PROJECT BLUE BOOK

PROJECT 10073 RECORD
1. DATE - TIME GROUP 2. LOCATION
13 OCT 54
14/0210z FESTUS, MISSOURI
3. SOURCE 10. CONCLUSION AND c
CIVILIAN OTHER: DEBRIS/REFLECTION
4. NUMBER OF OBJECTS
ONE
5.LENGTH OF OBSERVATION 11. BRIEF SUMMARY AND ANALYSIS
SECONDS SECONDS Shape Shape of of flat cyclinder flat cyclinder Large Picnic Plate" first yellowish-
TYPE OF OBSERVATION 6. TYPE OF OBSERVATION white to greyish white to glowing white.' Observed from car white to greyish white to glowing white.'Observed from car
going 55 going 55 mph. Obj in road went over hood of car. in road went over hood of car.
GROUND VISUAL
7. COURSE COMMENTS:
Possible reflection from debris. Possible reflection from debris.
- -
8. PHOTOS
Yes
NxNo
9. PHYSIC EVIDENCE IDENCE
Yos
No
FORM
FTD SEP 63 0-329 (TDE) Previous editions of this form may be used.

Air Technical Intelligence Center, Wright-Patter n Air Force Base, Chio
Commander, Air Defense Command, Ent AFB, Colorad rings, Colorado
Commander, Eastern Air Defense Force, Stewart AFB , Newburgh, N. Y.
Subj: (FLYOBRPT)
Ref: (a) 9ND INST 3820.1 of 28 Jul 1954
Encl: Encl: 1)Mr. (1) Mr. tr of 16 Oct 1954 cr of 16 Oct 1954
1. 1. On 1l October 1954 this activity 14 October 1954 this activity S received telephone call from Mr.
M Columbia, Missouri concerning sighting of an unidentified Columbia, Missouri concerning sighting of an unidentified
flying object. Mr. was requested to submit a complete submit a report. report
sighting. sighting.
2. Reference (a) requests that sighting of unidentified flying objects be re- 2. Reference (a) requests that sighting of unidentified flying objects be re-
ported to the addressees. ported to the addressees Accordingly, Mr Accordinglv, Mr report is forwarded herewith
as enclosure (l). The report is considered complete in itself therefore the
report format set forth in reference (a) has not been utilized.
C.H. S. MURPI
Copy to:
Director of Naval Intelligence
Commander Eastern Sea Frontier, 90 Church Street, New York 7, New York
BAGR CENDIST
COMNAB, 9ND
XI

to two (2) inches thick. I cannc e certain of the thickness because of
distance and conditions of sighting, ,but I got an extremely close look at the
diameter (the object coming within five (5) or six (6) feet of my windshield)
and am sure that it was larger than ten (lo) inches and smaller than sixteen
(l6) inches. There is no doubt that it was solid, and opaque. It looked
Three colors were observed. When first sighted (narrative follows) it was
yellowish white in cclor and be, and may have been, a transient
reflection from the headlights of the approaching car. During the second
phase it was seen in silhouette and appeared to be greyish white. When very
close and viewed at it's full diameter it appeared a brilliant glowing white.
It is not certain whether the object generated any light of it's own or whether
the brilliant glowing white was the result of a reflection of my own car's
hondlight wame1as
mph and the approaching car must have been going within ten (lo) miles plus
or minus of this speed. The rate of closure between the object and my car
was at least three (3) to four (4) times the rate of closure between the cars.
Narrative: On the
Missouri, to Festus, Missouri. I had been driving for about an hour and
oout fifty-five (55) mph. I was not excessively
fatigued. I had been driving through intermittent light rain for about a
half hour. Visibility was unlimited, and ar most full moon could be seen
through breaks in the scud. A strong wind wa blowing from the left (west),
and as I passed a drive-in restrurant about od bit of debris
blowing across the parking lot. I remember thinking that the waste paper was
moving about as fast as paper dropped on a carrier deck--probably about 35 mph--
although I could feel occasional gusts hit the car which appeared to be somewhat
higher velocity.

feet ahead of the car and about twelve (12) to eighteen (l8) inches above
the ground. Again it was pacing the car. I noticed it but it only registered
as a shadow cast by something on the car.
All of a sudden I became aware that the shadow had changed from a bar or
stick shape to an
in front of his west headlight d Lagonally across in front of my car. The
two cars were probably about three hundred (3oo) to four hundred (loo) feet
apart at this tine. It also appeared to be rising slightly.
About this time I saw it quite distinctly for the first time. The picture
was very clear, the object being front lighted by my car--backlighted by
the other car--and strong light being r reflected off the wet pavement.
The shape was changing from oval to a fuller circle and I remember the
thought flashed through my mind: Why there's a big picnic dinner plate
rolling towards me. The color was grey-white, and the rotating motion
was very distinct. There is no doubt that the object was rotating although
at a fairly slow speed. (About like a heliocopter turning up).
the right (east) at an angle of a bout seventy-five (75) or eighty (80)
degrees to the path of the car. This last is an impression only.. I can't
be sure of the path. I do know it did not go over the top of the car, or
by the right side at the window level.
My impression is that when pacing the other car its diameter was nearly
parallel or paral
When it began to ate it tipped this axis, but in the opposite manner
from a heliocopter underway It appeared to change to a brilliant
white as it came through my headlights, and it's diameter was about vertical
with the ground when it changed course and missed me. (Again I want to say
that this brilliant white color may have been a reflection at close range
from a very white surface).

direction, however, would be extremely difficult to explain. Considering
the speed I was going, the speed it
and the nearness of the object when ducked, I could not completely reconcile
the facts with a blowing paper plate It vas hood distance when I ducked;
right over the radiator ornament; avoidance of collision would recuire more
could give it.
I finally finally decided to decided to report report the occurence, and did so on curence, and o on 14 October 1954 in 14 October 1954 in
a. telephone telephone conversation conversation with Creider, Lt., USN. The above is a con- The a con-
firmation and amplification of our conversation. firmation and amplification our conversation.
Sincerely,