(Campus) West. Kentucky Col., February 1955February 1955

On a February night in 1955, several people at Western Kentucky State Teachers College observed unusual objects flying in formation across the sky. The witnesses watched from the campus as objects that appeared orange in color moved across the darkness, leaving what they described as a slight vapor trail behind them.

According to the sighting report, the objects were arranged in a V formation. The witnesses said the objects had only a slightly discernible vapor trail and appeared to move across the sky before disappearing. The observation took place at night, and the witnesses noted their impressions of the color and flight pattern of what they saw.

The Air Force response included a standard technical questionnaire sent to the source of the report, seeking detailed information about what was observed. A weather report recorded for the area at the time of the sighting noted overcast conditions with a ceiling of 28,600 feet, calm surface winds, and temperatures around 45 degrees Fahrenheit. The report also noted that numerous military aircraft of B47 and T33 types had been in the area during the previous 4 to 5 hours.

The investigation file notes that while a Form 18d was mailed to the reporting source requesting further information, no additional details were obtained through this follow-up action. The file also indicates that further investigation into the sighting was deemed not worthwhile.

The complete case file, consisting of 14 pages as held by the National Archives, is reproduced below.