A Revisit to the Rhodes Photographs on Coast-to-Coast AM

In the world of UFO sightings, there are often instances where valuable information is overlooked due to controversy and bias. One particular case that highlights this issue is the photographs taken by William Rhodes in July 1947. Rhodes, who was on his way to his backyard lab, heard a peculiar “whooshing” sound that caught his attention. Initially mistaking it for a jet, he soon realized his mistake when he spotted a black object with a clear dome in the center.

Feeling compelled to document this unusual encounter, Rhodes hurried back to his lab to grab his camera. He managed to capture two photographs of the UFO, with one of them showing the “dome” in the center and the distinct heel shape that would become significant. Unfortunately, when the Air Force conducted its investigation into the sighting, they dismissed Rhodes as a hoaxster due to their disapproval of his lifestyle and occupation.

Interestingly, Kenneth Arnold, the man who coined the term “flying saucer” after his own sighting, was asked by Ray Palmer, the editor of a science fiction magazine, to investigate the Maury Island sighting that occurred in June 1947. Arnold, with whom Rhodes had a professional relationship after supplying an article about his own sighting to the magazine, called upon Lieutenant Frank M. Brown to assist him in the investigation.

During their conversation, Brown mentioned that the Army Air Forces had received two photographs resembling Arnold’s original sighting of a heel-shaped object. Though Brown didn’t provide much additional information, he made a covert reference to the evidence related to Rhodes in Phoenix. This suggests that Rhodes may have captured something remarkable in his photographs.

Unfortunately, Rhodes’ character was tarnished by allegations from his neighbors, who claimed that he didn’t like their animals running around on his property. The Air Force investigation relied heavily on this trivial information and conveniently ignored any details that could have painted Rhodes in a more favorable light. As a result, subsequent researchers have dismissed the value of Rhodes’ photographs, relying solely on the flawed Project Blue Book file.

Digging deeper into Rhodes’ background, it’s revealed that he made claims of having a Ph.D. However, he was unable to produce any documentation except for a small, plastic-sealed replica of his diploma. Rhodes explained that during his time serving in the Navy at the beginning of World War II, he and other civilian employees were given a test. Based on their scores, they were awarded the equivalent of a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate degree. Rhodes supposedly scored high enough to be granted a doctorate, although his explanation remains somewhat vague.

A friend of Rhodes, whom I had the opportunity to speak with, described him as an abrasive personality but acknowledged his genius-like abilities. Rhodes was known for his problem-solving skills and had even been hired to resolve a particular issue at an Arizona university. Perhaps this testament to his intelligence and expertise should not be disregarded when evaluating the authenticity of his photographs.

The crucial point to take away from the case of William Rhodes is that valuable information pertaining to significant UFO sightings is often disregarded due to unfounded controversy and bias. Testimonies and evidence that could potentially provide compelling insights are unjustly dismissed without sufficient reason. Just as baseball player Bill Buckner is remembered for his error rather than his a high number of accomplishments, the focus tends to lean towards the negative aspects rather than the positive ones. It’s imperative for researchers and investigators to approach these cases with an open mind and think all available information before drawing conclusions about their credibility.

For further details regarding this fascinating UFO sighting and other related topics, additional information can be found in Kevin Randle’s blog posts:

– “Coast to Coast AM, FLIR, and William Rhodes” (http://kevinrandle.blogspot.com/2023/05/coast-to-coast-am-flir-and-william.html)

– “Kenneth Arnold, William Rhodes, and Maury Island” (http://kevinrandle.blogspot.com/2012/04/kenneth-arnold-william-rhodes-and-maury.html)

– “More of the Best UFO Photographs” (http://kevinrandle.blogspot.com/2006/11/more-of-best-ufo-photographs.html)

– “Beyond Rhodes’ Photographs” (http://kevinrandle.blogspot.com/2010/10/beyond-rhodes-photographs.html)

– “William Rhodes and His Ph.D.” (http://kevinrandle.blogspot.com/2010/10/william-rhodes-and-his-phd.html)

It is my hope that by reconsidering cases like Rhodes’ sighting, we can encourage a more unbiased and comprehensive approach to understanding the mysteries of UFO phenomena. Only by examining all the relevant evidence and testimonies can we hope to uncover the truth behind these enigmatic encounters.