Warrensberg, MissouriOctober 1954

On October 3, 1954, a group of eight people in Warrensburg, Missouri observed an unusual object in the sky. They reported seeing a dull red, oblong shape that moved erratically from left to right across the sky. The observation lasted only about three to five seconds. The witnesses noted what appeared to be a glass neon tube light inside the object. Approximately one hour later, a second object was spotted by the same group. This second object displayed a brighter orange color.

The Air Force's investigation into the sighting was thorough. Detachment 2 of the 4602nd Air Force Security Squadron (ALSS) took on the case and conducted a final investigation dated January 3, 1955. The investigators reached a clear conclusion: the objects were definitely research balloons. One possible explanation noted in the case file was that the witnesses may have been observing equipment belonging to a research balloon, or they may have been distracted by lightning occurring in clouds to the north at the time of the sighting.

The Air Force officially classified this case as identified, attributing both sightings to balloon equipment. While the case file indicates the investigators had "positive results," the specific details of their methodology and physical evidence used to make this determination are not clearly stated in the available portions of the file.

This case file, comprising 12 pages as held by the National Archives, is reproduced below.