Documents / FOIA release
This Central Intelligence Agency file from 1952 contains several related papers. A July 1952 memorandum from the Acting Assistant Director for Scientific Intelligence notes recent radar and visual sightings and says a special study group is under way. A later memo from H. Marshall Chadwell says objects seen at high altitude near U.S. defense installations are not attributable to natural phenomena. The file also includes a draft memo to the National Security Council and a draft NSC directive making identification of unidentified flying objects a priority.
Read from the scan by GLM-OCR; expect the odd misread word.
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director of Central Intelligence THEJ Deputy Director for Intelligence SUBJECT : Unidentified Flying Objects 1. On 20 August, the DCI, after a briefing by OSI on the above subject, directed the preparation of an NSCID for submission to the Council stating the need for investigation and directing agencies concerned to cooperate in such investigations. 2. In attempting to draft such a directive and the supporting staff studies, it became apparent to DD/I, Acting AD/SI and AD/IC that the problem was largely a research and development problem, and it was decided by DD/I to attempt to initiate action through PAD8. A conference was held between DI/USAF, Chairman of PAD3, DD/I, Acting AD/SI and AD/EC at which time it was decided that Dr. Whitman, Chairman of PAD8, would investigate the possibility of undertaking research and development studies through Air Force agencies. 3. On approximately 6 November, we were advised by Chairman, TADB, that inquiries in the Air Staff did not disclose "undue concern" over this matter, but that it had been referred to the Air Defense Command for consideration. No further word has been received from TADB. 4. Recent reports reaching CIA indicated that further action was desirable and another briefing by the cognizant A-2 and ATIC personnel was held on 25 November. At this time, the reports of incidents convince us that there is something going on that must have immediate attention. The details of some of these incidents have been discussed by AD/SI with DCSF. Sightings of unexplained objects at great altitudes and travelling at high speeds in the vicinity of major U.S. defense installations are of such nature that they are not attributable to natural phenomena or known types of aerial vehicles. 5. CSI is proceeding to the establishment of a consulting group of sufficient competence and stature to review this matter and convince the responsible authorities in the community that immediate research and development on this subject must be undertaken. This can be done expeditiously under the aegis of CNIIS.
FOIA release, from the cia-readingroom collection. The PDF is mirrored here; the original link is above. The text was read from the page images by GLM-OCR; expect the odd misread word. 6 pages are in the text index: search them above, or from the library's search.