UFO observed in Colville in 1953

Summary

In July 1953, three witnesses in Colville, Washington, observed an object in the sky for two hours, describing it as a shiny disk resembling a star. Mrs. Gerald Willett, Mrs. John Link, and James Kohlstedt saw it from an observation tower, noting that the object moved slowly and did not behave like a typical star. Although the official report attributed it to Venus, the witnesses insisted it was not a conventional astronomical phenomenon. The object did not act like a weather balloon or move with the wind, raising doubts about its identity. The detailed description and prolonged observation by three different people add credibility to this case.

The testimony was reported in the local newspaper and also communicated to a filter center in Spokane, where it did not generate much concern. Another case was mentioned in the same article, when John P. Thomson observed a bright object reflecting sunlight in an unusual way. Although the official report suggested it could have been a distant plane with a magnesium flare, the witnesses were unconvinced. This case, along with others, reflects the growing curiosity and confusion about unidentified flying objects in the 1950s.