I CONTROL NO. DECIMAL P'IL~ NO.---- !'rt" .. ,ect GRtiD3E FOLLOW Up O N RECORD,::D No. INCLS. &US.-ENS E DATE ESTABLIBI-':0 B Y DATI: 01" lt& .. L.Y CJ"i'l'i[R DISPOSITION TRANS MITTAL SEt OTHER SlOE 10. CC~CLUSICJN C~I~F SUi.~M y A~D ANALYSIS Obj~ct \;as arpc..rc::.t z:L~e of a ligr;t, p!a~e (obse:-vc~ st.:.t ob~ ;;;~:;~-=::: D.:;.r:" rc<.~dish bro..n. O~serv~r stated obj~ct :.::::cured ; buff colored. Shr.1~e of object li~e a ray fish \.i~f.ot:.t t.:.i.l, j so:.-.cd;,at trianf;t,!lar. Object covered 60 deg of arc in ~5 sec. . Cbj ect reflected glint or reflection from right sicie. Straier.~ flie;ht, but \ias rolling or oscillating from side to side GUIDE TG IIWESTIGATION UNIDENTIFIED AERIAL OBJ8CTS Inc ident No 1. Do.to of Observation 7 May 1949 Date of Inte rvie w ~1 May 19h9 2. Exact t irne of observation (local) Between 1800 9,nd 1830 hours, CST Place of Observation: Ikl.p Coor dinu.to s) 38:34N; 90:1~ Kans~s City Sectional Aeronautical Chart, 4. Position of observe r (air, car, bldg, location of-Give detailo) Seated in lawn chair in back yard, facing north-west. Vlha t attracted nttcntion to object: Observer and wife were \Vatching gulls from Mississippi River when object was.sighted. . of objects n nd sketch of for.nn t~on or group~ng: Only one object observed. Apparent size ( compar e to kno,:m. object, i. e., sun, noon, thumb or fist ut o.rms length): Appeared to be about the size of a light private airplane, would have taken 1~ newspaper held at arm's len[;th to obstruct i t s. Color of objoct 1 Dark reddish brown Sho.pe (give graphic d o scription -cornpnre v1ith knorm obj oct): Resembled a Sting Ray except it .had n~ whipli~ tail. . overheo.d)~ Altitude (Angle of e levati on above hor~zon -0 o.t nor~zon, - 11. Direction from observer (rtngle clockvrise from North): 11 o'clock Direction of fli ght of object (s): South by Southwest Time in sight: Approximately 45 aeconds Speod (time to cover given angulo.r distance): Approximately 45 seconds to cover an angle of apprcxtmately 6QO Sound and odor : Distance from observer (Disto.nce to town, bld&~ etc. over which object appeared to bo:) App~oximately 9 or 10 thousand teet overhead Guide t o Investigntion 17. Tro.il (co lor, length, width, per ist:J.nce, etc, ) : Luminosity {visible by refl ection, i ncn!'!dc se:ncc , othe r -dec;r.:e: of brilli(.Ilce): Bright glint or reflection from ri~ht side 19. Fro j ections {fins , vri ngs , rods, a.ntennf\c, cc.ncpi os, c~c ~ ) : 20. i.hneuvers (turns, clir.lbs, di:es, etc,-sketch of flight pc\th) : Fle in a straight line, but wa.s rolling or oscillating from side to side. 21. 11r1nner of di sappeo.r MCC: Disappeared in the atmosphere, apparently without ~ainin~ or losing any 22. Effect on clouds: No clouds in sky. 23, \llditionlll inf rno.tion concerning obje c t : Object was also observed by ~S thought the object was buff colored with a redd1sh glow somerrhat like an old fashioned coal stove instead of a glint on the right edge. 24, \/eat her conditions an.; lit;ht o. t tir.le of s igh tin& 1 Light& Twilight or approximately 20 or 30 minutes before official sunset. Weather: fair NEll'!le o.nd address Occupation and hob bies: Retired Artist, llho re!lue, St. Louis, Missouri still paints occasionally. Art is principle interest. Comnents of Interrogc.t or r ole. tiYe to inte llit;enc c :md c h nr:\ct er of .-bs c r v cr {Che ck neir;hbors, pol ice del? t,, FBI records, enplo~ter, etc, ) : Observer and wife both apparently in late sixties, both very sincere in tho belief they saw a strange object in the sky. is ap~arently well versed in air travel and different types of aircraft, Okeok of neighbors, St. Louis Police and FBI failed to reveal any infor~tion that y be . Did observer V.'ea.r glo.s se s, especinlly polnroid glo.sses o.t t iJn.e of sighting or Wll s o b j eot viewed through co.nop y, wind oTt, or other t ro.ns par ent rna. t e r i al1 Mr s glasses with bifocal lens and was wearing them at the time of the observation. Mrs, s not wear glasses and claims to have eyesight. eccentric or that he had been known to ever sti8ke any strange J.u0 idont No Guido to InvestiGation Rel::tive t o Rud[...r SiGhtil~ 1. Ro rndar s nor: oper~tins on r;r ound n.. Obscrvc..tio;~s of dir vction, rc.n&c, speed, c.ltitnde u.nd s i z v o f t:~.rcct: No radar operating in this area at time object was observed. b. Did t~rbet e x ecute c.ny turns? I f s o , r!:c.t ::.nc;l e (lSOO), etc. u.nd r.~c.t rn.di~s o f t~rn. Ii' r~.dius of tur n r::..s not ubsr.r~: ~:t'lc, hovr lont; did thv tc.r;ot stc..y in the turn and ; rho.t ::,1s its speed: c. Note pnrticul::rly ::l:lY scp.:.r~.tion of dist:.1.11t t~.rt;et i :1to s cvcr n l to.rt;ets upon :~p )r on.ch: d. Ho.s r a.dnr blip on C!lthod e r;:o.y tube vroll d e f i ned c.ncl co!1sist\J:1t v.i t h size of obje c t ; f~int; fadinG, ~uls::tinb a.t roQJl~r r u t e : e. Did ro.da.r echo sibnnl disnpJ:EO.r sudcienly o r t;r~.du:.'-lly: 2. If c.irbou rne, ~ .. hon object \'!US sighted: n. ,;er e the r e o.ny r n do.r i ndic:-..tions or oxtrr. noise o:~ r.:tdio circu its: b. Give estimates of size , speed, mn.ncu'\"e r s , otc.: 1. Telot~ sequence s of locc..l v:ci.!. thcr cond itions: 7 May 1949, 1820 hours CST. Scattered clouds at 22,000 teet, visibility 15 miles, temperature 70, dew point 53, surface wind east by north east at 7 miles per hour. 2, viinds a.lof.6 report' In\,J.dont :ro, Guido to Invosti~ution 3, Local flir;ht schcd..1les of comnt.:rciu l pri.;o.te n.nd militt~ry airc r['.ft flying in vicinity t~-t tht:; ti1:10 : (Check Canadian activity if close tn bord e r ) Chicago & Southern DC-4 Departed Lambert Field, St. Louis, Missouri, for phis. Tennessee at 1751 hours CST, 7 May 1949 4. Possible r e leases of testint; devicos i n vicinity s~nt o.loft by Ord;w.nco iJ:.:lVY' Air Force , .t'...my, ~ ioa.ther Units I Rc set...rch ur canizu t io.lS or :.:.n y ot~wr: None from Scott Air Force Base. Illinois. u.s. Naval Air Station or l~cDonnell Aircraft Corporation, Iembert Field, St. Louis. Missouri. 5. If object cont!'.ctod or.rth, obtain soil sru:1ple s within u.nd rlithout d o - pression or spot ,_:here object lc..nded for purpos0 s of r:1~!-:inb c onpo.rison Not applicable 6 . Obtci n photogro..phs (or orir;inr.l nct;~tive:s) r;her o avc..ilc.blc; if not, cure sketche s of: Not applicable a.. Object b. ~rrounding torro.in v.hor o o bject Yio.s observe d c. Pln.ce ...-rhc r e ot j oct co:tto.ctod o.:..rth (if this h.u.~ponod) d. i:fnnouvers e . For mc.tion (if :.1ore thc...."l tn)) 7. Secure siGne d sto.ter.1onts. S . Obto.in fro.[>ncnts or ~hysic:.l evidence n:1cro possi'.Jlc. Not applicable , DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES AIR FORCE 5Ttl DISTRIC T OffiCC or SPLC II\L INVESTit.ATI O N S WRI~HTPATTt.RSON A I R ~ORC.t OAS OAY'lON . OHIO IN R EPLY REF"ER TO. 5D-24-2lt> 22 June 1949 SUBJEC1'1 PROJECT "GRUOOE" 325 Incident, 13 May 1949 st. Louie, Missouri SPECIAL IN~UIRY ng General Air Materiel Command Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Dayton, Ohio ATl'N 1 MCIAXS 1. Reterence is made to your R&R, dated 24 May 1949, requesting an investigation of unidentified aerial phenomenon reported on 13 A~y 1949 at St. I.Duis, Missouri. 2. Transmitted herewith are two (2) copies of Report of Investi- gation b7 Special Agent BENJAMIN F. SELlARS, Jr., dated ~ June 1949, lri.th inclosures, for 7our in! tion. This report constitutes the development of all logical leads case and no further investigation is contemplated by t his office. F . DOYLE, JR. Rpt of Inv by S/ A SELlARS dtd g Jun 49 (in dup) captain, USAF Acting District Cozru,,ander UNCL.f>.SS\f\ED WIOI OCf .. 11M 1 Com~andin~ OenerA1 Hq Air Uaterie, Commd T.right-Pattereon Air FOrce BABe Wright Field, O~.o ATTNa MCAX0-3 1. The to1,owing it, dated 13 Ua7, ~ reoorted to thie heed- quarte!S b~.,. the Region' Ottice ot st. Louia, ilias01r11 "i.ong atter the ve ot reporta ot nying ~ucers, 8 fh'luth st. Louiesn eaid that he hed eighted eome other my1teriou1 ob ect in the eky last Saturda7 , st. Louie, said the object appear to be about the size or a light private ai%'- P"' ane, but bore no resemb, a nee to a p, ane and n e much tast 'It waa nat, reddish brown in co,or and I saw a glint in the 1ete sun1i{r)lt at thl!t height, a,- thougb the ann had Pet mere ,.. were,' he said. object IP.emed to tv.tve an oeci,, ati~ motion end wal eom at tri&DI'l, ar. 2. lo further inveetigatioa 11 contemplated bJ this headquarter poR THF. COIWANDINQ Q~DULa P BEI.J. Oolone,_, QSO INCIDENT NO. 1. Date of Observation .7~Jt'M~J.&.i g"---Date of IntervitJw .. ...,....,. 2. Exact Time (local) lt!OO l;o Place of Observation Ct. l~uu, Hoe _?f;o ;s4t ~lorth ~o -l;il '/lo:lt 4. Position of observer 5 Y;hat attr~cted attention to object 6. Number of objects 7 Apparent size . ot llt;41t ~)ll\110 (o!xlorvor Dtf.tau "wonld hnvo tai:oo ntniBjnpcr ot armo S. Color of object lcnzth to ob3truct view ol ob,)oct.a D-1rk Ntk!ish lrol111. ( object appcarod but: colorod) 9 Shape L1.kD a rq t1ab Without tail noxnahat tri.Angnlnr 10. Altitude s;o-9,000-10,000 teet 11. Direction from observer },00 12. Distance from observer 9,000 -10 00.; tact ov~.:rhcad. 13. Direction of flight of ebject(s} . 14. Time in sight J.a.5 OOCOlld& 16. Sound and odor nono lS. Luminosity 01 sot, or rutloction fram right, aido 19. Projections Ilona noticed 20. Maneuvers Stras.dlt t]J41t but 11Cl:J rol11nc ar aacilln.tinc tra:a aida to oido 21. Manner of disappoaranoo 22. Effect on Clouds Additional information concerning object Could llOS01~ haw baal ~ . a5r l' nor 1n at ot a1t:1tJ.nc lloo.thor Conditions Far, tzJjr)lt, ?clil 1dm aut b7 BeE. Lj I , L v r.:aoo and a.d9-re s s of obs'Jrv~ r: a-. & ~ t. !f St. Lou1s Occup~tion ~d hobbies: Cormncnts of Interrogator relative to intolliguncu aud ch::~.ractc r of obs.;r~ror(s) Ur atal;,od in o-~tnnco na f'ol ,_Olf51 ()1 tllfJ fN(.:a.:.n(i or ., ~J l?.' .r.;, n.t C.;Ji .. rtlx- Srntcl:r hom~ ruz lau YltiD oittin~ CXl t.~(! bacl' lm'J'l ~:ith hi.G w:.!..fu HTlrJ t!~:r u~ro 1r:J.tcn- 1ng the b-.&J.~:J 1N1 the~ ~!1suinc1I>Pi l.ivcr W~1Cn thn;r noticou a ut1un~u uu~u~t. w!Jt d:!.rcctly ovurhend. Ur. t;od nt t.tr:n;, 1U 'Lh~J~t)'rt. it &. JHl"ti<J W.ru, lJu~ cluaul" ob~,}~ ticm d!ucloocd t hat it 1cw n.t v. CIUCh h1{;lcr nltitudo t !-.n t:~ ;~:ull5, ti4Ut !.t \ SD:;K> what trillncaJnr in .o!'lnpc, and that it l'Q5 t1~Vt:linr; nt a torr.lfic r-..&.tc oi ~r~'-'d !.lr. wr stated t,.at, ho ;;,an bct~n a .i~1.U:lC!lL r on ccn.A!rc.f.al ail liauro a:ld ~vould 1c ultitndu or ~10 olJ~\)Cli at ~L~.,t~J;-o..:.:JU.tc~ nine {9) or lit-Hl (10) tliD:~and i'cot. Ur. n:.,t estL-... ~to tho Dpood, but atatod it UM only in u.:.c;t1li for a!>.:u.-o:dnnto- 11' tort:,--five (4~)) sec<lilda .. wxi \;an :t'~t r .than a:l:t ai..,U..U~ he !.uta cvt!r oocn in tho a!cy. llr dcscribod tho object as bein~ a~t tho aioo of a licht pllvci'Lu !Jlano and that clo:;olj reoo:1bJod tho nhape ot a Sti:'lr; l~y \nth th~ o:cco{:t..ion t,:~t t ho object hAd no ohip..lil:o Wl. I:r Jr ~uac~.i.l)cd t!~ o~j~ct aD :lllv-".UlG u tkuk, dull. roddi.nh br0"1U colcr and t ~ ~nt or roflcctlon a1cn~ t ho ri~1t Dido o tho objoct D.'1 it ,na oocilla tinr,. ~l o t~lis Gli nt n1 rci'lcct,ion ~ tll ricllt oirlo tc:w llig~1 W;.1D turthcr ~Lc1tcu t:~t ho fir:lt ol:Go:- ... "d tho object nt a!la.1t olow..n (ll) o'clocl:, ,..;w a~ un U."'lf;lc ot a).lro:~1Mto- ~ oi{;lt~fivo (t:5) c!o~cc:; abovo tho horizon, a~ tliat it w:1 tr~vclinc in a oo~th wout d12'0Ct1an. lJr 1' otntcd t:1at tho objoct tl.-avulotl in a utruic!lt IUth Without :l&liUrontl;r a o1 J<X)n~ nltittX!a, tha.t it l:l& ooc11l.~tinc: trw a"'lo to aido, mx1 t.hnt. it, d1fl.GiJi~Drod in ti1u Ql 3ll!:ly l949 Loulo, Uo., intor- Yiowod rccardinc tJw ot a atran~ object in t.~ ol~ oo 7 Ua=r 1~9 8'tlxttmlt1ated ot the :Ji~ting at tho object. witb the pticn thnt thou~t 1t. 'rGD CO]<lrfld mtd tha lt thcro roddiull ~jlalr. :JCZ:~Wllat ljl:o tba ot an iron c~1J atovo, alone tho richt edr,u ut tbo obJect aa it tlD oac"tl 1 a tina throudl the slcy. Jbtb acrood that tho 8\.lll had juat cans dcnm bellini tho troos, and thoro ma still qu.l.to a bit, or l1Gbt, in tho ok;(. Noithar otxse~ arq fins, or GDteo:'an em the obJoct. gam AFCSI Form 4 Ht!ADQUARTERS UNITED STATES AI A F'ORC THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OFFICE OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS REPORT OF INVESTIGATION File No. Dote Report made by BENJAMIN F. SELLARS, JR. PBOJ CT "GRUDG:.:;" Incident, 13 May 19}~9 St. Louis, Missouri Report made at DO =/112 , Scott A.FB Ufflce ol ortgt.n 'i right-Patterson ~J'B S!~CIAL INi'~:UIRY Reference ., rteport or S/A VEL TON CC.UBS I 00 =n? I rile 5D-24-21P, dated 27 !w~y 1949 Distrtbutton Upon receipt of re~ort of invsstigation from OSI District Office No. 5, V!right-Pa.tterson .APB, :.. ayton, Ohio, undeveloped leads set forth therein were developed, however, no inf orma- tion was disclosed that would sitivel identifv the strange object sighted by Mr. St. Louis, Missouri, on 7 y 1949. AcUon Copy forwarded to 2 / Commandin~ General 2 Air l~teriel Command 2 Wright-Patterson .~B ATTN: MCIAXS UNITED SATf.S AIR FORCE THE II~S?l~TOH GtNt~AL File Stamp PAUL !qiLLER Captain, USAF Deputy DISTRICT COMMANDER Sl684T-2-Scott AFB, Ill.--3 Feb 49-lOl\l AT ST. lOUI S, MI SSOURI A:issouri, w!\.s interviewed re r; his siv:htinr, an un en ob.ie c t in thr3 sky on 7 M~v 1949. ~.~r. a t ed in substA-nce a s follovrs: On t he eveninr; Or 7 1::S.y 194.9 at ap~Jroximatel~.r 18 00 h ours CST ~e wa s sitting on t h e back l9.vm with his wif e and t hey were vrc:.ttchinr-; t h e gulls from the Mississi i Hiver when t hey notice d a s t r a nge object almost dire ctly overhead. ~r tated at first ne thou~ht it \qas a larg e b ird, but closer observ~tion d s c l o sed that it W9.S at a much higher alt i t ud e than t h e gulls, that i t wa s somewhat t r in shape, and th~t it \vas travelinr, a t a terrific ra~e of s pe ed. 1~o further stated that he h~s been a passenger on commercial air liners and would estimate t he altitude of the object at a~nroximately nine (9 ) or ten (10) thousand feet. Mr. uld not estimate the s peed but stated i t wa s only in sight for a pproximately f orty-five (45) seconds ~nd was fa s ter than any air- plane he ha s ever seen in t he sky. Mr. ascribe d t h e obj e ct as being about the s ize of a light private pl9.ne and t hat i t closely esembled t he s hape o~ a Sting Ray with the exception t ha t t he o b.iect ha d no l'lhip-like tail. lv:r ther described t he object a s having