AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT: FLYOBRPT - 21 July 1952

This Air Intelligence Information Report, dated 29 July 1952, documents a sighting of an unidentified aerial phenomenon that occurred on 21 July 1952 at approximately 2240 hours CST near San Marcos Air Force Base, Texas. The report, prepared by 2nd Lt. Chester B. Beattie, summarizes the observations of six military personnel who witnessed the event. The witnesses described a single, smooth, perfectly circular object that emitted a brilliant blue-white light with a trailing blue flame. The object was observed to hover, then ascend at a high rate of speed, leveling off at an estimated altitude between 15,000 and 20,000 feet before changing direction and disappearing as if the light had been extinguished. Estimates of the object's speed ranged from a hover to sonic speeds. None of the witnesses reported hearing any sound associated with the object. The report notes that the observers were not rated or qualified observers and that their conflicting statements made analysis difficult. Meteorological data for the time of the sighting indicated scattered clouds at 2,500 feet, with a visibility of 10 miles, and no weather conditions were identified that could account for the sighting. The report explicitly states that there was no physical evidence, no interception or identification action taken, and no known air traffic in the area at the time. The document includes individual statements from the six witnesses, including 1st Lt. Wayne D. Scott, S/Sgt. Samuel R. Locke, S/Sgt. Thedford R. Townsend, A/1C David McKenzie, A/2C Frank R. Norred, and A/3C Paul M. Nelson Jr. The report concludes that no analysis of the propulsion system could be made and that the object's behavior was highly unusual. The document was distributed to the Commanding General of the Flying Training Air Force in Waco, Texas, and the Air Technical Intelligence Center at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.