 presents
The 1963 UFO Chronology
 Project
Blue Book team in S. Illinois. L-R : Sgt. Sharp; BB
Chief, Lt. Col. Friend; Capt. Quintanilla Created: May14, 2006 This is an 8-page chronology of
UFO incidents for 1963. From August 4th into mid-month, there was a
flurry of UFO sightings, mostly in southern Illinois. An advertising
plane in the Chicago area caused some erroneous reports about the same
time. Once the reports had been publicized, the planet Jupiter also was
reported as a UFO on a few occasions. Our Vincennes, Indiana, NICAP
Subcommittee investigated several of the key cases, submitting taped
interviews and investigation reports. Our thanks for these chronologies
must go to our documentation team: William Wise (Project Blue Book
Archive), Dan Wilson (archive researcher), and Brad Sparks
(Comprehensive Catalog of Project Blue Book Unknowns). Last, but not
least, our thanks to Jean Waskiewicz who created the online NICAP DBase
(NSID) that helped make it possible to link from the cases to the
reports themselves.
NICAP
Site CoordinatorFrancis Ridge The 1963 UFO Chronology___________________________________________________ Jan. 5, 1963; Nantucket Point,
Long Island, New York (BBU)
3 a.m. (Hynek UFO Rpt p. 45-46)
Jan. 5, 1963
The
National Academy of Sciences, Space Science Board, released a report
(Pub. No. 1079) urging that a search for extraterrestrial life "be
proclaimed the top-priority scientific goal of our space program." Jan. 24, 1963; Lexington, Ky Post Office safety engineer saw
a round UFO traveling east to west, and a delta-wing aircraft north to
south. UFO's line of flight intersected aircraft path at right angles.
[Report via Bluegrass NICAP Affiliate, Lexington, Ky.]
Jan. 28, 1963; Shilton, U.K.
(BBU)
5:20 p.m. Mary Sharp and Mrs.
E. L. Sharp saw an object on the ground with 4 windows, emitting
yellow-orange light, departed toward Rugby. (Vallée Magonia 559)
Jan. 28, 1963; Mamina, Chile
(BBU)
Nighttime. Former Chilean Air
Force officer, driving a truck, saw 2 disk- shaped objects follow him.
(Vallée Magonia 560)
Feb. 5, 1963; (approx.).
Ascension, Paraguay (BBU)
Student, Anastasio Lenven, saw
an object land on the school grounds. A separate sighting by several
residents, including an official of the Ministry of the Interior, was
of an object flying at very high speed over Ascension. (Vallée
Magonia 562)
Feb. 5, 1963; Nr. Washington,
D. C.
Private pilot, newsman
passenger, watched a pulsating yellow-white light maneuver around their
plane. [UFOE, V]
Feb. 7, 1963; Charlottesville, VA Planes scrambled, UFOs over missile site. Object had intermittent yellow-white glow, and at its closest point appeared to be about three feet in diameter. Feb.
15, 1963;
Willow
Grove, NW of Moe, Victoria, Australia (BBU)
7:10 a.m. Charles Brew saw a 25 ft blue and battleship-gray metallic object, 9-10 ft high, arrive from the E, stop at 50 ft altitude over his farmhouse [75-100 ft over a tree and a shed on his property]. Object made a swishing sound, underside spun counter-clockwise slowly about 1 rev/sec, had a bright chrome 5-6 ft long "aerial" or antenna, scoop like protuberances on the outer rim spaced 1-1.5 ft apart, no light except for pale blue glow of underside, took off faster than a jet to the W at a 45° angle into the cloud deck, after hovering about 5 secs. Animal reactions. Witness developed strong headaches on the approach of the object and all day. (Vallée Magonia 563; Project 1947; Bill Chalker) March 6, 1963; Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas (BBU) (McDonald list)
March 11, 1963; Oahu, Hawaii
Brilliant light headed west and
leaving a trail observed by many people just after 8:00 p.m. Two
National Guard pilots flying jets about 40 miles west of Honolulu
reported UFO was "much higher" than their altitude of 40,000 feet and
moving "very fast." Possibly an observation of the recently announced
A-11. (At 7:28 p.m., Pacific Time, a newsboy in El Sobrante,
California, saw two oval-shaped yellow lights pass over the San
Francisco Bay area from north to south, traveling at high speed.)
March 12, 1963; Paine, Chile
Members of the Santiago NICAP
Subcommittee observed a pulsating luminous white sphere about 7:50 p.m.
The UFO moved from north to south, disappearing in the distance after
about a minute.
May 18, 1963; New Plymouth, New Zealand (BBU 8360) 10:30 p.m. C. S. Chapman, 15,
saw a white, fuzzy, flashing light hover and dart around. (Berliner)
May 21, 1963; Nr. Mt. Gambler,
Australia
Unconfirmed report that a
brilliant light followed a car. A youth stated the object was at side
of road, rose suddenly as he approached, hovered overhead, then
followed car. The Dominion. Adelaide, reported May 22 this was "the
second report of such an occurrence in a week."
May 22, 1963; Pequannock, New
Jersey (BBU 8363)
10:45 p.m. Myra Jackson saw 4
pink wheels spin or roll very fast from E to W in succession, each
about 1 sec. (Berliner)
May 23, 1963; Sunnyvale, Calif.
Bluish disc observed hovering
and circling slowly, apparently at tree-top height; rose vertically and
disappeared. [Report via Bay Area NICAP Subcommittee.]
June 15, 1963; About 200 miles
N of Venezuela (BBU 8388)
10:39 a.m. 3rd Mate R. C.
Chamberlin, of S/ [SS?] Thetis saw luminous disc travel at 1.5 times
the angular speed of a satellite. (Berliner)
June 16, 1963; Palmerston,
North City, N.Z.
A college student observed two
brilliant lights descending in zigzag fashion. The UFOs hovered
stationary for about 5 seconds, then "suddenly shot off at very great
speed, at first in level flight across my front, then climbed up into
the sky at approximately 45 degrees to disappear." [Witness interviewed
by NICAP Adviser Harold H. Fulton.]
June 18, 1963; Niagara Falls,
N. Y.
An unidentified object flashing
various colors moved around erratically for over two hours. Witnesses
in separate locations described the maneuvers similarly. About 10:00
p.m., the UFO moved from west to east, reversed direction and headed
back west. Later, it headed southeast rising higher in the sky. Local
astronomers and airport officials could not account for the object.
[Report from NICAP member.]
June 19, 1963; Burlington, Mass.
An unidentified white light was
observed descending, changing color; finally appeared silvery. The UFO
then circled the area, disappearing behind objects on the visible
horizon. [Report via Walter N. Webb, Boston NICAP Adviser.]
June 21, 1963; Chicago, Ill.
A student saw a gray,
apparently spherical UFO with a central row of yellow lig3hts.
Apparently at low altitude, the object made a "sizzling sound" as it
moved east, turned sharply and disappeared to the north. [Witness filed
NICAP report form.]
June 26, 1963; Rockland, Mass.
About 1:00 a.m., witnesses
attracted by a loud roar observed a Saturn-shaped UFO. The object
hovered, then moved away horizontally. The shape was observed in
silhouette, partly illuminated by a white light on top and orange light
on bottom. [Witnesses interviewed by NICAP member Raymond Fowler.]
June 26, 1963; Pine Crest,
Calif.
Four glowing greenish objects with
halos were observed by a technician, many others. Three objects moving
westerly were approached by a similar object from the west. The fourth
object stopped and hovered as the three approached, split formation,
and continued west. Then the fourth object continued east. [Report via
Bay Area NICAP Subcommittee.]Summer 1963; Middletown, New
York (8371)
9:30 or 10 p.m. Grace Dutcher
saw 8-10 lights move at random, then in an oval formation, then singly.
(Berliner)
July 1963; Boston, Mass.
An advertising plane caused
several erroneous UFO reports. (Aircraft identified by NICAP Adviser,
Walter N. Webb.)
July 1, 1963; Glen Ellyn,
Illinois (BBU 8434)
8 p.m. R. B. Stiles, II, using
a theodolite, saw a light, the size of a match head at arm's length,
flash and move around the sky. (Berliner)
July 2, 1963 (approx); Tuscon, AZ Large blimp like object reported. [In this area is the Davis Monthan AFB Titan II Missile Site, home of the 390th Strategic Missile Wing consisting of 18 Launch Facilities around the Tuscon area]. July
18,1963; Sunnyvale, Calif.
A
technical writer for United
Technology Center saw a disc-shaped UFO hovering in the sky. He exposed
8 mm color film of the object using a 36 mm telephoto lens. (A few
frames of the film were submitted to NICAP, but the image is too small
to show detail.) When four jet interceptors converged on the UFO (three
from the west and one from the east), it drifted westward tilting back
and forth, "then pulled up in a short arc and shot up out of sight in
an estimated three seconds." [Report via Bay Area NICAP Subcommittee.]
July
20, 1963; Springfield, Ill.
About
7:50 p.m., a shiny silver
object was observed hovering at high altitude. The UFO moved up and
down, back and forth, but remained in the same area of the sky. About
dusk, the object (now resembling a bright star) began moving across the
sky, picking up speed, and disappeared in the distance. [Witness filed
NICAP report form.]
Aug.
1, 1963; Garston, Herts.,
England
A
former RAF pilot, and flying
instructor, observed a triangular UFO which hovered for a long period
of time, then climbed out of sight. An air traffic controller four
miles away also observed the UFO. [FLIGHT International, 15 August
1963.]
Aug.
4-5, 1963; Near
Mt.
Vernon (or Keenes) to Wayne City, Illinois (BBU)
11:30 p.m. 12:20 a.m. (EDT). Ronnie Austin and Phyllis Bruce while driving E noticed a bright white round object to the SW about 20° elevation then S then N which followed them for several miles. When Austin dropped off Phyllis at home it was to the E about 500 ft away and her sister Forestine also saw the object with them. After about 15 mins Austin attempted to leave for home but the object followed him, at one point as he headed E it came over his car at about 100 ft, changed color to orange and appeared car sized, hovered above the car while the car radio had whining noise static and car engine almost failed, then made a pass from behind W to E. On arriving home object was about 900 ft to the SE or E and other family members also saw it, Mr. and Mrs. Orville Austin, sister Roxie and a brother. (NICAP) Aug.
6, 1963; Sanford, Florida
Orville
Hartle, Chairman of the
LaPorte, Indiana NICAP Subcommittee, on a brief visit to Florida,
observed a UFO. He obtained a full report with signatures of 13
additional witnesses. The object appeared in the northwest sky first as
a red, then a white moving light. To the west, the star-like light
hovered, then moved south. To the south, the object began a series of
gyrations and pulsated on and off, visible intermittently. It moved up
and down, back and forth, once emitting a flare of greenish-white light.
Aug.
7, 1963; 4 miles E
of
Fairfield, Illinois (BBU)
8:45-9:10 p.m. Chauncey Uphoff and Mike Hill heard dogs bark, saw a yellowish-orange diamond shaped noiseless luminous object to the SW about 1,000 ft altitude moving E, joined by a pinpoint white light that went from SE to NW climbing with a possible drumming sound and when near the first object the latter blinked out. When the pinpoint light disappeared to the NW the diamond-shaped object reappeared as dim gray to the SW maneuvering towards them to the S about 45° elevation then SE with a U-turn or loop, appearing on edge with a tail or trail, changing color to orange then brilliant bluewhite, disappearing in the SE. Object's angular size much larger than the moon. (NICAP) Aug.
9, 1963; Mount Vernon, Ill.
Former
Mayor Harry Bishop
watched a large, bright red light follow a car along Centralia road.
When the car stopped, the UFO stopped and hovered, then moved away at
right angles to its original course.
Aug.
11, 1963; Warrenville,
Illinois (BBU 8506)
10
p.m. R. M. Boersma saw a
light move around the sky. (Berliner)
Aug.
13-14, 1963; St. Calen,
Switzerland (BBU 8514)
8:04
p.m. A. F. Schelling saw a
fireball become a dark object after 4 mins, then a bigger glow, 1 min
later, finally exploding. Note: same witness had another, un-described,
sighting on Aug. 14. (Berliner)
Aug.
13, 1963; Nr. Ellsworth,
Maine
A
family and their housekeeper
observed an elliptical object, apparently on the ground adjoining
Molasses Pond, for more than an hour. Body lights were visible along
its length, and rays of light shone upward from each end of the object
occasionally. [Witnesses interviewed by Walter N. Webb, NICAP Adviser.]
Aug.
13, 1963; Honolulu, Hawaii
While
vacationing in Hawaii, a
chemist observed a UFO and reported it to NICAP. Dr. Richard Turse,
Princeton, N.J., about 11:30 p.m., saw a round reddish object pass
overhead from southwest to northeast. The UFO "traveled across the sky
at great speed making two sharp turns at the same speed."
Aug.
18, 1963; Ft. Kent, Maine
A
silvery disc-shaped UFO was
seen by two young boys, whose parents agreed they must have seen
something unusual. The disc passed from north to south, emitting a hum
intermittently.
Sept.
14. 1963; Susanville,
Calif. (BBU 8548)
3:15
p.m. E. A. Grant, veteran
of 37 years training forest fire lookouts for the U.S. Forest Service,
saw a round object intercept a long object then either attach itself to
the latter or disappear. (Air Force Project Blue Book 1963 Summary,
Berliner)
Sept.
15, 1963; Vandalia, Ohio
(BBU 8549)
6
p.m. Mrs. F. E. Roush saw 2
very bright gold objects, one shaped like a "banana" the other like an
"ear of corn," one staying stationary, the other moving from W to N.
(Berliner)
Sept.
20, 1963; Huntsville,
Arkansas
A
rancher reported watching an
egg-shaped UFO moving eastward about 10 degrees above the southern
horizon. Through binoculars, a dark spot was visible near the top of
the object. As it proceeded west, the UFO dimmed, turning orange, and
faded from view after 10-15 minutes. [Witness reported sighting to
NICAP.]
Sept. 20, 1963; Wonthaggi, Victoria, AU TV difficulty, viewer called outside to see UFO. Object hovered, darted at high speed. TV I/F noted in area of three towns. Sept.
26, 1963; Sunnyvale,
Calif.
Police
officer, many others,
observed a gray disc with central bright spot, moving on a westerly
course at high speed. [UFOE, VII]
Oct.
4, 1963; East Hartland,
Conn.
State
Representative L. B.
Martin, about 1:00 p.m., saw a silvery triangular object with a row of
black dots across the leading edge. The UFO passed overhead, emitting a
flame-like tail, at an estimated speed of 2000 mph. [Report obtained by
NICAP-CONN Affiliate.]
Oct.
4, 1963; Bedford, Ohio
(BBU 8581)
3:32
p.m. R. E. Carpenter, 15, saw
am intense oblong light with tapered ends, surrounded by an aqua haze,
flash and flicker while stationary. (Berliner)Oct.
6, 1963; Philadelphia,
Penna. (BBU)
Freidman.
(Mary Castner/CUFOS)
Oct.
7, 1963; Lanham, Maryland.
(BBU)
Francis.
(Mary Castner/CUFOS)
Oct. 21, 1963; Trancas, Argentina Disc, E-M, occupants, numerous traces. Oct.
23, 1963; Meridian, Idaho
(BBU 8603)
8:35
p.m. Several unnamed
students, including Gordon, and an adult saw an object shaped like a
circle from below and a football from the side, hover low over the
observers, making a deep, pulsating, loud, extremely irritating sound,
changed course to SW, disappeared behind houses and trees. (Mary
Castner/CUFOS; Berliner)
Oct.
24, 1963; Cupar Fife,
Scotland (BBU 8604)
No
time given. A. McLean, 12,
and G. McLean, 8, saw a light move for an unspecified length of time.
No further details in files. Note: BB Chief Maj. Quintanilla told the
youngsters, in a letter, this was "one of the most complete" of the
unexplained cases for the year. (Berliner)
Oct.
31, 1963; Daylston,
Victoria, Australia
A
deliveryman on his rounds at
4:15 a.m., was frightened by a UFO which approached his van, turned and
followed his course just ahead. The object seemed to be 8-12 feet long,
glowing orange and red. It then darted to the side of the road,
continuing to pace the van for a while, finally zooming ahead over a
hill and apparently descending. It was not seen again. Other witnesses
reported seeing a maneuvering light at the time of the sighting.
Nov.
3, 1963; Corona, N.Y.
A
Pan American Airways
mechanic, about 1:30 a.m., noticed a star-like object maneuvering
across the northern sky. The light moved rapidly, slowed and seemed to
"shudder," then changed course by about 45 degrees. Finally it made a
90-degree turn, accelerated, turned again and disappeared from view.
[Report obtained by New York NICAP Subcommittee.]
Nov. 7, 1963; San Francisco, Calif. Fireball observed, shock wave felt, over Bay area. Unidentified signal picked up by local radio station. Nov. 12, 1963; Argentina An official Argentine Navy UFO report. Combined visual and E-M incident involved the Navy transport A.R.A. "Punta Medanos." A large airship (never identified) was sighted from the stern of the vessel. The huge UFO was round-shaped, and it was moving at great speed. It displayed no lights and made no sound. As the unknown object appeared, the needles of the ship's magnetic compasses "suddenly and simultaneously" swung off course, pointing toward the UFO. At the time, the Navy report states, the UFO was 2,000 meters (well over a mile) away from the ship. Nov. 12, 1963; Port Huron, Michigan Deputy Sheriffs chased a low-flying UFO which first appeared as a white flashing light. At times the object seemed to have a "big divided window" on it. When the UFO hovered, the deputies approached and flashed their squad car light. Then a flashing red light became visible on the UFO. The object finally moved away to the northwest making a motor-like sound. Other residents reported a flashing light and "high-pitched" or "whining" noises at the same time. Nov. 14, 1963; Carson City Nevada A huge bluish-green disc was seen hovering in the northwest sky about 4:45 a.m. Mrs. Blanche Pritchett said she was listening to her radio when a bright light shining through her drapes caused her to look outdoors. As she watched the hovering object, her radio went off. A brilliant shaft of light from the UFO illuminated a hilltop. Suddenly the UFO blacked out and disappeared, after which the radio resumed playing. Other residents reported odd glows in the sky that morning. [VIII] Nov. 20, 1963; Neche, N.D. Two
high school girls reported
that a bright orange, oval-shaped object circled their car at night
while they were en route home. They were on highway 55 east of town
when they first saw the UFO. It appeared to be surrounded by a light
haze. The glowing object sped across in front of the car and circled
around the side before disappearing to the southeast.
Dec.
2, 1963; Grand Rapids,
Michigan
A
motorist stopped at a traffic
light about 9:30 a.m., noticed a strange object "glittering in the
sun." Then the object tipped on edge (revealing a disc shape) and
quickly sped away to the southeast. The shape was "like a pancake."
Dec.
5, 1963; Nr. Carrasco,
Uruguay
An
oval UFO, metallic-looking
like aluminum, was observed hovering in the clear morning sky by
hundreds at a resort. One description said the object "balanced gently
in the air."
Dec.
6-7, 1963; APO 253, France
(BBU)
(McDonald
list)
Dec.
10, 1963; White Plains,
NY. (BBU)
(Mary
Castner/CUFOS)
Dec.
11, 1963; McMinnville,
Oregon (BBU 8647)
7
a.m. W. W. Dolan, professor
of mathematics and astronomy, and dean of the faculty of Linfield
College, saw a bright, star-like light hover, slow, dim and flash.
(Berliner)
Dec.
16, 1963; Pacific, 800
miles N of Midway Island (BBU 8654)
5:05
p.m. crew of military
aircraft saw a white light blink 2-3 times per second moving very fast
across the sky. (Berliner)
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