Documents / FOIA release
This Federal Bureau of Investigation file section collects 1947 to 1949 correspondence, memoranda and newspaper clippings about flying disc reports. It includes Hoover's replies to citizens, a Maine woman's account of a drifting object judged probably a weather balloon, a Richmond memo on a cigar-shaped object seen over Radford, Virginia on May 12, 1949, clippings on the Chiles and Whitted sighting near Montgomery, a Flyin' Saucer toy promotion, and agent interviews with witnesses in Vermont and a pilot near Bethel, Alaska.
“Cooper”6 pages
Read from the scan by GLM-OCR; expect the odd misread word.
Headquarters Air Defense Command Mitchel Air Force Base, New York 4 February 1948 SUBJECT: Investigation and Reporting of "Flying Disc" Incidents Commanding Generals, First, Second, Fourth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Fourteenth Air Forces, Air Defense Command ATTN: AC of 3, A-2 1. The numbered air forces of this command are responsible for the prompt investigation and reporting of incidents relating to "flying discs" which occur within their respective areas. Numbered air force A-2s, after evaluating disc incidents, will determine the extent of investigation. Futile expenditure of military funds and manpower must be avoided. 2. "Flying discs" will be investigated as provided for in Counter Intelligence Incident Cases, taking cognizance of the USAF Operating Intelligence Echelon structure. Where it is evident that witnesses, who were together at the time of incident but who are widely separated at the time of investigation would corroborate each other's story, only one witness need be interrogated. If there is a reasonable indication that a reported incident is a hoax or the fabrication of a publicity seeking individual, no further investigative effort will be expended. However, a report of such circumstances will be submitted to the FBI office concerned. a. CIC personnel attached to the numbered air forces of this command may be utilized to prosecute the investigation of subject incidents. b. Investigations will be coordinated with the FBI Office concerned in accordance with instructions contained in letter, this headquarters, D 355.3 EX, subject, "Cooperation of FBI with AAP on Investigation of 'Flying Diso' Incidents," 3 September 1947. 5. Reports will be narrative in style and will cover only those facts pertinent to the subject. Where source credibility cannot be established, or when an incident lacks foundation, the report will merely state same. Two types of report will be submitted on all incidents. a. Spot Reports (fragmentary reports) will be submitted on all incidents and will be followed by a Letter Report. b. Letter Reports will be submitted to report the completed investigation of all "flying disc" incidents. 4. Reports will be submitted in duplicate promptly, usually be regular mail. However, Spot reports on incidents of substantial character, i.e., those in which the patent credibility of the witness is beyond challenge and whose technical 6. 2 - 8.3 = 1.4 (a)
FOIA release, from the fbi-vault 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. 129 pages are in the text index: search them above, or from the library's search.