Air Intelligence Information Report IR-22-53 — Unidentified Flying Object, San Juan, Puerto Rico

On 8 April 1953, at approximately 1130 hours, several personnel stationed at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico, reported observing an unidentified flying object. The witnesses, including Captains Eddie Fraticelli, Van F. Dittberner, and Thomas P. Noble, as well as M/Sgt Emilio Quinones, described the object variously as a 'bright star,' 'bright ball,' or 'bright ball of fire' at a great altitude. The witnesses noted that the object appeared to be round, moved from North to South, and exhibited a spinning or waving motion. They estimated the object was traveling faster and at a higher altitude than the RB-36 aircraft that were present in the area at the time. The sighting lasted for approximately 10 minutes. The official conclusion reached by the Wing Intelligence Office was that the object was a weather balloon. The report suggests that the 'sparks' or light observed could have been caused by the sun reflecting off instruments attached to a radiosonde balloon, which had been released from San Juan. The investigation confirmed that two RB-36 aircraft were operating in the vicinity at the time of the sighting at altitudes of 12,000 and 21,000 feet, which provided a point of reference for the witnesses. The report includes statements from the various witnesses and was prepared by Major Bradford P. Shuman of the USAF.