I was born in 1947. So, I kind of have a special . . . connection beyond my Jr High School on study of the subject.
Certainly we heard stories here in New Mexico . . . and had our own fly over by droves of them in 1957. And the crash in Aztec, I forget what year.
Nice that someone as bright and mature as you are owns up to such truths! Thanks tons.
My Mom and Dad and many others clearly saw a cigar-shaped UFO about that same time here in the harbor area of Los Angeles while they were at a gas station. It was the talk of the town!
I was much younger, but I also remember the incident in the L.A. harbor area in 1942 during WW2 when it was reported that we had fired upon a supposed Japanese attack from the sea. I have read since that some believe it could have been UFO-related. Who knows? I remember the siren alert, which was our warning to put dark curtains over the windows, and we went out in the yard and saw gunfire in the sky from the battery at Fort McArthur. I think they referred to it as "The Battle of L.A.".