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Walter Cronkite: Photo & Graphics: AP
In 1973, Walter Cronkite was working on a CBS story involving UFOs. He interviewed leading UFO researchers to find material and stories about incidents for the special. The most remarkable story however was apparently not covered. According to a UFO researcher, that is Cronkite’s own UFO experience during the 1950s when covering a U.S. missile launch in the Pacific.
Bill Knell in 1973 was only beginning his career in UFO research. He claims that during his interview by Cronkite for the CBS special, Cronkite shared his own UFO experience. Knell explained that Cronkite and the other reporters covering the missile test were not allowed to take photos or audio. Reporters could only write about the test. There would be no photographic or audio record of the surprising event that would happen. Knell writes:
As Air Force Security personnel walked around the perimeter of the test area with guard dogs and the news reporters watched, the missile was fired-up and about to be released. Just then, a large disc-type UFO appeared on the scene.
Cronkite guessed that the object was about 50-60 feet in diameter, a dull grey color and had no visible means of propulsion. Because the noise of activity around him and the missile engine was so loud, he couldn't tell whether the disc made any noise. He did not notice any coming directly from the object.
As Air Force guards ran toward the UFO with their dogs, the disc hovered about 30 feet off of the ground. It suddenly sent out a blue beam of light which struck the missile, a guard and a dog all at the same time. The missile was frozen in mid-air about 70 feet from the launcher as it had taken off. A guard was frozen in mid-step and a dog frozen in mid-air as it had jumped at the disc. Cronkite reminded me that this all happened within the space of about five minutes or less.
Suddenly, the missile exploded! After that, the disc vanished. The guard and dog looked alright, but were quickly taken away by medical personnel always present at tests in case anyone became injured. At the same time, guards rapidly ushered the reporters into a concrete observation bunker.
About thirty minutes after the incident an Air Force Colonel debriefed Cronkite and the other reporters. Knell continues:
The officer told them, "It was all part of the test." Obviously making it up as he went along, the Colonel said that the event was "staged" to test media reaction to UFOs. He reinforced the usual line to the reporters that Flying Saucers were probably not extra-terrestrial, but what people were actually seeing was secret planes being tested by the Air Force. This test was designed to show the media how "shocking" it could be to suddenly view a new technology. Well, Cronkite was certain that what he viewed was a new technology, but he was also sure it was not an Earthly one! He didn't believe the Air Force explanation then, and he still didn't believe it at the time when he told me the story.
Cronkite’s alleged experience was not the only time a UFO had been witnessed destroying or disabling a missile. In 1964, Professor Robert Jacobs served as a Lieutenant with the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Vandenberg Air Force base. He was responsible for filming the test of an Atlas missile. He captured on film the following incident:
"...we were testing ballistic missiles that were to deliver nuclear weapons on target...my duty [was] to supervise the instrumentation photography of every missile that went down in that western test range...and into the frame came something else. It flew into the frame and shot a beam of light at the warhead. Now remember, all this stuff is flying at several thousand miles an hour. So this thing [UFO] fires a beam of light at the warhead, hits it and then it [the UFO] moves to the other side and fires another beam of light, then moves again and fires another beam of light, then goes down and fires another beam of light, and then flies out the way it came in. And the warhead tumbles out of space. The object, the points of light that we saw, the warhead and so forth, were traveling through subspace about 60 miles straight up. And they were going somewhere in the neighborhood of 11,000 to 14,000 miles an hour when this UFO caught up to them, flew in, flew around them, and flew back out.
Jacobs experience along with other incidents of UFOs interfering with nuclear missiles and facilities is covered in a book by Robert Hastings, UFOs and Nukes.
Cronkite ultimately choose not to include his own UFO experience in his 1973 CBS Special. While Cronkite, according to Knell, told a few friends and researchers about the UFO incident, he never made a public statement about it. Cronkite’s passing away on July 17, 2009 will be mourned by many. Something else to consider is that he perhaps took to the grave one of the most remarkable UFO incidents ever witnessed by a U.S. reporter.
[UPDATE 7/19/09 – DISCLAIMER – BILL KNELL MYSTERY SOLVED!] After receiving very critical emails and comments from people claiming that Bill Knell is a known liar, cheat, that he made up his story about meeting Walter Cronkite, I began a closer investigation of his background. I have found that Knell has indeed left a trail of deception behind him. Some of which is criminal in nature. In his interviews, he sounds very sincere and persuasive in relating not only his alleged meeting with Cronkite, but also meetings with Jackie Gleason and other famous persons with alleged first hand experience concerning extraterrestrial life.
I became very curious at the dichotomy between his apparent sincerity in sharing information, and his egregious behavior. He claims to have been an Air Force brat, son of a general no less. What was most helpful in solving the mystery of Bill Knell was an interview he did on the Kevin Smith show in January 2008 In the interview, it was revealed that he is closely associated with Dick Criswell and had also met with (Dr) Michael Wolf, a very controversial whistleblower as revealed in a debate between Dr Richard Boylan and Stanton Friedman.. Criswell phoned in during the interview saying how closely he worked with Knell. Both Criswell and Wolf claim that they worked for ALPHACOM, a CIA counterintelligence program under James Jesus Angleton to acclimate the general public about extraterrestrial life. I have been aware of this program for some time and up to now have successfully kept my distance from it.
At this stage, I have to conclude that Knell is part of an intelligence program (Alphacom or similar program) to hide UFO/ET information in plain sight. If so, Knell has developed a perfect cover with his shady background, embellishing the truth, criminal activities, but yet putting out genuine information out there in any case. I suspect that Cronkite probably did have a UFO experience similar to what Knell claims, but different enough so he could publicly disavow it when asked as he did in an email to UFO researchers. So I recommend great caution with the claims of Bill Knell who is part of an acclimation program that embellishes genuine information with false facts.
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Comments
This is something I never knew. Thanks for the story. It better be true. I'm gonna give CNN a link to this webpage so they might run a story about it.
Michael,
This story is a fabrication "invented" by Bill Knell; Knell is a "known" liar, life-time conman and criminal; he plagiarizes the hard work of other researchers, writers and film makers; re the latter, he pirates DVDs.
Some years back a researcher contacted Walter Cronkite and he said the entire story was a farce and he had never heard of Bill Knell!
For further information on Knell, just Google "Bill Knell" + fraud and you'll get a sample of his nefarious ways.
Frank Warren
Thank you Frank for your comments. I am following up your claims concerning the Cronkite story being a fabrication. So far, I have found nothing on the internet to suggest that Bill Knell's story was fabricated. I will report back if I can add any light to what you say.
Knell's story is consistent with many other reports concerning UFOs and missiles. I cited Jacobs testimony as one example, and Hastings book with many similar testimonies. That doesn't make Knell's story true, but does make it plausible.
I do understand that sometimes a person's questionable activities might call into question the entire corpus of his research. However, I'm not fond of throwing out the baby with the bathwater and prefer to focus on his claims concerning Cronkite.
For others commenting on this thread, please note that ad hominem attacks will be immediately removed.
Michael,
For starters go here:
www.ufoupdateslist.com/2006/dec/m21-003.shtml
Also, I sent you a private e-mail with further information.
As stated before, Google "Bill Knell" + "Fraud" and you will get a sampling of the type of person we're dealing with.
To listen to an "exposé" on Knell go here:
www.theparacast.com/podcast/december-28-2008-bill-knell-frank-warren/
Thanks,
Frank
Quoting known criminal and shyster Bill Knell, in the pursuit of besmirching the memory of Walter Cronkite, a man of absolute integrity, is beyond the pale. Sala, you should hang your head in shame by repeating this false story, Knell has fabricated it, along with most of the rest of what comes out of his mouth. The fact that you have put this up as "fact", instead of using the terminology framing this for what it is - a claim - shows that you lack even the most basic journalistic skills, and puts your own dubious reputation right out there for all to see. How DARE you disrespect the memory of perhaps the greatest journalist of the 20th century.
dB
The Paracast
"I do understand that sometimes a person's questionable activities might call into question the entire corpus of his research."
Right. Like yours. You are truly a detriment to ufology, sir. Please leave.
David Biedney, the article indeed does give a favorable perspective on Bill Knell's claim regarding Cronkite's UFO experience. I do so for two reasons.
1. it is consistent with many other reports concerning UFOs and (nuclear) missile as you well know in covering Robert Hastings work.
2. To date there has been no clear refutation on Knell's story of meeting Kronkite anywhere despite it being around since 1998.
Finally, the word "may" in the final sentence is a qualifier for what "could be" rather than a statement of fact. "Something else to mourn is that he took to the grave perhaps one of the most remarkable UFO incidents ever witnessed by a U.S. reporter."
So you are wrong in your claim that I present as fact something that boils down to a claim by Bill Knell even though I regard it as very plausible. If Cronkite did carry a UFO secret to the grave, that is news, and does deserve closer scrutiny.
Sala,
Knell's yarn is consistent with exactly NOTHING regarding the legitimate cases covered by Robert Hastings' excellent investigative work. The point remains - you have presented this nonsense as fact, and the idea that the Internet is somehow the ultimate source of verification for something like this is laughable. Knell is a proven crook, criminal, liar and charlatan. You have presented his fabricated fantasy as factual - the facts speak for themselves. And, in the process, you have deeply disrespected the most credible journalist of the 20th century, via a process of total disregard for journalistic process and integrity. Shame on you.
dB
Mr. Salla I may be fat, but you sir are a pug, a patsy and a fraud.
I can go on a diet, but I'm afraid you will always be a a pug, a patsy and a fraud.
Nice article, sir. Apparently these vicious personal attacks are employees just doing their jobs. So obvious. Ah, well. They are most everywhere.
Wonder if Cronkite's experience looked like this one at 3:28?
All the best.
Michael,
I challenge you to find any source for this farce of a story that does not ultimately come back to the fabrication made by known criminal Bill Knell.
Walter Cronkite himself denied this, as so aptly noted by Frank Warren.
If you are wondering why you are getting so much feedback from this, it is because those of us that care about truth and integrity will not simply stand by and let you attempt to smear the name of probably the most respected man in America for decades.
If you have not proof of this story other than Bill Knell or sources that lead to Knell, then you need to recant this story.
This is simply not a true story, and you reported it as though it were a known fact. Not so, sir.
"you attempt to smear the name of probably the most respected man in America for decades."
This is nonsense, Mr. Sala. You can't besmirch anyone by saying they saw a UFO. Sounds like misdirection to me. Enjoyed the article.
Dr. Salla,
You have got to be kidding me. Are you not aware, sir, that Bill Knell is one of the worst frauds ever to hit the "UFO community"? Knell is NOT just another credulous starry-eyed believer, he is an intentional criminal who lies, steals, and otherwise defauds the public in ways too numerous to mention. This is not just a little basic deviousness--we're talking felonies here.
Sir, you cannot POSSIBLY use Knell as a credible source. I implore you to investigate this fraud and see for yourself what he is and does. PLEASE, Dr. Salla. I don't blame you for not knowing, but I implore you to look into this. It's important for the credibility of anyone in this field. Crediting Bill Knell for ANYTHING is like hiring the Captain of the Titanic to head up your water safety program.
Thanks.
Can we stop wasting time with boring stuff like whether or not Cronkite saw a UFO.
We should be discussing the impending war on the moon. Word is The EeeTee's are amassing troops on the eastern slope of Mare Crissium, and it seems likely the planned bombing raid will go ahead as planned.
This will be disastrous for Human-EeeTee relations moving forward.
----- Original Message -----
From: Robert Hastings
To: Exopolitics
Sent: Saturday, July 18, 2009 7:17 PM
Subject: Re: Walter Cronkite saw UFO destroy a U.S. missile
Dr. Salla,
Classic! Precisely what I would expect from you. The Cronkite story was discredited years ago. Bill Knell?! You are actually citing Bill Knell as a credible source of information?! Why don't you do your homework before you publish or blurt out this kind of nonsense.
As I told you once before, my well-grounded research on the UFO-Nukes Connection can only be harmed by your mentioning it in your incompetently-researched articles. In my view, your public utterances have set back legitimate UFO research by decades.
Ever hear of Richard Hall? He died yesterday. You and your ilk would benefit from reading what credible persons--research giants such as Hall--have published over the years. IMHO, the corrosive effect of your influence is every bit as damaging to the UFO-disclosure process as the dis
Because my reponse to Dr. Salla was truncated, I would be happy to email the entire message to anyone who writes to me at hastings444@att.net
If Salla remains unsure regarding Knell's honesty it would have been more appropriate to ignore the story altogether. By publishing the story and distancing himself from the criticism...he's undermined the dwindling credibility he had. Knell isn't facing ad homs...he's implicated in serious criminal activity. Supporting him for the sake of a scurrilous story is just ridiculous.
I believe that if a UFO exploded a nuclear missile, no one would be around to report it and that in itself would make this alledged event a very big story.
Trust me, if Walter Cronkite had seen a UFO destroy a missile and FREEZE a guard and his dog, he would have reported on it, since it would have been an historic and HUGE story. The report of the alleged conversation with Cronkite is patent nonsense.
I hope you will update the article after researching the 1973 Cronkite UFO special. Regardless of the result.
Assuming a journalist like Walter C. did what he did in life because of a strong commitment and ideals of presenting and investigating the truth.
It makes absolutely no logical sense whatsoever that Cronkite would not have been more forthcoming with the topic....
IF the story was true
logic dictates that the Cronkite UFO experience is not true.
Think about it.
oh my god DR. Salla, my jaw drops, I cannot believe your conclusion is that Bill Knell is a secret government disinformation agent.
Unbelievable IRRATIONAL and IMPROBABLE conclusion considering all of the other PLAUSIBLE explanations for Bill Knells criminal behavior.
I am speechless, RIP Logic and Reason.
soon the whole population will awake from its slumber. 2 scenario's about to play out WW3 or mass alien intervention to take as many sheep off world to continue there worship of the orion league the illuminati have failed in its 8000 year in imprisoning humanity america was never meant to of happened no one was meant to have freedom or rights on this planet noone but the royal red and yellow dragon bloodlines its there job to create good and evil but if you look at the last 60+ years we have become materialistic society fat and lazy this was not meant to of happened that why there are rushing to start WW3 and to completely finish off america if i was china i would be pointing all my nukes at england first then all 140 underground bases in the us including denver airport one more thing the real white race which i am one of is dying out we are know only 15% of the worlds poulation this is the west last chance in taking back control of things i say sorry to all asian and moslem countrys
Now I've seen it all. Knell as a government disinfo plant is the single funniest, silliest thing I've seen so far on The Examiner, quite the accomplishment. You solved it, Salla, I'm gonna call you Pookie Mason.
And Nicky Paatah, wow, I mean... WOW.
What is our children learning?
He's one of yours, Sallad. Enjoy.
dB
Cronckite has denied Knells's allegations directly to researcher Richard W. Heiden as it is published on UFO Updates in 2006. - the article is available here:
tinyurl.com/nrqv86
For more details on the source background I would suggest this material that is in public domain - Paracast interview on this topic with Frank Warren (Bill Knell is interviewed in the same episode)Knell at the end has slammed the phone...During the interview hosts have mentioned to Knell that his story is directly disputed by Cronckite - here is the download link for the episode...
tinyurl.com/ladj6k
tinyurl.com/l3zet4
Comments from the community about the episode:
tinyurl.com/lz8hpx
tinyurl.com/lo5mxh
tinyurl.com/nuewe8
tinyurl.com/nclpfp
tinyurl.com/knf87g
For more details Frank Waaren is definetly an expert there.
Best Wishes
Giuliano Marinkovic
Ok, when you start Citing criminals like Knell as credible sources, you dig yourself into a hole in which you cannot get out of.
What I want to know is why you even bother writing anything to do with Knell, you're giving him undeserved credit and intimating that his word is just as credible as Cronkite's, which is on many levels sad and pathetic.
Knell is touted as a liar and a criminal, as bad as they come in the Ufology community. Cronkite is a well respected man by many folk, something Knell will never be able to acheive, and anybody that beleives that starry eyed beleiver is doing themselves, the field, and the world a great disservice, much like this article.
Any support for a single word Bill Knell has uttered discredits your credibility. It is that simple.
Michael,
Lending credence to this charlatan (Bill Knell), by illuminating a falsehood of his, sullies Walter Cronkite's memory and hurts Ufology in general. Sending traffic to this criminal's site only assists in adding to his long list of victims. I implore you to remove any reference to Knell post haste.
In the mean time victims of Bill Knell can contact Detective Maurice Hobson of the Lebanon Police Department.
Frank
DR.Salla,
Because you failed to find the criminal information on Knell when you first wrote this article. Which is undeniable proof you fail to do even basic research on such extraordinary claims.
These facts convince me you are disingenuous :
1. an unethical fraud in it for the money.
or
2. You are completely blinded by your own cult leadership role and your manufactured position of power.
3.you are ignorant of the value of Critical thinking,Logic and Reason.
Giving all people the benefit of the doubt, I am guessing since you have invested so much of your life to your Cause, that you have become emotionally and egotistically attached to your personal belief system and you have become irrational in your thought process.
Just like religous people, they embrace any unverified story as truth as long as it agrees with their faith.
I am curious to know if you are a Young Earth Creationist Christian as well????
Unbelievable!
Bill Knell? Really? sigh
Zenbuoy - Did you write a check to Dr. Greer so you could become part of the galactic federation?
Well I guess I'll be skipping further stories on the Examiner site. Anyone who pushes this kind of tripe ought to be ashamed. Anyone who thinks they can force disclosure with lies, cons, hoaxes and other such garbage is a sad sack indeed.
Dr. Salla,
Your lack of research concerning the interactions between Mr. Cronkite and Mr. Heiden, combined with presenting information from a known criminal and perpetrator of several frauds, is an embarrassment to journalism. Regardless of the validity of this individual claim from Bill Knell, the remainder of his record makes him a terrible choice as a source of information and steers any thoughtful mind towards disbelief. Examiner has received my final visit.
hilarious
Dr. Salla -
You should be ashamed of yourself. How can you expect to be taken serious when you propagate tripe like this. A simple google search will tell you that Mr. Knell is a liar, fraud and overall fat POS.
Beat it Dr. Salla
Well said Robert. Mr. Salla you are a sick man.
I love Unicorns!!!
DR.Salla for years has been promoting U.F.O. claims by crackpots,publicity seekers and pathological lairs, Its surprising that a man with Dr. Salla's credentials would support testimony based on hearsay, rumor and fraudulent documents. I believe that there is a strong possibility of U.F.O.'s but certainly not based on what has been presented as proof by Dr. Salla
Salla what mexican website did you download your doctorate from? I want to be a DR too!
Its people like you who are making it hard for the rest of us to find out whats really happening. I wish i could take my pageview back. Retract that balony about Knell being a disformant...the guy steals money from peolple who think they are buying puppies. Loser.
Pull the article, it's not worth the phosphor it's printed on.
Seriously, lose it. Knell's a casualty for EVERYBODY. You don't even want Google to spider your site with his name on it. He's not part of ANY organization other than Island Skywatch, which is his private "charity" group.
The man is a self-aggrandizing snow job on legs.
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