UFO Sighting Report — Corvallis, Oregon, 4 March 1965

On 4 March 1965, two observers—a farmer and his farmhand—were driving on Toria Road near Corvallis, Oregon, when they witnessed three yellow-orange lights rising from the ground. The objects, described as being the size of tennis balls and emitting light, ascended in a straight path to an altitude of approximately 200 feet before disappearing. The witnesses reported that the objects rose several seconds apart. Upon returning to the site the following day, the primary witness discovered a dark spot on the ground, which he described as looking like oil. He collected a soil sample from this area. Military authorities, including the Portland Air Defense Sector, investigated the incident. Meteorological personnel and air defense officials found no correlation between the sighting and known air activity or natural phenomena. Although the event was compared to a fireworks display, no evidence was found to suggest that flares or fireworks had been discharged in the area. The soil sample was sent to the Air Force Materials Laboratory for analysis. The laboratory report, dated 14 April 1965, confirmed that the sample contained a petroleum hydrocarbon base oil but lacked other chemicals such as nitrates or sulfur. Despite the investigation, the Air Force concluded that there was no explanation for the sighting, and the case was officially classified as unidentified.