Project 10073 Record Card — Caracas, Venezuela, 11 June 1961

This document is a Project 10073 record card and associated military cable detailing an unidentified aerial phenomenon sighting in Caracas, Venezuela, on June 11, 1961. The report describes a single, round object, estimated to be larger than a quarter but smaller than a golf ball, which appeared at 0200 GMT. The object exhibited an orange and red flame, with a brilliance four times that of Venus, and emitted light flashes similar to a sparkler. The witnesses, identified as a director at Creole Corp and an executive at General Electric de Venezuela, both of whom were deemed highly reliable, observed the object moving from overhead to a 30-degree elevation, where it remained stationary for approximately 90 seconds before extinguishing. The observers reported no sound. The investigating officer, Major Jack R. Baird Jr., noted that no physical evidence or photographs were obtained, and no radar contact was made. The official conclusion provided on the record card suggests that the object was likely a light balloon with fireworks attached, a phenomenon noted in certain sections of South America during celebrations. The report was processed through official military channels, including the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) and Headquarters USAF.