Air Intelligence Information Report — East Prairie, Missouri, 16 April 1953

This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report dated 1 May 1953, detailing a sighting of unidentified aerial phenomena near East Prairie, Missouri, on 16 April 1953. The primary witness, a 34-year-old Post Office Clerk, reported observing seven circular, silver objects for approximately 25 minutes, between 1510 and 1535 hours Central Standard Time. The witness, accompanied by his wife and mother-in-law, described the objects as being approximately 230 feet in diameter, flying at an estimated altitude of 40,000 feet. The objects were initially seen trailing a B-36 aircraft before performing sharp turns and maneuvers at speeds estimated between 400 and 600 mph, and exceeding 600 mph in level flight. The witness noted that the objects appeared to be in controlled flight, exhibited no visible propulsion or exhaust, and made no sound. One of the objects was observed to be stationary for a period, while others maneuvered and flashed what the witness described as alternate signals. The report includes the witness's completed U.S. Air Force Technical Information Sheet, where he provides detailed sketches and descriptions of the event, emphasizing his conviction that the objects were not weather balloons or natural phenomena. The Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) investigated the report, noting that the 85th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, based at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois, had no recorded missions in the area at the time of the sighting. Furthermore, weather data for the region from Farmington, Missouri, indicated broken clouds at 25,000 feet, which conflicted with the witness's claim of unlimited visibility. Major James H. Webb, the investigating officer, concluded that no definite explanation could be reached based on the available information. The file contains correspondence between Major Webb and the witness, confirming the receipt of the report and requesting further details, as well as a certified true copy of the witness's initial letter to the Air Intelligence office.