UFO Sighting, McMinnville, Oregon, 11 Dec 63

This document collection details the investigation of a UFO sighting reported by a faculty member at Linfield College in McMinnville, Oregon, on December 11, 1963. The witness, a professor of mathematics and astronomy, observed a bright, star-like object at approximately 7:00 AM. The object appeared motionless for a period, then moved parallel to the horizon before accelerating and disappearing behind trees. The witness, initially a skeptic of such phenomena, provided detailed notes to the Air Force, noting that the object's behavior—specifically its hovering and subsequent rapid lateral movement—did not match known aircraft, weather balloons, or astronomical bodies. The Air Force, through the Foreign Technology Division and in consultation with Dr. J. Allen Hynek, reviewed the report. Dr. Hynek and Air Force officials evaluated several hypotheses, including a light aircraft or a weather balloon, but ultimately concluded that the circumstances did not support these explanations. The Air Force officially categorized the case as one for which they could not find a logical explanation. The correspondence highlights the administrative process of handling such reports, involving the Air Defense Command, the Air Force Academy, and the Foreign Technology Division. The file includes internal memos, a record card, and letters between the witness and Dr. Hynek, reflecting the Air Force's attempt to engage with scientifically trained observers to resolve sightings. Despite the thorough review, the incident remained officially 'unidentified' in the project files.