PASCAGOULA-THE CLOSEST ENCOUNTER: MY STORY

by Calvin Parker

  “I might not tell anyone, but I won’t ever forget it. Did they do anything to you Charlie?” “I don’t think so, what about you?”

  “I don’t know, but I do know they almost scared me to death. I’m not sure I’m alive now. ”I shook him again. “The face, Charlie, I couldn’t see any eyes. How can anything see without eyes?”

  But the face was so wrinkled I couldn’t really tell if they had eyes. Again Calvin asked me what they could have been. I was wondering if I could live with this the rest of my life without telling anyone, when Calvin spoke up. He had been thinking about the same thing.” Charlie, shouldn’t we tell someone? What if those things come back? At least we could tell the military authorities.”

  I considered this and we talked about it for a while, then something inside me said, “You must tell.”

  After reaching a pay telephone I rang the operator and asked for Keesler Air Force Base at Biloxi, about thirty miles west of us. A sleepy sounding woman’s voice answered “Keesler Air Force Base, may I help you?” I calmed myself before I spoke and briefly told her what had happened and that I wanted to talk to someone in authority. She politely informed me that they did not handle those things - I would have to contact the local Sheriff’s Department. My heart sank, “My God!” I thought. “What would happen if we were being invaded?” I hung up the phone and told Calvin the answer. “What the hell are we going to do now, Charlie? Those people at the Sheriff’s Department might think we are crazy.”

  We finally decided to call the Sheriff’s Department, tell them what happened and ask them to notify the proper authorities and not tell anyone else. But just who the proper authorities might be puzzled me; after all, the Air Force had just turned us down.

  I reached for the phone again, put a dime in and dialled the Sheriff’s Department. Again, briefly, I told them what had happened. The deputy that answered seemed amused. “Come on over and we will talk about it,” he said.

  “What the hell, does he think I’m nuts? Just trying to humour me? Come on Calvin, let’s go.”

  Besides being scared as hell I was becoming a little angry - reminded me of a night patrol in Korea, not knowing what was out there or what was going to happen, but come hell or high water, I would see what was going to be the outcome.

  “Brace up, Calvin, pull yourself together, we might be laughed at, ridiculed and everything else, but we are damn sure going to tell what happened to us.” Calvin was trembling; his eyes seemed to be focused on something far away.

  We told our stories separately, over and over for what seemed like a couple of hours. Then they carried (brought) us in a room together and questioned us and left us there alone. We found out later they had a hidden tape recorder in the room. The Sheriff stated the next day that the hidden tape is what finally convinced him we were telling the truth. After being assured by the Sheriff himself that this would not be let out to news-people, we were told we could go home.

  I was hoping I could get a couple of hours sleep before going to work the next morning. I didn’t know then, but there would be many sleepless nights for me in the next few weeks. On the way home I was wondering if we had made the right decision. Something seemed to tell me we had. One thing was for sure, we had encountered some type of creature and some type of craft from another world on the banks of that quiet and peaceful river. This night would change our lives forever.

  FRIDAY: With no sleep the night before, I went to work Friday morning at the shipyard. On the way I was trying to visualize how the day would go. Could I keep my mind on the job? After all, I did have responsibility to the company I worked for. After getting my crew of men to work, my mind wandered back to last night. I shuddered, my flesh began to crawl, I began to shake, but very quickly I gained control of myself. But Calvin was not so lucky. I became worried; the shape he was in, everyone could tell he was terrified about something. I was going to get him off by himself and talk to him and see if that would help, but at about that time I was called to the telephone. It was a long-distance call from Jackson, Mississippi. A newsman on the other end introduced himself; I froze for a few seconds, “how in hell did he find out?” I asked myself. I politely told him I had no comment. It seemed then that every telephone in the shipyard was ringing asking for Calvin and me. Fred Diamond, our Sheriff, had not kept his word. I dialled his office and was answered by Fred himself. “Charlie can you and Calvin come over here now? Newspeople have invaded my office; they want to talk to you and Calvin.”

  “Damn it Fred, you promised us last night that you wouldn’t let this out to newspeople-every telephone in the shipyard is ringing from all over the country.”

  “Charlie, I don’t know how it leaked out of this office, but anyway we can’t keep a story like this from the world. Can you and Calvin come over now?”

  I slammed the receiver down and said a few bad words. “What the hell is wrong Charlie?” asked Jim Flynt. Jim is a foreman at the shipyard and personal friend of mine. He and Danny Davis, a welding foreman, had heard my part of the conversation with the Sheriff.

  “For one thing Jim, I won’t ever trust our Sheriff again. Oh, what the hell, I might as well tell you and Danny; part of the country knows about it now, thanks to Fred Diamond.” They both were very understanding as Calvin and I told them what happened to us. Jim can draw quite well; he drew a sketch of the things Calvin and me saw come out of that spacecraft. The phone was ringing again; Oliver Bryant wanted us up in the front office. You don’t keep the General Manager waiting.

  “Charlie, you and Calvin come on in, sit down and tell us what happened last night.” Johnny Walker, the owner of the shipyard, had come in by this time. After telling them our story, we discussed it with them quite thoroughly. Johnny mentioned that we should have legal counsel in a situation like this. We agreed and so Joe Colingo, a well-known attorney in Pascagoula, was called. Shortly, Joe arrived, we gave him a briefing on what happened and I mentioned that the Sheriff had called and wanted us to come to his office.

  We were brought in the back way to the Sheriff’s office; the front was surrounded by news-people. After being greeted by Diamond, one of the first things Joe asked was could we take a lie-detector test. Sheriff Diamond replied, “We don’t have the equipment here for that and I don’t see any use in it, not after that tape last night. We had a tape recorder with them last night that they didn’t know about when they were alone.” Joe still insisted, but no one seemed interested at that time. “Maybe later,” someone said. To the best of my knowledge, Mobile, Alabama, was called, the closet place with equipment for a polygraph test, but they refused - didn’t want the publicity.

  While everyone was talking about the polygraph test, it occurred to me. “Why in hell can’t we be tested for radiation? If we are contaminated, so many people we have come in contact with can also be contaminated.” I thought of my family and tears came to my eyes. Immediately after I said this, Detective Tom Huntley and Joe Colingo took us out the rear entrance to an automobile and rushed us to the Singing River Hospital in Pascagoula for a test. But after conferring with a physician there, we were told that they did not have facilities for such a test.

  Tom Huntley, who I believe is one of the most able men in law enforcement in Jackson County and probably the state, didn’t hesitate; he immediately called Keesler Air Force Base and asked if we could be examined there. “Come on fellows, let’s go, they will check you at Keesler,” said Tom. On the way there I asked Joe what would happen if our test was positive.

  “Hell Charlie, I don’t know - let’s wait and see,” he replied. Even though we were driving in excess of the speed limit, I believe that was the longest thirty five miles I have ever ridden. There wasn’t much talk. I guess everybody was thinking the same as me, “What the hell can we do if we have been exposed to radiation?”

  The M.P.’s at the gate gave us directions to the place where the team was waiting. We were in a military installation now where precautions were being taken. Everyone was being k
ept away except the personnel that were going to examine us and they had precautionary clothing to keep out radiation. I don’t think I have ever been more relieved in my entire life as I was when the test proved negative; no sign of radiation. I felt a surge of strength when I realized I had not contaminated anyone with radiation.

  After the test was behind us, we asked for and were granted a conference with “Intelligence” at Keesler. Once again, we told what happened to us. I honestly believe that they believed our story, but orders from Washington said, “Hands off.” On the way back to Pascagoula my mind wandered back to last night and that terrible ordeal: “Why did it have to happen to me?”

  SATURDAY: Jenny Walker’s office at the shipyard seemed to have been set up as a central point; we would meet there with Harder and Hynek. Dr James Harder, a professor at the University of California and also associated with the Aerial Phenomena Research Organization (APRO) and Dr. J. Allen Hynek, professor of astronomy at North-western University, were flying in to investigate and talk with Calvin and me.

  We arrived before the scientists and were confronted by TV and news-people who were demanding pictures and a story. “What the hell, we might as well go ahead; they will hound us until we do.” Johnny didn’t get much work done that Saturday morning. Most everyone was watching the excitement; cameras rolled and pens were running out of ink, until Dr Harder arrived. What a relief. All these news-people wanted was a story, it would be different with these scientists. They were concerned and maybe could help shed some light on what happened to us.

  After introductions, Dr. Harder got right to the point. He wanted to hear what happened to us. We began to fill him in. At some points he would interrupt to ask a question. Some we could answer and some we couldn’t. Finally, he said Dr. Hynek would arrive about two in the afternoon, that he would like to wait until then and talk with us under a hypnotic state. “Pick my mind? No way! Ain’t no damn body gonna pick my mind.” Charlie and Calvin were shaking again. Dr. Hynek wouldn’t arrive for a couple of hours; we would meet back there at two o’clock and talk about it then. There was so much excitement, everyone wanted to talk to us - it was a nightmare.

  “Let’s go home and have lunch, Calvin.” Blanche had a very good meal prepared. Curt and Tisha, my youngest son and daughter, seemed to sense that something unusual was wrong with Daddy and were very quiet and understanding. I truly enjoyed that meal, the first one since Thursday, there with that peace and quiet that only a loving family can give at a time like that. But it was short lived. Two o’clock was approaching, time to get back to Johnny’s office and meet Dr. Hynek. We didn’t speak a dozen words on the way back. I kept wondering what effect it would have on me, if any, to be hypnotized.

  I will never forget the impression I had when I met Dr. Hynek, a brilliant man in his profession. But I kept thinking to myself, “They are crazy as hell if they think they are going to pick my mind.” It wasn’t brought up at that point, but I knew it would come up later. The story again, the questions again, for what seemed like hours.

  “The eye, what did the eye look like? Describe it for me. Any gauges or instruments inside the craft? What did they look like? Describe the craft again. What kind of noise did it make? Did the things talk? Did they harm you in any way? How long were you inside?” Questions, questions. Some I could answer, some I couldn’t. Dr. Harder and Dr. Hynek decided hypnosis would do the trick and so began to explain to us why they wanted to do this. They also assured us that if it became too terrifying we would be snapped out of it. We still weren’t convinced.

  The noise outside the room was picking up; national news-people, local news-people, shipyard employees and other concerned people. Dr. Harder opened the door and asked for complete silence. If it hadn’t been for the carpet, I believe I could have heard a pin drop. I had mentioned to Dr. Harder earlier that my head had been hurting constantly since Thursday night, probably because of the fright, no sleep and the terrible strain I had been under. “I think I can help you, Charlie - your headache-and probably help you get a good night’s sleep.”

  I relaxed myself on the couch and shortly, with Dr. Harder’s suggestions, I was in a state of the most happy and relaxed feeling I have ever had. I was back there with the craft landing and those things coming out. I believe now hypnotism could shed a lot more light, but two days after! – My God, I couldn’t stand it. I’m human too; I can only take so much. He brought me back; someone dried my eyes. Fear shows on everyone someway; tears come to my eyes when I’m terrified. I remembered a time before the Chong Pay-ee Valley in Korea. We had dug-in in a chestnut grove preparing for an attack. There were tears in my eyes that night as all hell tore loose, but that had been a long time ago, ten thousand miles away.

  I went out of the room. Calvin was next. I felt for him. “Oh God, please don’t let them take him back to Thursday night,” but I knew that was their intention. “Charlie, you want some coffee?” Fred Diamond, Tom Huntley and Captain Willis were in the kitchen by the coffee pot. “Yeah, make it black.” I tried to make conversation with them to get my mind off Calvin and what they were doing to him. After a while someone came to the door and said they were through with him. That had to bring him out of it; he couldn’t stand it any longer. Calvin came out and found me. I think we were both shaking. “Come on boys, let’s go in my office.” Captain Willis knew we had to get away for a few minutes.

  In Captain Willis’s office I met Ralph Blum, who since has written a book with his wife Judy (Beyond Earth: man’s Encounter with UFOs). Because they are sincere and are searching for the truth, Ralph and Judy have become very good friends of mine. Ralph at that time was working for NBC and had come down from New York with Dr. Hynek. I heard someone say Dr. Harder and Dr. Hynek were having a news conference; the world will soon know. Calvin seemed to be staring again at something far away. I was thinking about my family; “What will this do to them? Something that I don’t even understand and I know they can’t understand it. What about my Marine in Okinawa? How will he take it?” Then I thought, “He’s my flesh and blood, it will frighten him, but it won’t shake him up as long as he knows that Dad is okay.” Right then I wanted to see him more than anything else, but I knew that was impossible.

  “They are not unbalanced people,” said Dr. Hynek, “they’re not crackpots.” “There was something here that was not terrestrial,” said Dr. Harder. “Where they come from and why they were here is a matter of conjecture,” he continued, “but the fact that they are here (on this planet) is true beyond a reasonable doubt.” Well, there it was, the newspeople had their story. The news conference was over. Dr. Hynek came into Captain Willis’s office and asked if Calvin and me would like to have dinner with him and Dr. Harder - seafood at the Wayside Inn, a well-known restaurant a few miles out of townand later we would talk some more. I declined the offer simply because I was not hungry, Calvin did likewise. We would wait there for their return, even though we were both worn out.

  They had only been gone a short while when the telephone rang. It was Curt, my little boy. “Dad, you should come on home, Mother is real upset.” There was worry in his voice. “Don’t worry son, I will be there in just a few minutes.” I asked Captain Willis to apologize to Dr. Harder and Dr. Hynek for me. We could see them tomorrow; my family means more to me than anything. “Don’t worry Charlie, you go on home, everything here will be taken care of,” said Captain Willis. We crossed the West River Bridge and headed for Gautier. “Charlie, I wished they would have killed me; I can’t take much more of this,” said Calvin. I barely heard him, I was thinking of my family. Brenda, my stepdaughter, only a tiny thing when Blanche and me married, has always been like a real daughter to me. She and Wayne (her husband) live in Vicksburg, Mississippi. I knew they must be wondering about me.

  I thought again of Eddie, my eldest son, a Marine now for over a year; he would read about it in a newspaper and see it on TV before my letter would reach him and he would be real concerned until he heard from me personally
that I was okay. Sheila, our second daughter, who had been married only a short time back, had been frightened now, if Blanche was real upset. Such a wonderful family God had blessed me with. I thought for a minute how much I loved them and how much they all returned that love. Somehow, then, I knew I would overcome this ordeal because I had the strength and love of my family to rely on. Tomorrow would be another day. I wouldn’t worry about it; I would just simply take it as it came. As Dr. Harder had promised, my headache had gone and I slept fairly well that night.

  SUNDAY: I could smell the aroma of Luzianne coffee when I awoke. Blanche had awakened earlier and had breakfast ready. “How do you feel, honey?” she asked. I told her my headache had gone and I had slept fairly well and felt much better. I reached for the newspaper and there it was: Scientists Term Pascagoula UFO Report As True, pictures of Dr. Harder and Dr. Hynek on the front page and the statements they had made to the press. I had heard some of it the night before as they were holding their news conference. Now the paper was printing it for everyone to read:

  “Dr Hynek said there were 1,042 cases reported last year of various sorts, some of them included incredible tales. Both doctors agreed that the government has been derelict in not keeping up with UFO investigations. They said the Air Force’s Blue Book operation was not totally effective, but they maintained that it also helped soothe people’s nerves and prevented an out-break of mass hysteria, such as the one created by Orson Welles’ broadcast in the 1930’s. Dr Harder said others have been subjected to constant ridicule, such as, “What were you drinking when you saw the UFO?” and “Have you seen any more UFOs lately?” Both scientists stressed the point that Hickson and Parker were telling the truth, that they did not make up the story and that they did not suffer from hallucinations. Both men are completely solid and honest, said Dr Hynek. They are not unbalanced people. He said the two displayed feelings of terror under hypnosis that would be virtually impossible to fake. He said the two men have been through a very terrifying experience.”