Project 10073 Record — Seattle, Washington, 15 August 1949

This report details an investigation conducted by the Office of Special Investigation (OSI) regarding a sighting of four unidentified objects over Seattle, Washington, on 15 August 1949. The primary witness, a mail carrier and former U.S. Navy Aviation Machinist, reported that while sorting mail near 19th Avenue Northeast and East 65th Street, he heard the sound of aircraft. Upon looking up, he observed four silver, oval-shaped objects flying in a 'V' formation at a high altitude. He described the objects as having a 3.5 to 1 length-to-width ratio, appearing to be constructed of aluminum, and moving in a straight, northerly direction before disappearing into a solid overcast. The witness noted there were no exhaust trails, no sound, and no visible means of propulsion. A second witness, a student at the University of Washington, was in the vicinity but was unable to see the objects due to an obstruction. The investigation, directed by the District Commander following a referral from the FBI, concluded that the witness was a sincere and reliable individual. However, the witness himself admitted that the objects could have been a formation of jet aircraft, acknowledging his lack of familiarity with modern jet types. The report, dated 10 November 1949, was classified as unclassified and distributed to the Air Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson AFB.