ATSS-UFOB-210-55 / 2801D 55M-217 — 1955-07-12 — Approximately 20 miles SE of Stockton, California (also obse

At 0410Z on 12 July 1955, F-86D pilots Cox and Pinckney of the 413th FIS observed a bright flashing object from the air, 20 miles SE of Stockton, California. Object headed 360 degrees in straight flight, then disappeared via dissipation. Duration 10 minutes. The sighting was confirmed by widespread observers across a 500-mile radius - United Airlines pilots over Bakersfield and Hollywood Hills described it as a red ball with a vapor trail, civilians in Sonora, Angels Camp, and Clements reported a bright flash swirling toward the ground, and CAA received a call reporting an alleged crash near Lodi/Lockeford. The 28th Air Division Director of Intelligence evaluated it as probably a meteor entering the atmosphere, exploding and leaving a smoke trail, or possibly anomalous propagation.

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