PROJECT 10073 RECORD CARD - Salamanca, New York - 2 August 1958

On August 2, 1958, a civilian witness in Salamanca, New York, reported observing thousands of silver-colored objects falling from the sky. The witness, who was working in a tower, noted that the objects glittered in the sunlight and appeared to have been subjected to intense heat. Furthermore, the witness reported that several individuals experienced a tingling sensation upon touching the recovered pieces of metal. The witness submitted a sample of the material to the Air Force for evaluation, speculating that it might be related to a jet bomber explosion or a falling Sputnik. The Air Force initiated an investigation under Project 10073. Technical analysis conducted by AFCIN-4E2 determined that the metal composition corresponded to 2S Aluminum, consistent with AMS 4001-B sheet stock. The report concluded that the material was radar chaff, noting that its ductility—specifically the ability to bend it with fingers—confirmed it was sheet stock rather than cast metal. Internal Air Force correspondence from T/Sgt James O. Bolieu noted that such reports were common, as the Strategic Air Command (SAC) frequently conducted radar chaff exercises, and members of the public often mistook the resulting debris for unidentified flying objects. Major Lawrence J. Tacker subsequently issued a formal response to the witness on September 17, 1958, confirming that the spectrographic analysis identified the objects as radar chaff.