UFO Observation Report — Oelwein, Iowa, October 18, 1967

This document details a UFO sighting reported by a civilian in Oelwein, Iowa, on October 18, 1967. The observer, a radio engineer, was photographing the moon when he noticed a bright star to the right of the moon. He initially thought it was the planet Saturn. Upon using binoculars, he observed the object moving slowly in a southerly direction before changing course to the west-southwest. When the object was directly south of him, he noted it consisted of four lights rather than one. The observer provided extensive documentation, including photographic negatives and sketches, to the Air Force's Aerial Phenomena Branch (Project Blue Book). The Air Force conducted an investigation, requesting additional data and the original negatives for analysis. The official conclusion reached by the Air Force was that the sighting was likely the planet Saturn, or possibly a retrograde satellite or the decay of an uncatalogued satellite. The observer remained skeptical of these explanations, noting that he had seen the object move and that it appeared to have 'portholes or windows' when viewed through binoculars. The file includes correspondence between the observer and Major Hector Quintanilla, Jr., as well as technical information forms, sketches, and photographic data sheets.