Report of Investigation: Unusual Aerial Phenomena Sighted from Gonzales, Texas, and Vicinity

This document is a formal Report of Investigation issued by the United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI) on June 12, 1952, regarding an unusual aerial phenomenon reported near Gonzales, Texas, in October 1951. The investigation was prompted by information received from the FBI Field Office in San Antonio. The primary witness, a woman residing in Gonzales, reported that while driving south on Highway #3 with her husband, they observed a round, white object approximately one mile north of the city. The object, estimated to be about two yards in diameter, appeared to float from east to west at an elevation of 30 degrees. The witness described the object as having a creamy white center and a darker grayish-white outer ring, noting that it looked like smoke and appeared to have a reflective quality similar to aluminum in sunlight. The observation lasted approximately 30 seconds. The witness initially considered the object a cloud but later, after discussing it with her husband, concluded it could have been a 'flying saucer.' The OSI investigation included interviews with local officials to assess the credibility of the witnesses. The Sheriff of Gonzales County and a Vice President of the Gonzales State Bank were interviewed regarding the character of the witnesses. While some were deemed reliable, others were described as potentially prone to exaggeration or seeking publicity. The official conclusion reached by the investigators was that the object was likely a tumbleweed being blown through the air, noting that the description of the object's motion and appearance supported this assessment. The document also includes a reference list of other sightings from November and December 1951, categorized by location and evaluation, ranging from 'Astro (Meteor)' to 'Unidentified'.