Project 10073 Record Card and Correspondence — Easton, Maryland, June 1957

This document collection centers on a sighting report from 29 June 1957, in Easton, Maryland, where a civilian witness observed three objects described as 'inverted shallow umbrellas' with a 'light amber glow' traveling in a single file from east to west. The witness, who was driving home, reported that the objects were visible for approximately 30 seconds and made no sound. The report was submitted to the United States Air Force under Project 10073. The Air Force investigation, led by Captain G.T. Gregory, concluded that the sighting was likely a result of F-86 aircraft from the Aberdeen Army Proving Grounds. These aircraft were reportedly carrying special lights to simulate artificial satellites for the MOONWATCH program, an initiative designed to train volunteer observers for the upcoming Earth Satellite Program. The document includes correspondence from the witness, a character reference, and internal Air Force routing sheets. Additionally, the collection contains various press clippings and bulletins from June and July 1957, documenting other reported sightings across the United States, including incidents in New Orleans, McGuire Air Force Base, Beaudette, Minnesota, and off the coast of San Francisco. These clippings highlight the heightened public and military interest in aerial phenomena during this period, often referencing the activities of the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP). The Air Force consistently sought to explain these sightings through conventional means, such as military training exercises, weather phenomena, or astronomical events, while maintaining a record of the reports for evaluation.