1 October 1948 / T040
The Gorman “dogfight”
Fargo, North Dakota
Witness account
National Guard pilot George Gorman reported pursuing a small light in an F-51 over Fargo for roughly 27 minutes. He interpreted changes in its apparent motion as intelligent evasive maneuvers. A civilian pilot and ground personnel saw a light, but did not independently witness every maneuver described by Gorman.
Public record
Witness statements and an Air Force investigation survive. A radiation check initially attracted attention, but comparison problems and ordinary effects of altitude complicated that finding.