UFO Report of 15 December 1968 - Palmyra, Michigan

On December 15, 1968, an observer in Palmyra, Michigan, reported a sighting of an unidentified aerial phenomenon. The witness, who had previous experience in topography while in the Army, observed a light in the southern sky between 2105 and 2120 EST. The object initially appeared as an intense blue-white light, which the witness described as larger than other stars. The object moved in a straight line toward the south-southeast before stopping and hovering for approximately one minute. During the observation, the object changed color to a rust red and eventually appeared to split into two separate light sources. The witness noted an incomplete halo above the upper portion of the light. The object was observed to bob in the air and appeared to grow in size and intensity as if moving toward the observer, before eventually diminishing in size and disappearing. The witness, who was inside their home at the time, observed the object through a window. The Air Force investigated the report and concluded that the description provided was consistent with past sightings of 'Garment Bag Hot Air Balloons.' A formal letter from Lt. Colonel Hector Quintanilla, Jr., Chief of the Aerial Phenomena Branch, was sent to the witness on December 18, 1968, informing them of this conclusion and providing a description of such balloons.