PROJECT GRUDGE Incident, Morgantown, West Virginia April 1949

This report, dated 17 May 1949, details an investigation conducted by the Office of Special Investigations (OSI) regarding a series of unidentified aerial phenomena reported in Morgantown, West Virginia. The primary witness, a local resident involved in the real estate business, reported two separate sightings of glowing objects. The first occurred on 15 March 1949 at approximately 2100 hours, where the witness observed a disc-shaped, yellowish object with a long, tapering trail of flame. The object was estimated to be 13 inches in diameter at a distance of 20 miles, moving from the northeast to the southwest at a 45-degree angle above the horizon. The witness reported the object was in sight for two to three seconds. A second sighting occurred on 28 March 1949, involving an object described as a flattened funnel with a reddish-gold tint. The witness estimated this object to be 5 feet across and noted it left a persistent dark red tapering trail. The witness claimed the object maintained straight and level flight before disappearing into the distance. The investigation included a review of weather sequences provided by a CAA Aircraft Communicator at the Morgantown Municipal Airport, which indicated clear conditions on both dates. Additionally, the Morgantown Police Department records were checked and found to be negative regarding any reports of flights or incidents at the time. The report includes a sketch of the objects made by the witness. The investigation was conducted under Project Grudge, and the final report, signed by Special Agent Toney Zevaris and approved by Major Michael G. Frisch, concludes that the files for this specific incident are to be closed.