Anacostia Naval Air Station yellow sphere (Lowe)

Lt. Cdr. Marcus L. Lowe, US Navy, reported a yellow sphere while flying south of Anacostia Naval Air Station on 30 April 1948. In a memo to Lt. Col. Thomas dated 4 May 1948, he wrote that he was piloting Navy SNJ Buno 90731 on a local flight at about 1015. He put the object about one mile away and about 1,000 feet below, and estimated its diameter at 25 to 40 feet.

Lowe recorded that the object moved in approximately a south to north direction despite an upper wind from the north northwest. He estimated its speed at about 100 mph. He saw no external fittings or attachments. He wrote that it appeared to him to be a yellow or bright colored balloon and drew attention mainly because of its flight path. He did not pursue it because it was entering the prohibited flying area over the Capitol and White House.

The memo moved through Air Intelligence channels. A cover sheet logged a memo from Lowe for Lt. Col. Thomas, forwarded to Gen. Cabell, received by the Director of Intelligence on 11 May 1948 and carrying a handwritten remark, "Here we go again." It was dispatched to AMC on 21 May 1948. The cover sheet gives no analysis of the sighting.

The incident became number 126 in a set of check-list summaries. The check-list gave the time as 1015, the altitude as 4,500 feet, the direction as 360 degrees, and the color as yellow (light colored). It listed one object, no sketches or photographs, and "N/S" for time in sight, sound, weather and manner of disappearance. A second copy carries the same entries.

The joint Air Force and Navy intelligence study of about 210 incidents also listed the case. It described a yellow or light colored sphere reported just south of Anacostia and noted that the winds aloft were from the north-northwest while the object's course was to the north. Another copy of the study repeats the entry. Lowe's own description of a balloon is the only identification the pages record.