Chapter 1: The Awakening

On December 2, 1977, at around 8:10 a.m., William Herrmann, a resident of Charleston, South Carolina, was abruptly awakened by a loud, thunderous noise that rattled his mobile home. Alarmed by the disturbance, he quickly took his frightened daughter outside to investigate. To his shock, he saw a metallic, saucer-shaped craft hovering over the power towers near the Ashley River, not far from their residence. This event marked the onset of a series of extraordinary sightings that would trouble Herrmann and his neighbors for months.

During the period from November 1977 to March 1978, Herrmann, along with other residents of North Charleston, reported seeing fifteen unidentified flying objects. His mobile home, positioned near the Ashley River, became a prime location for observing these strange occurrences. The noise that startled him and his daughter was emanating from the vicinity of the hovering craft, resembling the sound of a catastrophic train derailment.

Notably, Herrmann had encountered other UFOs in the area the previous month, specifically on November 12 and November 27. Armed with his Instamatic 126 camera, he captured several images of the craft on November 27, which he later submitted to the Charleston Air Force Base at their request. Although he was initially hesitant, he allowed Captain Wade King to analyze one photo while retaining the others.

However, when Herrmann returned to retrieve the analyzed photo, he was met with skepticism. Captain King suggested that the object looked like an Air Force F4 Phantom Jet, yet Herrmann's enlarged images clearly depicted a saucer-like shape. Frustrated by the dismissive attitude, Herrmann's belief that he and his community were encountering extraterrestrial visitors only strengthened.

The Air Force's standard response, referencing the closure of Project Blue Book, did little to alter Herrmann's convictions. He began linking the rumbling sounds associated with some sightings to the phenomenon of skyquakes, which were reported by residents on the East Coast. Despite his limited education and work as a diesel injector mechanic, Herrmann faced significant challenges in gaining credibility, all while diligently documenting his sightings in a journal.

Chapter 2: A Shift in Belief

William Herrmann's encounters are chronicled in a compelling narrative that began in March 1978. His story illustrates a profound transformation from skepticism to belief, driven by his relentless pursuit of understanding. Initially dismissive of UFO claims, Herrmann's experiences led him to conclude that they held deep significance and might even suggest a spiritual dimension to the phenomenon.

His journey commenced in November 1977, when he observed silver metallic discs hovering at low altitudes. While initially skeptical, he sought answers from the Charleston Air Force Base, providing photographic evidence of his encounters. However, Major Wayne King's skepticism hindered Herrmann's quest for the truth.

The connection made between skyquakes and sonic booms produced by military aircraft further fueled Herrmann's doubts. A memorandum dated January 16, 1978, unveiled a U.S. jet's attempt to intercept an unidentified group, shedding light on certain incidents. Nevertheless, Herrmann's determination led him to gather more evidence, including photographs taken on January 22, 1978, during another UFO sighting near the Charleston Air Force Base.

The narrative takes a chilling turn on March 18, 1978, when Herrmann recounts a perplexing experience. After observing a UFO near the Ashley River, he suddenly finds himself disoriented in a remote field. The situation escalates when, under regressive hypnosis, he reveals chilling details of his experience, describing being on a table under a fluorescent light, surrounded by three humanoid beings resembling fetuses, each about four and a half feet tall and dressed in knitted suits. One of these beings even placed a black box on his arm.

Despite facing numerous setbacks, Herrmann remained unwavering in his quest for the truth. He even underwent progressive hypnosis to dig deeper into his experiences, solidifying his belief in the extraordinary. Tragically, a meeting with Air Force Captain Sam Eskew, who could have confirmed Herrmann's experience, was never realized, as Eskew and his crew lost their lives in a plane crash, casting a pall over Herrmann's journey.

During an interview with Harry Lebelson, Herrmann reflects on his growing interest in UFOs and his communications with the Charleston Air Force Base concerning the sightings. He underscores the importance of increased awareness and understanding of the UFO phenomenon. Throughout the interview, Herrmann's sincerity and conviction shine through, highlighting the complexity and intrigue surrounding his extraordinary encounters with the unknown.

The first video recounts Bill Herrmann's daylight UFO encounter and alien abduction experience from 1978, detailing his shocking story and profound transformation from skeptic to believer.

The second video explores Bill Herrmann's hypnosis session, where he delves into the chilling details of his 1978 UFO experience and alien abduction.