Westhampton Beach, New YorkJanuary 1953

On January 15, 1953, a civilian Civil Defense ground observer saw objects from a tower in Westhampton Beach, New York. The first object appeared at about 6:40 p.m. The witness was interviewed by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations.

The witness, a tower observer, said the first object moved very slowly into view, traveling in a westerly direction. It appeared very high and at first seemed to have a reddish glow at the top. As it grew dark, it glowed white and looked like a star. About twenty minutes later she saw a second object, which traveled more rapidly and seemed to half-circle the first.

She watched both objects for about an hour and a half until dark, when they looked like stars and were lost to view. She reported them by phone to a Civil Defense filter center. She later said she was fairly certain they were balloons, partly because they hovered. A base weather officer said no weather balloons were released that day, and prevailing winds were from the southwest.

The record card lists the conclusion as astronomical, citing a star or planet.