Correspondence regarding sighting of 'Flying Saucers' in Rockford, Illinois

This document consists of a memorandum dated 10 January 1950 from the Headquarters of the United States Air Force to the Commanding General of the Air Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The memorandum serves as a transmittal for two pieces of correspondence received by the Headquarters regarding sightings of 'Flying Saucers.' Included in the file is a report from a male civilian witness describing an incident that occurred on 9 April 1949, approximately five miles northwest of Rockford, Illinois. The witness, who was working in a garden at the time, reported observing a round, pale yellow object flying in a vertical, edgewise position at an altitude of 2,500 feet. The witness noted that the object was traveling due east at a speed comparable to a passenger liner, despite a stiff crosswind. The witness explicitly mentioned being prompted to report the sighting after reading an article by Donald E. Keyhoe titled 'The Flying Saucers Are Real' in the January 1950 issue of True Magazine. The witness requested a reply and instructions on where to report any future sightings. The official military correspondence acknowledges receipt of these reports and requests that the Air Materiel Command take appropriate action.