333336075.pdf

U.S. National Archives UAP Records

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COUNTRY USAREPORT NO. IR-6-53c(LEAVE BLANK) AF482-685
AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT
SUBJECT FLYERPT
AREA REPORTED ON State Of IowaFROM (Agency) Detachment #8, 4672nd Ground Observer Squadron, Des Moines, Iowa
DATE OF REPORT 2 February 1953DATE OF INFORMATION 27 January 1953EVALUATION B-2
PREPARED BY (Officer) FRANCIS C. HALL, 1st Lt, USAFSOURCE Robert Lutter
REFERENCES (Control number, directive, previous report, etc., as applicable) None
SUMMARY: (Enter concise summary of report. Give significance in final one-sentence paragraph. List inclosures at lower left. Begin text of report on AF Form 118-Part II.) 1. On 27 January 1953 at about 2100 CST, Iowa State Highway Patrol Headquarters called this Filter Center to say that Patrolman #178, Robert Lutter, had seen an object, both red and white, hovering in the sky west of Davenport, Iowa. This was immediately called to the ADDC but no interception was made. 2. Upon questioning, Patrolman Lutter described the object as a red and white ball of light which hovered west of Davenport and later proceeded west out of sight over the horizon. The ball changed color from white to orange to red and back to white. It seemed to glow a brighter red as it increased in speed. As it neared the horizon, it hovered and bobbed about in one area and then disappeared in the distance. 3. It was estimated to be several hundred feet in size, to travel near 100 MPH for some time, and finally reach inestimable speeds before disappearing. Approving Officer: JOHN BEDER Captain, USAF Commanding
A CERTIFIED TRUE COPY: JOSEPH A MARTINI 1st Lt, USAF Adjutant X 2. INCLS. E.D. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 5(D) or (E) USAF MEMO 2/31/39 Byo. Lewis AKE DECLASSIFIED DECEMBER 1953
DISTRIBUTION BY ORIGINATOR
DI-129
NOTE: THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT, 50 U. S. C. 31 AND 32, AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW. IT MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART, BY OTHER THAN UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AGENCIES, EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF

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AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT
FROM (Agency)REPORT NO.
Det #8, 4672nd GOSIR-6-53cPAGE 2 OF 3 PAGES
1. The date of the sighting was 27 January 1953. The object sighted appeared to be a round and spherical ball of light, one in number. It was estimated to be fifteen (15) miles west of first sighting, and appeared to be easily several hundred feet in size. In comparison it appeared to be about six to eight inches in size at arms length. The object made no sound and left no exhaust or trail. It never, at any time changed shape.
2. It was first sighted by Patrolman #178, Robert Lutter, 3103 Arlington Ave, Davenport, Iowa, and Patrolman #201, George Nicholson, 2042 W. 4th, Davenport, Iowa, while riding in the northwest part of Davenport, Iowa, approximately $ 90^{\circ} 37' $ W. Long., $ 41^{\circ} 32' $ N. Lat. at 2022 C.S.T. The preparing Officer questioned Patrolman Lutter by telephone after the sighting. He stated that he stopped the car and got out to be able to see the object better. Since it was west of him he proceeded west of Davenport about three miles in order to be away from town lights and to ensure that his was not an illusion caused by a reflection of some kind. This was at approximately $ 90^{\circ} 40' $ W. Long, $ 41^{\circ} 33' $ N. Lat, at 2030 C.S.T. Both Patrolmen got out of the car at a dark spot and turned off all lights. At this time it changed color from white to amber then to red to amber and then white again a number of times.
3. The Patrolmen then proceeded west along Highway US 6, in an attempt to get nearer for a better sighting. It appeared to stay stationary while they traveled four (4) or five (5) miles west but then started to move away from them still towards the west. It was estimated to have been traveling faster than the car about 90 to 100 MPH, since the Patrolmen were going 60 to 65 MPH.
4. Three quarters of a mile west of Wilton Junction, Iowa, at $ 91^{\circ} 2' $ W. Long., $ 41^{\circ} 36' $ N. Lat., the patrolmen stopped at a dark spot and got out of their car to further observe the object. They stopped at this time because the object seemed to be gaining speed and increasing the distance between them and it. Expecting it to go out of sight in a short time, they wanted to be standing still and in darkness to observe it.
5. After they had stopped and gotten out of the car, the object appeared to pick up tremendous speed. The patrolmen said it went faster than anything he had ever seen before. As its speed increased, its color changed to a very bright red. It seemed that the faster it moved, the brighter red it appeared.
6. As it neared the horizon, it appeared to stop and hover over a particular spot, and also appeared to bob up and down like a ball at times. It seemed to be circling a particular spot in these bobbing motions. It changed colors, white-red amber-red-number-white in that sequence during this movement. It then disappeared in the distance, still west of the patrolmen at 2114 C.S.T.
7. No optical or electronic sighting equipment was used.
8. The weather was clear with good visibility with about a 15 MPH NW wind.
9. There was no physical evidence such as fragments, photographs or the like of this object.
10. The first report was relayed to the Filter Center's ADDC but no interception was made. The first call was received at this unit at approximately 2100 CST.

NOTE: THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT, 50 U.S.C.—31 AND 32, AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW. IT MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART, BY OTHER THAN UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AGENCIES, EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF INTELLIGENCE, USAF.


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AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT
FROM (Agency)REPORT NO.
Det #8, 4672nd GOSJR-6-53cPAGE33
OF
  1. Comments of preparing officer. The preparing officer personally questioned Patrolman Lutter at about 2200 C.S.T. He has had military service during WWII and had training in Aircraft identification. Since he is a State Patrolman and took several precautions to be sure this sighting was not an illusion, it is believed that he is a reliable source. The information in his report did not seem to indicate any known type of present day aircraft nor any type of astronomical body.

Preparing Officer FRANCIS C. HALL

Security Control Officer

Comments of approving officer.

The information submitted by Patrolman Lutter leads to the furtherance of the belief that "Flying Saucers" are no longer to be regarded as shims of the imagination, but rather a reality.

Approving Officer JOHN BEDER

Captain, USAF

Detachment Commander

A CERTIFIED TRUE COPY:

Joseph Martini

JOSEPH A MARTINI

1st Lt, USAF

Adjutant

NOTE: THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT, 50 U.S.C.—

31 AND 32, AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW.

IT MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART, BY OTHER THAN UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AGENCIES, EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF INTELLIGENCE, USAF.


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COUNTRYREPORT NO.(LEASE/BLANK)
USAIR-6-53cA+482-685
AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT
SUBJECTFLYORRFT
AREA REPORTED ON State Of IowaFROM (Agency) Detachment #8, 4672nd Ground Observer Squadron, Des Moines, Iowa
DATE OF REPORTDATE OF INFORMATIONEVALUATION B-2
2 February 195327 January 1953SOURCE
PREPARED BY (Officer) FRANCIS C. HALL, 1st Lt, USAF
REFERENCES (Control number, directive, previous report, etc., as applicable) None
SUMMARY: (Enter concise summary of report. Give significance in final one-sentence paragraph. List inclours at lower left. Begin text of report on A/F Form 118-Part II)
1. On 27 January 1953 at about 2100 CST, Iowa State Highway Patrol Headquarters called this Filter Center to say that Patrolman, had seen an object, both red and white, hovering in the sky west of Davenport, Iowa. This was immediately called to the ADDG but no interception was made.
2. Upon questioning, described the object as a red and white ball of light which hovered west of Davenport and later proceeded west out of sight over the horizon. The ball changed color from white to orange to red and back to white. It seemed to glow a brighter red as it increased in speed. As it neared the horizon, it hovered and bobbed about in one area and then disappeared in the distance.
3. It was estimated to be several hundred feet in size, to travel near 100 MFH for some time, and finally reach inestimable speeds before disappearing.
Approving Officer: JOHN HEDER Captain, USAF Commanding
A CERTIFIED TRUE COPY: JOSEPH A. MARTINI 1st Lt, USAF Adjutant
X INCLSE.D. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 5(D) or (E) USAF MEMS. 3/3/138 Date: 3/13/27 AKC
DISTRIBUTION BY ORIGINATOR
DI-124
NOTE THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS INFORMATION AFFECTING THE NATIONAL DEFENSE OF THE UNITED STATES WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE ESPIONAGE ACT, 50 U.S.C. - 31 AND 32, AS AMENDED. ITS TRANSMISSION OR THE REVELATION OF ITS CONTENTS IN ANY MANNER TO AN UNAUTHORIZED PERSON IS PROHIBITED BY LAW. IT MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN WHOLE OR IN PART. BY OTHER THAN UNITED STATES AIR FORCE AGENCIES, EXCEPT BY PERMISSION OF THE DIRECTOR OF INTELLIGENCE, USAF.
DESTRICTED SECURITY ASSOCIATION OF ORIGINATION10-05500-2 U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

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AIR INTELLIGENCE INFORMATION REPORT
FROM (Agency)REPORT NO.
Det #8, 4672nd GOSIR-6-53c
1. The date of the sighting was 27 January 1953. The object sighted appeared to be a round and spherical ball of light, one in number. It was estimated to be fifteen (15) miles west of first sighting, and appeared to be easily several hundred feet in size. In comparison it appeared to be about six to eight inches in size at arms length. The object made no sound and left no exhaust or trail. It never, at any time changed shape.PAGE 2 OF 3
2. It was first sighted by PatrolmanLowas
Davenport, Iowa, and Patrolman while riding in the northwest part of Davenport, Iowa, approximately 90° 37' W. Long. 41° 32' N. Lat. at 2022 C.S.T. The preparing Officer questioned Patrolman by telephone after the sighting. He stated that he stopped the car and got out to be able to see the object better. Since it was west of him he proceeded west of Davenport about three miles in order to be away from town lights and to ensure that his was not an illusion caused by a reflection of some kind. This was at approximately 90° 40' W. Long, 41° 33' N. Lat. at 2030 C.S.T. Both Patrolmen got out of the car at a dark spot and turned off all lights. At this time it changed color from white to amber then to red to amber and then white again a number of times.Lowas by
3. The Patrolmen then proceeded west along Highway US 6, in an attempt to get nearer for a better sighting. It appeared to stay stationary while they traveled four (4) or five (5) miles west but then started to move away from them still towards the west. It was estimated to have been traveling faster than the car about 90 to 100 MPH, since the Patrolmen were going 60 to 65 MPH.Lowas
4. Three quarters of a mile west of Wilton Junction, Iowa, at 91° 2' W. Long. 41° 36' N. Lat., the patrolmen stopped at a dark spot and got out of their car to further observe the object. They stopped at this time because the object seemed to be gaining speed and increasing the distance between them and it. Expecting it to go out of sight in a short time, they wanted to be standing still and in darkness to observe it.Lowas
5. After they had stopped and gotten out of the car, the object appeared to pick up tremendous speed. The patrolmen said it went faster than anything he had ever seen before. As its speed increased, its color changed to a very bright red. It seemed that the faster it moved, the brighter red it appeared.Lowas
6. As it neared the horizon, it appeared to stop and hover over a particular spot, and also appeared to bob up and down like a ball at times. It seemed to be circling a particular spot in these bobbing motions. It changed colors, white-red amber-red-amber-white in that sequence during this movement. It then disappeared in the distance, still west of the patrolmen at 2114 C.S.T.Lowas
7. No optical or electronic sighting equipment was used.Lowas
8. The weather was clear with good visibility with about a 15 MPH NW wind.Lowas
9. There was no physical evidence such as fragments, photographs or the like of this object.Lowas
10. The first report was relayed to the Filter Center's ADDC but no interception was made. The first call was received at this unit at approximately 2100 CST.Lowas

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