Project 10073 Record — Reading, Pennsylvania, 10 May 1954

This document collection details a UFO sighting reported by a 17-year-old witness in Reading, Pennsylvania, on the evening of May 10, 1954. The witness, who observed the event from their home, described a glowing white object that made a roaring noise and maneuvered slowly in a circle before moving westward toward the moon. The witness, who claimed to be of sound mind, reported the incident to the Reading Eagle-Times and subsequently to military authorities, including the U.S. Army Reserve Training Center and the Second Army. The report was forwarded through military channels, eventually reaching the 4700th Air Base Group at Stewart Air Force Base. In a formal response dated June 3, 1954, Major Clark B. Van Deusen of the 4700th Air Base Group addressed the witness directly. While acknowledging the witness's alertness and sound judgment, Major Van Deusen dismissed the possibility of an extraterrestrial origin. He suggested that the object was likely a radar weather balloon or similar meteorological device, noting that such devices are frequently used to record wind data and can travel significant distances. He further explained that the object's movement could be attributed to air currents, such as up-drafts and down-drafts. The military noted that a formal report under Air Force Regulation (AFR) 200-2 could not be completed due to insufficient information. The correspondence reflects the standard military procedure for handling civilian UFO reports during this period, emphasizing the collection of information while providing conventional explanations to the public.