Project 10073 Record Card — Selma, Alabama, 19 Oct 52

This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report (IR-75-52) from the 3615th Pilot Training Wing at Craig Air Force Base, Alabama, detailing a sighting that occurred on October 19, 1952. At approximately 1700 hours, multiple civilian observers in Selma, Alabama, reported seeing a bright object in the sky that left a trail. The report includes statements from two primary witnesses: 1st Lt. Wiley B. McKee and S/Sgt. James L. Huett. Lt. McKee, who was at his home in Selmont, described the object as appearing like a bright star that traveled at high speed toward the southeast, eventually changing from a bright light to a dull reddish glow before disappearing. S/Sgt. Huett, who was at the Guard House, described the object as a small, round, silver item about the size of a quarter, which left a vapor trail two to three feet in length. Both witnesses noted the object's high altitude and the lack of sound. The report notes that the sighting lasted approximately 25 minutes. The official evaluation, conducted by the Air Technical Intelligence Center, concluded that the phenomenon was likely a high-speed, high-altitude aircraft. The investigators suggested that the unusual appearance was caused by the specific angular relationship between the aircraft's vapor trail, the observer, and the setting sun, which illuminated the trail. The report was signed by M/Sgt. James R. Midkiff and approved by Lt. Col. James H. Hunter. It was distributed to the Headquarters of the Flying Training Air Force in Waco, Texas, and the Air Technical Intelligence Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.