DOW-UAP-D084 — US Army-Flying-Saucer-Study 1949

File: DOW-UAP-D084
Agency: Department of War
Released in: Release 03 (2026-06-12)
File type: PDF

Topics: Flying discs, 1947–1950s

This file contains an Evaluation Study of the Phenomenon (Flying Saucers) prepared at the request of the Plans & Operations Divisions of the General Staff, U.S. Army (P&O, GSUSA) to determine if the origin could be traced to natural phenomena or the activities of a foreign power.

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TL;DR

Looks like 1949’s biggest mystery was a memo, not a missile.

DOW-UAP-D084 PDF, DoW, memo dated 22 Mar 1949 by Lt Col Peiainge for Army P&O division.
Evaluates UFO reports to determine natural or foreign origin, finding no foreign nation implicated.
No official conclusion in the file

AI summary

This document is a memorandum from the Executive Branch, P&O, dated 22 March 1949, authored by Lt Col Peiainge. It reports that a study was prepared at the request of P&O to examine various reports of unidentified flying objects, determining that no foreign nation was implicated. The document states that P&O should be kept informed of future developments and that the study was evaluated. It also includes coordination details and actions to be taken. Another section mentions a follow-up memo dated 5 April 1949, noting that a study found no foreign involvement in flying saucers and requesting verification of a broadcast about the topic.

Full text

Page 8

tN • "60 OUTWOUND DISPATCH D&aK
'

Bxecutin Branch,. P&O
Lt Col Peiainge 9
22 Jlarch 1949

uatien etuc:3T wae prepared at request of P&O to determine
varieus report• on thia aubjeot stemmed troa natural phenomena

it
or it the origin could be traced detinitel7 to the actiTitie• ot a
foreign power.
2.

ID ia to keep P&O informed it future developments in thia

field. are at Taria.nce with the en.l.uation placed on this atuqy.

Pm haa been intormed.

ACTION: Circulate a.a indicated. then tile in P&O.

OOORDillATIOlf:

D , P&O(il), Lt Col Dawley. Bxt - 76SOZ.,
KA Branch, Col Goodell, Bxt • 3852,
PID,. Lt Col lq'an. lxt - ?2966

Page 12

N-FILING FORM
,GSUSA
Decimal Classification:

P&O 350.05

(5 Apr 49)

3
t,···X
t,_.,,,..

t,,·
Evaluation Study of Phenomenon
(Flying Saucers)

Subject:

Date:

5 Apr 49

Oi;est:

Action:

•Cmt #1 to D/ID.
"

Reply required by: None

Executive

To:

Branch:

Comments·:
Control

D
D

European 8 Middle East
Far East a Pacific

Operations

□ Latin American •
North American

□ Joint War Plans •
Army War Plans

□

Plans
Policy Planning •
Recommend Approval:

Advanced Study
¾□

□
Records
Implementing
Asst Executive,Pao

□

Dote
Dote

Group Chief
Personnel

□

Branch Chief

Executive Br.

Signed

ocs
REV I JAN 1949

Concur:

(

□
Deputy Dire

0. Deputy Director, Pa O
□ Director, Pa 0

Page 13

Executive Br, P&O
Lt Col Peisinger/2944/eb
5 April 1949
MEMOHANDUM J?QR RECORD:
,_

I - ~ ,...- . . ._ _,

ID had submitted, at P&O• s request, a. study of the fiying

saucer phenomenon. This study int:una.ted that of all cases investigated
there was no foreign nation implication in these flying saucers.
2. Mr. Stites, ID, said that they would be glad to ·take action
on this, at the request of P&O.

3. ACTION: Comment #1 to D/ID requesting tJiey verify accuracy of
Mr. Winchell 'sstatement of .3 Apr li9 re flying saucers.

COORDINATION:

ID - Mr. Stites, Ext 6196

Page 15

Executive Br, P&O

Maj J. s. Byrne

91+4/eb

20 Apr h9

MEMOH.Al!DUM FtOR RF:COHD:

1. As a result of a number of CM IN Radios in February 19h9 on
"flying saucerstt, P&O requested ID on 24 Ii'eh 49 to evaluate these
phenomEn-1.a. On 7 11ar 49 ID forwarded the at·tached .=,valuation.

As a result of Walter Winchell's 3 Apr h9 broadcast (summary

in attached Daily Bullet,in), ·the D/F Cmt #1 was sent to ID requesting
verification of the accuracy of the broadcast. D/F Cmt #2 from ID

constitutes the ID answer.

PID not informed.
Circulate as indi.cated, then file in P~i:O.
COORDINA l:ION: Asst Dep Dir P&O (AE) - Lt Col Dawley, Ext 75303
1

- - - - - · - Exec, NA Br - Lt Col Clark, Rxt 7!i676

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