Colonel Howard McCoy's service record describes a senior intelligence officer in the US Air Force. In the years following World War II, he participated in the planning and operation of two programs that investigated unidentified phenomena.
The connection is surprising: McCoy not only served in intelligence while the programs were active, but he was also involved in their design and implementation. Thus, one officer's service record leads to two early Air Force programs — and to the question of what exactly they investigated.
McCoy's Senior Role
From December 1946 to August 1949, McCoy held senior positions in Air Force intelligence. He first served as Deputy Commander for Intelligence Affairs. Later, he headed the Intelligence Department of the Air Materiel Command staff, the unit where he served.
Intelligence involves collecting and analyzing information. In his roles, McCoy was among the senior officers engaged in this field. His service record outlines the positions he held, and during this period, the Air Force launched two research programs.
Two Programs, Unclear Purpose
The programs were named Sign and Grudge. The Air Force initiated them to address unidentified phenomena: things observed but not identified. McCoy participated in their initial planning, management, and operation.
In other words, his involvement spanned various stages of the work: from planning to operation. This is the direct link between his intelligence role and the two programs. They weren't just projects that existed during his Air Force service; he was among the senior intelligence personnel who helped design and operate them.
What Remains Unknown
The service record does not specify which phenomena were investigated in the programs or what was found. It also does not offer a conventional explanation for the phenomena; it describes McCoy's role and his involvement in the programs.
Two programs were launched, and a senior intelligence officer helped operate them. But what awaited the researchers at the end of the road? That answer the record does not reveal.
