Project Grudge Incident Report: Sidney, Ohio, May 1949

This report details an investigation conducted by the Office of Special Investigations (OSI) under Project Grudge regarding multiple sightings of an unidentified aerial object in Sidney and Maplewood, Ohio, between May 3 and May 6, 1949. The investigation was initiated following a request from Colonel W. R. Clingerman of the Air Materiel Command, prompted by reports in the Dayton Daily News and the Sidney Daily News. Several witnesses, including local residents and business owners, reported observing a bright, silver, disc-shaped object. Descriptions consistently characterized the object as being approximately five to six inches in diameter, appearing at a high altitude, and traveling at a fast rate of speed. Witnesses described the object as whirling, wavering in flight, and reflecting a very bright light. Some observers noted the object traveled in a straight line, while others reported it climbing and descending. The sightings typically lasted for approximately two minutes. Weather conditions were reported as clear with no wind, and no aircraft were observed in the vicinity during the sightings. Despite the detailed accounts provided by the witnesses, the investigation concluded that the sightings were likely influenced by recent newspaper articles regarding 'flying saucers' in the area. The final assessment categorized the object as an aircraft, noting that no evidence was presented to suggest the object could not have been an aircraft. The report includes copies of the relevant newspaper articles as enclosures and confirms that all investigative leads were exhausted.