Project 10073 Record — UFO Sighting, La Porte, Texas, 6 November 1966

On 6 November 1966, at 1445Z, a civilian witness, Louis Fontenot, reported observing an unidentified aerial object over La Porte, Texas. The object was described as a metallic, cigar-shaped craft, approximately 150 feet long and 10 feet in diameter. The witness, a Port Captain at the Anchor Boat Works, observed the object for 15 minutes using 50-power binoculars. He noted black square markings on the sides and two fins, comparing its appearance to a dirigible. The object moved slowly from south to north at an estimated altitude of 15,000 feet and a speed of 100 MPH. The witness also reported seeing a jet aircraft in the vicinity, which he believed was flying at a higher altitude and did not appear to notice the object. The official investigation, conducted by Major Laurence R. Leach, Jr. of the 2578th Air Base Squadron, examined the possibility of a weather balloon. Records from the U.S. Weather Bureau in Victoria, Texas, confirmed a balloon launch at 0515 on the day of the sighting, but noted that the balloon burst at an altitude of 101,046 feet at 0657 CST, nearly two hours before the sighting occurred. Despite this discrepancy, the observer maintained his opinion that the object was a balloon of some type. The investigating officer concluded that no other logistical explanation could be identified for the sighting.