Incident #50: Aerial Phenomena at Wildwood, N.J.

This document is a comprehensive report of investigation regarding aerial phenomena reported in Wildwood, New Jersey, in early 1948. The primary witness, a woman residing in Wildwood, claimed to have observed multiple incidents of 'flying saucers' between December 1947 and March 1948. She alleged that these objects were ovular, tear-drop shaped, and emitted yellow, red, or amber light. She further claimed that the objects would descend slowly, split into two pieces, and disappear into the ocean. The investigation, conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard and later involving personnel from the Air Materiel Command (Project SIGN), included interviews with local police, American Legion members, and other residents. None of these parties reported observing any such phenomena. The investigators concluded that the primary witness was an 'eccentric type' with an 'extremely vivid imagination' and was considered an unreliable source of information. The report suggests that the phenomena she described were likely slow-moving fireballs or meteors. The document also contains supplemental information regarding a separate incident in Cincinnati, Ohio, where a 'flying contraption' was reported. This was later determined to be a hoax involving a device constructed from scrap materials, including an old washing machine cover and a radio set. The file includes correspondence between the witness and military officials, as well as internal memos regarding the investigation and the eventual closure of the case. The investigators recommended that future reports from the primary witness be treated with skepticism unless corroborated by credible sources.