The Roswell Legacy: The Untold Story of the First Military Officer at the 1947 Crash Site

by Jesse Marcel Jr.

Does extraterrestrial life exist? Have alien beings actually visited Earth and, indeed, left clear traces of their visits? One man has the answer...and his son can now break the silence.The Roswell Legacy is the story of Major Jesse Marcel, the intelligence officer for the 509th Bomber Group (famous for dropping the atomic bomb on Japan), and the first military officer to reach the scene of one of the most famous and enduring UFO events in the recorded history of mankind.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Paranormal, Aliens

192 pages, Paperback

First published July 28, 2007

Reviews

[Tom · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Roswell Legacy is Jesse Marcel Jr.'s account of his family's role in the infamous Roswell Incident, probably the best-known flying saucer story of them all. He claims that his father, Jesse Marcel, who appeared in a famous photograph holding balloon debris, actually handled pieces of metal from a crashed alien spacecraft and showed said pieces to his wife and son before returning to base. Once there, the Roswell cover-up began and the pieces were shipped off to parts unknown.

To call the story flimsy is a bit of an understatement, and it's certainly not enough to fill out a book -- even one as slim as The Roswell Legacy. Indeed, there's a whole lot of padding in what is a fairly badly written book to begin with. There's a lazy attempt to tie the Marcel story in with the "Men in Black" narrative, as well as several pages dedicated to describing unrelated incidents involving U.S. missiles malfunctioning in range of UFOs. Marcel's wife even chips in a chapter to fill out some pages (funnily enough, it's the best chapter in the book). By the end, Marcel is treating his readers to a crash course in astrophysics.

Whether you believe Marcel or not, this just isn't a good book. It's boring, meandering and doesn't make a compelling case. Marcel also cites Budd Hopkins as a "reputable investigator" conducting "strong research" into the UFO/E.T. phenomena. He also appears to believe the Aurora Incident actually happened (check out the excellent podcast "Strange Arrivals" to see how those assessments hold up). All this and Marcel's belligerent tone doesn't make for a winning blend.

There's good reason to believe there's more to the Roswell story than has been made public, especially given the U.S. Government's moving of the goalposts over the years. Does that mean aliens were involved? Maybe, but probably not (although I'm all for wild stories like The Day After Roswell). Either way, I don't think Marcel's unconvincing book is going to be the deciding factor for anyone still sitting on the fence.

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was already familiar with the Roswell crash site from watching documentaries and actually visiting Roswell, NM. I even met some local citizens and told me stories what they remember from back then. When picking up this book I was hoping to read more information about the UFO crash which I did but it felt I didn't get as much information that I hoped for. Overall it's still a good read and I do recommend picking it up if you're a believer of extraterrestrials, or if you're curious about the Roswell crash site and are instead of the details that was informed in the book.

The entire book is written by the son of Jesse Marcel Sr. the first military man to be at the crash site examining the debris and what his son remembered on that day of the summer of 1947. He also goes into further detail about his fathers experience with the whole cover up with the US government.

Again, I did like this book just wish it gave more information since I had a few questions myself that could be answered.

[Eric Wojciechowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jesse Marcel Jr. writes of his family's life being at the center of the Roswell Crash of 1947 and as a dying wish of his father. This book was published in 2009. After reading it, I decided to look up Jesse Marcel Jr. to see about any aftermath since the release of this book and found that sadly, he had already passed away in 2013.

I don't think there's any one left alive with first hand accounts of the debris, the conversations, the orders, the cover up. We do know there was a cover up. Initially after the crash the official report was that a flying saucer crashed, only to be changed to a downed weather balloon. And that was the official story until 1994 when the United States Air Force report on the matter titled, "The Roswell Report: Case Closed" concluded the Roswell incident was a downed radar balloon called Project Mogul. (I, myself, walked into the federal building in downtown Detroit in 1996 to buy a copy of this report at the hefty price of, if I remember correctly, $60). The report convinced me and I, too, closed the case. Not a weather balloon, but another kind of balloon. Big deal.

As of late, I've been entertaining writing a second novel incorporating saucers and returned to my UFO books to get some ideas. This led me to The Roswell Legacy, something new to me, and figured it was worth the read. It isn't very long. A couple of things have now made me suspicious of the Project Mogul story, one that stands out quite ahead of most.

Jesse Marcel Sr. underwent training in the Army Air forces Intelligence School and most importantly for our present study, training at radar school. Jesse Jr. notes that if any balloon with any radar of the time came down, his father surely would have known what it was. Jesse writes that while Project Mogul was top secret, the components of the device were not. Yet to their dying day, both Marcels maintain that what they saw and handled was not balsa wood, paper and string but something "not of this world".

I can't judge exactly what they saw and handled. But the Project Mogul story doesn't hold up if we're to believe the Marcels. And I see no reason to doubt them. However, I offer an alternative explanation.

We know that during this time, many German scientists were brought over to the United States under Operation Paperclip. We know one of them was rocket engineer, Wernher Von Braun, who assisted the United States into space possibly earlier than if the US didn't have Operation Paperclip. But we'll never know if that's true. In any case, we know many UFO sightings are down to Earth experimental aircraft so I wouldn't be the slightest surprise if what the Marcels saw and handled was experimental aircraft with new, classified materials. It's a guess but makes more sense than extra terrestrials who after getting all the way here by time travel or bending space or driving the long way, only end up crashing. It also makes sense why the military and government would put a lid on it, force secrecy and keep things quiet. It would also explain the possibility that the Air Force "The Roswell Report: Case Closed" is part of a continued cover up. Who wants to admit we took former Nazis who were actively involved in slave labor and used them over here? I don't know.

At any rate, the present volume is an excellent contribution if only to give a more personal story from someone who was there. In fact, I'd say this is the last book needed on the subject. Because unless the government releases any more information, I'm afraid this is the most we'll ever really know about what crashed in Roswell, New Mexico, in 1947.

[Mr. H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was an "ok" read. It wasn't bad, just low on substance. I am not a "big" UFO researcher or reader. Any information on the subject I've gathered, I've done from just watching television shows here and there over the years. I've never really "sought" out information from the internet or ever even read any books on the subject (until 2 weeks ago as of this review - and that was done just out of curiosity from an author of another book I heard on a Talk TV show some years ago and finally decided to buy the book since it was effortlessly to do so from my kindle. The book being: The Day After Roswell by Philip Cors)

Anyway, most of the information from this book was information I had already heard from other TV shows here and there over the years. I didn't expect much, since Jesse Marcel Jr was only a young boy when all this happened and when he witnessed the events happening - which was his father bringing home objects from the original crash. Besides this, Jesse Marcel Jr had no other first hand experiences, besides the sincerity of living through the experiences of having a father who raised him, who actually had first hand experiences from finding the Roswell crash site and than being ordered to never talk about anything he had ever seen for the rest of his life.

As mentioned, the book was an "ok" read, and would probably of been an even better read for the minimal amount of information the book was able to bring to a reader, had the price of the book been several dollars cheaper on Amazon (and on the Kindle as well).

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one so much I had to listen to it again. A little over 5 hrs this book is the first account of what the Marcels encountered that fateful night near Roswell NM in 1947. Jesse Marcel Jr was a young preteen when his father was given the task of collecting the debris from a fallen object. Told in great detail, it is obvious that something took place. That the Marcels and others held something dear and rare within their homes, mind’s eye, and definitely memories. I am not arrogant enough to believe that we are the only life within this vast universe. Nor am I arrogant enough to believe that there isn’t something greater than us. I hope that we as a society are not that arrogant. There are many unexplained things within this world past , present, and future. Unfortunately, we will probably never know what the Marcels and others actually saw and experienced that night.

[Erwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life Beyond Roswell?

Jesse Marcel includes much of what has been recorded in UFO history perhaps to remind the reader that Roswell does not stand alone. However, his last chapter is the most interesting. It is here he makes his case for life beyond our planet earth. He does this logically by employing current knowledge and drawing possible
conclusions. The Cosmos Beyond Roswell is the best argument for Alien life I have read. Marcel indeed offers food for thought.

[David Clifton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dr. Jesse Marcel, Jr is the son of the military officer first on the scene at the 1947 UFO crash site in Roswell, NM.  I bellieve Marcel wrote the book to immortalize his father, not change minds about UFO encounters.

Marcel gives a brief biography of his father, retells his (Jr's) recollection of what his father said and did when he gathered debris from the crash site (Marcel Jr was 10 years old at the time), and then goes on to explain why he believes the government has covered up the crash of an alien spaceship.

He says, "I ask you to please hear me out before you banish me to the tinfoil hat crowd." I did that, but didn't read anything compelling me to believe in an alien spacecraft or government cover-up.

However, Dr. Marcel is a believer. He would like us to establish a positive relationship with the benevolent beings who have approached us in UFO's, rather than wait for those who regard us as "insects or rodents."

[Tammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've struggled over the last year trying to figure out what I want to read or what to read next. I've spent countless hours scrolling my to-be-read list, recommendations from various reading groups, skimming Amazon, and yet I still struggle. For me, this is unheard of, I usually will binge read one sub-genre until I get my fill and bounce to the next sub-genre. For the first time in my life, I'm left pondering, "what should I read next?".

I typically don't indulge in auto/biographies or nonfiction, but Roswell has always held a special place in my beloved sci-fi heart - whether you're a believer, conspiracist, or whatnot - and when I stumbled across this book I was like "why, not?". So here I am, for my first read of 2023, reading a genre that I usually wouldn't.

It wasn't until I started reading the book that I realized the author was Jesse Marcel Jr., the son of Jesse Marcel Sr., because I'm absolutely terrible at reading summaries before diving into a book. What can I say, I like surprises.

The premise of the book is a little bit biography and a little bit of autobiography, with Jesse Jr. providing insight into his family’s experiences following the Roswell event of 1947. The “facts” presented within the pages are from Jesse Jr’s own personal experiences that summer and decades later, including a short insert from his wife, Linda.

Jesse Jr. does spend time diving into his father’s early childhood hobbies and military career as a way to redeem his father’s credibility that had been harshly diminished in the past. Jesse Sr. was a highly intelligent man with a decorated military career, but following the events of that summer became slightly bitter towards the constraints placed upon him by the military he once loved.

It’s fascinating how the events of one summer shaped the world around us and gave light to the what ifs. To question the unknown and not be scared to seek the “truth”. Whether you’re a believer or not, this serves as a reminder that the events of Roswell are only one piece of the, now known, greater puzzle.

[Sharon Zink · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was OK. I liked the author's description of the night he saw the debris from the 1947 UFO crash that his father showed him, and I liked his explanation of solar systems and the likelihood that there are multiple civilizations in the universe; but I did not care so much what his wife or his children thought about it.

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Confirmation by the son of Jesse Marcell that the Roswell event was an actual UFO incident as most suspect. The sad part of the book is how the Government used Marcell Senior and ruined his life and career. A once proud and trusted soldier was thrown under the bus by the government (no surprise there) to avoid telling the truth.

[Shaun McNamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid, enjoyable read, doesn’t really add a great deal of new info, but those with a thirst for the subject matter will enjoy it. Beginners should probably read Stanton Friedman’s 'Crash At Corona' which, thus far, is the definitive book on the big daddy of UFO incidents.

[Suzann · Rating 2 out of 5]

There isn't a lot here of interest, though I believe all of it is based in fact. This is written by the son of a peripheral eyewitness and revolves around alleged small fragments of an alien craft. The father didn't see much, hence the son can't tell much.

[Terrence · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had hoped for more than what is covered in this rambling remembrance of the author's father. I imagine that that the Marcel's encountered something in Roswell, however very little new information is included in this book.

[Sarah Huntington · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy this book and I'm glad I got a copy. I think it's more relevant for people who only know a small amount regarding Roswell. There was nothing new in this, but it was still good to read and very much worth getting.

[austin stanley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting to hear from Jesse, who handled the crash material from Roswell. Necessary to form a well rounded opinion on the matter. He provided great context to his father’s military career and accolades. These weren’t just any Army men at the crash site!

I was hoping his description of the material described something more sturdy and capable of interplanetary travel. That maybe the material in the posed photo by the army wasn’t so similar to the material found by his father.

To me, it still reads as something made here on earth to be lightweight. I have a hard time believing that plastic, thin (3/8”x 1/16”) metal I-Beams and something similar to aluminum foil handled the heat of entry into Earth’s atmosphere. Still too many other possibilities like a Soviet or other country balloon crash that wasn’t considered. Perhaps the cover up is that it was an enemy device.

Still a great read!

[Dr. James Ashman CEng MIMechE CPhys MInstP · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light on content, but it did give you an insight into the man behind the story and his family; Jesse Marcel Snr. and co.

Not much there that Ufologists won't have come across before, but worth a quick read.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping to get a bit more from this book but still got enough to be happy. I did not like all of the technical stuff but can appreciate how important that is to the story.

[Charlene McGrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating

A well written book on the experiences boy the author & his family. So glad that he shared this through a book. Definitely recommend this book.

[Christopher Heckman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was on my to-read list, with the note that it "deciphered" the symbols found in the debris. It actually didn't. Good book otherwise.

[Jason Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

[Clayton Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd been fascinated by the story of Jesse Marcel Jr. for the last two years after seeing him on Larry King Live and I was thrilled to read his book (on my Kindle). He's the son of Jesse Marcel who was one of only a few high level military men chosen to recover the flying saucer debris from the Roswell crash in 1947. What an incredible story! Junior's dad brought the wreckage home with him that night and showed it to his son and wife only to have it turned over the next day to his superiors. Of course the wreckage was other-worldly and Jesse senior's life would be changed forever, even as he continued a decorated military career.

Jesse Marcel Jr. agreed on his father's death bed to tell this whole story, a story his father swore he'd never tell publicly. Junior does his father proud by recounting the minute by minute account of an honorable man doing his country's duty, swearing to secrecy after recovering 3 alien bodies, recovering unidentifiable saucer debris, posing for fake pictures alongside a weather balloon, and ultimately living up to his oath to never tell the story himself.

I might have given this book 3 stars for lack of depth were it not for Jesse's thesis: "My focus in this book will be to present the reader with a clearer picture of the man who was - and remains - at the center of the Roswell controversy; my father, Jesse Marcel, Sr." Okay. Given that thesis I can cut him some slack. His focus was his father. If you want a barrel of details regarding Roswell you best read Witness to Roswell.

[Todd Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

According to the author, he is one of a small few alive who handled wreckage from the UFO that crashed in Roswell.

Jesse Marcel Jr is the son of Major Jesse Marcel, the intelligence officer for the 509th bomb group and the first military officer to reach the famous Roswell accident site.

Later the military changed the story from UFO to weather balloon but this book made me rethink what really happened.

There is an interesting foreward by noted UFO reseacher Stanton T. Friedman which details how he became acquainted with Marcel.

The most interesting part of the book for me was Marcel talking about the alien ship wreckage.

What I don't understand is how nobody involved kept a sample. I'm not only talking Marcel, as I understand the whole military confidentiality thing, but didn't they have any idea that someday in the future their fantastic claims might be challenged?

Same for the rancher who had the wreckage strewn all over his land. None of his family or friends kept a small sample?

These nagging doubts aside, I enjoyed the book. Not going to get into whether I believe everything happened exactly as the author states in the book, but it was an interesting read.

[Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've always been interested in the UFO phenomenon, but never read any books related to this field. Being a fan of history, I chose to read this to learn more about the most famous UFO story, the Roswell incident of 1947. Written by the son of of one first on-site witnesses, and witness himself to crash debris, I knew I was getting the story from one of the original participants. And while the author talks about his experience, his father's experience, and their lives as a result, what he does not do is go into detail of the Roswell incident itself. We don't learn much about other witnesses beyond he and his father. The fact some people reported alien bodies is only briefly mentioned. Nothing about Wright-Patterson AFB and how it might house UFO crash debris, or alien bodies? Very little about the coverup, and who might have been involved, only the acknowledgement that a coverup did occur (and still does). Being a man of science, and a medical doctor, he does touch upon how interstellar travel may be possible, and the different technologies we know about, but that's not what I was after. Overall a nice story, but I would have liked a more thorough reading over the entire subject.

[Richard]

This book was written by the son of Jesse Marcel, the man whom the government delegated the task of analyzing the Roswell debris. That fact I think is officially known. If you look at pictures of the debris discovered by Jesse Marcel Sr., possession, it matches perfectly with a certain classified balloon the DoD was using at the time, but what's -not- part of the official story, and that's stated in this book, is that the government took the original debris and replaced it with that and forced Jesse Marcel Sr. to take a photo with the balloon debris. That's why he has a face in the photo that seems to say, "seriously?" That's just one of the interesting facts about the incident in this book. Another is the fact that Jesse Marcel Sr. had covertly taken some of the (actual) debris to his family to see, and it had some strange properties to it..

[Kyle Philson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kyle Philson-Host of Expanded Perspectives Podcast

-Free review copy courtesy of New Page Books and Warwick Associates.

There is not a more popular UFO story than the story of the Roswell Crash of 1947 in New Mexico. It is the pinnacle of UFO stories by far. In his book 'The Roswell Legacy' Jesse Marcel, Jr. and Linda Marcel give a new perspective of the iconic crash. From the viewpoint of a young man, the author gives the great details of what his father saw and brough home. Also, the encounters he had with government 'G' men that brough him to an underground instillation in Washington D.C. to discuss these items. A must read for anyone intrested in UFO's as well as the Roswell Incident. A great book about the most popular UFO case in all of humanity!

[Scottsdale Public Library]

The Roswell Legacy is one of the most concise and also extremely readable books about the mysterious crash of an unidentified extraterrestrial craft at Roswell, New Mexico, in 1947. This truly amazing biography, by Jesse Marcel, Jr., MD, documents the recovery of debris from the crash of an extraterrestrial craft and how the Marcel family became forever linked to the event. As a boy, Jesse Marcel, Jr., MD was one of the few people who had actually handled pieces of debris from a crashed “flying saucer”. This book is highly recommended to anyone who is interested in UFOs and also the 509th Bomber Group (famous for dropping the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki). - Leslie G.

[Tiff · Rating 4 out of 5]

He wanted to get across that his father was credible even though the military tried to discredit him. Rev. Jose Funes in a 2008 interview states that believing in Aliens does not contradict faith in God b/c aliens could still be God's creatures. When I finished the book I felt enlightened. It was very interesting and informative. I especially liked the chapter that Linda wrote.

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good summary and update on the Roswell story and a nice personal view. No new information although the perspective is fresh

[NONE · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want to know more about the Roswell Incident, this book is a must read!

[William Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was worth hearing from Jesse Jr. and some of his details. Clearly, it's a better supporting book for those that are well read on Roswell, versus those being introduced to it for the first time.