Project 10073 Record Card — 6 Dec 60 Sighting

On December 6, 1960, at 1118Z, personnel aboard the USS Gunston Hall observed an unidentified aerial phenomenon in the vicinity of 3350N 14220E, near Japan. The sighting was reported by LTJG J.S. Eckenrod, the Officer of the Deck, and corroborated by four deck seamen. The object was described as having the appearance of a pinhead with an incandescent white color and a white tail approximately the width of a baseball. The object was observed for approximately two seconds. It was initially sighted at an elevation of 30 degrees and a bearing of 250 degrees, after which it descended to an elevation of 10 degrees with a bearing change to 255 degrees before breaking up and extinguishing. No sound was heard during the event. Weather conditions at the time were clear with 48 percent cloud cover, unlimited ceiling, and visibility between 15 and 20 miles. No radar contact was made, and no interception or identification action was taken by the vessel. The report notes that satellite reentry possibilities were investigated and ruled out due to the lack of any corresponding event at that time. The Commanding Officer concluded that the object was likely a meteor, noting that the visual characteristics were consistent with such a phenomenon and that no physical evidence was recovered.