Project 10073 Record Card — Decatur, Georgia, 18 April 1955

This document is an Air Intelligence Information Report regarding a UFO sighting reported on 18 April 1955 in Decatur, Georgia. The witness, an 11-year-old child, observed a white light in the sky while looking west through a pair of toy binoculars. The object was described as traveling slowly to the west and remained visible for approximately five minutes before disappearing. The report was prepared by Flight 2-C of the 4602D AISS. The investigation included inquiries with the Weather Detachment at Dobbins AFB, the US Weather Station at Atlanta Airport, and the Maxwell AFB weather station. It was determined that a radio-sonde balloon, six feet in diameter, had been released from Maxwell AFB and that wind conditions would place it in the area of the sighting at the time reported. The Maxwell AFB weather officer indicated that such a balloon would expand as it gained altitude and could be spotted if it reflected light. Additionally, the Atlanta Airport control tower reported no unusual aerial activity, and Base Operations at Dobbins AFB reported negative results for any other activity. The final conclusion of the investigating officers was that the sighting was likely a reflection from a radio-sonde balloon. The report notes that the age of the source was considered a factor in the evaluation, though the investigators believed the witness did observe an object.