Project Grudge Incident 324 - Watertown, New York, 11 May 1949

This document compiles the investigative reports and correspondence related to Incident No. 324, a sighting of an unidentified aerial phenomenon near Watertown, New York, on 11 May 1949. The incident involved two witnesses, a student and a housewife, who observed an object in the sky while traveling in a vehicle along a rural route. The witnesses described the object as having a rectangular or disc-like shape, similar to a shoe box or an automobile hub cap, and appearing white or silver in color. The object was observed for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, moving slowly toward the northeast. It reportedly gained altitude for several minutes before leveling off and eventually dissolving, leaving behind a gray smoke trail. The witnesses noted that the object did not appear to be self-illuminated but reflected sunlight, similar to a conventional aircraft. The investigation was conducted under Project Grudge, with various Special Agents from the Office of Special Investigations (OSI) interviewing the witnesses and checking with local law enforcement, who reported no relevant information. A significant portion of the investigation involved the Air Weather Service, as authorities sought to determine if the object could be identified as a Rawinsonde balloon released from Griffiss Air Force Base in Rome, New York. The investigation included the collection of Winds Aloft Computation Sheets to analyze the flight paths of balloons released on the day of the sighting. The document concludes with the submission of these reports and the determination that all logical leads had been developed, with no further action planned unless requested. The reports emphasize the excellent visibility conditions on the day of the sighting and the lack of any sound or odor associated with the object.