Air Intelligence Information Report: Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, Lavalette, New Jersey, July 1952

This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report (IR-49-52) dated August 5, 1952, detailing a sighting of two unidentified aerial objects over Lavalette, New Jersey, on the night of July 19-20, 1952. The report was prepared by Major Peter B. Venable of the 66th Air Base Group at McGuire Air Force Base. The primary witnesses included a former Major in the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps and his wife, along with another companion. The witnesses observed two orange-yellow, round objects that appeared five times the size of Venus or Jupiter. The objects were initially seen moving northward off-shore at an altitude of at least 5,000 feet and a speed of less than 100 m.p.h. They subsequently performed a circling maneuver, moving west over land and then back out to sea, during which they grew smaller and fainter. The witnesses noted that the objects were completely silent and exhibited a motion that suggested directed control, unlike any known aircraft or weather balloon. The report includes statements from the witnesses, who were interviewed by S/Sgt Francis G. Washburn, Jr. The witnesses were considered reliable and sincere in their accounts. The report notes that the objects were observed for approximately five to six minutes. The investigation concluded that the objects did not resemble any known aircraft or dirigible. The document also references a separate report received from a Captain Kelvin regarding a similar sighting over Washington, D.C., on the same night, which prompted the witnesses to report their own experience to the Air Force. The report is marked as 'Restricted' and includes distribution instructions for the Air Defense Command and the Air Technical Intelligence Center.