Cooper, William

Milton William Cooper (1943-2001) was an American author and radio broadcaster prominent in conspiracy theory circles. He is best known for his 1991 book, 'Behold a Pale Horse,' which posited extensive global conspiracies, including the involvement of extraterrestrial beings and secret societies like the Illuminati. Cooper claimed to have seen classified documents detailing government dealings with aliens, though his military service records were limited. His work suggested that extraterrestrials were manipulating humanity and that secret groups, such as the Bilderberg Group and various fraternal organizations, were working towards a New World Order. Cooper also promoted controversial theories regarding the Kennedy assassination and the origins of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which he described as a man-made disease targeting specific demographics. His radio show, 'The Hour of the Time,' broadcast from 1992 until his death, gained a significant following within militia and anti-government movements. Cooper died in 2001 during an attempted arrest.

Information about William Cooper's early life and education is primarily derived from his own accounts. He stated he had served in the U.S. Navy, Air Force, and Naval Intelligence, leaving service in 1975. Public records confirm a Navy enlistment with a Petty Officer Second Class rating, including service in Vietnam and a tour with Naval Intelligence where he briefed Admiral Bernard A. Clarey. Following his discharge, Cooper attended junior college and worked for vocational schools before beginning his public dissemination of conspiracy theories in 1988. He notably expanded upon existing conspiracy narratives by integrating themes of government collaboration with extraterrestrial entities.

Published in 1991, Cooper's book 'Behold a Pale Horse' became a significant text within UFO and militia communities, and was described as a 'manifesto of the militia movement.' Sociologists characterized it as a complex 'superconspiracy theory,' incorporating elements such as the Kennedy assassination, a secret world government, and the Illuminati. The book blended conspiracy myths with reproductions of official documents, aiming to illustrate a looming world government. Cooper linked the Illuminati to extraterrestrial involvement with the U.S. government, suggesting a 1954 treaty with aliens negotiated by President Eisenhower. He proposed that aliens manipulated humanity through secret societies, religions, magic, and the occult, with even the Illuminati being unknowingly controlled. Cooper also linked the antisemitic forgery 'The Protocols of the Elders of Zion' to the Illuminati.

Cooper gained prominence in ufology in 1988 by claiming access to secret Navy documents concerning government dealings with extraterrestrials. He recounted witnessing a large, unidentified craft while serving on the USS Tiru. His collaboration with John Lear, son of Learjet founder Bill Lear, was influential, with the pair co-authoring an 'indictment' against the U.S. government regarding alien presence. Cooper's theories suggested that President Eisenhower made a pact with aliens, exchanging human abductions for technology, and established an inner circle of the Illuminati to manage this secret. He identified various organizations, including the Bilderberg Group, Masons, and Skull and Bones, as part of an international conspiracy controlled by the Illuminati to establish a New World Order. Cooper also connected the death of James Forrestal to the alleged Majestic 12 committee.

From 1992 until his death in 2001, Cooper hosted 'The Hour of the Time,' a radio show broadcast nationally via shortwave. Based in Eagar, Arizona, the program gained recognition within anti-government and militia circles, with figures like Timothy McVeigh reportedly being listeners. Cooper discussed the Waco siege, framing it as the start of a new Civil War. He also participated in early broadcasts by Alex Jones. In the months leading up to his death, Cooper commented on Osama bin Laden, predicting he would be blamed for a major attack, and after the September 11th attacks, he began promoting the 'controlled demolition' conspiracy theory.