"I was a sergeant of Military Police at the time of the incident, stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington.

I went to investigate a report of a disturbance within the tree line, near the post stockade. This was early May 1984, approximately 0300-0400 hrs (the bars had closed shortly before the call).

The MPDO heard strange cries from within the forest and wanted it checked out. I went in one direction while the K-9 unit went in another to sweep the area.

We planned to meet up again at an old railroad spur, not too far into the trees. I saw nothing nor heard a sound until the K-9 apparently made contact with something, then I heard five distinct pistol shots, at which point I heard a deep, guttural, growl building into an extremely high pitched howling (I'd never heard anything like that) and the sounds of something large crashing through the thick brush and foliage in the area. (Important to note that I was too young and gung-ho, i.e. stupid, to be scared)!

I was armed with my issue .45 and 12 ga. riot gun and continued to the rendezvous point, hearing nothing further.

Photo Left: Mike's size 14 Double E size foot for comparison.

At the spur (sort of sunken with high berms), I went up the far side and halted at the edge of a large meadow. The captain was already there at the rendezvous, having not seen anything either. Neither of us knew that the K-9 unit had fled the forest on the trail of the dog. We were about to head back when I caught movement in the adjacent tree line off to my left. I could plainly see a large dark shape
mocking along the southeast edge of the meadow, but still within the tree line. (Mt. Rainier was Southeast of my location and this was the direction of movement.) It appeared to be a bear.

I held my weapon at the ready. When the object turned and came out and into the meadow, it was approximately 35 yards from our position moving from left to right. It did not register at first, as I nearly pulled the trigger, but something didn't look right. Bears walk on all fours; this bear was clearly walking on two legs.

It was getting on towards morning as false dawn was in evidence. I could see well enough, but not as to clearly make out facial features.

All I can figure is the wind must have shifted for the creature stopped and turned its head and looked directly at me. It turned its whole body and just stood there looking at us, arms by its sides. The creature was not threatening us at all so I lowered my weapon and did not open fire. I remember the head moving slightly from side to side... it did not move closer and neither did we.

We stared at each other for less than 2-3 minutes (maybe less) ultimately it resumed its original direction and walked away looking back once but kept going, disappearing into the opposite tree line.

The animal was covered with short, dark hair, massive arms and shoulders, probably 7 1/2 to 8 feet tall, the neck was not evident, the head bullet-shaped, the face appeared ape-like (though due to poor light conditions I could not see facial features clearly) but I can say that it definitely was not Elvis nor the Pillsbury doughboy. I estimate the weight at close to 500 lbs., (as tracks we found later would attest). I estimated the size by comparison.

My son likes WWF Wrestling and I met Andre the giant and shook his hand. If he is really 7'4", then this creature was taller yet as I am 6'5" and recall the size difference between Andre the giant wrestler and me. At the time, it was said we were either drunk, crazy or on drugs as I recall the harassment I had to endure.

I can't imagine a person so bored with life or in need of attention to purposely set himself to look like a fool. I'll tell you now; no official report was ever made. I valued my army career more than a few moments of limelight.

As I said, I saw an ape-like creature. I never said I saw bigfoot nor had a doughnut with a sasquatch. But I'm 43 now, retired military. I cant prove any of this, all I can tell you is I know what I saw, it no longer matters who believes me or if nobody does.

Back in 1993, I went to Caro, Michigan to the Michigan-Canadian Bigfoot Center, Wayne King's home. I told him of my incident
and he played an audiocassette of a supposed bigfoot for me.
The scream was exactly as that one I heard so long ago. I must say further, that the creature I saw did not appear to act as though it had recently been shot at.

I feel to this day, that there was more than one, in the area that day. Photo right is 6' 5" Mike Coppola

© Michael T. Coppola, Florida
Source: Reported in the Bigfoot Coop Newsletter - Vol 17, 1997
Photos courtesy Mike Coppola, formerly of Ft. Lewis WA.


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