1947 J. EDGAR HOOVER FBI and UFOs

  

Part 1:

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FOIA # 1

 Document #: 1

Date Sent: 06-09-1986

  Subject: 1947 J. EDGAR HOOVER FBI

           CUFON - UFO INFORMATION SERVICE SEATTLE, WA

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Memorandum for Mr. Ladd

    Mr. ________ also discussed this matter with Colonel L. H. Forney of

MID.  Colonel Forney indicated that it was his attitude that inasmuch as

it has been established that the flying disks are not the result of any

Army or Navy experiments, the matter is of interest to the FBI.  He

stated that he was of the opinion that the Bureau, if at all possible,

should accede to General Schulgen's request.

SWR:AJB

ADDENDUM

I would recommend that we advise the Army that the Bureau does not believe

it should go into these investigations, it being noted that a great bulk

of those alleged discs reported found have been pranks.  It is not

believed that the Bureau would accomplish anything by going into these

investigations.

                                          DML

(Clyde Tolson) - I think we should do this.  (Dated 7/15)

(J. Edgar Hoover) - I would do it but before agreeing to it we must insist

upon full access to discs recovered.  For instance in the SW case the Army

grabbed it and would not let us have it for cursory examination.

FOIA # 2

 Document #: 2

Date Sent: 06-09-1986

  Subject: 1947 AAF W/FBI UFO INVES.

          CUFON - UFO INFORMATION SERVICE SEATTLE, WA

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                                               DATE OF DOCUMENT 7/30/1947

(B) FLYING DISCS -- The Bureau, at the request of the Army Air Force

intelligence, has agreed to cooperate in the investigation of flying

discs.  The Air Forces have confidentially advised that it is possible to

release three or more discs in odd numbers, attached together by a wire,

from an airplane in high altitudes and that these discs would obtain

tremendous speed in their descent and would descend to the earth in an

arc.  The Army Air Forces Intelligence has also indicated some concern

that the reported sightings might have been made by subversive

individuals for the purpose of creating a mass hysteria.

(AUTHORIZATION TO INVESTIGATE)

7-30-47

BUREAU BULLETIN NO. 42          -2-

Series 1947

    You should investigate each instance which is brought to your

attention of a sighting of a flying disc in order to ascertain whether or

not it is a bonifide sighting, an imaginary one or a prank.  You should

also bear in mind that individuals might report seeing flying discs for

various reasons.  It is conceivable that an individual might be desirous

of seeking personal publicity, causing hysteria, or playing a prank.

    The Bureau should be notified immediately by teletype of all reported

sightings and the results of your inquiries.  In instances where the

report appears to have merit, the teletype should be followed by a letter

to the Bureau containing in detail the results of your inquiries.  The

Army Air Forces have asured the Bureau complete cooperating in these

matters and in any instances where they fail to make information

available to you or make the recovered discs available for your

examination, it should promptly be brought to the attention of the

Bureau.

    Any information you develop in connection with these discs should be

promptly brought to the attention of the Army through your usual liason

channels.

FOIA # 3

Date Sent: 06-09-1986

  Subject: 1966 J.E.HOOVER RESPONSE

           CUFON - UFO INFORMATION SERVICE SEATTLE, WA

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ST-101                                      July 2l, 1966

___________________

Cleburne, Texas 76031

Dear Mr. ____________

    Your letter of July 16th has been received.

    For your information, the investigation of Unidentified Flying

Objects is not and never has been a matter that is within the

investigative jurisdiction of the FBI.  I can assure you the photograph

you mentioned does not represent employees of this Bureau and the FBI

has never had custody of an occupant from a foreign planet.

    Enclosed are some booklets pertaining to our activities which I hope

you will enjoy reading.

                                           Sincerely yours,

                                           John Edgar Hoover

                                               Director

Enclosures (2)

Know your FBI

Story of the FBI

NOTE:  Correspondent is not identifiable in Bufiles.  The Bureau has had

other inquiries concerning this photograph.  The article which appeared

in a recent issue of this magazine purported to be an actual report of

unidentified flying objects and has been brought to the attention of the

Bureau previously.  In view of the fictional aspects of the material and

our relations with "Real" magazine no contact was made with the magazine

regarding the representation of FBI Agents.

MAIL ROOM ___ TELETYPE UNIT ___

FOIA # 4

Date Sent: 06-09-1986

  Subject: 1949 FBI MEMO RE: PHOTOS

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Office Memorandum - UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT

TO      :  DIRECTOR FBI                         DATE:  January 10, 1949

FROM    :  SAC KNOXVILLE

SUBJECT : "FLYING SAUCERS" OBSERVED OVER

          OAK RIDGE AREA

          INTERNAL SECURITY - X

          There are being submitted herewith two photographs of reputedly

"flying saucers" which were seen at Oak Ridge, Tennessee, sometime during

July of 1947.  All of the information contained in this letter was

received from George Rateman, Resident Engineer, Air Material Command,

United States Army, who is the principal army technician at the Nuclear

Energy for the Propulsion of Aircraft Research Center at Oak Ridge,

Tennessee.

    Mr. Rateman advised that the attached photographs were taken by ______

in July of 1947.  He stated that interview with _______ revealed that he

had been snapping photographs of his family in front of his residence at

218 Illinois Avenue, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, late in the afternoon, when he

looked into the sky and observed the vapor trail as exhibited by the

photograph numbered "1."  __________ stated that he took a snap of this

trail, was winding the film to the next number, when he looked into the

sky and observed the ball of fire as shown in photograph 2.  _______ made

these photographs available to reporters of the Knoxville News-Sentinel

and a story concerning them was run in that paper; however, as shown by

the photostatic copy of the newspaper clipping, which is also being

submitted herewith to the Bureau, the print was very indistinct; the news

story did not contain any factual information; and it was regarded

generally by the public at the time as a possible trick.

    Later, it was learned by Rateman and _________ that _________ had

made several copies of this photograph and had distributed them among his

aquaintances at Oak Ridge, Tennessee.  Upon ___________ finding that the

photographs had received some distribution, he requested Rateman as Head

of the Compliance and Investigations Division, to recover as many as

possible of the photographs, advise the persons in whose possession they

were found to say nothing to anyone concerning them, and to return the

said photographs to him for transmission to the United States Air Force

Intelligence Service.  Rateman advises that he succeeded in rounding up

twenty four copies of these photographs, and that, according to the

statements of ________, no more copies were made or distributed.  Rateman

further stated that _______ had appeared extremely concerned over the

matter and seemed quite emphatic that the matter should be given no more

publicity than was absolutely necessary.  Rateman also advised that he

studied the negatives from which the reproductions were made, and they

appeared to be authentic in that trick photography should have been

apparent, but from the ______________ ________________.

FOIA # 5

Date Sent: 06-09-1986

  Subject: 1947 GEN. TWINING LETTER

           CUFON - UFO INFORMATION SERVICE SEATTLE, WA

            FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT DOCUMENT FILES

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                                                 23 September 1947

SUBJECT:  AMC Opinion Concerning "Flying Discs"

TO:       Commanding General

         Army Air Forces

         Washington 25, D.C.

         ATTENTION:     Brig. General George Schulgen

                        AC/AS-2

1.  As requested by AC/AS-2 there is presented below the considered

opinion of this command concerning the so-called "Flying Discs."  This

opinion is based on interrogation report data furnished by AC/AS-2 and

preliminary studied by personnel of T-2 and Aircraft Laboratory,

Engineering Division T-3.  This opinion was arrived at in a conference

between personnel from the Air Institute of Technology, Intelligence

T-2, Office, Chief of Engineering Division, and the Aircraft, Power

Plant and Propeller Laboratories of Engineering Division T-3.

2.  It is the opinion that:

  a.  The phenomenon reported is something real and not visionary or

      fictitious.

  b.  There are objects probably approximately the shpe of a disc, of

      such appreciable size as to appear to be as large as man-made

      aircraft.

  c.  There is the possibility that some of the incidents may be

      caused by natural phenomena, such as meteors.

  d.  The reported operating characteristics such as extreme rates of

      climb, maneuverability (particularly in roll), and action which

      must be considered evasive when sighted or contacted by friendly

      aircraft and radar, lend belief to the possibility that some of

      the objects are controlled either manually, automatically or

      remotely.

  e.  The apparent common description of the objects is as follows:

      (1)  Metallic or light reflecting surface.

      (2)  Absence of trail, except in a few instances when the object

           apparently was operating under high performance conditions.

      (3)  Circular or elliptical in shape, flat on bottom and domed on

           top.

      (4)  Several reports of well kept formation flights varying from

           three to nine objects.

      (5)  Normally no associated sound, except in three instances a

           substantial rumbling roar was noted.

      (6)  Level flight speeds normally about 300 knots are estimated.

Continued on Next One

FOIA # 6

Date Sent: 06-09-1986

  Subject: 1947 GEN. TWINING LETTER

           CUFON - UFO INFORMATION SERVICE SEATTLE, WA

            FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT DOCUMENT FILES

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      LETTER FROM GENERAL N.F. TWINING TO COMMANDING GENERAL,

               ARMY AIR FORCES 23 SEPTEMBER 1947

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f.  It is possible within the present U.S. knowledger - provided

    extensive detailed development is undertaken--to construct a piloted

    aircraft which has the general description of the object in

    subparagraph (e) above which would be capable of an approximate range

    of 700 miles at subsonic speeds.

g.  Any devlopments in this country along the lines indicated would be

    extremely expensive, time consuming and at the considerable expense

    of current projects and therefore, if directed, should be set up

    independently of existing projects.

h.  Due consideration must be given the following:

    (1)  The possibility that these objects are of domestic origin - the

         product of some high security project not known to AC/AS-2 or

         this command.

    (2)  The lack of physical evidence in the shape of crash recovered

         exhibits which would undeniably prove the existence of these

         objects.

    (3)  The possibility that some foreign nation has a form of

         propulsion possibly nuclear, which is outside of our domestic

         knowledge.

3.  It is recommended that:

a.  Headquarters, Army Air Forces issue a directive assigning a priority,

    security classification and code name for a detailed study of this

    matter to include the preparation of complete sets of all available

    and pertinent data which will then be made available to the Army,

    Navy, Atomic Energy Commission, JRDB, the Air Force Scientific

    Advisory Group, NACA, and the RAND and NEPA projects for comments

    and recommendations, with a preliminary report to be forwarded

    within 15 days of receipt of the data and a detailed report

    thereafter every 30 days as the investigation develops.  A complete

    interchange of data should be effected.

4.  Awaiting a specific directive AMC will continue the investigation

    within its current resources in order to more closely define the

    nature of the phenomenon.  Detailed Essential Elements of

    Information will be formulated immediately for transmittal thru

    channels.

                                         N.F. TWINING

                                         Lieutenant General, U.S.A.

                                         Commanding.

FOIA # 7

Date Sent: 06-10-1986

  Subject: 1975 LORING AFB LANDING

         CUFON - UFO INFORMATION SERVICE SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

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                    DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

               Headquarters Aerospace Defense Command

 Reply to

Attn of: DAD

Subject: Request for Information Under The Freedom of Information Act

To ____________________

         1. A copy of you letter dated 22 August 1977 was received in this

         headquarters for direct reply on 19 September 1977. The following

         log entries have been extracted for release:

         a. NORAD Command Director's Log ( 1975 )

29 Oct/0630Z: Command Director called by Air Force Operations Center

              concerning an unknown helicopter landing in the munitions

              storage area at Loring AFB, Maine.  Apparently this was

              second night in a row this occurrence. There was also an

              indication, but not confirmed, that Canadian bases had

              been overflown by a helicopter.

31 Oct/0445Z: Report from Wurtsmith AFB through Air Force Ops Center -

              incident at 0355Z. Helicopter hovered over SAC Weapons

              storage area then departed area. Tanker flying at 2700

              feet made both visual sighting and radar skin paint.

              Track object 35NM SE over Lake Huron where contack was

              lost.

1  Nov/0920Z: Received, as info, message from Loring AFB, Maine, citing

              probable helicopter overflight of base.

8  Nov/0753Z: 24th NORAD Region unknown tract J330, heading SSW, 12000

              feet.  1 To 7 objects, 46.46N   109.23W.   Two F-106

              scrambled out of Great Falls at 0745Z. SAC  reported visual

              sighting from Sabotage Alert Teams ( SAT ) K1, K3, L1 and

              L6  ( lights and jet sounds ). Weather section states no

              anomalous propagation or northern lights.

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Continued On Nexts

FOIA # 8

Date Sent: 06-10-1986

  Subject: 1975 MALMSTROM AFB, MT

           CUFON - UFO INFORMATION SERVICE SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

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       NORAD Region Senior Director's Log (Malmstrom AFB, Montana).

 0835Z: SAT Teams K3 and L4 report visual, K3 report target at 300 feet

 altituds and L4 reports target at 5 miles. Contact lost at 0820Z. F-106s

returned to base at 0850Z with negative results. 0905Z Great Falls radar

search and height had intermittent contact. 0910Z SAT teams again had

visual (Site C-1, 10 miles SE Stanford, Montana0. 0920Z SAT CP reported

that when F-106s were in area, targets would turn out lights, and when

F-106s left, targets would turn lights on. F-106s never gained visual or

radar contact at anytime due to terrain clearance.

This type of activity has been reported in the Malmstrom area for several

days although previous to tonight no unknowns were declared. The track

will be carried as a remaining unknown.

7 NOV 75 (1035Z) - Received a call from the 34st Strategic Air Command

post (SAC CP), saying that the following missile locations reported seeing

a large red to orange to yellow object: M-1, L-3, LIMA and L-6.The general

object location would be 10 miles south of Moore, Montana, and 20 miles

east of Buffalo,Montana, Commander and Deputy for Operations (DO) informed

7 NOV 75 (1203Z) - SAC advised that the LCF at Harlowton, Montana,observed

an object which emitted a light which illuminated the site driveway.

7 NOV 75 (1319Z) - SAC advised K-1 says very bright object to their east

is now southeast of them and they are looking at it with 10x50 binoculars.

Object seems to have lights (several) on it, but no distinct pattern.

The orange/gold object overhead also has small lights on it. SAC also

advises female civilian reports having seen an object bearing south from

her position six miles west of Lewistown.

7 NOV 75 (1327Z) - L-1 reports that the object to their northeast seems to

be issuing a black object from it, tubular in the shape. In all this time,

surveilance has not been able to detect any sort of track except for known

traffic.

7 NOV 75 (1355Z) - K-1 and L-1 report that as the sun rises, so do the

objects they have visual.

7 NOV 75 (1429Z) - From SAC CP: As the sun rose, the UFOs disappeared.

Commander and DO notitier.

8 NOV 75 (0635Z) - A security camper team at K-4 reported UFO with white

lights, one red light 50 yards behind white light personnel at K-1 seeing

same object.

8 NOV 75 (0645Z) - Height personnel picked up object 10-13,000 feet, track

J330, EKLB 0648, 18 Knots, 9,500 feet.  Objects as many as seven, as few

as two A/C.

8 NOV 75 (0753Z) - J330 unknown 0753, Stationary / seven knots /12,000.

One (varies seven objects.).  None, no possibility, EKLB 3746, two F-106,

GTF, SCR 0754. NCOC notified.

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Continued On Nexts

FOIA # 9

Date Sent: 06-10-1986

  Subject: 1975 MALMSTROM AFB, MT

            CUFON - UFO INFORMATION SERVICE SEATTLE, WASHINGTON

                FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT DOCUMENT FILES

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        24th NORAD Region Senior Director's Log (Malmstrom AFB, Montana).

8 NOV 75 (0820Z) - Lost radar contact, figters broken off at 0825, looking

in area of J331 (another height finder contact).

8 NOV 75 (0905Z) - From SAC CP: L-sites had fighters and objects; fighters

did not get down to objects.

8 NOV 75 (0915Z) - From SAC CP:From four different points:Observed objects

and fighters; when fighters arrived in the area, the lights went out; when

fighters departed, the lights came back on; to NCOC.

8 nov 75 (0953Z) - From SAC CP: L-5 reported object increased in speed -

high velocity,raised in altitude and now cannot tell the object from stars

. to NCOC.

8 NOV 75 (1105Z) - From SAC CP: E-1 reported white light (site is

approximately 60 nautical miles north of Lewistown). NCOC notified.

9 NOV 75 (0305Z) - SAC CP Called and advised SAC crews at sites L-1, L-6

and M-1 observing UFO. object yellowish bright round light 20 miles north

of Harlowton, 2 to 4,000 feet.

9 NOV 75 (0320) - SAC CP reported UFO 20 miles southeast of Lewistown,

orange white disc object. 24 NORAD Region survellance checking area.

Surveillance unable to get height check.

9 NOV 75 (0320Z) - FAA Watch Supervisor reported he had five air carriers

vicinity of UFO, United Fight 157 reported seeing meteor, "arc welder's

blue" in color. SAC CP advised,sites still report seeing object stationary

9 NOV 75 (0348Z) - SAC CP Confirms L-1, sees object, a mobile security

team has been directed to get closer and report.

9 NOV 75 (0629Z) - SAC CP advises UFO sighting reported around 0305Z.

Cancelled the flight security team from site L-1, checked area and all

secure, no more sightings.

10 NOV 75 (0215Z) - Received a call from SAC CP.  Report UFO sighting from

site K-1 around Harlowton area.  Surveillance

10 NOV 75 (0153Z) - Surveillance report unable to locate track that would

correlate with UFO sighting by K-1.