Project 10073 Record Card — Moses Lake, Washington, 2 October 1962

This document file contains records regarding an Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP) sighting that occurred on 2 October 1962 near Larson Air Force Base in Moses Lake, Washington. The primary report, documented on a Project 10073 record card, describes two separate sightings. In the first, an oval, reddish-orange object was observed at 30 degrees elevation and 250 degrees azimuth, descending for 20 seconds before disappearing by fading. Approximately 60 seconds later, two objects of the same description appeared in the same position but did not descend, also disappearing by fading. The total duration of the sighting was approximately 30 seconds. Three witnesses, identified as A/2C Owen H. Grider, A/1C Preston Horton, and A/2C Roger Peace, all of the 417th Combat Support Group, were noted as very credible. Local investigators conducted checks for potential terrestrial causes, such as flashing power lines, and consulted with the Grant County Public Utility District and the Bonneville Power Company, confirming no such activity occurred. The final conclusion attributed the sightings to reflections from the Aurora Borealis on the cloud base, noting that the Aurora was observed in the area at the time. The file also includes a letter from a civilian to the FBI, dated 5 October 1962, which discusses a newspaper clipping from the Great Falls Montana Tribune regarding the sighting. The civilian author expresses skepticism, suggesting that the objects were likely flares released from aircraft, and includes political commentary regarding the Air Force and government control. A subsequent memorandum from the Department of the Air Force, dated 30 October 1962, confirms that the civilian's correspondence was received via the FBI and that the Directorate of Special Investigations contemplated no further action in the matter.