Project 10073 Record Card — Bartlett, Illinois, December 29, 1961

On December 29, 1961, at approximately 5:00 PM, Mrs. David Evans of Bartlett, Illinois, observed an unidentified aerial phenomenon from her living room window. She described the object as an elongated, solid-appearing, golden-colored entity, similar to a red-gold sunset. The witness reported that the object appeared stationary, flickered, emitted smoke, and eventually broke into parts, with two balls dropping off the end. She noted that the object moved toward the northwest and that pieces appeared to drop off. Mrs. Evans, who was with her children and a neighbor at the time, became frightened and contacted the local police. The police reportedly drove in the direction where the smoke was seen but did not return to inform her of their findings. Mrs. Evans subsequently wrote to the U.S. Air Force in Washington, D.C., requesting information on UFOs and detailing her experience. The Air Force responded on January 10, 1962, via Major William T. Coleman, Jr., providing a questionnaire for the witness to complete. In her completed questionnaire and summary, Mrs. Evans reiterated her observations and expressed concern regarding the safety of her community. The official Air Force evaluation concluded that the sighting was an observation of an aircraft condensation trail (contrail) illuminated by the setting sun, noting that the witness's description was consistent with such a phenomenon. The case was categorized as 'Other (Condensation trails)' and closed.