Spot Report, Unidentified Aerial Objects — Red River Arsenal, 29 June 1950

On June 27, 1950, at 7:50 A.M., two employees of the Red River Arsenal in Texarkana, Texas, observed an unidentified aerial object while traveling in a Federal truck. The witnesses, whose identities are redacted, were driving south on Van Buren Street when they noticed a bright, glittering object. One witness, a passenger, first spotted the object and alerted the driver. The object was initially described as spherical, but as it moved away, its appearance shifted to look like two dishpans turned together, flat on the top and bottom with rounded sides. The observers estimated the object's size to be equivalent to an 18-inch wide, 5-inch deep dishpan viewed at a distance of 15 feet. The object maintained a straight, level flight path from north to south, disappearing after approximately 4 to 5 seconds. The observers noted that the object was 'plenty fast' and reflected sunlight, though it appeared to pass through a low-flying cloud, during which time the glittering effect ceased before reappearing. The witnesses confirmed the absence of any sound, odor, vapor, exhaust, or physical projections such as fins or wings. Both observers were described by the investigating officer, Captain J. A. Matchan, as having integrity beyond reproach and possessing above-normal intelligence. One observer wore glasses, and the other had 20/20 vision. The report was forwarded by Colonel George A. Jones of the Headquarters Fourth Army to the Air Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base for further information. The weather at the time of the sighting was clear with the sun shining and no cloud cover, except for the specific cloud the object appeared to pass through.