Project 10073 Record Card — Joplin, Missouri, 4 September 1962

On 4 September 1962, a civilian witness in Duquesne, near Joplin, Missouri, reported observing three unidentified objects for a duration of two hours. The witness described the objects as round and white, consisting of one large object with two smaller objects trailing behind it. The objects were noted to have no discernable features, no exhaust, no trail, and made no sound. The witness reported that the objects appeared to move closer and then back away intermittently, maintaining an elevation of approximately 45 degrees above the horizon. The weather conditions at the time were reported as clear with high broken clouds and 15 miles of visibility. The Air Force investigation, documented in a staff message and a Project 10073 record card, noted that the witness was unable to provide azimuth data, and only a single elevation was recorded. The Wing Intelligence Officer concluded that a valid cause for the sighting could not be estimated due to insufficient data, despite initial speculation that the objects might have been astronomical in nature.