Onida, South DakotaAugust 1953

Insufficient Data

Summary

On August 5, 1953, at 8:59 a.m. in Onida, South Dakota, a strange light was sighted. The object resembled a star or the wing light of an airplane. It made several sharp turns in various directions at high speeds and disappeared in a southeast direction. According to observer changes in course and speed, the object could not be identified as either a jet or conventional aircraft. Major M.W. Lewis of Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, South Dakota, who was on leave at Onida, reported the sighting. The Air Force conclusion stated insufficient data was available for evaluation.

Reported location

Onida, South Dakota

Date of incident

August 1953

State / country

SD / US

Page count

3 scanned pages

USAF evaluation

unknown

Microfilm

T1206, Roll 19

Original case file scans

Original case file · scanned by NARAPage 1 of 3

View transcribed text

DATE - TIME GROUP                      2. LOCATION
4 AUG 53 5/00L52                          Onida, South Dakota

3. SOURCE                               10. CONCLUSION
Military                                 INSUFFICIENT DATA FOR EVALUATION

4. NUMBER OF OBJECTS                     Additional information not available as to observer's range of
One                                       station. Duration and need for evaluation.

5. LENGTH OF OBSERVATION               11. BRIEF SUMMARY AND ANALYSIS
Not Reported
                                        Strange light similar to star or wing light of airplane. No course CMA light hovered over Onida momentarily, made several maneuvers in various directions at high speeds and disappeared in SE. Sky overcast with light drizzle. According to observer changes in course and speed precluded any possibility of object being either jet or conventional type aircraft

6. TYPE OF OBSERVATION
Ground-Visual

7. COURSE
NE-S, Unreported

8. PHOTOS
☐ Yes
☒ No

9. PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
☐ Yes
☒ No

FORM
FTD SEP 53 0-329 (TDB) Previous editions of this form may be used.

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Source: National Archives Catalog · NAID 28955900