Remembering Leonard H. Stringfield

Part I

By Frank Warren
9-22-05

     “Len” Springfield passed away on December 18th of 1994, nevertheless the legacy he left in Ufology will live on forever.

     His achievements are to numerous to mention in this short commemoration; however, I will endeavor to hit some of the highlights:

     Today when “Leonard H. Stringfield’s name” is evoked for those that are conversant in the field of Ufology, what comes to mind are crashed “flying saucers, and alien bodies; Stringfield was/is renowned for his work vis-à-vis with these studies.

     Most recently Dr. Robert Wood, of www.majesticdocuments.com which I view in part as a tribute to Stringfield has revisited Len’s work and categorized some 86 reports as well as giving his own summary to the data.

     One of the earliest “civilian investigative bodies” of the UFO phenomenon was the “Civilian Research, Interplanetary Flying Objects” group (CRIFO); Len was not only it’s director from 1953 to 1957, he was also the publisher of the groups newsletter, ORBIT.

     His stature enabled him to work in concert with the Air Force in those years and he would pass on UFO reports to the Air Defense Command in Columbus, Ohio.

     In 1957 Len became the “public relations advisor to the “National Investigations Committee On Aerial Phenomenon (NICAP). He held that post until 1970.

     Len joined the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) in 1971, and was the state section director of southwest Ohio. He later (1974) became the PR man there (as director) and served on the board of directors.

     Naturally with his talents, it was no surprise that he became the associate editor of the highly rated “MUFON Journal.” As if that wasn’t enough he also was a regional investigator for the Hynek’s “Center for UFO Studies.”

     In addition to the numerous reports, articles etc., penned by Stringfield, he authored two books, Inside Saucer Post . . . 3-0 Blue and Situation Red, The UFO Siege.

     A paper of significance attributed to Len was entitled, "Retrievals of the Third Kind: A Case Study of Alleged UFOs and Occupants in Military Custody." This was addressed to 9th Annual MUFON Symposium in 1978.

     This paper, which later became known as “Status Report I,” was the first in a series of “monographs” which Len published up until the year of his death. There were seven in all.

Home