Documents / FOIA release
This Central Intelligence Agency memorandum by W. E. Lexon, Chief of the Applied Science Division, records a meeting with Air Force representatives about the Secret Scientific Advisory Panel report on UFOs dated 17 January 1953. Attendees agreed the full report cannot be declassified because it cites examples of possible enemy actions. The memo also covers the inquiries from Leon Davidson, a proposed Air Force press release, concerns about Major Keyhoe's organization and former DCI Hillenkoetter, and Dr. Menzel's suggested rewording.
Read from the scan by GLM-OCR; expect the odd misread word.
SUBJECT: Meeting with Air Force Personnel Concerning Scientific Advisory Panal Report on Unidentified Flying Objects dated 17 January 1953 (Secret) that this was perhaps the best way to handle it, inasmuch as in his capacity of Legislative Liaison, it would best satisfy congressional requirements. Major Tacker will draft an Air Force press release, clearing it through the various sections of the Air Force, and will then submit it to Mr. Cary for Agency review, Mr. Cary will consult with the Office of Security, Mr. Strong, and the undersigned when he receives the draft press release. 6. The Air Force representatives believe that much of the trouble they have been having with Major Keyhoe along these same lines could be alleviated if the Major did not have such important personages as Vice Admiral R. H. Hillackoetter, USN (Ret.), former DCI, on the board of governors of this organization. They suggested that perhaps if the Admiral was shown the Secret panel report he would understand and take appropriate actions. Mr. Cary said that he would relate this suggestion to Mr. Houston (General Counsel). 7. Major Boland suggested that it might be advisable to contact the panel members to consider a rewording of the panel report somewhat along the lines that Dr. Menzel suggested in his letter to all the members of the panel. Dr. Menzel has received the unclassified version from Mr. Leon Davidson. Mr. Strong feels that this may be inadvisable at the present time, inasmuch as the report has already been made available to the public and any change may arouse suspicion. However, he will contact Mr. Robertson and discuss this. W. E. LEXON Chief, Applied Science Division, SI Distributions: Orig - DAD/C/SI. 2 - 1SD/SI 1 - Mr. Chapir (Ass'n to the DCI) 1 - Carval (Lez. Counsel) 1 - SO/SI Office of Security) OSI/ASD/NEIexox:g1/692
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. 2 pages are in the text index: search them above, or from the library's search.