UFO Observation & Photograph, July 25, 1967 — Westmont, Illinois

This document contains a Project Blue Book sighting report regarding an unidentified aerial phenomenon observed in Westmont, Illinois, on July 25, 1967. The witness, a 14-year-old civilian, reported observing a gray, cigar-shaped object that was not self-luminous but appeared solid with fuzzy, vibrating edges. The object was observed for approximately 15 seconds while it was ascending. The witness, who was testing a new camera at the time, managed to take one photograph of the object. The report includes a detailed questionnaire, a photographic data sheet specifying the use of a Kodak Instamatic 104 camera with 126 cartridge film, and a letter from Major Hector Quintanilla, Jr., Chief of the Aerial Phenomena Office, dated January 18, 1968. In this letter, Major Quintanilla apologizes for a filing error that prevented the Air Force from investigating the sighting when it was first reported. He notes that the Air Force handles over 10,000 letters and investigates approximately 1,000 UFO sightings annually, and that errors occasionally occur. Because of the delay and the fact that the original negatives were not submitted, the Aerial Phenomena Office concluded that the case provided insufficient data for a thorough evaluation.