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FBI file 62-HQ-83894 Flying Discs, section 3

Department of War · 2026-05-08 · 190 pages · text from the file's own layer

This section of FBI file 62-HQ-83894 on flying discs collects 1947 FBI memoranda, teletypes and Army Air Forces intelligence papers. It includes F. M. Johnson's report of discs near Mt. Adams on June 24, 1947, the Maury Island claims of Harold Dahl and Fred Crisman, the fatal B-25 crash at Kelso, Washington that killed investigators Davidson and Brown, MIT findings that New Hampshire fragments were ordinary cast iron, and A. C. Urie's Twin Falls sighting. It ends with the Bureau discontinuing its disc investigations.

  • p. 33 . .,... . •... \,,- August 14, 1947 FLYING DISCS The 11 Tacoma News Tribune" and through them the United Press…
  • p. 34 …by a Tacoma Times reporter and the United Press Wireman at Tacoma giving information regarding t…
  • p. 36 …Five anonymous calls were received by a reporter, Tacoma Times, and the United Press ,;ire.man…
  • p. 37 …ER.~EL, Associated Press 1ireman, Tacoma, .ashington, advised that in the early part of June, 1947…
  • p. 38 …He stated that he talked to .:CRRELLO, the United Press a'ireman, Tacoma, who advised that…
  • p. 39 August 19, 1947 United Press .1ireman, stating that Captain DAVIDSON and Lieutenant BRO::N were the…
  • p. 40 …TED H0RRELL0, a United Press \fi reman, Tacoma, •..ashington furnished substantially the same information that was…
  • p. 43 …SMITH, 3027 Hest Laurehurst Drive, United Airlines pilot : It should be noted that Captain SMITH has…
  • p. 46 …Later, a ~r. ~'OPJBILO of the United Press called and ~~ITH spoke to him on the…
  • p. 47 …infonned that MORR.ELLO of the Unit ed Press had received another anonymous phone call at…
  • p. 48 …ORRELLO in the United Press Office. There they read the latest press releases and had a…
  • p. 56 …Marlllo of the United Press and said that one ot the parties tha t Mr . Arnqld…
  • p. 89 …G4 I ~ Office Men~~,•o;,,,dum • UNITED • GOVERNMENT 65- 477 Dir ector, FBI : August 27. 1947…
  • p. 93 …He informed that PArL LAND and MORELLO, United Press men at Tacoma, appeared to know all…
  • p. 102 VENTURE PRESS 305 STUDIO BUILDING 171 B SHERMAN AVENUE E VANSTON, ILL INO I S June…
  • p. 109 …tnoer in Ill.itloia, • Jolm Corlett 0 United Press corrospond..nnt of Boice, Iooibility trot all…
  • p. 139 …due to the fact that he has been ridiculed by the press to such en extent…
r STANDARD FORM NO, 84 • . ' •
• -r ~ffi~e,Metnorandum . UN ITED STATES GOVERNMENT
TO
D. M. IA.DD

FLYING DI
DATB : September 25, 1947
Ill'. Tolson
FROM Ill'. E. J.. ~
Ill'. Cl egg~
Ill'. Glav i n~
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SUBJECT: wr. Rosen --
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t) , . . Harbo--
d by the Air Forces Intelligence to assist: r.~r~
the Air Forces in attempting to arrive at an explanation of the above rei.~~~.,r....==
phenomena. The Air Forces indicated that the alleged sightings of flying l:'1••~m...• Illes Gandy
discs might have been made by i ndividuals of Commum.st sympathies for the ___-_-_-_-
purpose of causing ma.ss hysteria in the United States over the fear of a secret
Russian weapon. The Bureau agreed to assist in the investigation of the reported
sightings, and the Field was advised in Bureau Bulletin No. 42, Series 1947, dated
July 30, 1947, that they should investigate each instance which was brought to
their attention of the sighting of a flying disc in order to ascertain whether or
not it was a bona fide sighting, an imaginary one, or a prank. The results of the
investigation conducted by the Bureau Field Offices in this matter have failed to
f reveal any indication of subversive individuals being involved in any of the
1) reported sightings.
The Bureau has received a communication in the captioned matter from
the Special Agent in Charge at San Francisco, dated September 19, 1947, which
attached a "restricted" letter that was furnished confidentially to the SAC at
San Franoisoo by Lieutenant Colonel Donald L. Springer, A-2, Ar-my Air Foroes,
Hamilton Field, California, a copy of which is attached hereto. It is noted
that the letter, which is dated September 3 , 1947, is signed "By Command of
Lieutenant General Stratemeyer11 by Colonel R. H. Smith, Assistant Chief of Staff
Intelligence, Headquarters, Air Defense Command, Mitchel Field, New York, and is
addressed to the Connnanding Generals of the various Air Forces. This letter is
entitled "Cooperation of FBI with A.AF on Investigations of 'Flying Disc' Incidents. "
This letter states in substance that it was the original intent of the
A.C/AS-2, Headquarters, Arrey A.ir Forces that whereas the ADC A.ir Foroe s would
interview responsible observers, the FBI would investigate incidents of so- called
discs being found on the ground. Further, it indicates that the services of the
FBI were enlisted in order to relieve the numbered A.ir Forces of the task of
tracking down all the many instances which turned out to be "ash can covers , )
toilet seats and whatnot. "
vfV::_ RECOMMENDATION s
0'\ ., It is reoonnn.ended that the Bureau protest vigorously to the Assistant
- ~ Chief of .Air Staff - 2. It is also reoommenct'ed that the Buraau discontinue all
activity in this field and that the Bureau Field Offices be advised to discon
tinue all investigations and to refer all complaints received to the .A'ir Forces.
( A proposed Bulletin is attached for your a pproval. $J) t .:2, - (/ < l'fj/ /
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