Gallup, New MexicoJune 1949

On June 5, 1949, at 1950 hours (7:50 p.m.), a U.S. Army captain serving as Post Engineer at Wingate Ordnance Depot near Gallup, New Mexico observed an unusual object in the sky. He was in his car when bright light caught his attention. The object itself was visible for about five seconds.

The captain described the object as spherical in shape and bright orange against the deep blue twilight sky. Its brightness resembled a 200-watt light bulb viewed from 100 yards away. He estimated it was approximately 50 miles distant and at an altitude of six thousand to eight thousand feet. The object traveled in a straight line at a shallow angle upward from vertical, moving slower than a falling meteor.

The most distinctive feature was a trail of white smoke that persisted for about fifteen minutes, much longer than the object itself remained visible. Based on the captain's observations, the smoke trail was approximately five inches long and one-quarter inch wide when viewed at arm's length.

The investigating Air Force officer found the captain to be a man of excellent character and noted he had normal, uncorrected vision. The captain wore regular glasses during the sighting. No sound or odor was detected. The sky was clear with good twilight conditions at the time of the observation.

The U.S. Air Force classified this sighting as unidentified. The full case file, reproduced below as held by the National Archives, comprises 13 pages.