Project 10073 Record Card — Cleveland Heights, Ohio, 7 July 1954

On the evening of July 7, 1954, a 25-year-old insurance salesman witnessed an unidentified aerial phenomenon in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. While driving home on Mayfield Road near Lee Road at approximately 21:50 local time, the witness observed a smokey-white, football-shaped object that appeared to be squashed in the middle. The witness pulled over to observe the object for approximately 15 minutes. During this time, the object hovered, wobbled from side to side, and circled in a manner the witness compared to a buzzard stalking prey. The sky was clear and dark at the time of the sighting. Eventually, the object changed color to a reddish hue and departed to the south at a 'tremendous rate of speed,' crossing the horizon in approximately five seconds. The witness reported the event to local newspapers and subsequently completed a U.S. Air Force Technical Information Sheet. The witness noted that they had seen similar objects previously at drive-in movies, though those sightings were much shorter in duration. The witness expressed a belief that the object was a 'UFO' or unidentified flying object, noting that it fit descriptions found in magazine and newspaper reports. The official Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) record card for Project 10073 concludes that there was 'nothing conflicting with a/c Analysis,' suggesting the event was evaluated against standard aircraft behavior.