Sighting Report — Hampton, Virginia, 29 October 1953

This document is a military sighting report dated 30 October 1953, concerning an incident that occurred on 29 October 1953 in Hampton, Virginia. The witness, identified as an aeronautical research scientist for NACA and a former amateur astronomer, reported observing a single, round, bright white object at 2005Z. The object, described as appearing like a 'pea' in size, traveled in a straight, steady path at an estimated speed of 1400 mph. The observation lasted approximately four seconds, during which the object made no sound and eventually disappeared behind a cloud bank. The witness, noted as being 'usually reliable' and well-acquainted with both jet aircraft and astronomical phenomena, explicitly stated that the object did not appear to be a meteorite, noting that he had observed several hundred in his lifetime. He also remarked that the object's speed appeared to be much faster than that of any contemporary jet. Despite the witness's expertise and his positive assertion that the object was not a B-26 aircraft (which were in the area), the official conclusion recorded on the form categorizes the event as an 'Astronomical (METEOR)'. The report was transmitted from the 405th Fighter Bomber Wing at Langley AFB to the Air Defense Command, the Air Technical Intelligence Center, and the Director of Intelligence at HQ USAF.