Project 10073 Record Card — Hilton, New York, 5 November 1957

On 5 November 1957, at 2240Z, a Ground Observer Corps (GOC) member named Harry Gillitte reported an unidentified aerial phenomenon in Hilton, New York. The witness, described as a Post Supervisor, observed a single, bright, flashing white light moving in an easterly direction on a straight course. The observation lasted for approximately three minutes. The witness utilized 630 Novy model binoculars to track the object. The weather conditions at the time were reported as having a 3,000-foot ceiling, 15-knot winds, broken clouds, and 10 miles of visibility. There was no sound associated with the object. The report was processed by the 763rd Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron at Lockport Air Force Station and forwarded to the Air Technical Intelligence Center in accordance with Air Force Regulation 200-2. The official conclusion reached by the evaluating authorities was that the sighting was likely caused by an aircraft. This determination was supported by the observation that the witness was located directly under the flight path for aircraft landing at Rochester, as noted by reference to WAC chart #301. Despite the witness's inability to identify the object through binoculars, the military assessment attributed the event to standard aviation activity.