AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT: D1-UFOB-2-55

This report details an Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) sighting reported by four inmates serving as Ground Observer Corps (GOC) observers at the Soledad State Prison in California on November 1, 1955. The observers, who were stationed at an observation post, reported seeing two objects rise from behind the mountains in the east at approximately 0117 hours. The primary object was described as a solid, bright white sphere, while a smaller, oval-shaped, bluish object appeared approximately one inch below it. The witnesses reported that the objects moved as a single cohesive unit, rising at a 45-degree angle before moving in a southeasterly direction at an estimated speed of one to two miles per hour. The objects remained visible until 0545 hours, by which time they had moved toward the southwest and disappeared behind a mountain range. The night was described as cold, dry, and cloudless, with excellent visibility. When viewed through 7x50 binoculars, the objects occasionally appeared to change color, exhibiting hues of yellow, orange, red, and blue. The investigation, conducted by Detachment 1 of the 4602d Air Intelligence Squadron, included checks with the Combat Operations Center of the 28th Air Division, the CAA Weather Station in Salinas, and the Lick Observatory. Major Michael S. Kreton of Project Moby Dick confirmed that no balloon launchings occurred on the morning in question. Dr. Jeffers of the Lick Observatory noted that while the planet Jupiter was visible in the sky at the time, it was bright and white, and he provided observations on other celestial bodies. Despite the witnesses' detailed descriptions and their status as trained GOC observers, the preparing officer, Captain Patrick O. Shere, concluded that the sighting was likely caused by the planet Jupiter. He suggested that the reported shape and size were unusual for a planet, but attributed the witnesses' perception of two objects and their movement to an optical illusion. The report includes sketches and individual statements from the four observers, all of whom were inmates assigned to the prison's honor barracks and were noted for their conscientiousness and reliability.