Project 10073 Record Card — Clearwater, Florida, 4 July 1964

This document details the investigation into a series of reports of 'red lights' in the sky over Clearwater, Florida, on the night of July 4, 1964. Numerous witnesses reported seeing mysterious red lights during the 4th of July fireworks display, leading to significant public interest and media coverage in the 'Clearwater Sun'. The Air Force, specifically the 836th Air Division (TAC) at MacDill Air Force Base, initiated an investigation into these sightings. The investigation involved collecting written statements from various witnesses, many of whom were vacationers or local residents. The reports were varied, with some witnesses describing the lights as stationary, others as moving in formation, and some as 'disintegrating' or 'fading'. The investigation concluded that the phenomena were not of an unknown or extraterrestrial nature. Instead, it was determined that the lights were railroad flares attached to light parachutes, which were dropped from a civilian Cessna 170-A aircraft. The pilot, identified as James Mercer, the owner of Sunset Nurseries, admitted to the act, stating it was intended as a prank to add to the 4th of July festivities. The document includes the official report from the 836th Air Division, the pilot's statement, weather data, and various witness accounts and newspaper clippings.