Dayton, OhioAugust 1953

On the evening of August 3, 1953, two employees of Gentile Air Force Depot in Dayton, Ohio, saw two glowing lights in the sky while driving on Bellbrook Pike. The objects appeared stationary at first, hovering at an estimated altitude of around 10,000 to 14,000 feet. One witness described seeing a single bright, concentrated light that resembled a spotlight pointed downward and was bright enough to illuminate the inside of their car. The other witness reported seeing one object that was oblong in shape, with a green back and a bright, star-like front.

After remaining roughly motionless for about 15 to 20 minutes, the objects began to move slowly in a gradual circular path. One witness said the light left a visible trail as it moved. The objects traveled in a northeasterly direction at an estimated speed of 40 to 50 miles per hour before fading from view over Trebein, Ohio. The witnesses noted no sound, no propulsion system, and no visible identification lights. The observation lasted approximately 30 minutes total. Clear skies and moonlight conditions prevailed at the time.

The witnesses were credible observers. One held the position of Director of Supply and Services at Gentile Air Force Depot. The Air Force report noted there was no reason to doubt the accuracy of their account. No radar confirmation or air traffic was detected during the sighting period. The report was not filed until August 5, two days after the event. The file offers no definitive explanation for what the witnesses saw.

The full case file is reproduced below as held by the National Archives, spanning 29 pages of scanned documents.