Project 10073 Record Card and Spot Intelligence Report — Greenville, South Carolina, 13 May 1952

On the night of 13 May 1952, at approximately 2233 EST, four amateur astronomers gathered on the campus of Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, reported a sighting of four unidentified objects. The witnesses, who were preparing to leave after an evening of astronomical observation, described the objects as oval or obloid in shape, glowing with a brownish-orange or reddish-yellow light. The objects were observed in a tight diamond formation, traveling in a straight, level path on a heading of approximately 330 degrees. The witnesses noted that the objects appeared to wobble in flight, with one side tipping up and then the other, and they seemed to be flying sideways. The duration of the sighting was estimated to be between three and five seconds. The witnesses stated that the night was extremely clear, and although there was some ground haze and illumination near the city, the campus itself was dark and clear. One of the observers initially suggested that the objects might be geese, but the other three witnesses were not convinced by this explanation. The report notes that the possibility of the objects being aircraft was considered nil, as they passed directly overhead without making any sound. The incident was investigated by 1st Lt. Arthur S. Palmer of the 375th Troop Carrier Wing, who interviewed the witnesses and collected written statements. The report highlights that the description of the incident was similar to other reports of sightings involving ducks, but notes that the absence of ground lights in the area to reflect off birds made the avian explanation less plausible in this instance. The 6th District Office of Special Investigations concluded that no further action was contemplated at the time, and the report was forwarded to Headquarters USAF on 16 May 1952.