June 20, 1952 — Central Korea
3:03 p.m. A flight of four US Marine Corps captains and pilots (Bobbie Foster, Richard Francisco, Teddy L. Pittman, and Ronnie A. McDonald) of F4U-4B Corsair fighters with the 7302nd Squadron over central Korea see a silvery-white object passing below them, banking into a left turn. As the object circles around, Foster dives toward the object, which appears to be 10–20 feet in diameter. It flies away at an estimated speed of 1,000 mph and disappears toward friendly lines. [Eberhart] Captain Bobbie Foster was killed in action the following day over North Korea. But not before he had written a letter to his wife —probably on the day of the sighting and mailed the next day — mentioning his flying saucer sighting.
Letter to Wife:
Blue Book Files:
Sources:
Brad Sparks, Blue Books Unknown Catalogue, Case 627, p. 139;
Feschino Jr., Frank C. Shoot Them Down! The Flying Saucer Air Wars of 1952. Lulu.com, 2007, p. 13;
NICAP, “F4U-4B Corsairs Encounter Circling UFO”;
The painting is by Michael Boss, who became friends with Bobbie Foster’s son. You can read more about his investigation into this case here: