Claremont, CaliforniaSeptember 1951

On the evening of September 6, 1951, two U.S. Air Force officers traveling by automobile on Highway 66 near Claremont, California witnessed an unusual formation of orange lights in the sky. The first sighting occurred at 1920 hours (7:20 p.m.) and lasted three to four minutes. The men saw six bright orange objects arranged in an irregular, incomplete circle, with the last two objects positioned well toward the center. The objects were estimated to be between 10,000 and 12,000 feet in altitude and roughly two miles west of the observers, traveling on a course of approximately 280 degrees (toward the west-northwest). The observers described the orange glow as far brighter than a sun reflection would have been at that hour.

Within moments, a second sighting occurred. A single orange object appeared about two miles from the observers, following the same course and altitude as the first group. Like the first sighting, this lone object gradually faded from view as it moved into the distance over a coastal fog bank.

The two observers were described in the official report as highly reliable and experienced in aircraft recognition. Both were military personnel stationed at George Air Force Base. The report noted that no discernible shape or size could be determined due to the altitude and distance. Critically, the observers saw no aerodynamic features, no trail, and no exhaust. The means of propulsion remained unknown, and the objects maintained straight and level flight with no apparent change in course or altitude. The sky was darkening at the time, and a distant coastal fog bank lay to the west. No sound was heard due to passing vehicle traffic in the area.

The Air Force concluded this case unidentified. The full case file, comprising 11 pages as held by the National Archives, is reproduced below.