A F FORM 112 -
A PPROVE D 1 JUNE 1948
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523
(CLASSIFICATION) ■
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COUNTRY
A LA SK A -
RE PORT NQ.
IR 5OOH O-53 W^3
A IR INTE LLIGE NCE INFORMA TION RE PORT
SUBJE CT
A RE A RE PORI
Sighting of Light on Big D iomade, Island, USSR__________________________________ 
^“1^15004^ A ir Intel Sv Sq
A PO 942, c/o PM , Seattle, Wash,_____Big D iomede, USSR
DA TE  OF RE TORT
24 November 1953
PRE WIRE D BY (Office!)
DA TE OF INFORMA TION
8 October 1955
E VA LUA TION
0-3
FRA NCIS M , BROWN, M ajor, USA F
RE FE RE NCE S (Control numfter, dircciire. previous report, de., as applicable)
SOURCE
Rale!ph lyapanna
SUMMARY: (E»ter concise summary of report. Give significance in final ovc-sentcnce paragraph. Lisi tnclosurei al lower left. Begin text of report on AB Form US—Part II.)
A t approximately O81O15Z, Raleigh lyapanna, an Eskimo on Little D iomede 
(16^55’11- 65°44’N), observed a light on the southern tip of Big D iomede Island, 
USSR (169°03'W - 65*4 7'N). The light appeared as though it came from a large
flashlight or spotlight and lasted for a period of several 
formation was reported by lyapanna to ROY N* FOWLER member 
stationed on Little D iomede Island.
seconds. The in- 
of the 5004th A ISS
The sighting is unusual because persons have not been 
that location and because it is believed to be a difficult 
tioularly at night,
seen previously in 
place to reach, par-
LOO
M ajor, USA F 
Commander
library subject& A RE A CODE S
DECLASSIFIED
Authority:
NND 57597
A ____INCLS.
Sketch of Observation
DISTRIBUTION BY ORIGINATOR
Comdr, A A C, A TTN: 01
CINCA L, A TTN: J-2 (2 cys)
Comdr, USA RA L, A TTN: G-2
__________________
COM A LSEA FRON, A TTN
Comdr. FEA F. A TTN:
D /NI Comdr/10th A ir D iv, A TTNiD /:
A -2 Comdr, 11th A ir D iv, A TTNsD /
Comdr, NEA C, A TTN: D /l Comdr in Chief, USPacFlt
Comdr, A D C, A TTN; D /I_____________________________
BOTE - THIS DOCUME NT CONTA INS INFORMA TION A FFE CTING THE NATIONA L DE FE NSE  OFTHE UNITE D STA TE S WITHIN THE ME A NING OF THE E SPIONA GE  A CT. 50 U. S.C.— 
31 A ND 32. A S A ME NDE D. ITS TRA NSMISSION ORTHE RE VE LATION OF ITS CONTE NTS IN A NY MANNE R TO A N UNA UTHORIZE D PE RSON IS PROHIBITE D BY LA W. 
IT MAY NOT BE RE PRODUCE D IN WHOLE OR IN PART. BY OTHE R THAN UNITE D STA TE S A IR FORCE A GE NCIE S. E XCE PT BY PE RMISSION OF THE DIRE CTOR OF 
INTE LLIGE NCE . USAF.
CoNriPCUPAF
(CLASSIFICATION) 16—66S69-2 U- S- «V«N«HT POINTING OFFICE


A F FORM 112—^PA RT II
A PPROVE D 1 JUNE 1948
A IR INTE LLIGE NCE INFORMA TION RE PORT
FROM (.A^encv} REPORT NO.
5004th A ir Intel Sv Sq
A PO 942, c/o PM , Seattle, Wash. IR 5004-40-53
PA GE 2 OF 3 PA GE S
I. D ESCRIPTION OF SOURCE:
NA M E: Raleigh lyapanna
A GE: 14 Years
OCCUPA TION: Elementary Student and H unter
PLA CE OF BIRTH : Little D iomede Island
II. RELIA BILITY OF SOURCE:
This report was made on 6 October 1953 by, Raleigh lyapanna, an Eskimo of 
Little D iomede Island. Every night during the week preceding the report he had 
maintained a watch on Big D iomede on his own initiative. ROY N. FOWLER states 
he believes the source to be fairly reliable and that the sighting of the light 
is possibly true. Source is in good health and has excellent eyesight.
III. REPORT OF SIGH TING:
A t approximately O81O25Z, the source observed a light on the southern 
tip of Big D iomede Island at an estimated height of 95 feet above sea level. H e 
had been standing in the center of Little D iomede Village looking in the general 
direction of Big D iomede for about fifteen minutes prior to the sighting. Source 
observed the light when it appeared and watched it until it disappeared. The 
duration of the observation was estimated as lasting for several seconds. The 
light was described as being the size of a nickel coin held at arms length and about 
the same color as a burning match or dim flashlight. It was the sources opinion 
that the light came from a large flashlight or spotlight. Immediately after the 
light disappeared, the source ran to his house, about 25 yards away, and checked the 
time which was 1030Z. A fter checking the time he went back to his original position 
and continued to watch the area the light came from, however, the light did not 
reappear. For location of the light see Incl #1.
IV. WEA TH ER:
The night was dark but with no overcast, stars were clearly visible. 
Big D iomede Island was plainly outlined against the sky. Wind was from the north 
and estimated at about 5 M PH ,
COM M ENTS OF TH E PREPA RING OFFICER:
The location of the light is considered somewhat unusual because people 
have never been observed on that part of Big D iomede Island and because of the 
difficulty in reaching the location, particularly at night. If persons on Big 
D iomede wanted to signal to the A laskan mainland, it could best be done from the 
southern tip of the island. From that point, the A laskan coast from Wales
NOTE : THIS DOCUME NT CONTA INS INFORMA TION A FFE CTING THE NA TIONA L DE FE NSE  OF THE UNITE D STATE S WITHIN THE ME A NING OF THE E SPIONAGE  A CT. 50 U S. C - 
31 A ND 32. A S A ME NDE D. ITS TRA NSMISSION OR THE RE VE LATION OF ITS CONTE NTS IN A NY MANNE R TO A N UNA UTHORIZE D PE RSON IS PROHIBITE D BY LA W. 
IT MAY NOT BE RE PRODUCE D IN WHOLE OR IN PART. BY OTHE R THAN UNITE D STATE S A IR FORCE A GE NCIE S. E XCE PT BY PE RMISSION OF THE DIRE CTOR OF 
INTE LLIGE NCE , USA F.
CeA 'r/JL^W
(CLA SSIFICA TION) 16—M67Q-1 A «■•■ «ovw»s« MtHFTIMCOTFlCK


A F FORM 112—PA RT II
A PPROVE D 1 JUNE 1948
G & & & & & & & *-, 
(CLASSIFICATION) 
jjec^tn' fairi& M W ^ 
A IR INTE LLIGE NCE INFORMA TION RE PORT
FROM (pencil) REPORT NO.
5004th A ir Intel Sv Sq
A PO 942, o/o PM , Seattle, Wash. IB 5 00^0-5 3 PAGE 3 of 3 PA GE S
(168°05*W — 65°37'N) to approximately Tin City (167°58,W - 65 33’K ) could be seen 
when visibility was good. This stated only to mention the possibility however 
slight it may be. There is no evidence to support a conclusion that this was the 
purpose of the light.
M ajor, USA F 
Preparing Officer
MOTE : THIS DOCUME NT CONTA INS INFORMATION A FFE CTING THE NATIONAL DE FE NSE  OF THE UNITE D STA TE S WITHIN THE ME A NING OF THE  E SPIONA GE  A CT. 50 U. S. C — 
31 A ND32. A S A ME NDE D. ITS TRA NSMISSION OR THE RE VE LATION OF ITS CONTE NTS IN A NY MANNE R TO A N UNA UTHORIZE D PE RSON IS PROHIBITE D BY LA W. 
IT MAY NOT BE RE PRODUCE D IN WHOLE OR IN PART. BY OTHE R THA N UNITE D STATE S A IR FORCE A GE NCIE S. E XCE PT BY PE RMISSION OF THE DIRE CTOR OF 
INTE LLIGE NCE . USA F.
(CLASSiFiCA TiCM) 16—66570-1 "ft ®»•. tOTiiiiwiirr wmiieem


A F FORM 112-PA RT II
A PPROVE D 1 JUNE UM
t
(CLA SSIFICA TION)
A IR INTE LLIGE NCE INFORMA TION RE PORT
NOTE : THIS DOCUME NT CONTA INS INFORMATION A FFE CTING THE NA TIONA L DE FE NSE  OF THE UNITE D STA TE S WITHIN THE ME A NING OF THE E SPIONA GE A CT. SO U.S.C.- 
31 A ND 32. A S A ME NDE D. ITS TRA NSMISSION OR THE RE VE LA TION OF ITS CONTE NTS IN A NY MANNE R TO A N UNA UTHORIZE D PE RSON IS PROHIBITE D BY LA W. 
IT MA Y NOT BE RE PRODUCE D IN WHOLE OR IN PART. BY OTHE R THA N UNITE D STATE S A IR FORCE A GE NCIE S, E XCE PT BY PE RMISSION OF THE DIRE CTOR OF 
INTE LLIGE NCE . USA F.
(CLA SSIFICA TION) 10 6M7O1 A o. ». w»tR««tRr hiwtiw wnci
