San Juan, Puerto Rico, June 1954June 1954

On the afternoon of June 2, 1954, a U.S. Customs Inspector traveling with his family on a road near Guayanilla, Puerto Rico, spotted what he first thought was the moon moving across the sky. He stopped his car to confirm it was actually in motion. His family, riding with him, also saw the object. The sighting lasted roughly five to seven minutes total. The object was round, red-orange in color, and much larger than a half dollar held at arm's length. The witness estimated its diameter at about 100 feet. Light came from the leading edge of the object.

The object descended toward the ground in a gliding motion, swinging side to side like a pendulum. When it reached the area near the coast, it made a sharp 90-degree turn and took a direct course toward the horizon, moving at increasing speed. The lights grew brighter and more visible as it receded into the distance. The observer heard no sound throughout the sighting.

The U.S. Air Force interviewed the witness and his three family members, all of whom were present during the event. The investigating officers found the witness to be intelligent, reliable, and educated. Their report noted that weather balloon releases in the area at the time of the sighting had already been ruled out. The officers also considered and rejected the possibility that the object was a balloon based on the witness's detailed description of its descent pattern and sharp course change. The investigators concluded they could offer no other analysis of what the object might have been. A sketch and detailed letter from the witness were forwarded through official channels. The full case file, comprising 13 pages as held by the National Archives, is reproduced below.