Many Observers At Different Locations Observe Fast Object
On this date, at 11:20 p.m., for an unexplained reason, Selfridge AFB radar ceased operation. In addition, a Capital Airlines pilot confirmed the Michigan events.
At Selfridge Air Force Base 2 men reported sighting a brightly large oblong brightly lighted object moving at rapid speed with no noise. Capital Airline pilot who is a senior captain on the airline, sighted a similar object over Cooperville, MI. Altitude estimated at 1,000' to 1,500', estimated speed 1,000 m.p.h. Atitude of Capital airliner 1,900'. At 11:30 p.m., tower operator at Kent City Airport, Grand Rapids, MI, reported similar object. CAA detachment at Battle Creek received a report from private James Young from WPAFB who reported seeing in vicinity of Battle Creek, MI, at 2:21 a.m. cigar shaped object with faint glow at tail moving from north to south at estimated altitude of 4,000'.
Six observers at five different points in the lower Michigan area report, the sighting of an unusual flying object between 11:20 p.m. and 11:25 p.m. The object in all cases was observed in the Southeast quadrant travelling at speeds as fast or faster than a jet aircraft in flight parallel to the earth in a southwesterly, west south westerly or westerly course. Altitude estimates of the object are not conclusive in any case but indicate object was below 2,000' feet in opinion of most observers.
The object was described variously as round, football shaped, egg shaped and bullet shaped.