UFO Observation Report — Coden, Alabama, 20 April 1965

This document contains a series of correspondence and a completed U.S. Air Force Technical Information questionnaire regarding a UFO sighting reported by a civilian in Coden, Alabama. The witness, an enforcement officer with the Department of Conservation, reported observing a single, solid, blue-white, round object traveling on a southerly course at approximately 9:20 PM on 20 April 1965. The witness estimated the object's speed at 2500 mph or better and noted it made no sound and left no tail. The witness compared the object's appearance to a plate, a half-flat balloon, or an oblong platter. The report was initially sent to the Secretary of Defense, Robert S. McNamara, and subsequently forwarded to the Foreign Technology Division (FTD) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Major Hector Quintanilla, Jr. of the FTD determined that the initial report lacked sufficient information for a formal evaluation and requested that the witness complete a standard FTD Form 164. The witness complied, providing additional details about the sighting, including the duration of 8-9 seconds and the weather conditions, which were clear and dry. The witness also mentioned having seen satellites on other dates, but emphasized that this object was distinct from those. The file includes the original letter from the witness, the internal military routing slips, and the completed technical questionnaire.