Unidentified Flying Object Report — Wheaton City, Maryland, 16 August 1956

On 16 August 1956, at 2105Z, a civilian witness in Wheaton City, Maryland, observed a single, large, cross-like, aluminum-colored object. The object was reported to be traveling at a high rate of speed from north to south before executing a turn to the east. It subsequently reached a position approximately 10 degrees from the moon, turned upward, and disappeared. The total duration of the sighting was 18 seconds. The weather conditions at the time were reported as 1/10 cloud coverage at 4,000 feet with 15 miles of visibility and no thunderstorms. The report was processed by the Director of Intelligence, Headquarters Command, USAF, at Bolling AFB, D.C. Major James E. Geurtz, the preparing officer, reviewed the report and concluded that the witness was a qualified observer who was not seeking personal recognition. The official conclusion reached by the intelligence officers was that the sighting was likely caused by an aircraft reflecting low-angle light rays. The report was filed in accordance with Air Force Regulation 200-2.