Factual error: Air Force personnel are retrieving supposedly alien debris from a forest. They are wearing dress blues, ties and all. This would never happen. They should be wearing what were then called "fatigues", essentially a precursor of the BDUs in use today. (00:16:00)
Factual error: In the last scene, a general is seen wearing service stripes on his left sleeve. Service stripes were authorized for only a very brief period in the USAF shortly after separation from the Army in 1947. And they have never been authorized for officers. (00:43:15)
Factual error: Military personnel do not exchange salutes when indoors. (00:20:15)
Factual error: Captain Quinn's uniform has many inaccuracies. He should be wearing a name tag. His ribbons are out of order of precedence. Worst of all, he has what looks like a Vietnam Service Medal with three stars, signifying having won the award four times. This is 1952. The medal was not even established until 1965. Vietnam was not even an issue in 1952. (00:21:30)
Factual error: Building 18 at the National Guard base has a crest saying "Fargo Air National Guard." This is incorrect. It is the North Dakota Air National Guard. Any crest other than the ANG would say the number and name of a unit based there, or the owning command. (00:13:10)
Factual error: An Army Sergeant would under no circumstances be allowed to disrespect a Captain as he does Captain Quinn. (00:21:30)
Factual error: An entire platoon of Army soldiers salutes a civilian, which would never happen. (00:27:45)
