Project 10073 Records: UFO Sightings in Dayton, Ohio (September 1968)

This document contains a collection of Project 10073 records and associated correspondence regarding multiple UFO sightings reported in the Dayton and Kettering, Ohio area during September 1968. The records include completed 'Sighting of Unidentified Phenomena' questionnaires (AF Form 117) from various witnesses, including an 11-year-old child and adult observers. Witnesses described seeing objects that appeared as bright, star-like lights, often changing colors between blue, red, orange, and white. Some reports described the objects as having sharp edges, moving in zig-zag patterns, or appearing to drip fire or sparks. One witness, a model maker with experience in tracking satellites, provided detailed accounts of an object that appeared to move fast, rise, slow down, and fade out. The Air Force, under the direction of Lt. Col. Hector Quintanilla, Jr. of the Aerial Phenomena Office (Project Blue Book), investigated these reports. The official conclusions for these sightings were varied, with some categorized as 'Probable (AIRCRAFT)', 'Other (CONFLICTING DATA)', or 'HOT AIR BALLOON'. Specifically, the Air Force concluded that several sightings were consistent with the flight of plastic garment bag hot air balloons or the observation of stars and planets. The correspondence shows the Air Force requesting further information from witnesses to conduct scientific investigations, though the final assessments generally dismissed the phenomena as conventional objects.