Lake Charles, LouisianaSeptember 1953

Three civilians in Lake Charles, Louisiana reported seeing an unidentified object in the night sky on September 28, 1953, at approximately 2100 (9 p.m.). The sighting lasted from roughly one-half to one hour, though one report indicated it may have lasted as long as one and one-half hours.

The observers described the object in different ways. One account called it round, about the size of a basketball, with red, green, blue, and silver coloring. Other details mentioned red flashing lights and smoke, particularly at the beginning of the sighting. The object moved in patterns that included hovering and shooting back and forth across the sky. It eventually moved out of sight, and one observer noted the object seemed to turn off like an electric light being switched off.

The witnesses used only their eyes to observe the phenomenon. No optical or electronic equipment was involved in the sighting. The object was reportedly to the northeast of the observers' location, though the exact altitude and distance remained unknown.

The Air Force investigation noted that weather conditions were clear on the night in question. The file included analysis of atmospheric conditions and noted that a weather balloon had been released from Lake Charles Air Force Base at 2100 hours on September 28, 1953. Wind conditions in the lower atmosphere (up to 3,000 feet) were traveling in a northwesterly direction, which would have placed a balloon approximately where the object was sighted. Air traffic in the general area consisted of one B-47 flying a transition route between 1845 and 2235, with three other aircraft landing at Lake Charles Air Base during the sighting window.

The file identifies the witnesses with below-average reliability ratings based on their experience level. No physical evidence such as fragments or photographs was recovered from the sighting. The Air Force marked this case as unidentified in its evaluation.

The full case file is reproduced below as held by the National Archives, comprising 54 pages.