Project 10073 Record Card — Xenia, Ohio, 18 November 1956

On 18 November 1956, at approximately 2045 EST, a 16-year-old civilian witness in Xenia, Ohio, reported observing two oval-shaped objects in the sky. The witness, who was traveling in an automobile at the time, described the objects as being green in color, smaller than a pea in appearance, and traveling at an estimated speed of 300-400 mph. The objects were observed for approximately five minutes as they moved from the northeast toward the southeast before disappearing at the horizon. The witness, who identified as an amateur astronomer, noted that the objects did not resemble standard aircraft lights and did not make any sound. The witness also reported seeing an airplane in the vicinity that appeared to be further away than the objects. The official Air Force investigation, documented in a disposition form dated 19 November 1956, concluded that the sighting was likely caused by radiosonde tests being conducted by the Wright Air Development Center (WADC). According to the report, WADC had released balloons with green lights attached at approximately 2030 in the vicinity of the sighting. The investigating officer, Major J. Connair, Jr., noted that the discrepancy between the witness's estimated speed and the actual speed of the balloons was likely due to the nature of the observation. The documentation includes a completed U.S. Air Force Technical Information Sheet, which provides detailed responses from the witness regarding the conditions of the sky, the duration of the sighting, and the witness's observations of the objects' behavior. The report confirms that no radar contact was made and no photographs were taken of the objects.