Cigar-shaped UFO seen in Alpena in 1957

Summary

In November 1957, a witness in Alpena, Michigan, reported seeing a cigar-shaped metallic object moving from west to east. The sighting lasted between 10 and 15 seconds, and the observer clearly described it as an elongated, aluminum-like shape. Although no photographs were taken, the report was submitted by a civilian and evaluated by officials who concluded it was likely an F-102 aircraft. However, the object's description didn't fully match expectations for a conventional plane, sparking some curiosity.

The official evaluation marked "Was Aircraft" as the conclusion, but did not completely rule out the possibility that the object was unconventional. This case, though brief, reflects how even in the 1950s, UFO reports were taken with some seriousness, though often with a bias toward conventional explanations. The testimony, though limited in duration, contributed to a file that remains of interest to researchers and UFO enthusiasts.