phenomena.
This hearing follows previous Congressional inquiries, including the July 2023 testimony by David Grusch before the National Security Subcommittee. During that session, Grusch made significant claims about non-conventional aerospace vehicles under government possession.
Inspector General's Investigation and Expected Testimony
Monheim's testimony is expected to address findings from his office's investigations into how information about unusual aerospace encounters has been handled within intelligence agencies. The Inspector General's role gives him unique oversight authority across the intelligence community.
Several key questions likely to be addressed include:
The extent of information sharing between agencies
Protocols for reporting unusual aerospace incidents
Whether proper Congressional notification has occurred
The verification process for claims about retrieved materials
This hearing represents part of a broader effort by newer personnel within military and intelligence communities who have expressed concerns about constitutional oversight matters. Some observers note this reflects a generational shift in attitudes toward government transparency on these topics.
Historical Record of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena Incidents
The United States government has been involved with unidentified aerial phenomena (UAP) recovery operations for decades, according to multiple sources familiar with classified programs. Evidence suggests that retrieval teams have collected material from crashed objects that exhibited technological capabilities beyond conventional aircraft. This history spans multiple administrations and intelligence agencies, with documentation allegedly stored in compartmentalized programs.
Chronology and Current Examinations
The timeline of UAP incidents begins notably in the late 1940s, though investigations continue to the present day. A significant incident appears to have occurred in a snow-covered field, where military personnel documented a disc-shaped craft approximately 50 feet in diameter with a distinctive dome. The object had crashed into an embankment, leaving a visible trail through the snow and soil.
Military photographs from this incident reportedly show:
The craft partially embedded in the terrain
Air Force personnel documenting the site
Unknown symbols or writing at the base of the dome
By 1977, the issue had reached presidential levels when President Jimmy Carter, who had personally witnessed a UAP as Governor of Georgia, requested information from CIA Director George H.W. Bush. When denied access, Carter commissioned the Congressional Research Service to investigate extraterrestrial intelligence and UAP phenomena.
More recent developments include:
Date Development December 2017 Release of military UAP footage through the New York Times 2021-2023 Establishment of Pentagon UAP task forces July 2023 Congressional testimony regarding "intact non-human craft" March 2025 House Oversight Committee hearing with Intelligence Community Inspector General
The current investigations have gained momentum largely due to newer personnel within the military and intelligence communities who have organized to challenge what they view as unconstitutional secrecy around these programs.
Military aviation encounters, radar data, and materials of unknown origin continue to be examined by both government agencies and independent researchers as part of the ongoing investigation into these historical incidents.
Public Acknowledgment of Non-Terrestrial Intelligence
Elizondo and Fravor's Key Revelations
Luis Elizondo, former director of the Pentagon's classified UAP investigation program, has become a central figure in bringing credible information forward about unidentified aerial phenomena. His decision to release previously classified videos to the New York Times in December 2017 marked a turning point in public disclosure. These videos were officially cleared for release through proper declassification channels, contradicting decades of government secrecy.
Commander David Fravor's testimony has provided crucial firsthand observations from a highly trained military pilot. As a Navy aviator, Fravor's encounter with the now-famous "Tic Tac" UAP during a training exercise has been thoroughly documented. His detailed accounts describe objects demonstrating capabilities far beyond known human technology, including:
Instantaneous acceleration
No visible propulsion systems
Ability to operate in multiple environments (air, water)
Maneuverability defying known physics
Their combined efforts have helped legitimize serious discussion of UAPs within mainstream scientific and political discourse.
David Grusch's Sworn Congressional Testimony
On July 6, David Grusch provided remarkable testimony under oath before the National Security subcommittee of the House Oversight Committee. Grusch, who received proper clearance to disclose this information, made the unprecedented statement that the United States possesses "a fully intact non-terrestrial spacecraft" along with biological evidence of non-human pilots.
His testimony has prompted further investigation by Congress. The House Oversight Committee scheduled a significant hearing for March 18, 2025, calling Thomas Monheim, Inspector General of the US Intelligence Community, to testify under oath.
Monheim's background is particularly relevant as he previously served as general counsel for the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency—an organization believed to house substantial UAP data. This hearing represents a critical step in Congressional efforts to bring transparency to programs that have operated outside normal oversight for decades.
According to reports, these disclosures are being driven by a new generation of military and intelligence personnel who believe these secretive programs violate constitutional principles. These individuals have formed an informal alliance dedicated to bringing this information to light through proper channels.
