Lakeland, Florida Griffin sighting

Hiram William Griffin reported seeing five objects over Lakeland, Florida, on 7 July 1947. The Air Force check-list recorded the time as between 1300 and 1400 hours EST and the place as one mile east of Lakeland, with Griffin on the ground (check-list, Incident 84). The same form gave his occupation as sign painter, previously a cab driver and amateur artist, and a former second-class seaman in the U.S. Navy (check-list).

The narrative said Griffin was walking on U.S. Highway 92 when a swishing noise, which seemed to sing with a shrill whine, drew his attention upward. He saw five shiny objects rise from about 5,000 feet to about 7,500 feet in 15 to 30 seconds, heading northeast (narrative). He thought they were a mile away when first sighted. He saw no wings, thought they were jet jobs, and said the leading object, of plastic appearance, seemed to be towing the other four (narrative). The check-list said the objects looked "turtle-backed" in a photograph submitted, and noted that Griffin made a model and forwarded it as an exhibit (check-list; notes). A second compilation holds the same check-list and narrative (box 7 summaries; narrative).

The summary recorded that Griffin was very excitable and talkative, with an exaggerated imagination, and inclined to impress people with continuous verbal chatter. Neighbors and associates were questioned and said he belonged to no subversive organization. The source was rated "B" and the information "3" (narrative).

The 23 April 1948 Project Sign progress report listed the case as Incident 84, with five objects sighted from the ground (incident table). It recorded the observer as a sign painter, the maneuver as climbing and the weather as clear with scattered clouds (occupations table). It listed the objects as shiny and round, with a shrill sound (description table), and gave a northeast heading and 7,500 feet altitude (heading table). A note in the report said the person making the report was determined to be an excitable person with an exaggerated imagination (note on Incident 84).