DOW-UAP-D100 — Air Materiel Command Report on Unidentified Flying Objects, 1947-1948
- File
- DOW-UAP-D100
- Agency
- Department of War
- Incident date
- 1947-1948
- Released in
- Release 05 (2026-08-07)
- File type
Topics: Flying discs, 1947–1950s
This file is a collection of U.S. Government memoranda and correspondence relating to “Project Sign,” a 1948 U.S. Air Force program to investigate reports of high-performance airborne objects. The documents characterize some of these reports as being consistent with “real” objects rather than fabrications or resulting from perceptual errors. The U.S. Air Force cites the reported characteristics of the phenomena, e.g., high speed and maneuverability, as exceeding known performance envelopes of U.S. military aircraft and thereby presenting a potential national security threat, if validated. This potential threat prompted the Air Force to call on the Air Materiel Command (AMC), the Service’s Major Command for logistics and procurement from 1946 to 1961, to gather further evidence to assess the validity of the reports. The Air Force emphasized that there was an “imperative need” for such evidence to enable appropriate countermeasures. The stated urgency of this request reflects the strategic environment of the early Cold War, a period characterized by heightened national defense concerns amid rapid global advancements in aerospace design and development. In framing the call for an investigation, the Air Force noted that sustained public interest and persistent inquiries from the press may eventually require an official statement in response.
AMC’s investigation found that observers were generally not mistaken when reporting that they had seen an airborne object, but that their characterizations of those objects as unusual was likely a reflection of the “limits of their personal experience.” It identified “a great many” of the objects reported with a rounded appearance as “weather or upper air scientific balloons of some type.” It also identified several cases in which the reported objects were most likely celestial phenomena, such as Venus. AMC found that a small number of reports lacked a “reasonable everyday explanation,” but that “so far, no physical evidence of the existence of the unidentified sightings has been obtained.” AMC expressly considered whether the phenomena may have been “vehicles from another planet,” but found no evidence supporting such an origin. Ultimately, AMC found that “there is as yet no conclusive proof that unidentified flying objects, other than those which are known to be balloons, are real aircraft.” In light of these findings, AMC recommended that the Department of War should avoid publicly commenting on the subject of “flying discs.” Responding to the Air Force’s anticipated concerns regarding public interest in the subject, AMC recommended that the Department should reply in terms that minimize the investigation’s inconclusive findings, focusing on positive determinations in cases assessed to be weather balloons and celestial phenomena.
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TL;DR
November 1948 report recommends silence, because balloons make more noise than UFOs.
- DOW-UAP-D100, Air Materiel Command report, Department of War, covering 1947‑1948.
- Investigated ~180 sightings; identified balloons, Venus, few unexplained high‑speed cases.
- No conclusive proof that unidentified flying objects are real aircraft.
Full text
Page 1
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Authority:
NND57563
S NOV
SUBJECT,
Vlying Object Inoid•nta in the United Statea
!Os
Cc=m.nding General. Air Materiel Command
Wright-Patteracc Air Force Bo.ee
Dayton. Chio
l. By lettcr'datcd 30 Decembor 1947 from the Director of
Research and Development,, Headqunrters USAF, your Ileadquartora
:was required to eata.bli&h'"'ti:ojoct "SIGN",:_ '/'I ~ ~{)
2. 'l'he oonclulion nppeo.ra ino11cep11ble that aa:io type of
I.dontification a.nd the origin
or these objects is not diaoernibl~ to this Headquarters. It ia
flying object has been obecrved.
imperat1vo. therefore, that otforte to detennine whether theae
object• are or doiaoatic or fore1511 or1i1n must be increaaod until
oonol usive evidonoo 1c ,obtained. The needs or national defense
require euch evidence 1n order that appropriate countermeaaurea
cr,.y bo talc.on.
5. In addition to the imperative nood !'or evldenoe to perm1t
oountermasures, ia tho nooosoity ot in:l.'orcdnc the public as to
the ato.tus of t:he problem. To de.tc thorc hao boen too 1 ittlo do.ta
to present to the public. The pre••• however, h about to take it
into its own hands Md der.and to be told what wo do or do not know
about the e1 tuntion. Silence on our part will not long bo ccoopt
ablo.
4. Request imnediate information as to your conclusions to
date and your reoo=cendations a.a to tha information to be g iTen
to the preea • Your rec amnendat1 on is requestod al a o '18 to
whether thn.t infornation ahould be offered to tho press or with
hold until it i s actively sought by the press.
BY COlWAlm CF THE CHIEF OP S1'.AFF1
Pl05530
Page 2
8 NOV 1148
SUBJECT,
Flying Objeot Incident• in the United State•
TO,
Co
ndin Gen ral, Air
toriel Co
rieht•Patter•cn ir Foroo Be.a
D yton, Olio
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l. By letter dated 30 December 1947 tro the Director of
Research and Development, Headquartera USAF, your Headquart ra
waa required to eat bliah Project 'SIGN".
'
2. The conolu ion pp are ineaoapabl'e that
e typo of
flying objeot baa been oba rved. Identifio :tion nd the origin
ot theae objects ia not discernible to this Headqu rtera. It ia
imperativo, therefore, that ei't'orta to determine wh ther these
objects are or om etic or foreign origin uat be increaa d until
conolu ive e ideno ie obtained. The need• or national defense
require auoh evidence 1n ordor that appropriate countermeaaurea
:y bo taken.
3. In addition to the imperative need for evidence to permit
counter aaur 1, ia t
oeaaity of informing the public aa to
the stat • or the problem. To dat ther ha. be n too little data
to presen to th publ io. The pres , aw ever, ia •bout o t ke it
illto its
n hand and dei:and to be told •hat we do or do not know
bout th ai tuation. Silence
our p rt will not long be accept
able.
on
,. Request
diate info
tion aa to your concl udona to
date and your r co ondationa as to the infor tion to be iv n
to the pres. Your recommsndation is requested lao as to
whether that infor ation ahould be orrero to the pr 11 or with
hel9 until it ii actively sought by the pr as.
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SEGRET 11-214
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
WASHINGTON
3 NOV 1948
SUBJECT: Flying Object Incidents in the United States
TO: Commanding General, Air Materiel Command
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base
Dayton, Chio
l. By letter dated 30 December l947 from the Director of
Research and Development, Headquarters USAF, your Headquarters
was required to establish Pro ject "SIGN".
2. The conclusion appears inescapable that some type of
flying object has been observed. Identification and the origin
of these objects is not discernible to this Headquarters. It is
imperative, therefore, that efforts to determine whether these
objects are of domestic or foreign origin must be increased until
conclusive evidence is obtained. The needs of national defense
require such evidence in order that appropriate countermeasures
may be taken.
3. In addition to the imperative need for evidence to permit
countermeasures, is the necessity of informing the public as to
the status of the problem. To date there has been too little data
to present to the public. The press, however, is about to take it
into its own hands and demand to be told what we do or do not know
about the situation. Silence on our part will not long be accept-
able.
4. Request immediate information as to your conclusions to
date and your reconmendations as to the information to be given
to the press. Your recommendation is requested also as to
whether that information should be offered to the press or with-
held until it is actively sought by the press.
BY COMMAND OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF:
C.P.Cabece
C. P. CABEIL
Major Ceneral, USAr
Director of Intelligence, Office of
Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations
EGRET T-73017 238
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Basic ltr fr -Hq USA.F, 3 Nov 48 to CG, AMC, "Flying Object Incidents in
the United States"
1st Ind
Hq AMC, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio .
TO,
MCIAT/ABD/amb
8 Nov 48
Chief of Staff, United States Air Force, Washington 25, D. c., ATTNs
AFOIR
1. In attempting to arrive at conclusions as to the mture of uniden
tified .flying object incidents in the United States, this Command ha.a me.de
a study of approximately 180 such incidents . Data derived from initial re
ports have been supplemented by .further information obtained from check
lists submitted by mail, from interrogations of other field agencies, and
by personal investigation by personnel of this Command in the case of in
cidents that seem to indicate the possibility of obtaining particularly
significant information.
2. The objects described fall into the following general classifica
tion groups, according to shape or physical configuration,
a.
b.
in flight.
Flat disc of circular or approximately o:l.rcular shape .
Torpedo or cigar shaped aircraft, with no wings or fins visible
c.
Spherical or balloon shaped objects.
d.
Balls of light with no apparent form attached.
3. Some of the objects sighted have definitely been identified, upon
further investigation, as weather or upper air scientific balloons of some
type . A. great many of the round or balloon shaped objects indicated in
paragraph 2c above are probably of the same nature, although in most cases,
definite confirmation of that fact has been impossible to obtain.
4 . Some of the objects have been identified as beiilg astro - physical
in nature . For example , in daylight sightings, the planet Venus has been
reported as a round, silvery object at extremely high altitude . Action is
being taken to obtain the services of a prominent astro-physicist as a oon•
sultant, to study all of the incidents to determine l'lhether some can be
identified as meteors, planets or other manifestations of astral bodies .
.,
s. Arrangements for accomplishing a study of the psychological problans
involved in this project are being made in coordination with the Aero-Medical
Laboratory at this Headquarters . The possibility that some of the sightings
are halluoir:a tions, optical illusions or even deliberate hoaxes has been considered.
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T-73017
Page 8
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1st Itld
Basic ltr fr Hq USAF, 3 Nov 48 to CG, AMC, "Flying Object Incidents in
tne United States~
s. Although explanation of many of the incidents can be obtained from
the investigations described abOV'e, there remains a certain number of re
ports for which no reasonable everyday explanation is available. So far,
no physical evidence of 'the existence of the unidentified sightings has
been obtained. Prominent scientists, including Dr. Irving Langmuir of the
General Electric· Company, have been interviewed to determine whether they
could advance any reasonable explanation for characteristics exhibited by
the objects sighted. In an early interview, Dr. Langmuir indicated that
these incidents could be expl&ined, but insufficient data were available
at that time on which to base definite conclusions. It is planned to have
another interview with Dr. Langmuir in the near future to review all the
data now available, and it is hoped that he will be able to present some
opinion as to the nature of many of the unidentified objects, particularly
those described as "balls of light."
7 • All information that has been made available to this Headquarters
indicates that the discs, the cigar shaped objects, and the "balls of light"
are not of domestic origin. Engineering investigation indicates that disc
or wingless aircraft could support themselves in fli1?11t by aerodynamic means.
It is probable that the problems of stability and control could also be
solved for such aircraft. However, according to current aerodynamic theory
in this country, aircraft with such configurations would hl.ve relatively
poor climb, altitude and range characteristics with power plants now in
use.
a. The possibility that the reported objects are vehicles from another
planet has not been ignored. However, tangible evidence to support con
clusions about such a possibility are completely lacking. The occurrence
of inoidents ill relation to the approach to the earth of the planets Mercury,
Venus and Mars have been plotted. A periodic variation in the frequency of
incidents, which appears to have some relation to 'the planet approach curves,
is noted, but it may be purely a coincidence•
9. Reference is made to "The Books of Charles Fort" with an introduc
tion. by Tiffany Thayer, published 1941, by Henry Holt & Co., New York, N. Y.
It appears that simular phenomena have been noted and reported for the past
century or more.
10.
In view of the above, the following conclusions are drawn,
a. In the majority of cases reported, observers have actually
sighted son-, type of flying object which they cannot classify as en air
craft within the limits of their personal experience.
T-73017
Page 9
1st· Ind
Ba.sic ltr fr Hq USAF, 3 Nov 48 to CG, AMC, "Flying Object Incidents in
the United States"
b. There is as yet no conclusive proof that unidentified flying
objects, other than those which are known to be balloons, are real aircraft.
c. Although it is obvious that some types of flying objects have
been sighted, the exact nature of those objects cannot be established witil
physical evidence, such as that which would result from a crash, has been
obtained.
11. It is not considered advisable to present to the press information
on those objects which we cannot yet identify or about which we camiot pre
sent any reasonable conclusions. In the event that they insist on som,
kind ot a statement, it is suggested that they be informed that m.a:cy ot
the objects sighted have been identified as weather balloons or astral
bodies, and that investigation is being pursued to determine reasonable
explanations tor the others .
12 . A report, summarizing the results obtained from analysis of the
data and a technical investigation of the engineering aspects of -the objects
described, is nearly complete, and a copy will be forwarded to your Head
quarters in the near future .
FOR mE COMMANDING GENERA.Ls
/f:;!!;:;
•
Colonel, USAF
Chief, Intelligence Department
T-73017
Page 10
NESTRIOTED AFOIR-Co/Lt. Col. Garrett/dm/4544
12 Nov 48 15hvY8
B/L. fa Hq USAF, 27 Aug 48, subj: Projeot "SIGN NOV 15 1948 000
AFOIR-C0-5 (1-10-78) 2nd Ind b
Dept. of the Air Force, Hq Usal, ashington 25, D. C.
TO: Cocmanding General, Air Materiel Command, right-Patterscn Air
Force Bass, aright Field, Chie
ATTN4 CLAXO-3
l. Basie letter's reference to the ecntacting of the Air Transport
Assceiation was with the understanding that such srrangencnts sere to be
made, or had been made, by Projeet sIGn personnel. This was the deaision
made as a reault of the ccnference held at this Headquarters 27 July l948.
JAnap la6 was forwarded marely as being of possible value in the estab-
lishment of a direct reperting systen by airline pilots.
2. It is thorefore requested that Projeet Si gn pursotuel make ar-
rangemonts to onlist the serviees of the Air Tranaport Anscciaticn in
order to develop a aystun whereby U. S. airline pilots could make flash
reports of any unusual aerial sightings direct to your Headquarters.
3. In this cennection it.is suggested that the "Eesential Elenents
of Infermation inolosed with lst Indorsument may prove tco detailed for
practieal use by airline pilots-in forwarding initial reports to your
Headquartore.
BY COMMAND OF THE CHLEF OF STAFF:
ROBERT TAYLOR 3rd
Colonel, U
Chief, Collectlon Eranch
1 Inel: Air Intelligence Requirements Division
n/e Mig Directorate of Intelligence
Ref: Ltr fm Hq USAF, 27 Aug 48, subject as above. (Already in file)
lst Ind fm Hq AMC, MCIAXo-3, 26 Oct 48, same subject.
319.1 JAMAP
LA0D
D WTLA
Page 11
AFOIR-CO/Lt. Col.Garrett/dw/4544
26 Aug 1948
70 060.9
AFCIE-CC-5
27 AUG 1948
SUBJEcT: Projeet "slca
To Comanding General
Air Mnteriel Comand
nright-Patterson Air Foree Base
Briht Field, Chio
ATTNE MI
l. At the conference in this lieadquarters 27 July l9is on
subject project, it was agreed thst the Air Transport Aesoclaticn
would be contacted in an effert to enlist the cooperaticn of United
States airlines in reporting sightings of unueual aerial phencmena
direct to your Coemand.
2. The attached publication Janap l46, althcugh not apeeifically
deveLoped by ths Joint Comunieations-blectronies Committoe for the
reporting of "flying dise" sighitinge, is forarded with the suggestion
that you may wish to consider its use for this purpose by ocmercial
airline pilots.
BY CHMAND F TE CHDF OF STAFP:
1 Incl: ROBERT TAYLOR 3rd
JANAP 146 Colonel, USAF
Chief, Collection Branch
Air Intelligence Requirements Division
Directorate of Intelligence
D CTE TE E-
27 AUG 1940
CODA
ITIE
Page 12
I
AMC
Subject:
"Project 'Sing'"
1st Ind
MCIAX0- 3/RRS/~j
Hq AMC Wright-t'atterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio, 26 Octo 48
TO:
Chief of Staff, United States Air Force, Washingt Ln 25, D C.
ATTN: AFOIR-C0-5
1. With reference to paragraph 1 above, the efforts to enlist
the cooperation' of Uni ed States airlines in reporting sightings of
unusual aerial phenomena directly to this Comm.and are greatly appre
ciated.
2. This Headquarters further requests c0operation in effecting
distribution and use by commercial airlines of an "Essential Elements of
Information" check list, copies of wLich are inclosed. This·li13t may
be used as a supplement to the publication JANAP 146, developed by the
Joint Communications-Electronics Committee for the reporting of 11 flying
disc" sightings .
FOR THE. CO
1 Incl:
6 cys EEI form
NDING GENERAL:
/s/ W. E. Goll
for H. M. cCOY
Colonel, USAF
Chief, Intelligence Department
Page 13
Investigation by United States Air Force of reports on so-called
flying saucers has led to the identification of some of these objects as
weather balloons and astral bodies.
The investigation of such reported
incidents is continuing at the Air Materiel Conunand, V/right-Patterson Air
Force Base, Dayton, Ohio.
Page 14
SUSPENSE DATE: NO.:
DATE: 8 Nov 48 22. Nov 48 3018
FROM: OIN ILS
FILE DESIGNATION AND DATE:
TYPE: lat Iad to Gen O Nil Ltr ef 80
SMRY: 3 Nev 48
FLYING CEJECT INCIDENTS IN THS US. ( Cever Sheet
fr OIN)
Tas REMOVE THIS COPY
DO NOT
TO: TO: TO: DVD TO: TO:
CAI OIN
DATE: DATE: .16 DATE: DATE: DATE:
12 Nev 48
REPLIED OR INDORSED TO: FILED (PLACE): OTHER ACTION:
HQ AAF
Page 15
COVER SHEET
* *
a. RECORD OF BASIC CORRESPONDENCE OR REQUEST b. CLASSIFICATION:
2 DATE:
FROM: Hq. AMC & Nov 48
* TYPE: lst Ind to Gen. C.
Mil Ltr of 3 Nov 48
SUMMARY:
SUSPENSE
Flying Object Incidents in the United States 22 Do48
DATE
* C Sheley for
ASGD BY
DATE RECEIVED DIR/INT Del'd to AFOIN by Col. McCoy in NO. OIN= /13078
person
OAI: SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS - REMARKS
DATE 11nov
Would appreciale NO.
vecbal
early date
cp
(Use other side this sheet for additional remarks)
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DATE REC'D BR f DISPATCH FILE Dm
ACTION ASGD TO DATE DISPATCHED BY TO
SIGNED DATE DATE DISPATCHED
AFOIN FORM 4 PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF THIS FORM ARE OBSOLETE. 9-1748,AF
22 SEP 48
Page 16
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS - REMARKS (Continued)
h.
TO:
General Cabell
DATE -------'l=-9'-N~o_v _4~8~
1.
AFOA! recommends that no statement be released Ho.
3
to the press on flying object incidents until press demands make such release
imperative .
2.
If the statement to the press is required it is recommended that Incl 2
form the basis of the statement.
J.
We are prepared for the verbal comments at your convenience .
Page 17
Al<OIR-CO/Lt .Col.Garrett/ab/4544
28 Oct. 48
8/1.
ta'lra.
Conco
t.ll Shook, dtd lb Sep. ~ ,
etc Aircr aft.
bj s
2na Ind.
~t.. of the Air Poree, It,;. USAF,
tot
a.ti d.ngton~,
Cox ldi.nG Q el"il, Air
teriel Ccti::lind,
Air :Forco n~. r i{ltlt
ld, Ohio.
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tter
-rtnulinz to
C :GTAPF,
ROBERT TAYLOR 3rd
Colonel, USAF
Chier. Collection Branch
Air Intelligence Requirements DiY1Si0O
Directorate of Intelligence
Page 18
I
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•
ttC--O-P-Y"
Hiawarree, Ga.
Sept. 14, 1948
The \'for Dept.
Vlashington , D. C.
Gentlemen,
Please inform me what those things are that the people in North
Georgia have been seeing flying through the sky.
They are round and long some what like a giant cigar. They
have a motor that sounds like a motorcycle.ff they are foreign machine
you should know about i t.
If they are American military machines I do not need to lmow
about them.
Yours truly,
s/ Mrs . Ruth Shook
P . S.
The Atlanta Constitution stated that no one in Atlnnta knew
what they were .
SUBJECT:
Request for information concerning stranue aircraft.
AGAO-C 095 Shook
~th Mrs . (14 Sep 48)
1st Ind
PRN/wcw/lD-860
AGO, DEPT OF THE AF&Y, Washington 2.5, D. C., 13 October 194.8
'rot
Chief of Staff, United States Air Force, •~shington 2.5, D. C.
s/ E ..F . P .
E . F . Pegrmv
Page 19
DATE: 13 Oet 48 SUSPENSE DATE: NO.:
FROM 40
FILE DESIGNATION AND DATE:
TYPE: lst Ind
SMRY:
Request for information concerning strange
aircraft. (Route #1, Bx 27)
3/L fr Mrs. Ruth Shook, /Hiawassel, Ca. dtd l4
Sep 48.
RS ekp
TO: TOIN TO: TO: TO:
SPR
15 0ot 48 DATE: PATF DATE: DATE: DATE:
REPLIED OR INDORSED TO: FILED (PLACE): 29/10/48 OTHER ACTION:
2odde CGAMC HQ AAF
Page 20
'COVER SHEET L10-64
* *
a. RECORD OF BASIC CORRESPONDENCE OR REQUEST b. CLASSIFICATION:
FRoM: Admin. Assistant DATE: 20 Oct 48
Air Information Division
* (Maj. Phipps) TYPE: R/S
SUMMARY:
Request for Information Concerning Strange SUSPENSE
Aircraft. Wor 48
DATE
*
ASGD BY
DATE RECEIVED DIR/INT 21 OCT 1948 NO. OIN 12550
c. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS - REMARKS
DATE
NO.
(Use other side this sheet for additional remarks)
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ACTION ASGD TO Nex DATE DISPATCHED BY TO
SIGNEDDCCEeZ DATE28-10-4 DATE DISPATCHED 29 OCT 1948 AMC
AFOIN FORM 4 8-1748,AF
22 SEP 48 PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF THIS FORM ARE OBSOLETE-
Page 22
5ue2t2-12fcw50(Rem) AFOIR-Co/Lt.Col.Garrett/as/4544
27 October 1948
280111 00
2 8 OCT1948
AFOIR-CO
MEMORANDUM ROR THE DIRECTOR OF CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE
SUBJEcT: Unidentified Aerial Phenomena
l. The Air Materiel Comand is currently engaged in an intelli-
gence investigation of all reported unidentified aerial phenomena.
2. To date, no concrete identity of any of the reported objects
has been received. Similarly, the origin of the so-called "flying
discs" remains obscure. The possibility exists that some of the sighted
objects are of dcmestie origin, i.e., unrecognized configurations of
some of our latest aeronautical attainments, or that they are objects
not readily recognized by the publie - test vehicles in various stages
of development, etc.
3. It is requested that your Agency submit to the Directorate of
Intelligence any available evidence that may come to your attention which
might serve to indicate that these objects have a domestic origin.
FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF:
GEORGE D. GARRETT, JR.
Lieutenant Colonel, USAF
Acting Chief, Collection Branch
Air Intelligencs Requirements Division
Directorate of Intelligence
040.9 CotslJll
DISPATCHED BY CIG COURIER DATE 23.OCT-1948
OIN NO335-B 1155 Env
SDRET
Page 24
I:oac: n Lr.:,
AIR J\'ATr•. !Eii co..~.... t.D
Wright- Patt erscn Air L<orce :Ba..,
Wright :Field> Ohio
7 October 1948
S~:
Project "SIGN"
TO:
Chief of Staff, USA!'
Washington 25, D.C.
Director of Intelligence
Deputy Chief of Staf:t', Operations
ATTN: AJ'OIR
It ia requested that your o:t':t'ice forward the attached l etter to
the Central Intell igence Af!,81cy, WashiDgton 25, D.C.
FOR THE C0M-1ANDINO GENERAL:
/s/ H.M. McCOY
Col onel, USA!'
Chief of Intelligence
1 Incl
Ltr to CIA
n:
Page 25
SECRET
MCLAXO-3 MCLAXO-3/SZH/aW
OCT7 1948
Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, D. C.
SUBJECT: PrOject "SIGN
Centlemen:
This Headquarters is currently engaged in an
intelligence investigation of all reported unidenti-
fied aerial phenomena. To date, no concrete evidence
as to the exact identity of any of the reported objects
has been received. Similarly, the origin of the so- called "flying discs" remains obscure.
exists that some of the sighted objects are of domestie The possibility
origin, i. e., unrecognized configurations of some of
our latest aeronmutical attainments, or that they are
objects not readily recognized by the publie - test
vehicles in various stages of development, etc.
Where security regulations will permit, it is re-
Command, Wright-Patterson AF Base, Wright Fld., Ohio, quested that your office submit to Hq. Air Materiel
25. D. C., DIRECTOR OF INTEL, Deputy Chief of Staff, Attn: MCLAxO-3, THRU: Chief of Staff. USAF, Washington,
Operations, ArTN: AroIR, any available evidence which
might serve to indicate that these objects have a domes- tic origin.
Your cooperation in so doing might greatly assist
possible inimical foreign achievements. in identifying our own domestie developments from
Very truly yours
H. M. MeCOY
Colonel, USAF
Chief of Intelligence
T-63070-A
SECRET
Page 26
COVER SHEET L-10
* * 2
a. RECORD OF BASIC CORRESPONDENCE OR REQUEST b. CLASSIFICATION:
FROM: DATE:
* TYPE:
SECALI
SUMMARY:
SUSPENSE
DATE 21 Oct 48
* Ows
ASGD BY
DATE RECEIVED DIR/INT 11 OCT 1948 NO. OIN 12098
C. SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS - REMARKS
DATE
NO.
(Use other side this sheet for additional remarks)
d. TO BR. TO TO DIV. TO TO DIR/INT TO
DOWN UP DOWN UP DOWN UP
0IP-PP
OIP-FL AFOIP ASST EXEC
OIP-SP
OIR-CO ASST EXEC
OIR-DD
OIR-AA AFOIR
OIR-SR EXECUTIVE
OIR-RC
OAI-OA DIR/INT
OAI-DA
OAI-AE AFOAI
OAI-AF
OAI-SV
DISPATCHED BY CIG COURIER
PERS OINNO.335-B 28 OCT 1948
M&R ADMIN DATE
B & F 1155-E
CABLE
Action
Coordination
e DATE REC'D BR 11 OCT1948 f. DISPATCH FILE Mime
ACTION ASGD TO DATE DISPATCHED BY owi TO C/A
SIGNED Durtell DATE 27-20-2/8 DATE DISPATCHED 28 0CT 1948
AFOIN FORM 4 9-1748,AF
22 SEP 48 PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF THIS FORM ARE OBSOLETE-
Page 28
SUSPENSE DATE: NO.:
0 48
953 FILE DESIGNATION AND DATE:
10236
srittal of Investigation Regarding Report of
ing Discs".
cl. il
OIN TO: TO: OAI TO: TO:
DATE: DATE: DA-E15-48 DATE: DATE: DATE:
REPLIED OR INDORSED TO: FILED (PLACE): OTHER ACTION:
LTR Cen tiles
enc to AFOAI-DA 1/19/48 HQ AAF
Page 31
COVER SHEET 22500
* *
a. RECORD OF BASIC CORRESPONDENCE OR REQUEST b. CLASSIFICATION:
FROM: DATE:
TYPE: PONCIOENTIA
SUMMARY:
SUSPENSE
DATE
*
ASGD BY
DATE RECEIVED DIR/INT NOV 1948 NO.
SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS - REMARKS DATE 10 Novuser 8
AFOAI:
NO.
You your iufo G.D.G.
OIR-CO
(Use other side this sheet for additional remarks)
TO BR. TO TO DIV. TO TO DIR/INT TO
DOWN UP DOWN UP DOWN UP
OIP-PP
OIP-FL AFOIP ASST EXEC
OIP-SP
OIR-CO ASST EXEC
OIR-DD Gb
OIR-AA AFOIR
OIR-SR EXECUTIVE
OIR-RC
OAI-OA DIR/INT
OAI-DA FED
OAI-AE AFOAI Juv
OAI-AF
OAI-SV Hlyng Fruduls
PERS
M&R ADMIN one
B & F
CABLE
Action
Coordination
- DATE REC'D BR 9NOV19A f DISPATCH FILE
ACTION ASGD TO DATE DISPATCHED BY E TO
SIGNED DATE DATE DISPATCHED 2$ her L
AFOIN FORM 4 9-1748,AF
22 SFP 48 PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF THIS FORM ARE OBSOLETE.
Page 33
\
MCI.US
IICLUS/Jm/.mak_
SIJB.Jl!:Cf:
Request for study by land Project
THRU:
C2det of S\ai't
United St.ates Air Force
Washington 25, D. c.
AT'IW: AFOD
!O:
~
194f~)
Chief ot Start
UDited State• Air Force
Washington 25, D. c.
A'M'II : illmD
l. It is requested that the speci-1 study, described in the
inclo8Ure be approved and the Rand Corporation be authorized to
establish a study of 3A priorit;y-., consistent in scope and degree
of treataent with the described requirements.
2. It is fq.rtber requested that Air Materiel Command be
assigned to aonitor the project 1o. conformance with Air Corpe Letter
&}-10, 2l Jui,, 19~., Section 3, Paragraph J.
FOR THE OOJlllARDINO CJERERAL:
l Incl
Exhibit •.t•
Project Sign Study
Requireaenta
1'. R. CLIII CERJWI
Colonel, USAP
Actg C2l.iet, Intelligence Department
Page 34
ET
EXHIBIT "A"
Projeet Sign Study Requirements
The possibility that some of the unidentified aerial ebjects
that have been reported both in tne United States and in foreign
lands may have been experimental spaceships, or test vehieles for
the purpese of assisting in the development of spaceships, has been
given consideration by this Command,
If sueh craft actually have been sighted, it is believed more
likely that they represent the effort of a foreign nation, rather
than a produet from beyond the Earth.
Present world knowledge, techniques and resources are probably
adequate to meet the requirements for spaceship construction, or at
least to establish the preliminary experimental foundation for such
an accomplishment in the near future.
In any case, the design and periormance parameters of the craft
would necessarily be in confermance and consistent with the established
principles of our sciences.
To assist in the collection of infermation, relating to unidenti-
fied aerial objeets that may possibly represent spaceships or spaceship
test vehicles, and to assist in the analysis and evaluation of such re-
ported craft, technical information that includes the distinguishing
design and periormance parameters for spaceships is considered neces-
sary.
While such information is contained outright, or implieitly, in
the series of Rand Project reports, it would be of much value to this
Command to have a list of the special design and performsnce charac-
teristics that are believed to cistinguish spaceships, together with
any further scientific elues that might assist in their deteetion
and identification, prepared by Rand scientifie personnel.
7-65382
Page 36
\
COVER SHEET
---
\
a.
*
RECORD OF BASIC CORRESPONDENCE OR REQUEST
b.
CLASSIFICATION:
DATE:
FROM:
TYPE:
SUMMARY:
SUSPENSE
i
DATE
/w,..;
~/
ASGD BY
21 ocr se,
DATE RECEIVED DIR/INT
c.
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SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS - REMARKS
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9 - 1748,.lF
Page 38
_ AFOIR-CO/Lt. Col. Garrett/dw/4544
_,..
10~-
/ 1'1..--~
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY
1660 F.a.st Hyde Park Boulevard
Chicago 15, I l linois
ALFGF- I
~r~fl-P')
25 October 1948
SUBJECT:
"Reported Flying Disc"
TO
Dir ector of Intel ligence
GSUSA
Washington 25, D. C.
ATTN: Chief, Intelligence Group
l . Attached herewith is a copy of a newspaper clipping from the
Minneapolis .Morning Tribune dated 21 October 1948, on so called "fl.Ying
discs . "
2.
No further investigation is being ccnducted by this Head~uarters .
FOR THE CO.i.:MANDING GENERAL:
/s/ PRENTICE G. !.'ORGAN
Major, GSC
Chief, Intelligence Division
Office of AC of s, G-2
Incl:
As stated above
let
pt. of the
r
re , Uc U
r
~ riel
iald,
,c
rut, r1 ht
111
ROBERT TAYLOR 5:rd
i\
.
iJI\
n/c • {v \
Jnol:
~
Colonel ,
JSAF
c
ef ,
{ o-t ic Branch
A~ I 1~cl.!..ig41.ce t\equirements D1v1sloo
Directorate of Intelligence
Page 39
190148 000
Suby Proged SIGN
1Scs
lst Ind MOTAXO-3/HS/dw
TO: Chief of Staff, Uhited States ir Force, ashington 25, D. C.
ATTN: AFOIR-CO-5 (L-1O-1)
Request to investigate the sighting reported in letter attached
as Inclosure 1 to basic communication, has been forwarded to Branch
Intelligence Office, ll2th CIc Detachment, New Orleans, Louisiana.
FOR TIE COMMANDING GENIRAL:
1 Inel W. R. CLINGEMAN Xover
w/d Colonel, USAF
Actg Chief, Intelligence Department
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