Project 10073 Record Card — Westboro, Massachusetts, 18 June 1961

On June 18, 1961, a civilian witness in Westboro, Massachusetts, reported observing an unidentified aerial object for approximately 20 to 30 minutes during a thunderstorm. The witness, who was in their backyard with their children, described a red light moving back and forth at an elevation of about 20 degrees. The object occasionally glowed orange and, on two occasions, emitted a brilliant searchlight directed downward at a 45-degree angle. The witness reported hearing no engine noise, except for a brief moment that sounded like an engine being gunned. The witness initially suspected it might be a light aircraft, but expressed doubt due to the severity of the weather and the object's unusual behavior. The witness also referenced a similar account from Frank Edwards's book 'Stranger than Science' to explain their interest in reporting the event. The U.S. Air Force, through Major William T. Coleman, Jr., requested that the witness complete an official ATIC questionnaire to facilitate an objective evaluation. The subsequent official conclusion recorded on the Project 10073 record card suggested that the object was likely an aircraft, noting the proximity of a small airport and interpreting the lights as standard aircraft running and landing lights. The report concludes that the sighting was a misinterpretation of conventional aircraft.