W.R. Presley Oak Ridge photographs (July 1947).
documentedsource_actorAtomic Energy Commission / ERDA (DOE progenitors)
July 1947 photos by W.R. Presley at 218 Illinois Ave; investigated by AEC's Rathman & Col. Gasser; serial 153 — centerpiece of 2026 Oak Ridge content.
The earliest and most robust Oak Ridge item in the 2026 release: photographs W.R. Presley took in July 1947 of an aerial object/vapor trail at his Oak Ridge residence. Investigated by AEC chief investigator George Rathman and Col. C.D. Gasser, transmitted to FBI Director Hoover; deemed authentic. This is serial 153 of 62-HQ-83894 and is what reporters mean by 2026 Oak Ridge 'flying saucer' photos — a 1947 event, not 1950.