Unidentified Flying Object Report (UFOB) — Osan Air Base, Korea, 11 November 1957

On the night of November 11, 1957, at approximately 2330Z, two Airman Third Class (A/3C) personnel stationed at Osan Air Base, Korea, observed an unidentified flying object. The witnesses, who were standing near the East-West runway, reported seeing a long, narrow flame that changed in color from reddish-yellow to whitish-yellow. The object traveled in a straight, level flight path from west to east on a heading of 090 degrees at an estimated altitude of 2000 feet and a speed of 800 to 900 knots. The observers noted that the object disappeared into clouds and that no sound was heard. One witness observed the object for 20 to 30 seconds, while the other observed it for 10 seconds. The report notes that the witnesses compared the object's size to a pencil held at arm's length and noted sparks at the end of the flame. A tower operator, identified as Olive, also reported a T-33 in the area previously but confirmed that the object observed was not a T-33. Weather conditions at the time were reported as 7-mile visibility with a few low clouds. While the official conclusion on the Project 10073 record card categorizes the sighting as an 'astronomical meteor,' the investigating officer, 2/Lt David R. Perdue of the 314th Air Division, expressed personal doubt. In his comments, Perdue stated he felt certain the men saw an 'unusual object not of a conventional nature' and suggested a possible connection to an object sighted in Japan five days later, which had been reported in the Pacific Stars and Stripes newspaper. Perdue noted that neither witness had read the newspaper article, which might have influenced their description. Despite this, he concluded that he had no substantial idea of the possible cause of the sighting.