Report on Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) — Wayside Park, Florida, 23 May 1961

This document is a formal report regarding an Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) sighting that occurred on May 23, 1961, near Wayside Park in Mexico Beach, Florida. The report was prepared by MSGT Henry J. Lacour of the 4756th Air Base Group at Tyndall Air Force Base and forwarded to the Aerospace Technical Intelligence Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The primary witness, SSGT Charles A. Baumgart, reported observing a stationary, firey red object with two humps for approximately 30 minutes. The witness described the object as having a bright red light, a red haze, and a small dot of light. According to the witness, he and his family observed the object after returning home from Port St. Joe, eventually driving to Wayside Park to get a better view. The witness stated the object appeared to be a blaze in the Gulf, but noted it lacked the typical characteristics of a fire, such as shooting flames. The official evaluation of the sighting concluded that the information provided by the witness was conflicting, specifically noting that while the witness claimed the object was in the Gulf, the directional data provided (northwest) was inconsistent with the geography of the area. The investigators determined that the witness likely did not know the correct directions from his location. Consequently, the case was classified as having 'insufficient evidence,' with the official conclusion suggesting that atmospheric refraction was likely responsible for the sighting of a light source that would normally have been below the horizon. The report includes sketches of the object and maps of the area, as well as a warning regarding small arms range danger areas near Tyndall Air Force Base, which may have been relevant to the context of the sighting location.