Stewrt Field, New YorkJune 1949

On the evening of June 1, 1949, observers in the Walden and Stewart Field area of New York reported seeing an unusual bright object in the sky. The sightings occurred between about 1830 and 2130 hours (6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.) and lasted anywhere from a few minutes to three hours depending on the witness.

The object was generally described as yellowish-white and oblong in shape, often compared in size to the moon or slightly larger. One observer at Stewart Field who used binoculars reported seeing what appeared to be a smaller object attached to a larger one, and noticed rainbow-colored hues that fused mostly toward yellow. The object displayed no visible projections like fins or antennae. Most witnesses reported no sound or odor. Multiple observers noted the object seemed to move slowly in relation to the moon, either around it or away from it, before fading or disappearing slowly. One witness mentioned hearing sounds like an airplane and a rifle shot before the object vanished suddenly.

All of the observer interviews were conducted by Air Force investigators in June 1949. The witnesses included a merchant, a music and mathematics student, a soda fountain clerk, an airman, and a secretary. Investigators noted that all observers had good character and were not wearing glasses at the time of their sightings.

The Air Force's official file conclusion was that the sighting was likely a "balloon," possibly a meteorological or upper-air research balloon of the type sometimes released from Stewart Field by New York University. The file also suggests that investigators were instructed to check with weather and research agencies in the area to determine if such a balloon release could account for the sightings.

This case file contains 24 pages of declassified Air Force records as held by the National Archives.