Cadillac, MI: Bright bulb-like object bobs near ground
At 3:30 a.m., Willard Wood spotted a bright sky object resembling a glass bulb near Cadillac, Michigan. Police officers confirmed it approaching and withdrawing, evading Air Force radar despite intercepts.
Background
Sighting and Initial Observation
On July 28, 1956 at 3:30 in the morning, Willard Wood noticed a luminous object in the sky while driving near Cadillac, Michigan. He at first took it for an aircraft, but stopped to listen for engine noise and heard nothing. The object resembled a clear glass light bulb, which dimmed and wavered in the sky.
Police Investigation
Wood reported the sighting to the police, whereupon John Langley and Merrill Taylor were sent out. The officers saw the object approach and withdraw several times. As dawn came on it grew brighter, until after a few minutes it went out entirely. Taylor stressed that it was not a star. Wood reported red flashes within the glaring white light and estimated the minimum altitude at about 300 feet above the ground.
Military Response
Despite the use of interceptors and radar from Wurtsmith Air Force Base (today Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport) in Oscoda, Michigan, the object could not be located. The case is among the early instances of unidentifiable aerial phenomena with multiple witnesses and official involvement.