The 1968 Buff Ledge Abduction

It was just after sunset, on August 7, 1968, as “Michael Lapp” (pseudonym), age 16, and “Janet Cornell,” age 19, stood together at the end of a dock at Buff Ledge Camp for girls, located on the shore of Lake Champlain just north of Burlington, Vermont. At the time, most counselors and campers were away on a two-day break. Michael, however, had the job of maintaining the camp’s waterfront equipment while Janet was a water-skiing instructor.

Gazing in the direction of the western sky, the two young co-workers noticed a white cigar-shaped object over the lake. As they watched, the object released three small round objects that executed a series of acrobatic maneuvers. Shortly, two of the round objects left the area, while the third unexpectedly headed directly toward the startled witnesses, stopping a mere ten feet or so from the end of the dock! Michael remembers that it was the classic “flying saucer,” with a transparent dome on top, two small humanoid beings inside with large heads and large oval shaped eyes, and a revolving multicolored glowing rim. He also noticed that the object was producing a vibratory hum, and added that the occupants communicated with him telepathically, informing him that they were from some distant planet and that they meant no harm.

Janet, Michael noted, appeared to be frozen in a trance state, and afterwards would tell Michael that she only remembered moving lights in the sky. Not wishing to scare her, Michael kept his memory of the close encounter and entities to himself.

Michael also recalled that as the disc-shaped craft was leaving it had gained altitude and was above them, and shined a brilliant beam of light on them both. At this point Michael lost consciousness too.

Later when they regained consciousness, it was totally dark outside. They both felt extremely tired and each returned to their separate quarters and fell asleep.

Ten years later, Michael called Dr. Hynek’s Center for UFO Studies and reported the incident. He was then put in contact with UFO investigator Walter N. Webb, who conducted a thorough five year investigation of the case.

Under separate regressive hypnosis sessions both witnesses filled in the details of their “missing time” with memories of an alien abduction. Webb noted that both of their separate accounts contained remarkable similarities. For example, they both described the UFO’s interior was dimly lit, the beings as having large elongated heads, large eyes, a slit-like mouth, and two nasal openings. Both had a telepathic “guide” who maintained contact with them throughout their experience. Both also underwent some kind of physical examination. Michael claimed he even watched as Janet was examined, and blood and skin samples were taken, as well as the possible extraction of eggs.

Webb wrote that a hoax or a shared hallucination was ruled out. He felt the two witnesses were honest and credible. He subjected them to extensive psychological tests and to background character checks as well. Webb also was able to turn up three supporting witnesses to the UFO’s apparent departure following Janet and Michael’s encounter, though after so many years the exact date of those particular sightings could not be established for certain.

Reference: The Encyclopedia of Extraterrestrial Encounters: A Definitive, Illustrated A-Z Guide to All Things Alien, edited by Ronald D. Story. New American Library, a division of Penguin Putnam Inc., 375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 100

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