Thomas J. Carey

Background and Education

Thomas J. Carey, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Temple University and an M.A. in Anthropology from California State University, Sacramento. He also pursued doctoral studies in anthropology at the University of Toronto. His dual expertise in business administration and anthropology positioned him uniquely to conduct systematic, multidisciplinary investigations into UFO incidents.

Carey served in the U.S. Air Force where he held a TOP SECRET/CRYPTO security clearance, giving him insider knowledge of military protocols and credibility when interviewing military witnesses.

UFO Research Career

After rekindling his childhood interest in UFOs, Carey became the MUFON (Mutual UFO Network) State Section Director for Southeastern Pennsylvania from 1986 to 2002, investigating local UFO sightings across the five-county Philadelphia area. His work at MUFON established him as a systematic and credible investigator.

In 1991, Carey joined the legendary Roswell investigative team of Kevin Randle and Don Schmitt as a Special Investigator for the J. Allen Hynek Center for UFO Studies (CUFOS). From 1991 to 2001, he conducted extensive field investigations and witness interviews in the Roswell area. After 1998, he worked exclusively with Don Schmitt, forming one of the most productive research partnerships in modern UFO research. He served on the CUFOS Board of Directors from 1997 to 2001.

Signature Works

Witness to Roswell: Unmasking the 60-Year Cover-Up (co-authored with Don Schmitt) stands as the most comprehensive witness-based account of the 1947 Roswell incident. Published in multiple editions including a 75th Anniversary Edition, the book documents extensive interviews with military personnel, ranchers, and government officials who were present during the events. Carey's anthropological training is evident in the systematic collection and analysis of witness testimony, treating each account as documentary evidence rather than anecdotal speculation.

Inside the Real Area 51 and Roswell represent his expanded investigations into the incident's deeper implications and the classified recovery efforts that followed. Carey has also published over 35 peer-reviewed and popular articles examining various aspects of the Roswell incident.

Public Role and Media Presence

Carey has been a frequent guest on Coast to Coast AM with George Noory, Larry King Live, and numerous other media platforms, serving as a credible voice on Roswell and related military UAP incidents. His academic background and systematic approach have made him instrumental in shifting the discourse around Roswell from dismissal to serious historical inquiry.

Credibility and Impact

Carey's work is characterized by rigorous source documentation, direct witness interviews, and cross-validation of accounts. His partnership with Schmitt has become the gold standard for Roswell research. Both researchers have interviewed over 150 U.S. military veterans regarding UFO incursions at nuclear weapons sites, contributing to the broader understanding of government knowledge of UAP phenomena.