Project Grudge Incident Report #293 — Memphis, Tennessee, 7 April 1949

This document is a comprehensive investigation report under Project Grudge regarding sightings of unidentified aerial phenomena in Memphis, Tennessee, during the early morning hours of 7 April 1949. The investigation was initiated following reports in the local press, specifically the Press-Scimitar and the Commercial Appeal, which described multiple silver-like, oval-shaped objects moving in an erratic, whirling, and climbing fashion. The objects were estimated to be the size of a gallon jug and were observed by several witnesses between 0001 and 0400 hours. The Office of Special Investigations (OSI) conducted interviews with the witnesses, including a housewife and a night manager of a local restaurant. The investigators noted varying degrees of credibility among the witnesses, with one described as highly emotional and another as conscientious and truthful. The report details extensive efforts to verify the sightings, including checks with the Naval Air Station at Millington, the Government Weather Bureau, and the Civil Aeronautics Administration. The investigation confirmed that no unusual aircraft were in the vicinity and that no ground radar units were operating during the time of the sightings. Weather balloon data was also reviewed, noting that balloons released at 2100 hours on 6 April and 0300 hours on 7 April carried lights that would be visible for 10 to 15 minutes. Despite the witnesses' claims, the official conclusion reached by the investigators was that the phenomena were likely astronomical in nature, specifically stars or planets, and that the reports lacked a factual basis. The document includes various internal memos, routing slips, and correspondence between the 14th Air Force, Air Materiel Command, and the OSI, documenting the administrative handling of the case. The final assessment suggests that the sightings were not indicative of any anomalous aerial activity.