Holloman AFB, N. Mex., January 1950January 1950

On the evening of January 12, 1950, Private First Class John M. Gusich, a file clerk at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, spotted an unusual object in the sky. He first saw it at 1900 (7:00 p.m.) and observed it again at 2100 (9:00 p.m.). The object appeared brilliant white and changed color to green and red as he watched.

The object's position shifted between the two sightings. At 1900, it was roughly due north of the base, about 353 to 355 degrees azimuth (bearing measured from north). By 2100, it had moved to a position bearing about 325 degrees, or northwest. Both times, the object was between 10 and 15 degrees above the horizon. Its brightness was comparable to the planet Venus.

According to Gusich's account, the object moved erratically, traveling upward and downward as well as left and right. Its overall path ran from east to west. The object's trajectory was described as very erratic, with minor and unpredictable changes in altitude. The night was extremely cloudy to the west, east, and south, but clear to the north where the object was visible. The object itself appeared to be a light source and left no visible exhaust. Gusich could not determine the object's size, propulsion method, or speed. He stopped watching it simply because he had been observing for a long time.

The Air Force investigator, Special Agent Russell O. Womack Jr. of the 17th District Office of Special Investigations at Kirtland Air Force Base, filed his report on January 13, 1950. The file does not record a final conclusion about what the object was. The complete case file, as declassified and held by the National Archives, appears below in all 6 pages.