Unexplained Skies: Project Blue Book’s Mysterious May Sightings

ParaHouse Magazine dives into and reflects on historical UFO events that occurred in the month of May. Very few topics captivate the imagination like the unexplained UFO sightings investigated by the government program known as Project Blue Book.

Cover of Project Blue Book Special Report No. 14 by the Air Technical Intelligence Center, 1955, via United States House of Representative History, Art, & Archives

Running from 1947 to 1969, this U.S. Air Force program scrutinized thousands of reports, leaving 701 cases officially “unexplained.” The month of May, in particular, saw some intriguing incidents that continue to puzzle researchers and enthusiasts alike. Let’s dive into a timeline of five notable unexplained Project Blue Book cases from May, all occurring in the United States, showcasing the enigma of these celestial mysteries.

A Brief Primer on Project Blue Book

Before we jump into the timeline, a quick refresher: Project Blue Book was the Air Force’s systematic effort to investigate unidentified flying objects (UFOs), spurred by public fascination and national security concerns during the Cold War. Headed by figures like astronomer J. Allen Hynek, the project aimed to determine whether UFOs were extraterrestrial, natural phenomena, or man-made. While most cases were attributed to weather, aircraft, or hoaxes, a small fraction—those tantalizing “unexplained” cases—kept the debate alive. May was a particularly active month for such mysteries, and here are five standout cases that left investigators stumped.

May 5, 1949 – Fort Bliss, Texas: Discs in the Desert

Our journey begins in the arid expanses of Fort Bliss, Texas, where, at 11:40 a.m. on May 5, 1949, three Army officers—Major Day, Major Olhausen, and Captain Vaughn—witnessed something extraordinary. Two oblong, white discs zipped through the sky at an estimated 200–250 mph, making a shallow turn during a 30–50-second sighting. These weren’t just casual observers; they were trained military personnel, yet no conventional explanation—be it aircraft, balloons, or optical illusions—fit the bill. The objects’ speed and maneuverability defied known technology, and the case was filed away as unexplained, a classic early entry in Blue Book’s records.

May 1, 1952 – Moses Lake, Washington: Silvery Speedster

Fast forward to May 1, 1952, in Moses Lake, Washington, where witnesses reported a silvery object tearing across the sky. Documented as Case #1174, this sighting stood out for the object’s high speed and sharp, erratic turns—maneuvers no balloon or known aircraft could replicate. The observation was brief, but the credibility of the witnesses and the absence of a mundane explanation led investigators to label it unexplained. Was it a secret military test or something else entirely? Blue Book offered no answers, leaving this case as a tantalizing footnote in UFO lore.

May 5, 1952 – Tenafly, New Jersey: A Fleeting Glimpse

On May 5, 1952, the skies over Tenafly, New Jersey, hosted another mystery, logged as Case #1183. Witnesses described an object moving rapidly, too fast and erratic to be a meteor or conventional plane. The sighting was fleeting, and Blue Book’s investigation hit a wall: there was insufficient data to pin it on a known phenomenon, but enough to rule out obvious explanations. This lack of closure frustrated Hynek, who later argued that such cases deserved more scrutiny. Marked as unexplained, the Tenafly incident underscores how even brief encounters could baffle seasoned investigators.

May 7, 1952 – Keesler AFB, Mississippi: Military Mystery

Two days later, on May 7, 1952, Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi became the stage for Case #1185. Observers at this military hub reported a bright object performing maneuvers that defied the capabilities of 1950s aviation. The specifics were sparse, but the context—a secure Air Force base with trained personnel—lent weight to the report. Blue Book’s analysis couldn’t attribute the sighting to atmospheric effects or aircraft, and with insufficient data to close the case, it joined the ranks of the unexplained. This incident highlights how even military settings weren’t immune to UFO mysteries.

May 29, 1952 – San Antonio, Texas: A Tubular Enigma

Our final stop is San Antonio, Texas, on May 29, 1952, for Case #1236—one of the most bizarre in Blue Book’s May catalog. At 7:00 p.m., USAF pilot Major D.W. Feuerstein, stationed on the ground, observed a bright, tubular object that seemed to defy physics. Over 14 minutes, it tilted from horizontal to vertical, returned to horizontal, tilted again, accelerated, lengthened, and turned red before vanishing. Hynek, who personally reviewed the case, classified it as “non-astronomical,” noting its behavior was unlike any known aircraft or natural phenomenon. Feuerstein’s expertise as a pilot added credibility, making this one of Blue Book’s most compelling unexplained cases.

Why These Cases Matter

These five May sightings, spanning 1949 to 1952, illustrate the challenges Project Blue Book faced. Credible witnesses—often military personnel—reported objects that moved in ways no known technology could. The Air Force’s investigations, constrained by limited data and a bias toward conventional explanations, often left these cases open-ended. Hynek himself grew critical of Blue Book’s dismissive approach, later advocating for serious scientific study of UFOs. These unexplained incidents fueled public fascination and skepticism, laying the groundwork for modern UAP (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) research.

The Legacy of May’s Mysteries

As we mark May 8, 2025, these historical cases remind us of a time when the skies seemed full of possibilities—some thrilling, some unsettling. Project Blue Book’s May files, with their mix of military precision and cosmic ambiguity, continue to spark debate. Were these sightings glimpses of advanced technology, natural anomalies, or something truly extraterrestrial? The truth remains elusive, but the questions endure.

If you’re intrigued by these stories, dive into the declassified Project Blue Book archives, available through the National Archives, or explore modern UAP discussions on platforms like X. And if you spot something strange in the skies this May, well, you might just be adding to the legacy of the unexplained.

Have a favorite UFO case or want more details on Project Blue Book? Drop a comment or let us know, and we may feature it!