Sighting Report — Smyrna, Tennessee, 13 July 1965

On July 13, 1965, a retired USAF captain, while lying in a hammock in Smyrna, Tennessee, observed an unidentified aerial object. The witness, who had 16 years of experience as a USAF pilot and additional experience as an airline and private pilot, described the object as a very bright light, similar in intensity and size to the brightest star in the sky. The object traveled on a straight SSW course for approximately six to seven minutes without any deviation or maneuvers. The witness noted that the object passed by a star located directly overhead and, unlike a shooting star, left no contrails or stream. The object reportedly disappeared for a fraction of a second, reappeared, and then disappeared again instantly. The witness initially suspected the object was a satellite but felt compelled to report it due to its extreme brightness and speed. Official analysis conducted by the 314th Combat Support Group at Sewart AFB, Tennessee, concluded that the object was likely a satellite. The report notes that while the observer was considered reliable, there was a discrepancy regarding the flight path, as the object was reported moving SSW, whereas other satellites like ECHO I were in the vicinity at the time but on different trajectories. The report was submitted in two parts in accordance with Air Force Regulation 200-0 and was forwarded to the Air Defense Command and the Foreign Technology Division.