Oak Hill, West VirginiaJuly 1960

On the evening of July 1, 1960, several residents of Oak Hill, West Virginia saw three small, amber-colored objects moving across the sky in a V-formation. The sighting began around 8:30 p.m. and lasted between three and five minutes. The objects appeared to be about the size of a pea when held at arm's length, moved in a straight line from east to west, and maintained the same speed and formation until they disappeared over the horizon. Witnesses said the objects were brighter than stars but not as bright as the moon.

The primary witnesses included Mrs. Ellison, her children Tim and Rose, her nephew Jimmy, Bill Napier from nearby Whipple, and George Ellison. George Ellison called the local Fayette Tribune newspaper to report the sighting. When newspaper employees went outside to investigate, they initially thought they saw something moving with a greenish tinge, though they could not confirm the full details of what the Ellison family had observed.

The sighting received immediate attention from the U.S. Air Force. In a message dated July 8, 1960, the Air Force Technical Intelligence Center directed Guthrie Air Force Station in West Virginia to investigate in accordance with Air Force Regulation 200-2. An investigation was completed by July 22, 1960. The investigating officers, after considering the description of the objects' flight path, formation, and overall appearance, determined that the objects were a flight of three aircraft at high altitude. This explanation was accepted, and no further action was recommended.

The full case file, consisting of 11 pages as held by the National Archives, is reproduced below.