Project Grudge Incident Report — Oak Ridge, Tennessee, 19 June 1949

This document is a formal report of investigation conducted under Project Grudge regarding a sighting of three unidentified objects over Oak Ridge, Tennessee, on 19 June 1949. The investigation was initiated by Colonel C. D. Gasser of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) and carried out by Special Agent Arthur J. Dale of the 5th District Office of Special Investigations. Three witnesses, including a biologist and a school teacher, observed the objects for approximately 12 to 15 minutes at an altitude of 1,000 feet. They described two of the objects as identical, rectangular, and flexible, with a bright metal finish on top and a dark underside, moving in a coordinated, wave-like motion. The third object was described as circular, resembling frosted glass, and maintaining a steady, level flight. The witnesses reported no noise or propulsion visible. The weather was clear with high cumulus clouds. The investigation included inquiries with the Weather Bureau at Knoxville Airport and the Plant X-10 weather division. While the Weather Bureau at Knoxville reported releasing a weather balloon at 1005 hours that day, the investigation sought to determine if this could account for the sighting. Subsequent correspondence between the 5th District OSI and the Air Materiel Command highlighted discrepancies in wind data readings at 2,000 feet, leading to further requests for confirmation of meteorological data. The official conclusion reached by the project was that the objects were likely a balloon, despite the witnesses' detailed descriptions of coordinated, non-ballistic movement. The report includes various indorsements and administrative records documenting the inquiry process, wind data tables from multiple regional weather stations, and the original incident record.