Report of sighting as submitted by Colonel [illegible] USAF, during interview with Major Fournet on 21 July 1952

On July 17, 1952, at 2205 EDST, a Colonel in the United States Air Force and his wife observed an unidentified aerial phenomenon from their home in Falls Church, Virginia. The sighting consisted of three lights—one red and two white—traveling in a fixed formation within the same vertical plane. The observer estimated the size of the objects to be equivalent to a circle with a diameter two and a half times that of a dime held at arm's length. The objects emitted a low-intensity, diffused light similar to aircraft running lights, though they did not blink. The witness reported that the objects followed a straight flight path, inclined at approximately 45 degrees to the horizon, and appeared to be descending. The sighting lasted between 10 and 15 seconds, during which the observer noted an irregular, low-resonant 'sputtering' sound, which he described as distinct from standard aircraft engines. The sound persisted throughout the sighting and for a short period after the objects disappeared behind trees. The observer reported the incident to the USAF Command Post immediately, but stated that the personnel there showed no interest in the report. The observer, who was assigned to Hq USAF, DCS/O, Assistant for Atomic Energy (AFOAT), noted that there were no other aircraft observed in the area at the time, and no other unusual activity was noted. The weather was described as having no moon or clouds, with only a slight overcast at high altitude. The observer's wife also witnessed the event, though she recalled the lower light as orange rather than red. The official assessment noted that while it was believed there may have been an aircraft involved, no aircraft were reported in the area.