Mr. Ralph L. Stirr Statement
Source: http://www.nicap.org/bb/USAF-SIGN1-521.jpg (http://www.bluebookarchive.org/page.aspx?PageCode=USAF-SIGN1-521)
CHECK-LIST – UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
1. Date 7 Jan 48 Incident # 48d
2. Time 1920 to 1950
3. Location Clinton County Army Air Fld., Wilmington, O.
4. Name of observer Mr. Ralph L. Stirr
5. Occupation of observer N/S
6. Address of observer Clinton County AAB
7. Place of observation Clinton County AAB
8. Number of objects 1
9. Distance of object from observer seemed to be at first some 4,000 ft high
10. Time in Sight N/S
11. Altitude 4,000 ft+
12. Speed movement slow in appearance
13. Direction of flight approx due west
14. Tactics described arc from point first seen to horizon
15. Sound N/S
16. Size N/S
17. Color fire-colored
18. Shape N/S
19. Odor detected N/S
20. Apparent
construction xxx “fire”
21. Exhaust trails none – “left no trails or tails like a meteor or comet”
22. Weather conditions clear to scattered
23. Effect on clouds
xx Light could be seen when
clouds passed beneath it
24. Sketches or photographs none
25. Manner of disappearance due west over horizon
26. Remarks (over)
Source: http://www.nicap.org/bb/USAF-SIGN1-522.jpg (http://www.bluebookarchive.org/page.aspx?PageCode=USAF-SIGN1-522)
Object seemed to be some
sort of flare. Witness thought it was some aircraft in trouble. Requested the
tower to take a look at it to determine if it were a flare. It appeared, with
the naked eye, to be a very bright light the color of ordinary fire which lost
and regained altitude in the manner of a parachute flare riding on thermals. The
intensity of the light varied. This was attributed to clouds passing xxxxxx
below; however, the light was readily discernible thru the clouds. The sky
was clear to scattered. When the object was compared to the stars there was a
decided difference. Stars were of the usual white; this object was yellow or
flame color. When first seen it appeared to be about 4,000 ft but disappearing
over the horizon would make it much higher. The movement was very slow in
appearance and it left no trails or tails like a meteor or comet. Place of
disappearance was approximately due west from position of observer.
NOTE: See also 48, 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d & 33, 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d, 33e, 33f, and Incidents 30 and 32.
CONFIDENTIAL
Source:
http://www.nicap.org/bb/USAF-SIGN1-534.jpg (http://www.bluebookarchive.org/page.aspx?PageCode=USAF-SIGN1-534)
Inc 48d
This is a statement of a sky phenomena observed by me on 7 January 1948, between the approximate hours of 1920 to 1950.
It appeared to be some sort of flare. My first reaction to the sight was the belief that an aircraft was in trouble, and had shot a flare to attract attention. I then requested the tower to take a look at the object through glasses so they could attempt to determine whether or not it was a flare.
With the naked eye it appeared to be a very bright light with the color of ordinary fire. I was not able to maintain a watch continuously, due to my duties, and see the whole pattern of movement. I did observe it long enough at intervals to note that it lost and regained altitude in the manner that a parachute flare would when riding on thermals. The intensity of the light varied. This can be attributed to clouds passing in front of the light, however, I was able to see the light when clouds obscured it.
The sky condition at the time was what I would say was clear to scattered. Stars directly above me were compared to the light of the object and there was a decided difference. The stars were of the usual white and the object was yellow or flare color.
The altitude evidently was very high. The object when first seen appeared to be in the neighborhood of four thousand feet, but disappearing over the horizon would make it much higher. It described an imaginary arc from the point first seen to the horizon. The movement was very slow in appearance and left no trails or tails like a meteor or comet. Place of disappearance was approximately due west from my position.
Signed ______________________
Ralph L. Stirr (civilian)
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