Project 10073 Record Card and UFOB Index Card — San Diego, California, July 1955

This document contains a series of records regarding a UFO sighting reported on July 31, 1955, in San Diego, California. The primary report, filed by the 751st ACWRON at Mt. Laguna, details an observation by a 17-year-old civilian Ground Observer Corps (GOC) member. The witness reported observing one to three round objects that appeared blue and changed to yellow, with two smaller objects rotating around a larger one. The observation lasted approximately 20 minutes. The witness noted the object was located in the northeast, near the horizon, at an elevation of 10 degrees. The report was forwarded to the Air Defense Command and the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC).

Subsequent evaluation by the 4602d AISS cast doubt on the veracity of the report, citing the observer's age and lack of experience. The investigating officer, 1st Lt. James D. Bunch, suggested that the reported phenomena were likely optical illusions caused by viewing the star Capella through binoculars. The report notes that the light passing through the binoculars, combined with slight movements of the instrument, could create the appearance of color changes and motion. The fact that the object remained stationary in the sky supported the conclusion that it was an astronomical body rather than an unidentified aerial craft.

The document also includes a monthly summary of UFO sightings for July 1955, which lists various investigative efforts by different units. This summary categorizes the San Diego incident as 'Insufficient Data' but provides the context of the 'star theory' in the comments section. Other sightings listed in the summary include reports from across the United States, with conclusions ranging from 'Optical Phenomena' and 'Hoax' to 'Astro (Capella)' and 'Aircraft'. The document serves as a record of the military's systematic process for evaluating civilian reports during the mid-1950s, highlighting the reliance on astronomical identification to explain anomalous sightings.