The Roswell Journal

A notepad journal documenting the events of the Roswell crash from day one.

The Roswell crash of 1947 has been a focal point for UFO enthusiasts, and at the heart of this intrigue is the journal allegedly kept by Major Jesse Marcel, who was the first military officer to investigate the crash site.

Marcel’s journal, which came into the public spotlight much later, has been described as a potentially key document in understanding what really happened that July day. According to his grandchildren, Jesse Marcel III and John Marcel, the journal was passed down from Marcel Sr. to his son, Jesse Marcel Jr., and then to them. It was revealed during a History Channel series titled “Roswell: The First Witness,” where the contents of the journal were analyzed for the first time. Marcel’s journal was said to contain cryptic entries, particularly around the time of the Roswell crash, suggesting that he might have used some form of code or encryption, which is not surprising given his role as an intelligence officer.

The journal’s potential significance lies in its ability to shed light on Marcel’s firsthand experience and the official narrative surrounding the Roswell event. Marcel Sr. was known to have questioned the official story of a weather balloon crash, maintaining until his death that the debris was extraterrestrial in origin. His family has long claimed that he was coerced into a cover-up, with the journal possibly providing insights into this narrative. The analysis of the journal included handwriting analysis which noted a marked change around August 1947, potentially indicating duress, mental stability issues, or the use of coded messages. Forensic document examiner Jennifer Naso, featured in the documentary, used a video spectral comparator to inspect the journal, looking for hidden messages or codes that Marcel, with his background in intelligence, might have used.

The contents of the journal have fueled both speculation and skepticism. On one hand, it’s seen as a possible key to unlocking the mystery of Roswell, offering a firsthand account from a man who was at the epicenter of the event. On the other hand, critics argue that without concrete evidence, the journal could be interpreted in many ways, potentially clouding rather than clarifying the truth. Marcel’s grandchildren have expressed that the journal contained ramblings that did not align with their understanding of their grandfather’s character, hinting at the possibility that he was under pressure or was protecting sensitive information. The examination of Marcel’s diary in the documentary series aimed not only to authenticate the document but also to decipher any potential codes, offering a glimpse into what might have been one of the most significant UFO incidents in history.