Incident #408 Sighting Report — Delphi, Indiana, July 1949

This document details an investigation into a sighting of unidentified aerial phenomena reported by two employees of the Monon Route Railroad on the night of July 23, 1949, in Delphi, Indiana. The witnesses, who were fishing at a stone quarry, observed two luminous, silver, disk-shaped objects for approximately four hours. They described the objects as being roughly 50 feet in diameter, appearing to be constructed of a shining metal such as aluminum or magnesium. The objects exhibited erratic behavior, including loops, dives, and gyrations, while maintaining a circular, orbital flight path—one clockwise and one counter-clockwise. The witnesses noted that the objects emitted a phosphorescent glare and were silent. They attempted to track the objects with flashlights, concluding they were tangible, solid structures. The witnesses also observed searchlights in the distance, which they believed were from local police or fire departments, though these beams did not reach the objects. The investigation was conducted by Special Agent Denzil F. Wildman of the Office of Special Investigations (OSI). Agent Wildman interviewed the witnesses and concluded that they were credible, honest individuals who were not seeking publicity and were not under the influence of any substances. Despite extensive neighborhood checks and inquiries with local police and the Delphi Journal, no other witnesses were found, and no other reports of the incident were made. The case was eventually closed by the OSI with no definitive explanation, as all logical leads had been exhausted without yielding further information or corroborating evidence.