Lieutenant Colonel Jesse Marcel

Lieutenant Colonel Jesse Marcel, a U.S. Air Force intelligence officer, became a Roswell UFO crash key figure after investigating the 1947 debris. Born in 1907, he was no stranger to mysteries, having served in WWII and the atomic bomb tests. On July 7, 1947, Marcel examined what was initially called a “flying disc” on a New Mexico ranch, finding extraterrestrial materials with bizarre properties. The official weather balloon story didn’t sit well with Marcel, who later claimed the debris was “not of this Earth.”

His background was impressive; he had served in the Pacific during World War II and was involved in the administration of Operation Crossroads, the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll in 1946. Marcel’s interest in technology, particularly amateur radio, from a young age, might have contributed to his keen observation and analysis skills.

On July 7, 1947, Marcel was sent to investigate what was initially reported as a “flying disc” crash on a ranch owned by William “Mack” Brazel. The debris Marcel collected included materials he described as unusual, with properties he couldn’t explain through conventional means. This included foil-like material that returned to its original shape after being crumpled and a beam with strange symbols. The military’s initial press release claiming the recovery of a “flying disc” was quickly retracted, and the debris was explained as remnants of a weather balloon. Marcel, however, later contradicted this explanation in interviews, asserting that what he saw was “not of this Earth,” igniting one of the longest-standing UFO controversies.

Marcel’s life after Roswell was marked by a stark contrast to his military career. He lived quietly, working as a civil engineer after retiring from the Air Force. However, in 1978, ufologist Stanton Friedman interviewed Marcel, reigniting interest in the Roswell incident. Marcel’s statements about the extraordinary nature of the debris and his apparent discomfort with the official narrative made him a pivotal figure in UFO lore. His son, Jesse Marcel Jr., also played a significant role in keeping the Roswell story alive, claiming he had seen and touched some of the debris as a child, further deepening the mystery.

His life post-retirement was quiet until 1978 when ufologist Stanton Friedman rekindled interest in his account. Marcel died in 1986, but his son, Jesse Marcel Jr., kept the Roswell story alive, making it one of the most talked-about UFO incidents ever.

Jesse Marcel Sr. passed away on June 23, 1986, in Houma, Louisiana, but his legacy in ufology endures. His involvement in the Roswell incident has been the subject of countless books, documentaries, and discussions, positioning him as a key witness to an event that has captivated the public’s imagination about the possibility of extraterrestrial visitations. His family, especially his son, continued his legacy, with Jesse Marcel Jr. becoming a prominent speaker on the subject, ensuring that the story of what happened in Roswell in 1947 continues to be told and debated.