Sighting Report - 30 Oct 53 - Norton AFB, Calif

On October 30, 1953, at 0955Z, the aircrew of a C-45 aircraft observed an unidentified aerial object while in flight. The crew, consisting of Major Joseph P. Tracy, Captain John H. Moore, and 1st Lieutenant Raymond J. Gorman, reported the sighting under clear night conditions with no clouds and bright stars. The object was described as having a bright red leading portion and a bright white trailing portion. Its size was estimated to be that of a grapefruit held at arm's length. The object appeared directly below the aircraft and passed through its flight path before executing an almost vertical climb until it was lost from sight. The object remained at the 12 o'clock position for the duration of the seven-minute sighting. The crew reported no exhaust or trail, and no sound was audible. Features of the object were not discernable due to the glare of the light. No radar contact was made, and no other aircraft were sighted in the area. The reporting officer, 1st Lieutenant Samuel C. Johnson of the 462D AISS at Norton AFB, noted that the observers were considered very reliable. The official conclusion reached was that there was insufficient data for evaluation, though the report noted that the phenomenon was probably not natural.