How it all began in Roswell can be found here: >>>The Beginning<<<
One of the most important witnesses is likely Flight Engineer Robert R. Porter. He was involved in the loading of the debris that was transported to Fort Worth, Texas.
Roswell Army Air Field Yearbook (1947)
ROBERT R. PORTER (Bottom, Person Nr.2)
Some of the yearbooks from that time can still occasionally be purchased online on various platforms for an average price of $600 per book. These contain very interesting historical photos and additional insights.
In contrast to many fabricated or alleged witnesses who claimed to have been present during the recovery and loading of the discovered debris, there are individuals who were actually involved and provided official statements. Other reports—particularly those from self-proclaimed Roswell researchers, including many who authored books—were pieced together from speculation. Elderly individuals were often misquoted or had words put in their mouths, and entirely fictitious stories were invented. This has even been confirmed by former personnel who were interviewed for the Roswell Report and other investigations. They described some passages in these books as completely fabricated. Many also stated that they were repeatedly contacted and even harassed by authors trying to extract statements that were simply not true.
Numerous claims were published that were clearly made up just to fit the narrative of the book or the larger Roswell story. This includes alleged overnight stays at the Foster Ranch, imaginary heavily guarded roads near the crash site, and supposed switching of debris just before the press conference in Fort Worth. All of these claims can be refuted by real witnesses—those who were actually assigned to the case at the time.
One key witness in this regard is Robert R. Porter, who played a direct role in handling and loading the debris destined for Fort Worth, Texas.
ROPERT R. PORTER – FLIGHT ENGINEER RAAF
What makes this witness particularly noteworthy is that he spoke about the incident in a completely straightforward and matter-of-fact way. He was interviewed without any leading questions or suggestions. In doing so, he unintentionally mentioned several key details—details that quite literally carry weight.
The recovered debris was all flown to Fort Worth, Texas, to the FWAAF—Fort Worth Army Air Field. But first, of course, it had to be loaded—specifically, into a B-29 bomber.
W.D. Smith Commercial Photography, Inc. Collection,
University of Texas at Arlington Libraries.
Airplanes – B-29 in flight. (1951). Retrieved from library.uta.edu/digitalgallery/img/20096386
The Boeing B-29 Superfortress was a long-range bomber developed by the U.S. manufacturer Boeing Airplane Company in the 1940s. It was the largest and most powerful bomber of World War II and remained in service during the early phase of the Cold War.
Colonel Blanchard ordered Jesse Marcel to fly to Fort Worth Army Air Field and hand over all the material to General Roger Ramey for inspection. The transport was carried out in a B-29 aircraft.
Robert R. Porter, B-29 flight engineer stationed at Roswell, was present during the loading of the debris. Naturally, he also wanted to know what they were loading. He also flew aboard the aircraft. He recalled what Capt. Anderson, who also flew on the mission, had said: “It was from a flying saucer.“ Of course, this doesn’t mean that Anderson was involved in the recovery of the debris. He was simply passing along what had been communicated to him regarding the transport.
Jesse Marcel was also on board the B-29. Robert R. Porter, the B-29 flight engineer who flew from Roswell to Fort Worth, stated: “The people on board included Major Jesse Marcel.“ This also puts to rest all speculation about a second aircraft that supposedly brought him to Fort Worth later. That wouldn’t have made much sense anyway.
But his most important statement concerns the loading itself.
Robert R. Porter: “I was involved in loading the “B29” with the material, which was wrapped in packages with wrapping paper. One of the pieces was triangle-shaped, about 2 1/2 feet across the bottom. The rest were in small packages, about the size of a shoe box, The brown paper was held with tape. The material was extremely lightweight. When I picked it up, it was just like picking up an empty package.“
This also aligns with all the witness statements from those who saw and collected the material, as well as with the testimony of DuBose. There were no heavy engines, propulsion systems, or large components—nothing one would expect from a spacecraft designed to carry occupants.
At the time of the Roswell incident, Thomas Jefferson DuBose was the chief of staff to General Roger M. Ramey, commander of the Eighth Army Air Corps, headquartered in Fort Worth.
THOMAS JEFFERSON DuBOSE
After landing at Fort Worth Army Air Field:
DuBose immediately brought the bag with the debris to General Ramey’s office. Ramey entered the office, and both took a quick look inside the canvas bag. When Ramey realized it contained many small fragments, he called in an assistant to lay out the included brown paper tarp on the office floor. It’s possible the bag also contained shoebox-sized boxes with several additional pieces.
Attribution to: “Courtesy, Fort Worth Star-Telegram Photograph Collection, Special Collections, The University of Texas at Arlington Library, Arlington, Texas.”
To protect it from the small debris, the tarp or wrapping paper was laid out before the press conference.
This is supported by a statement from Thomas Jefferson DuBose:
I wouldn’t swear that it was placed there – but I believe it was placed there to prevent things from messing up the carpet.
Another statement from DuBose regarding the paper tarp:
Well, this brown paper, I won’t make a sworn statement about it; it might have been delivered with the debris. Maybe it was in the bag.*
*) Both scenarios are likely true. This aligns with the statement by Robert R. Porter, who flew in the B-29 from Roswell to Fort Worth.
And once again, the statement made by Robert R. Porter:
Robert R. Porter: “I was involved in loading the “B29” with the material, which was wrapped in packages with wrapping paper. One of the pieces was triangle-shaped, about 2 1/2 feet across the bottom. The rest were in small packages, about the size of a shoe box, The brown paper was held with tape. The material was extremely lightweight. When I picked it up, it was just like picking up an empty package.“
Now, of course, there are still claims that the material was switched or replaced shortly before the press conference. While it is true that the measuring instruments were removed and that it wasn’t really a standard weather balloon, the components were essentially very similar. The key element was a radar reflector—a Rawin target. This device is used to determine the position of the balloon. To achieve this, radar beams are directed into the sky, and the reflector bounces the signal back. This allows the balloon’s position to be tracked.
DuBose confirmed that there was a kind of cover-up story intended to protect Project Mogul. However, he himself stated in interviews that the material which came from Roswell was not switched or replaced.
In an interview, DuBose was also asked:
“Was anything left behind in the cargo hold or something like that?”
His response: “If there was, I didn’t know about it.”
“Did General Ramey or anyone else order a switch without your knowledge?“
“I have very good eyesight: Well, it was better back then than it is today, and I was there loading this material, and it was never replaced.”
“Two researchers claim that the debris was removed from General Ramey’s office and that a weather balloon was there.“
“Oh, nonsense! This material was never changed or swapped!”
“Did you or anyone else ever alter this material for the cover story?”
“We didn’t change anything. We had orders from Washington to examine this material. We would not have changed anything.”
Here, the statement of Robert R. Porter comes into play again. He himself was present during the loading in Roswell.