Decator, NebraskaDecember 1955

On December 20, 1955, at 0430 (4:30 a.m.), a witness in Decatur, Nebraska, observed an unidentified object in the night sky. The object was described as winged in shape and displayed red, blue, green, and white lights. To the naked eye, it appeared roughly the size of a pea held at arm's length. The sighting lasted approximately three minutes. The object initially moved in one direction before turning toward the east, then disappeared at high speed.

The witness completed a detailed Air Force questionnaire describing the sighting. According to the form, the object was solid in appearance with sharply outlined edges. The witness reported seeing it through an open window while outdoors in a rural setting. No photographs were taken. The observation occurred in clear skies with no wind, cold temperatures, and no moon visible at the time.

When asked to estimate the object's speed, the witness indicated it traveled at a very fast rate before vanishing from view. The witness also sketched the object and its path of movement for investigators. The case file indicates the observation was made under good viewing conditions in the predawn darkness, with the object's bright lights clearly visible against the night sky.

The Air Force evaluated this sighting and marked it as "unidentified" on the case record card. The full case file, consisting of 13 pages as preserved by the National Archives on microfilm roll T1206, Roll 24, is reproduced below.