Project Grudge Incident Report #280 and #349 — Cleveland, Ohio, April 1949

This document is a compilation of investigative reports under Project Grudge regarding unidentified aerial phenomena observed in the vicinity of Cleveland, Ohio, in April 1949. The primary incidents involve reports from a Weather Bureau official and airport control tower operators at the Cleveland Municipal Airport. On the night of 6 April 1949, witnesses described a glowing red object that appeared to hover, sway, and exhibit variations in brilliancy. The object was reported to be at an altitude between 6,000 and 15,000 feet, moving eastward or remaining stationary, and was visible for approximately 15 to 20 minutes. Witnesses, including experienced control tower operators, observed the light through binoculars but could not identify it as any known aircraft. Some observers initially suspected it might be a balloon or a lantern, but these theories were largely discounted due to the object's behavior and the lack of wind-driven movement. The Air Force investigation, conducted by Special Agents, included interviews with witnesses and a review of weather reports. The official conclusion for these sightings was that there was insufficient data to identify the objects, with some notes suggesting they could have been stars, planets, or atmospheric phenomena. The reports emphasize that no jet planes were in the area at the time, and radar contact attempts were unsuccessful. The document also includes a separate incident report from an Aviation Safety Agent who reported a near-collision with a small, red, oval-shaped object while flying near Vermilion, Ohio, on 7 March 1949. This report highlights the persistent nature of these sightings in the Cleveland area during the spring of 1949 and the Air Force's cautious approach in documenting them while acknowledging they could not rule out foreign activity, despite the lack of evidence.