Cruise Missiles that target ships cruise at high attitudes then drop down to engage ships near the Ocean’s Surface, that is exactly what was described by the USS Princeton. The Captain was prudent in ordering General Quarters to deal with an Anti-Ship Missile Attack.
Do I need to explain more?
We think we understand your point now but we see the incident differently.
A cruise missile flying high--either in a shallow parabola or a horizontal sort of flight--then dropping down closer to the water before striking a target--still traveling parallel to the earth/water--is one thing.
That was NOT the description of the behavior of the UFO in this case.
The craft was at higher altitude. Then, like a QUICKLY falling yoyo or rock or spear thrust straight down--headed very fast straight down. Then it stopped abruptly just above the water. Then it zipped off at a high rate of speed, IIRC.
Cruise missiles don't come close to behaving that way.
Sorry to disagree but that's our perspective.
It’s certainly reasonable to call General Quarters—even just because a very strange unknown is so close doing such shocking maneuvers.