He crossed the Golden Gate Bridge, felt as if something had touched him, and found a bruise the next day.
Released to the public May 8, 2026
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In brief
A man crossing the Golden Gate Bridge said a light illuminated the ocean. The next day, he noticed a bruise where he had felt as if something had touched him.
Summary
RG 38 (Office of Naval Intelligence) Box 7 case file containing Incident Summary Sheets for unidentified flying object reports numbered 173 through 233 (with several missing/redacted/under-investigation cases). Each entry typically pairs a structured 'Incident Summary Sheet' (date/time, location, observer, object description, tactics, peculiarities) with a narrative attached page and frequently a character/reliability assessment of the witness. Sightings span September 1948 through January 1949 across the United States (including Louisiana, New Mexico, California, Utah, Kentucky, Minnesota, Indiana, Washington, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Texas, Missouri, Mississippi, Florida, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Oregon), Germany, Japan, Korea, Labrador (Canada), the Philippines, and at sea. The file ends with a blank multi-page 'Guide to Investigation' template for unidentified aerial objects. A significant cluster of 'green fireball' incidents in New Mexico (Dec 5-13, 1948) is analyzed by Dr. Lincoln La Paz, who identifies multiple anomalies that distinguish them from genuine meteors.
Incidents in the document
1948-10-01 · Ascension Parish, Louisiana, ~50 miles from New Orleans, USA · Page 4
Witness G. S. Williams (deer hunting) saw an ice-cream-cone-shaped object traveling east, white-hot in front grading to dark red toward the rear; no metal/projections visible, only fire. Approx 200 MPH at 1500-2000 ft, soundless, no exhaust trail, no light cast on area.
Witnesses
G. S. Williams
The object
Ice-cream-cone shape, white-hot front, red-flame rear, ~size of average airliner
Outcome
Witness considered reliable
1948-09-23 0940 · Santa Fe, New Mexico (near Los Alamos), USA · Page 7
While watching a government plane land at Los Alamos, witness saw a perfectly white circular flat object, glinting in sun, ~100-150 ft in diameter at est. 30,000 ft altitude. Object appeared to remain near-stationary or move in a semi-circle for 15-20 minutes.
Witnesses
A. Ruble Angier
The object
Perfectly circular, flat, perfectly white, 100-150 ft diameter
1948-09-23 0930 · Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA · Page 9
Companion sighting (Incident 175a) by Mr. John C. Fairchild: bright silvery oblong/egg-shaped object with sunflower-shape protrusion at tail and bluish exhaust appearance, ~700-800 MPH. Statements do not tally with Angier (175): different shape, color, motion, duration.
Witnesses
John C. Fairchild
The object
Bright silvery oblong/egg-shaped, sunflower shape at end, bluish rear
1948-09-23 ~1200 · Castro's Ranch, 4 mi east of San Pablo / 4.1 mi south of Pinole, California, USA · Page 11
Col. Horace S. Eakins observed an undulating amoeba-like object above a U.S. Army bomber, with 3 forward and 2 aft appendages flapping/oscillating, central spherical dark area, dirty gray translucent canvas-like body. Faster than any aircraft witness had seen.
Witnesses
Col. Horace S. Eakins
The object
Amoeba-like undulating shape, ~size of 4-engine bomber, translucent dirty gray body, dark central sphere
1948-09-23 ~1230 · Castro's Ranch, California (companion to 176), USA · Page 13
Mr. Sylvester Bentham, alongside Col. Eakins, described a single rectangular buff/gray object 'like a vegetable crate flying through the air' with darker vertical ribs, traveling NW then turning N for at least 3 minutes. Description in 'direct contradiction' with Eakins' amoeba shape.
Witnesses
Sylvester Bentham
The object
Rectangular outline with sharp corners, buff/gray with vertical rib lines
1948-09-08 1500-1530 · Kentwood, Louisiana, USA · Page 15
Object not perceived; only an unusual sound heard at 'terrific rate of speed.' Witnesses Mrs. McDaniel and daughter; neighbors heard nothing. Investigators noted Mrs. McDaniel 'possesses a vivid imagination.'
Maj. Robert C. Drum (USAF rated pilot) observed a strangely shaped glistening bright silver disc/discs moving NE between cloud layers, ~10,000-14,000 ft, possibly four sightings of same disc or four discs over 10 minutes. Speed est. ~200 MPH, circular/elliptical, silver-dollar shape. Wife and 14-yr-old daughter corroborated.
Witnesses
Maj. Robert C. Drum · Mrs. Drum · 14-yr-old daughter Drum
Sensors
visual
The object
Bright silver disc(s), circular/elliptical, no vapor or exhaust
1948 (unspecified) · Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, California, USA · Page 19
John E. Pruitt (aviation student) walked through Golden Gate Park and observed a mysterious light illuminating the entire ocean; he felt 'something like an electric arc' that lowered his hand 'like a sack of shot' and produced a bruise observed the next day. Account dismissed as 'extremely unreliable'.
Witnesses
John E. Pruitt
The object
Mysterious illuminating light
Outcome
Account considered extremely unreliable; observer poorly educated
Mr. Walt Smith report; only the form is filled with 'No report on this as yet.' Information unavailable in this file.
Witnesses
Walt Smith
Outcome
No report; case essentially blank
1948-10-04 ~1430 · Near Dayton, Ohio, USA · Page 22
Maj. G. M. Smartt (pilot) and copilot of a C-47 reported teardrop-shaped objects approaching the aircraft so closely that pilot/copilot ducked. Objects passed under wing in straight, gradually descending paths. Inconsistencies: first report 15-20 objects, later 3-4; first report says some traveled upward, later report omits this.
Witnesses
Maj. G. M. Smartt · copilot
The object
Teardrop-shaped, metallic, very high speed
Outcome
Discrepancies noted between successive reports
1948-10 (October 1948) · At sea, 36° West by 36° North (aboard S/S Gulfport), International waters · Page 24
Master of S/S Gulfport observed a bright object similar in shape to the moon but with distinct bright center; size ~1/4 of full moon, growing darker as daylight faded. Bearings recorded at 2220, 2230, 2254, disappeared at 2310 GMT.
Witnesses
Master of S/S Gulfport
Sensors
visual / bearing
The object
Bright moon-like object with distinct bright center
1948-10-15 (night) · Senseki area between Imigana Shima (33°40'N 132°00'E) and Anene Shima (37°45'N 128°40'E), Japan · Page 26
F-61 pilot and radar observer detected an unidentified aircraft, possibly two, both visually (silhouette in moonlight) and on airborne radar. Object had high acceleration, vertical climb/dive beyond radar elevation limit, appeared cognizant of F-61's location at all times. Multiple intercept attempts unsuccessful; speed much greater than F-61.
Witnesses
F-61 pilot · radar observer
Sensors
airborne radar (F-61) · ground radar
The object
Silhouette in moonlight; no exhaust/trail; size unknown
Outcome
Six successive radar contacts lost during ~10 min; object never re-acquired
Paul Zenk and Dr. B. T. Benoit reported a slow object 'about 25 feet long and 8 feet wide' that broke up into numerous bright particles like 'a bunch of sparks with a tail' over Winona at 6 A.M. 20 Oct 1948.
Witnesses
Paul Zenk · Dr. B. T. Benoit
The object
25 ft long x 8 ft wide; bunch of sparks with tail
1948-10-20 ~0550 · Minneapolis, Minnesota (13th & Lake; 7th St & 4th Ave), USA · Page 30
Lawrence A. Hansen (teletype operator) and Harold Oliver (mailman) observed at two separate Minneapolis locations an object with blurred smoke-enveloped front, fiery orange main body, tail of boiling sheets of flame breaking off in vertical drops. Disappeared into NNE cloud bank.
Witnesses
Lawrence A. Hansen · Harold Oliver
The object
Comet-with-tail, fiery orange body, tail of boiling sheets of flame
1948-10-16 1145 · 1 mi south and 5 mi due east of Sterling, Utah (mountain ridge ~9,000 ft), USA · Page 32
Fred Nash, deer hunting, heard a throbbing/steady purr; saw a flattened-football object ~9 in long, 6 in wide, 3 in thick (apparent size) ~500 ft directly overhead. Silver/black with silver underside stripe and rear opening. Made 'put-put' throbbing and shirt-tail clicking sound; possible 'paddlewheel' movement. Investigator found witness's distance estimates faulty (called 40-ft tree '100+ ft').
Witnesses
Fred Nash
The object
Flattened football, silver with black, silver underside stripe, opening at rear
Outcome
Witness reputation reliable, but distance estimation faulty
1948-08-19 1050 Eastern · Godman AF Base, Kentucky, USA · Page 34
Lt. Col. John Wamgh notified Wright-Patterson Flight Service of an unidentified flying object visible from the ground at Godman AFB at est. 30,000-40,000 ft, bright silver, oval, reflecting sun. F-51 dispatched from Standiford ANB could not locate it. Theodolite tracking taken every minute. Maj. Mitchel later identified the object as the planet Venus, per 'Mr Moore, Head Astrologer, University of Louisville'; verified by MCI same day.
Unidentified object on Ground Control Approach scope ~2 miles from center of field at bearing 170°. Reappeared at 0819Z bearing 090°, moved slowly in a wide arc to 270°. Reappeared at 0916Z aligned with runway 27. Estimated speed 25-30 MPH. Verified by second operator. Plotting placed object near Hamilton River and Lake Melville/Dock Area.
Witnesses
GCA Operator · second operator
Sensors
GCA radar
The object
Radar return only; not seen visually
1948-09-22 ~1530 · Near Turner AF Base, Albany, Georgia (en route from Eglin Aux Fld #2), USA · Page 38
Lt. Martin G. Rubisch, copilot of a C-47, observed a small metallic shiny object the size of a radio-controlled model plane (5-10 ft) approaching at 25° angle, ~500 ft below and 1500-2000 ft away, est. 250 MPH. No wings or rudder visible. No one else aboard observed it. Squadron Commander indicated Rubisch was 'inclined to exaggerate.'
Six military personnel of 86th Fighter Wing observed an unidentified silver shiny object at est. 40,000 ft, on 0° heading, sighted continuously 45 minutes, gradually shrinking (apparently rising). An F-80 (at est. 25,000 ft) flying between observers and object appeared small in relation to it. Lost when thin cloud layer at ~20,000 ft passed between. Personnel rated 'high reliability.'
Witnesses
six personnel of 86th Fighter Wing
The object
Round silver shiny, possibly disc or ball-shaped; very large relative to F-80 in foreground
1948-10-24 1545 (local) · 10 mi from Junction City, Kansas / Ft. Riley, Kansas, USA · Page 42
Capt. Glenn Buber (Base S-3 Officer, Ft. Riley) sighted an unidentified metallic object proceeding generally west at >7,000 ft, fast aircraft speed; turned south at speed 'greater than any aircraft he had ever seen.'
Witnesses
Capt. Glenn Buber
The object
Metallic, no further detail
Unknown (1948) · U.S. Highway 52, outskirts of Moorhead, Minnesota, USA · Page 44
Mr. & Mrs. L. G. Sanders observed a light traveling east-to-west, two or three times faster than a plane, rising rather than falling—therefore ruled out as meteor.
Witnesses
L. G. Sanders · Mrs. Sanders
The object
Light, no shape detail
1948-11-03 1024 · Near Andrews Field area (original observer Coast Guard), USA · Page 48
Two P-51 Mustangs of 82nd Fighter Wing investigated sighting first reported by Lt. Cmdr. Pain (Coast Guard pilot). At 22,000 ft they saw an object like 'an inflated intestine,' 5-6 times higher than wide, est. 5-6,000 ft above their 37,000 ft. Original report top-secret; SAC requested original messages destroyed. Initial SAC tentative ID: heavenly body. Definitively established as a cluster of eight balloons used by MIT for cosmic ray research.
Witnesses
two P-51 pilots, 82nd Fighter Wing · Lt. Cmdr. Pain
The object
Inflated-intestine shape, 5-6 times higher than wide
Outcome
Identified as MIT cosmic-ray balloon cluster; case considered closed
Target picked up at 3-3/4 mi from station, bearing 123°; traveled on heading ~249° and disappeared at 7-1/2 mi on bearing 182°. Crossed 4 mi in 4 min 7 sec (timed with stopwatch), ~60 MPH. Operator described blip as too small for aircraft and too large for bird. Witnessed by 2 GCA operators.
Witnesses
two GCA operators
Sensors
GCA radar / stopwatch
The object
Radar blip only; size between bird and aircraft
1948-11-05 ~0435 · Richmond, Indiana, USA · Page 54
Two phone calls to Palladium-Item newspaper reported a brilliant white flickering light hanging in the eastern sky 'like a flare from a parachute.' Reporter Dale Stevens observed it from the roof, took a time-exposure photograph; sky later overcast at est. 1,000 ft. Astronomer Prof. David Telfair (Earlham) opined it could not have been a star. MCIAXE-33 stated USAF parachute flare burn time never exceeds 5-6 minutes; Tow Type Aerial Flares are towed in chains, never parachute-dropped. Linked in document to Dr. Harley Wood's reported new Australian comet Nov 6 1948.
Witnesses
unidentified woman caller · unidentified man caller · Dale Stevens
The object
Brilliant flickering white light 5-10x size of a normal star
Outcome
Possibly the comet of Nov 1948 (referred to Dr. Hynek per Incident 204)
Radarscope operator detected blip directly above radar site for 1 hour 5 minutes; target circled within 20-mile radius, varying speed 160-240 MPH, sometimes appearing as one craft, sometimes as two ('dogfighting'). No visual observation possible due to overcast. Evaluated as Soviet 'Ferret' electronic-reconnaissance aircraft.
Witnesses
radarscope operator
Sensors
ground radar at Wakkanai
The object
Radar blip; sometimes single, sometimes appearing as two aircraft
Outcome
Evaluated as Soviet 'Ferret' ELINT mission
1948-10-30 1430 PST · 15 mi NW of Grays Harbor, Washington / 10 mi off coast (airborne), USA · Page 58
Maj. Morris (pilot) and Lt. Kunsman aboard F-82 observed 10-20 small egg-shaped translucent objects in compact group then in-line formation, color shifting yellow→white. Made wide turn, paralleled F-82 course, then 'seemed to dissolve' rather than fade with distance. Fog and smoke present in area.
Witnesses
Maj. Morris · Lt. Kunsman
The object
10-20 egg-shaped translucent objects, yellow turning white
Outcome
Disappeared by dissolving
1948-10-17 1610 · Crescent City, California (3rd & Lauf Ave.), USA · Page 60
Edgar W. Allen (barber) observed a silver bullet-shaped object with tail structure (no wings) at est. 10,000 ft, ~300 MPH, southerly, 2-4 minutes. 'Solid construction—like nickel plated.' No smoke, no noise.
Witnesses
Edgar W. Allen
The object
Bullet-shaped, silver/nickel-plated, with tail, no wings
1948-10-17 1610 · Crescent City Light Station, California, USA · Page 62
Andrew N. Siler (fisherman) observed a silver egg-shaped object similar to a small blimp, traveling south ~300 MPH, no wings/tail, no smoke, no sound from object (sound he heard was a Piper Cub).
Witnesses
Andrew N. Siler
The object
Egg-shaped, silver, blimp-like, no wings/tail
1948-10-17 1610 · Crescent City, California, USA · Page 64
Ernest Haley (dry cleaner) observed a small silver-colored 'small plane'-resembling object at est. 20,000-25,000 ft proceeding south, made 45° right bank with bright flash from sunlight on top side, then sharp turn south, gradually disappeared.
Witnesses
Ernest Haley
The object
Small silver plane-like, metallic
1948-10-17 1610 · Crescent City, California (Battery Point), USA · Page 66
Mrs. Elise Henggi (housewife, age 70) standing with Ernest Haley on Battery Point saw a small silver elliptical reflecting object 'very fast' on southerly course. Brilliant mirror-like flashes. Made 45° right bank, resumed course, disappeared at sea.
Witnesses
Mrs. Elise Henggi
The object
Small silver elliptic, reflecting like mirror
1948-10-31 0230Z · Tray (Azores) AAF, Portugal · Page 68
S/Sgt. Joseph J. Barnett observed a flat round pale-yellow/light-orange object overhead maintaining northerly course at ~160 MPH, in view 3-5 minutes, no vapor trail, no sound, disappeared behind clouds.
Witnesses
S/Sgt. Joseph J. Barnett
The object
Flat round, pale yellow / light orange
1948-10-31 0230Z · Tray AAF, Azores, Portugal · Page 70
PFC Robert R. Anderson, called by Barnett, described same object as round, orange, larger than star, est. 600 MPH (clouds at 2500 ft, object 2000-3000 ft above clouds = ~4000-5500 ft). Object swung forward and backward but always maintained forward velocity, disappeared behind cloud after ~2 min.
Witnesses
PFC Robert R. Anderson
The object
Round orange, swinging forward/backward
1948-10-31 0230-0230Z · Tray AAF, Azores, Portugal · Page 72
Companion sighting (201B): observer Vlas described a 'light bulb' moving upward and forward at 25-30 MPH, white with yellowish tint, gaining altitude steadily, disappeared behind cloud. A-2 evaluation: 'a weather balloon with a light swinging from it.'
Witnesses
Vlas (observer)
The object
Light-bulb, white/yellowish
Outcome
A-2 evaluation: probable weather balloon
1948-11-08 1850 · Newark AF Base, Newark NJ (Hangar #7), USA · Page 76
Edmund J. Cisek, civilian dispatcher / former USAFR Capt., saw a pale luminous disc race across sky, ~1/3 brightness of moon, no depth, traveling NNW→SSE in arc; one second or less in view. Speed est. ~800 MPH (200 MPH faster than a tactical jet approach). 5,000-6,000 ft altitude, peak of arc 45° above horizon. No sound. No commercial/private/military traffic in vicinity.
Witnesses
Edmund J. Cisek
The object
Pale luminous disc, no depth, ~1/3 brightness of moon
1948-11-? (not specified) · Peace River, Alberta Province, ~84 mi NW of Edmonton, Canada · Page 75
1st Lt. James Toomey & S/Sgt. Onno C. Blink, en route Edmonton AAB → Kittigazuit NWT, sighted bright orange object similar to an apple with a tail tapering to a point, momentarily above broken stratus deck. Crew at 7,000 ft MSL on top of overcast; object judged at ~18,000 ft in shallow dive on SW heading. Momentarily illuminated sky behind it. No sound.
Operator Solera, making a GCT weather report, saw what appeared to be a comet in the SE quadrant: long cone of light ending in a star larger than Venus, visible to naked eye for ~4 minutes until sunlight obliterated it. Cross-referenced to Dr. Harley Wood's Sydney announcement of a new comet with 15 million-mile tail. Document directs that this be 'submitted to Dr Hynek for his viewpoint.'
Witnesses
Operator Solera
The object
Long cone of light ending in star larger than Venus; comet-like
Outcome
Likely identified with Dr. Harley Wood's comet (Nov 1948)
Unknown (~5 P.M.) · Carthage, Missouri, USA · Page 80
Wesley H. Long, lying on his back in his yard, observed an aluminum-colored object 30-40 ft diameter with flat top, rotating slowly while remaining upright, sailing NE across sky at est. ~1500 MPH; metallic; no smoke or noise.
Witnesses
Wesley H. Long
The object
Aluminum metallic, 30-40 ft diameter, flat top, slowly rotating
Unknown (between 1300 and 1400) · Northeast portion of Clark AF Base, Philippine Islands, Philippines · Page 82
Sgt. Wright observed a white speck materialize, lengthen out, and traverse cloud formations six times. Estimated body 35 ft, wingspan 47.5 ft; low-wing; possibly windowed; no tail assembly; tapered fuselage. 'Faster than jet plane.' Evaluation: '5—Sgt Wright's character and his honesty are questionable according to the interrogating officer.'
Witnesses
Sgt. Wright
The object
White, fuselage-with-low-wings, no tail assembly, tapered body
Outcome
Witness credibility rated 5 (questionable)
1948-11-18 2145 · Andrews AF Base / Camp Springs, Maryland, USA · Page 84
2d Lt. Kenwood W. Jackson (with corroborator 2d Lt. Glen L. Stalker) observed an oval object with no wings/tail surfaces circling Andrews Field. Aircraft pursued; object made 3-4 evasive passes including vertical climbs and dropping behind aircraft. Plane switched landing light on; object 'momentarily gave off a dull glow.' Object climbed rapidly to NE, lost at 8,000 ft at 22:03.
Witnesses
2d Lt. Kenwood W. Jackson · 2d Lt. Glen L. Stalker
The object
Oval, no wings or tail, dull glow under landing light
1948-11-18 2200 · Andrews AF Base / Camp Springs, Maryland (companion to 207), USA · Page 86
2d Lt. Henry G. Combs in another aircraft pursued an oblong-ball object with single continuous glowing white light over Andrews. Object turned inside Combs' aircraft despite tight 360° turns with flaps down, varying speed from ~80 MPH to 500-600 MPH, climbing vertically. Combs got within 300-400 ft, illuminated with landing lights: oblong, dull gray glow, no wings, no exhaust flame. Object accelerated to 500-600 MPH and headed for East Coast.
Witnesses
2d Lt. Henry G. Combs
The object
Oblong-ball, smaller than T-6, dull gray-white glow, single continuous light
1948-11-18 (~2200) · Andrews AF Base, Maryland (ground), USA · Page 88
S/Sgt. John J. Kushner, on ground duty, heard a noise like a P-47 only twice as loud; saw an object cross from 2238th Engineering Hangar toward Hangar #1; not very high, no exhaust visible, did not resemble an aircraft. Heard same noise again later, higher up.
Witnesses
S/Sgt. John J. Kushner
The object
Did not resemble an aircraft; loud rocket-like noise
1948-11-17 1430 · Clark AF Base, eastern edge, Philippine Islands, Philippines · Page 90
1st Lt. ___ and 1st Lt. Max M. Feibelman (44th Fighter Sq, 18th Fighter Wing) observed an irregular orange mass with white exhaust trail extending 1-10 miles in corkscrew form at est. 30,000 ft. Resembled flak burst sitting still connected to corkscrew trail; vapor dissipated in ~3 minutes. Evaluation C.3.
Witnesses
1st Lt. (name omitted) · 1st Lt. Max M. Feibelman
The object
Flak-burst-like orange mass, white corkscrew trail 1-10 mi long
1948-11-14 1010 · South Korea, 37°57'N 125°51'E (Army Observation Post #1) · Page 92
Unidentified twin-engine bomber-type aircraft at 4,000 ft, observed flying east-to-west, sighted simultaneously by Army OPs #1 and #2. Circled OP #1 then headed north. Definite wing structure visible.
Incident 210 form (page 93) is fragmentary; refers to 3 lights observed against city lights, with 'middle one seemed to weave back and forth.' No further detail in this file.
George H. Hoffman (FBI Intelligence Control, amateur photographer) and Roy B. Statser observed an unusual rocket-like pulse of light in NW sky for ~1/2 second, vanishing then reappearing in ascendant easterly position for another 1/2 second. Approx 10 mi distant, 10,000-20,000 ft, white with yellowish tinge, irregular contour. Observer admits mild color-blindness. Cleared for 'Secret.'
Witnesses
George H. Hoffman · Roy B. Statser
The object
Pulses of irregular-contour white-yellow light
1948-12-03 1715 · Needmore Road near Wagner Ford Road, Dayton Ohio outskirts, USA · Page 97
Lt. ___ Miller (USN, attached Hq AMC) observed a bright yellow-orange flame-like object directly ahead, in excess of 10,000 ft, ram-jet/rocket type luminosity, climbing at fairly high rate; observed intermittently with both horizontal and vertical pattern of motion. Possibly an exhaust flame.
Witnesses
Lt. ___ Miller
The object
Yellow-orange flame strip, ramjet/rocket-like
Unknown · Unknown · Page 98
Page 98 (Incident 213) is partially OCR-corrupted official text describing a request that 'all personnel' contribute 'concerning unidentified flying objects' and references collation/correlation under proper authorities. Appears to be a directive/policy memorandum embedded in case file.
1948-07-07 · Route 202 near Rindge, NH, USA · Page 99
Witness identified as Retired Vice President of New England Tel & Tel Co. observed 'curls of smoke.' Investigation continuing; only fragmentary form available.
Witnesses
Retired Vice President, New England Tel & Tel Co.
The object
Curls of smoke
Outcome
Investigation continuing
1948-12-03 2015 · Fairfield-Suisun AF Base, California (north of field), USA · Page 101
Control tower personnel observed (through 8x binoculars) a 1-2 ft diameter circular bright light at 1-2,000 ft north of field, climbing erratically to 20,000 ft on a SE heading at 400-500 MPH. Light intensity 'like a ramp floodlight'—blanked out any silhouette. A weather balloon released 15-25 min earlier was lost ten minutes after release.
1948-12-08 1846 · Chanute AF Base, Illinois (40°18'N, 88°7.5'E), USA · Page 103
Sgt. James B. Doty saw a round white object three-four times the size of a star, ~15 ft long x 6 ft wide, est. >15,000 ft, >350 MPH, NE→SSW with upward trajectory at 15-20° angle, leaving trail. Observed with companion Sgt. Eugene B. Montag, whose statement does not corroborate direction or trail.
Witnesses
Sgt. James B. Doty · Sgt. Eugene B. Montag
The object
Round white, growing larger as it moved upward
Outcome
Statements partially conflict
1948-12-09 ~1320 · 8-12 mi SE of Pittsburgh on heading of 300°, USA · Page 105
Col. J. K. Brown and Capt. B. G. Mulling, pilot and copilot of a C-45, observed a perfectly round chalky-white object, 12,000-16,000 ft altitude, traversing 60° to 10° above horizon over 7 minutes (suggesting very high speed). Brown initially called it a balloon; Mulling disagreed citing definite movement. Horizontal shimmer visible at all times.
Witnesses
Col. J. K. Brown · Capt. B. G. Mulling
The object
Perfectly round, chalky white, not shiny, with horizontal shimmer
1948-12 (date partial) · ~40 mi NW of Martinsburg, West Virginia (airborne), USA · Page 107
Pilot and crew (5 members total) observed a brilliant red flare-like object at est. 10,000-11,000 ft, ~2 mi in front of aircraft on 060° heading, similar to parachute flare. Color shifted red→blue→red, stationary, no sound, no exhaust trail. Lasted ~1 minute.
Witnesses
pilot · copilot · engineer · two other crew (5 total)
The object
Brilliant red flare, color-shifting red↔blue, stationary
1948-11-29 2000 · Concord St & 1st Street, Newburgh, NY, USA · Page 109
Doris Croke (age 14, with two friends) observed a ball of fire with a long tail, east-to-west across northern sky for 2 seconds, then disappeared below horizon. She believed it was a 'blue-tailed comet.'
Witnesses
Doris Croke · two friends
The object
Ball of fire with long tail
Outcome
Witness believed it was a blue-tailed comet
1948-11-29 2113 · San Francisco, California, USA · Page 111
Robert Thatcher (AF veteran, science teacher) reported a yellow flash of light heading north then NNW for ~7 seconds, 'too fast for a plane' but didn't appear to be comet or shooting star.
Witnesses
Robert Thatcher
The object
Yellow flash of light, very fast
Unknown · Midland, Michigan, USA · Page 113
Case under investigation; only blank summary form. AMC teletype 23 Dec 1948 (Item 5/Restricted) references 'Reference AMC Item 1' and indicates 'When more information available, Midland Michigan incident will be forwarded HQS AMC ATTENTION: PROJECT SAUCER (or similar codename, OCR ambiguous).'
1948-11-23 2220 (local) · Furstenfeldbruck AFB, Germany (east of base, near Munich) · Page 115
Capt. Hugh Hony / Capt. Slater (corroborated by Capt. Darwin R. Addis, both F-80 pilots) observed an object like a reddish star at unknown altitude moving south across Munich, turning SW then SE. Racecard radar station detected an unidentified object at 27,000 ft ~30 mi south of Munich, climbing to 40,000 ft, ~40 mi south, circling. No F-80 jets flying that night.
Witnesses
Capt. Hugh Hony · Capt. Slater · Capt. Darwin R. Addis
Sensors
visual · ground radar (Racecard station)
The object
Reddish-star-like point of light
1948-12-05 2105 and 2127 · West of Las Vegas, NM (2105) and east slope of Sandia Mountains near Albuquerque, NM (2127), USA · Page 117
Capt. A. Goade, flying C-47 No. AF 9921 from Lowry AFB to Williams AFB at 18,000 ft, reported a green flare arising vertically to ~500 ft on east slope of Sandia Mountains at 2127, having seen the same type flare at 2105 just west of Las Vegas NM. File enumerates eleven additional witnesses to fireball-like phenomena across NM that evening (7:30 PM through 11:40 PM) including Mr & Mrs Lewis Martinez, Roger Lewis, Rev. & Mrs C. M. Wallace, Major Carter, Ernest Van Lloyd, James L. Smith, Mrs Woodrow House, Mr & Mrs Frank Hensley, Frank Green, George Hirst.
Witnesses
Capt. A. Goade · 11 additional NM witnesses (named)
The object
Green flare/fireball rising vertically to ~500 ft
Outcome
No applicable explanation from local airfields; Holloman performed no night/Sunday flare research
1948-12-05 2135-2155 · Vicinity of Montezuma Mission near Las Vegas, NM (airborne), USA · Page 119
Capt. Van Lloyd, pilot of Pioneer Air Flight #63, and copilot James L. Smith in a C-47 at 9,000 ft on heading 272°, observed a brilliant white flash forming a whitish-orange object that appeared to be coming directly at the plane. Pilot attempted evasive jerk; object then arched downward and disappeared. First report described pale green color and lower altitude (~500 ft) — discrepancies with second report noted.
Witnesses
Capt. Van Lloyd · James L. Smith
The object
Brilliant white flash → whitish-orange / pale green object with green trail
Outcome
Discrepancies between successive reports noted
1948-12-08 1833 · 20 mi east of Las Vegas, NM (35°31'N 104°51'W) airborne, USA · Page 121
Special Agents S/A Stahl and S/A Neff (both rated pilots, OSI), in a T-7 at 11,500 ft MSL on 235° heading, observed an intense green flare-like object 2,000 ft above plane (13,500 ft MSL) approaching from 60° ENE to 240° WSW. Trajectory flat and parallel to earth, ~2 seconds duration; object then 'burned out' and trail of glowing reddish-orange fragments fell. Distinctly larger than a meteor or flare.
Witnesses
S/A Stahl · S/A Neff
The object
Intense green flare-like, much brighter and larger than normal flare; reddish-orange fragments on burnout
Late 1947 / 1948-11-03 or 04 / 1948-11-23 · Highway 60, near Vaughn, NM (multiple sightings), USA · Page 123
Col. W. P. Hayes recorded three separate sightings, all on Highway 60 near Vaughn NM at ~2130 hours: a basketball-sized 'miniature sun' descending vertically, exploding ~200 ft above ground into red sparks—silently. Subsequent sightings 3-4 Nov 1948 and 23 Nov 1948 had identical appearance and behavior. Evaluation B.2.
Witnesses
Col. W. P. Hayes
The object
Basketball-sized white-hot ball descending vertically; bursts into red sparks before reaching ground
Joseph J. Toulouse (Sandia Security) observed a definite greenish flare almost directly overhead, ~1/3 diameter of moon, slight arc east-to-west, fan-shaped flaming tail, lasted 2-3 seconds.
Witnesses
Joseph J. Toulouse
The object
Greenish flare with fan-shaped tail, ~1/3 moon diameter
1948-12-12 ~02:02 plus or minus 30s (LST, evening) · Near Bernal, NM (Starvation Peak); also observed simultaneously by 2 night guards at Los Alamos, USA · Page 128
Dr. Lincoln La Paz, with companions L. Phillips (AF-CAP), Lt. Allen Clark (NM Wing CAP), and AEC Inspectors Jeffers & McGuigan, observed a vivid green fireball traverse a horizontal path low on horizon east-to-west, est. duration 2.1-2.3 seconds. Apparent angular diameter 5'; magnitude at least -4 brighter than Sirius. Path almost exactly horizontal, slight downward curvature in last tenth of a second; broke into 3-4 smaller bright green fragments. Path computed at altitude 8-10 mi over the surface of earth, length nearly 25 mi (or 10-12 mi alternative), velocity 8-12 mi/sec or 3-6 mi/sec. Backward extension passes 'almost centrally across the Los Alamos reservation.' Two Los Alamos night guards corroborated.
Witnesses
Dr. Lincoln La Paz · L. Phillips (AF-CAP) · Lt. Allen Clark (NM Wing CAP) · Inspector Jeffers (AEC) · Inspector McGuigan (AEC) · two Los Alamos night guards
Brilliant green fireball, apparent diameter 5', fragmenting into 3-4 smaller bright green pieces
Outcome
La Paz concludes 'I am not convinced the various Green Flare incidents reported to the OSI are not meteoric in nature' and lists specific anomalies vs. genuine meteors (low altitude, horizontal path, sub-meteoric velocity, no noise, instant onset, north-of-sky path bias, no spark train, peculiar copper-flame green color ~5218 Å)
Unknown · New Brighton, Pennsylvania, USA · Page 130
Case 228: blank summary form, 'Case under investigation.' No data available.
1948-12-13 · South Bay / Riviera Beach, Florida, USA · Page 132
Two-part case 229: object described as 'Red Blue Yellow' circle/halo of stars surrounding a single star; second sighting 20-foot kite-like object at Riviera Beach observed through binoculars; 'dodged skid and speeded up.' 'Complete investigation not being carried out due to vagueness of report.'
The object
Halo of stars around a star (sighting 1) and 20-ft kite-like object (sighting 2)
Outcome
Investigation curtailed due to report vagueness
1948-08-04 0200-0300 · U.S. Highway 30, ~2.5 mi north of North Powder, Oregon, USA · Page 134
J. B. McCullough observed two high-intensity green possibly light-green fireballs, fluorescent glow, no significant tail, traveling NW→SE at est. 5,500 ft elevation; performed 5.5-mile horizontal trajectory then arched ~90° earthward and 'extinguished itself.'
Witnesses
J. B. McCullough
The object
High-tensity green fireball with definite fluorescent glow encircling, no meteor-style tail
1948-01-01 0125 and 0130 (or per text 11:25 PM & 11:30 PM) · Abilene, Texas (toward White Sands Proving Grounds), USA · Page 136
Mr. A. Schroeder reported a fan-shaped bright blue-green glow originating in a large ball on horizon and extending to the meridian due west of Abilene. Twice—both ~2 seconds. Letter from Oscar Monnig speculates phenomena due to (1) electrical transformers blowing or (2) experiments at White Sands Proving Grounds. Note: Holloman conducts no night/Sunday flare research.
Witnesses
A. Schroeder
The object
Fan-shaped blue-green glow from ball on horizon extending to meridian
1948-11-16 1318 · Demarest, NJ (3 miles BY [BNW?]), USA · Page 137
Marie B. Green (housewife) observed a ball-like silvery object with darker color at one end at est. 1880 ft, north-to-south. Metallic apparent construction. 'No further investigation being made by this office due to fact that only one person witnessed phenomena.'
Witnesses
Marie B. Green
The object
Ball-like, silvery with darker end, metallic
Outcome
Not further investigated (single witness)
1949-01-01 1700 C · 5 mi east of Jackson, Mississippi (airborne, Stinson), USA · Page 139
Mr. & Mrs. Tom Rush (Dixie Air Service pilot/private pilot) observed an unidentified dark blue/black cigar-shaped object 8 ft long x 10 ft tapering to 4 ft, first ~200 MPH crossing 500 ft in front of plane, then accelerated to 400-500 MPH after 50° turn. First report mentioned 'short stubby wings'; signed second statement says 'as the object made its turn… the object didn't have wings.' Sound first reported as helicopter-like, in second report as 'roar.' Cockpit pilot did not see it.
Witnesses
Tom Rush · Mrs. Tom Rush
The object
Cigar-shaped, dark blue/black, 8 ft x 10 ft tapering to 4 ft, no wings (per signed statement)
Outcome
Discrepancies between first and second reports noted
Quotes from the file
"the object made absolutely no noise and left no trail of any kind. It was traveling in a straight line from west to east and did not gain or lose altitude. There was no visible means of propulsion"
Why it matters: Classic 1948 high-strangeness object description for the lead incident (174).
Page 4
"Statement of Mr John C. Fairchild does not tally with that of A. Ruble Angier"
Why it matters: Investigators explicitly flag inter-witness contradiction in same event.
Page 9
"Mr Bentham's description as to the shape, direction and overall appearance of this object is in direct contradiction with statements made by Col Horace Bakins."
Why it matters: Two reliable witnesses to the same Sept 23 1948 sighting at Castro's Ranch produced fundamentally different shape/direction descriptions.
Page 13
"this information was given the Commanding Officer Godman AFB by Mr Moore, Head Astrologer, University of Louisville, Ky. This assumption was verified by MCI later the same day."
Why it matters: Resolution of the August 19, 1948 Godman AFB UFO event as the planet Venus, attributed to a 'Head Astrologer' (sic—astronomer) at U. Louisville and verified by MCI.
Page 34
"It seemed cognizant of the whereabouts of the F-61 at all times which might indicate that it carried RDF equipment."
Why it matters: Inferred RDF/intelligent tracking by an unidentified aircraft against an Air Force interceptor over Japan, October 1948.
Page 26
"Original report was classified top-secret. Strategic Air Command requested original messages be destroyed."
Why it matters: Documentary evidence of SAC ordering destruction of source messages on a UFO event later identified as MIT cosmic-ray balloons.
People, places and organizations
People
G. S. Williams
Witness, President of United Land Co., student pilot · Page 3
A. Ruble Angier
Witness, Neon Sign Manufacturer, pilot since 1928 · Page 6
John C. Fairchild
Witness, Building Superintendent · Page 8
Col. Horace S. Eakins
Witness, retired Army colonel, veterinarian, Meat Inspector · U.S. Army (Ret) · Page 10
Sylvester Bentham
Witness, retired butcher · Page 12
Mrs. McDaniel
Witness · Page 14
John E. Pruitt
Witness, student at Maj Rockwell School of Aviation · Page 18
Maj. Robert C. Drum
Witness, rated USAF pilot · USAF · Page 16
Walt Smith
Witness · Page 20
Maj. G. M. Smartt
Witness, pilot · Hilton AF Base · Page 21
Master of S/S Gulfport
Witness · Page 23
Paul Zenk
Witness · Page 28
Dr. B. T. Benoit
Witness · Page 28
Lawrence A. Hansen
Witness, teletype operator · Page 29
Harold Oliver
Witness, mailman · Page 29
Fred Nash
Witness, used car dealer and airplane mechanic, LDS member · Page 31
What was blacked out
Page 89
Witness name in Incident 208 redacted/illegible: '1st Lt. ___ and 1st Lt. Max M. Feibelman, 44th Fighter Sq, 18th Fighter Wing, Clark AFB' — first pilot's name absent.
Likely reason: Privacy / source protection or OCR loss
Page 113
Midland, Michigan case (Incident 221) summary form is intentionally blank with 'Case under investigation' overlay.
Likely reason: Open investigation
Page 130
New Brighton, PA case (Incident 228) summary form is intentionally blank with 'Case under investigation' overlay.
Likely reason: Open investigation
Page 112
Midland MI summary form (221) blank.
Likely reason: Open investigation
Page 20
Walt Smith case (Incident 179) blank: 'No report on this as yet.'
Likely reason: Report not yet completed
Page 48
Document explicitly states: 'Original report was classified top-secret. Strategic Air Command requested original messages be destroyed.' (Incident 194)
Likely reason: Active classification/destruction order at SAC level
Anomalies and points of interest
Incidents 175/175a and 176/176a: same time/place, two reliable witnesses each, fundamentally contradictory descriptions (round flat disc vs egg-shape with sunflower exhaust; amoeba shape vs rectangular vegetable-crate). Document itself flags the contradictions but does not resolve them.
Incident 178 (Honolulu, 15 Oct 1948): USAF rated pilot Maj. Drum, his wife, and 14-year-old daughter independently describe identical disc/discs between cloud layers — three-witness corroborated UFO unresolved.
Incident 183 (Senseki area, Japan, 15 Oct 1948): F-61 vs unknown — the unknown demonstrated vertical climb/dive past F-61 radar elevation limits, evaded six successive intercepts, and 'seemed cognizant of the whereabouts of the F-61 at all times.' No identification.
Incident 188 (Goose Bay 29 Oct 1948 GCA radar): unidentified target tracked perfectly aligned with active runway 27, on multiple bearings, no aircraft in vicinity. No identification.
Incident 207/207a/207b (Andrews AFB 18 Nov 1948): three corroborating airmen (two USAFR pilots and one ground sergeant) describe an oblong-ball object that out-turned a USAF aircraft, varied speed 80→600 MPH, climbed vertically, glowed dull-gray under landing lights. Unresolved.
Incident 196 (Goose Bay 1 Nov 1948 GCA): radar blip 'too small at 7-1/2 miles to be aircraft and too large to be a bird,' tracked at ~60 MPH by two GCA operators, stopwatch-timed.
Incident 208 (Clark AFB 17 Nov 1948): two fighter pilots see a 'flak-burst sitting still in the atmosphere' connected to a 1-10 mile corkscrew trail at 30,000 ft on a cloudless day. Evaluation C.3.
Incidents 222 (Furstenfeldbruck Germany 23 Nov 1948): visual reddish-star tracked + ground radar (Racecard) records object at 27,000 ft → 40,000 ft, 30-40 mi south of Munich, circling. Two corroborating F-80 pilots; no F-80s flying that night.
December 1948 New Mexico Green Fireball cluster (incidents 223, 223a, 224, 225, 226, 227, plus August 1948 incident 230): Dr. Lincoln La Paz of UNM Institute of Meteoritics formally enumerates NINE specific characteristics that distinguish them from genuine meteors: horizontal flight paths; very low altitude (8-10 mi vs ≥40 mi for meteors); sub-meteor velocity (yet greater than V-2 or jets); silence at low penetration altitudes; instant full-brightness onset (not the meteor's slow brightening); strong directional bias from northern half of sky; coincidence with meteor showers (which La Paz speculates may be intentional concealment); no spark train; vivid copper-flame green ~5218 Å. La Paz is 'not convinced' they are meteoric.
Incident 225 (Col. W.P. Hayes / Highway 60 near Vaughn NM): three separate fireball/basketball-of-light sightings on Highway 60 at exactly ~2130 hours (late 1947, 3-4 Nov 1948, 23 Nov 1948), each silently exploding ~200 ft above ground into red sparks—same location, same time of night, same phenomenon, different dates.
Incident summaries 101-172 (intermediate companion file expected in same series)
Project Sign / Project Saucer / Project Grudge (1948 USAF UFO project — file references 'PROJECT SAUCER' or 'SIGN' codename being forwarded to AMC HQ)
Air Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson AFB / MCI / MCIAXE-33 (technical evaluation cell for these incidents)
Godman AFB — 1948 Mantell incident is famously linked to Godman; this file's Incident 187 (19 Aug 1948 Godman AFB) is a separate Venus event but cross-referenced
New Mexico 'green fireball' files of Dr. Lincoln La Paz (separately archived)
Project Twinkle / La Paz green-fireball investigation (anticipated companion documentation)
Look magazine 22 Nov 1948 article on Dr. Harley Wood's southern-hemisphere comet (cited at p.54 and p.78)
Processing notes
Document is RG 38 (Office of Naval Intelligence) Box 7, Incident Summary Sheets 173-233, sequentially numbered with sub-letters (175a, 200a/b/c, 201a/b, 207a/b, 223a, 207b). Some incidents (179, 213, 221, 228) have only blank or near-blank summary forms; this file ends with a multi-page generic 'Guide to Investigation for Unidentified Aerial Objects' template (pages 140-144). Witness pool spans civilians, pilots (commercial & military), USAF/USN/Coast Guard officers, OSI special agents, USAF radar operators, Civil Air Patrol officers, AEC security inspectors, an academic astronomer (La Paz), school students, and merchant ship masters. Geographic distribution includes 8 states with multiple cases concentrated in: New Mexico (green fireball cluster, 7+ cases), California (Crescent City cluster of 4 + others), Maryland (Andrews AFB cluster), Minnesota (Minneapolis-Winona cluster). International cases: Germany (Neubiberg, Furstenfeldbruck), Japan (Senseki, Wakkanai), South Korea, Canada (Goose Bay, Alberta), Philippines (Clark AFB), Azores (Tray AAF), at sea (S/S Gulfport). Cross-doc linkages: this is the high-numbered companion to incident summaries 1-100 (slug 027-38_143685_box7_incident_summaries_1-100) and to an expected 101-172 file. Document captures Project Sign / Project Saucer-era AMC routing references explicitly (page 113). Dr. La Paz's 'Significant Differences Between the Fireballs Observed in the Interval Dec 5-13 & Typical Meteors' is the most analytically substantial section in the entire file and warrants its own pull-quote in the aggregator's highlights.md. Confidence is moderate (0.72) due to heavy OCR corruption, ambiguous/garbled words throughout, and numerous fragmentary forms; numbered incidents sometimes have summary sheets without narratives or vice versa. OCR ratio = 1.00 across 144 pages.
Questions & answers
Who was the man, and when did this happen?
The record does not give his name or the date of the incident.
What did the man say he saw?
He said he saw a bright light illuminate the ocean while he was crossing the Golden Gate Bridge.
Is it known what caused the bruise?
No. The record does not explain what caused it or whether it was connected to the light.
The conversation
Open discussion
No messages yet. Be the first to say what you think you're looking at.
Page 48
"Object was able to turn inside Combs' aircraft even under this condition. Another amazing feature was the quick variation of airspeed from 80 MPH to 500 or 600 MPH."
Why it matters: Performance claim by USAFR pilot at Andrews AFB Nov 18 1948.
Page 86
"Subject to discovery that a new (non-Geminid) meteoric radiant emitting numerous very bright fireballs of a vivid green color (deeper and richer than the green of the beacon at the New Municipal Airport south of Santa Fe, New Mexico) has suddenly become active during the first half of December, I am not convinced the various 'Green Flare' incidents reported to the O.S.I. are not meteoric in nature."
Speaker: Dr. Lincoln La Paz
Why it matters: La Paz's measured but skeptical conclusion about the New Mexico Green Fireballs of December 1948.
Page 128
"The horizontal nature of the paths of most of the December fireballs is most unusual. Genuine meteors are rarely observed to move in horizontal paths."
Speaker: Dr. Lincoln La Paz
Why it matters: First in a list of nine specific anomalies La Paz catalogues that distinguish the December 1948 fireballs from genuine meteors.
Page 128
"The velocity determined for the fireball of December 12 is much less than the velocities determined from genuine meteors (and yet is considerably greater than the speeds of the V-2 Rockets or jet planes or of conventional flares)."
Speaker: Dr. Lincoln La Paz
Why it matters: Velocity intermediate between meteor and known terrestrial vehicle, explicitly above V-2 rocket speeds.
Page 128
"This relationship may indicate an attempt to render the green fireballs less conspicuous by causing them to appear only when there is considerable meteoric activity."
Speaker: Dr. Lincoln La Paz
Why it matters: La Paz speculates that timing of green fireballs to coincide with known meteor showers may be intentional concealment — a striking conjecture coming from a senior meteoriticist.
Page 128
"By laboratory test this peculiar color seems to be identical with that given off by copper salts in the blowpipe flame. If this identification is correct, the wavelength of the radiation from the green fireballs is near λ 5218 Å."
Speaker: Dr. Lincoln La Paz
Why it matters: Quantitative spectral identification of the December 1948 fireballs as copper-flame green (~5218 Å).
Page 129
"Inquiry at Holloman AF Base, Alamagordo, N.M., revealed that research work at night and on Sundays does not involve the use of any lighting device or flares such as described in the various reports submitted."
Why it matters: Explicit ruling-out of Holloman as a flare source for the December 1948 New Mexico green fireball cluster.
Page 129
"When more information available, Midland Michigan incident will be forwarded HQS AMC ATTENTION: PROJECT [SAUCER]"
Why it matters: Direct teletype reference to AMC HQ project (likely Project Sign / Project Saucer / Grudge era).
Page 113
"as the object made its turn, it was then that I noticed the object didn't have wings."
Speaker: Tom Rush
Why it matters: Quoted from his signed letter; contradicts his first verbal report of 'short stubby wings.'
Page 139
"Evaluation: 5 — Sgt Wright's character and his honesty are questionable according to the interrogating officer"
Why it matters: Frank documentation of witness-credibility scoring being applied in real time.
Page 82
"the trajectory then dropped off rapidly and a trail of glowing fragments reddish orange in color was observed falling toward the ground. These fragments were visible for less than a second before disappearing."
Speaker: S/A Stahl & S/A Neff
Why it matters: Two OSI special-agent rated pilots' formal account of a December 8 1948 New Mexico green fireball.
Page 121
Lt. Col. John Wamgh
Executive Officer, Godman Field · USAF, Godman AF Base · Page 33
Maj. Mitchel
Operations Officer, Godman AFB · USAF · Page 34
Mr. Moore
Head Astrologer (sic), University of Louisville · University of Louisville, Ky. · Page 34
Castro's Ranch, near San Pablo / Pinole, California, USA
Page 10
Kentwood, Louisiana, USA
Page 14
Honolulu, T.H., USA
Page 16
Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, USA
Page 18
New Bedford, Ohio, USA
Page 21
Senseki Area between Imigana Shima and Anene Shima, Japan
Page 25
Winona, Minnesota, USA
Page 27
Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Page 29
Sterling, Utah, USA
Page 31
Godman AF Base, Kentucky, USA
Page 33
Goose Bay, Labrador, Canada
Page 36
Turner AF Base / Eglin Auxiliary Field, Albany, Georgia, USA
Page 37
Neubiberg AF Base, Germany
Page 40
Junction City / Ft. Riley, Kansas, USA
Page 41
Moorhead, Minnesota, USA
Page 43
Andrews Field area / Salem (Coast Guard sighting), USA
Units and bodies
318th All Weather Fighter Squadron, 325th Fighter Group
USAF · Page 57
23rd Fighter Squadron
USAF · Page 115
44th Fighter Squadron, 18th Fighter Wing
USAF · Page 89
86th Fighter Wing
USAF · Page 39
82nd Fighter Wing (Mustangs)
USAF · Page 48
18th Maintenance Squadron, 18th Maintenance & Supply Group
USAF · Page 81
16th Weather Squadron, Det 16/Th
USAF · Page 102
Guided Missile Group, OCS/B Hq, USAF Washington
USAF · Page 104
New Mexico Military District
U.S. Army · Page 122
New Mexico Wing, Civil Air Patrol
Civil Air Patrol · Page 127
Agencies and organizations
Department of War
Office of Naval Intelligence (RG 38)
USAF
U.S. Army
U.S. Coast Guard
U.S. Navy
Air Materiel Command (AMC), Wright-Patterson AFB
Strategic Air Command (SAC)
AEC Security Service (Los Alamos)
Civil Air Patrol
MIT (cosmic ray balloon program)
Office of Special Investigations (OSI)
Pioneer Airlines
MCI (Wright-Patterson Flight Service / MCIAXE-33)
FBI (records check referenced in investigation guide)
Platforms and sensors
F-61 (interceptor)
aircraft · Page 25
F-51 / P-51 Mustang
aircraft · Page 33
F-80 (jet, several mentions)
aircraft · Page 115
F-82 'Twin Mustang'
aircraft · Page 57
C-47
aircraft · Page 21
C-45
aircraft · Page 104
B-26 / B-17 / PBM-5
aircraft · Page 17
P-47
aircraft · Page 88
T-7
aircraft · Page 121
T-6
aircraft · Page 85
Stinson civilian aircraft
aircraft · Page 139
Piper Cub
aircraft · Page 61
GCA (Ground Control Approach) radar
radar · Page 36
PPI radar (Goose Bay)
radar · Page 49
Theodolite (Godman AFB observation)
ground · Page 34
S/S Gulfport (merchant vessel)
ship · Page 23
MIT cosmic ray balloon cluster (eight balloons)
ground · Page 48
V-2 rocket (referenced for velocity comparison)
spacecraft · Page 128
Incident 211/212 (Dayton, Ohio 3 Dec 1948): two simultaneous discrete pulses of light separated by darkness, observed by a 'Secret'-cleared FBI Intelligence Control employee.
Incident 224 (Stahl/Neff 8 Dec 1948 New Mexico): two OSI Special Agent rated pilots formally documented a green fireball passing 2,000 ft above their aircraft on near-flat trajectory at 13,500 ft MSL—exceptional observer credentials.
Incident 194 (3 Nov 1948): explicit document statement that SAC requested original top-secret messages be destroyed (record-destruction directive on a UFO case file, even one later resolved as MIT balloons).
Incident 222a/Capt. Goade case: 11 named additional civilian witnesses across NM that same evening (5 Dec 1948 7:30 PM-11:40 PM) saw the same green-flare phenomenon—broad-area, multi-witness display.
Incident 213 (page 98) appears to be a partially-OCR'd directive instructing all personnel to forward UFO information to a centralized correlation/collation effort.
La Paz's December 12 1948 fireball back-trajectory 'passes almost centrally across the Los Alamos reservation'—a specific spatial association with the AEC nuclear weapons facility.
Page 47
Goose Bay, Labrador (GCA radar), Canada
Page 49
Wakkanai, Japan (radar site)
Page 55
Richmond, Indiana, USA
Page 53
Grays Harbor, Washington (10 miles offshore), USA
Page 57
Crescent City, California, USA
Page 59
Tray AF Base, Azores, Portugal
Page 71
Newark AF Base, New Jersey, USA
Page 73
Peace River, Alberta, Canada
Page 75
Carthage, Missouri, USA
Page 79
Clark AF Base, Philippine Islands, Philippines
Page 81
Andrews AF Base, Camp Springs, Maryland, USA
Page 83
Furstenfeldbruck AF Base, Germany (near Munich)
Page 114
South Korea (37° 57'N, 125° 51'E)
Page 91
Dayton, Ohio, USA
Page 95
Rindge, NH (Route 202), USA
Page 99
Fairfield-Suisun AF Base, California, USA
Page 100
Chanute AF Base, Illinois, USA
Page 102
Pittsburgh area (8-12 miles SE), USA
Page 104
Martinsburg, West Virginia (40 mi NW), USA
Page 107
Newburgh, New York, USA
Page 108
San Francisco, California, USA
Page 110
Midland, Michigan, USA
Page 112
Las Vegas, New Mexico (general area), USA
Page 116
Sandia Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA
Page 124
Bernal, New Mexico (Starvation Peak), USA
Page 126
New Brighton, Pennsylvania, USA
Page 130
South Bay, Florida, USA
Page 131
Riviera Beach, Florida, USA
Page 132
North Powder, Oregon, USA
Page 133
Abilene, Texas (near White Sands Proving Grounds), USA
Page 135
Demarest, New Jersey, USA
Page 137
Jackson, Mississippi, USA
Page 138
Vaughn, New Mexico (Highway 60), USA
Page 122
A man crossed the Golden Gate Bridge and saw a bright light over the water. He said it illuminated the ocean as far as he could see.
The next day, a bruise appeared where he had felt as if something had touched him. He did not report what happened right away, fearing no one would believe him. The story was preserved in an official record.
A Light Like Electricity
The man described the light as an electric arc, a bright flash produced when electricity passes through the air. He felt as if the light had forcefully pushed his hand down. To explain the sensation, he compared his hand to a bag of bullets.
The record describes no aircraft or other object near the man. It focuses on the light, the sensation in his hand, and the bruise that appeared the next day. It mentions no other witness who saw the light.
He Waited Until the Next Day
The man said he bruises easily. Even so, the next day he noticed a bruise that, he said, had not been there before. It was where he had felt as if something had touched him.
He said he had no one to report it to because he feared they would not believe his story. The record describes no examination of the bruise and mentions no further investigation.
The bruise makes this more than a story about a light over the ocean. The account also includes a physical sensation and a mark the man noticed the following day. But the record offers no information confirming what caused it.
What Remains Unknown
The record does not give the man's name or the date of the incident. It also does not explain what caused the light or whether it was connected to the bruise. The writer described the story as unclear and not especially credible, but offered no conventional explanation.
What remains is a brief account: a light over the ocean, and a hand that looked different the next day.
