How many photos were taken during the press conference on July 8, 1947, at the Fort Worth Army Airfield in the office of Brigadier General Roger Ramey?

As the title suggests, a total of seven photos were taken. Six of these were captured by James Bond Johnson, a very young photographer who was only 21 years old at the time.

One additional photograph, featuring Irving Newton, was not taken by him. It’s possible that more photos were taken in Ramey’s office that day. Perhaps the negatives of these photos are lying dormant in some archive. Of the known seven photos, only five original negatives remain, though all of the images themselves have been preserved.

But let’s go step by step: What exactly happened? How did James Bond Johnson come to take these historically significant photos, and what was the exact sequence of events? In what order were these photos taken?

This is now the most detailed account of the events that took place in Ramey’s office during the press conference. In addition, we not only present this account but also new insights that were previously unknown. While we could delve even further into the details, we will save this for other articles to avoid disrupting the flow of the press conference with too many interruptions.

Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries. Fort Worth Star-Telegram Building: Exterior Shot. (1944). Retrieved from https://library.uta.edu/digitalgallery/img/20032689

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This is how it all began for James Bond Johnson on that day:

James Bond Johnson, a reporter and backup photographer working for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram at the time, returned to the newsroom on the afternoon of July 8, 1947. The newspaper published both a morning and an afternoon edition.

J. Bond Johnson (In the photo 17 years old). Original image part of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries. Identifier: AR406-6-1558. Attribution- NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

The 21-year-old photographer sat down at his desk when Cullum Greene, his editor responsible for the morning edition, rushed over and asked if Johnson had a camera with him.

Johnson confirmed that he did, mentioning that he had recently acquired a “Four by Five Speed Graphic” camera, which was in his car.

Attribution: Creative Commons 2.0. Clarence Sinclair Bull’s complete working 4×5 Graflex “Speed Graphic” camera and accessories at the Debbie Reynolds Auction Breaks Up Historic Hollywood Collection (The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, CA, USA). Copyright Doug Kline from Los Angeles, CA, USA

He had only acquired the camera in April, three months earlier. He used it for various events, for police news, and also to photograph speakers at dinners. This was also the very first time he was specifically assigned to cover a spot news story as a photographer.

Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection, University of Texas at Arlington Libraries. Cullum Greene, city editor. (1943). Retrieved from https://library.uta.edu/digitalgallery/img/20031457

Cullum Greene then told Johnson to head over to General Ramey’s office to take some photos. Apparently, something had crashed somewhere out there, and it was about to be presented. We just got an alert on the AP wire—a teletype (flash) message that the material was on its way to Ramey. It was being flown from the Roswell Army Air Field to the Eighth Air Force headquarters of General Roger Ramey located at Fort Worth Army Air Field.

There were four other photographers working for the Morning Star-Telegram, but they were not available at the time. This is likely the reason why the young photographer was assigned the task of going to Fort Worth Army Air Field.

The urgency of taking the photos as quickly as possible and returning was also emphasized. The deadline for the next print editions of the East Coast newspapers was fast approaching.

With his nearly new 1947 Ford Club Coupé, James Bond Johnson immediately set off. Johnson then drove straight to Carswell (Fort Worth Army Air Field), which took about 30 minutes. There, he was admitted directly onto the site and was directed to Ramey’s office.

Fort Worth Army Air Field (1945 public domain)

What the drive there might have looked like is shown in old videos from the 1940s (preview):

>>> Air Force Base Security Gate <<<

>>> 8th Air Force Headquarters <<<

Based on various witness statements and James Bond Johnson’s account, it is possible to reconstruct what likely happened next with reasonable accuracy.

It should also be noted that Johnson altered his narrative slightly a few times. This could be attributed to the fact that the press conference took place so many decades ago. After all, who can recall details of an event they participated in 50 years earlier with complete accuracy? It’s understandable that some details might have been forgotten, mixed with other experiences, or only remembered gradually over time.

Most of Johnson’s interviews were given in the 1990s and early 2000s. By that time, he sometimes expressed mild frustration at being repeatedly asked the same questions. The event itself occurred in 1947, and for perspective, many people struggle to remember what they ate for dinner last Wednesday.

At the base entrance, he either presented his press pass, received a press pass at the gate, or was allowed to pass through without special checks due to a Civil Air Patrol member sticker on his car. (His accounts on this detail vary somewhat.)

James Bond Johnson entered the headquarters and was escorted to Roger Ramey’s office.

For a few weeks, General Ramey served as Chief of Staff of the Eighth Air Force, before assuming command of the unit in January 1947.

Johnson was the first reporter to enter General Ramey’s office. At that time, the only person present in the room was Thomas Jefferson DuBose. During the Roswell incident, General DuBose (then a colonel) served as Chief of Staff to General Roger M. Ramey.

DuBose greeted him and immediately left to fetch Ramey.

James Bond Johnson walked around the office and set his camera bag down next to the desk. He briefly looked at the debris on the floor and placed his flat leather case, containing the glass plates for his camera, on one of the chairs by the wall near the window. This was likely because placing bags on someone else’s desk in an unfamiliar office would be considered inappropriate.

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Information on the Camera Used:

The 4×5 Graflex Speed Graphic was one of the most iconic large-format cameras, particularly popular among press photographers during the first half of the 20th century. This camera utilized various types of photographic materials, including glass plates and later sheet film. Glass plates were handled and transported using specialized plate holders.

1. Glass Plate Holders:

• The glass plates were transported in double-sided holders designed specifically for 4×5-inch plates.
• Each holder had two compartments, allowing a glass plate to be inserted on each side. This enabled the photographer to take two images per holder (one per side).
• A tight-fitting dark slide protected the glass plates from light exposure until they were ready to be used in the camera.

2. Changing Process:

• To capture an image, the photographer would open the dark slide after inserting the holder into the camera.
• Once the exposure was made, the slide was closed again, ensuring the plate could be safely removed without being exposed to light.

3. Transport:

• The holders were typically carried in specialized transport cases or bags to protect them from dust, light, and physical damage.
• Given the fragile nature of glass plates, careful handling was essential.
• Some photographers used leather cases with padded compartments to securely transport multiple holders.

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After placing his bag on the chair, he picked up one of the pieces lying on the floor and propped it against a second chair to position it better for a photograph. Otherwise, everything would have just remained scattered flat on the floor.

It seemed inappropriate to leave that foul-smelling debris piled on the ground. The items were spread out on the floor of the large, relatively luxurious office, which was approximately 5 by 6 meters in size. The air was filled with the odor of burnt rubber, and Johnson wondered why this material was significant enough to be displayed this way.

By this time, Ramey and DuBose had returned to the office.

Johnson moved back to the desk, opened his camera bag, and retrieved his camera. One holder was already in the camera, allowing him to take two photos. As backups, he had two additional holders in the flat leather case on the chair, giving him the ability to take four more photos.

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Before Johnson took the photos, Roger Ramey either picked up or was handed a note—the famous Ramey Memo. The origins of this memo will not be detailed here, as they are analyzed more thoroughly in other articles. Several possibilities exist regarding its source. Johnson himself changed his account multiple times, as he was unsure after so many years.

Johnson provided several explanations. At one point, he stated that the memo was a telegram printout from the AP wire, which he had brought with him and handed directly to Ramey before taking the photos. According to this version, Ramey read the memo with interest. If true, this would mean the memo was not of military origin but had come through news channels.

Later, Johnson claimed it was not a memo he brought but rather a document already on Ramey’s desk. Before photographing him, Johnson handed the document to Ramey to help him pose better. If this version is accurate, the memo in the photos would indeed be a military document. Another possibility is that Ramey already had the memo in his hand when he entered the room.

It’s also worth noting how James Bond Johnson initially suggested the memo was a newsroom printout. This might stem from the common practice of journalists taking newsprint with them from the newsroom for reference during field research. That could very well have been the case here. Johnson may have indeed brought the printout he first described, though this doesn’t necessarily mean the memo visible in the photos was that same document.

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Johnson was ready to take the first photo. For this shot, Roger Ramey posed alone.

At that time, Johnson was informed that it wasn’t a flying saucer, as initially reported, but actually a crashed weather balloon. Johnson didn’t talk much with General Ramey, as he seemed very busy.

The First Photo:

Roger Ramey: (Wednesday, Jul 9, 1947).
“One Disk Tale Exploded by Army as Others Fly.”
”Fort Worth Star-Telegram”. Evening edition. Page 1.
Public domain

For the second photo, the photographer asked the general to adjust his position slightly so that not all the photos would look the same. After all, unlike today, where countless digital photos can be taken at virtually no cost, photographic materials were quite expensive at the time. It was necessary to use the available resources sparingly. The general repositioned himself slightly, and Johnson took the second photo of Ramey alone.

The Second Photo:

Brig. Gen. Roger Ramey. Attribution to: “Courtesy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram Photograph Collection, Special Collections, The University of Texas at Arlington Library, Arlington, Texas.”

For the third photo, Johnson needed to replace the holder containing the glass plates, as the first two photos had already been taken. He went to his flat leather case and took out one of the two remaining holders, placing the used one from the camera back into the bag for safekeeping. He then removed his hat and placed it on top of the leather case.

The left photo shows the leather case containing the glass plates. In the right photo, James Bond Johnson’s hat is placed on top of the leather case.

Johnson then asked DuBose to sit as well, to provide multiple different compositions. DuBose sat down on the third chair, and Johnson took the third photo.

The Third Photo:

Embed from Getty Images

The Fourth Photo:

For the fourth photo, Johnson again requested that DuBose move to a different position to avoid always capturing the same shot. DuBose moved to the chair next to Ramey, holding the previously propped-up piece with one hand.

As can be seen in the photo, Ramey and DuBose appear visibly amused. According to DuBose’s account, “We looked at it and I said, ‘That’s just a pile of junk.’ Roger agreed.”

The Sixth Photo:

Major Jesse A. Marcel. Attribution to: “Courtesy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram Photograph Collection, Special Collections, The University of Texas at Arlington Library, Arlington, Texas.”

Empty chair. No leather case. Visible in Newton’s photo: Johnson had already left the office. His bag is no longer present.

Johnson had finished his work, gathered his belongings, and headed back to the newsroom. Meanwhile, another reporter with a camera arrived at Roger Ramey’s office. Ramey continued explaining to everyone that the debris was from a weather balloon and instructed DuBose to call Irving Newton on the base and ask him to come to the office.

Newton later provided the following statement:

I was the only weather forecaster on duty in the Fort Worth base weather and flight service center. The base weather covered only the base the flight service center covered most of the southwest states. I received a call from some
one in General Ramey’s office who asked that I go to the General’s office. I informed him that I was the only forecaster on duty and could not leave. Several minutes later General Ramey Himself called and said “get your ass over here. If you don’t have a car take the first one with a key”.

Newton then made his way to Ramey’s office.

I was met at the General’s office by a Lt. Col. or Col., who told me that someone had found a flying saucer in New Mexico and that it was in the General’s office. A flight had been organized to send it to Wright Patterson AFB in Ohio. However, the General suspected it might be meteorological equipment or something of that nature and wanted it examined by qualified meteorological personnel.

The Colonel and I walked into the General’s office, where this supposed flying saucer was lying scattered on the floor. As soon as I saw it, I had to chuckle and asked if that was the flying saucer. I was told that it was.

Several people were in the room when I entered, including General Ramey, a couple of press people, a Major (who I later learned was Major Marcel), and a few others. Someone introduced me to Major Marcel and said he was the one who had found the material.

I explained that this was a balloon and a RAWIN target. I was convinced of this because I had seen many of them before. These were typically launched by a special crew and tracked with a ground radar unit. They were used to measure high-altitude winds aloft. We didn’t use them in Fort Worth, but I was familiar with them because I had used them and their products in various projects I had been involved with. They were mostly used for special projects and overseas.

The balloon was made of a stretchy, rubber-like material and was about six to eight feet across when launched. At higher altitudes, it expanded to 20 feet or more. The target was a radar reflector, and I believe each leg of the target was approximately 48 inches long. It resembled a child’s toy (“Jack” from a ball-and-jacks set), with metallic material between the legs. The legs were made of a material that looked like balsa wood kite sticks but was much sturdier.

While I was examining the debris, Major Marcel picked up parts of the target sticks and tried to convince me that some markings on the sticks were alien writings. The sticks did have figures in lavender or pink that appeared faded, likely from weather exposure. However, the markings didn’t make any sense, and he was unable to convince me they were of alien origin.

I was, and remain, convinced that it was a balloon with a RAWIN target.

I recall hearing the General instruct someone to cancel the flight to Wright Patterson AFB.

An unknown photographer then took the seventh picture featuring Irving Newton. Earlier, Newton removed his beanie and placed it behind him to the right.

Photo Number 7:

Historical Newspaper Article:

Irving N. Newton, warrant officer. Democrat and Chronicle Newspaper 1947 July 9.

The press conference was thus concluded. What happened before and after the press conference will be detailed in a separate article.

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In Memory of Dr. James Bond Johnson

June 18, 1926 – March 25, 2006

Photo Courtesy of JBJ 2000.

Dr. J. Bond Johnson peacefully passed away in his sleep on Saturday, March 25, 2006, in Long Beach, California, following complications from cancer.

His ashes will be interred in a niche at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C.

Born on June 18, 1926, in Fort Worth, Texas, Johnson was the only child of Rev. Floyd E. and Gladys Johnson, lifelong ministers to the Texas Methodist community. In 1942, at just 15 years old, he graduated from Taylor High School and returned to Fort Worth to pursue a journalism degree at Texas Wesleyan. With many men serving in World War II, and experience writing for both his high school paper and the Taylor Daily Press, he secured a job as a reporter-photographer at the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

His journalism career at the Star-Telegram spanned over five years, including periods before and after his service in the Army Air Corps. During this time, he earned degrees from Texas Wesleyan and Texas Christian University and later pursued advanced studies in education, theology, and psychology at Southern Methodist, the University of Southern California, and Claremont University.

In 1947, Johnson gained lasting attention for photographing debris from the alleged “UFO crash” in Roswell, New Mexico, while working for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He was dispatched to Fort Worth Army Air Station to capture images of the wreckage transported to General Ramey’s office. Johnson took six photographs on glass plates, five of which remain preserved at the University of Texas at Arlington. Though initially a minor episode in his life, this event later linked him to numerous UFO investigations.

In 1952, Johnson re-entered the military through Marine Corps Officer Training School in Quantico, Virginia, later serving as a public information officer at El Toro Marine Base in Orange County, California. He earned his aviator wings there and became a life member of the U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondents Association. Following the Korean War, he was honorably discharged with the rank of captain and continued in the Marine Reserves until 1962, when he transitioned to the U.S. Army Reserve, retiring in 1995 as a full colonel after 33 years of service.

During his military career, Johnson was a consultant to the National Security Council and served on the Eisenhower Commission, which revised the prisoner-of-war Code of Conduct. He also worked on “Operation Homecoming,” a Department of Defense program aiding returning POWs from Vietnam. Additionally, he was part of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College’s consulting faculty at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

Johnson’s expertise extended to mental health. He was a post-doctoral fellow with the National Institute of Mental Health, receiving three years of clinical psychiatry training at the University of Southern California School of Medicine. He also trained at several institutions, including the U.S. Public Health Service Hospital in Fort Worth and the Memorial Hospital Medical Center in Long Beach.

In 1960, Johnson became a board-certified clinical psychologist in California, maintaining a private practice in Long Beach for nearly four decades. His specialties included family therapy, sports psychology, and industrial psychology. In 1970, he founded the Long Beach Youth Home, a residential treatment center for emotionally troubled youth, followed by Cedar House in 1974, a pioneering program in child and spousal abuse treatment.

A veteran of three wars, Johnson conducted extensive research on post-traumatic stress disorder, interviewing returning POWs, escapees, and evacuees. His service included roles as an Army Air Corps pilot cadet in World War II, a Marine Corps captain during the Korean War, and a psychological operations specialist during the Vietnam War.

In addition to his military and psychological careers, Johnson was ordained as a Methodist minister by the Central Texas Methodist Conference. Over the years, he led congregations in Everman, Cross Plains, and Italy, Texas. He retired from active ministry in 1996, after serving as senior pastor of First United Methodist Church in San Pedro, California.