PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD — 12 July 1954

This document consists of a Project 10073 Record Card and a follow-up military teletype message regarding an unidentified aerial phenomenon sighting on July 12, 1954. The witness, a 1st Lieutenant from the 325th Fighter Interceptor Squadron at Hamilton AFB, California, reported observing a conical-shaped object with brilliant white and orange coloring. The pilot, described as a reliable and trustworthy individual with 561 flying hours, noted that the object appeared to have an exhaust similar to a jet, with light emanating from the back of the object. The sighting lasted between one and two seconds. The object was observed performing a 90-degree dive and exhibited an abrupt change in flight before disappearing. The pilot was flying an F-86D aircraft at the time of the incident. Weather conditions were reported as clear with 20 miles of visibility. The official conclusion recorded on the Project 10073 card identifies the object as a meteor. However, the teletype message, dated July 21, 1954, indicates that the preliminary analysis by the preparing officer was unable to determine the cause of the sighting at that time, pending further investigation. The report notes that two sightings were made by the same pilot, with the first occurring three minutes before the second, the only difference being the elevation and azimuth of the object.