Project 10073 Record Card and Air Intelligence Information Report — Wilmington, Delaware, 4 November 1956

On 4 November 1956, at 2345Z, a civilian witness and his two sons observed four unidentified objects in the sky over Wilmington, Delaware. The objects were described as being the size of a pea at arm's length and appeared as streaked, reflected light, similar to light reflecting off an aircraft wing. The objects were observed in a triangular formation with the point heading northeast. The observation lasted for five seconds before the objects faded out of sight. The witness reported the objects were first seen straight up and disappeared at 35 to 40 degrees azimuth and 40 to 45 degrees elevation. The weather conditions were reported as clear with bright stars and no clouds. An investigation by the 82nd Fighter Group, led by Captain Leon A. Blackmon, included a check of radar data. The 770th Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, stationed at Palermo, Delaware, reported that they had identified a track, designated VD-34, as a friendly aircraft and had broken off an interception attempt. This was the only aircraft reported in the area at the time. The final conclusion of the report suggests that the duration and description of the sighting indicate a meteor, though it is also noted that the object seen may have been the aircraft or the interceptors mentioned in the radar report.