PROJECT BLUE BOOK

‘

| 1. DATE

PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD

2 LOCATION

12. CONCLUSIONS

—

O Was Balloon
12 Jan 58 Spring Hope N.C./Salem, Va. a Alataee sta aa laa
3. DATE-TIME GROUP 4. TYPE OF OBSERVATION Y
. Ww .
| tecei 0020 EST _ HGmundVinvel —Ground-Rader | BAS a
cu7y_2+2/0515 ,0520Z O Air Visal OD Air-Intercept Radar O Possibly Aircroft
5S. PHOTOS pe ii 7 6. SOURCE &% Wes Astronomical Meteor
0 Yes O Probably Astronomical
nae g No pe _| Givi 1 QO Possibly Astronomical
7. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION 8. NUMBER OF OBJECTS | 9. COURSE O Other
0 Insufficient Data for Evaluation
QO Unknown
few secs __ one West “
10. BRIEF SUMMARY OF SIGHTING 11. COMMENTS

Rnd obj w/Short cone trailing appearad
The face of
the sphere appeared greenish in colon
the remaining portion appeared fire-
red. The cone was about the same |

10-20 f£t in diameter,

length as the obj.

Although there anpear to be
inconsistencies in
of observer,
istics maneuvers ete are those
of a typical fireball,

statements
all |

the character

ATIC FORM 329 (REV 26 SEP 52)

/ ‘ ‘ > re de"
SAFIS -3/ Ma, Tacker/ jma/7496 )

2h February 1953

--

Dear Yr aga
Srey Your letter addressed to the Morehead Planetarium
\.  Soneerming a sighting of an unidentified Mying object
~. om 11 Jamuary 1955 has been referred to this office for

Your sighting has not been conclusively identified
based upon the available data. However, your report
will be used as part of the Air Force's continuing

aay: ) on 4

ts Yor your information I am inclosing a copy of the
! latest Department of Defense Fact Sheet on this subject,
dated 5 November 1957. .

Your interest and prompt reporting of this sighting
are appreciated.

° *
r .
i Sincerely,
oy ° sabe «<2 oot sere 4 .
+a  *-- whe ‘ ow ; " i» ely) 44
7 _ - r > . -

LAWRENCS J. TACKER

Major, USAF

Executive Officer

Public Information. Division
Office of Information services

AGK-SAFIS-3
CERADER-SAFTS-1
| SFAYBACK-SAFIS-3

Winston-Salem, N. C.

cco: Mr. (mine Morehead Planetariin,

Chapel Hill, North Carolina

att Spa SS ee ee a ae ee eee Ce ee em ee py Ss ee teeter ey rete de

MEMO ROUTING SUP ( NeuaRENCES of SIMILAR ACTIONS
| 1 MAME OR TITLE
}  ORGAALZATION AMO LOCATION COORDINATION
a. |
| ee
ACTION
| ensand (denied) |
Jenzanc niel)
DRE RE Pe «5
Chapel N.C

WANS Suggested reply a
Ll. Your Letter to the Morehead Planetarium has been

referred to the Air Force.
DeoGtepommsnrirarhomnock eke
: 2, Your sighting has not been conclusively identified
Your report, however, will be used as 2 xmrkx pa

| of our continuing study on aerial phenomena.

| 3. Your interest and promct reporting of the matter
is appreciated.

L, (Suggest sending attached summary and DOD release
to QR and copy of letter to Jenzano.)

FROM Mame On TLE .

04 2 Lx Su £8
, AFCIN-FX sy266

—, | roam Repleces DA AGO Form 5,1 Apr 44, and AF HQ & wo Ooms!
a + 7ta50 5 Form 12, 0 Nov 4), #7

a

so

eel

ee ee ee ee ee

en ied me

“wee

The Morehead Planetarium, one of the
six Zeiss planetariums in the western
hemisphere, and the first on any univer-
sity campus, is open for performances
every evening at $:30; 11:00, 3:00 and 3:30

on Saturday and 3:00, 4:00 and $:30 on

Suaday. The program ‘is changed fre-
quently . . . There is always something

~~ mew at the Morehead Planetarium. {The

Morehead Building contains, in addition
to the Planetarium, the permanent Art
Gallery in the Rotunda, and other gal-
leries devoted to temporary art exhibits.

Also, there arc hails for scientitic exhibits.

TThe 35-foot Copernican orrery, one of
only two such installations in the world,
is a particularly impressive mechanism.

—

n ew
4 Mee

- ae ' “*

ae

NIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA
HE MOREHBAD PLANETARIUM

CHAPEL HILL, NORTH CAROLINA

January 17, 1958

Dept. of Defense

Air Technical Intelligence Center
Washington 25, D.C.

Gentlemen:

Enclosed, for your examination and correlation is a report
recently received in this office.

Your reply and comment, if any, will be appreciated.
Cordially,
THE MOREHEAD PLANETARIUM

—

HQ USAF, 11 Feb 58, Subj: Unidentified Flying Object, Salem, Virginia,
12 January 1958

AG lst Ind

Headquarters, Langley Air Force Base & 836th Air Base Croup, 26 FEB 1958
Langley Air Force Base, Virginia

TO: Commander, Air Defense Command, imt Air Force Base, Colorado
Springs, Colorado

1 ae SU
Cc

ADODI 2a Ind ac 4 MAR 1958
HQ AIR DEFENSE COMMAND, Ent Air Force.Base, Colorado Springs,
Colorado i

TO: Commander, Air Technical Intelligencs Center, Wright-Patterson
Air Force Base, Ohio

b-Ineleses en esi | Bs

oe - :

: : wr " she = ; . MY

- + + ~ fee - . ~y fs a o- ae
sa : mS pe oy ts — _— . ties wae + ; res
aT ie ee LTR ss Pee he NEAT tie eter ne ee ee wee a

as
~ ae
om eNO He Le Gee &

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

WASHINGTON

THE INSPECTOR GENERAL USAF

21ST DISTRICT O CE OF SPECIAL INVEST TAT TONS
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, :
File No: 24-147 "e 1l February 1958

SUBJECT: Unidentified Flying Object, Salem, Virginia,
g 12 January 1958

TOs ~ Commander

Langley Air Force Base
Virginia

This communication confirms information furnished ae
Major, AO 421112, Intelligence Officer, 345th Bombardment
Wing, Langlsy Air Force Base, Virginia, on 3 February 1958, relative

to an alleged sighting of an unidentified flying object in the vicinity
of Salem, Virginia.

2. The 12 January 1958 edition of the Roanoke Times, a daily news-
paper published at Roanoke, Virginia, contained the following article:

"Strange Objects Reported in Sky in /
; " e
This Section oa Poooed :
“ere "WStrange objects in the sky-treated concern in the Roanoke ~~
Valley area early today. State Police at Salem received
a report from a man“yho reported a large object in the sky
with what appeared to be a ball of fire trailing it. He
said he saw it about 12:20 A.M. In addition, state police s
reported that the object or objects had been’seen by beeaonee
in Floyd County and near Draper in Pulaski. Origin of the
strange object was not known early today."

3. On 15 January 1958, Special Agent JOHN R. McNEILL interviewed
Mr, SE, Route 3, Salem, Virginia. QQQP furnished the
following information concerning the unidentified flying object which
he allegedly sighted on 12 January 1958:

(1) Description of the Object:
94
a. Appeared/Zouna, with a short cone trailing.

b. Appeared 10-20 feet in ‘diameter, the face of the

sonere appeared greening in color, the remaining portion including the
trailing cone was fire red. The cone appeared to be a cone of fire”

ziven off from the object itself. The cone was about the same length
as the object itself,

———_
~—- - eorny oie = > o-oo ae a? af
FOR OrrciCl at t) se CrLY

(AFR 190-16)

2lst District OSI (IG)
Subj: Unidentified Flying Object, Salem, Va., 12 January 1958

File No: 24-147
1k Feb 1958

c. The forward part of the sphere appeared to be of greenish

fire and the remaining part was red in color.
d. Only one (1) object was observed.

e. No formation of any type was noted.

f. The object was void of shape except for its roundness.”

and accompanying cone.

g. A trailing cone of what appeared to be fire about as long
as the sphere and was the same color. The face or nose of the object

glowed with a greenish color. or /
. h. No sound noted.

i. No other pertinent or unusual details.

(2) SRcgE Ein a) Caen

a. At 0020 hours, 12-January 1988, object observed from living

room of residence through She front window which faced est
proceeded in apid- ‘course westerly and disappeared after a very short >

yer
period of observation, oF ee Oe Sabo

‘

b. Proceeding westerly.

he, Oe iperte Latete ene ie) 7 Abe RR or

Object

pnt FP homie ‘

c. The odject disappeared over mountains to the west of Salon,

Virginia.

d. Object although not resembling a meteor, gave off a short

trail of what appeared to be fire.

————

@. Same as c above,

f. Object observed only a faw seconds. . Se
(3) } er of 0 ation:

a. Ground visual.

b. No optical aids used,

c. N/A
(4) Time of Sighting:

a. 0020 hours EST, 12 January 1958 22

—

b. Night
-_ Q=

th iain a he a A A allt i

7 el

21st District OSI (IG) File No: 24—147
Subj: Unidentified Flying Object, Salem, Va., 12 January 1958 11 Feb 1958

(5) Location of Observer:
@. Residence, Rt 3, Salen, Virginia.

(6) Identifying Information on 0

a, CN azo 27 CO. Vircinia;

occupation — Buyer of scrap metal for Roanoke Scrap Iron and Metal Company,
Roanoke, Virginia,

(7) ather and W alo onditions at Time and Place o
Sighting:

a. Clear weather.

be. No report from nearest weather station.

c. Ceiling - very clear, visibility unlimited.

d. Visibility unlimited.

e. No cloud formations noted at time of sighting.
f. No thunderstorms in area at time of sighting.

_ (8) No air traffic mene * in area at time.

. Lt Oe Sm ws. = f>-9 r _ be ee Le +, a
a "e ear eS 8 = ~ Per “4

Drawing >_> version Te ae
of object sighted District Commander

ce: Dir OSI, USAF

eS ang le a Eien a a adel

iP ; b3 :
spt - “o ‘. a
4 ae
AF FORM 112—PART 11 re ae
APPROVED 1 JUNE 1948 (CLASSIFICATION) ¢
AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT
| "ROM (Agency) REPORT NO.
| Hqy 345th Bomb Wing (TAC) IR-1-58 2 3 Reis
—Langile; AFB, Virginia PAGE OF PAGES Es
| 1. On 15 January, Special Agent John R. McNeill, DO 21, OSI, obtained cigiad
} the following information from an individual who stated he had seen the object. ape
| * Rt. 3, Salem, Va., advised sighting a glowing object ae
| in the ‘ie “above Salem on 12 January 1958.°- On 15 Jamuary, shed the so
Sse ty infprmation concerning the sighting. ae
ny Se
r Cu Lvé ew Description of Object: Bee
| Pere Cady Appeared round, with a short cone trailing. te
ae +3 / Ay rf. ate Kaae
| Feet 2 ‘Appeared 10-20 feet keeiiinat er, the face of the sphere aes
appe zi gree 4n color, the remaining portion including the trailing cone, aes
appearing af The cone appeared to be a cone of fire given off from the Bae
or Sees steel. The ‘cone was about the same lenght as the object itself, fie
| eae Ce). "Forward part of the sphere appeared. to be of greenish Eh
fire and ‘the: ‘Fenaining Part was reqran COLOR eo fh Be as
gs aia (ay Only one (1) object Speervedt ces
ate ‘ie : f :
ppg (e). The gaged was void -of shape except for roundness and Se
| sccoupenying Cones it os ALE COR ses So Rey a
(ry. See boven. : ing! Ae Be ee
| ae (s) a trailing cone of what appeared to be fire about as long be”
: as the sphere as the same color. The face or nose of the object glowed / Pk
i ei enish colo} — Def GV GA SeePascr ee No , sglkoney A Me .
| 2y° es Thre ¢ y i Rey “Rept ) a § 2, QT ay » " . ee
es Bederrption of Course: of Object: eS-bp o SO Be
E re = : Path “of wl WRAL % tad c= ss
(a) At 0020 hours, 12 January » object was obseryed.from gee
| Ltving room of resid NC, w which faced “west. Object ery |
proceedéd“in & rapid course westerly, and disappeared after a very short Re
period of observation. sak oe
| (b) . Proceeding westerly. :
| (c) The object disappeared over mountains to the west of 3
| se fa) ones’ sishecen not resembling a meteor gave off a short
| eres of what a ERP POOeer: to be nee 0 { |
Ss ape a AT 8 (e) See eeoven ae Ol cee ie
-. | ef oo
| ~ (£)» Object observed only a few seconds, "OS yet ee on | Qo om Rapes
(3) Manner of Observation: . , ioe
b ; “ | ~ FP ert
| Ge. pert S
| & Siar )
7 ; \ : pat
18: THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT, 80 U. S.C — te .F
31 AND @. AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW. RES
a TT MAY Not BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART, "ON UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AGENCIES, EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF fe

RTELLIGENCE. USAF. « oie
ina De Un PAZ. ney AN)

a 34,

eater 1» ) " at TY ge ote
SE TEN at ewer arte Ty Pied erties Mi ie

AF FORM 112—PART Il eit =

(CLASSIFICATION)
APPROVED 1 JUNE 1948

AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT

-
)

ROM GS 345th Bomb Wing (TAC) sgl
Langley AFB, Va ‘TR-1-58 3 3

|

PAGE OF PAGES
| Ure ee CB) BSR

| |

(4) ‘Time of Sighting: 3
(a) O20 hours, EST, 12 January 1958. (21 ZBeA, |

: ai it Meee Ce , Gta far
: ~ (e) Residence front room, living room, Rt. 3, Salem, ginia.

Through foe Pedintow <1 Viewer's age 27. Occupation, buyer of scrap metal for
the Roane poser Iron and ¥etals: Company; Roanake > Va. Stes

% a
, is Ta Tio, a ener oa Tae Nw

t-,
7.

A fe, $ , “i T
dais igre ats, eiaeg neta Uae ig hea Ween pas ( B
WB 4 ©) ‘Weather’ ‘and wind Conditions: pe es tee dee EN “xen,
¥ at: Ds hide Ar: ane 2 ; “eet :
PBs ty | Gs any @) Mae tae gt Gh
igs Me SSE Sava § at NE ate 5 thal

peat: antes (bo) N/a pe De sigs

“Meee as Si is %, (¢) Ceiling very clear, visibility unlimited. ce
ire Psst, : (a) Visibility poor = hath eee tw ey
eae | , rmations observed at time of

: Reese s (gp) No thunderstorms in the area at time of sighting.
‘ ts eg Sea etc aemeeniainicinalintee .
: ee ate te =F). iy thes umusual activities or. ‘conditions:
, a Interception or Adenti fication action:
| ee fig Ps (a) ‘None Pale 4
| (8) Location of any air traffic in area: at time object observed:
| ~ (a) None observed.
' é 3 een ?
; - tls oy ¥-
| 2 (9). BA > Sis
| | (10) Hone > 3. 2a petiare sy Pot eh Aan pit :
| | aOR: Re 7 eet RS IS bet each Fe Ae ME
A
:
:
, |
’ (OTE: THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT, 50 U. S. C.—
31 AMD 32, AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW.
IT MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART, BY OTHER Loic UNITED STATES AIR FORCE eetnt a ht EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF
INTELLIGENCE, USAF. ite :

: oe.