Edenton, North Carolina: Fighter Pilot Encounters Disc with Red Lights

Incident Overview On February 11, 1953 at approximately 10:00 p.m., 1st Lt. Edward Balocco of the Marine Corps was placed on intercept alert at the Naval Auxiliary Air Station in Edenton, North Carolina. An alert was issued, and he scrambled his F9F Panther jet northward toward Virginia Beach, guided by radar operators at the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing at Cherry Point.

Visual Encounter After the target disappeared from radar, Balocco searched the area for 15 minutes before heading back for fuel. While flying southward at 20,000 feet, he observed a light below him near the ocean. Upon activating his navigation lights, the light rose to his altitude, positioning itself 2,000 feet away. As he closed the distance to 350 feet, he identified the object as a disc with blinking red lights. His cockpit became bathed in blue-white light, and all sound and motion ceased.

Physiological Effects During this encounter, Balocco observed his gloved hand and could distinctly see the bones within it, resembling an X-ray image. This effect lasted until a sudden flash occurred, after which sound and motion returned to normal. The craft then rapidly departed, and Balocco's pursuit attempts proved unsuccessful.

Additional Witness Captain Thomas Riggs, piloting another scrambled F9F Panther, reported observing the object moving southward along the North Carolina coast. Following debriefing, Balocco was instructed not to discuss the incident.