State Department memo on UFO sightings, July 1952

[PAGE 1] [Handwritten at top right: A.F.] [Check mark at top] [Stamp: SECRET, struck through] July 28, 1952. MEMORANDUM. To: Mr. Armstrong. Paul Nitze asked me what the Air Force thought about the flying saucers, and I suspect that the others would be interested. I recommend, therefore, that you pass on the gist of the attached at the morning meeting tomorrow. Samford gave it to me at the IAC. F.H. Att. [Handwritten note: Subsequently at lunch 5th floor Paul asked me about it so I have given the gist of this to Paul, Doc, Howland, McFall [name spelling uncertain]. initials illegible] [Handwritten marginal file number: 711.5612/7-2852] [Stamp: SECRET, struck through] DECLASSIFIED NND 852931 [PAGE 2] [Stamp: SECRET, struck through] July 28, 1952. MEMORANDUM. Subject: Flying Saucers. General Samford, A-2, in response to my inquiry, said that there is very little that can be said to clarify the flying saucer business: It is still a complete enigma. He did, however, point out that phenomena falling within the general description of flying saucers have actually been known to exist and have been reported one way or another for over 100 years. The increase in observation and in reporting and publicity on the subject is probably attributable in the main to vastly improved methods of observation and reporting, including not only radar but the reporting systems used by civilian and military pilots. It is also attributable in some measure to the publicity which is given it, which takes on certain elements of a "fad." There is no question, according to Samford, that "credible observers are reporting the incredible." The radar observation may have elements of "electronic fluke," but is sufficiently tied in with pilot observation so that it cannot be attributed entirely to this. The Air Force views the flying saucers as a threat only because they are not understood and they are sufficiently frequent as a phenomena to mean that they will give great attention to them until they understand them. General Samford did not say anything about the possibility that they were man-made or controlled, friend or foe, but the whole implication of his remarks was that this possibility was remote and not considered. [Typed text as edited by hand: "so", "as" and "to be seriously" struck out, "and" inserted; handwritten marginal word: generally] F.H. [Stamp: SECRET, struck through] DECLASSIFIED NND 852931