Project 10073 Record Card — Los Angeles, California, 14 August 1957

This document is a Project 10073 record card and associated teletype correspondence regarding an unidentified aerial phenomenon sighting in Los Angeles, California, on 14 August 1957. The witness, identified as 1st Lt. Edward R. Martin, a jet pilot, reported observing three round, yellow objects flying in a triangular formation from East to West. The objects were observed through binoculars for a duration of five seconds. The witness estimated the objects were at an altitude of 50,000 feet and traveling at speeds between 1,200 and 1,500 knots. Additionally, the witness claimed that a Geiger counter in his possession registered a 1,000 percent increase during the event. Official military evaluation of the report noted significant discrepancies. Radar data from the 669th ACWRON indicated only two objects traveling at a much lower speed of 350 knots. Due to these conflicting reports and the extremely short duration of the observation, the official conclusion was that there was insufficient data for a definitive analysis. The report notes that the sighting was possibly caused by aircraft or a meteor, but the observer's reliability regarding his specific estimates of speed and altitude was explicitly questioned by the evaluating officers.