Project 10073 Record Card and Air Intelligence Information Report — Perryville, Missouri, 5 March 1960

On 5 March 1960, a civilian witness in Perryville, Missouri, reported observing two unidentified streaks of light in the eastern sky at approximately 06:20 local time. The witness described the objects as golden, brilliant streaks, with one appearing larger than the other. They were observed for 5 to 10 minutes, moving slowly in a slanting position at a 40-degree angle, descending before leveling off and disappearing toward the northeast. The witness noted that the objects did not leave a vapor trail and did not expand. Following the report, the 798th AC&W Squadron and the U.S. Weather Bureau were contacted to assist in identification, but they could provide no additional information. An investigation by the 1405th Air Base Wing (MATS) concluded that the sighting was likely a meteorological phenomenon. The report notes that the weather conditions at the time included a temperature inversion from the surface to 10,000 feet. The investigating officer suggested that the rising sun reflecting off distant clouds, combined with the inversion, created the unusual visual effect. The report also explicitly ruled out a U-3A aircraft that had departed Scott AFB at 06:17 local time, noting that its flight path and distance from the observer made it an unlikely candidate for the sighting.