Dossier OVNI Flying Discs du FBI, partie 4 (1947-1949)

[PAGE 1] SECTION 4 SERIALS 131-185 62-HQ-83894 SECTION 4 SERIALS 131-185 PICKETT STREET COPIED FOR FOIPA MAR 1 1978 BY R471 COPIED FOR FOIPA [illegible] BY R555 USE CARE IN HANDLING THIS FILE Transfer-Call 421 DESTROY FOIPA # 9930 87 INVESTIGATION Department of Justice BUREAU FBI - CENTRAL RECORDS CENTER HQ - HEADQUARTERS Class / Case # Sub Vol. Serial # 0062 83894 4 131 185 8/11/1274191 RRP003IXGX Declassification authority derived from FBI Automatic Declassification Guide, Issued May 24, 2007. [PAGE 2] Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT STANDARD FORM NO. 64 TO : DIRECTOR, FBI DATE: October 9, 1947 FROM : SAC, PORTLAND SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS SECURITY MATTER - X. Reference is made to Portland teletype dated September 13, 1947. Records of the Radio Dispatcher, Portland Police Department, reflect that first notice of unidentified objects in flight over the city on September 11, 1947 was received from officers in District 18, which is in the extreme northeast section of the city, at 5:21 P.M. The log further reflects that at 5:23 P.M. the radio requested District 14, which is further south, to attempt to locate and identify the objects and that at 5:24 P.M. a report was received from the car occupied by Chief of Police JENKINS, reporting that they had sighted some objects. District 14 at 5:27 P.M. reported seeing nothing unusual in the sky. ROBERT D. ADAIR, 4325 S.E. Madison Ave., Portland, advised that he was one of the two officers on duty in District 18 on September 11. The car was in the vicinity of N.E. 25th Avenue and Saratoga Court when ADAIR and his fellow officer noticed a number of people looking upward and pointing. Upon looking at the sky ADAIR observed the very bright reflection of the sun on some object which was apparently made of silvery metal. The object was coming from the east and made a wide turn over the city and disappeared to the south. ADAIR estimated its speed at about 150 miles per hour and its altitude at about 5,000 feet. He watched it for a period of about two minutes and during that time it gradually disappeared in such a manner as to appear that the angle was slowly changing, so that the sun was no longer reflected in ADAIR's eyes. He says that the shape appeared to be round but that the glare was so bright that it could have hidden the true outline of the object. There was no oscillation visible - only steady flight. ADAIR believes it was an ordinary metal airplane reflecting light of the afternoon sun. J. R. CALDWELL, 7652 S.E. Lincoln St., Portland, Oregon was ADAIR's partner in District 18 on September 11. CALDWELL states that the object appeared to him to take the same course as that described by ADAIR. He pointed out that the speed, height, and size of the object were difficult to judge, because of the interdependence of the three factors. However, he believes that the object when first sighted was about three miles away and about two miles high. He believes it was traveling at a much greater speed than a conventional airplane and was a great deal larger. It appeared to him to be elliptical in shape, and inasmuch as it did not bank or tip he could not judge its thickness. It was of a very bright silver or aluminum substance. [Handwritten: Info to Major Carlee, I.D. Army 10/14/47] RECORDED 62-83894-131 EX-93 19 OCT 1947 HANDLED BY STOP DESK DEFERRED RECORDING 231 510CT 231947 COPIES DESTROYED 270 NOV 18 1964 [PAGE 3] [Diagram: mirrored, faint reverse-side image of the October 9, 1947 Portland memorandum on the preceding page (same text, reversed and not legible as mirrored); not transcribed] Stamps: RECEIVED LIAISON SECTION U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F.B.I. Oct 13 4 08 AM '47; RECEIVED F.B.I. INTERNAL SECURITY Oct 13 1 05 PM '47; EX 93 [Handwritten: illegible] [PAGE 4] PD 62-1531 Chief of Police LEON V. JENKINS advised that he was travelling south on N. Williams Avenue near Russell St., when he and Officer H. S. RANEY, his driver, received a call on the police radio requesting District 14 to attempt to observe an unknown object in the sky reported by officers in District 18. JENKINS observed what appeared to be a round silver object, about 10,000 feet high, travelling northeast to southwest. It was directly to JENKIN's left when observed first. He thought it was a weather balloon. Further observation convinced him that it could not be a balloon because of its speed which was extremely great. As JENKINS watched, it turned gradually until it was travelling due south, and as it did so, its shape seemed to change until it appeared to be egg-shaped. It disappeared in about 30 seconds. Patrolman H. S. RANEY stated that when he first observed the object it was straight ahead of him and travelling straight away from his car. RANEY was driving south on N. Williams Avenue. To RANEY it appeared to be just a glare of sun on some object, and he was unable therefore to tell its shape. It appeared to be very high and travelling extremely fast. It was out of sight after he had travelled 4 or 5 city blocks at a speed of about 25 mph. RANEY stated that he has never seen an object at such an extreme height before and that if the sun had not reflected from it he could not have seen it at all. He believes it could possibly have been a reflection from a large airplane at great altitude. ROBERT W. SHAYLOR, 4810 N. Fessenden St., Portland stated that he was on duty in District 14 with Officer DONALD W. COWLING on September 11, 1947 and received the call to watch for the object flying over the city. SHAYLOR and COWLING immediately scanned the sky from a vantage point in open territory where they could see the entire sky. They saw nothing in the sky at that time, SHAYLOR stating that they did not even see any airplanes. A short article in "The Oregonian", Portland daily newspaper, for September 12, 1947, describes the object as seen by Chief of Police JENKINS and also states that "The Oregonian" received several calls from other persons reporting the object. FRED M. WHITE, Assistant City Editor, advised that the paper has no record of the identities of the people making the calls. 62-1531 LHK:tkw [PAGE 5] Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : Director, FBI DATE: 10/18/47 FROM : SAC, Anchorage SUBJECT: REPORT OF FLYING DISCS This is to advise that we have been able to locate a flyer, JACK PECK, who is employed by the Al Jones Flying Company in Bethel, Alaska. It had been reported to Military Intelligence that Mr. PECK and his co-pilot VINCE DALY had observed some flying object near Bethel, Alaska, in July, 1947. Efforts previously to contact Mr. PECK were negative until the above instance. He related that the occasion of seeing the flying object near Bethel was on a July day when the sky was completely clear of clouds, and it being during the early part, it is daylight the entire night. The time of his sighting this flying object was about 10 PM and the sun had just dropped beyond the horizon. Flying weather was extremely good and he, with Mr. DALY, was coming into the Bethel Airport with a DC-3. He observed the flying object immediately to his left and stated that it apparently was observed at approximately the same time by Mr. DALY and both of them manipulated the controls of the plane making efforts to miss the object inasmuch as they could not tell in which direction it was going. They made a forty-five degree turn in order to get out of the way of the object and then noted that it appeared to be going away from them. He described the object as appearing to be some flying wing and said that it appeared to be about the size of a C-54 without any fuselage. He could not see any propellor or any exhaust from jet propulsion or any vapor trails and could not estimate the size due to his failure to be able to estimate the distance he was away from the object. He was flying at 1,000 feet and stated that he tried to catch up with the object and increased his manifold pressure to approximately 42 inches and was traveling at the rate of 170 miles per hour. He called on his radio to the Civil Aeronautics Administration station at Bethel, asking what aircraft was in the vicinity and they had no reports of any aircraft. The object he sighted was some five or ten miles from the airport before his arrival and stated that the path did not go directly across the airport. He, of course, could not tell whether the object was making any noise and stated that it was flying at a thousand foot altitude and estimated travel at 300 miles per hour. It was traveling in the direction from Bethel to Nome, which is in a northwesterly direction. He noted no radio interference and is unable to describe the color other than that it appeared dark but of definite shape and did not blend into the sky but had a definite, concise outline. Both he and Mr. DALY clearly observed the object at this time. [Handwritten: Info to Major Carlin, I.D. Army 11/4/47] 60 NOV-6 1947 294 RECORDED & INDEXED 62-83894-132 F B I 84 OCT 25 1947 131 HANDLED BY STOP DESK DEFERRED RECORDING [PAGE 6] - 2 - Anchorage File 100-1406 It may be stated to the Bureau that Mr. PECK is a well known flyer as well as Mr. DALY and both are known to be very reliable and responsible people, and it appears definite that they observed something. The above is being submitted for the information of the Bureau. LOT:LMR 100-1406 [PAGE 7] STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : Director, FBI DATE: November 1, 1947 FROM : SAC, Albany SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS A. COURTNEY PARKER, INFORMANT Reurlet dated 9/25/47. An Agent of this office contacted Mr. A. COURTNEY PARKER at his residence in South Royalton, Vermont and he stated that all the information he has concerning the flying discs he saw, is set forth in the letter that he sent to the Bureau dated September 17, 1947. Mr. PARKER advised that as far as he knows, no one else in South Royalton saw these flying discs, and that he believes he saw them inasmuch as he has unusually good eyesight and that he can see bees, etc. further than anyone else. He stated that possibly these flying discs were out of the range of normal vision. Mr. PARKER was asked to furnish any additional information that comes to his attention concerning these flying discs directly to the Air Forces since they now handle matters of this type. No further action is being taken by this office. RCC:mfs 62-639 RECORDED & INDEXED 62-83894-133 F B I 31 NOV 3 1947 133 60 NOV 13 1947 [PAGE 8] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Faint mirrored show-through only. Stamp: RECEIVED F.B.I. INTERNAL SECURITY ... 12 4 58 PM (partly cut off, upside down). [PAGE 9] Mrs A. McCaul 70-33-68 Pl Glendale L.I. N.Y.C. Mr Hoover, F.B.I. Flying Discs Dear Sir: They say that if we are crazy, we are the last to know it. That may be my case, but I hope not. You know about 2 months ago, a number of people said they saw flying discs, and the papers said it was imagination. I cannot believe hundreds of people could imagine the same thing, at the same time especially, when separated by thousands of miles [Handwritten: ack 11-1947 ...] RECORDED EX-82 62-83894-134 F B I NOV 4 1947 HANDLED BY STOP DESK [PAGE 10] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Faint show-through only. Stamp (upside down): MR. JONES RECEIVED U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I OCT 30 5 28 PM '47. Handwritten initials/date. [PAGE 11] 2 This is just a wild guess. Is it not possible that there was something of a new delayed [illegible] starter object. (Please do not laugh) You know about all those little plains looking fires, rare time bombs to start fires in ships, and isn't it possible some new inventor was discovered for this sabbotage, because that is what all the people I meet think of those fires and Airplane wrecks. They are not accidents. We have had dry spells before, but did the whole country burn up at the [PAGE 12] 3 same time? May it would be a good idea to ask the people in the ruined areas if any of them had seen a disc and how long ago. I know we have the smartest men in the world in our F.B.I. and I do not presume to tell you people what to do; but maybe there is some connection. In any event I think you people should start protecting our country the same as you did in War Time. Because whatever you people think, we are at war with some one, Only they are hunting [PAGE 13] air [illegible] and we are taking a [illegible] off, and our government does not seem to know it. But I am sure you will find the guilty ones. Yours for success for can American who is [illegible] of her country. Grand Ma McCaul [PAGE 14] RECORDED & INDEXED 62-83894-134 EX 32 November 1, 1947 Mrs. A. McCaul 70-33 68th Place Glendale Brooklyn, New York Dear Mrs. McCaul: Your letter postmarked October 28, 1947, has been received and I want to express my appreciation to you for having written as you did. Sincerely yours, John Edgar Hoover Director NOTE: This woman rambles on and furnishes no specific information about anything. VWP:jfp Mr. Tolson, Mr. E. A. Tamm, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Tele. Room, Mr. Nease, Miss Gandy COMMUNICATIONS SECTION MAILED 4 NOV 3 1947 P.M. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE [Handwritten: Grandma McCaul] RECEIVED READING ROOM NOV 1 5 47 PM [PAGE 15] Mrs Milo A. Durand Elizabethtown New York Flying Discs Dear Sir: With all these forest fires in Main and out west in our Country I was wondering whether the flying discs had anything to do with it. Was that just a myth or did they exist. If so could not they have been incindiary falling to earth then with drought and heat from the sun ignite. Were not the discs seen flying over Main, Vt. and western states Are the western states that have forest fires the same ones reported to have seen the flying discs. I have great respect for your bureau or should I say our. In every way the F.B.I. has been excellent. I visited the Bureau while in Washington some years ago. I do hope I haven't taken up to much time but couldn't stop thinking of it. All Americans must be alert but not overly [Text present — not reproduced: remarks about foreign-born neighbors (ethnic/national-origin generalizations)] RECORDED 62-83894-135 F B I 34 NOV 15 1947 132 HANDLED BY STOP DESK [Handwritten: ack 11-10-47] [PAGE 16] I'm a widow with two young children and feel very anxious to do my share in bringing up honest and loyal Americans. Yours truly, Mrs. Milo A. Durand Elizabethtown New York MR. JONES Nov 7 2 49 PM '47 RECEIVED F B I U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE [Handwritten: 11-9] P.S. I read that scientist were investigating the way the fires flared up in different parts away from the main fire that is what made me think of the incindiary discs. Thank you again. [PAGE 17] RECORDED INDEXED 62-83894-135 November 10, 1947 Mrs. Milo A. Durand Elizabethtown, New York Dear Mrs. Durand: Your letter postmarked November 5, 1947, has been received and I do want to thank you for writing as you did. The patriotic motives which prompted your suggestions concerning the subject about which you have written are indeed appreciated. Sincerely yours, John Edgar Hoover Director WN:jam Mr. Tolson, Mr. E. A. Tamm, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Tele. Room, Mr. Nease, Miss Gandy COMMUNICATIONS SECTION MAILED 11 NOV 10 1947 P.M. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 55 NOV 22 1947 [PAGE 18] 6071 69th Avenue Ridgewood #27, Queens New York November 2, 1947 Dear Sir In regards to the "flying saucer" mystery which recently received national publicity I, as a citizen would like to ask a few questions. If you, as head of the FBI, would be so kind as to answer I would be greatly appreciative. First, has the FBI been and is the FBI still investigating the "flying saucers"? Second, were copies of the July 9th, 1947 issue of the Arizona Republic, published in Phoenix, Arizona confiscated by the FBI? Third, is the FBI investigating the "Shaver Mystery" in which an author named Richard S. Shaver claims there are people RECORDED EX-25 62-83894-136 F B I NOV 14 1947 [Handwritten: ack 11/17/47] 71 NOV 22 1947 [PAGE 19] living underground who have been there for centuries? Fourth, has a newsreel, which appeared in a Los Angeles theatre showing Russian scientists examining a crashed flying saucer, been suppressed by the FBI? Fifth, Does the FBI consider knowledge of the "flying saucers" too dangerous for the general public to know? Though the above questions may seem a trifle silly, I would appreciate an answer to them, if at all possible. Thanking you for your courtesy in reading this and hoping for an answer, I am Sincerely yours Joseph W. [illegible surname] MR. JONES RECEIVED NOV 5 2 02 PM '47 (stamp, upside down) [Handwritten: 11-5] [PAGE 20] November 8, 1947 Mr. Joseph W. Ontline 6071 69th Avenue Ridgewood Brooklyn 27, New York Dear Mr. Ontline: Your letter dated November 2, 1947, has been received. The information contained in the files of this Bureau has been declared confidential and available for official use only, and I am unable to be of any assistance to you. I am sure you will draw no inference from my inability to comply with your request. Sincerely yours, John Edgar Hoover Director NOTE: This individual asked questions concerning flying saucers and the Bureau's investigation of Russians. Postal Guide reflects Ridgewood is a branch of the Brooklyn Station. VWP:mjl RECORDED & INDEXED 62-83894-136 EX-125 Mr. Tolson, Mr. E. A. Tamm, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Tele. Room, Mr. Nease, Miss Gandy COMMUNICATIONS SECTION MAILED 12 NOV 8 1947 P.M. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE 71 NOV 22 1947 [PAGE 21] Copy [Handwritten, left margin: FLYING SAUCERS] Port Allegany, Pa. November 18, 1947. Federal Bureau of Investigation, Pittsburgh, Pa. Gentlemen: Following the appearance in this town on November 6, 1947, of a Mr. Joe Lippincott, Director of the Eastern Area, Red Cross, Pittsburgh, Pa., as "speaker of the evening", at the annual local Red Cross dinner, I was told by Dr. H. E. Cromwell, local practicing dentist, that in a personal conversation, following the dinner, Mr. Lippincott told him that the "saucers" reported as seen in various parts of the country, were actually from Spain. He said that Mr. Lippincott said that this had been ascertained by the Government in Washington, but that it was not being made known. He said that Mr. Lippincott had been in Europe and inferred that he had been in Spain and knew conditions over there. Dr. Cromwell is a man active in the Methodist Church and the local Protestant Mens Club, and it is easy to see how far this report can be spread. The fact that the Federal Government indorses the Red Cross makes a statement of an official representative of that organization almost indisputable. As a representative of the Federal Government and as a citizen interested in truth and World peace and racial and religious harmony in our own country, I question the advisability of an accredited representative of the Red Cross giving out this information, even "off the record". I thought you might be able to check with Mr. Lippincott or his organization. Yours very truly, Mary C. Teater (Mrs. Mary C. Teater, P.M.) [Handwritten, bottom left: ... [illegible] ... went to our P.O. office + will be [illegible] there] RECORDED & INDEXED 62-83894-137 F B I 19 NOV 20 1947 HANDLED BY STOP DESK 53 DEC 1 1947 [PAGE 22] January 5, 1948 J. Edgar Hoover, Director Federal Bureau of Investigation Washington, D.C. Dear Sir: On January 2nd I received a letter. It is postmarked Cincinnati, Ohio, and it bears no return address. Following is an exact copy of it. I will keep the original if it is needed at a future date. [Text present — not reproduced: copy of an anonymous letter addressed to the writer, with an admonitory/threatening tone, signed with an unusual pseudonymous origin] RECORDED & INDEXED 62-83894-138 F B I 15 JAN 22 1948 HANDLED BY STOP DESK [Handwritten: ack 1/14/48] [PAGE 23] [Diagram: mirrored show-through image of the preceding handwritten letter page (reverse side); not transcribed] Stamps (mirrored): U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE ... JAN 6 4 37 PM '48; JAN 13 10 49 AM '48. Handwritten: 1-6 [PAGE 24] 2 In the January, 1948 copy of "Amazing Stories" magazine; published by Ziff-Davis Pub. Co. (one office in Washington, D.C.); my letter was printed under the heading of "Flying Saucer Witness" (page 167). Here is a copy of it; Sirs: I have just finished reading the October issue of "Amazing Stories", in which you ask for "flying saucer" information. Here is what I know: On June 28, 1947, at 3:43 P.M. my brother saw the flying saucers - about seven or ten of them - which flew directly over our house. He said they went like "blue blazes" - didn't make any noise and were heading approximately South. (Rockfield, where my brother's farm is, is just 16 miles northwest of milwaukee.). But what is really strange is that same afternoon the discs were seen over Illinois (they must have been the same ones). This information was given on June 29th - Sunday - over WGN - "The Latest news" at 8 to 8:15 A.M. with Charles Sebastin. He reported that the discs had been sighted over Illinois the preceding afternoon. Perhaps the information is valueless to you. at any rate please keep this confidential. [Text present — not reproduced: remark about neighbors' opinion of the writer's family] (I didn't see them but I believe my brother.) I have been following the Shaver [PAGE 25] (3 stories and I hope you have many more of them. Marion Beuscher Menomonee Falls, Wisc. (Ed. note) The flying saucers are real, and you can be sure of that! Let your neighbo[rs] think what they will, in a few months you will be able to prove how good your brother's eyesight is! Thanks for your report, and we hope many more readers send them in. Rough drawings would also be helpful. - Ed. The editor had asked for letters from readers who saw the flying discs, mentioned so much in the news. Several times the editor (Ray A. Palmer) has mentioned in "Amazing Stories" that he has been threatened. In the same issue (Jan. 1948) on page 162, is a letter from W. C. Hefferlin, following: Yes, We Remember! Sirs: Enclosed is a news paper clipping, just one of many items showing up of like nature. Thumb nail sketches. Remember the article "Circle-Winged Plane" as printed by you in "Amazing Stories" magazine, September, 1946, page 157? You have desired facts and confirmation. Now, re-read that article again, please. The planes seen at Joliet, Ill., Kansas 3 [PAGE 26] (4 City, Oklahoma, Seattle, etc., were not the same group of planes but other groups of the same type, all on a world-wide "mapping expedition". [Text present — not reproduced: letter-writer's fantastical claims about an organization directing the craft and its supposed Antarctic headquarters] Permission is given to print this letter, if desired. W. C. Hefferlin Ray-Dox Mfg. Co. Livingston, Mont. (Ed. note) We print your letter because it is interesting. We don't know if it is true, naturally. We do know, however, that the "flying saucers" are no mirage. [Text present — not reproduced: editor's remarks on the claim above] 4 [PAGE 27] (5 [Text present — not reproduced: continuation of the magazine editor's reply to the W. C. Hefferlin letter (opinions on war and peace, and a thank-you note to the contributor)] Please notice where Hefferlin says - "government of ... all oppressed peoples ..." [Text present — not reproduced: writer's commentary on the claim and on the anonymous letter] As my letter is a warning letter with a threat, and coming through the U.S. mail, I am sending it to you personally so that it can be investigated. Please keep this confidential, since under the circumstances, I do not feel entirely safe. Thanking you, Very truly yours, (miss) Marion Beuscher 604 West Main St. Menomonee Falls, Wisc. 5 [PAGE 28] January 14, 1948 RECORDED 62-83894-138 Miss Marion Beuscher 604 West Main Street Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin Dear Miss Beuscher: Your letter of January 5, 1948, has been received and I want to thank you for forwarding information to me relating to the subject you mentioned. The facts you related, however, do not reflect any violation of a Federal statute within the investigative jurisdiction of the FBI. The thoughts prompting your communication are indeed appreciated. Sincerely yours, John Edgar Hoover Director WN:cm NOTE: Correspondent reports correspondence she has had with the Ziff-Davis Publishing Company in connection with the "flying saucers" which were observed by her brother. She is of the opinion that this publication may be trying to conceal information related to our Nation's security and she mentions a threat that does not refer injury to person or property. Mr. Tolson, Mr. E. A. Tamm, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Tele. Room, Mr. Nease, Miss Gandy COMMUNICATIONS SECTION MAILED 8 JAN 15 1948 P.M. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE RECEIVED READING ROOM JAN 15 12 43 PM '48 FEB 5 1948 [PAGE 29] Covington, Ohio Jan 29, 1948 F.B.I. Washington D.C. Dear Sirs: I have done a lot of thinking about those flying discs ever since your operators called at our home. I have figured out a possible solution that I am passing on to you. If you can see the picture as I see it. [Text present — not reproduced: writer's speculation about long-range self-propelled bombs and foreign military tests] RECORDED & INDEXED 62-83894-139 EX-93 F B I 32 FEB 13 1948 [Handwritten: ack 2-5-48] [PAGE 30] (3) up and off a ways, its course looked like an ellipse to us. The discs were seen in Texas probably dropped in the gulf. As their sight improved they no doubt dropped some in various places. The one that was seen down Tenn. way, was no doubt aimed at some lake close to Fort Knox. Maybe something went wrong with that one, is the reason it was so plainly visible. Owing to the fact that your operators called at our remote home at 8:00 P.M on a Sunday evening and also cautioned us to keep mum. I know that the F.B.I is doing what they can to git a line on these discs. This may help a little. A few nights ago there was a very bright ring around the moon, when I looked at it thro' the same glasses, I could barely see the ring. So this proves that what [PAGE 31] (2) [Text present — not reproduced: continuation of the writer's speculation about bomb tests over Lake Erie and a tracer device flying in a circle] Because it was 2 [PAGE 32] (4) we saw was something definate. I think this is serious business. So if this letter helps you in any way, I will be well paid. Respectfully yours, N. J. MARSHALL N. J. Marshall Covington, Ohio R. R. 1. RECEIVED F.B.I. INTERNAL SECURITY ... 11 30 AM MR. JONES RECEIVED U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I FEB 3 2 01 PM '48 (stamp, upside down) 4 [PAGE 33] February 5, 1948 RECORDED 62-83894-139 EX-93 Mr. N. J. Marshall Rural Route One Covington, Ohio Dear Mr. Marshall: Your letter dated January 29, 1948, has been received, and I want to express my appreciation to you for having made known your views concerning the matter you mentioned. Sincerely yours, John Edgar Hoover Director Mr. Tolson, Mr. E. A. Tamm, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Tele. Room, Mr. Nease, Miss Gandy COMMUNICATIONS SECTION MAILED 10 FEB 6 1948 P.M. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE RECEIVED READING ROOM FEB 5 3 22 PM '48 G.I.R. 4 50 FEB 19 1948 [PAGE 34] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Faint mirrored show-through of the preceding letter. Stamps (mirrored): RECEIVED-MAIL ROOM F B I FEB 6 11 43 AM '48; COMMUNICATIONS SECTION; RECEIVED-LAB F B I FEB 9 5 33 PM '48; RECEIVED F.B.I. INTERNAL SECURITY 11 30 AM; EX-93. [PAGE 35] Federal Bureau of Investigation United States Department of Justice San Francisco 2, California February 12, 1948 AIR MAIL PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL [CONFIDENTIAL struck through] [Handwritten: declassified 2010 8/31/...] Director, FBI - Attention: Assistant Director D. M. LADD Re: FLYING DISCS Security Matter - X Dear Sir: I am transmitting herewith for the information of the Bureau copies of an enclosure dated February 4, 1948 received from Lieutenant Colonel DONALD SPRINGER, A-2, United States Air Force, Hamilton Air Force Base, California. This enclosure is a confidential letter addressed to the Commanding Generals of the First, Second, Fourth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Fourteenth Air Forces, Air Defense Command, from Headquarters, Air Defense Command, Mitchel Air Force Base, New York, by command of Lieutenant General STRATEMEYER. It concerns the investigation of flying discs by Air Force personnel. Your attention is particularly called to Paragraph 2, which indicates that certain reports concerning the investigation of flying discs by Air Force Intelligence will be reported to the FBI office concerned. Your attention is further called to Paragraph 2-B, which indicates that "investigations will be coordinated with the FBI Office concerned........" Inasmuch as these recent instructions of the Headquarters, Air Defense Command, Mitchell Air Force Base, New York, are contrary to the instructions contained in Bureau Bulletin No. 57, Series 1947, dated October 1, 1947, in which it is indicated that all future reports connected with flying discs should be referred to the Air Force and no investigative action taken by Bureau agents, the Bureau is requested to advise this office, as well as other interested Bureau offices, as to whether there has been a change in Bureau policy with reference to the handling of such matters or whether Bureau Bulletin No. 57 dated October 1, 1947 is still in effect. Very truly yours, Harry M. Kimball HARRY M. KIMBALL, SAC HMK:emb Enclosure (in duplicate) [Handwritten notes at left: illegible] RECORDED 62-83894-140 EX-116 F B I 15 MAR 2 1948 COPIES DESTROYED 270 NOV 18 1964 5-R7 [PAGE 36] [Diagram: mirrored carbon/reverse-side image of the February 12, 1948 San Francisco SAC letter on the preceding page (same text, reversed); not transcribed] Stamps (mirrored): RECEIVED-LAB F B I FEB 16 11 18 AM '48; RECEIVED F.B.I. INTERNAL SECURITY FEB 16 3 59 PM; RECEIVED F.B.I. INTERNAL SECURITY ... 27 11 30 AM; EX-116; COPIES DESTROYED 270 NOV 18 1964 [PAGE 37] CONFIDENTIAL [struck through] Headquarters Air Defense Command Mitchel Air Force Base, New York 4 February 1948 D 333.5 (CIB) SUBJECT: Investigation and Reporting of "Flying Disc" Incidents TO: Commanding Generals, First, Second, Fourth, Tenth, Eleventh, and Fourteenth Air Forces, Air Defense Command ATTN: AC of S, 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 333.3 EX, subject, "Cooperation of FBI with AAF on Investigation of 'Flying Disc' Incidents," 3 September 1947. 3. 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 ENCLOSURE 62-83894-140 HANDLED BY STOP DESK [PAGE 38] background [illegible] is compatible with his observations of an occurrence obviously not atmospheric [illegible] celestial phenomena, may be transmitted by TWX. Reports will be submitted directly to Headquarters, USAF, ATTN: Directorate of Intelligence, Air Intelligence Requirements Branch. One informational copy of each report submitted will be forwarded to this command, ATTN: AC of S, Intelligence. Reports will be classified at least CONFIDENTIAL. BY COMMAND OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL STRATEMEYER: RICHARD W. GEUSS Captain, USAF Actg Asst Adj Gen [PAGE 39] SAC, San Francisco February 20, 1948 Director, FBI RECORDED 62-83894-140 EX-116 FLYING DISCS SECURITY MATTER - X Reference is made to your letter in the captioned matter dated February 12, 1948. You are advised that Bureau Bulletin No. 57 dated October 1, 1947, still applies with respect to flying discs. The Bureau is conducting no investigations concerning flying discs. We will, however, give the Air Forces any information which comes to our attention and will receive any information which the Air Forces volunteer. The Headquarters of the Air Forces in Washington are being contacted by the Bureau in order to insure that there is no misunderstanding as to the Bureau's position in this matter. RGF:rb Mr. Tolson, Mr. E. A. Tamm, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Tele. Room, Mr. Nease, Miss Gandy COMMUNICATIONS SECTION MAILED 2 FEB 21 1948 P.M. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE RECEIVED READING ROOM 21 12 00 PM '48 53 MAR 8 1948 R7 [PAGE 40] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Faint mirrored show-through of the preceding memorandum. Stamps (mirrored): RECEIVED-MAIL ROOM F B I U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE FEB 21 2 44 PM '48; MAR 2 1948. [PAGE 41] STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : Mr. Ladd DATE: 3/1/48 FROM : V. P. Keay SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS SECURITY MATTER - X Reference is made to a memorandum to you from Mr. J. P. Coyne in the above-captioned matter dated February 19, 1948. The memorandum indicated that the San Francisco Field Division had received a letter from the headquarters of the Air Defense Command, Mitchel Air Force Base, New York, dated February 4, 1948, entitled, "Investigation and Reporting of 'Flying Disc' Incidents." This communication indicated that investigations should be coordinated with the FBI. The Agent in Charge of the San Francisco Field Division inquired as to a change in policy regarding the investigation of flying discs. A letter was forwarded to San Francisco advising them that there had been no change in the Bureau's policy. This matter has been discussed by Special Agent S. W. Reynolds of the Liaison Section with Lieutenant Colonel C. P. Martin of the Intelligence Division of the Air Force. Colonel Martin advised Mr. Reynolds that apparently the Air Defense Command at Mitchel Field was not aware of the fact that the Bureau was no longer conducting investigations regarding flying discs. He stated that he would take the necessary action and straighten out the Air Defense Command as to the present policy regarding incidents of flying discs. SWR:md Mr. Tolson, Mr. E. A. Tamm, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Coffey, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Carson, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Hendon, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Tele. Room, Mr. Nease, Miss Gandy RECORDED 62-83894-141 F B I 29 MAR 9 1948 HANDLED BY STOP DESK 51 MAR 16 1948 [PAGE 42] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Faint mirrored show-through of the preceding memorandum. Stamps: RECEIVED-LAD F B I U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE MAR 1 11 15 AM '48; RECEIVED F.B.I. INTERNAL SECURITY MAR 1 1 49 PM. [PAGE 43] STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : Mr. D. M. Ladd DATE: February 19, 1948 FROM : J. P. Coyne SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS SECURITY MATTER - X [Handwritten: handled separately] The attached letter from the San Francisco Field Division dated February 12, 1948, raises the question as to whether there has been a change in policy concerning the investigation of flying discs. RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the information contained in the attached letter be discussed by the Liaison Section with the Air Forces. ACTION: A letter is attached to San Francisco advising them that there has been no change in Bureau policy. RGF:rb Mr. Tolson, Mr. E. A. Tamm, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Coffey, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Carson, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Hendon, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Tele. Room, Mr. Nease, Miss Beahm, Miss Gandy RECORDED EX-39 62-83894-142 F B I 29 MAR 9 1948 HANDLED BY STOP DESK 51 MAR 16 1948 [PAGE 44] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Show-through of a mirrored office memorandum; stamp: RECEIVED-LADD FBI U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE, Feb 20 1 38 PM '48. [PAGE 45] STYLES BRIDGES, N. H., CHAIRMAN CHAN GURNEY, S. DAK. KENNETH MCKELLAR, TENN. C. WAYLAND BROOKS, ILL. CARL HAYDEN, ARIZ. CLYDE M. REED, KANS. ELMER THOMAS, OKLA. JOSEPH H. BALL, MINN. MILLARD E. TYDINGS, MD. HOMER FERGUSON, MICH. RICHARD B. RUSSELL, GA. KENNETH S. WHERRY, NEBR. PAT MCCARRAN, NEV. GUY CORDON, OREG. JOHN H. OVERTON, LA. LEVERETT SALTONSTALL, MASS. JOSEPH C. O'MAHONEY, WYO. MILTON R. YOUNG, N. DAK. THEODORE FRANCIS GREEN, R. I. WILLIAM F. KNOWLAND, CALIF. HENRY C. DWORSHAK, IDAHO EVERARD H. SMITH, CLERK CECIL H. TOLBERT, ASST. CLERK United States Senate COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS March 22, 1948 Honorable J. Edgar Hoover, Director Federal Bureau of Investigation Department of Justice Washington 25, D. C. Dear Mr. Hoover: Attached you will find letter which may or may not be of interest to your office. However, I felt it should be passed on to you for whatever the information is worth. Kindly return my constituent's letter although if you wish you make a copy of it. Cordially yours, [Signature: Kenneth S. Wherry] KENNETH S. WHERRY KSW:emn-3 Enc. [Handwritten: X enc.] [Handwritten: Flying Disc] [Handwritten: K 109] [Stamp: RECORDED & INDEXED 31 MAR 27 1948] [Stamp: 62-83894-143] [Handwritten notes and file markings] [PAGE 46] C O P Y Benkelman, Nebraska March 14, 1948 Mr. Kenneth Wherry United States Senate Washington, D. C. Dear Mr. Wherry: On March 13 at 2:30, M.S.T. o'clock in the afternoon I witnessed a strange sight in the sky traveling at a very high rate of speed at a very high altitude. I was first attracted to this sight by a noise of motor or whatever it was. It sound to me like that of a train rumbling in the distance of from 10 to 12 miles on a still day. At first glance it looked like it might be a vapor trail left by a high flying plane. But the white streak that was in the sky never changed its shape or did it change in the direction of travel. It traveled much faster than any plane I have seen traveling in sky high enough to leave vapor trail. As near as I cand escribe this sight was that it might appear to be a stream lined train traveling at a very high altitude at very high rate of speed. This rocket or whatever it might have been was high enough to disappear from sight while it was yet very far above the horizon. I am not writing this so that it might seem to be another disc, fan or whatever you might call them. I just saw this and it has been on my mind and I thought if there was anything that I could be of help to solve this thing I would write this to you and you can forward this to the proper Dept. if it is necessary. Thanking you kindly Yours Truly /s/ Kenneth L. Frasier P.S. This object was traveling from east to west. It looked like it might have traveled over Denver, [Stamp: HANDLED BY TOP ...] [Stamp: ENCLOSURE 62-83894-143] [PAGE 47] C O P Y KENNETH L. FRAZIER Colo. or a little to the south. I live almost due east about 180 mi. by air and I looked to the south a little to be able to get sight of object. This object was also witnessed by my son who was with me at the time. I saw the smoke cloud left by so called meteor which exploded over at Norton Kans. This object was not a bright ball of fire like it was. The silver streak in the sky traveled as if it were a long connected streak. This did not resemble a line of smoke left by a train traveling along it moved altogether as a unit. If it is not against any regulation and if possible would like to have answer to this object. C O P Y [PAGE 48] March 24, 1948 RECORDED 62-83894-143 109 Honorable Kenneth S. Wherry United States Senate Washington, D. C. My dear Senator: Your letter of March 22, 1948, with enclosure, has been received. Since the subject matter mentioned in your constituent's letter is not within the scope of authority of this Bureau, I have taken the liberty of forwarding a copy of his letter and yours to the Secretary of the Army, National Defense Building, Washington, D. C., for his information. Your thoughtfulness in bringing this to my attention is indeed appreciated. I am enclosing a copy of my letter to Mr. Frasier which I thought you might like to have for your files, together with his letter. With expressions of my highest esteem and best regards, Sincerely yours, [Signature: J. Edgar Hoover] Enclosure Incoming from Frasier and copy of our letter to him. VWP:jec [Routing list: Mr. Tolson, Mr. E. A. Tamm, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Tele. Room, Mr. Nease, Miss Gandy] [Stamp: COMMUNICATIONS SECTION MAILED 3 MAR 25 1948 P.M. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE] [Stamp: RECEIVED U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE, Mar 25 9 ... '48] [Handwritten initials and notes] [PAGE 49] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of the Hoover letter of March 24, 1948; stamps: RECEIVED-MAIL ROOM FBI U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE, Mar 25 6 42 PM '48; COMMUNICATIONS SECTION MAILED 3 (Mar 25 1948) FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. [PAGE 50] March 24, 1948 RECORDED 62-83894-143 109 Mr. Kenneth L. Frasier Benkelman, Nebraska Dear Mr. Frasier: Your letter dated March 14, 1948, to the Honorable Kenneth S. Wherry, United States Senator, has been referred to me for attention. Since the matter you mentioned is not within the scope of authority of this Bureau, I have taken the liberty of furnishing a copy of your communication to the Secretary of the Army, National Defense Building, Washington, D. C., and in the event you have any additional information, it is suggested you may desire to communicate with him. Sincerely yours, [Signature: J. Edgar Hoover] John Edgar Hoover Director CC: Senator Wherry - [Handwritten: Under separate cover.] Name of town per Postal Guide VWP:jec [Routing list: Mr. Tolson, Mr. E. A. Tamm, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Tele. Room, Mr. Nease, Miss Gandy] [Stamp: COMMUNICATIONS SECTION MAILED 3 MAR 25 1948 P.M. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE] [Stamp: 7 1 APR 7-1948] [Handwritten initials and notes] [PAGE 51] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of the Hoover letter of March 24, 1948 to Mr. Frasier; stamps: RECEIVED-MAIL ROOM FBI U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE, Mar 25 6 42 PM '48; COMMUNICATIONS SECTION MAILED (Mar 25 1948) FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE; 7 1 APR 7-1948. [PAGE 52] STYLES BRIDGES, N. H., CHAIRMAN CHAN GURNEY, S. DAK. KENNETH MCKELLAR, TENN. C. WAYLAND BROOKS, ILL. CARL HAYDEN, ARIZ. CLYDE M. REED, KANS. ELMER THOMAS, OKLA. JOSEPH H. BALL, MINN. MILLARD E. TYDINGS, MD. HOMER FERGUSON, MICH. RICHARD B. RUSSELL, GA. KENNETH S. WHERRY, NEBR. PAT MCCARRAN, NEV. GUY CORDON, OREG. JOHN H. OVERTON, LA. LEVERETT SALTONSTALL, MASS. JOSEPH C. O'MAHONEY, WYO. MILTON R. YOUNG, N. DAK. THEODORE FRANCIS GREEN, R. I. WILLIAM F. KNOWLAND, CALIF. HENRY C. DWORSHAK, IDAHO EVERARD H. SMITH, CLERK CECIL H. TOLBERT, ASST. CLERK United States Senate COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS April 1, 1948 The Honorable J. Edgar Hoover Federal Bureau of Investigation United States Department of Justice Washington 25, D. C. Dear Mr. Hoover: Thank you very much for forwarding Mr. Kenneth L. Frasier's letter to the proper authorities. Your cooperation in this instance was deeply appreciated. Cordially yours, [Signature: Kenneth S. Wherry] KENNETH S. WHERRY KSW:f* [Stamp: RECORDED & INDEXED 62-83894-144 FBI 34 APR 9 1948] [Stamp: EX-103] [Stamp: 50 APR 19 1948] [Handwritten: Flying Discs] [Handwritten notes and file markings] [PAGE 53] Federal Bureau of Investigation United States Department of Justice Post Office Box 1850 Atlanta 1, Georgia August 10, 1948 AIRMAIL SPECIAL DELIVERY Director, FBI RE: MRS. MADELINE GWYNNE MERCHANT; INFORMATION CONCERNING [Handwritten: FLYING DISCS] Dear Sir: Transmitted herewith for the Bureau's information are copies of a letter, together with enclosure, from the above captioned individual. Inasmuch as there is no record in this office concerning captioned person, no reply has been made to instant letter, with the thought the Bureau may desire to acknowledge instant communication or communicate further concerning the matter with the Dallas Office. For the information of the Bureau and the Dallas and San Antonio Offices, the clippings referred to are transmitted herewith to the Bureau, Dallas and San Antonio Offices, it being noted that Wichita Falls is covered by Dallas and Fort Sam Houston is covered by the San Antonio Office. Very truly yours, [Signature: Edwin J. Foltz] EDWIN J. FOLTZ SAC Enclosures - 5 cc-Dallas (Enc-3) AMSD cc-San Antonio (Enc-3) AMSD EJF:SL [Stamp: RECORDED - 61] [Stamp: 62-83894-145 FBI 11 AUG 12 1948] [Stamp: RECEIVED U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE FBI INTERNAL SECURITY SECTION, Aug 11 9 30 AM '48] [Stamp: 61 AUG 20 1948] [Handwritten: 5 ENCL. 61] [Handwritten notes: ... advised 8/10/48 ... woman ... No action] [Handwritten initials and file markings] [PAGE 54] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of the Atlanta SAC letter of August 10, 1948; stamp: RECEIVED U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE FBI INTERNAL SECURITY SECTION, Aug 17 9 30 AM '48. [PAGE 55] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Blank brown envelope page. [Handwritten, rotated: EMPTY 11-18-64 #270] [PAGE 56] [Stamp: DECLASSIFIED Authority: NND 90986] AMC Form No. 10-513 (Rev 1 Aug 46) [SAVE] WF-L-25 NOV 47 100M [Confidential, struck through] HEADQUARTERS AIR MATERIEL COMMAND IN REPLY ADDRESS BOTH COMMUNICATION AND ENVELOPE TO COMMANDING GENERAL, AIR MATERIEL COMMAND, ATTENTION FOLLOWING OFFICE SYMBOL: MCIAXO-3 MCIAXO-3/FWA/aw Wright-Patterson AF Base [Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio - struck through] 9 September 1948 Director Federal Bureau of Investigation Department of Justice Washington, D. C. ATTN: FBI Laboratory SUBJECT: Project "SIGN" Gentlemen: Accompanying this letter is a small sample of soil. This soil was taken from a depression reputed to have been caused by a "flying saucer" described as being approximately two feet in diameter and one foot thick which supposedly settled gently to the ground, rebounded to a height of about twenty feet and then continued on its journey. Although the declivity was immediately covered by a large washtub a heavy rain subsequently filled the depression about one/third full of water before any sample of dirt could be taken. In an effort to approach this incident objectively to determine every possible clue, it has been deemed advisable to have this soil sample analyzed and tested. Upon inquiry, your Dayton representative stated that the FBI Laboratory would accomplish the required tests. It is the desire of this Headquarters [to ascertain - struck through], in particular, if there are traces of unusual elements or alloys adhering to the surface of the particles, or if any abnormality in structure exists showing that the soil was subjected to intense heat, gases or radio-active substances, etc. Unfortunately, in this regard, no one thought to forward a sample of [the soil - struck through] surrounding the depression so no comparison of soils can be made at this time. Should the subsequent test show anything unusual some arrangement could be made to procure some of the surrounding soil so that a comparative analysis could be made. The accompanying sample has not been tested by any other agency, nor will it be. [Confidential, struck through] [Stamp: RECORDED - 1 62-83894-146 FBI 31] [Stamp: COPIES DESTROYED 270 NOV 18 1964] [Handwritten notes: 3B-C0 L-32; PC-23142; Lab report 9/17/48; Acknowledged 9/17/48; initials and file markings] [PAGE 57] [Confidential, struck through] Project "SIGN" 9 Sept 1948 Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation In the event the tests show nothing warranting further investigation you may dispose of the sample. The report should be addressed to this Command marked for the attention of MCIAXO-3. This Division will appreciate your cooperation in this matter. Very truly yours, [Signature: James J. Hausman, Lt Col USAF] W. R. CLINGERMAN Colonel, USAF Chief, Technical Intelligence Division Intelligence Department Incl 2 [Confidential, struck through] [PAGE 58] REPORT of the FBI LABORATORY FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION WASHINGTON D. C. To: October 7, 1948 Commanding General Air Materiel Command Wright-Patterson AF Base Dayton, Ohio Attention: MCIAXO-3 There follows the report of the FBI Laboratory on the examination of evidence received from your office on September 17, 1948. Re: [Signature: J. Edgar Hoover] John Edgar Hoover, Director YOUR FILE NO. FBI FILE NO. LAB. NO. Examination requested by: [overstruck: Project "SIGN"] Reference: Examination of Soil Examination requested: RECORDED - 98 62-83894 -146 PC-23142 CO Specimens: Addressee Letter dated September 9, 1948 Microscopic (Petrographic-Geologic) Q1 Sample of soil. Results of Examination: The sample of soil designated as specimen Q1 consisted of various sized pebbles, sand and dirt. This material was examined for the presence of unusual elements or alloys adhering to the surface of the particles, evidence of intense heat and radioactive substances. Nothing unusual was noted on the pebbles or in the sand and dirt that would indicate a metallic object had rubbed or scraped against this sample. No abnormality was noted in the structure of the various pebbles and rocks, nor was there any indication of extreme heat or the presence of radioactive substances. The specimen designated as Q1 will be returned to your office under separate cover by registered mail. RHJ/mek [Routing list: Mr. Tolson, Mr. E. A. Tamm, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Tele. Room, Mr. Nease, Miss Gandy] [Stamp: RECEIVED ... DIVISION MAILED OCT 7 1948 P.M. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE] [Stamp: 51 OCT 12 1948] [Handwritten initials and notes] [PAGE 59] L-40 FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Laboratory Work Sheet RECORDED 9/22/48 kag Re: Project "SIGN" Examination of Soil. File # 62-83894-146 Lab. # PC-23142 CO Examination requested by: Commanding General, Air Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson AF Base, Dayton, Ohio Attention: MCIAXO-3 Date of reference communication: letter 9/9 Date received: 9/17 Evid. 9/14 Reg. 1171535 Examination requested: Micro (Petrographic-Geologic) Result of Examination: Examination by: JEVONS [Handwritten: 9/30/48] [Handwritten: Lab report RHJ 10/7/48] Specimens submitted for examination Q1, Sample of soil. [Handwritten: Consisted of various sized pebbles, sand & dirt. Most of the larger pieces were examined individually for presence of metal adhering to them. Nothing unusual noted on the pebbles or in the sand & dirt - structure normal. No indication of extreme heat. Does not activate Geiger counter or X-Ray spectrometer.] [Stamp: COPIES DESTROYED 270 NOV 18 1964] [PAGE 60] L-40 FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Laboratory Work Sheet RECORDED 9/22/48 kag Re: Project "SIGN" Examination of Soil. File # 62-83894-146 Lab. # PC-23142 CO Examination requested by: Commanding General, Air Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson AF Base, Dayton, Ohio Attention: MCIAXO-3 Date of reference communication: letter 9/9 Date received: 9/17 Evid. 9/14 Reg. 1171535 Examination requested: Micro (Petrographic-Geologic) Result of Examination: Examination by: JEVONS [Handwritten: Returned 10/18/48 Reg. mail.] Specimens submitted for examination Q1, Sample of soil. [Handwritten: Records Section] [Stamp: 52 NOV 2 1948] [Handwritten initials] [PAGE 61] [Handwritten card:] 609 Conkling Valley City, N. D. Oct. 15, 1948 F.B.I. Washington, D.C. Dear Sir: I trust that whoever reads this will do more than just toss it in a waste basket! [Handwritten: Fry 10-19-48] [Handwritten initials] [Handwritten: Flying Discs] [Stamp: RECORDED - 51 62-83894-147 FBI 23 OCT 22 1948] [Stamp: EX-49] [PAGE 62] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Reverse of the handwritten card, mirrored and illegible; stamp: RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY SN FBI U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE, Nov 23 3 19 PM '48. [PAGE 63] October 19, 1948 RECORDED - 51 62-83894-147 INDEXED - 51 EX-49 Mrs. R. B. Holiday 609 Conkling Valley City, North Dakota Dear Mrs. Holiday: Your letter dated October 15, 1948, has been received and I do want to thank you for the patriotic motives which prompted you to make available your thoughts concerning the subject you mentioned. Sincerely yours, John Edgar Hoover Director FRY:mh [Routing list: Mr. Tolson, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Tele. Room, Mr. Nease, Miss Gandy] [Stamp: COMMUNICATIONS SECTION MAILED 13 OCT 20 1948 P.M. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE] [Stamp: RECEIVED READING ROOM FBI U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE, Oct 19 6 25 PM '48] [Stamp: RECEIVED-LADD FBI U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE, Oct 21 3 45 PM '48] [Stamp: 51 NOV 24 1948] [Handwritten initials and notes] [PAGE 64] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of the Hoover letter of October 19, 1948; stamps: RECEIVED-LADD FBI U.S. DEPT OF JUSTICE, Oct 21 3 45 PM '48; RECEIVED READING ROOM FBI, Oct 19 6 25 PM '48; COMMUNICATIONS SECTION MAILED 13 OCT 20 1948 P.M.; RECORDED - 51 INDEXED - 51; EX-49. [PAGE 65] L-26 Invoice of Contents from FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION WASHINGTON, D. C. Date October 7, 1948 Case References 62-83894; Project "SIGN" Consigned to: Commanding General Air Materiel Command Wright-Patterson AF Base Dayton, Ohio Attention: MCIAXO-3 Examination of Soil List of Contents PC-23142 CO Mr. Harbo, 7641 Mr. Conrad, 7142 Mr. Downing, 6228 IB Mr. Sizoo, 7601 Mr. Baughman, 7121 REGISTERED MAIL SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: Mail Room, place date of shipment and registry number; Shipping Room, show date of shipment and initial this invoice; then return it to person whose name is checked in column at right. After this checked name has been initialed, invoice should be placed in administrative file. RHJ/mek [Stamp: COMMUNICATIONS SECTION MAILED 1 OCT 18 1948 P.M. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE] [Stamp: REGISTERED 497699] [Handwritten: 62-83894] [Handwritten: 10/18/48] [Handwritten initials] [PAGE 66] FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE COMMUNICATIONS SECTION DEC 28 1948 TELETYPE FBI, LOS ANGELES 12-28-48 5-35 COM DIRECTOR AND SACS HOUSTON, CINCINNATI URGENT ATTENTION INSPECTOR HOWARD FLETCHER FLYING DISK, LONNIE EDWARD NOACK COMPLAINT. RE HOUSTON TELETYPE DEC. TWENTY EIGHT. MR. R.C. PERSONS, VASCO [redacted] ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LA, PRESENTLY IN ARIZONA, EXACT WHEREABOUTS UNKNOWN TO HIS OFFICE, EXPECTED TO CALL MORNING OF DEC. TWENTY NINE. MR. NATHAN SMITH, SMITH MANUFACTURING COMPANY, SOUTH PASADENA, CALIF. ADVISED HE AND PERSONS PURCHASED AIRPORT IN MOJAVE DESERT NEAR HELENDALE, CALIF. STATED THAT IN EARLY PART OF DEC. EXACT DATE UNKNOWN, PERSONS ADVISED HIM HE HAD FOUND A FLYING DISK ON THEIR AIRPORT. MR. AND MRS. SMITH, PERSONS, AND LONNIE NOACK PROCEEDED TO AIRPORT WHERE THEY LOCATED DISK, TOOK PICTURES OF IT AND REMOVED [redacted] PORTIONS OF DISK, NOACK RETAINING SOME PARTS AND SMITH KEEPING SOME PORTIONS WHICH ARE STILL IN HIS POSSESSION. SMITH ADVISED THAT DAY AFTER LOCATING THE DISK AN EMPLOYEE OBSERVED PARTS RETAINED BY SMITH, AND STATED HE BELIEVED THE OBJECT HAD BEEN MANUFACTURED BY OLSEN AND RICE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, TOY MANUFACTURERS LA. SMITH STATED HE THEN CONTACTED OLSEN AND RICE WHO STATED THEY WERE FINANCING CLAUDE LEROY WOLFERT LA IN DEVELOPING A KITE FOR [redacted] SALE ON OPEN MARKET AS A TOY. SMITH STATED HE HAD PREVIOUSLY GIVEN OLSEN AND RICE PERSMISSION TO USE HIS PRIVATE AIRPORT AT ANY TIME. OLSEN AND RICE TOLD SMITH THEY HAD TAKEN EXPERIMENTAL KITES TO SMITHS END PAGE ONE [Routing list: Mr. Tolson, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Mr. Nease, Miss Gandy] [Stamp: RECORDED 68 INDEXED - 68 62-83894-148 FBI 6 DEC 30 1948] [Stamp: EX-28] [Stamp: 60 JAN 5 1949] [Handwritten: Fletcher; NA-J 8:45P; Flying Disks; RC; initials and notes] [PAGE 67] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of page one of the Los Angeles teletype of 12-28-48; stamps: FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION COMMUNICATIONS SECTION DEC 28 1948 TELETYPE; RECEIVED-FLETCHER Dec 28 8 43 PM '48. [PAGE 68] PAGE TWO AIRPORT AND UPON DETERMING KITES NOT PRACTICAL HAD ABANDONED THE PROJECT. SMITH STATED HE HAD TAKEN SIXTEEN MM PICTURES WHICH ARE PRESENTLY BEING DEVELOPED. STATED WOULD MAKE PICTURES AND PARTS FROM OBJECT AVAILABLE TO THIS OFFICE. SMITH DESCRIBED OBJECT AS APPROXIMATELY SIX FEET IN DIAMETER, CONSISTING OF DISK MOUNTED ON AXEL WITH BEARINGS, WINGS ON EITHER SIDE, TAIL SURFACE SUPPORTED ON BOOMS, CUP MOUNTED ON EACH WING TIP RESEMBLING ROCKET POWER CONTAINERS. SMITH STATED DID NOT OBSERVE ANY CHEMICAL OR OTHER MATTERIAL IN CONTAINERS WHICH COULD BE USED AS SELF PROPELLING FORCE. MR. HENRY T. RICE OF OLSEN AND RICE MANUFACTURING COMPANY ADVISED CLAUDE LEROY WOLFERT FINANCED BY THEIR COMPANY IN DEVELOPING TOY KITE, THAT WOLFERT HAD PROACHED IDEA OF MAKING LARGE MODEL TO BE USED AS TOW TARGET FOR AIRPLANES BUT RICE DECIDED THAT HE MAKE ONLY KITE SUITABLE FOR SALE AS TOYS. [redacted] HOWEVER, WOLFERT MADE LARGE MODEL APPROXIMATELY SIX FEET IN DIAMETER, WEIGHING FIFTY POUNDS, WHICH TOGETHER WITH OTHER MODEL HAD BEEN FLOWN IN DC THREE OWNED BY OLSEN AND RICE TO PRIVATE AIRPORT OF [redacted] PERSONS AND SMITH. RICE COULD NOT RECALL EXACT DATE, BUT [redacted] STATED [redacted] IT WAS IN EARLY PART OF DEC. RICE STATED DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED IN FLIGHT OF KITE, AND THAT IN VIEW OF SIZE OF LARGE MODEL IT WAS NECESSARY TO TOW IT BEHIND PLANE TO OBSERVE FLIGHT. STATED MODEL CRASHED AND OLSEN AND RICE ABANDONED EXPERIMENT LEAVING AIRPORT WITH WOLFERT REMAINING BEHIND TO CONDUCT FURTHER EXPERIMENTS. RICE STATED DID NOT KNOW THAT WOLFERT HAD LEFT THE LARGE MODEL AT THIS AIRPORT UNTIL ADVISED BY SMITH END PAGE TWO [PAGE 69] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of page two of the Los Angeles teletype; stamp: RECEIVED-FLETCHER Dec 28 8 43 PM '48. [PAGE 70] [Stamp, mirrored show-through: RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT Dec 28 7 47 PM '48 F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE] PAGE THREE THAT THEY HAD FOUND THE OBJECT. CONTACT WILL BE MADE WITH SMITH, RICE, AND WOLFERT, TO SECURE PHOTOGRAPHS AND SAMPLES. BUREAU WILL BE ADVISED. HOOD END A IN ORDER PLS A 7-45 PM OK FBI WASH DC WJR [overtyped characters] OK FBI HO UICF CI OK FBI CI JW CISC [PAGE 71] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of page three of the Los Angeles teletype; stamps: RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT Dec 28 7 47 PM '48 F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE; RECEIVED-FLETCHER Dec 28 8 43 PM '48. [PAGE 72] STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : MR. D. M. LADD DATE: December 28, 1948 FROM : H. B. FLETCHER SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS At 10:00 a.m. today, SAC Willis, Houston, called in and stated that Fuller Blackwell, a business man in Houston, Texas, had furnished certain pictures taken by a friend of his, Lonnie Noack of the Humboldt Oil Company, Houston, Texas, and had related that Noack had been flying with a friend in a private plane from California to Houston and that at a point about 30 miles east of Lone Pine, California, some object lying on the ground made a very strong reflection and they made a check to determine what would cause this bright reflection. They finally landed the plane and found an object which could be described as being 8' in diameter with wings about 4' long. The object is about 1' in thickness and in the center there appears to be some type of gyroscope. The wings apparently are fitted with some type of jet propulsion. An examination was made by Noack and his friend and they could find no identifying marks and took photographs of the object they observed. SAC Willis stated he had informed Lieutenant Robert Fleming of the AAF, Ellington Field, and Captain Bush, the Army representative in Houston, of this object and that Noack would be interviewed that morning in the Houston Office with Lieutenant Fleming being present. Lieutenant Fleming wanted the statements of Noack taken down by a stenographer and he will furnish the stenographer for that purpose. I instructed SAC Willis to furnish complete details of this matter by air mail special delivery, including a copy of the photograph. I further instructed that he furnish the same details to the proper field office because unquestionably the Bureau would want to run this thing out. After talking with you, I phoned SAC Willis back and told him to insure the presence of a Bureau Agent at the time this object was examined by the Army Air Forces and that he should make proper arrangements with the office in California to see that an Agent was present. I also told him to advise me of the developments. HBF:cmw [Routing list: Mr. Tolson, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Tele. Room, Mr. Nease, Miss Holmes, Miss Gandy] [Stamp: RECORDED - 137 INDEXED - 137 62-83894-149 FBI 34 JAN 4 1949] [Stamp: 53 JAN 7 1949] [Handwritten notes, initials and file markings] [PAGE 73] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of the Fletcher memorandum of December 28, 1948; stamps: RECEIVED-LADD FBI U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE, Dec 28 3 55 PM '48; RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY SECTION FBI U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE, Jan 6 2 54 PM '49. [PAGE 74] FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE COMMUNICATIONS SECTION DEC 28 1948 TELETYPE FBI HOUSTON 12-28-48 1-12 PM CST EP DIRECTOR, SACS CINCINNATI AND LOS ANGELES URGENT ATTENTION INSPECTOR HOWARD FLETCHER FLYING DISK. LONNIE EDWARD NOACK, COMPLAINANT. COMPLAINANT RESIDING TWO NINE TWO ONE CHICAGO STREET, HOUSTON, CONTACTED THIS OFFICE DECEMBER TWENTY SEVENTH ON CAPTIONED MATTER AND IN SIGNED STATEMENT TODAY SUBMITTED THE FOLLOWING. NOACK, EMPLOYED AS A MACHINIST BY HUMBLE OIL COMPANY, HOUSTON, LEFT HOUSTON BY COMMERCIAL AIRLINE DECEMBER FIFTH LAST ON BUSINESS FOR HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. ON MONDAY, DECEMBER SIXTH, CONTACTED R.C. PERSON, FOUR ONE ONE SIX AVALON BLVD., LA., AN ACQUAINTANCE, WHO REMARKED OF HAVING SEEN ON THAT DATE, SOME DISTANCE FROM HOLLYWOOD IN A DESERT AREA, WHAT APPEARED TO BE A FLYING DISK. PERSON OPERATES VASCO ELECTRICAL MANUFACTURING CO., LA., ADAMS FIVE TWO EIGHT ONE. ON DECEMBER SEVENTH, NOACK, PERSON, AND MR. AND MRS. NATHAN SMITH, ONE NAUGHT FIVE SOUTH PASADENA AVE., SOUTH PASADENA, CALIF., DEPARTED BY PRIVATELY OWNED AUTOMOBILE IN SEARCH OF DISK. SAME LOCATED APPROXIMATELY ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY MILES NORTHEAST OF PASADENA AND ABOUT TWENTY MILES NORTHEAST OF LONE PINE, CALIF. PERSON, SMITH, AND NOACK TOOK PHOTOGRAPHS OF DISK WITH MOVIE AND SPEEDGRAPHIC CAMERAS. THE NOACK FILM WAS EIGHT MILLEMETERS IN SIZE AND CAMERA MADE BY REVERE. DISK LOCATED DESERT AREA NEAR NINE HUNDRED ACRES OF LAND OWNED BY PERSON AS PRIVATE AIRFIELD. NOACK HAD HIS FILM DEVELOPED BY EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY AT UNKNOWN ADDRESS LOS PALMAS ST., LA. END PAGE ONE [Routing list: Mr. Tolson, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Mr. Nease, Miss Gandy] [Stamp: RECORDED - 137 INDEXED - 137 62-83894-150 FBI 34 JAN 4 1949] [Stamp: 53 JAN 7 1949] [Handwritten: Flying Discs; P/A; RC; 12/28/48; initials and notes] [PAGE 75] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of page one of the Houston teletype of 12-28-48; stamps: RECEIVED-LADD FBI U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE, Dec 28 3 55 PM '48; RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY SECTION FBI, Jan 6 2 55 PM '49; RECEIVED-DIRECTOR FBI U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE, Dec 28 2 52 PM '48; COMMUNICATIONS SECTION, DEC 28 1948, TELETYPE. [PAGE 76] PAGE TWO THESE FILMS RECEIVED NOACK, HOUSTON, BY MAIL DECEMBER TWENTY THIRD LAST. FILM SHOWS DISK TO BE APPROXIMATELY SEVEN FEET IN DIAMETER AND APPROXIMATELY TWO FEET THICK IN MIDDLE WITH FEATHER EDGE ON RIM. ABUTTING SAUCER IN MIDDLE AND ON BOTH SIDES ARE FOUR FOOT WINGS RESEMBLING CONVENTIONAL AIRPLANE TYPE. NO MARKINGS, NO RADIO, AND APPEARED TO HAVE LANDED AT GREAT SPEED. DISK IN COMPARATIVELY GOOD CONDITION. THE ENDS OF BOTH WINGS HAD ATTACHED A SMALL ALUMINUM CYLINDER APPARENTLY FOR JET PROPULSION. ONE OF THESE CYLINDERS OBTAINED BY NOACK AS SOUVENIR AND CURRENTLY IN POSSESION OF THIS OFFICE. FILM SIMILARLY MAINTAINED. SA ROBERT FLEMING, OSI REPRESENTATIVE, ELLINGTON FIELD, TEXAS, NOTIFIED DECEMBER TWENTY SEVENTH. NOACK FILM EXHIBITED THIS OFFICE INSTANT DATE AND SHOWS DISK IN ALL POSITIONS AND ARE AUTHENTIC. MR. FLEMING, OSI, ON DECEMBER TWENTY EIGHTH NOTIFIED DISTRICT COMMANDER, FIFTH OSI DISTRICT, WRIGHT FIELD, DAYTON, OHIO. SAC R. B. HOOD, LA., NOTIFIED TELEPHONICALLY OF ABOVE INFORMATION WITH REQUEST THAT HE MAINTAIN CONTACT WITH R. C. PERSON IN ORDER THAT BUREAU AGENTS MAY ASSIST OR ACCOMPANY OSI REPRESENTATIVES IN ACTUALLY OBSERVING AND RETRIEVING FLYING DISK. THIS ACTION TAKEN PER BUREAU INSTRUCTIONS. NO FACILITIES AVAILABLE HOUSTON FOR REPRODUCING MOVIE FILM OF NOACK, HOWEVER, STILL SHOTS CAN BE DEVELOPED BY COMPETENT END PAGE TWO [Stamp, partly visible: U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE FBI RECEIVED-...] [PAGE 77] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of page two of the Houston teletype; stamps: RECEIVED-LADD FBI U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE, Dec 28 3 55 PM '48; RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY SECTION FBI U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE, Jan 6 2 55 PM '49. [PAGE 78] [Stamp, mirrored show-through: RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT Dec 28 2 29 PM '48 F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE] PAGE THREE COMMERCIAL REPRESENTATIVES. ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY OSI, DAYTON, OHIO, NOT KNOWN AT THIS MOMENT AND IT IS POSSIBLE THEY MAY DESIRE FILM FOR REPRODUCTION THEIR FACILITIES THERE. IF BUREAU DESIRES LA OFFICE TO OBTAIN FROM PERSON AND SMITH THEIR FILM AND NEGATIVES, THIS MIGHT BE CONSIDERED. PICTURES TAKEN BY PERSON WITH FOUR BY FIVE SPEEDGRAPHIC CAMERA AND THZSE PICTURES SHOULD BE READILY AVAILABLE. NOACK FILM AND PART OF JET PROPULSION WING TIP BEING MAINTAINED HOUSTON AWAITING SUGGESTED DISPOSITION AND HANDLING BY EITHER BUREAU OR OSI. CINCINNATI OFFICE BEING MADE COGNIZANT TO COVER POSSIBILITY THAT BUREAU MAY DIRECT LIAISON WITH OSI, DAYTON. AMSD LETTER FOLLOWS TO BUREAU AND INTERESTED OFFICES ENCLOSING SIGNED STATEMENT OF NOACK. WILLIS END A IN O PLS WA 225PM OK FBI WA LS CI OK FBI CI JCL LA OK FBI LA EDS DISCM [Stamp: RECEIVED-LADD FBI U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE, Dec 28 3 22 PM '48] [Handwritten: cc Mr. Fletcher] [PAGE 79] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of page three of the Houston teletype; stamps: RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT Dec 28 2 29 PM '48 F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE; RECEIVED-LADD FBI U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE, Dec 28 3 55 PM '48; RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY SECTION FBI U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE, Jan 6 2 55 PM '49. [PAGE 80] FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE COMMUNICATIONS SECTION DEC 29 1948 TELETYPE WASH 10 FROM LOS ANGELES 29 9-07 PM DIRECTOR ROUTINE FLYING DISK, LONNIE EDWARD NOACK, [redacted] COMPLAINANT. RE TELETYPES FROM HOUSTON AND LA TWENTYEIGHTH INSTANT. [redacted] THREE PARTS OF SUBJECT DESCRIBED BY NOACK SECURED FROM NATHAN SMITH, LA AND EXHIBITED TO HENRY T. RICE, OHLSON AND RICE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, THREE THREE FOUR ZERO [redacted] EMERY STREET, LA. RICE POSITIVELY IDENTIFIED THESE PARTS AS COMING FROM A MODEL TOW TARGET CONSTRUCTED BY CLAUDE L. WOLFORD, FIVE FOUR FIVE FOUR CHESLEY AVE., LA. ONE PART BEING STAMPED WOLFORD [redacted] PLASTICS MOLDING CO., LA. TOW TARGET WAS TESTED BY RICE AND WOLFORD USING RICE,S AIRPLANE OVER NATHAN SMITH,S AIRFIELD NEAR HELENDALE, CALIF. THE TEST WAS A FAILURE, THE TARGET CRASHED AND WAS ABANDONED AT THE AIRFIELD. NO FURTHER INVESTIGATION BEING CONDUCTED AND THE THREE ITEMS SECURED FROM SMITH WILL BE RETURNED TO HIM UNLESS BUREAU ADVISES TO [redacted] CONTRARY. REPORT WILL BE SUBMITTED. HOOD CINCINNATI AND HOUSTON ADV. SEP. ACK PLS [Routing list: Mr. Tolson, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Mr. Nease, Miss Gandy] [Stamp: RECORDED - 42 INDEXED - 42 62-83894-151 FBI 34 JAN 3 1949] [Stamp: EX-1] [Stamp: 63 JAN 10 1949] [Handwritten: See Fletcher memo 12/30/48; Fletcher; 3:00 AM 12-30-48; initials and notes] [PAGE 81] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of the Los Angeles teletype of 29 December 1948; stamps: RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT Dec 29 11 18 PM '48 F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE; RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY SECTION FBI U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE, Dec 30 11 31 AM '48; COMMUNICATIONS SECTION DEC 29 1948 TELETYPE. [PAGE 82] STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : MR. D. M. LADD DATE: December 28, 1948 FROM : H. B. FLETCHER SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS Reference is made to the teletype of December 28, 1948, from the Houston Office. At 3:30 p.m., I called SAC Hood of the Los Angeles Office and instructed that he attempt to locate Mr. Person and Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Smith, secure photographs and film in their possession and also secure from them the location of the described flying disc. I also instructed that Mr. Hood send out sufficient Agents to find the disc and guard it until it could be properly handled by the appropriate Government authority. I also telephoned the Houston Office and told them to send in the photographs or film in their possession, together with the part which had been recovered from the machine by the Informant Noack. At 5:00 p.m., SAC Hood called back and stated that all work on this matter should be immediately discontinued. They had managed to reach Mr. Nathan Smith and he stated that he knew all about this matter; that it was not a flying disc, but an object which had been identified as a tow kite, which has a disc center and wings. This kite is actually made in Los Angeles by the Olson and Rice Manufacturing Company. A call was made to Olson and Rice, who admitted making a kite along the lines described by Mr. Smith and they explained that they had tried to fly it and it had failed and they had abandoned it. Mr. Hood stated he did not have full details at the time of his call, but he did have this report from the Agents. Therefore, I instructed that he call Mr. Willis of the Houston Office immediately in order that the film and the part available to the Houston Office will not be forwarded for Laboratory examination. HBF:esb [Routing list: Mr. Tolson, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Tele. Room, Mr. Nease, Miss Holmes, Miss Gandy] [Stamp: RECORDED - 42 INDEXED - 42 62-83894-152 FBI 34 JAN 3 1949] [Stamp: EX-1] [Stamp: 63 JAN 10 1949] [Handwritten: 12/29/48; initials and notes] [PAGE 83] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of the Fletcher memorandum of December 28, 1948; stamps: RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY SECTION FBI U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE, Dec 29 4 07 PM '48; RECEIVED-LADD FBI U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE, Dec 29 9 14 AM '48; RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY SECTION FBI, Dec 30 9 27 AM '48. [PAGE 84] STANDARD FORM NO. 64 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 [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: page 1 of the Knoxville SAC memorandum to the Director on the Oak Ridge "flying saucers" — it transmits two 1947 photographs of a vapor trail and fireball taken by a local resident, with information from an AEC security investigator and an Army engineer; copies of the photographs were collected and sent to Air Force Intelligence, and the investigator judged the negatives authentic.] [Routing list stamp; Stamp: RECORDED - 121 INDEXED - 121 62-83894-153 FBI 31 JAN 12 1949] [Stamp: EX-31] [Stamp: 52 JAN 31 1949] [Handwritten: Soviet War Plans; guided missiles; Atomic Energy Missile; notes and initials] [Stamp: CONFIDENTIAL, struck through] [Declassified] [PAGE 85] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of the Knoxville memorandum of January 10, 1949; stamps: RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY SECTION FBI U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE (Jan 13, Jan 14, Jan 17, Jan 24 1949 and others); RECEIVED LIAISON SECTION ATOMIC ENERGY, Jan 14 4 56 PM '49; U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F.B.I. [PAGE 86] [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: page 2 of the Knoxville SAC memorandum of January 10, 1949 — the AEC investigator judged the negatives unaltered; the Army engineer, asked about the saucers, called them probable manmade missiles, discussed possible atomic propulsion, and said Air Force intelligence was studying them at Wright Field.] [Handwritten: Atomic Energy Missile] [Page number: - 2 -] [PAGE 87] [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: page 3 of the Knoxville memorandum, continued — an informant's confidential account of Russian experiments with long-range disc-like guided missiles, claimed approach from the north, and no recovered wreckage. Typed text with handwritten underlining and a margin note.] [PAGE 88] [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: page 4 of the Knoxville memorandum, final page — the Army colonel's remarks on possible missile altitude control and speed, military concern and nuclear-propulsion research, no link to Oak Ridge; the office forwards it to the Bureau without further action.] [CCM:bk] [65-11] [Enclosures - 3] [Page number: -4-] [PAGE 89] STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : Director, FBI FROM : SAC, Houston SUBJECT: FLYING DISC; LONNIE EDWARD NOACK, Complainant DATE: 12/28/48 Attention: Assistant Director D.M. Ladd Remytel 12/28/48 in the above captioned matter. For the Bureau's information, on 12/27/48 Mr. FULLER BLACKWELL, an attorney with offices 410 Kress Building, Houston, Texas, telephonically contacted the Houston Office to advise that he had a friend, LONNIE NOACK, who had some information on an object which might be a flying disc. Mr. BLACKWELL stated he was calling in response to Mr. NOACK'S suggestion and as a means of determining what authorities would have an interest in this matter. He said Mr. NOACK was a machinist employed by the Humble Oil and Refining Company, Houston. Mr. BLACKWELL, in calling, advised that the disc, or object, was approximately eight feet in diameter, had a tail and wings, and apparently was equipped for jet propulsion. He stated NOACK had observed this object at a desert location near Las Vegas, Nevada; further, that Mr. NOACK had taken some movie film of the disc and that this film was currently in his possession. Immediately upon receipt of the above information, Mr. Robert B. Fleming, Special Agent, O.S.I., Ellington Field, Texas, was notified as was true of Captain Harold Bush, MID representative, also Houston. As a result of these referrals, arrangements were effected with Mr. NOACK to bring his film to the Houston Office for a showing at 8 P.M., 12/27/48. This was done with Messrs. Bush, Fleming, Noack, and Special Agent Graham W. Kitchel and the writer observing. Arrangements were then made for Mr. NOACK to again appear at the Houston Office on the morning of 12/28/48 in order that his information might be reduced to writing. Mr. NOACK in making his initial appearance at the office surrendered his movie film which consisted of one 50 foot roll of 8 mm movie film. Approximately fifteen feet of this roll relates exclusively to the pictures of the flying disc. [Handwritten: illegible notations and marginal marks] [Stamp: ENCL. ATTACHED] [Stamp: COPIES DESTROYED 270 NOV 18 1964] [Stamp: 51 JAN 24 1949] [Stamp: RECORDED - 43] [Stamp: INDEXED - 4334] [Stamp: JAN 14 1949] [Stamp: 62-83894-154] [Stamp: EX-49] [PAGE 90] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of the previous page's text. [Stamp: RECEIVED-LADD, U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE, F B I, DEC 30 2 48 PM '48] [Stamp: RECEIVED, F B I, DEC 31, mirrored/partly legible] [Handwritten: illegible] [PAGE 91] Director Re: Flying Disc HO 12/28/48 While observing the object, Mr. NOACK noted an aluminum cylinder which had become detached from one of the wing tips and he brought this back with him as a souvenir. This cylinder conceivably could act as a rudder, a rocket housing, or fuel tank attachment. Mr. NOACK initialled the cylinder and surrendered it also. There are attached hereto for the Bureau two copies of a signed statement taken from Mr. NOACK dated Houston, Texas, 12/28/48. Two copies of the statement are attached for the Los Angeles Office, and one informational copy is being designated for the Cincinnati Division. The original is being retained in the Houston file. One copy of the statement is attached to the copy of this letter for the FBI Laboratory. During the interview with Mr. NOACK, Mrs. ROSE C. ROTSEL, a stenographer for O.S.I., Ellington Field, recorded the statement for O.S.I. use. Initial information obtained concerning this flying disc was furnished telephonically to Inspector Howard Fletcher at the Bureau, 9 A.M., 12/28/48. Mr. Fletcher requested the Bureau be given a summary of the information by teletype, with interested offices being similarly notified, and that the signed statement of NOACK be submitted AMSD. He further instructed that he did not want the Bureau "side tracked" in the handling of this matter, but that FBI representatives should assume an active interest in the investigation throughout, cooperating, of course, with O.S.I. representatives. Mr. Fleming's headquarters are the District Commander, 5th O.S.I. District, Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio. On the morning of 12/28/48 Mr. Fleming sent a telegram to his District Commander giving a general summary of the original complaint. Mr. Fleming was unable to advise how the 5th O.S.I. District would handle their inquiry in this matter. He stated this could either be handled by Wright Field dispatching a special plane to California or by having their District Commander, 18D, O.S.I., San Bernardino, California handle it. He stated in any event it would be necessary for O.S.I. representatives to first confer with Mr. R.C. PERSON, named in this statement, as being the individual who initially discovered the flying disc and would know also its present whereabouts. -2- [PAGE 92] Director Re: Flying Disc HO 12/28/48 Mr. PERSON, as indicated, maintains a business at 4116 Avalon Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, telephone Adams 5281. To insure the Bureau's participation in this matter, SAC R.B. Hood, of the Los Angeles Office, was contacted telephonically at approximately 11:30 A.M. (CST) 12/28/48 with the suggestion he maintain contact with Mr. PERSON. Also in keeping with Bureau instructions, the roll of film received from Mr. NOACK, together with the aluminum portion of the fuselage, is being forwarded separately to the Bureau, attention FBI Laboratory. GNW:NK Encl.(2) AIR MAIL SPECIAL DELIVERY CC: Los Angeles (Encl.) AMSD Cincinnati (Encl.) AMSD FBI, Laboratory (Encl.) Package -3- [Handwritten: 1-11-49, "not sent per HBF's instructions", initials] [Handwritten: See letter dated 1/25/49] [PAGE 93] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Plain manila folder or envelope cover, no writing. [PAGE 94] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Manila envelope back. [Stamp: COPIES DESTROYED 270 NOV 18 1964] [Stamp: ENCLOSURE] [Handwritten: 62-83894-154] [PAGE 95] Houston, Texas Dec. 28, 1948 I, LONNIE EDWARD NOACK, residing 2921 Chicago Street, Houston 17, Texas, make the following statement to Special Agent Robert B. Fleming and Christopher R. Bradley, representatives of the Office of Special Investigation, Ellington OSI Detachment, Ellington Field, Texas, and Special Agents Graham W. Kitchel and Galen N. Willis who I know to be Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. On Monday afternoon December 6, 1948, at about 6 P.M., Mr. R.C. PERSON, Mr. NATHAN SMITH, Mr. C.A. TOCE, Mr. ROBERT BROUSSARD and another man, name not recalled, and I had dinner at the Old Virginia Inn, Los Angeles, California. After dinner we went back to Mr. Smith's electrical manufacturing company which he owns and operates in Los Angeles, California. Mr. PERSON told us about seeing a flying disc and we made an appointment to leave early the next morning by car, with our cameras, to go to the location of the disc. Mr. PERSON was detained at some private air field so we did not leave until about 2 P.M. on December 7, 1948. We arrived at the scene of the flying disc and took pictures of the disc which was still lying around. Mr. SMITH took about 10 feet of 16 mm film and Mr. PERSON took five or six shots with a Speed Graphic Camera. He noticed that the first three shots were taken when the adapter on his lens was closed too much and I don't know if they turned out all right. Mr. SMITH suggested I hold the flying disc up and rotate it around and he would take my picture with my camera. After taking the pictures, we patched the fence of Mr. PERSON'S property where people had been cutting the wire to get to a road. We left and then drove back and had dinner at Eaton's Inn and they took me back home to Hollywood, California. I would like to recite that I left Houston, Texas 11:30 A.M. on Sunday, December 5, 1948, for California by plane and flew to Hollywood, California on a commercial plane on business matters. On arriving in Hollywood, I met Mr. PERSON in Hollywood on Monday, December 6, 1948, and at that time he told me about the flying disc he had located. He stated he had gone to Las Vegas by his personal plane and saw the disc from the air on his way back. [Handwritten: illegible mark near top] [PAGE 96] On December 7, 1948 we went out in Mr. NATHAN SMITH'S car and picked up his wife and left his home in South Pasadena about 11 A.M. We drove out to an airport where his plane was about forty miles from Pasadena where he was having the plane repaired. He wanted to be sure the plane was on a truck before we left for the destination where the disc was. In making this trip, we proceeded out by a race track and passed one of the Kaiser steel works and the Virginia Dare Wine Orchard. I would say we went directly north or northeast from Pasadena, California. We drove through a town called Matonia (phonetic) and followed a road through some mountains and through a small desert. I would estimate the distance from Pasadena to where the disc was found to be about 150 miles. The terrain in which the disc was found could be described as flat, desert, and desolate. I would like to explain that Mr. PERSON has private property (an airport which he purchased from the government) right by the location of the disc. Mr. PERSON thought the disc might have been launched from his airport, but whether that was it or not - we don't know. Mr. PERSON said he usually flew at an altitude of about 8,000 feet and, of course, he flew lower in some spaced. He did not mention his altitude at the time he first saw the disc. The disc was located practically just outside his property and we were going north, so it would be east of his property. He has about 900 acres. When we arrived at Mr. PERSON'S property, we saw the disc, or flying wing, and it was on the ground in a semi-vertical position, approximately a 45 degree angle, with the left wing imbedded in the ground. In looking at the ground, it appeared that the object had hit the earth with considerable force and had slid 300 to 400 feet. It was dented but was generally intact. I think the pictures I took with a Revere 8 mm camera quite well show the form, shape and size of the "wing." I am 5'7" tall and in standing next to the object when it was in an upright position, it was slightly higher than my height. I would say it was roughly seven feet in diameter, before crashing. On each side of the object there were wings approximately four feet by twenty inches and three inches thick with an axle that protruded through the disc and into the wings. It was mounted on ball bearings which the disc rotated on. 2 [PAGE 97] The disc itself was approximately two feet thick in the center, tapering to a feather edge at the rim. On the outside of the disc, near the rim, there were funnel shaped cups braded on and these were spaced all around on both sides, each cup being approximately twenty inches apart. The openings of these cups were to the rear. The disc itself was natural aluminum with no paint on it except of the type of aluminum which was 24 S.T. and it bore this stamp. The wings were painted a yellow-green camouflage color. The wing has a leading edge similar to that of an airplane and tapers to the rear to a feather edge. The wing was ribbed throughout with aluminum ribs for substantial strength. Each wing had a similar rocket cartridge on each tip fastened by two bolts. I had one of the wings in my possession and have turned it over to the proper authorities. The cartridge on the one I had was apparently knocked off in the crash. There were two strut bars attached approximately twenty inches from the disc leading to the rear with an elevator. Also, the two struts protruded toward the front with something attached, a weight or some tow system, which was during the crash anchored into the ground and bent and we could not exactly determine how it was weighted or controlled. I would say the elevator was approximately twenty-two inches long and about 5/8 inch thick with a slight taper to the rear and probably ten inches wide. The struts extending from the trailing edge of the wing to the elevator were made of 5/8 inch steel tubing. The disc, in being lifted, I would judge to weigh from 80 to 100 pounds. With respect to the pictures taken, I took approximately 15 feet of colored 8 mm film. The disc was built where they had the proper equipment to do the necessary work because they had to have a spot welder and building equipment to make the different angles. I might add that I am an instrument maker for the Humble Oil and Refining Company and have a generally good knowledge of machine and metal work. There was nothing on the object to indicate its origin, whether American or foreign make. It would appear, however, from the aluminum, workmanship, etc. that it probably was American made. -3- [PAGE 98] After we finished taking our pictures and discussing the object among ourselves, Mr. PERSON expressed an intention of obtaining a truck and hauling the object to his shop. I cannot say at this time whether he did this or not or where the object may be at this particular date. We finished our observation and picture taking at approximately 5:30 or 6 P.M. on December 7. In response to Mr. Fleming's inquiry, there was no radio equipment noted on the object in any fashion or form. We returned to Pasadena, California, that evening arriving in Hollywood about 9 or 9:30 P.M. I took some more pictures that night along Hollywood Boulevard on the unfinished roll of film and then wetn over the Chinese Theatre and took a picture of the signature of George Raft and finished the roll. I bought another roll of film, and took them to the Eastman Kodak Company the following Monday which was December 13, 1948. As I recall, this Eastman shop was on Los Palmas Street in Los Angeles, California. They informed me they would develop the film and that it would be ready on Thursday. I left California on Wednesday so they mailed the film to me at my business address, Humble Oil Building, Room 159, Houston, Texas. I received these films on December 23, 1948. After my return from California I mentioned to several of my business and social acquaintances that I had seen this object, a disc or saucer or whatever you might call it, and told them that I had taken pictures and would be glad to show them when the pictures arrived. As stated, I received the film on December 23 and at 1:30 P.M. on the same date I showed the film in the projection room at Humble Oil to the following: D.W. BLAIR; J. HATTAWAY; B.A. PETERSON; JAMES S. OLIVIER; WILLIAM RIED, JR.; A.E. MELETON; WAYNE CRAWFORD; D.A. BATTLE and two other men whose names I do not recall. All of these men work in the instrument shop with me at Humble Oil & Refining Company. I also showed the film to my brother-in-law, E. KULAK, of Pasadena, Texas, at home on the following night. On Christmas Day I met some friends and one of the girls was with a young boy who was interested in photography. I do not know his name but he works at Southern Pacific. I told him I had some pictures of the flying disc but I did not show him the pictures but explained the disc. I think this boy is the person who had his friend at the newspaper contact me. -4- [PAGE 99] I got home about 10:30 A.M. and FRANK REED, of the City Desk at the "Houston Post" called me and wanted to know about the disc. I told him I could not give him any information on it. He begged me for the story, but I told him I would let him know and that I had friends I had to contact before I could give him any information. I then got in touch with Mr. Blackwood, my lawyer, the following morning and asked him if he knew anyone in the FBI. He stated all the FBI personnel he knew were no longer stationed here. I then contacted the FBI and turned the material over to them. Although I can't describe where this object is located, I believe I could go back to it and I am sure Mr. PERSON and and Mr. SMITH could go back to it. Mr. NATHAN SMITH'S business address is Nathan Smith Electrical Company, 105 South Pasadena Avenue, South Pasadena, California. Mr. R. C. PERSON is president of the Vasco Electrical Manufacturing Company, 4116 Avalon Boulevard, Los Angeles, California. For record purposes, in taking the pictures above referred to, I did so using exposure of 16 frames per second at a diaphragm opening of f6.3. I used Cine-Kodak Kodachrome film. [Handwritten: ATTENTION] The above statement, made voluntarily and for the retention of proper authorities, is made to my best knowledge and belief. LONNIE EDWARD NOACK Witnesses: ______________________ Representatives OSI, Ellington Field, Texas ______________________ FBI, Houston, Texas -5- [PAGE 100] ENCLOSURE TO THE BUREAU RE: FLYING DISC; LONNIE EDWARD NOACK, Complainant [Handwritten: 62-83894-154] [PAGE 101] SAC, Houston January 25, 1949 Director, FBI FLYING DISCS LONNIE EDWARD NOACK, Complainant Reference is made to Los Angeles teletype dated 12/29/48 and to Houston teletype dated 12/28/48, and the subsequent transmittal of an 8mm movie film taken by Mr. LONNIE NOACK, along with several parts of the supposed flying disc to the laboratory for examination. Since prior to receipt of the above items by the laboratory the information was obtained which identified the supposed flying disc as a tow target and later a toy kite, no examination was conducted here. Accordingly, these items are being returned to you via registered mail. 83-83894 [struck through] RMZ:KAG cc: SAC, Los Angeles [Stamp: RECORDED - 60] [Stamp: INDEXED - 60] [Stamp: 51 MAR 31 1949] [Stamp: EX-59] [Handwritten: 62-83894-155] [Stamp: U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE, F B I, RECEIVED-MAIL ROOM, partly legible] [Stamp: COMMUNICATIONS SECTION, partly legible] [Stamp: FEB 8 1949] [Stamp: FBI LABORATORY DIVISION, partly legible] [Distribution list: Mr. Tolson, Mr. E. A. Tamm, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Tele. Room, Mr. Nease, Miss Gandy] [Handwritten: Retd 2/7/49, initials, other illegible notations and initials] [PAGE 102] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of the previous page's text. [Stamp: RECEIVED, U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE, F B I, JAN 26 3 32 PM '49] [Stamp: RECEIVED, FBI LABORATORY DIVISION / TECHNICAL LABORATORY, FEB 7 9 55 AM '49] [Stamp: FEB 8 1949] [other stamps partly legible] [PAGE 103] STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : The Director FROM : D. M. Ladd SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS DATE: January 24, 1949 [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: page 1 of the Ladd memorandum to the Director — relays confidential information from Colonel C. D. Gasser, Army Air Material Command engineer at the Oak Ridge nuclear aircraft propulsion center, on the discs as man-made missiles and atomic-energy propulsion theory.] [Distribution list: Mr. Tolson, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Tele. Room, Mr. Nease, Miss Holmes, Miss Gandy] [Handwritten: initials, check marks, underlining and notations, partly illegible] [EHM:hhr] [Stamp: 50 FEB 8 1949] [Stamp: RECORDED - 113] [Stamp: INDEXED - 113] [Stamp: EX-109] [Handwritten: 62-83894-156] [Stamp: U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F B I, partly legible] [PAGE 104] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of the previous page's text. [Stamp: RECEIVED-LADD, U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE, F B I, JAN 24 4 55 PM '49] [Stamp: RECEIVED, JAN 25 10 20 AM '49] [Stamp: RECEIVED-DIRECTOR, JAN 26 9 01 AM '49] [Stamp: RECEIVED-TOLSON, JAN 25 5 30 PM '49] [Stamp: RECEIVED-NICHOLS, JAN 26 10 22 AM '49] [PAGE 105] [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: page 2 of the Ladd memorandum of January 24, 1949 — the colonel's views on Russian experiments, a northerly approach and return, no recovered wreckage, a reported Czechoslovak collision, and military concern; the action line says none, for information only.] [Page number: -2-] [Handwritten margin note, partly illegible] [PAGE 106] [Stamp: CONFIDENTIAL] [Stamp: DECLASSIFIED, Authority: NND 90986] DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY STAFF MESSAGE CENTER INCOMING CLASSIFIED MESSAGE CONFIDENTIAL PARAPHRASE NOT REQUIRED PRIORITY From: CO Kirtland AFB New Mexico To: Chief of Staff USAF attn Dir of Special Investigations Officer of the Inspector General Nr: OSI-1-9C 31 January 1949 Reference previous reports, subject; unknown, aerial phenomena, file number 24-8. Sighting of identical object reported at 2255Z 30 Jan 49 by aprx 30 people. Estimate at least 100 total sightings. AEC, AFSWP, 4th Army, local commanders perturbed by implications of phenomena. Sighting reported from El Paso, Alburquerque, Alamogordo, Roswell, Socorro, and other locations. All appear to be same object at different points in trajectory. Unless instructed to contrary this office will make all out investigation with view to location of impact point if any. Request reply. ACTION: AF INFO: ID, PO CM IN 321 (2 Feb 49) DTG: 312145Z dgk/B RC 5/1 [Stamp: CONFIDENTIAL] [Handwritten: FLYING SAUCERS] [Handwritten: 3.1] [Handwritten: Read 2-4-49, we out [illegible] OSI okied. G.I.R.-7, initials] [Stamp: RECORDED - 149] [Handwritten: 62-83894-157] [Stamp: 13 FEB 11 1949] [Stamp: EX-141] [Stamp: EX-16] [Stamp: COPY] [Handwritten: file] [Handwritten: 5 enc] [Stamp: 50 FEB 28 1949] [Handwritten: 192] [PAGE 107] FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Room 5744 3/23 1949 TO: Director [checked] Mr. Clegg Mr. Glavin Mr. Harbo Mr. Ladd Mr. Nichols Mr. Rosen Mr. Tracy Mr. Fletcher Mr. Mohr Mr. Carlson Mr. Nease Miss Gandy Personnel Files Section Records Section Mrs. Skillman See Me For Appropriate Action Send File Note and Return Note marked paragraph Clyde Tolson [Stamp: routing list box: Mr. Tolson, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Mr. Nease, Miss Gandy, with check marks] [Stamp: partly legible, faint] [PAGE 108] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of the previous page's routing slip. [Stamp: MAR 24 10 59 AM '49] [Stamp: RECEIVED-CLEGG] [Stamp: RECEIVED-TOLSON, MAR 23 5 19 PM] [Stamp: MAR 23 3 18 PM '49] [Stamp: RECEIVED-DIRECTOR, U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE, F B I] [PAGE 109] STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : Director, FBI FROM : SAC, Knoxville SUBJECT: "FLYING SAUCERS" OBSERVED OVER OAK RIDGE AREA INTERNAL SECURITY - X DATE: February 18, 1949 Reference is made to Knoxville letter to the Director dated January 10, 1949, entitled as above. There is being forwarded for the Bureau's information a copy of a letter from Colonel C. D. GASSER, USAF, AMC Engineering Field Officer, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to Mr. G. J. RATHMAN, Security Division, U. S. Atomic Energy Commission, Oak Ridge. This letter is self explanatory and reveals that the photographs forwarded with referenced letter are the result of accident or purposeful hoax and are not actually photographs of a "flying saucer". Colonel GASSER personally advised that while the photographs are not real, his statements made concerning the existence of flying saucers and the opinions expressed by him nevertheless stand as previously stated. CCMcS:jjc 65-11 Enclosure [Stamp: ENCLOSURE ATTACHED] [Stamp: RECORDED - 137] [Stamp: EX-16] [Handwritten: 62-83894-158] [Stamp: FEB 23 1949] [Stamp: 57 FEB 25 1949] [Handwritten: 2/24/49, no action, initials] [Stamp: routing list box: Mr. Tolson, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Nease, Miss Gandy] [Struck-through classification stamp with handwritten declassification notation dated 9/?/77, partly illegible] [Handwritten: other initials and notations, illegible] [PAGE 110] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of the previous page's text. [Stamp: RECEIVED, FEB 24 10 39 AM '49] [Stamp: RECORDED, FEB 24 12 06 PM '49, ESPIONAGE/INTERNAL SECURITY section, U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE, F B I] [PAGE 111] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Manila enclosure envelope. [Stamp: ENCLOSURE 1] [Handwritten: 62-83894-158, other number partly legible] [PAGE 112] MCREOL8/CDG/jk C O P Y NEPA Project, P. O. Box E Oak Ridge, Tennessee 10 February 1949 Mr. G. J. Rathman Chief, Investigation Section Security Division U. S. Atomic Energy Commission P. O. Box E Oak Ridge, Tennessee Dear Mr. Rathman This is in response to your letter dated 16 December 1948, subject "Photographs", with inclosures, addressed to Major D. J. Grant at this site, concerning photographs taken during the month of July 1947 by Mr. William Presley of 218 Illinois Avenue, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, of an unidentified object that appeared to be flying over Oak Ridge. Since receipt by Major Grant of the above material, this office has taken steps to secure an evaluation of same by the Air Force office of the Chief, Technical Intelligence Division, Intelligence Department, Air Materiel Command, at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio. As a result, the following information has been revealed: "When the negative, containing the sphere, is examined by strong incident light, it is noted that the emulsion is raised at that point above the normal level of the remaining emulsion. This indicates that either a drop of warm water or a drop of developer struck the film at this point and rolled down this negative and the succeeding negative. "To further substantiate this, it will be noted that when the two (2) negatives are placed side by side with the edges of the film aligned, the so-called "trail" is continuous, that is the two sections match, indicating the drop rolled on from one negative to the next. "Sill further proof is shown on the fogged edge of the negative containing only the trail. This is proven by the fact that the trail extends beyond the normal format C O P Y [PAGE 113] C O P Y Ltr. to Mr. G. J. Rathman, Chief, Investigation Section, U. S. AEC, dated 10 February 1949, Re Photographs of the negative. In other words, there is a trail of that section of the negative which was not exposed in the camera. This effect shows up in one negative and not in the other because the negative in question is fogged; therefore, this irregularity was developed. "Still further proof of these defects lies in the number of unevenly developed sections of the negative." In view of the above, it is recommended that this entire matter be declassified and that Mr. Presley be advised of the nature of the images, if and when the negatives are returned to him by your office. For your information, this office is taking the liberty of furnishing a copy of this communication to Mr. C. C. McSwain, Special Agent, FBI, because of official interest evidenced by his office in the matter. Your cooperation in furnishing photographs and negatives, together with information contained in your letter of 16 December 1948 to Major Grant, is sincerely appreciated. Very truly yours, C. D. GASSER Colonel, USAF AMC Engineering Field Officer 3 Incls. 2 Negatives 1 Photostat cc - Mr. C. C. McSwain C O P Y [PAGE 114] L-26 Invoice of Contents from FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION WASHINGTON, D. C. Date 1/25/49 [struck through] Consigned to: SAC, HOUSTON [struck through] Case References: FLYING DISCS LONNIE EDWARD NOACK, Complainant List of Contents 8mm Movie Film, parts of supposed flying disc. Mr. Harbo, 7641 Mr. Conrad, 7142 Mr. Downing, 6228 IB Mr. Sizoo, 7601 Mr. Baughman, 7121 SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS: Mail Room, place date of shipment and registry number; Shipping Room, show date of shipment and initial this invoice; then return it to person whose name is checked in column at right. After this checked name has been initialled, invoice should be placed in administrative file. [Stamp: COMMUNICATIONS SECTION, MAILED 16, FEB 8 - 1949 P.M., REGISTERED MAIL, FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE] [Stamp: REGISTERED] [Number: 497382] [Handwritten: 62-83894-, 2-9-49, initials and other notations, partly illegible] [PAGE 115] STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : DIRECTOR, FBI FROM : SAC, SAN ANTONIO SUBJECT: PROTECTION OF VITAL INSTALLATIONS BUREAU FILE # 65-58300 DATE: January 31, 1949 [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: page 1 of the San Antonio memorandum of January 31, 1949 — reports that Fourth Army intelligence officers discussed unidentified aerial phenomena, cites a July 1948 airline pilot sighting near Montgomery, Alabama and December 1948 sightings near Los Alamos, and says little concrete information has been obtained.] [Stamp: RECORDED - 139] [Handwritten: 62-83894-159] [Stamp: 43 MAR 16 1949] [Handwritten: 65-58300-61] [Stamp: ORIGINAL FILED IN] [JEJ:md] [SA-100-7545] [cc: El Paso (2), Dallas (2), Houston (2), Little Rock (2), Oklahoma City (2)] [Stamp: 56 APR] [Struck-through classification stamp with handwritten declassification notation dated 8/31/77, partly illegible] [Handwritten: initials and marks] [PAGE 116] DIRECTOR, FBI 1/31/49 [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: page 2 of the San Antonio memorandum of January 31, 1949 — describes reported day and night sightings near Los Alamos, colors of lights, estimated speeds and approach direction, round shapes and apparent sizes, no sound or debris, and the conclusion that they are either unobserved natural phenomena or man-made.] - 2 - [PAGE 117] DIRECTOR, FBI 1/31/49 [Text present — not reproduced: private individual's personal details and theories, including a remark about her reliability, from a memorandum paragraph] [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: remainder of page 3 of the San Antonio memorandum — the information is submitted confidentially so offices can evaluate any similar reports; the Fourth Army is responsible for protecting vital installations; G-2 and OSI are investigating, and this office is conducting no investigation.] - 3 - [PAGE 118] STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : Mr. Ladd FROM : Mr. Fletcher SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS DATE: March 14, 1949 [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: Fletcher memorandum to Ladd — requests Executive Conference approval of an attached letter telling field offices what information the Air Force wants on flying discs; recalls the October 1947 bulletin that ended Bureau investigations, summarizes the Oak Ridge colonel's views, and recommends collecting complaint details without active investigation.] [Sections: PURPOSE, BACKGROUND, STATUS, RECOMMENDATION] [EHM:EHW] [Attachment] [Stamp: RECORDED - 76] [Handwritten: 62-83894-160] [Stamp: MAR 25 1949] [Stamp: 62 APR 6 1949] [Stamp: routing list box: Mr. Tolson, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Tele. Room, Mr. Nease, Miss Holmes, Miss Gandy] [Handwritten: initials, check marks, marginal notations, partly illegible] [PAGE 119] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of the previous page's text. [Stamp: RECEIVED-LADD, MAR 16 9 19 AM '49] [Stamp: RECEIVED-LADD, MAR 23 9 18 AM '49] [Stamp: MAR 24 12 56 PM '49] [Stamp: RECEIVED-FLETCHER, MAR 23 3 18 PM '49] [Stamp: RECEIVED-DIRECTOR] [Stamp: MAR 15 9 59 AM '49] [Stamp: APR 5 9 38 AM '49] [Stamp: RECEIVED, APR 4 4 52 PM '49, INTERNAL SECURITY] [Stamp: U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE, F B I] [PAGE 120] STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : DIRECTOR, FBI FROM : SAC, SAN ANTONIO SUBJECT: PROTECTION OF VITAL INSTALLATIONS BUREAU FILE 65-58300 DATE: March 22, 1949 [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: page 1 of the San Antonio memorandum of March 22, 1949 — says Fourth Army G-2 now calls the matter "Unconventional Aircraft" under the name "Project Grudge", reports a February 16 Los Alamos conference on green fireballs, and lists six characteristics of one sighting given by a University of New Mexico scientist.] [JEJ:md] [2 cc: El Paso (100-4562)] [2 cc: Dallas, Houston, Little Rock, Oklahoma City] [Page number: - 1 -] [Handwritten: Flying Discs; 65-58300-65] [Stamp: RECORDED - 40] [Stamp: EX-19] [Handwritten: 62-83894-161] [Stamp: 75 Apr. 4-1949] [Stamp: ORIGINAL COPY FILED IN] [Struck-through classification stamp with handwritten declassification notation dated 8/3/77, partly illegible] [PAGE 121] DIRECTOR, FBI March 22, 1949 [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: page 2 of the San Antonio memorandum of March 22, 1949 — more than ten "green fireball" incidents since December 1948 confined to the Los Alamos, Las Vegas and West Texas area; military views on a natural explanation; flares near Camp Hood and Killeen in March 1949; a possible secret government experiment; Air Materiel Command now responsible.] - 2 - [PAGE 122] FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Form No. 1 THIS CASE ORIGINATED AT HOUSTON FILE NO. 105-445 REPORT MADE AT: LOS ANGELES | DATE WHEN MADE: 3/30/49 | PERIOD FOR WHICH MADE: 12/28,29;1/7/49 | REPORT MADE BY: W. NATHAN PROVINSE DPZ TITLE: FLYING DISCS; LONNIE EDWARD NOACK, complainant; Houston, Texas, December 27, 1948 CHARACTER OF CASE: INTERNAL SECURITY M SYNOPSIS OF FACTS: Object described by complainant as possible flying disc determined to be a model tow target or kite which had been abandoned after unsuccessful tests. Portions of target positively identified by HENRY T. RICE, L.A. manufacturer and erstwhile financial backer as being part of the model target or kite. RUC REFERENCE: Teletype from Houston to Director dated 12/28/48. Teletype from Los Angeles to Director dated 12/28/48. Teletype from Los Angeles to Director dated 12/29/48. DETAILS: This investigation is predicated upon the receipt of referenced teletype from the Houston Office advising that LONNIE EDWARD NOACK had located an object in the desert near Helendale, California, resembling a flying disc. This object, described as a flying disc, had been located by NOACK, R. C. PERSON and Mr. and Mrs. NATHAN SMITH of South Pasadena, California, approximately one hundred and fifty miles northeast of Pasadena or about twenty miles from Lone Pine, California. Special Agent EDWARD OLSEN determined that R. C. PERSON, Vasco Manufacturing Company, was traveling in Arizona and not available for interview. APPROVED AND FORWARDED: R. B. Hood, SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE COPIES OF THIS REPORT: 5 - Bureau; 2 - Houston; 1 - IFO #2, Fort MacArthur; 2 - Los Angeles [Stamp: COPIES DESTROYED 270 NOV 23 1964] [Stamp: 61 APR 13 1949] [Handwritten: 62-83894-162] [Stamp: RECORDED - 59] [Stamp: INDEXED - 59] [Stamp: 31 APR 5 1949] [Stamp: EX-137] [Stamp: RECEIVED, partly legible] [Handwritten: 3-1, initials and notations, partly illegible] [PAGE 123] FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Form No. 1 THIS CASE ORIGINATED AT HOUSTON FILE NO. 105-445 REPORT MADE AT: LOS ANGELES | DATE WHEN MADE: 3/30/49 | PERIOD FOR WHICH MADE: 12/28,29;1/7/49 | REPORT MADE BY: W. NATHAN PROVINSE DPZ TITLE: FLYING DISCS; LONNIE EDWARD NOACK, complainant; Houston, Texas, December 27, 1948 CHARACTER OF CASE: INTERNAL SECURITY M SYNOPSIS OF FACTS: Object described by complainant as possible flying disc determined to be a model tow target or kite which had been abandoned after unsuccessful tests. Portions of target positively identified by HENRY T. RICE, L.A. manufacturer and erstwhile financial backer as being part of the model target or kite. RUC REFERENCE: Teletype from Houston to Director dated 12/28/48. Teletype from Los Angeles to Director dated 12/28/48. Teletype from Los Angeles to Director dated 12/29/48. DETAILS: This investigation is predicated upon the receipt of referenced teletype from the Houston Office advising that LONNIE EDWARD NOACK had located an object in the desert near Helendale, California, resembling a flying disc. This object, described as a flying disc, had been located by NOACK, R. C. PERSON and Mr. and Mrs. NATHAN SMITH of South Pasadena, California, approximately one hundred and fifty miles northeast of Pasadena or about twenty miles from Lone Pine, California. Special Agent EDWARD OLSEN determined that R. C. PERSON, Vasco Manufacturing Company, was traveling in Arizona and not available for interview. APPROVED AND FORWARDED: [blank] COPIES OF THIS REPORT: 5 - Bureau; 2 - Houston; 1 - IFO #2, Fort MacArthur; 2 - Los Angeles [Unstamped clean copy of the previous page's form; case originated at Houston as above] [PAGE 124] L. A. 105-445 Mr. N. SMITH, SMITH MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 105 Pasadena Avenue, South Pasadena, California, who was with NOACK at the time the object was discovered, advised Special Agent EDWARD OLSEN on December 28, 1948, that he was present at the time the object was located on his, SMITH'S, landing field near Helendale, California. SMITH advised that they had taken some pieces off the object and that subsequently, upon returning to Los Angeles, he had learned that the object was actually a model kite or tow target which had been built by the OHLSON AND RICE MANUFACTURING COMPANY of Los Angeles. Mr. SMITH stated that he had talked to both OHLSON and RICE and that they had admitted to him having experimented with the object over his, SMITH'S, airfield. Mr. SMITH made available three of the parts of the target which he had secured while at the airfield. The information furnished by Mr. SMITH was verified by Special Agent EDWARD OLSEN in an interview with Mr. HENRY T. RICE, OHLSON AND RICE MANUFACTURING COMPANY, 3340 Emery Street, Los Angeles. The parts made available by Mr. SMITH were exhibited to Mr. RICE, and he advised that the model tow target or kite had been taken to the airfield for flight tests by himself and CLAUDE LEROY WOLFORD, 5454 Chesley Avenue, Los Angeles 43, California. Mr. RICE stated that WOLFORD is the inventor of the object and OHLSON AND RICE had originally agreed to finance him to develop the tow target or kite as a toy. Mr. RICE explained that they were primarily interested in developing the contraption as a toy kite to be sold in a much smaller model; however, the inventor, against their wishes, had developed a much larger model which he had hoped to sell as a tow target to be used behind airplanes. Mr. RICE stated that since he had gone that far they felt that they should give the project a test and thereupon they took it out to the desert as a precautionary measure. Mr. RICE stated that the flight test was a failure; the model crashed soon after it was airborne and was thereafter abandoned on the field. In the absence of her husband, Mrs. CLAUDE LEROY WOLFORD, 5454 Chesley Avenue, was interviewed and exhibited the three parts of the kite made available by Mr. SMITH. She readily identified the three items as part of a kite her husband had built for the RICE MANUFACTURING COMPANY. She advised that she also accompanied her husband to the desert at the time the tests were made. She explained that the kite had crashed and that the manufacturing company did not want to put any more cash in it so it was abandoned on the desert. The three parts of the kite were returned to NATHAN SMITH on January 7, 1949. The Sub-District Office, I. G. (USAF), 1206 Santee Street, Terminal Annex, Los Angeles, California, was apprised of the information contained herein immediately upon its receipt. REFERRED UPON COMPLETION TO THE OFFICE OF ORIGIN 2. [Handwritten: Calif, marks and underlining] [PAGE 125] United States Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation Washington 25, D. C. IN REPLY, PLEASE REFER TO FILE No. PERSONAL ATTENTION [CONFIDENTIAL struck through] SAC LETTER NO. 38 Series 1949 March 25, 1949 MEMO FOR MR. HOOVER, TOLSON, CLEGG, CONNELLEY, GLAVIN, HARBO, LADD, NICHOLS, ROSEN, TRACY, BAUMGARDNER, BOSWELL, CALLAHAN, CALLAN, CARLSON, CARTWRIGHT, CONRAD, DOWNING, EDWARDS H. L., EGAN, FEENEY, FLETCHER H. B., GURNEA, HINCE, JONES M. A., KEAY, LAUGHLIN, LEONARD, LONG, McCABE E. J., McCABE N. H., McGUIRE, McINTIRE, MOBLEY, MOHR, NANNA, NAUGHTEN, NEASE, PARSONS, PENNINGTON, RENNEBERGER, ROGERS, SIZOO, TAMM Q., WAIKART, WALL, WHITSON RE: FLYING DISCS [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: Hoover's SAC Letter No. 38 of March 25, 1949 — refers to the 1947 bulletin ending Bureau investigation of flying discs, relays a confidential source's view that they are man-made missiles, encloses an Air Force memorandum on information wanted, and says no investigation should be conducted but voluntary information may be taken.] Very truly yours, John Edgar Hoover Director Enclosure [Stamp: DECLASSIFIED BY SP8BTJ/dcg ON 4-18-83] [Handwritten: declassification notation dated 8/31/77, partly illegible] [Handwritten: 62-83894-?] [Stamp: NOT RECORDED] [Stamp: 150 APR 4 1949] [Stamp: 50 APR 5 1949] [Stamp: ORIGINAL FILED IN, partly legible] [Handwritten: initials and marks] [PAGE 126] [Stamp: FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, COMMUNICATIONS SECTION, APR 5 1949, TELETYPE] [Handwritten: Fletcher 742] [Stamp: routing list box: Mr. Tolson, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Mr. Nease] FBI SALT LAKE CITY 4-5-49 12-25 PM HTG DIRECTOR U R G E N T FLYING DISCS. INFORMATION RECEIVED AT LOGAN, UTAH ELEVEN AM TODAY THAT AT NINE AM A GUARD AT THE ARMY GENERAL SUPPLY DEPOT, OGDEN, UTAH, OBSERVED WHAT APPEARED TO BE AN EXPLOSION IN THE AIR ACCOMPANIED BY A FLASH OF LIGHT FOLLOWED BY THE FALLING OF SILVER COLORED OBJECT. THIS WAS SEEN AT HIGH ALTITUDE WEST OF OGDEN NEAR THE TOWN OF TAYLOR, UTAH. ABOUT THE SAME TIME LT. RON HATFIELD OF LOGAN, UTAH PD SAW TWO PUFFS OF SMOKE HIGH IN THE AIR WEST OF LOGAN FOLLOWED BY FALLING OF SILVER COLORED OBJECT. ALSO AT ABOUT SAME TIME UTAH HIGHWAY PATROLMAN L. N. JEPPSON AT MANTUA, UTAH, SAW A SILVER COLORED OBJECT HIGH UP APPROACHING THE MOUNTAINS AT SARDINE CANYON BETWEEN LOGAN AND BRIGHAM CITY, UTAH AND AS OBJECT NEARED THE MOUNTAIN IT APPEARED TO EXPLODE IN A FLASH OF FIRE. SEVERAL RESIDENTS AT TRENTON, UTAH, WHICH IS WEST OF LOGAN, HAVE REPORTED TO SO, LOGAN, SEEING WHAT APPEARED TO BE TWO AERIAL EXPLOSIONS FOLLOWED BY FALLING OBJECT WEST OF TRENTON AT ABOUT NINE TWENTY AM TODAY. ABOVE INFORMATION IMMEDIATELY FURNISHED TO OSI, HILL FIELD, UTAH. ANY FURTHER PERTINENT DEVELOPMENTS WILL BE FURNISHED BUREAU FOR INFORMATION. OSI HILL FIELD HAS JUST NOW ADVISED ABOVE PHENOMENA PROBABLY CAUSED BY TWO B TWENTYNINES FROM WENDOVER FIELD WHICH ARE PRACTICE-BOMBING IN THE DESERT WEST OF LOGAN FROM EXTREMELY HIGH ALTITUDES WHICH WOULD CAUSE VAPOR TRAILS. OSI CHECKING FURTHER AND WILL ADVISE THIS OFFICE OF RESULTS. NEWMAN ACK AND HOLD 2-31 PM OK FBI WASH DC GAR [Stamp: RECORDED - 142] [Stamp: EX-133] [Handwritten: 62-83894-163] [Stamp: 19 APR 7 1949] [Stamp: 51 APR 15 1949] [Handwritten: Five - EHM, other notations and initials, partly illegible] [PAGE 127] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of the previous page's teletype text. [Stamp: RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT, Apr 5 2 33 PM '49, F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE] [Stamp: RECEIVED-FLETCHER, APR 5 3 27 PM '49] [Stamp: RECEIVED, APR 6 9 26 AM '49, REC'D ESPIONAGE, U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE, F B I] [Stamp: 51 APR 15 1949] [PAGE 128] [Handwritten: Flying Discs] [Stamp: RESTRICTED] HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ROUTING SLIP TO: 1. OFFICE: AFCSI ATTENTION: Col Martin - Rm 4E1075 DATE: 4 march 49 2. OFFICE: ATTENTION: DATE: 3. OFFICE: ATTENTION: DATE: FOR: FOLLOWING ACTION(S) AS CHECKED COORDINATION / NOTE AND RETURN / INFORMATION / NECESSARY ACTION / RECOMMENDATION / FILE / SEE OR PHONE ME / APPROVAL / SIGNATURE COMMENT: As per your recent request, 50 copies of Air Intelligence Requirements No 4 are forwarded herewith for transmittal to the F.B.I. FROM: [Stamp: RESTRICTED] OFFICE: AFOIR-CO ROOM NO. 5E203 INDIVIDUAL: D W McKinney PHONE 71067 AF HQ Form 12, 10 Nov 47 [Stamp: ENCLOSURE BEHIND FILE] [Handwritten: addtn. copies behind file] [Stamp: EX-109] [Stamp: ENCL] [Handwritten: 1 encl 60] [Handwritten: File in file on "Flying Discs"] [Handwritten: 62-83894-164] [Stamp: RECORDED - 60] [Stamp: EX-109] [Stamp: 3 APR 7 1949] [Stamp: 58 APR 22 1949] [Handwritten: file 5-EHM, initials] [PAGE 129] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of the routing slip. [Stamp: RECEIVED, APR 21 1 14 PM '49, REC'D ESPIONAGE, U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE, F B I] [Stamp: RECEIVED, APR 4 5 05 PM '49, REC'D ESPIONAGE, U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE, F B I] [Stamp: 58 APR 22 1949, faint] [PAGE 130] [Handwritten: 62-83894-165] RECORDED - 34 May 4, 1949 [Handwritten: Declassified 7/31/77] [Struck through: CONFIDENTIAL] - AIR POUCH TO: Legal Attache Mexico City, D.F. FROM: Director, FBI SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS Reference is made to your letter dated April 5, 1949 captioned as above in which you request a copy of the Air Force memorandum mentioned in SAC Letter #38, Series 1949 dated March 25, 1949. In response thereto there is enclosed herewith the pamphlet captioned, "Unconventional Aircraft" issued by the Department of the Air Force under date of February 15, 1949 to which reference was made in the above-mentioned SAC Letter. Enclosure CC - Foreign Service Desk (detached) NLE:mk [Stamp: COMMUNICATIONS SECTION BY SPECIAL MESSENGER] [Stamp: FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE] [Stamp: 63 MAY 11 1949] Mr. Tolson, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Tele. Room, Mr. Nease, Miss Gandy [PAGE 131] OFFICE OF THE LEGAL ATTACHÉ EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA MEXICO CITY Date: April 5, 1949 To: Director, FBI From: John N. Speakes, Legal Attache Subject: FLYING DISCS Reference is made to SAC Letter #38, Series 1949, dated March 25, 1949, advising that a copy of a memorandum from the Department of the Air Force, dated February 15, 1949, and entitled "Unconventional Aircraft," as furnished to the Bureau, was being forwarded to this office in order that all agents assigned to the Mexico City Office might be informed of the type of information desired by the Air Force in this matter. This is to advise that the above-mentioned enclosure was not received by this office and it is respectfully requested that a copy of this memorandum be forwarded to Mexico City. JNS:ml [Handwritten: let [illegible] w/encl 5-4-49] RECORDED - 59 62-83894-165 F B I 12 APR 15 1949 [PAGE 132] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of the reverse side. [Stamp: RECEIVED ATOMIC ENERGY LIAISON SECTION APR 19 9 14 AM '49 F.B.I. U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE] [PAGE 133] STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : DIRECTOR, FBI DATE: 4-22-49 FROM SAC, LITTLE ROCK SUBJECT: UNKNOWN SUBJECTS; WADE H. HARRISON - INFORMANT FLYING DISCS FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS (4-16-49) WADE H. HARRISON, residence address Route 1, Box 293, Fort Smith, Arkansas, is employed as a Special Delivery messenger by the Fort Smith Post Office Department. HARRISON stated that at 5:25 p.m., Saturday, April 16, 1949, while delivering special delivery mail in Fort Smith, he stopped his automobile at a signal light located at the intersection of North Eleventh Street and Grand Avenue. He glanced up at the stop light and observed a brilliant object moving in a southeastern direction. He presumed the object was approximately 2 miles high. He got out of his automobile and pointed up with the suggestion that other automobile drivers, stopped for the signal light, could see the object. He does not know who any of the other people are or what they saw. He was obliged to move on after the light changed and the drivers began honking their horns. He watched the object until it was obscured by the line of trees in that section. He estimated he watched it travel some 3 or 4 miles before he lost sight of it. He stated the weather was clear, visibility was good, and there were no clouds near the object. The object made no noise perceptible to HARRISON. However, he commented that he was stopped at an intersection where the traffic was heavy and there was considerable noise. He first thought possibly he had seen some type of a reflector on an airplane, but could not locate or hear a plane anywhere. HARRISON drove to the 1400 Block of North "C" Street, where he observed an Army officer, wearing the insignia of a major or lieutenant colonel, standing back of the officer's automobile. He stopped and asked the officer if he had observed the flying object. The officer, name unknown to the informant, answered negatively and then remarked, "I am glad other people are also reporting seeing flying objects." The officer then related that the day previous, Friday, April 15, 1949, while the officer was traveling out of Oklahoma City toward Fort Smith, his wife observed a flying object in the sky very similar to that described by HARRISON. The officer stated he saw the object too, but furnished no more information. DOS:crc 98-0 Enc. AMSD EX-118 RECORDED - 119 INDEXED - 119 62-83894-166 19 APR 26 1949 COPIES DESTROYED 61 MAY 3 1949 270 NOV 18 1964 [PAGE 134] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of the reverse side. [Stamp: RECEIVED F B I INTERNAL SECURITY U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE MAY 2 11 41 AM '49] [PAGE 135] LET TO DIRECTOR 4-22-49 FLYING DISCS HARRISON described the object as appearing some 3 or 4 inches in diameter from the distance he saw it. It was very bright and reflected a light in a manner similar to a mirror. He reported the incident to the local press at Fort Smith and inquired if anyone had made a similar report. He received a negative reply. In this connection, please find attached an article from the front page of the Southwest-Times Record newspaper published at Fort Smith, Arkansas, Sunday, April 17, 1949. The interview with HARRISON developed he is 52 years of age. He has had considerable college training and attended the seminary at Westminister, Maryland 2½ years. He stated that his eyesight is very good for a man of his age and that he has worn reading glasses only for the past few years. He was positive he had observed the object as related above. He was unable of course to state just what the object was or furnish any additional information concerning it. No information was available at Fort Smith indicating the object had fallen in that section or that it was observed by others. The Little Rock Office is making no further inquiries concerning the subject matter. The offices of OSI and MID have been notified of the information set out above. - 2 - [PAGE 136] SOUTHWEST - TIMES RECORD Ft. Smith, Arkansas April 17, 1949 [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: newspaper clipping, Southwest-Times Record, Fort Smith, 17 April 1949 — short local item reporting that a post office employee, Wade Harrison, said he saw a small mirror-like object moving southeast; no other sightings were reported that day.] ENCLOSURE 62-83894-166 [PAGE 137] DO-6 OFFICE OF DIRECTOR FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE April 20, 1949 The attached was sent to the Director by Walter Winchell. Attachment mt Mr. Tolson, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Jones, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Tele. Room, Mr. Nease, Miss Holmes, Miss Gandy [Handwritten: HBF, Mitchen(?), Moddburg; Five Eh(?)] [PAGE 138] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of the reverse side. [Stamps: RECEIVED - DIRECTOR, F B I, U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE, APR 20 3 08 PM '49; RECEIVED - FLETCHER; RECEIVED - TOLSON, APR 20 3 50 PM '49] [PAGE 139] RECORDED - 128 62-83894-167 [Struck through: CONFIDENTIAL] BY SPECIAL MESSENGER [Handwritten: Declassified 8/31/77] Date: May 2, 1949 To: Director of Special Investigations (I.G.) Department of the Air Force The Pentagon Washington 25, D. C. From: John Edgar Hoover, Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation Re: FLYING DISCS A reliable and confidential source has recently advised this Bureau that during the first part of April, 1949, Mr. C. A. Atkins, 4312 Los Feliz, Hollywood 27, California, had informed him that three employees of the Department of Recreation in Parks in the city of Los Angeles, California, had noticed objects in the sky which appeared to be flying discs. The above information is being furnished to you for whatever action you desire and no investigation is being conducted relative thereto by this Bureau. EHM:mdd [Stamp: COMMUNICATIONS SECTION BY SPECIAL MESSENGER MAY 3 - 1949 FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE] [Stamp: RECEIVED - DIRECTOR F B I U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE MAY 2 2 25 PM '49] Mr. Tolson, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Tele. Room, Mr. Nease, Miss Gandy [PAGE 140] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of the reverse side. [Stamps: RECEIVED - M.L. ROOM F B I U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE MAY 2 6 46 PM '49; COMMUNICATIONS SECTION BY SPECIAL MESSENGER MAY 3 - 1949] [PAGE 141] CITY OF LOS ANGELES CALIFORNIA COMMISSIONERS MAURIE LUXFORD PRESIDENT MRS. ROLLIN BROWN VICE-PRESIDENT MRS. WILLIAM J. WILSON C. TONY PEREIRA ROBERT L. BURNS J. J. HASSETT SECRETARY FLETCHER BOWRON, MAYOR DEPARTMENT OF RECREATION AND PARKS 305 CITY HALL LOS ANGELES 12 MICHIGAN 5211 GEO. HJELTE GENERAL MANAGER GILBERT L. SKUTT SUPERINTENDENT OF PARKS Hollywood, Calif. April 10, 1949. Mr. Walter Winchell New York City, N.Y. My Dear Winchell. [Handwritten: To Hoover] With reference to flying Disc's or other flying objects, thought you would be interested in the following. It in a measure substantiates your statements. Friday of last week, three of our department employees were working in Griffith Park (the nations largest park) when one of them, De Jarnett by name noticed an object sailing through the sky and took a good look to try and distinguish it from planes that frequently fly over. About the same time two of his men working about a half mile away saw the object. They checked with each other and arrived at the same conclusion. It was a Disc and they ran to a telephone to report the incident. In the meantime DeJarnett started to the location where his men were working to check and see if they had seen the object. They had both seen it which proves beyond a question of a doubt that something of the Disc type was in the air and when the third man stated he also saw it, I am satisfied you are very much right in your statements and I am inclined to call a person a liar that says (there are no dis'c). One of your fans, C. A. Atkins. 4312 Los Feliz Hollywood 27 Cal. RECORDED - 1 INDEXED 62-83894-167 F B I MAY 8 1949 [Handwritten: let Air Force 5-3-49] [PAGE 142] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of the reverse side (City of Los Angeles letterhead). [Stamps: RECEIVED APR 21 9 36 AM '49 F B I RECD ESPIONAGE; RECEIVED-INDEXED F B I U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE MAY 19 5 24 PM '49] [PAGE 143] SAC - San Antonio April 26, 1949 Director - FBI FLYING DISKS INTERNAL SECURITY - R RECORDED - 105 62-83894-169 EX-117 Reference is made to your letter dated April 4, 1949, captioned "Protection of Vital Installations." You are instructed in the future to report information relating to flying disks under the above caption. In regard to your request for information that would substantiate or discredit the statements made by Walter Winchell on his broadcast of April 3, 1949, your attention is directed to SAC Letter No. 38 dated March 25, 1949, captioned "Flying Disks." For your strictly confidential information, the data contained in SAC Letter No. 38 was obtained in confidence from a colonel in the United States Air Materiel Command, who obtained his information from persons actively engaged in the investigation of this subject. No interview with Walter Winchell will be made by the Bureau concerning the source of his statements referred to in your referenced letter. EHM:mpd [Stamp: G.I.R.-7] [Stamp: RECEIVED READING ROOM F B I U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE APR 27 5 49 PM '49] [Stamp: RECEIVED - DIRECTOR F B I U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE APR 27 6 26 PM '49] [Stamp: COMMUNICATIONS SECTION MAILED 9 APR 27 1949 P.M. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE] [Stamp: MAY 17 1949] Mr. Tolson, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Tele. Room, Mr. Nease, Miss Gandy [PAGE 144] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of the reverse side. [Stamps: RECEIVED-TOLSON APR 27 2 35 PM '49; RECEIVED - M.L. ROOM F B I U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE APR 27 7 18 PM '49; COMMUNICATIONS SECTION MAILED 9 APR 27 1949 P.M.] [PAGE 145] STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : Director, FBI DATE: April 4, 1949 FROM : SAC, San Antonio AIR MAIL SPECIAL DELIVERY SUBJECT: PROTECTION OF VITAL INSTALLATIONS (Bureau file 65-48300) [Handwritten: Flying Disks] [Stamp: ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS UNCLASSIFIED] Reference is made to San Antonio letter to the Bureau dated March 22, 1949 which submitted information related by military authorities concerning unconventional aircraft. The Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-2, 4th Army, has advised that at 11:50 P.M. March 31, 1949 a lighted object about the size of a basketball, reddish white in color, followed by a fire trail, was observed southwest of Killeen Base, adjacent to Camp Hood, Texas. The observation was made by 1st Lt. FREDERICK W. DAVIS, who was in charge of a platoon, Company C, 12th Armored Infantry Battalion, which is assigned as a part of an alert force (called force Abel) from Camp Hood, whose function is to protect the installation at Killeen Base. Lt. DAVIS advised that the object was at an altitude estimated at 6,000 ft., was traveling parallel to the ground and passed directly over him at a rapid rate of speed. It was in view 10 to 15 seconds and suddenly disappeared high in the sky without having descended. No sound or odor was detected. The night was clear and visibility good. The object passed almost directly over the air strip at Killeen Base. When Lt. DAVIS attempted to advise his headquarters by telephone immediately after the sighting, he heard static or electrical interference on the telephone line which he stated might be possible radio interference.. G-2 has advised that other lights of unknown origin were observed on March 6, 7, 8 and 17, 1949, by military personnel of the alert force stationed approximately 1000 yards east of the fences which surround Killeen Base. The object sighted on March 31, 1949 was reported as being of a different nature from the lights seen earlier in the month. It is noted that Mr. WALTER WINCHELL, on his Sunday evening broadcast, April 3, 1949, stated that "flying discs" seen in this country definitely emanated from Russia. On April 4, 1949, G-2, 4th Army, contacted this office, inquiring as to whether we had any information that would substantiate or discredit the statements made by WALTER WINCHELL. 2 cc - El Paso (100-4562) JEJ:ED 100-7545 [Handwritten: UNRECORDED COPY FILED IN 65-58300-] RECORDED - 105 INDEXED - 105 EX-117 62-83894-168 F B I 6 MAY 5 1949 5 - EHM RECEIVED [PAGE 146] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of the reverse side. [Stamps: RECEIVED ATOMIC ENERGY LIAISON SECTION APR 5 2 17 PM '49 F.B.I. U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE; RECD ESPIONAGE F B I U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE APR 5 4 03 PM '49] [PAGE 147] Letter to Director April 4, 1949 SA-100-7545 In view of the interest and concern of 4th Army military authorities who have the duty of protecting the vital installations at Los Alamos, N. M., Sandia Base, N. M. in the El Paso Division, and the Camp Hood area in the San Antonio Division, it is suggested that the Bureau may desire to arrange to have Mr. WINCHELL interviewed concerning the source of his information that "flying discs" emanate from Russia. It would be appreciated if the Bureau can supply any information that can be transmitted to military authorities which would clarify this matter. - 2 - [PAGE 148] RECORDED - 104 INDEXED - 104 62-83894-169 May 3, 1949 Mr. Carey L. Davis 141 Claire Drive, Southeast Atlanta, Georgia EX-43 Dear Mr. Davis: Your letter of April 27, 1949, has been received, and I want to thank you for sending me the newspaper clipping which you enclosed together with your observations concerning the designs you submitted to the federal government in 1942. Although I would like to be of service, checks of the type you desire are not within the scope of this Bureau's activities. It was very thoughtful of you to contact me in that regard. Sincerely yours, John Edgar Hoover Director WN:rlc [Stamp: COMMUNICATIONS SECTION MAILED 7 MAY 4 1949 P.M. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE] [Stamp: RECEIVED READING ROOM F B I U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE MAY 3] [Stamp: MAY 20 1949] Mr. Tolson, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Tele. Room, Mr. Nease, Miss Gandy [PAGE 149] [Diagram: letterhead illustration of a hotel building] HOTEL LAWRENCE Walnut Ridge, Ark. AIR COOLED 75 ROOMS MODERN OUR FOOD IS UNEXCELLED [Handwritten] April 27th, 1949. Flying Saucers Hon. J. Edgar Hoover: Washington, D.C. Having read the inclosed clipping you will find with this letter prompts me to send it to you and ask you to check The National Inventors Council files on the 2 types of engines & the flying saucer Design that I submitted to Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt in 1942, while Henry Wallace was Secretary of Commerce, who was in charge of The National Inventors Council. I mean just this. See how easy it would have been for Wallace to have conveyed these designs to Russia and with held them from our own Engineering Dept. You can make the biggest find here of your life, if you look. I will appreciate a reply. Carey L. Davis 141 Claire Dr. S.E. Atlanta, Ga. RECORDED - 104 62-83894-169 F B I 6 MAY 10 1949 EX-43 [Handwritten: ans 5-3-49] [PAGE 150] [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: newspaper clipping, United Press dispatch dated Dayton, Ohio, April 27 (1949), headed with a "flying saucers" headline — summary: reports a Dayton paper's account of Air Force findings, the 1948 pilot crash, and tallies of explained and unexplained reports.] 62-83894-169 ENCLOSURE [PAGE 151] May 10, 1949 RECORDED - 135 INDEXED - 135 62-83894-170 [Handwritten: Declassified 8/31/77] [Struck through: CONFIDENTIAL] BY SPECIAL MESSENGER To: Director of Special Investigations, (I. G.) Department of the Air Force The Pentagon Washington 25, D. C. From: John Edgar Hoover - Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation Subject: INFORMATION CONCERNING FLYING SAUCERS MRS. FRANK GARDNER - INFORMANT Enclosed is a photostatic copy of a letter dated April 29, 1949, received by this Bureau from Mrs. Frank Gardner concerning flying saucers. The correspondent has been advised that a copy of her letter has been forwarded to the United States Air Force. This letter is being forwarded to you for any action you may deem advisable. Enclosure FRW:jmf [Stamp: COMMUNICATIONS SECTION BY SPECIAL MESSENGER MAY 11 1949 FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE] [Stamp: 60 MAY 27 1949] Mr. Tolson, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Tele. Room, Mr. Nease, Miss Gandy [PAGE 152] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of the reverse side. [Stamps: RECEIVED-M.L. ROOM F B I U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE MAY 10 5 18 PM '49; RECEIVED MAY 27 1 20 PM '49; COMMUNICATIONS SECTION BY SPECIAL MESSENGER MAY 11 1949] [PAGE 153] 2310 W. Harvey El Monte Calif. 4-29-49 Edgar J. Hoover F.B.I. Flying Saucers Dear Sir:- Take this for what you think its worth, But I keep thinking I may be able to throw a light on the so called Flying Saucers, I do not know how true this is, but as our own army says it has nothing to do concerning these Saucers appearing in the Skies, I aim to tell you what a certain woman told me of a supposed secret aircraft hide out and factory that is in or under mountains near Mexico city Mexico.. This young woman is married to a Mexican radio musician Here, Who seems to be one of a special few who were allowed to visit this place in the mountains. She said that these aircraft was made of some metalic material that could not be recognized in the air only as an almost invisible form. That the passengers or pilot rather, could see out, but lookers on could not see inside. That close up- they (the craft) looks a sort of glass. And that they were preparing them for special reason against the U.S. [Handwritten margin: For Security Section] RECORDED - 135 62-83894-170 F B I 12 MAY 13 1949 [Handwritten: and USAF 5/19/49 FRW] [PAGE 154] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] [Stamps: RECEIVED F B I INTERNAL SECURITY U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE MAY 4 2 04 PM '49; MR. JONES RECEIVED F B I U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE MAY 3 9 43 AM '49] [PAGE 155] that there were thousands of them. They were supposed to be the rocket type. Now Mr. Hoover this was told me in 1944 or 43. at the time I wrote it all down and never thought any more of it until Lately. and Maybe I am foolish, but I thought maybe this had something to do with the flying Saucers, if true. I am a true american and love my country and if I can do any service for my country I am glad of it. The flying Saucer could be more dangerous than we think. Respectfully yours. Mrs. Frank Gardner P.S. I lived with in a few miles of Mexican border when this was told me. In Texas. [PAGE 156] FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Room 5744 5/26 1949 TO: Director, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Fletcher, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Carlson, Mr. Nease, Miss Gandy, Personnel Files Section, Records Section, Mrs. Skillman See Me For Appropriate Action Send File Note and Return Clyde Tolson [PAGE 157] STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : Director, FBI DATE: May 13, 1949 FROM : SAC, Los Angeles SUBJECT: "FLYING DISK" REPORT INFORMATION CONCERNING On May 5, 1949 Mr. MEL HODELL, a reporter for the Sun-Star newspaper, Merced, California, advised Special Agent MARLIN W. JOHNSON, that his paper had been contacted by Lt. Col. STANLEY JACOBS, Intelligence Officer, Castle Air Force Base, Merced, California, relative to any reports that the newspaper might have received concerning "flying disks" in the Merced vicinity. Mr. HODELL stated a close friend of his, one WILLIAM H. PARROTT, 12-A Langdon Villa, Merced, had advised him that he had observed a strange object, and as he is in the Air Corps Reserve, he reported same to the Intelligence Officer at Castle Field. On the same date Mr. GEORGE BREMER, Detachment Commander, Office of Special Investigations, Castle Air Force Base, Merced, California, advised SA MARLIN W. JOHNSON that he had heard that an individual had reported seeing a "flying disk" to the Intelligence Office at the Base but that the Intelligence Officer had not furnished the information to him. Mr. BREMER later on the same date contacted SA JOHNSON and exhibited a letter written by STANLEY F. JACOBS, Lt. Col., USAF, Adjutant (Intelligence Officer) to Commanding General, Air Material Command, Wright-Patterson AFB, Wright Field, Ohio. This letter contained a statement given by Mr. WILLIAM H. PARROTT which read as follows: "I had occasion to step from my home, located approximately one mile west of the town of Merced, on the night of April 4, 1949, at approximately 2220. My attention was diverted to a clicking noise of considerable intensity. I stopped on the sidewalk about 20 feet from the front steps and recognized the source of this clicking to be in the sky in an area about 40 degrees from the surface of the earth in an easterly direction. The sky condition was 20000 thin broken with 12 miles visibility and surface winds were reported as north nine M.P.H. at Castle Air Force weather station. My home is approximately seven miles south of Castle Air Force Base and in an area somewhat sheltered from surface winds, and no appreciable surface wind was apparent at the time the aural observation was made. After about ten seconds of looking into the area described previously as being the source of this sound, an object was observed blanking out stars in describing a flight path in a west or northwesterly direction. Only one object was apparent, its shape can be described as only a solid mass. Its size can be estimated as four or five feet in diameter in keeping with an estimated altitude of considerably less than 1000 (one thousand) feet. Color was shown by the reflection of ground lights on only two occasions, and appeared to be 100-2442 MWJ:JAW RECORDED - 110 INDEXED - 110 62-83894-171 F B I 13 MAY 17 1949 EX-76 EX-39 [Stamp: 63 MAY 25 1949] [Stamp: COPIES DESTROYED 270 NOV 18 1964] [PAGE 158] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of the reverse side. [Stamps: RECEIVED F B I INTERNAL SECURITY U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE MAY 20 3 07 PM '49; RECEIVED RECD ESPIONAGE U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE MAY 20 5 08 PM '49] [PAGE 159] LA 100-2442 [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: page 2 of the Los Angeles office letter quoting the sighting statement of Mr. Parrott (widely published) — a slow object with a curved, light-colored metal underside turned about ninety degrees in some 35 seconds, with a steady clicking sound like poorly meshed mixer beaters, no lights, flame or exhaust trail; his dog followed it.] It is to be noted that Mr. PARROTT is a member of the Active USAF Reserve with rank of Major. He attained rating of pilot in August 1941 and has approximately 2200 hours flying time. During his active duty period in WW2 he stated that he had considerable night flying experience in connection with his military assignment. The Intelligence Officer in the above mentioned letter made the following statement, "An attempt to locate other witnesses in the area or through the local newspaper proved unsuccessful". Mr. BREMER advised that he is planning to clear with his headquarters office and will probably conduct an investigation. The above is being furnished for the information of the Bureau. -2- [PAGE 160] STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : MR. FLETCHER DATE: May 26, 1949 FROM : V. P. KEAY SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS [Routing list: Mr. Tolson, Mr. E. A. Tamm, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Tele. Room, Mr. Nease, Miss Holmes, Miss Gandy] BACKGROUND: Walter Winchell forwarded to the Director a Western Union telegram he had received from Robert Ripley which stated that he, Ripley, had the only authentic Japanese flying saucer ever recovered in this country. Mr. Winchell noted on the telegram, "To J. Edgar Hoover - True?" DETAILS: This matter was discussed by Special Agent Reynolds with the Intelligence Division of the Army, who advised that they had no information concerning any Japanese flying saucer ever having been recovered in the United States. This matter was discussed with Colonel William E. Carpenter, OSI-USAF, who advised on April 27, 1949 that he had interested himself in the flying saucers and related subjects and that in so far as could be determined by him through his sources in the Air Force, which are excellent, there is no authentic information available concerning the phenomenon of the flying saucers. He advised he would check with the authorities at Wright Field to determine if any information is available concerning the recovery of a Japanese flying saucer. Colonel Carpenter has now advised that there is no information available in any arm of the Air Force to the effect that any flying saucers of any kind have been recovered in the United States. Colonel Carpenter stated delay had been encountered in determining this fact inasmuch as inquiries had been directed through individuals known to him and trusted by him and not through the usual channels from which he possibly would receive a stock answer. The details of this case were not discussed by either Special Agents Reynolds or Sanders with the Army or Air Force and they are not aware of the telegram sent by Mr. Ripley to Mr. Winchell. RECOMMENDATION: The foregoing is for your information and any disposition being desirable. ESS:mk [Stamps: RECORDED - 91; INDEXED - 91; RECEIVED stamps; 57 JUN 6 1949] [Handwritten: 62-83894-172; 158; initials and notations] [PAGE 161] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of the reverse side (the May 26, 1949 Office Memorandum). [Stamps: RECEIVED-TOLSON MAY 26; RECEIVED-FLETCHER MAY 26; RECEIVED - DIRECTOR F B I U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE MAY 26; several times of day] [PAGE 162] WESTERN UNION A. N. WILLIAMS PRESIDENT CLASS OF SERVICE: This is a full-rate Telegram or Cablegram unless its deferred character is indicated by a suitable symbol above or preceding the address. SYMBOLS: DL=Day Letter; NL=Night Letter; LC=Deferred Cable; NLT=Cable Night Letter; Ship=Radiogram 1949 APR 13 The filing time shown in the date line on telegrams and day letters is STANDARD TIME at point of origin. Time of receipt is STANDARD TIME at point of destination A.CDU1016 LONG NL PD=NEWYORK NY 13= WALTER WINCHELL=ROYEY PLAZA HOTEL MIAMI BEACH FLO= =HAVE THE ONLY AUTHENTIC JAPANESE FLYING SAUCER EVER RECOVERED IN THIS COUNTRY. BECAUSE OF YOUR INTEREST IN THE PRESENT DAY FLYING DISCS OF THE RUSSIANS WOULD LIKE VERY MUCH TO HAVE YOU JOIN ME ON THE BELIEVE IT OR NOT TELEVISION SHOW NEXT TUESDAY APRIL 19TH NBC NETWORK 930 TO 10PM AND GIVE YOUR COMMENTS ON FLYING DISC AND YOUR EXCLUSIVE KNOWLEDGE OF THIS LATEST RUSSIAN MENACE. REGARDS BELIEVE IT OR NOT =RIPLEY= 19 NBC 930 10PM=. [Handwritten: 080 1/2; J. Edgar Hoover True?; 62-83894-173; 158] [Stamps: RECORDED - 91; F B I 4 MAY 27 1949; U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F.B.I.; ATOMIC ENERGY DIVISION SECTION RECEIVED] [Adhesive tape across lower right] [PAGE 163] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of the reverse side (telegram). [Stamps: RECEIVED - FLETCHER MAY 26 7 41 PM '49; RECEIVED ATOMIC ENERGY LIAISON SECTION APR 26 2 05 PM '49 F.B.I. U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE] [PAGE 164] May 10, 1949 Mrs. Frank Gardner 2310 W. Garvey El Monte, California Dear Mrs. Gardner: I wish to acknowledge your letter dated April 29, 1949, and to express my appreciation for your thoughtfulness in writing to me. In view of the contents of your letter, I have taken the liberty of sending a copy to the United States Air Force. In the future, if you have information which may be of interest to this Bureau, you may find it more convenient to communicate with Mr. R. B. Hood, Special Agent in Charge of our Los Angeles Office, 900 Security Building, Los Angeles 13, California. Sincerely yours, John Edgar Hoover Director cc Los Angeles with copies of incoming. The correspondent communicated with the Bureau on one previous occasion enclosing a clipping from a Spanish language newspaper in Texas. She was apparently dissatisfied with the manner in which the Latin Americans were being treated in Texas. A cordial letter of acknowledgement was sent to her. (100-33339) FRW:jmf [Routing list: Mr. Tolson, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Tele. Room, Mr. Nease, Miss Gandy] [Handwritten: Flying Disks; 62-83894-174; EX-127; 98; initials] [Stamps: RECORDED - 101; INDEXED - 101; F B I MAY 12 1949; COMMUNICATIONS SECTION MAILED 1 MAY 10 1949 P.M. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE; 63 JUN 8 1949] [PAGE 165] DO-6 OFFICE OF DIRECTOR FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE April 25, 1949 [Routing list: Mr. Tolson, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Jones, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Tele. Room, Mr. Nease, Miss Holmes, Miss Gandy] The attached was forwarded to the Director by Walter Winchell. The notation thereon reads: "To J. Edgar Hoover. True?" Attachment mt [Struck through: DEFERRED RECORDING] [Stamps: RECEIVED - FLETCHER; RECEIVED - DIRECTOR F B I; 60 JUN 10 1949] [Handwritten check marks and initials] [PAGE 166] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of the reverse side. [Stamps: RECEIVED-DIRECTOR F B I U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE APR 25 11 23 AM '49; RECEIVED-LADD APR 25 5 00 PM '49; RECEIVED-FLETCHER APR 26 10 18 AM '49 and MAY 26 7 41 PM '49; RECEIVED-TOLSON APR 25 4 41; RECEIVED-NICHOLS JUN 2 10 29 AM '49] [PAGE 167] STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : Mr. H. B. Fletcher DATE: May 23, 1949 FROM : F. J. Baumgardner SUBJECT: KAYE LOCHRIE MISCELLANEOUS [Routing list: Mr. Tolson, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Tele. Room, Mr. Nease, Miss Holmes, Miss Gandy] On the afternoon of May 20, 1949, Miss Kaye Lochrie, 4900 N. Harding Avenue, Chicago 25, Illinois, was referred to my office from the Director's Office. Miss Lochrie stated she was going to be in Washington for a few days and that she was staying at the Ambassador Hotel. She stated that Roy Palmer, Managing Editor of the Jeff Davis Publishing Company in Chicago, had some information regarding flying discs. [Text present — not reproduced: description of a spiritual or supernatural theory about the flying discs attributed to Palmer] Miss Lochrie stated that the real purpose of her visit to the Bureau was to get her own name cleared. She said that the FBI has been conducting investigation regarding her and that she wanted to know the results of the investigation. I asked her what kind of an investigation the FBI had been making regarding her and she stated she was under suspicion of espionage activities. I informed her that I could not furnish her with any information which is contained in the Bureau's files inasmuch as our files have been designated as confidential by the Attorney General. Miss Lochrie accepted this explanation and stated regarding her present activities that she had been in the Wacs as a private and had received an honorable discharge in 1945. She said at the present time she is working as a model in Chicago. [Text present — not reproduced: agent's remark about the visitor's mental state] A check of the files failed to reveal that we have conducted any investigation relative to this individual. FJB:TD [Handwritten: 62-83894-175; initials] [Stamps: RECORDED - 62; INDEXED - 62; F B I 32 JUN 2 1949; 52 JUN 7 1949] [PAGE 168] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of the reverse side (May 23, 1949 memorandum). [Stamps: RECEIVED-FLETCHER MAY 23 4 42 PM '49 and MAY 25 11 03 AM '49; RECEIVED-DIRECTOR F B I U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE MAY 24 2 49 PM '49 and MAY 24 11 13 AM '49; RECEIVED-LADD MAY 24 11 56 AM '49; RECEIVED INTERNAL SECURITY F B I JUN 6 10 32 AM '49; INDEXED - 62; MAY 24 9 50 AM '49] [PAGE 169] STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : Director, FBI DATE: June 2, 1949 FROM : SAC, New Orleans SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS Re SAC Letter 38, dated March 25, 1949 entitled as above. The Bureau is advised that through the Office of Naval Intelligence, New Orleans, Louisiana, this office has been advised that within the past ten days three sightings of flying discs have been reported in the City of New Orleans. The information seems to be that the single discs were in straight flight and traveling in a general direction of North, in late afternoon, about the size of an observation plane, but the shape of a saucer. The Navy stated that two witnesses have advised that the object was traveling end over end; that weather conditions were good; that sightings were made outdoors by persons who did not wear glasses; that the dates were May 18, 19 and 23, 1949. The Navy states that it was possible these objects were weather balloons, but that these are used from only one airport, released over an hour before the times of sighting and would generally be out of sight in a few minutes. The above is being furnished the Bureau for future reference since the Navy has informed that all three instances were investigated by the Army Intelligence. PW/mmd [Handwritten: 62-83894-176; EX-138; initials] [Stamps: RECORDED - 6; F B I JUN 6 1949; FIVE; ATOMIC ENERGY SECTION RECEIVED; 58 JUN 9 1949] [PAGE 170] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of the reverse side (June 2, 1949 memorandum). [Stamp: RECEIVED ATOMIC ENERGY LIAISON SECTION JUN 8 4 50 PM '49 F.B.I. U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE] [PAGE 171] DO-6 OFFICE OF DIRECTOR FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE May 23, 1949 [Routing list: Mr. Tolson, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Jones, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Tele. Room, Mr. Nease, Miss Holmes, Miss Gandy] The attached was sent to the Director by Walter Winchell. The handwritten notation thereon reads: "To Hoover! Ha!" Attachment mt [Handwritten: For Info - No Action necessary] [Stamps: ENCL.; F B I 17 JUN 1 1949 (crossed out); RECEIVED-DIRECTOR F B I MAY 23 12 53 PM '49] [PAGE 172] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] Mirrored show-through of the reverse side. [Stamps: RECEIVED-DIRECTOR F B I U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE MAY 23 12 53 PM '49 and MAY 25 10 5 AM '49; RECEIVED-TOLSON MAY 26 9 06 AM '49; RECEIVED F B I MAY 25 12 35 PM '49; MR. JONES] [PAGE 173] San Luis Obispo, California May 15, 1949 Walter Winchell New York, New York Dear Sir: Under attached cover you will find a sample of our item. Should you do no more than take our FLYIN' SAUCER out, carefully read the instructions, and fly it; I will have accomplished a portion of my expectations. For the past few weeks I have listened with more than an indifferent attitude, to your various Sunday evening broadcasts and comments concerning Flying Saucers. From the start, much as many another individual who has tried to get ahead by his own initiative, I have visialized what the right type of publicity would do for my interests. To state my actions in any other manner, would belittle your intelligence, and the weeks of forethought and sincerity in which this is submitted. Your comment this evening, concerning the Gyroscopic Theories, sparkplugged my actions. Along with the phases of merchandising mentioned in the attached articles, I should like to mention that one troop of Boy Scouts in Los Angeles are purchasing and enthusiastically include them as a major portion of their recreation program. By these facts, it is apparent that our FLYIN' SAUCER is worthy of every effort we are able to summons in making it another American pastime of Yo-Yo proportions. Trusting that we are justified of your consideration from a newsworthy standpoint, I remain Very Sincerely Yours, Warren R. Franscioni 1767 Conejo Drive San Luis Obispo, California [Handwritten: "To Hoover! Ha!"; "3 ENCL"; stamps: ENCLOSURE ATTACHED, RECORDED - 58, INDEXED - 58, 62-83894-177, 17 JUN 1 1949, 60 JUN 15 1949] [PAGE 174] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] [Diagram: back of a manila envelope with a taped-on stamped slip reading "ENCLOSURE" and "COPIES DESTROYED 270 NOV 18 1964" (upside down)] [PAGE 175] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] [Handwritten on blank manila envelope: 62-83894-177] [PAGE 176] [Diagram: promotional flyer with an illustration of a young man holding a red disc] The Amazing FLYIN-SAUCER GREAT FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY! FLYIN-SAUCER performs in an amazing way as you develop your skill in flying it. A novel way to play catch. You will think of many games to play. Adaptable to almost any game. HOW TO FLY Launch your FLYIN-SAUCER straight ahead with a snap of your wrist making it spin as fast as possible. DON'T THROW TOO HARD. . . . It's the spinning that gives it lift. Begin by flying about 10 feet. When windy, throw across the wind. You will quickly learn how to bank to the left or right. FLYIN-SAUCER (A Gyroscopic Airfoil) PRECISELY ENGINEERED · AERODYNAMICALLY CORRECT MADE TOUGH TO RESIST ROUGH HANDLING [Handwritten: 62-83894-177] [PAGE 177] FLIGHT INSTRUCTIONS FLYIN' SAUCERS have flight characteristics very similar to airplanes. The SAUCER IS launched in identically the same manner as sailing your hat onto a hook--by spinning and forward motion. In order to fly in a straight line, the SAUCER must leave the hand in a level position. To curve the SAUCER, it must leave the hand banked or tilted in direction of desired curve--for example: for left curve--the left side of the SAUCER must be tilted down. FOR BEST RESULTS -- The spinning of the SAUCER is most important and most difficult to master. Because the spin creates a gyroscopic action which controls the attitude of the SAUCER in flight, a smooth, fast spinning delivery should be developed. Do not hold the SAUCER too tight. Analyze your mistakes and make corrections by tilting or banking SAUCER. The correction must be applied to the SAUCER as it leaves the hand. SAIL 'EM BACK AND FORTH - PLAY CATCH ! [Diagram: two cartoon figures throwing a saucer between them] Begin by flying your saucer about 10 feet. The distance you are able to fly it will quickly increase with practice. MAKE 'EM TURN ! [Diagram: cartoon figure releasing a saucer in a curve] By releasing the SAUCER in a tilted manner, you can make it turn to the left or right. Bank it the way you want it to turn. It is advisable to learn to fly straight before starting to make turns. MAKE 'EM COME BACK ! [Diagram: cartoon figure throwing a saucer into the wind (label: WIND)] After learning to fly straight and make turns, you'll be able to make your SAUCER return to you by sailing it into the breeze at a sharp angle. The harder a wind blows, the flatter an angle you can fly it to make it return. Spin SAUCER as much as possible. MAKE 'EM SKIP ! [Diagram: cartoon figures with a saucer skipping off a surface (label: HARD SURFACE)] Right-handers launch SAUCER so that left side strikes hard surface. Right side for left-handers. THE GAME OF HECKLE THE GAME OF HECKLE provides a means of utilizing the unique manner in which the FLYIN' SAUCER can be guided. Rules and regulations are provided, forming the basis for skill and competition PLAYERS -- Four -- with two on each team. OBJECT -- To fly SAUCER around HECKLERS into your partner's circle. [Diagram: four circles A, B, C, D in a line; A to B 18 ft., B to C 30 ft., C to D 18 ft.] ALL CIRCLES ARE 6 FEET IN DIAMETER .. CENTER SPACE MAY VARY WITH ABILITY. All players must remain in their circle until SAUCER is airborne. The game begins with the Flier (A) attempting to sail the SAUCER around the HECKLERS in the circles (B) and (C) so that his partner in the Receiver's circle (D) can catch it. Flier (A) must remain in his circle when serving the SAUCER. HECKLER (B) must remain in his circle at all times while his team is defensive. He may attempt to stop the flight of the SAUCER, or distract the Flier in any manner. Should he step or fall out of his circle, his team forfeits 1 point and the offensive team retains serve. HECKLER (C) remains in his circle until SAUCER is airborne. He may then leave his circle to heckle the Receiver (D) in any manner so long as he doesn't interfere with flight of SAUCER or touch the Receiver, or step into the Receiver's circle. Hecklers forfeit 2 points for each infraction. Receiver (D) attempts to catch the SAUCER in his circle. Should he do so, then his team receives 2 points. Should it be necessary for the Receiver to leave his circle to catch the SAUCER, then his team scores but 1 point. Should he drop or miss the SAUCER, no points are scored, and the teams change positions. (A) changes with (B) and (C) changes with (D). (C) is now the Flier, and (B) the Receiver. HECKLER (D) must remain in his circle, and the HECKLER (A) becomes the roving HECKLER. Teams change positions when the Receiver fails to catch the SAUCER. In the event that no Referee is available, disputes will be settled by mutual agreement, or the flip of a coin. First team to score 25 points wins the game. KEEP 'EM FLYIN' This is a PIPCO PRODUCT San Luis Obispo, Calif. [PAGE 178] Flying Saucers Come from Southern California [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: reprinted magazine article, "Reprinted from PACIFIC PLASTICS, August 1948" — describes the origin of the plastic Flyin' Saucer toy, its development by Fred Morrison with Southern California Plastic Co. of Glendale, its materials, and its promotion] [Photo: young man throwing a disc on a lawn, with caption describing the toy disc] [PAGE 179] [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: newspaper clipping with photograph of two airline pilots, Atlanta Journal, by William Key — reports two Eastern Air Lines pilots describing a wingless, brightly windowed craft seen near Montgomery, Alabama, and reactions of the Air Force and manufacturers] ATLANTA JOURNAL SUNDAY, 7/25/48 [PAGE 180] [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: continuation of newspaper clipping from the Atlanta Journal — a passenger says he saw only a streak of light; General Kenney and Boeing's president say it was not their aircraft; the Army and Weather Bureau suggest a weather balloon] ATLANTA JOURNAL SUNDAY, 7/25/48 [PAGE 181] [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: newspaper clipping, Atlanta Journal, by Charles Pou — Atlanta residents report seeing a fiery flying object over the city on the Monday night, compared by one witness to a flying lamp; also mentions two Virginia schoolteachers and a newspaper editor in Augusta] ATLANTA JOURNAL, 7/27/48 [PAGE 182] 62-83894-145 [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: newspaper clipping, Atlanta Journal, by Charles Pou — roundup of public sightings of strange lights and objects after the Montgomery pilots' report, with various proposed explanations; includes a short item about a "silver cylinder" over Asbury Park, New Jersey, July 26] ATLANTA JOURNAL, 7/26/48 [PAGE 183] 62-83894-145 COPY COPY COPY 1515 - 9th St. Wichita Falls, Texas Aug. 5, 1948 Publisher, Atlanta Journal, Atlanta, Georgia. Dear Sir: On July 25, 1948, I mailed a letter enclosing .35 cents in coin and an airmail self-addressed envelop to your circulation department, asking for tear sheets of the Atlanta Journal containing the stories on a "strange" or "mysterious" aircraft seen near Montgomery, Alabama, July 24, 1948, by two pilots, Cap't C. S. Chiles and John B. Whitted, of the Eastern Air Lines. These have not arrived. I asked for two copies each of the stories. Enclosed is an additional .35 cents, and another stamped self-addressed envelop. Will you kindly see that your circulation department complies with this simple request? I assure you that my interest in the above stories is prompted by interest in the defense of our country, and you are hereby given my fullest permission to turn this letter requesting the copies of the stories over to the FBI, should you wish. Thanking you very kindly, I am, Sincerely, /s/ Mrs. Madeline Gwynne Merchant Mrs. Madeline Gwynne Merchant cc/Agent-In-Charge Federal Bureau of Investigation Atlanta, Georgia [PAGE 184] The incident was, I believe, an important one. And though I have already made reports to Maj. Sidney Newburger of Los Alamos and to General Handy, I would appreciate the fuller newspaper stories appearing in the press there. Thanking you kindly, I am, Sincerely, /s/ Mrs. Madeline Gwynne Merchant Mrs. Madeline Gwynne Merchant [PAGE 185] 62-83894-145 COPY COPY COPY 1515 - 9th St. Wichita Falls, Texas Aug. 5, 1948 Agent-In-Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Atlanta, Georgia. Dear Sir: Enclosed is a carbon of a letter requesting tear sheets of the unusual aircraft seen near Montgomery, Alabama, July 24, 1948, stories concerning which were carried by AP and UP, originating in Atlanta. It may have been oversight by someone in the circulation dep't of the Atlanta Journal, or it may have been "alarm" that a woman would be requesting this type of information, even though it was published, and thereby open information. Even though I cannot identify myself to the Atlanta Journal publisher or staff, I can to you. I have worked independently on the problem of aerial missiles, of which I believe this was an example, with all my data going directly to officials and members of the security office of the Atomic Energy Comm., Los Alamos Atomic Project, Los Alamos, N.M., and to high members of the War Department, including Gen. Thomas T. Handy, Fourth U. S. Army Commander, Ft. Sam Houston, Tex., head of this U. S. Army district. [Diagram: unrelated newspaper scrap at foot of page, an advertisement for a cough remedy and a fragment of an editorial] [PAGE 186] [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: newspaper clipping, Times-Union, Daytona Beach, Feb. 14, by Jack Troy — two former Army Air Force fliers from San Luis Obispo, California, market a plastic "flying saucer" disc as a game, with a football coach using it for training and promotion as their main problem] [Handwritten on clipping: 62-83894-] [PAGE 187] STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : DIRECTOR, FBI FROM : SAC, RICHMOND DATE: 5-17-49 SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS SIGHTED AT RADFORD, VIRGINIA MAY 12, 1949 There are enclosed ~~two~~ clippings concerning what has been described as a flying disc sighted at Radford, Virginia on May 12, 1949. The Bureau may desire to refer this to the Department of the Air Force. This office has no information other than that appearing in the news items which appear to cover the best information available. The matter was not reported directly to this office and, therefore, no investigation or inquiries are being made and none of the individuals who allegedly saw the thing have been interviewed. ELB:GTC Enclosures (2) [Stamps and handwriting: INDEXED - 78; RECORDED - 78; EX-42; 62-83894-178; FBI 31 MAY 25 1949; ENCL.; 58 JUN 13 1949; handwritten "Flying Discs", "No action", "FIVE", "Ewr Mossburg", "R 3", "G I R. -8"] [PAGE 188] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] [Stamps: RECEIVED U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE FBI, May 19 10 31 AM 1949; RECEIVED MAY 20 10 06 AM 1949; Mr. Jones; stamps upside down. Faint mirrored show-through of the previous page] [PAGE 189] May 25, 1949 62-83894-179 RECORDED - 62 Mrs. Henry Beston Chimney Farm Nobleboro, Maine Dear Mrs. Beston: Your letter postmarked May 16, 1949, has been received and I want to thank you for sending me information concerning the matter you mentioned. It was indeed very thoughtful of you to report that data to this organization. Sincerely yours, John Edgar Hoover Director NOTE: Correspondent saw a small object in the sky near the end of the day which took various shapes and through glasses appeared like a double bloom trailing something below it. She belives it might be a flying disk. In view of her nebulous information and as it was very possibly a weather balloon no further action is deemed necessary. WN:mjp [Stamps and routing: G I R. -8; COMMUNICATIONS SECTION MAILED 13 MAY 26 1949 P.M. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE; RECEIVED READING ROOM FBI May 26 1949; routing list Mr. Tolson, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Tele. Room, Mr. Nease, Miss Gandy; handwritten initials and names including Fletcher, Baumgardner] [PAGE 190] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] [Stamps: RECORDED - 62 (upside down); COMMUNICATIONS SECTION MAILED 13 MAY 26 1949; multiple RECEIVED stamps of the FBI / U.S. Dept. of Justice dated May 26 and Jun 2 1949, including "RECEIVED - FLETCHER" and "RECEIVED - 10 FOUR"; faint mirrored show-through of the previous page including "G I R. -8"] [PAGE 191] Lynchburg Advance 5/13/49 [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: newspaper clipping — reports from Virginia and Tennessee of a cigar-shaped object with a red nose and trailing fire and smoke seen the previous night, first reported from Roanoke, with Civil Aeronautics Administration officials puzzled] FBI - RICHMOND MAY 14 1949 62-83894-178 ENCLOSURE [PAGE 192] IN REPLY, PLEASE REFER TO FILE No. Federal Bureau of Investigation United States Department of Justice [Seal: FOR VICTORY BUY UNITED STATES WAR BONDS AND STAMPS] Radford News Journal Radford, Va. 5/13/49 [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: newspaper clipping, Radford News Journal, by Wells Caldwell — several Radford, Virginia residents describe a long dark object with fire or smoke crossing the sky shortly after 8 p.m., from southwest toward the east] FBI - RICHMOND MAY 16 1949 62-83894-178 ENCLOSURE [PAGE 193] [Text present — not reproduced verbatim: newspaper clipping, Bristol Herald Courier, 5/14/49 — Bristol, Virginia residents report a long cigar-shaped flaming object; a traffic controller says the airport saw nothing and speculates about jet aircraft] BRISTOL HERALD COURIER BRISTOL, VA 5/14/49 94-859 FBI - RICHMOND MAY 17 1949 ENCLOSURE 62-83894-178 [PAGE 194] Chimney Farm NOBLEBORO, MAINE Dear Sirs: We live in Maine in the town of Nobleboro, about a mile northwest of route no 1, on Damariscotta Pond. Yesterday May 14, there was a high light mist and a shower in the afternoon but it cleared off for sunset. There was a moderate southwest breeze at 7:45 P.M. and the streaks of clouds on the horizon, especially to the east were rosy. I happened at that time [Stamps and handwriting: V.M. 3-; Flying Discs; RECORDED - 62; INDEXED - 62; 62-83894-179; FBI JUN 17 1949; 5-25-49; 53 JUN 28 1949; FIVE] [PAGE 195] to glance at the zenith which was clear and was surprised to see a small object bright in the sunset. It might have been half of the smallest of clouds but its shape was angular, more like a piece of torn paper. This shape changed as the object floated north easterly before the wind; sometimes it appeared to have a bite taken out of it. Several times it reminded me of a hand. I called my husband and sister and later our house keeper and a friend of hers. As the object grew smaller it seemed to be on fire, an [PAGE 196] at their ends so that the whole presented the appearance of an armless marionette, constantly whirling. To me, with the glasses, the middle appeared sometimes bean shaped but that may well be a defect in my eyesight, as the object was then very distant. At last it disappeared from sight entirely. As we had no guess at its altitude we could not guess its size although I would hazard the statement that it seemed set about the usual altitude of passing planes and seemed to fade away much as a plane would, but far more slowly. We must have seen it for ten [PAGE 197] Chimney Farm NOBLEBORO, MAINE effect we supposed of the sunset; it seemed to keep the same altitude but became small and dark, a line, perpendicular to the earth, always revolving but never losing its perpendicular position. With bird glasses it appeared in shape like a double balloon, trailing something below it. The lower balloon "or body" seemed a little larger. My sister whose eyesight is remarkably good, said that both balloons appeared to her pear-shaped and the trailing object below seemed separated into two "legs" with heavier "feet" [Handwritten page number: 2] [PAGE 198] Chimney Farm NOBLEBORO, MAINE minutes, though we did not look at our watches until it was gone. It was then a few minutes before eight. There was no audible sound. We of course call it our flying saucer, but it was never oval, and never fast-moving and never appeared to be about to come down anywhere. We suppose it to have been some sort of weather balloon, but as we understand that you wish reports on them, here is this. Yours sincerely, Elizabeth C. Beston (Mrs. Henry Beston) [Handwritten page number: 3] [PAGE 199] FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Form No. 1 THIS CASE ORIGINATED AT PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA FILE NO. 62-2542 VFH REPORT MADE AT: PHILADELPHIA, PA. DATE WHEN MADE: 6-15-49 PERIOD FOR WHICH MADE: 5-20-49 REPORT MADE BY: JAMES L. KIRKLAND TITLE: UNKNOWN SUBJECT; FIRE, SCRANTON, PENNSYLVANIA, UNKNOWN DATE GEORGE KINGTON, COMPLAINANT CHARACTER OF CASE: MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION CONCERNING SYNOPSIS OF FACTS: FREDERIC MARQUARDT submitted ash residue to Fire Marshal's Office, Philadelphia, Pa., which made chemical analysis. MARQUARDT of opinion that fire may have been caused by military flare or "flying saucer". - C - DETAILS: This investigation is predicated upon a letter received from the office of the Fire Marshal, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, dated May 19, 1949, advising that ashes had been received from one F. MARQUARDT, purportedly from a fire which had continued to burn for twelve hours. A chemical analysis of the ashes had been requested. The Fire Marshal's Office noted that MARQUARDT had at one time worked for the Atomic Energy Commission. Captain MICHAEL HANNAN, Fire Marshal's Office, advised that there had been received through the mail on April 21, 1949, an ash sample with a request for analysis. In the letter of transmittal, MARQUARDT had pointed out that the fire had continued to burn twelve hours after water had first been applied. The original letter of transmittal was examined and reflected that an object had entered the roof of the building, caused an explosion, and threw people out of bed. Captain HANNAN said he attempted to locate MARQUARDT at his residence, 127 South 16th Street, but had been unsuccessful. He added that at the time the building manager had commented that MARQUARDT had been employed by the Atomic Energy Commission. MARQUARDT was then requested by letter to appear at the Fire Marshal's Office. APPROVED AND FORWARDED: L. V. Boardman, SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE COPIES OF THIS REPORT 2 - Bureau 2 - Philadelphia COPY IN FILE DO NOT WRITE IN THESE SPACES 62-83894-180 RECORDED - 129 INDEXED - 129 EX-[illegible] U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 7-2034 [Handwriting and stamps: "Flying Discs"; "f.c. to AFI 6-30-49"; 53 JUL 20 1949; various initials] [PAGE 200] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] [Stamps: RECEIVED U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE FBI Jun 28 11 AM 1949 (upside down); RECEIVED stamps dated Jun 23 1949; RECORDED - 126; INDEXED - 126; COPY IN FILE. Mirrored show-through of the previous page] [PAGE 201] PH 62-2542 Acting Chief GEORGE KINGTON advised that he had interviewed MARQUARDT at the time he came to the office since Captain HANNAN was absent at the time. He said that he then learned for the first time that the fire in question had taken place near Scranton, Pennsylvania, and had occurred about six months previously. This caused the Marshal's Office to withdraw from the case on a question of jurisdiction and MARQUARDT was advised that any further action on his part should be referred to the State Police authorities. At the same time, KINGTON furnished MARQUARDT with the results of the analysis which had been made of the ash submitted, and which analysis had been made by Dr. EDWARD BURKE, City Chemist, Chemical Laboratory, Room 875, City Hall. This report reflected that the ash contained Magnesium, Aluminum, Iron, and Calcium in the form of silicates, sulphur and carbonates. FREDERIC MARQUARDT was interviewed at his place of business, the H. A. KULJIAN COMPANY, Broad Street and Girard Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. At this time he advised that he had received the sample of ash from a friend, WOODY SHAEFFER, Lake Ariel, R. D., Wayne County, Pennsylvania, through the mail. He said that Lake Ariel is about one mile south of South Canaan, near Scranton, Pennsylvania. He stated that SHAEFFER's house had burned about six months ago, that the fire had occurred at night during a storm and that a large object had struck the roof and ignited the house which had burned to the ground in less than an hour. He said that he had not been present during the fire but that these details had been furnished by letter from SHAEFFER at the time a sample of the ash was forwarded for analysis. He said that he was of the personal opinion that the ash might be a part of a military flare or a "flying saucer". He pointed out that he has been advised by associates in the engineering field that one of the characteristics of some types of flares is the fact that they burn for a considerable period. He stated that the mass of the ash residue had remained ignited for a period of twelve hours. He also stated that he did not think there had been an explosion but that a loud noise had probably been caused by the vacuum created as the missile or object struck the roof. He added that there remains a quantity of the ash, amounting to one bushel, at SHAEFFER's premises at Lake Ariel. - 2 - [PAGE 202] PH 62-2542 MARQUARDT advised that he had been employed by the Atomic Energy Commission at Oak Ridge until 1943. He was entirely rational. He discounted the theory that a portion of a meteor had struck the house on the basis of the chemical analysis made by the City Chemical Laboratory. MARQUARDT advised that at the suggestion of the City authorities, he had written to SHAEFFER and suggested that any further inquiries be directed to the State Police. The file of the Philadelphia Office reflect that the records of Immigration and Naturalization Service were negative to an inquiry concerning FREDERIC S. MARQUARDT, OEM (Bureau File 77-30297). The files of this office likewise reflect that MARQUARDT by letter received August 14, 1947, requested of this office the identity of a powder or dust used to catch thieves. Inasmuch as there is no violation indicated within the Bureau's jurisdiction, there is no further investigation being conducted in this matter. However, the ash residue obtained from the Fire Marshal's Office is being forwarded to the Bureau Laboratory for any interest or study the Laboratory may desire to conduct relative to flares or in connection with the possibility of the presence of "flying saucers". - CLOSED - - 3 - [PAGE 203] FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE COMMUNICATIONS SECTION TELETYPE FBI OMAHA 7-14-49 4-55 PM CST DIRECTOR URGENT FLYING DISCS, INFORMATION CONCERNING. WHILE ON VACATION RECENTLY AT LAKE OF THE WOODS, NEAR KENORA, ONTARIO, CANADA, SA CLIVE G. MATTHEWS OBSERVED UNCONVENTIONAL AIRCRAFT RESEMBLING FLYING DISC. HE HAS FURNISHED FULL INFORMATION CONCERNING SAME TO U.S. AIR FORCE INTELLIGENCE, FORT CROOK, NEBRASKA, AND SAME WILL NOT BE REPORTED TO THE BUREAU UNLESS ADVISED TO THE CONTRARY. DALTON END ACK 943 PLS 6-56 PM OK FBI WASH DC EJC [Stamps and handwriting: routing box (Mr. Tolson, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Tele. Room, Mr. Nease, Miss Gandy); RECORDED - 142; EX-94; 62-83894-181; FBI 31 JUL 19 1949; 50 AUG 1 1949; handwritten "Five", "Ewr Mossburg"] [PAGE 204] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] [Stamps: RECEIVED TELETYPE UNIT Jul 14 6 59 PM 1949 FBI DEPT. OF JUSTICE; RECEIVED - FLETCHER; RECEIVED Jul 14 8 15 PM 1949; Jul 15 1 22 PM 1949; Jul 15 10 AM 1949; RECORDED - 142 (upside down). Mirrored show-through of the previous teletype] [PAGE 205] STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : DIRECTOR, FBI FROM : SAC, NEW ORLEANS DATE: July 21, 1949 SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS AND SAUCERS MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION CONCERNING For the Bureau's information, several citizens in the community of Alexandria, Louisiana, have recently reportedly seen flying discs. The Alexandria, Louisiana daily paper has carried numerous articles concerning this. At a recent meeting of the Young Mens Business Club in Alexandria, a member suggested that since Alexandria, Louisiana is known as a convention city, the club should try promoting a convention of flying saucer seers. This particular comment appeared in the Alexandria paper and was picked up by the AP lines. Mr. A. M. DeANGELO, a member of the Young Mens Business Club, advised Special Agent WALTER E. MOEHLE that since the AP release, they have received a large number of requests regarding the convention of flying saucer seers from many parts of the United States. Mr. DeANGELO states that the interest of the people is evidenced by their inquiries about convention particulars, stating they are flying saucer seers and want to attend such a convention. This gentleman further advised that in view of the volume of inquiries coming in, it appears that the YMBC will have to hire an employee to handle all the correspondence. It might be noted that he advised a representative of the Air Force from Barksdale Field, Louisiana, has inquired as to plans of a flying saucer convention, stating that they are interested in furnishing an observer if such a convention were held. This information is being furnished the Bureau, as it is possible such an enterprise may cause people to falsify that they have seen flying discs or flying saucers. Such falsifications might be made so that they might attend such a convention or become official delegates thereto. WEM:gp 62-0 [Stamps and handwriting: RECORDED - 63; INDEXED - 63; 62-83894-182; FBI 32 JUL 25 1949; 63 JUL 29 1949; handwritten "Ewr Mossburg"] [PAGE 206] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] [Stamps: RECEIVED U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE FBI Jul 26 5 11 PM 1949 (internal security); RECEIVED Jul 28 9 15 AM 1949 (espionage); upside down. Mirrored show-through of the previous memorandum] [PAGE 207] SAC, Phoenix June 30, 1949 Director, FBI WILLIAM ALBERT RHODES INFORMATION CONCERNING FLYING DISCS Reurlet June 8, 1949, captioned "Flying Discs." It is believed that the reference appearing in the first line of your referenced letter to the Bureau is incorrect. Complete details concerning the matter referred to in your referenced communication appear in a letter from your office dated September 4, 1947, and not September 9, 1947. Pursuant to your request, you are granted authority to furnish the attached blind memorandum, which was forwarded to the Bureau with your referenced letter for approval, to Mr. Lynn C. Aldrich, OSI representative, Phoenix, Arizona. Attachment EHM:EFF [Stamps and handwriting: RECORDED - 134; EX-94; 62-83894-183; RECEIVED READING ROOM FBI Jun 30 4 06 PM 1949 U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE; COMMUNICATIONS SECTION MAILED 15 JUL 1 1949 P.M. FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE; 61 AUG 1 1949; routing list Mr. Tolson, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Tele. Room, Mr. Nease, Miss Gandy; handwritten initials "EHM"] [PAGE 208] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] [Stamps: COMMUNICATIONS SECTION MAILED 15 JUL 1 1949 P.M. (upside down); RECEIVED-MAIL ROOM FBI U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE Jul 1 12 35 PM 1949; Jun 30. Mirrored show-through of the previous letter] [PAGE 209] STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : Mr. H. B. Fletcher FROM : Lish Whitson DATE: June 30, 1949 SUBJECT: WILLIAM ALBERT RHODES INFORMATION CONCERNING FLYING DISCS Purpose Your approval is requested in order that the attached letter and memorandum can be forwarded to the Phoenix Office, authorizing that office to furnish the attached memorandum to Mr. Lynn C. Aldrich, OSI representative, Phoenix, Arizona. Background In July 1947, William Albert Rhodes was jointly interviewed by Special Agent J. Bailey Brower (Bureau Agent) and George Fugate, Jr., A-2 representative from Hamilton Field, California. The purpose of the interview was to secure from Mr. Rhodes information and photographs of a flying disc, which had been sighted and photographed by Rhodes. The complete results of the interview and subsequent events are contained in the attached memorandum submitted by the Phoenix Office. Mr. Lynn C. Aldrich, OSI representative at Phoenix, Arizona, has requested the Phoenix Office to furnish him complete facts relating to this interview, which are to be subsequently forwarded to the OSI Office at San Francisco. According to Aldrich, Mr. Fugate, referred to above, has been questioned concerning this matter by his superiors and he has advised them that his recollection is "hazy" on the matter. According to Aldrich, Mr. Rhodes has apparently now requested the Air Force to return the photographs, which were previously obtained from him. Recommendation It is recommended that the Phoenix Office be advised that the memorandum attached may be forwarded by them to Mr. Aldrich, OSI representative, Phoenix, Arizona. Attachments EHM:EFF [Stamps and handwriting: routing list Tolson, Ladd, Clegg, Glavin, Nichols, Rosen, Tracy, Harbo, Mohr, Tele. Room, Nease, Gandy; RECORDED - 134; INDEXED - 134; EX-68; 62-83894-183; FBI 23 JUL 20 1949; 56 AUG 3 1949; handwritten "185", "FIVE", "EHM", "Mossburg"] [PAGE 210] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] [Stamps: RECEIVED FBI U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE Jun 30 11 53 AM 1949; RECEIVED-FLETCHER; Aug 2 1949; INTERNAL SECURITY; upside down. Mirrored show-through of the previous memorandum] [PAGE 211] Federal Bureau of Investigation United States Department of Justice Phoenix, Arizona June 8, 1949 Director, FBI RE: FLYING DISCS Dear Sir: Refer Phoenix letter to Bureau, dated September 9, 1947, captioned, REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS, for the attention of Assistant Director D. M. LADD, setting forth the result of an interview conducted by GEORGE FUGATE, JR., then a representative of the Air Force Intelligence, from Hamilton Field, California, and Special Agent J. BAILEY BROWER with one WILLIAM ALBERT RHODES, 4333 N. 14th Street, Phoenix, Arizona, concerning his observation and photographing of an object which was considered by the Air Force of significance from a security standpoint. On June 7, 1949, Mr. LYNN C. ALDRICH, OSI representative, Phoenix, Arizona, called at this office, advising that he had been requested by his superiors in San Francisco to obtain detailed information concerning this interview since RHODES apparently has requested the Air Force to return the photographs. [stamp partly covering text, illegible] FUGATE, when questioned by his superiors concerning the matter, stated his recollection was "hazy" on the matter. OSI is anxious to secure the substance of information in the Phoenix file concerning this matter. Mr. ALDRICH was furnished the substance of the interview, as set forth in letter of reference and he has now requested that he be furnished with a blind memorandum setting forth this information in detail in order that he may make it available to the OSI at San Francisco. A memorandum setting forth this information has been prepared by this office and is attached hereto. The Bureau is requested to advise if such memorandum should be made available to OSI. Very truly yours, W. A. Murphy SAC Attachment WAM-kb 62-213 AIR MAIL [Stamps and handwriting: RECORDED - 134; 62-83894-184; FBI 23 JUL 20 1949; EX-94; handwritten "Sent to Phoenix memo dated 6/30/49 EHM"; 60 JUL 29 1949; handwritten "Mossburg"] [PAGE 212] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] [Stamps: RECEIVED FBI U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE Jun 14 10 31 AM 1949 (espionage); 23 JUL 20 1949; 6-13; upside down. Mirrored show-through of the previous letter] [PAGE 213] STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : THE DIRECTOR FROM : D. M. LADD DATE: July 20, 1949 SUBJECT: You will recall that Mr. Ernest Cuneo advised the Bureau of a letter which Walter Winchell had received from an individual in Los Angeles indicating that he had seen a flying saucer leave the ground within his view and in which letter he theorized that this might have been a landing from another planet. The Los Angeles Office was requested to locate and interview the writer of this letter, Peter Camerlon Jones, 164 West 37th Street, Los Angeles 7, California. The Los Angeles Office has now advised that the present owner and former manager at this address have no knowledge of any Peter Camerlon Jones and that other investigation to locate Jones was unproductive. It would appear, therefore, that this may have been a prank. You may desire to advise Mr. Cuneo that there is no such person at the address given inasmuch as he indicated that Mr. Winchell intended to do a column on this letter. DML:FA [Stamps and handwriting: routing list Mr. Tolson, Mr. Clegg, Mr. Glavin, Mr. Ladd, Mr. Nichols, Mr. Rosen, Mr. Tracy, Mr. Egan, Mr. Gurnea, Mr. Harbo, Mr. Mohr, Mr. Pennington, Mr. Quinn Tamm, Tele. Room, Mr. Nease, Miss Holmes, Miss Gandy; handwritten "This was handled by letter to Cuneo", "Flying Discs", "7-21-49"; RECORDED - 5; INDEXED - 5; 62-83894-185; FBI JUL 26 1949; 53 AUG 2 1949; "185"] [PAGE 214] [no legible text — blank or heavily redacted scan] [Stamps: RECEIVED FBI U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE with names Tolson, Nichols, Director, dated Jul 20 10 08 AM 1949, Jul 20 11 59 AM 1949, Jul 22 10 15 AM 1949, Jul 22 3 PM 1949; upside down. Mirrored show-through of the previous memorandum]