The Man Who Captured the Discs
William "Bill" Herrmann was a 32-year-old resident of Charleston, South Carolina, in 1980. He worked as a draftsman for a local engineering firm and lived a quiet life with his wife and children in a suburban neighborhood. Herrmann had no prior interest in UFOs, no history of hoaxing, and no apparent motive for fabrication. He was described by those who knew him as an honest, straightforward family man.
His encounters began unexpectedly in February 1980 and continued intermittently through October. He captured over 60 photographs using a Minolta 35mm SLR camera with a 50mm lens and Kodachrome slide film. The images are notable for their clarity, daytime lighting, and consistent structural details of the objects.
The First Sighting: February 19, 1980
The initial encounter occurred on February 19, 1980, while Herrmann was driving home from work around 5:30 p.m. He noticed a large metallic object hovering low over a field near his home. The disc was silver, saucer-shaped, with a dome on top and a row of porthole-like windows around the edge. It was silent and estimated to be 50 to 60 feet in diameter.
"It was just there, hovering. No sound, no wind. It looked solid, metallic. I grabbed my camera and started shooting. Then it went straight up and was gone."
– Bill Herrmann (1980 interview)
Bill stopped the car, grabbed his camera, and took several photographs. The object remained stationary for about 30 seconds before ascending vertically and disappearing into the clouds. He felt no fear, only awe and curiosity.
The Photography Sessions: March to October 1980
Bill's sightings continued for months. He photographed the objects from multiple angles, distances, and times of day. Key sessions include:
- March 1980: Multiple discs appeared over his backyard at close range (estimated 100 feet). Photos show clear metallic surfaces, domes, and portholes.
- April to June 1980: Objects in groups, performing maneuvers. Some photos show discs tilting or rotating.
- July 1980: A large craft with a ring of lights hovered for several minutes. Herrmann captured it from different angles.
- October 1980: Final major session. Objects appeared in formation, one descending close enough to cause slight wind disturbance.
Bill reported the objects were silent, moved slowly, and sometimes emitted a low hum. They often appeared in groups, changed shape slightly, and vanished rapidly. He claimed the beings inside communicated telepathically, warning about nuclear war and environmental destruction.
Witness Corroboration
Multiple witnesses confirmed Bill Herrmann's sightings:
- His wife and children saw the objects from their home on several occasions.
- Neighbors reported similar discs over Charleston during the same period.
- Local pilots and air traffic controllers noted unexplained radar returns.
"I saw it with my own eyes. It was a solid metallic disc, bigger than a car, hovering right over the trees. No sound, no wings, no propellers. Then it just shot away."
– Herrmann's neighbor (1980 interview)
Bill wife also stated:
"The lights were in formation. They moved together, then one came closer. It was so bright it lit up the whole yard. My kids were screaming."
– Herrmann's wife (1980 statement)
Also, in March 1980, a passing motorist was astonished to see a disc hovering clear as a day in the sky near Route 17.
James McCampbell's Photo Analysis
James McCampbell, a physicist and MUFON Director of Research, conducted one of the most thorough technical reviews of Herrmann's photographs. McCampbell examined the original 35mm Kodachrome slides and applied rigorous criteria for detecting hoaxing.
His key findings included:
- No evidence of double exposure, models, or darkroom manipulation.
- Consistent lighting, shadows, and depth of field across the series, matching real objects at varying distances.
- Slight motion blur in some images, consistent with moving objects rather than static models.
- Uniform metallic appearance, reflective surfaces, and structural details (domes, portholes) that remained consistent across dozens of photos taken over months.
- The precision of the disc shapes and lack of edge artifacts ruled out simple cutouts or hoaxes.
"The photographs show genuine physical objects with structured surfaces. There is no evidence of hoaxing or manipulation. The consistent details and lighting are remarkable."
– James McCampbell (MUFON technical review, 1980s)
McCampbell concluded the photographs depicted genuine physical objects with structured surfaces. He praised the "daylight clarity" and "consistent structural details" as rare in UFO photography. His analysis was published in MUFON case files and remains one of the most positive technical assessments of the Herrmann series.
Investigations and Analysis
Herrmann submitted his photos to the Mutual UFO Network (MUFON) and the Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS). Analysts examined the originals:
- No evidence of double exposure, models, or hoaxing.
- The discs showed consistent lighting, shadows, and depth of field matching real objects at distance.
- Some photos displayed a slight blur consistent with motion.
- Image enhancement revealed no signs of manipulation.
MUFON investigator James McCampbell analyzed the images and concluded they showed genuine physical objects with structured surfaces. The case remains one of the strongest photographic UFO cases of the 1980s.
Herrmann's Later Claims
Herrmann reported close encounters with the beings inside the craft. He described them as small, grey-skinned, with large heads and eyes. They communicated telepathically, warning about nuclear war and environmental destruction. He claimed multiple abductions and ongoing contact throughout 1980.
"They told me we are destroying our world. They showed me visions of fire and ruin. I believe they are trying to warn us."
– Bill Herrmann (1981 interview)
Herrmann's story evolved over time, with more details emerging in interviews. Some researchers question the abduction elements, but the photographs remain the strongest part of the case. He never profited from the photos and refused to sell them.
Location / Anomalies:
- Primary site: Charleston, South Carolina, USA (Coords: approx 32.7765° N, 79.9311° W)
- Secondary reports: Surrounding areas including James Island and North Charleston
- Anomalies: Over 60 clear daytime photographs of metallic disc-shaped objects with domes and portholes, consistent structured appearance, silent hovering and rapid maneuvers, multiple witnesses (family, neighbors, pilots), no evidence of hoaxing in photo analysis, alleged telepathic contact and abductions.
Sources / Balance:
Bill Herrmann original photographs and testimony
MUFON investigation reports (1980s)
Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS) photo analysis
James McCampbell technical review
Local newspaper coverage (Charleston News and Courier, 1980)
Herrmann interviews (UFO magazines and documentaries, 1980s–1990s)
Final Verdict
THE PHOTOS THAT REFUSE TO FADE. In 1980, an ordinary draftsman in Charleston, South Carolina captured over 60 clear, daytime photographs of metallic discs hovering silently in the sky. The images show structured craft with domes, portholes, and reflective surfaces. Family, neighbors, and experts saw the same objects. MUFON and CUFOS analysts, including physicist James McCampbell, found no evidence of fraud.
Herrmann's story grew stranger with alleged abductions and telepathic messages, but the photographs remain the strongest evidence. Nearly half a century later, the images still stand as one of the most compelling UFO photo cases ever recorded. And this case still has not been debunked to this day.