PROJECT BLUE BOOK

PROJECT 10073 RECORD
1.DA.L·TIME GROUP LOCATION
28/2230
28 Jul 68 29/02302 Pottstown, Pennaylvania (1 Witnasn)
3. SOURCE 10. CONCLUSION
Civilian PoSSible (HOT AIR BALLOON)
4. NUMBER OF OBJECTS It is felt that the obsarve have bean of
a
One hot air balloon. m
5. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION LENGTH OF OBSERVATION 11. BRIEF SUMMARY AND ANALYSIS
20 Minutes 20 Minutes The observer sighted a bright red to bright white to pals white to pale
5. orange-red light, orange-red light. The light was first seen about 4 deg
TYPE OF OBSERVATION TYPE OF OBSERVATION elovation in the NW.
Cround-Visual .
7. COURSE COURSE
NN NW ...
8. PHOTOS
.. ...' ..
Yos
XXNO .
9. PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
Y
XNo
FORH
FTD SEP A3 0-329 (TDE) Previous sditions of thls form may bo used.

30 July 1968
MEMO FOR RECORD:
At approximately O83o, had a phone call from Major Wilson, SAFLL,
Ext. 57375. He e stated that ata retirement party last evening for one of
the L&L officers, Congressman Schwiker, l3th District of Pennsylvania,
wanted to know abol UFo sighting that allegedly took place in the
f 28 July 1968.
Called W Wright-Patterson; they had nothing on it, but called Benton
AFS, the nearest base to the Congressman's home district and nearest the
sighting (Worcester, Montgomery Co., Pa.). Benton had no report, but
told Wright-Pat that Capt. Underwood, the local UFo investigator (Area
Code 717 - 477-5910) would be glad to investigate if one of the eye witnesses
would report it.
At lO4o, called Major Wilson, SAFLL, and gave him the above information. At lo4o, called Major . Wilson, SAFLL, and gave him the above information.
He planned to relay it the Congressman. Congressman.
Jo T.

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
WASHINGTON 20330
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY August 21, 1968
Dear I Hector:
Reference the August 2, 1968, letter to you from Mr,
Editor, POTTSTOwN (Pennsylvania) MERCURY (copy attached). What
was the nature of the "mickey mouse treatment" he received from
McGuire Air Force Base?
Would appreciate a rundown as to whom he contacted, when,
and what happened. If an official Air Force apology is called
for, we wili take action to have one made. We would first,
however, have to have a few more details of what transpired
before Mr s August 2 letter. August 2 letter.
Sincerely, Sincerely,
4c
Xe H. A. SUSSKIND
Lt Colonel, USAF Lt Colonel, USAF
Chief, Operations Branch
Public Information Division Information Division
Office Office of Information of Information
Attachment
Letter from Mr August 2,
1968
Lt Colonel Hector Quintanilla
TDFT (UFO)
FTD
.

USAF (SAFOIP)
ATTN: Lt Col H A Susskind
I have absolutely no proof, except S allega-
tions, that he received "the mickey mouse treatment"
from McGuire AFB. The memo which we received from
McGuire does not indicate that he received undue or
harsh treatment. However, he appears be perturbed by
the fact toa the duty officer couldn't specifically
identify which he referred to. According
investigators do not have to sub-
mit reports moving lights at or near noving lights at near airports. It airports. It
appears that appears the duty officer failed to satisfy
or his reporter, and evidently this too, has perturbed or his and evidently has perturbed
him to some extent. him to some extent. probably used the wrong word when
I said that McGuire had acted in an unprofessional man-
ner. I probably should have said that McGuire was
derelict in not being able to Satisfy an inquisitive re-
porter, but then who can. After thinking about this at
sure that Mr really deserves
an apology. Eowever, I think it appropriate that we
acknowledge his letter addressed to me but then what do
I really tell an irate reporter - any suggestions?
TDPT (UFO)Lt Col H Quintanilla, Jr 26 Aug 68
W-P AFB, Ohio 45433
25-70916
PM

28Juc68
TDPTR/Sgt Kist
Request surface weather observations Request weather observations for
Pottstown, Pennsylvania, 28 July 1968, Pottstown, Pennsylvania, 28 July 1968,
2230 hours, local time. time.
IDPT(UFO) Lt Marano
16 Aug 68
70916

SURFACE OBSERVATION DATA SHEET
Covington, Indiana - November 18, 1967
1900L 32812 74022 1 18803 ***** 52***
2000L MISSING
2100L 22706 7401* 20002 25700 52110
2200L 22707 7402* 20401 52***
2300L 02903 74010 20901 ***** 52***
2400L 02705 74000 21401 00900 52314
Iowa City, Iowa - J July 28, 1968
2000L 33506 7402* 21221 12***
2100L 33004 7402* 21218 **** 12*
2200L 82805 7402* 22316 11307
2300L 82205 7402* 22315 *** 11*
2400L 82405 7402* 22315 *×* 11*
Pottstowm, Pennsylvania - July 28, 1968
2000L 2000L 83108 83108 7402* 11126 7402* 11126 *** 06310 05310
2100L 83106 7402* 11622 11622 ***1% 07** 07***
2200L 82705 7402* 12720 12720 #** **** 08**
2300L 2300L 82903 7402* 7402* 13619 13619 4444 08325
2400L 80000 7402* 14919 * 09**
Tucson, Arizona - A August 10, 1968
1800L 81310 81810 89029 12825 12825 19762 18632 70420
1900L *1804 9902* 13326 13326 16*
2000L *2304 9902* 13225 17*0* 17**
2100L 30303 9902* 30303 9902* 13624 13624. 4 44 18308
2200L 81204 9802* 14023 **** 18**
2300L 81434 9802* 14022 18***
ETAO Surface Histor Miles

pd 28Til 68
USAF (SAPOICC)
MajAikman
IC
base commander needs base commander a reminder.
TEPT(UFO) Lt Col intanilla
14 Sug 68
2

-
Proposed reply
Dear
This replies to your letter of August 2, 1968. On behalf of the Air
manner in which your case (
was handled by McGuire AFB. Your letter has been forwarded to McGuire
AFB for corrective and a app action.
4
=

transmission from Benton Air Force
cerson is changed from to
and_ my newspaper's address from and
to street that any data which I might supply
the ir Force would become f ed up.
purnose ation.T contacted the Air Force because
actions I did not was a conventional craft. I
explal patterns air craft and
different level zone Private planes
higher
highast outlined that what I observed was nothing like
any creft lat I previously observed. I told him al he information
he requested.

level. I also assume t : the craft could have been hit by
a sudden frontal system
I assume eally believe it.
would that it
ould help. But
in UFOs as outlined in
the attached column written by me. But rbcently I have had
doubts.
LA I that showed me
feel he was the only representative of the Air Force who
ated like what an Air
If you feel ree to
contect me.
ordially

-
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
HEADQUARTERS 43BtH AIR BASE GROUP (MAC)
McGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE, NEW JERSEY O364!
ATTN OF REPLY TO (Lt Col Deakyne/3360)
G438(0) 2 August 1968
SUBJECT:
TO Aerial Phenomena Officer (TDPT) (UFO)
Wright Patterson
Reference telephone conversations between Lt Col H. C. Deakyne, Jr.,
this Headquarters and Lt Marano, Aerial Phenomena Officer, the attached
statement concerning UFo incidents reported July 1968 is
fowarded.
-
FOR THE COMMANDER
tarCa
HOWARD C. DEAKYEE,JR/, Lt CO1, USAF HOWARD DEAKYBE,/JR/ SAF
Base Operations an Base Operations fraining fraining Officer ficer 1 Atch 1 Atch
Statement Statement
-

para. ll. This information was received from Mr.
FOR THE
ilHlinisd
JESSE A UNDER Capt, apt, USAF
Project Officer Project Officer

up WX balloons. Answer - didn't think so. Called Philadelphia FSS and
asked him to call Wi low Grove re Wx balloon. Answer, negative.
Second UFO friends,
flew B-29 during war - thought it would never happen.
0. What did you see?
A. Lights - one nO oing south.
Q. What did you see behind the light?
A. Nothing. Never thought it would happen.
Said I didn't know what it eport it and thanks for the
call. Time: 2215L
assured her that her report was noted. Time: 2320L
Fifth call - Noticed that the dispatcher completely out of words on
the telephone - took over call - do not have name of caller. Caller
identified himself as s a reporter for the Pottstown Mercury - said
his boss wanted an n answer for the light reported over Pottstown. I
said I didn't have an answer. Had had many calls from New Jersey

The person who should take a call and investigate a light The person who should take a call and investigate a light t is a man in is a man in
Pottstown, located and appointed by the Mayor of Pottstown and equipped Pottstown, located and appointed by the Mayor of Pottstown and equipped
with a sighting instrument and a night camera. with a sighting instrument and a night camera. A citizen of Pottstown
could cali the Pottstown Police who have a list of these UFo investi-
gators by town sector. T The police co ould then pass uld then pass the phone number to the phone number to
an appointed, equipped, and
possibly trained local citizen who could meet wi possibly trained local citizen who could meet with sighter and pos- sighter
sibly come up with sibly come up wit an answer.
The current procedure of calling the nearest Air Force The current Base is expen-
sive of time and sive money and useless as an investigative useless as an investigative program.
ROBERT S. CLARK III
Base Operations Duty Officer 2 August 1968

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
HEADQUARTERS FOREIGN TECHNOLOGY DIVISION (AFSC)
WRIGHT. TTERSON FORCE BASE. OHIO 45433
REPLY TO 31 JUL 1968
ATTN OF: TDPT (UFO)
SUDJECT Observation , 28 July 1968
TO:
ttstown ennsylvania 19464
- Reference your recent unidentified flying object sighting which
you reported to the Air Force. T The information which we have
Request
addressed envelope. addressed envelope your obser vation to
the Air Force. the Air Force.
HLA/Jr, Lt Colonel, USAF Lt Colonel, USAF 1 Atch
Chief, Aerial Chief, Aerial Phenomena Office Office AF Form 1l7 w/envelope
Aerospace Technologies Division
Production Directorate

Any ciear night over Potts- as light as they lose energy surj
fown you cua see odd lights of light.
that go zing, zing, zing or But then comes the puzzler, if they surpass
lights that are standing still. light's speed, would they show light and if they
You ch em off as heli. did would the light slow down to its accepted
copters and ti they probably are. speed of 185,000 miles per second?
Most national m agazines If light is given off by the particles, would
ceased playing sadcer stories the light itself be traveling faster than the speed
as straight tales and of light?
now are adding strange bcings Saucer proponents see a ray of hope for
and stranger deaths to the their theory in Feinberg's proposals.
saucer business. If the energy being lost by the particles
The more a person reads about UFOs the could be harnassed as a means of propulsion,
more he is convinced fhat they,exist but aran't then it would be possible to reduce the tiine of
coming fron oute space. They're helicopter travel in space from the accepted limits to an
lights, swamp gas, clouds or practieal jokes. infmite speed.
The lights may even be the particles that Saucer believers like to imagine that there
Dr. Gerald Feinbe is an advanced civilization somewhere out there.
is talking about. This civilization, they hope, is able to achieve
In l9o5. Albert Einstein gave the first pre- in space travel what we have just begun.
sentation of his sp of relativity. In- Scientists agree that in this galaxy alone
cluded amoog its more important points was there are thousands of planets which are simi-
the conclusion that velocities greater than the lar to that of earth and would be able to support
speed of light have no possibility of existence. life.
. While parts of the theory of relafivity have And there are untold numbers of galaxies.
been questioned, and most physicists acknowl- been guestioned, and most physicists acknowl- And, although it is likely that there are And, although it is likely that there are
edge it has imperfections, the one point upon edge it has imperfections, the one point upon planets like ours, there is one big flaw in the planets like ours, there is one big flaw in the
which all virtwally agree is that there is nothing Pa flying saucer theory.
faster than the speed of light. 1 If there was a civilization as far advanced
There was no disagreement, that is, duntil as 'saucer believers believe, why doesn't it just
recently. pick up a super space phone and contact us?
Then, Dr Feinberg, professor of physies at An advanced form óf life surely wouldn't go
Colnnbli unlversity, suggested that the uni- zipping around a foreign planet for 20 years or
Velss may Le ad with particles traveling more and never make any attempt at contacting
faster thin the so I of light. ne cases, us.
he believgs, these orticles may That would be like Columbus coming to the
almost intlalte sp new world and not landing. He would have
Althouth a Princet ton university team stayed off shore flicking lanterns on and off.
was Some saucer believers claim that contacts
unable to ilnd asy te of the post ueted Dar- have been made but they haven't been any to
dieles, Dr. Feinoarg is not discouraged. It.may anyone who amounts to a pot of beans.
only mean. ho soil. that the partiel e no The first thing Jack Armstrong used to do
electrieal charge. when he met an unfriendly tribe was to seek
Ordinary matt energy as it increases out-the chief or the medicine man.
in speed. particles lose energy Why would saucer occupant pilots seek out
L3 they gain speed. the Indians and not the chiefs?
One of the interesting aspects of the Another debit of the saucer theory, is the
Feinberg thao effect it coild have on lack of actual contact by the mil litary. The U.S.
the space pro: One of the busic tenets of military is able to tell if China drops a
modern phrysies. once again harking back to huge fireeracker in the Peking water works. But
Einstein, is that there is no way to transmit with all its sophisticated gadgets, including
energy from one point to another at any speed cameras that can photograph a frog hair at 250)
faster than the speed of light. miles away, the government has yet to come up
with a single incident that would prove the
existence of saucers.
Some sighting reports haven't been explained
but lack of an explanation doesn't constitute
proof.

to life but until something more positive cornes would add an air of excitement and mystery I'd like to believe in saucers because they
along, I'm putting my sky watcher's badge away.
.
.

IAW AFR 80-17, para. ll, the following information is submitted as
a UFC report:
a. Description
(l) Shape: Round, not able to determine definitely.
white to pale orange-red.
(4) Number: One
() Features: None
() Other: None
b.
Was sky watching because of similar UFO reports
from area.
Then proceeded to follow a tight triangular pattern with quick and sudden
direction changes. Upon completion of triangular pattern, object proceeded
(5) I Disappeared at the
in view about 20 minutes.
C. Manner of oservation
(1) Ground-Visual
(3) N/A atch: 1

Light: Night.
e.
Corner of King and Hannver Streets.
f. Information on Observer: Mr.
Pottstown, Pennsylvania 19464. Tel. no. ccupation:
Local newspaper editor. Reliability: Judged to be good.
g. Weather:
CorfLicts wiTk
Beile
Pa. Winds aloft: not
available at this time
(3) Ceiling: Unlimited.
(4) Visibility: 8 Miles.
None Nome
(6) No storms in area
However, because a local congressman was notified of the sighting and
told that the Air Force did not cooperate with I recommend
information he might have.
USAF
Project Officer

28 July 1969 Your report has been forwarded to Toreign Technology
Division at Vright-Patterson AFB, Ohio for their study and review. If
you have an rther information I would appreciate it if you would contact
us at
FOR TI FOR NDER IDER
USAF
Project Officer Project Officer

received any reports. Capt Underwood checked and they had not received
any reports, however, he would be on the lookout and us if he
did receive the report. M
30 Jul 68 that Benton AFS, Pa had not received any
the night of 28 Jul 68 and that if
Capt Underwood at Benton AFS.
mpe,
2
gentlezan a admitted that he had calle
the sighting. / had
.
much.
name wa He then --then called

observed the object. M Mr said no one from the AF had called
him with regards to the sighting. A civilian group Gen Electric
I Capt Underwood igave the following
information on the sighting.
TIME: 1030 pm, EDT
DURATION: 20 minutes
E
COLOR: S
- S
Just one object. As it was in the
triangular pattern it changed or said -I
blowing from the NW.
Cunningham can through
McGuire or I
2

-
asked the Duty Officer's name,
replied that
- as possible due to
the congressional. the congressional.
3

memo for the record 2 August 1968
At 0900 hours, 2 August 1968, Lt
-
to UFO sighting
1 investigation into
the matter of the Duty Officer who allegedly y told a UFO observer
that he had been drinking too much or if it was an informal
request. If it is to be treated as a formal request, Col DeGore
said that we would have to submit a formal l letter stating the allegations
and our fullfillment requirements. I I told Col DeGore that * felt that
an informal afficient. ficient.
CARMON L MARANO, 2d Lt, USAF
TDPT (UFO)
-