Historical account, Haverhill MA

This account comes to me first hand from my wife's Grandfather.  He is a old school French Catholic with strong family values and ethics.  
We were having a discussion on a television program dealing with UFO's.  He stated that he had once seen a "flying ship".  He went on to say that it was spring in 1953 when he and his friend, were walking across a field in Haverhill MA.  
He stated that out of know where, "One of those ships" that "looked like a big glowing bananna"  flew directly over them.  He stated that they had never seen anything like it and had know idea what it was.  He stated they watched it until it disapeared over a nearby hill.  He went on to state that they were so terrified, they just ran.  
He is as straight a shooter as they come and his account was told with such conviction that I am convinced he saw something.
Witness indicates that date of incident is approximate.  PD