Project 10073 Record Card — Beaulieu, Minnesota, 18 February 1956

This document consists of a Project 10073 record card and associated teletype communications regarding an unidentified aerial phenomenon reported on 18 February 1956 in Beaulieu, Minnesota. The primary witness, identified as a ground observer named D. Lathmann, reported seeing a single object resembling a basketball, colored green and red, descending slowly in a northeasterly direction before disappearing over the horizon. The observer's reliability was noted as excellent. The report indicates that no photographs or radar contact were associated with the event. The weather conditions at the time were reported as clear. The official evaluation, conducted by the Air Technical Intelligence Center and reviewed by 1/LT. Edgar F. Pierce Sr., concluded that the sighting was likely an aircraft. The rationale provided for this conclusion was that red and green lights are standard for aircraft, and while the witness reported a descent, the report notes that weather balloons can sometimes create an illusion of rising and fading into the distance. Despite the mention of potential weather balloons originating from Duluth, the final evaluation categorized the incident as an aircraft sighting based on the limited data provided.