PROJECT BLUE BOOK

I
-
PROJECT 10073 RECORD
IDATE ·TIME JROUP 2. LOCATION
83/2110
3 July 67 3 Jury 04/02102 04/02102 Kansas City, Kansas Kansas Clty, Kansas
3. SOURCE 10. CONCLUSION 1. CONCLUSION
Civilian Civilian Probable BALLOON BALLOON
1. NUMBER OF OBJECTS NUMBER OF OBJECTS
One Surface wind due south at 5 knots.
. LENGTH OF 5. LENGTH OF SERVATION VATION 11. BRIEF SUMMARY ANO ANALYSIS
5 5 Minutes Minutes The observer sighted a metalic looking object that traveled The observer sighted a metalic looking object that traveled
6. TYPE OF OBSERVATION due south, had a slight wobble in flight, wispy smoke could
be seen above the object, and seemed to explode somewhere
Ground-Visual between the observers home and Richards-Gabour AFB
7. COURSE
South
8. PHOTOS
n Yos
No
9. PHYSI DENCE V
7 Yos
kNo
FORH
FTO SEP 33 0-329 (TDE) wood,
111

Page 2
guess could be made - it flew a straight course crossing the
State Line several blocks south of our vantage point.
The Air I Force did not acknowledge any other reports, to our group-
nor was there any publicity given (to our knowledge) through any
news media. We received that same night two hours after our report
to the Air Force - what we now know is the standard Air Force
comment "There were no planes in the area at that time and there
were no blips on radar".
their radar.' T or they had better overhaul
The object was within three miles of this major
air base (Richards Gebauer) when it e exploded and it went between
our house and the Air Base !
I pressed the Air Force as much as I could into a search for the
parts because - here was another chance to obtain positive evidence.
A similar plea to Mr. group for action apparently fell
on deaf ears.
Summary of Action after Sighting
Immediately after sighting and explosion of the U.F.O. - the
writer phoned the WDAF-TV.
Then I called Richard Gebauer Air Force Base - after several
minutes I got a party to talk to - then five more minutes delay
while he looked for the report Form - which must have been five
My next action was to search the area ( (it was dark by now) by car -
and interviewing people in area - attendants at Drive-In, ,
Deputy Sheriff at a fireworks stand, etc. - none had seen or heard
anything.
I figured that if the craft was ours I figured that if the craft was ours or if or if it was alien - the Air
Force in either case would be all over the Force in either case would be all over the a area like a tent - I
criss-crossed all the area by car criss-crossed all the area by car - no military personnel - and personnel - and
few civilians. few civilians.
I returned home - one-and-a-half hour later to find that the s I returned home - one-and-a-half hour later to find that the sheriff
had interviewed three of the observers - but would not admit any
other reports... though we learned later this same man had told a other reports... . though we learned later this same man had told a
neighbor that they had over 25 reports !! neighbor that they had over 25 reports !!
10
.
M

A week had
a Captain So-and-so wants to talk to me - but he won't be in for
several days. He did call - but he seemed more interested in how
to join the Astronomy Club than our sighting.
Several weeks passed - and through friends active in the Navy League
- he
suggested to call the Commander of Richards Gebauer - which I did -
he was out, his assistant sent Col. Mercier to visit us - he inspected
the binoculars, telescope, the angles - and bearings that we pointed
out, He apologized for a comment in the Air Force report - that
the U.F.O. probably was comet. I drew pictures, etc. and signed
them. He left. I called him two weeks later and asked him if he
had heard anything - He said "No - and you won't either." Col.
Mercier in my opinion is a fine officer and a very likeable person
but also had orders to keep quiet.
Since I had worked for the Bureau of Standards while an officer in
the Navy I figured that I could at least get some sort of a response
he saw it would let me know No answer. I followed with a letter
to remind him of our conversation - I only asked "Did d you get a
copy of my report? " - Again no answer, none to this day.
my contacts have been
with numerous other individuals who have had similar experiences
both in sightings and their contacts with the Air Force and other both in sightings and tr
authorities.
Since than I have had a very delightful and informative forty-five Since than I have had a very delightful and informative forty-five
minute talk with Dr. Allen Hynek of Northwestern, who is the only minute talk with Dr. Allen Hynek of Northwestern, who is the only
- one thus far who has acknowledged any report or conversation . He
will receive the first copy of this last report.
Signed: Signed:
November 18, 1968
11

d1
The following report of a U.F.O. sighting on July 3, 196 in the
the following directly related qualifications.
1) Graduate Mechanical Engineer with major in Aeronautical
Engineering - Case Institute of Technology 1939
(now Case Western Reserve University)
2) Licensed private pilot since 1941
700 flying hours, primary glider to cross country and
acrobatics type planes.
3) Three and a half years instructor at University of Houston
teaching army and navy pilots, Theory of Flight, Air
Navigation, Aircraft Engines, eteorology.
4) Aviation Ordnance Officer, U.S. Navy, assigned to the design
and testing of a classified bomb director during World War II.
This included many hours of flight testing - as well as
training pilots etc. on the proper use and maintenance of
this equipment. This included duty at U.S. BUreau of Standards,
Tactical test section U.S. Naval Air Station at Patuxient
Aircraft Carriers Boxer and Tarawa as well as numerous air
stations and depots.
5) Licensed Proffesional Engineer in the State of Kansas.
6 Yamhor uarioue onin oiotdo
on
of mirages, as well as hundreds of halos, sun dogs, etc.
many image distortions due to temperatur inversions, land,
sea and air. Corono discharges on high voltage power lines,
a tornado from an airplane, inverted thunderheads, hurricanes,
water spouts, sonic pressure waves, northern lights, comets,
meteors, satelites, asteroid showers, are some of the sightings
and identified by the observer.
9) While on sea duty with U.S. Navy other duties such as liason
officer between air group and aircraft carrier, photographic
officer, monitored radio and radar in CIc, plane accident
investigations, etc.
10) Fourteen years as a Fourteen as a field welding engineer for field welding engineer for Lincoln Lincoln Electric Co.
11) Instructed at (3) universities - U of Houston, Univ. of universities - U of Houston, Univ. of California
- and University of Missouri and University of Missouri Kansas City.
12) Developed and patented several products in plastics, electronics, products in plastics, electronics,
etc. Now president of Nicholl Nicholl Bros., Inc. of Kansas City,
Missouri = manufacturers of flashlights, lanterns, etc.
12

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TDPT (UFO) 28 MAY 1969
Request for UFO Sighting Analysis
USAF. (SAPOICC)
Reference letter dtd 14 May 69 from Congresaman Winn requesting
UFO sighting analysis. A proposed reply has been prepared and
is attached.
FOR THE COMMANDER
ECTOR QUINTANILLA, Jr, Lt Colonel, USAF 1 Atch
Chief Aerial Phenomena Branch. Proposed reply.
Aerospace Technologies Division
Production Directorate

1. R
After an initial investigation by the Project Blue Book Staff, it has been
determined that the object seen by Mr. was almost certainly &
2
TE
and are as f and are as follows: follows:
Kansas City 9:00 p.m. CDT (4/0200Z) 9:00 p.m. CDT (4/0200z)
3/8 alto-cumulous 3/8 alto-cumulous coverage
Surface wind from 36o at 5 knots Surface wind from 360° at 5 knots
Visibility - 15 miles Visibility - 15 miles
Temperature - 19°C
Dew Point - 12°C
Kansas City 10:00 p.m. CDT (4/0300z)
Clear
Surface wind from 40o at 6 knots
Visibility - 15 miles
Temperature - 19oC
Dew Point - lloc
3. Upper air data to 5000 ft was also requested. The closest upper air
stations and closest times available were from:
Columbia, Missouri 7:00 p.m. CDT
Alt in meters Alt in meters Direction Direction Speed pe
580 From 3000 3000 14 14 knots knots
1045 1045 From 3000 16 knots
1527 From 3000 18 knots knots
2029 From 290 From 290 19 19 knots
Topeka, Kansas 7:00 p.m. CDT 7:00 p.m. CDT
Alt in meters Alt in meters Direction Speed
600 From 100 6 knots
1066 From 400 6 knots
1549 From 3100 8 knots
2055 From 3200 19 knots

4.It is felt that the evaluation of balloon (Hot Air) is consistent with
UFO Description and Flight Characteristics Comments
Wobble in flight (slight roll and pitch Characteristic of balloon flight.
combined)
Wispy lines of v vapor Probably smoke from burning heat
source for balloon.
Bright red-orange lights Heat sources.
Reflective surface Reflections from plastic bag.
50 ft in diameter Impossible to estimate Impossible to estimate unless unless
distance is known. distance is known.
Explosion and debris Explosion and debris l. Possibly caused by a small 1. Possibly caused by a small
firecracker attached to the base attached to the base
of the balloon. of the balloon.
2. Possible misinterpretation of misinterpretation of
natural decay of
Lack of debris on the ground There would be little left of the
balloon. It would not be as far
away as observer estimated. Would
tend to go unnoticed, since the
observer would be looking for
metallic debris.
Duration of about 5 minutes Suitable duration for Hot Air Balloo
Traveled due e south Surface wind southerly at about
5 knots.
Balloon would be an extremely poor
reflector for radar.
carried
under the balloon category ject Blue Book files.
X

*.
..
HARVARD COLLEOE
60 GARDEN STREEY
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS 02138
CABLE ADDRESS "OBSERVATORY" AREA CODE 41/ B4S 7UM
August 5, 1969
Lt. Colonel Hector Quintanilla, Jr., USAF
Chief, Aerial Phenomena Office
Department he Air Force
Headquarters Foreiqn ! Technology Division (ArSC)
rce Basc, Ohio 45433
Dear Hector:
Thank you for your letter of 1 July and its enclosure.
I have recently return fairly extensi trip to
Europe, with the mai objective of naming craters of the
far side of the moon, a a meeting of a committee of which I am
Chairman.
evening betore the Fourth of July. T The description sounds, to
mo, more like some sort of firoworks rathor chan tho plantie
balloon. I am not familiar with all cho fomms ot moxletn tlre-
works. However, I have seen some forms of flares, often
colored, which are sent rocket and come down with
a parachute. a parachute. I give fittle weight to the statement that re- that re-
flections of flections of trees could could be seen on the flat bottom surface. on the flat bottom surface.
lowever, the lines of vapor of vapor would would b quite in keeping with quito in keeping with
some sort of flarc. flarc. There is no way of knowing how far away knowing how far away
it was. it was.. They don't know its size. However, the description However, the description of of
"a "as shallow inverted shallow inverted bowl" does suggest to me the bowl" does suggest to me the parachute.
I think that I think that the failure of the failure the Air the Air Force to record any
pianos or rndar indicates pimo or radar indicates that it was somothimd quite small. that it was somothing quite small.
A search of stores in the . A search of stores in the area area might produce might prohuce duplicate or
what was observed. The description of "light weight particles
fluttering down," is entirely consistent with the idea that these
11

certainly not impressed cither with the principal observer or
with Hynck's intorvicw with him.
Estimates of sizc and distance mean absolutely nothing.
The shapc is something like a plastie balloon. One cannot help
but wonder about the man's eye condition. However, he was
observing through the windshield and such observations can'
always be misleading. Could it example, have been a re-
flection of the moon? A person seeing such a reflection, when
driving, will observe it to maneuver. He makes the statement
mh'tmsaima luukon upropu(:ion. lin innintonce that
thn wil wna dariultely motal also arousos suspiuions aboue his
acchraiy as an ohsdrver, Alsnainit his intoliiuomo. aml i
think he must have read some of the Ur'o books that insist that
the Air Force is to keep this a secret.
It certainly could have It certainly could have been a been plastic balloon, it plastic balloon, it could
have been light reflections of have been light reflections of varied character. varied character. It could have It could have
iwoon a star or plauet. iwoon a star or planet. TE the oisorver was louukim TE the (lsorver was louakim 1hrergh 1h 1hrergh 1h
ulua wr ih wiikn wimlaliutt, ti wlua f ih wimnkn  wimlahiatt, ti ialti hm1l w:ii lyes hnlt wh:ii hy.s
1un huilkaltn.at loal. 1. canl have lnm  dink ralto 1wnn shuilkaltn.at loaal. thll havu lnun . dtnk ratho
than a puolnt aa he wuielukul. than a potnt aa he suiolukul.
As a final comment, the statement in his interview about As a final comment, the statement in his interview about
"4.59150s) pain "(: Fgrcos" agnin indicatos some familinrity with the jargon of indicntos some familinrity with the jargon of UFO.
copy of nis oritical roview pubilshed in Lhe builetin Sr Acomic
1

NEVER USE FOR APPROVALS, DISAPPROVALS, ACTION
MEMO ROUTING SLIP CONCURRENCES, OR SIMILAR ACTIONS
TO INITIALS CIRCULATE
DATE COORDINATION
TDPTR
2 FILK
INFORMATION
3 NOTE AND
RETURN
PER CON-
VERSATION
.
SEE ME
SIGNATURS
REMARKS REMARKS
Request surface observations for 3 July 1967 for Request surface observations for 3 July l967 for
he 2l00 and 2200 hours CDT from Kansas City, Missouri. 2l00 and 220o hours CDT from Kansas City, Missouri.
'
a FROM DATE
TDPT (UFO) 27 May 1969
Marano PHONE
Lt Carmon L.
70916 70916
DDT09 DDOR 0 Replacee DD Form 94, 1 Feb 50 and DD Form 95, Replacee DD Form 64, 1 Feb 50 and DD Form 95, GPO:1S
1 Feb 50 1 Feb 50 which will be uaed until exhausted. which wil be uaed until exhausted.
(L.. 2.

garment bag. lowever, until the
qutions 1 ava raised abnl. viowimy wimt
shields are cleared up, would not dismi iy of
reflections; reflections of moon, ot sta mibly of
other lights. However, if interview is reopen would
strongly suggest at someone other than Hynek a someone other than Hynek questions.
He should be asked to He should be asked reconstruct precisely where was looking
and how he was looking, and not give him any leading and how he was looking, and not give him any leading questions. questions.
Frankly, I do Frankly, I dc not trust ust the judgment of the observer. the judgment of observer.
Well, Hector, it is easy for me, without any evidence
other than in the files you have sent, to sit back and try to
reconstruct what might have happened. I can be a long way off.
But if I have at least sugges ome new leads and new thoughts,
I shall be satisfied.
It begins to look as if I shall do the children's book
on UFO's. If so, I shall want to get as n much photographic
material from you as I possibly can.
With my very best regards and many thanks for your
continued interest in my eval ns, I am,
Cordially urs,
Donald 11. Monaol
DiM/mb
1
T

The following is the weather data for 3 July l967, Kansss City, Kansas,
cations Center (ETAC), Washington, D. C.
Kansus City 9:00 p.m. (4/0200z)
3/8 alto-cunulous coverage
Surface wind from 36o deg at 5 knots
Visibility - 15 miles
Temperature 19 deg C
Dew Foint deg C
Kansas City 10:00 p.m. CDT (4/0300Z)
Clear
Surface wind from 4o deg at 6 knots
Visibility - 15 miles
Temperatur Temperatu 19 deg C 19 deg C
Dew Foir Dew Fo I deg C deg C
Upper air data to 5,ooo feet. The closest upper air stations and closest
times available times availa were from:
Columbia, Missouri 7:00 P.m. CDT
Alt in meters Alt in meters Direction Direction Speed Speed
580 From 300 deg 14 knots
1045 From 300 deg 16 knots
1527 From 300 deg 18 knots
2029 From 290 deg 19 knots
Topeka, Kansas - 7:00 p.m. CDT
Alt in meters Direction Speed
600 From 10 deg L knots
1066 Fran 40 deg knots
1549 From 3lo deg 8 knots
2055 From 320 deg 19 knots
3
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MEMO FOR RECORD 23 May 1969
SUBJECT: UFO Sighting of 3 July 1969
23 May 1969
1llO Hrs EDT
Called Lt. Col. Mercier
Richards Gebaur AFB
(ext. 2668/2102)
1. Col. Mercier stated that he did talk to Mr. and that he had
submitted his report of the sighting to the 328th Fighter rouh The
contents of the report were much the same as in Mr. letter.
ME said that the object had exploded somewhere between his home
P
and the drive-in theater roughly 3 mi. sough of his home. Col. Mercier
stated that Mr lived in a fairly heavily populated suburban district
but that there was some farm land to the south. He felt that if an object as
described by Mr. had actually exploded in the area, it would have been
seen and heard by many others. No physical evidence was found by either the
police department or by Col. by Co . Mercier, both of whom at least looked at the area
where the explosio where the explosi on reportedly took place. Col. Mercier did think that Mr. reportedly took place. Col. Mercier did think that Mr.
had seen something. had seen something. He stated that he first felt that Mr. stated that he first felt that Mr. may
have seen a light plane which was landing at the State Line Airport, a small have seen a light plane which was landing at the State Line Airport, a small
airport just south of the drive-in theater. However, since the night manager airport just sauth of the drive-in theater. However, since the night manager
was not at the airport the night of the sighting, there was no way of knowing
if a small plane had landed at about the time of the sighting. He also stated
that aircraft departing from the Kansas City Municipal Airport often pass over
the area.
2. Col. Mercier stated that at the time he submitted his report to the 328th
Fighter Group, th group was in the process of dead vating.
letter from Washington, D. C.
requesting that he try to locate the recrods of the sighting. He was unable to
do so and has already submitted his report to this effect to Washington, D. C.
27May69 -
Called CoL. Mercier's ossice sgain and talked to Syf Lear. The Letter
from Washington D.e. wos fr=m Ted BLoecheR of NICAP.
4

preparation of a proposed reply (double-spaced draft in
duplicate). duplicate). Strict adherence to all provisions of HOI
l0-20 is imperative, with particular l0-20 is imperative, with particular attention being
given to meeting the established suspense date. given to meeting the esta lished suspense date.
2. this memorandum and attachment(s). attachment(s).
:
3. Remarks:
4. SAFLL Action Officer is Maj Cochran
Extension 57205
NASRIT
JOHN R.' MURPHY
Major Majo neral. eral,JUSAF VUSAF
Direc Direc Legislative Liaison
51 6 1 07M763 51 6 1 0M763
wwh
5
A
.

LARRY WINN, JR. WASHINGTON CEFICE:
KANSAS ROoM SIO. HOUSE OrFIcE BULOING CODE 202-225-2065
. COMMITTEES RICHARD L. BOND
SCIENCE AND ASTRONAUTICS Congress of the United States ADMINistrAtive ASSioraNT
SUPCOMMITTESS: 201 FEOERAL PUILDINS
MANNCO SPACE FLIGHT KAnSaS CIrr, KAnGaS S0101
SPACE SGIENCE AND APPLICATIONS TELEPHONE: MAYFAIR 1-0S32
DISTRIGT OF COLUMDIA
Wllashington, D. C. 20515 .
May 14, 1969
Major General John Murphy
Director, Legislative Liaison
Office of the Secretary of the Air Force
Washington, D.C. 20330
Dear General Murphy:
I would like to take this opportunity to request an official
report from the Department of the Air Force with regard to their
investigation on a reported sighting of an "unidentified flying
object" on the date of July 3, 1967 in the Kansas City Kansas-
Missouri area.
One of my constituents, Mr. of Leawood, Kansas
and is complete and self-explanatory. would only like to draw
attention to the fact that this sighting occurred within close
proximity of one of the largest and most important Air Force bases
in the nation - Richards Gebauer. It is quite dis isturbing to note
that Mr a Peceived no satisfactory acknowledgement of his
report of this observation.
Science and Astronautics Committee here in the House I am most
interested in the UFO issue.
1
Most sincerely,
f of
LARRY WINN, JR.
Member of Congress Member of Congress
LW:lm
enclosures 6

Leawood , Kansas
April 17, 1969
Honorable Larry Winn
Congressman
Federal Building
Kansas City, Kansas
Dear Sir:
After spending some time with he suggested that I
give you copies of complete reports etters, etc. pertaining
to the sighting in Leawood.
Air Force and I am pursuing Air Force and I am pursuing this in the full belief that the
entire subject is of utmost entire subject is of utmost importance - while at the same time
conscientious United States citizens have been ridiculed and conscientious United States citizens have been ridiculed and
suffered undue hardships.
Of most importance, in my opinion, of this particular sighting
was the almost certain possibility of ecovering hardware or
proof of the existence of these objects. o my knowledge only
one other such explosion has been seen and that was in Brazil.
I would appreciate your comments and the opportunity to discuss
briefly not only the contents and details of the report but my III
suggested plan for proper investigation.
Sincere
7
11

PREFACE
-
The following report was made to the proper authorities of the
U. S. Air Force within minutes of the observation of the UFO
and its final destruction on July 3, 1967.
Since then this has been discussed with other authorities on the
subject, such as Dr. Ed Condon, Co rcier, Dr llan Hynek.
I am hereby publicizing this re additional ersons and groups
interested in this phenomenum, because of my that the
U.S. Government will make an intensive full scale development pro-
gram towards building similar devices, for if they don't Russia
will. Further, the Air Force's attitude toward U.F.O. reports from
conscientious U. S. citizens has resulted in undue hardships and
ridicule to these people as well as directly misleading the
American people. +
I firmly believe we are I firmly believe we are far closer to the development of these far closer to the development these
unusual devices t unusual devices than is than is generally believed, and I have several generally believed, and have several
ideas on this.
The U.F.O. sighted in this report exploded within sight of one
of the largest and important Air Force bases in the U.S.
3
8
.
.

U.F.O.
July 3, 1967
Briefly, the sighting occured during a quiet family party on
our patio - our excitement attracted others of our household
and a neighbor. First, noted a bright red orange
light bearing about degrees
we became aware that it was an object completely unlike any-
thing we had ever seer 21
4 "telescope. All had a chance to observe the object through
the binoculars, including a neighbor who brought her own
binoculars - only the writer saw the object in the telescope-
which proved difficult to train on the object due to its limited
field.
The sun had set a few minutes before the sighting, and the sky
was very bright and perfectly clear. There were no clouds, no
stars or comets were visible, (the Air Force included clouds and
possible comet in their report). The conditions were ideal,
including setting sun at our backs.
The object appeared as drawn on the attached sheet - two persons
(one the writer) with binoculars were watching the object, as
well as the others watching unaided at the time of explosion,
which was over a an area of farm land, woods, brush and a few
-
to be non-directional - a carbon arc at that distance would not
have appeared as large nor would there be as much total light.
As it wobbl through the air - when the edge nearest us was up
occasionally could see a fainter red orange light on the
opposite side - all lights appeared on the trailing edge opposite side 1 lights appeared on t the trailing edge - or - or
abaft the beam on port and starboar quarters. arters.
It appeared as a shallow inverted bowl with a flat cover a flat cover (bottom
side) - one observer side) - one observer thought they saw small thought they saw small portholes, others
did not. Whether the sunlight was hitting t did not. Whether the sunlight was hitting the object at the the object at the
estimated altitude we are not sure.
It is difficult if not impossible to-estimate distance, size or It is difficult if not impossible to-estimate distance, size or
speed when all are unknown - if the size were known, speed and
distance estimates would be easier Many smal 1l planes fly a
similar course in approaching a small airport about four miles
south. The diameter appeared to be about fifty feet if any
7