Air Intelligence Information Report — Sighting of Unidentified Object, Harrisville, Michigan, 28 September 1953

This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report dated 29 September 1953, detailing a sighting of an unidentified aerial object near Harrisville, Michigan, on 28 September 1953. The report was authored by 1st Lt. George E. SHAW of the 527th Air Defense Group at Wurtsmith Air Force Base. According to the report, a civilian witness observed a disc-shaped, highly reflective silver object at approximately 1500 hours. The witness estimated the object to be 50 feet in diameter and noted that it moved at a speed of approximately 2.5 miles per second without producing any noise or exhaust trails. The object was observed for a duration of two to five seconds, during which it appeared to bank and change heading from 130 degrees to 135 degrees, and finally to 090 degrees before disappearing. The witness, who was located two miles west of Harrisville, was described as appearing sincere. The report notes that weather conditions were excellent with moderate winds aloft. Local radar stations reported no contact with the object. The official conclusion provided in the report suggests that the sighting was likely caused by the sun reflecting off one of five F-86 aircraft that were known to be airborne in the vicinity at the time of the incident. The document includes transcripts of an interview with the witness, who provided detailed accounts of his observations, including his perspective on the object's movement relative to the sun and his own location. The report also includes aeronautical charts of the region, specifically World Aeronautical Chart 264, which were used to map the flight path and the witness's position. The document is marked as unclassified and includes instructions for its eventual declassification.