Project 10073 Record Card and Related Correspondence — Whitewood, South Dakota, July 1954

On July 5, 1954, at 0356Z, a sighting occurred over Whitewood, South Dakota, involving a large, star-like object that remained visible for approximately two hours. The object was described as moving very slowly and appearing very close to the ground. All residents of Whitewood reportedly witnessed the phenomenon. A military scramble was ordered by the 740th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, but the aircraft were unable to make contact with the object. Reports indicate that the object moved west from Whitewood toward Deadwood, South Dakota, and exhibited changes in intensity, shifting from dim to very bright while passing across low cloud formations. Filter center personnel also reported observing the object. Following the incident, the 740th ACW Squadron initiated the filing of Air Force Form 112s. Subsequent military correspondence dated July 8, 1954, provided a definitive conclusion regarding the sighting. The object was identified as a beacon located approximately 10 miles southwest of Rapid City, South Dakota. This conclusion was documented on the Project 10073 record card, which officially categorized the sighting as a beacon rather than an unidentified aerial phenomenon.