Bruce Maccabee (born May 6, 1942) is an American optical physicist who was formerly employed by the U.S. Navy. He is also known for his work as a ufologist. Maccabee received his B.S. in physics from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and later pursued his M.S. and Ph.D. in physics at American University, Washington, DC. He began his career in 1972 at the Naval Ordnance Laboratory, which later became the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division. He retired from government service in 2008. Throughout his career, he worked on various projects including optical data processing, underwater sound generation with lasers, and aspects of the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) and Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) using high power lasers.
In the realm of ufology, Maccabee has been active since the late 1960s. He was a member of the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP) and later joined the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON). He played a significant role in establishing the Fund for UFO Research (FUFOR) and has been involved in numerous UFO research and investigations. Maccabee has authored or co-authored numerous articles and books on UFOs and has appeared on various media platforms as an authority on the subject.
Early Life and Education
Bruce Maccabee was born on May 6, 1942, in Rutland, Vermont. For his education, he pursued a B.S. in physics at Worcester Polytechnic Institute located in Worcester, Massachusetts. He furthered his studies at American University in Washington, DC, where he obtained both his M.S. and Ph.D. in physics. After completing his education, in 1972, he began his professional career at the Naval Ordnance Laboratory in White Oak, Silver Spring, Maryland. This institution later transformed into the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division.
Career
Bruce Maccabee began his illustrious career in 1972 at the Naval Ordnance Laboratory located in White Oak, Silver Spring, Maryland. This establishment later transitioned into the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division. Throughout his tenure, Maccabee was deeply involved in various pioneering projects. He worked on optical data processing and was instrumental in the generation of underwater sound using lasers.
Furthermore, he played a significant role in the development and research of the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) and Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD). His contributions in these areas primarily revolved around the application of high-power lasers.
In addition to his work with the U.S. Navy, Maccabee is renowned for his contributions to ufology. He developed an interest in UFOs in the late 1960s and subsequently joined the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP). He remained an active researcher and investigator for NICAP until its dissolution in 1980.
In 1975, Maccabee became a member of the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) and was later appointed as the state director for Maryland, a position he continues to hold. By 1979, he played a pivotal role in founding the Fund for UFO Research (FUFOR) and served as its chairman for approximately 13 years. He currently holds a position on the National Board of the Fund.
Maccabee’s UFO research is vast and varied. He has investigated numerous significant UFO incidents, including the Kenneth Arnold sighting in 1947, the McMinnville, Oregon photos from 1950, the Tehran UFO incident of 1976, and many others. He has also been involved in historical research related to UFOs, being the first to access the secret “flying disc file” of the FBI, which he refers to as “the REAL X-Files”. Additionally, he has gathered documents from various government agencies, including the CIA, the U.S. Air Force, and the U.S. Army.
Over the last three decades, Maccabee has authored or co-authored numerous technical and trade articles about UFOs. He has also contributed to several books on the subject and has been featured on multiple radio and TV shows as an authority on UFOs.
Impact on Ufology
Bruce Maccabee, an American optical physicist and a prominent ufologist, has left an indelible mark on the field of ufology. His unique combination of a rigorous scientific background and a keen interest in unidentified flying objects (UFOs) positioned him as a bridge between the often skeptical scientific community and the world of UFO enthusiasts.
From the late 1960s, Maccabee’s involvement in ufology began with his association with the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP). His dedication to the field was further solidified when he joined the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) in 1975, eventually becoming the state director for Maryland. One of his significant contributions was the establishment of the Fund for UFO Research (FUFOR), where he served as chairman for about 13 years.
Maccabee’s research spanned numerous significant UFO incidents, from the Kenneth Arnold sighting in 1947 to the Gulf Breeze UFO incidents in the late 1980s. His methodical approach to these investigations, backed by his scientific expertise, lent credibility to a field often marred by skepticism and dismissal.
Furthermore, Maccabee was the first to access the secret “flying disc file” of the FBI, which he humorously termed “the REAL X-Files.” His efforts in obtaining and analyzing documents from various government agencies, including the CIA and the U.S. Air Force, have provided invaluable insights and data to the UFO community.
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Conclusion
Bruce Maccabee is a distinguished American optical physicist and a prominent figure in the realm of ufology. With a solid academic foundation, having earned degrees from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and American University, he seamlessly blended his scientific expertise with a profound interest in unidentified flying objects. While his professional career was rooted in the U.S. Navy, his passion led him to become an influential member of organizations like NICAP and MUFON. Maccabee’s dedication to ufology is evident in his extensive research, investigations, and publications on significant UFO incidents. His efforts in accessing and analyzing classified government documents have provided invaluable insights to the UFO community.