Rawinsonde Balloon Reported as Unidentified Aerial Object, Lowry Air Force Base, 1935 hours, 19 October 1953

This document is a formal Report of Investigation conducted by the 14th OSI District regarding an unidentified aerial object reported over Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado, on the evening of 19 October 1953. The investigation was initiated following a report from the Airdrome Officer, who had been contacted by four airmen—A/3C David G. Fozier, A/3C James E. Antrim, A/3C Andrew L. Van Siclen, Jr., and A/3C William C. Jones—all members of the 3487th Student Squadron. These airmen reported observing a bright, whitish-yellow light moving erratically across the sky for approximately ten to twelve minutes. Their individual statements, which are included in the report, describe the object as circular, moving in a spiraling, haphazard fashion, and eventually fading from view. The witnesses noted that the object made no sound and did not appear to be an airplane or a star. Following the initial report, Special Agent John G. Campbell conducted a follow-up investigation. On 30 October 1953, he contacted the 11-4 Weather Detachment at Lowry AFB. A/1C Robert Hogan confirmed that a rawinsonde balloon, which carried an attached light for tracking purposes, had been released from the base at 1928 hours on 19 October 1953. The investigation concluded that the object observed by the airmen was indeed this weather balloon. The report notes that the 14th OSI District considered the matter closed and that no further investigative action was required. The document includes formal statements from the witnesses, the investigative findings, and a final administrative closure by the District Commander, Colonel Leroy H. Barnard. The report is marked as unclassified and includes instructions regarding the prohibition of releasing classified information to unauthorized persons.