Project 10073 Record Card — Nelson, Nebraska, July 1959

This document file contains records related to a UFO sighting reported by Jim Chapman near Nelson, Nebraska, on July 10, 1959. The primary witness, an 18-year-old clerk, claimed that while driving at night, he observed a round, red object with fuzzy edges that changed to white. He described the object as being approximately the size of a grapefruit at arm's length, hovering and maneuvering in various directions. He further characterized the object as appearing to be made of gas that would brighten and dim. The witness reported that the object followed him along the highway, causing him significant distress. He eventually encountered two other individuals, identified as Mrs. Gerald Kubicek and another woman, who also reportedly witnessed the object. The witness stated that the object did not make any sound. The Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) processed this report under Project 10073. The official evaluation of the sighting was dismissive, labeling the witness as 'unreliable' and referencing a prior report from Ceresco, Nebraska (IR 112). The file includes correspondence from Major Lawrence J. Tacker of the U.S. Air Force, dated August 5, 1959, acknowledging the witness's letter and requesting that he complete a formal Air Force questionnaire for further analysis. The witness complied, providing detailed sketches of the object's path and his own movements. Despite the detailed nature of the witness's account, the Air Force concluded that the provided data was insufficient for a valid conclusion, ultimately categorizing the incident as lacking sufficient data for evaluation.