Intelligence Division Report IR-171-53: Unidentified Flying Object Sighting, Dover AFB, Delaware, 22 February 1953

On the evening of February 22, 1953, a series of sightings of an unidentified object occurred in the vicinity of Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. The incident began at approximately 2100 hours when a civilian, Oscar A. Nichols, reported a disc-shaped object in the sky to 2nd Lt. Leland E. Maines Jr., the Officer-of-the-Day at Dover AFB. Nichols described the object as having a predominantly yellowish color, which then turned to a bright white light. Shortly thereafter, 2nd Lt. Maines and Airman Second Class Pasquale A. Candido observed the object from the base theater, noting it appeared to revolve and change colors from red, green, and blue to white, with a brilliance similar to a diamond. The object was estimated to be hovering at a low altitude.

Following these reports, military personnel in the control tower were alerted, and they confirmed observing the object, which they initially believed to be the 'Evening Star' (Venus). In response to the reports, two aircraft from the 96th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at New Castle County Airport were scrambled to intercept the object. One aircraft was forced to land due to low fuel, while the second, piloted by 1st Lt. Notly Maddox, pursued the object. Maddox climbed to 15,000 feet and later 25,000 feet in an attempt to close with the object, which he described as predominantly white and hovering in a haze layer. Despite his efforts, Maddox was unable to close the distance, and the radar operator reported no scope contact. The object eventually faded from view in a northwesterly direction.

Intelligence reports compiled by Major P. K. Mead and 1st Lt. Leslie C. Tripp concluded that the witnesses were sincere and credible. However, after further consideration and consultation with astronomical data, the official conclusion reached by the Intelligence Division was that the object was likely the planet Jupiter or Venus, noting that the planet was in the approximate position in the sky at the time of the sighting. The report emphasizes that while the witnesses' accounts might appear implausible to a trained technician, they represented an honest error in judgment rather than an intentional hoax.