UFO History

Did you know that Washington state has the most UFO sightings per capita in the U.S.? It all began in 1947 off Des Moines when a routine boat trip turned into something unexplainable.

That event sparked a media frenzy, FBI involvement, and the deaths of two Army Air Force officers. It was the summer that gave us flying saucers, the Men in Black and, ultimately, Roswell. But this story? It started right here.

June 21, 1947

It was a typical day on the water for Harold Dahl, his son, and their dog, Sparky, boating between Des Moines and Maury Island. Then Dahl saw them—six metallic, donut-shaped objects hovering above the waves like a dream…or a nightmare. One tipped, releasing sharp, metallic debris that rained down, injuring his son and killing Sparky. The water churned, the objects disappeared and, in an instant, everything changed.

June 22, 1947

The next morning, a man in a black suit knocked on Dahl's door. Polished and stern, his message was clear: Forget what you saw—or else. It was the first recorded visit from the Men in Black, and it left Dahl shaken. However, rather than staying quiet, he told his colleague Fred Crisman about the incident, who later went to the crash site to gather debris.

June 24, 1947

Two days later, pilot Kenneth Arnold reported seeing nine mysterious objects skimming the skies near Mount Rainier. By calling them flying saucers, he unknowingly coined a term that would captivate the world. With sightings piling up—first at Maury Island, then Mount Rainier—it wasn’t long before a rancher in New Mexico discovered a strange wreck on his land, sparking the infamous Roswell incident.

Late June - July 1947

Back in Des Moines, despite the warning from the Man in Black, Dahl and Crisman reported what they saw to local authorities—and the press. They even contacted Ray Palmer, a sci-fi magazine editor, who was already in touch with pilot Kenneth Arnold. Palmer enlisted Arnold to investigate, and soon, the strange events at Maury Island were on everyone’s radar.

July 31, 1947

Two Army Air Force intelligence officers, First Lieutenant Frank Brown and Captain William Davidson, were sent to interview Dahl and Crisman. They inspected the debris—now called slag—and took a sample aboard their B-25 bomber.

August 1, 1947

On the way back to base, the B-25 crashed near Kelso, Washington, killing both officers. While the official cause was listed as an engine fire, rumors spread. The Army’s report mentioned that top secret cargo from the Maury Island Incident was recovered, but the current location of that cargo remains unknown.

August 1947: Post-Crash Investigation

The FBI investigated both the crash and the incident. Dahl stuck to his story and denied any hoax, although later rumors claimed that he recanted to avoid further trouble—or pressure—from the Men in Black. Even J. Edgar Hoover got involved, clashing with the Army over the jurisdiction of UFO investigations.

Later Years

The Maury Island Incident remains an unsolved mystery, blending conspiracy, tragedy, and the unexplained. Was it a hoax, industrial waste, or something otherworldly? The answers remain elusive, but many believe the truth could be right here in Seattle Southside.

Uncover the Evidence

FBI Memo & Other Docs

FBI Classified UFO document: 08/07/1947

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The Crisman File

FBI Classified UFO document: 08/21/1947

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FBI Concluding Investigation

FBI Classified UFO document: 10/01/1947

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US Army Capt. William Davidson — UFO Investigator

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Harold Dahl — UFO Witness

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First Lieutenant Frank Brown — UFO Investigator

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Learn more about the Maury Island Incident with these videos

Watch the trailer for the award-winning film

Purchase or rent The Maury Island Incident Film.

A GALACTIC THANK YOU GOES OUT TO:

Steve Edmiston and Terry Donohue, co-founders of the Maury Island Incident Historical Society

John White, Executive Producer of The Maury Island Incident film, commissioner of the Maury Island Incident Mural, and founder of Burien UFO Festival

Men in Black Birthday Bash Festival

Scott Schaefer of South King Media