Project 10073 Record Card and Incoming Message — Grafton, North Dakota, 25 September 1961

This document consists of a Project 10073 record card and an associated incoming Air Force message regarding a UFO sighting reported on September 25, 1961, near Grafton, North Dakota. The witness, a 52-year-old male, observed a disc-shaped object with a red glow, which he compared to the appearance of the sun when viewed through smoke. The object was observed for approximately 25 minutes, between 0340 and 0405 CST, while the witness was driving an automobile. The object was described as descending away from the observer into the eastern horizon. Weather conditions at the time were reported as clear with no clouds and a full moon. A preliminary investigation was conducted by the Grand Forks Air Defense Sector, which included a telephonic interview with the witness and consultations with the 29th Weather Squadron, FAA tower operators, and Air Force base tower operators. The investigation confirmed that no unusual objects were detected by radar during the period of the sighting. The report notes that radiosonde balloons were released at 0000Z on the same day from Bismark, Sioux Falls, and Fargo, North Dakota, but the investigation concluded that there was no explanation for the sighting.