Milton William “Bill” Cooper, a former U.S. Air Force and Navy serviceman, is renowned for his contributions to UFO lore and conspiracy theories. Among his most fascinating claims is his personal encounter with an unidentified flying object (UFO) or unidentified submerged object (USO) in 1966. This experience, as Cooper described it, was both life-changing and a pivotal moment in his understanding of extraterrestrial phenomena.
From Skepticism to Belief
Before his encounter, Bill Cooper was a skeptic. During his time in the Air Force, he heard stories from seasoned servicemen about recovering crashed UFOs. However, these accounts were often shared under the influence of alcohol, leading Cooper to dismiss them as tall tales. He viewed the concept of UFOs as too far-fetched to take seriously—until he had his own experience that radically shifted his perspective.
The Sighting: A Metallic Disc Emerges from the Ocean
In 1966, while serving aboard the USS Tiru, a diesel-electric submarine, Cooper was acting as the port lookout during a transit near the Seattle-Portland area. It was during this routine duty that he witnessed an extraordinary event. A massive metallic disc, comparable in size to a Midway-class aircraft carrier, emerged from the ocean. The craft ascended into the air, tumbling on its axis before disappearing into the clouds.
Shortly after, the same craft—or a similar one—descended from the sky, repeated the tumbling maneuver, and re-entered the ocean. To Cooper’s astonishment, the water seemed to part seamlessly, allowing the craft to submerge without the violent splash one would expect. The water then closed behind it, creating a dramatic spray as it returned to normal.
Unbelievable Technology
The encounter left Cooper grappling with questions about the nature of the craft and its advanced technology. He noted its ability to seamlessly transition between air and water, perform high-speed maneuvers, and interact with the ocean in ways that defied known laws of physics. Cooper, who had experience with cutting-edge aviation technology and naval operations, recognized that no human-made craft at the time was capable of such feats.
The sighting was observed by multiple crew members, including the officer of the deck and another lookout. A chief quartermaster on board even took photographs of the event. Despite these corroborations, the nature of the craft remained a mystery.
Official Silence and a Culture of Secrecy
After the incident, the submarine docked at Pearl Harbor, where the crew was immediately debriefed by a commander from Naval Intelligence. Each crew member was instructed to maintain complete silence about what they had witnessed, under penalty of severe legal and financial consequences. They were warned that any discussion of the event could result in imprisonment, fines, and the loss of all pay and allowances.
The photographs taken during the sighting were confiscated, and the crew was not allowed to leave the submarine for shore leave. These measures underscored the seriousness with which the U.S. Navy handled the incident and reinforced Cooper’s belief in an active cover-up regarding UFOs and USOs.
A Turning Point in Belief
For Cooper, this encounter was transformative. It provided him with undeniable evidence of advanced technology that surpassed human capabilities and confirmed the existence of phenomena the military was actively suppressing. He later recounted this event as a key moment in his journey toward understanding the broader implications of extraterrestrial presence on Earth.
Legacy of the 1966 Sighting
Bill Cooper’s 1966 sighting is one of the most detailed and intriguing accounts in the annals of UFO and USO lore. His vivid descriptions of the craft and its movements offer a unique perspective on the capabilities of unidentified objects. Although the event remains shrouded in secrecy, it has fueled ongoing discussions about the possibility of extraterrestrial technology and the lengths governments might go to conceal it.
While skeptics question the validity of Cooper’s claims due to the lack of physical evidence, the story has become a cornerstone of UFO mythology. Cooper’s firsthand account not only highlights the mysteries of our universe but also the potential for human understanding to be challenged by encounters with the unknown.
Leave a Reply