Unidentified Flying Object Near Renton, Washington

This report details a sighting of an unidentified flying object that occurred on 11 May 1953, at approximately 1910 PST, in the vicinity of Seattle and Renton, Washington. Two civilian witnesses observed a single, round, white-to-opaque object through a four-power rifle scope. The witnesses described the object as being approximately the size of a marble, exhibiting erratic movement by shifting back and forth before disappearing over the horizon. There was no sound heard, and no exhaust trail or propulsion system was observed. The witnesses provided conflicting altitude estimates, with one suggesting 10,000 feet and the other 20,000 feet. Major Gerald E. Tyler of the USAF, acting as the intelligence officer, compiled the report based on a teletype from the McChord Flight Service Center. The official conclusion reached by the Air Technical Intelligence Center was that the object was a balloon. This determination was supported by the fact that high-altitude balloons were reported in the general vicinity of the sighting. Furthermore, Seattle NAS VHF/DF facilities were actively tracking a balloon at the time, which yielded a class B fix. No physical evidence, photographs, or sketches were produced, and no interception was attempted. The report notes that while several aircraft were flying in the area at the time, none were reported at high altitudes.