PROJECT BLUE BOOK

7' -
? PROJECT 10073 RECORD
5
1. DATE· TIME GROUP 2. LOCATION 2
13 Sep. 66 13 Sepa. 66 13152 13152 Gwinner, Noith Dakota Gwinner, Noith Dakota one witness one witness
B. SOURCE S. SOURCE 10. CONCLUSION 1. CONCLUSION
Civilian Unidentified V V Fi 7
4. NUMBER OF OBJECTS
one one
5. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION 5. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION 11. BRIEF SUMMARY AND ANALYSIS
5 minutes Cbserver noted elliptical shaped object with a glass
6.TYPE OF OBSERVATION bubble protruding from the top. The object was silvery
gray in color und appeared to hover before departing
Ground Visual Tx toward the northwest. The observer said he could hear
7. COURSE a low pitched whine at one time.
NW There was evidence present in the form of depressions
8. PHOTOS in the ground. The surrounding area showed no effects
of heat and ns evidence of high velocity wind blast.
XYos Cne of the investigating officials said that it looked
No like someone had jumped up and down on a bowling ball.
D. PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
Yes
No
FORM
F.TN cFD 4 O.39 (TDE) Previous editions of this form may be usod.
.

!'agej
2. In the following skotch, Imagine that you are at the polnt shown. Place an "A" on the rurver: line to show how
high the osjoct was above the horlzon (skyline) whon yeu flrst saw It. Place a "B"" on the sams curved lIne tc.
show how high the objoct was above the horizon (skyline) when you last suw it. Place an " on the compass
when you first sow it. Place a "B" on the compass where you last saw the ohject.
90 73
60
NU
30A 300A
/
W 30
28.. Draw a picture that will show the motion that the object or objects made. Place an "A' at tho boginning of tho
path, a "" at the end of the path, and show any changes in direction during the course.
-tarning
29. IF there was HCRE THAN ONE objoct, thon how many were there? .
Draw a plsture of how they wore arranged, and put an orrow to show the direction that thay ware traveling.

30. Have you over seon this, or a similar object before. If so give date or dates and location.
3. Was anyone slse with you at the time you saw the object? (Circle One) Yos No
31.1 IF you answered YES, did they see the object too? (Circle One) Yos No
31.2 Plooso list their names and addresses: .
the following infarmation about yoursalf:
/
NAME
Lost Name Nam Name Aaao Nam
ADDRESS NontlO
Street City Zone Stato
TELEPHONE NUMBEI AGE 12 SEX nale
Indicate any lal experience, which might bo pertinent.
1
13 Deptimben 1916 Deptimben 1916 schorl bi schorl bi
Dey Doy Month Year

Pags 7
34. Date you comp this questionnalre: 1O Dem01966
Day Month Your
7
Information which you foel pertinent and which is not adoquatoly coverod in the specific points of the
questionnairs or a narrative explanation of your sighting.
/
8

Dge
13 Sept 66
FTD (TDETR)
Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433
7 November 1966
inner, worta Dakota 58040
Dear M
Reference your unidentified observation of 13 September 1966.
The information which we have received is not sufficient for
SHL evaluation. Request you camplete the attached FTD Form 164
Air Force.
Sincerely,
GECTOR QUINTANILLA, Jr, Major, USAF
Chief, Project Blue Book

. .. 761.
235-3/86
ASSISTANTADJUTANT T GENERAL FOR AIR
NORTH DAKOTA AIR NATIONAL GUARD
Box 5536 State University Station 5A6E
Fargo, North Dakota 58103 538-
2206
REPLY TO
ATTN OF: ND-AAG 25 September 1966
538-
SUBJECT: Report of UFO Sighting
2203
TO: AFSC (FTD)
1. A report of UFo sighting is submitted in compliance with AFR
200-2, paragraph 14.
a. (1) from top.
(2) Approximately 36 feet in diameter.
(3) Silvery-Gray.
(4) One.
(9) None.
b. (1) Seen at distance of approximately one (1) mile while
observer was waiting for school bus.
(2) Elevation 10 400 one from observer,
hovering.
(3) (3) Angle 80, azimuth estimated 350° upon disappearing.
(4) (4) Hovering Hovering when first when first sighted one (1) mile from observer observer
then moved to a position 280 from observer at 280 from obser about 300 300 yards and
made vertical landing in field.
5) (5) Object left with great near vertical but
slightly to the north.
(6) Estimated five (5) minutes,
sind 16

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c. (1) Ground-visual.
) Optical-aid -- Telescope mounted on rifle.
(3) N/A.
d. (1) 131315z September 1966.
(2) Day.
e. Ten (10) miles west, two (2) miles north of Gwinner, North
Dakota.
f. (1) Randy Rotenberger, 1l, Gwinner, North Dakota. Reli-
ability considered excellent for age of observer.
N/A.
g. (1) Overcast, visibility good.
than fifteen (15) 57, wind 360 17-24
kts.
ABR estimated 6000' broken, overcast,
visibility more than fifteen (ls) miles, light rain pera-
ture 64, wind 2 5 kts.
JMs balloon ceiling overcast, visibility more than
fifteen (15) miles, temper 53, dew po: oint 49, wind 010 23-32 kts.
h. Cold front passage curred in the area between 09003 and
l000z with some thunderstorm etivity. Electrical power was off in
the immediate area for approximately matey roar () mod four (4) hours and included the
time of the reported sighting. time of the reported sighting.
i. None.
j. None known.
k. At 1930z-15 September 1966-a telephone call At 1930z-15 September 1966-a telephone call was received by
the preparing officer, Thomas preparing officer, Thomas E. Marking, Lt Col, Commander, ll9th
Combat Support Combat Support Squadron, from Mr. Clifford Melroe Squadron, from Mr. Clifford Melroe of the Melroe Manu- of the Melroe Manu-
facturing Company of Gwinner, North Dakota, that a strange object had
been observed near Gwinner by a schoolboy, and that
the object, upon landing near the farm home of the boy, had left tracks
2

field. The impressions -shaped, in diameter and 7" deep,
in the form of an isosceles '6". They were
apparently made by an object objects ssed ertically. There was
no evidence of digging and the impression solidly. It
is estimated from the condition of the soil approximately 1500
1bs would be required to make each one. There was evide of pedes-
trian traffic but no vehicular tracks were see entering the field.
The dried stubble in the area showed no effects of heat and no evi-
dence of high velocity wind blast was apparent. Radiation at the site
was insignificant indicating .l milliroentgen on PDR-27. No electrical
transmission lines are located in area.
The information in a. through e. above was obtained through an
interview with the observer, r. The impression gained
xcept
The possibility that some ball lightning phenomenon was observed
is not considered valid since, according to meteorological texts,
weather conditions were r weather conditions not correct, i.e., no active thunderstorms, correct, i.e., no active thunderstorms,
wind velocity too high, wind velocity etc. A whirlwind etc. A whirlwind or or "dust devil" must be "dust devil" must be ruled
out sinc out sin the ground groun damp and damp and the air was stable as evidenced air was stable as evidenced by by
the probable temperature-dew point -dew point spread. According to the U. S. spread. According to the U. S.
Weather Station, Weather Station, the front at this time was this time was east east of of Fargo, south
of Gwinner but north of Gwinner but north f Aberdeen. Aberdeen.
If one assumes a relationship between the sighting and the im-
pressions in the field, then pressions in the field, any meteorological phenomenon must be any meteoro ological phenomenon must be
discounted.
3

flight arance.
The possibility exists that the impressions could have been made
by repeated pounding and sculpturing with a ound object and the
sighting invented to go with them or that th sighting was reported
and the impressions then sculptured to give i redibility. prove
or disprove thi would probably require intensi terrogation.
If no connection between the sighting If no connection between sighting and and the the impressions impressions is is
assumed then the assumed then sighting sightin could have been an have been an optical optical. illusion or some
unknown atmospheric anomaly omaly. However, based However, on the assumption that the assumption that
the reported the reported sightin ightin was reasonably valid, that a causal relationship reasonably causal relationship
exists between the exists between the sighting sighting and the ground impressions and that hoax ground npressions and that hoax
of some sort was not involved, the object reported is considered un-
known and unidentified pending further information further information that may become
available. available.
1. Photographs of the site are attached plus the drawing made by Photographs of the site are
impression of what he observed.
HOMER G. GOEBEL, Brig Gen, NDaKANG 2 Atch
Asst Adjutant General for Air 1.
2. Drawing by

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
AIR FORCE FLIGHT DYNAMICS LABORATORY (AFSC)
BASE,
REPLY TO
ATTN OF: FDF .J. Parker/55027 26 October 1966
SUBJECT: Evaluation of Depressions Found in Fallowed Field Near Gwinner,
North Dakota in onnection with Reported UFO Sighting
TO: FTDTR/Lt. Morley
Conclusions:
1. The symmetrical layout of the depressions is a logical arrange-
ment for a t: gear.
2 The absence of vehicular tracks in the field effectively rules
out the possibi: being made by piece of
heavy farm equipment.
3. Since no soil strength data was obtained, it is not possible
to estimate the force which made the depressions. (A cone penetrom-
eter reading in the area surrounding the depressions plus additional
Gen, Homer Goebel, NDakANG, there is no evidence to refute that
the depressi ould have been made by a vehicle with vertical
take-off and landing capability. The rounded shape of the imprints
would normally b associated as the ground-contacting elements for
a landing gear unsurfaced (relatively soft) areas.
Self-aligning flat would be logical selection
for landing o sites.
FOR THE DIRECTOR
PAUL M. WAGNER PAUL M. WAGNER 4 Atchs 4 Atchs
Actg Technical Mgr (Alighting Gear) Actg Technical Mgr (Alighting Gear) 1. 1. I NDakANG Itr dtd 25 NDakANG Itr dtd 25
Mechanical Branch Sept 66.
Vehicle Equipment Division Vehicle Equipment Division 2. Photographs ite. ite.
3. Drawing by Drawing by
4. 4. Note dtd 21 Oct 66

' al
21 Oct.66
Conversation with MSgt Brust, one of the investigating official;,
revealed that the ground was compressed some but not solidly
compressed as first stated. The markings were three days old
before the investigating group arrived on the scene. He made
the comment that it loaked to him like someone had taken a bowl-
ing ball and jumped on it several times. No additional infor- ing ball and
mation had become available on this sighting. They had sub-
mitted all the information that they had obtained. mitted all the information that they had obtained.
--
1

13 Sept 66
Noill
.
Dahota
TDETR /Maj H Quintanilla, Jr/70916/mhs/21 Oct 66
Request for Information on Power Outage
OCT 2 4 1966
Electric Company
Gwinner, North Dakota 58040
The Air Force office which has the responsibility for The Air Force office which has the responsibility for investigating investigating
unidentified flying objects is in receipt of a report unidentified flying ob,jects is in receipt of a report from the
Gwinner area on 13 September 1966. 13 September l966. The initial report he initial report mentioned
that electrical power was orf in the immediate area power was off in the immediate area approximately
four hours. This office would appreciate any information on the This office would appreciate any information on the
cause or causes of this particular electrical power breakdown. This
information will be of value in our final evaluation of the reported
sighting. If you have any questions on the material desired you sighting. If you have any questions on the material desired you
may contact Major Hector Quintanilla, Jr at area code 5l3, 25-70916 may contact Major Hector Quintanilla, Jr at area code 513, 25-7o916
or 25-76678. 25.76678
FOR THE NDER
2
UTS D COES COLOnel, USAF
Deputy/ for Technology and Subsystems
COORDINATION
DATE219+
TDETR/MAJ QUINTANILLA, JR T
l'an
DATE 1/
TDET TDET
1

it was at thait cnto Iuinner
North8herto about 16mniles from fome iRone
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GWINNeR, N.D.
13 Sep66 - caseincludes
four (4) 8" x10" photos it 2
duplicates duplicates for For total total 8 phato 78phate.

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FTD (TDETR)
Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433
7 November 1966
Gwinner, North Dakota W,a 58040
Dear Mr. Dear Mr
Reference your unidentified observation of 13 September 1966.
The information which we have received is not sufficient for
evaluation. Request you complete the attached FTD Form 164 evaluation. Request you complete the attached FTD Form 164
and return it in the envelope provided.
We wish to thank you for repor We wish to thank you for rep ng your observation to the observation to the
Air Force.
Sincerely,
A, Jr, Major, USAF
Chief, Project Blue Book
Ill

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U.S. AIR FORCE TECHNICAL. INFORMATION
71
This questionnaire has been prepared so that you can give the U.S. Air Force as much
information as possibl concerning the unidentified aerial phenoinenon that you havu olisorvai.
Pleoss try to answer as y questlons as you possibly'can. The information that ycu give will
b used for research purposes. Your name will not bo used in connaction with any statenienis,
conclusions, or publications without your permission. We request this personal Information sc
that if it is deemed necessary, we may contact you for further details.
1. When did you see the objoct? Time of da 30
Hour Minutna
Dussday Deptembeary 66 iCircle One): 1
A.M. or P.M.
Month Your
3. Time Zone:
(Circlo One): a. Eastern (Circla Une): a. Daylight Soving
b. Contral . Standard
c. Mountain
Largentcounty
Strum 2tirum VorthPaloto
Naorest Postal Address City or Town Stata or Coumey
5.How long was oblect in sight (Total Duration) 3
Hours Minutes Seconds
a. Certain c. Not very sure
b. Foirly certain d.Just a guess
5.2 Was obiset in sight continuously? Yes _. NoX
What was the zendition of the sky? 6. What was the =endition of the sky?
DAY DAY NIGHT
c. c. Bright a.
b. Cloudy
.IF you sow the object during DAYLIGHT, where was the SUN located as you locked at the obies!? .IF you sow the object during DAYLIGHT, where was the SUN located as you locked at the objent?
(Circle One): (Circla One): a. In front of you o. In front ofyou d. d. To vour loft To your left
b. In bock of you . Overheod
C. To your right f. Don't remomber
FTD FORM
OCT 62 164 Thle form supereedoe FTD 164, jul 61, which le obsolete.

Page 2
8IF you saw the object at NIGlT, what did you notice concerning the STARS and MOON?
8.1 STARS (Circle One): 8.2 MOON (Circle One):
a. None a. Bright moonlight
b. A fow Dull moonlight
c. Many C. No moonlight - pitch dark
d. Don't remember d. Don'l remember
What were time you saw object?
CLOUDS (Crcle One): WEATHER (Circl One):
a. Clear sky o. Dry
b.Hazy b. Fog, mist, or light roin
c. Scatterne clouds c.. Moderate or heavy rain
d. Thick ox houvy clouds d. Snow
Don't remomber
10. The objact appeared: (Circle One).
b. Tronspaient . Don't remember
c. Vopor
1. if it appeored as a light, was it brighter than the brightest stars? (Circle One):
. Brighter c. About the same
b. Dimmer d. Don't know
11.1 Compar htness to some common objoct:
1.The edges of the object were:
(C.cle ne) a. Fuzzy or blurred
b. Like a bright stor
c. Shorply outlined outiined
Don'tremember member
.Did the object: .Did the object: (Circle One for each qusstion)
a. Appear to stand Appear to stand still at amy time? still at any time? Yes No Don't know Don't know
b. b. Suddenly speed up and rush awoy at any time? Suddenly speod up and rush away at any time? es No Don't know
c. Break up into parts or explode? Break up into parts or explode? as No Don't know Don't know
d. Give off smoks? Yes No No Don't know
e. . Change brightness? Change brightness? Yos No Don't know
f. Change shape? Yes No Don't know
g. Flash or flicker? Yes NO Don't know
h. Disappear and reappear? Yes Don't know

Pagn 3
14. Did the objoct disappear while you werc ratching it? If so, how?
fes.lysgeid
1Did the objoc: move behind something at any time, particulurly a cloud?
(Circle One): Yes No Don't Know. IF you onswored YEsS, than tell what
it moved behind: .
1.Did the objoet move in front of something at any time, porticularly a cloud?
(Circle One): Yes No Don't Know. IF you answered YES, then a! wirst
in front of: _
17. Tell in a few words the following things about the object:
8.We wish to know the angular size. Hold a match stick at arm's length in line with a known ubjost and n "w
much of the objoct is covered by the head of the match. If you had performed this experiment at the tir: i st.s
sighting, how much of the object would have been covered by the match head?
mt
. Draw a picturs that will show the shape of the object or objects. Label and include in your sketch any details
of the object that you saw such as wings, protrusions, etc., and espacially exhaust trails ar vapor trails.
Place an crrow beside the drawing to show the direction, the object was moving.
oF erne
ariel type 1
re
leg len

,.4
20. Do you think you can estimate the speed of the object?
(Circls One) Yos No
√
2Do you think you can estimate how far away from you tho object was?
(Circle One) Yos No
.
. Where were you located en you saw the object? 23. Were you (Circlo One)
(Circle One):
a.in: tho business section of a city?
o. Inside a building b. In the residential secticn oi a city?
b. In a car c. In open countrysido?
c. Outdoors d.Near an airfield?
d. In an airpiane (type) Flying over a city?
e. At sea
1. Other _- g. Other _..
a. North c. East South y. West
b. Northeost d. Southeast f. Southwest h. Northwest
24.2 How fest were you moving? _miles per hour.
24.3 Did you stop at any time while you were looking at the object?
(Circl One) Yos No
25. Did you obsorvs the object through any of the following?
a. Eyoglesses Yos .Binoculars Yes No
b. Sun glasses Yes No f. Telescope No
c. Windshiold C windsnieis Yes Yes No No g. g. Theodollte The Yes No
d. Windo gia3s d. Window giass Yes No No h. Other h. Other
a common
objoct or objects which, when placed up in the sky, would give the same app pearance as the object whi you sow
to Dishs placed to Dishs pdace
11

Pugn 3
14. Did the objoct disappear while you werc ratching it? If so, how?
1. Did the object move
(Circle One): Yos) IF you answored YEs, then tell what
it moved behind:
.Did the objoet move in front of spmething at any time, particularly a cloud?
(Circle One): Yes No Don't Know. IF you answered YES, theu *#!! whrll
in front of: _.
-
Wo wish to know the angulor size. Hold a match stick at arm's length in line with a known ubjoct and ln
much of the cbject is covered by the head of the match. If you had performed this experiment at the tir: i i.e
sighting, how much of the object would have been covered by the match head?
1. Drow a picture that will show the shape of the objoct or objects. Label and include in your sketch any dotails
of the objoct that you saw such as wings, protrusions, etc., and especially exhaust trails ar vapor trails. of the objoet that you saw such s wings, protrusions, etc., and especially exhaust trails ar vapor trails.
Place an arrow beside the drawing to show the direction the object was moving. Place an arrow beside the drawing to show the direction the object was moving.
gloe glous
Gansserenv
nd
light light lgs 2
b2ego
1

, .. 4
20. Do you think you can estimate the speed of the object?
(Circle One) (Yos No
2Do you think you can estimate how far away from you the object was?
(Circle One) Yos No
22. Where were you located when you sow the objoct? 23. Were you (Circle One)
(Circle One):
a. ir the business section of a city?
o. Inside a building b. In the residential sucticn oi a city?
b. In a car c."In open countryside?
c. Outdoors d. Near an airfield?
d. in an airplane (type) e. Flying over a city?
e. AI seo f. Flying over opon country?
1. Other g. Other_
ing quostions:
24.1 What direction were you moving? (Circle One)
a. Norm c. Ecst South y. West
b. Nertheost d. Southeast f. Southwast h. Northwest
24.2 How fost were you moving? - .milos per hour.
24.3 Did you stop at any time while you were looking at the object?
(Circle One) Yos No
25. Did you obsorvs the objoct through any of the following?
a. Eyeglasses Y.s a. Binoculars Yes No
b. Sun glesses Yos No f. Telescope Yes No
c.Windshisld Yes No g. Theodollte Yes No
d. Window siass Yes No h. Other-
objoct or objects which, when placed up in the sky, would give the sama appearance as the objoct whlch you saw objoct or objects which, when placed up in the sky, would give the sama appearance as the objoct which you sam
tave diskàglaced tave diske placed