SPOKANE, WASHINGTONJuly 1952

On July 27, 1952, people across the Spokane, Washington area reported seeing unusual objects in the night sky. The sightings came in waves over a few hours, and the witnesses included civilians watching from drive-in theaters as well as a Major in the U.S. Air Force.

Early that evening, a woman at a drive-in theater near 47 degrees 43 minutes North latitude and 117 degrees 15 minutes West longitude reported seeing ten or twelve brilliant white lights arranged in a loose V formation. The objects moved rapidly while climbing slightly, heading at about 30 degrees azimuth (roughly north-northeast). She watched for about five seconds before they vanished. Another woman at the same time, from a different drive-in theater location, described the same type of formation but saw the objects execute a 340-degree turn and continue southward.

Around the same time, witnesses at another drive-in theater in North Spokane reported seeing two luminous white discs traveling northeast to southwest in line formation. Because dusk was still lingering, these sightings were hazy. A few minutes later, the same observers spotted a single bright disc that came out of the northeast and disappeared behind the theater screen, dropping toward the horizon. This object was compared in size to roughly one-sixth of a full moon. Both objects displayed no trails or exhaust, and no sound was heard. The single disc was visible for two to three seconds.

The Air Force could not evaluate the reliability of the civilian witnesses. However, the reports were corroborated by Major [name redacted], a pilot with the 11th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base. His account was judged reliable. Many other people in the vicinity are mentioned as having observed the objects as well.

The investigation file indicates sightings varied in description, timing, and the flight characteristics of the objects observed. The objects displayed no exhaust, no sound, and rapid movement that impressed the observers. No conventional explanation appears to have satisfied the investigators, as the Air Force rated this case unidentified.

The full case file is reproduced below as held by the National Archives across 90 pages.