Unidentified Flying Object over Delaware — 1 March 1953

This intelligence report, dated 9 March 1953, details an Unidentified Flying Object sighting that occurred on 1 March 1953 at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. The report, prepared by Major P. K. Mead of the 80th Air Base Squadron, documents observations made by six Air Force personnel, including two rated officers, from the base control tower. The object was observed between 2130 and 2145 EST. Witnesses described the object as a bright, spherical light, approximately fifty feet in diameter, which displayed alternating colors ranging from yellow to dark red and deep orange. The object remained relatively stationary at an estimated distance of five to ten miles and an elevation of five degrees above the horizon. The observers reported no sound, no exhaust, and no aerodynamic features. A request to scramble interceptor aircraft was relayed to the 770th AC&W Squadron in Palermo, New Jersey, but was denied by the controller. Weather conditions at the time were reported as 12,000 feet scattered clouds with 25,000 feet thin overcast and seven miles visibility. The report includes statements from 1st Lt. Wilbert S. Rogers, 2nd Lt. Francis J. Simpson, and A/2C William E. Wickert, Jr. Regarding the identification of the object, the report notes that the prevalent explanation at New Castle County Airport was that observers were sighting the planet Jupiter, a conclusion attributed to an unidentified navigator who plotted the object. However, the conclusion section of the report form explicitly identifies the object as the planet Venus. The document serves as a formal record of the incident, including meteorological data and the specific actions taken by base personnel.