 
UFOSECTION 1
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION AUG 11 1947 TELETYPE
DIRECTOR U R G E N T FLYING DISCS. SECURITY MATTER DASH X. ONE ____ FORMER NAVY PILOT AND PRESENTLY ____ MYRTLE CREEK, ____ OREGON, REPORTS SEEING A MYSTERIOUS OBJECT ON TWO OCCASIONS THE EVENING OF AUGUST SIXTH WHILE FLYING AT ABOUT FIVE THOUSAND FEET ABOVE MYRTLE CREEK. HATFIELD TO BE INTERVIEWED. BOBBITT END 5-18 PM OK FBI WASH DC GAR Stamped: RECORDED & INDEXED 30 OCT 1947 EX-60 STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
Reference is made to Bureau Bulletin No. 42, Series 1947, dated July 30, 1947, Section (B), which advises that all reports concerning flying discs should be investigated by field offices. Prior to the receipt of these instructions, two instances were called to the attention of this office concerning flying discs. One report was received July 7, 1947, the details of which are set forth in Milwaukee letter to the Bureau dated July 8, 1947, entitled, "Flying Discs or Saucers, Miscellaneous, Telephone Call from Mr. Fletcher at the Bureau at 8:30 a.m., 7-7-47." No investigation was conducted concerning this report. The second report was received by this office at 1:20 p.m. July 11, 1947, from ____ who is in charge of the Civil Air Patrol of Wisconsin, an auxiliary of the Army Air Forces. On that occasion ____ calling from Black River Falls, Wisconsin, telephonically advised this office that an object in the shape of a disc, nineteen inches in diameter had been found July 10, 1947, by one ____ city electrician on the Jackson County fairgrounds, near Black River Falls, Wisconsin, about 3:30 p.m. The disc might be made of a substance such as cardboard covered by a silver airplane dope material. The contraption has a small wooden tail like a rudder in the back and inside of the disc is what appears to be an RCA photo-electric cell or tube. Also inside the disc is a little electric motor with a shaft running to the center of the disc. At one end of the shaft is a very small propeller. In ____ opinion that contraption might possibly have been made by some juvenile. ____ stated that he desired to return the contraption to Milwaukee and eventually turn it over to the Army Air Forces, but that the finder, ____ apparently wanted to get some publicity on his find and wanted it returned to him. This information was telephonically called to the attention of Assistant Director D. M. LADD of the Bureau on July 11, 1947. Subsequently, SAC H. K. JOHNSON telephoned Colonel ____ in charge of Counter Intelligence, Fifth Army, Chicago AC of S G-2 Headquarters Fifth Army, East Hyde Park Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, who stated he would contact ____ of Black River Falls, Wisconsin. No further investigation was conducted in this matter. The above constitutes the only two instances in which this office was contacted concerning flying discs. Unless contrary instructions are received from the Bureau, this office does not contemplate taking any further action in connection with the above two cases, but will fully investigate all future reports concerning flying discs. JGF/ddc Stamped: COPIES DESTROYED August 5, 1947 ____ Dear ____ I wish to acknowledge receipt of your letter postmarked July 10, 1947, together with its enclosure. Inasmuch as the information which you furnished is of interest to the War Department I have taken the liberty of furnishing it to that agency for their consideration. Sincerely yours, John Edgar Hoover WVC:mjp:rb Stamped: RECORDED & INDEXED EX-8 STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
There is attached hereto a letter received from the captioned individual postmarked July 12, 1947, concerning "flying saucers." There is also attached a letter of acknowledgement to ____ ____ together with a letter to the War Department for approval. It is recommended that the letter to the War Department be forwarded to the Liaison Section for transmittal to that agency. Attachments WVC:mjp Handwritten: handled separately Stamped: RECORDED & INDEXED F.B.I. TELETYPE D E C O D E D C O P Y
DIRECTOR FBI AND SACS, SEATTLE AND PORTLAND URGENT FLYING DISKS, SECURITY MATTER-X. LT. COL. ____ OF G2, SAN FRANCISCO, ADVISED TODAY HE HAS NO FURTHER INFORMATION AND THAT OUR SEATTLE OFFICE IS IN POSSESSION OF ALL INFORMATION KNOWN BY HIM AND IS HANDLING THE MATTER AT TACOMA, WASHINGTON. KIMBALL RECEIVED 8-9-47 SACS SEATTLE AND PORTLAND ADVISED If the intelligence contained in the above message is to be disseminated outside the Bureau, it is suggested that it be suitably paraphrased in order to protect the Bureau's coding systems. Stamped: G.I.R.-9 RECORDED EX-45 STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
Re Bureau Bulletin No. 42, dated July 30, 1947, Series 1947, wherein information is set forth pertaining to flying discs. There is enclosed with this letter a newspaper clipping from the "Norfolk Ledger-Dispatch", dated July 9, 1947. The photograph appearing on this clipping is alleged to represent a flying disc which was observed by BILLY TURRENTINE, a Norfolk school boy, who was successful in photographing the object with his small camera. BILLY was interviewed on August 8, 1947 by Special Agent (A) ____ at which time BILLY informed that the original negative was given by him to a Mr. BROWN of the Photo Craftsman Service, who in turn furnished the negative to the International News Service. BILLY advised that he has an agreement with Mr. BROWN whereby the latter will share equally in any profits derived from the use of the negative by commercial firms or newspapers. As of August 8, 1947 BILLY has not received any remuneration for the use of this negative. He informed that he was sitting on the front porch of his apartment which is located on the third floor at 410 West 14th Street, Norfolk, Virginia, around noontime on July 8, 1947. He had read numerous newspaper articles pertaining to flying discs and decided to sit on his front porch in the hopes of seeing one and attempting to photograph it. On July 8, 1947 BILLY observed a large, black object moving rapidly through space proceeding from the southwest to a northeast direction. He said the black object was followed by two smaller objects which also proceeded in the same direction. BILLY explained that the objects were moving at a very fast speed which appeared to him to be much faster than the speed of an airplane, and further, that the objects appeared to be extremely high. He said that they were much higher than the average plane travels in the City of Norfolk and appeared to be above the clouds, and that a white mist followed each of the three objects. BILLY was unable to state what the black objects represented, but admitted that they could have been large balloons. He indicated that he has observed small, toy balloons flying through the air, but that definitely these were not the toy type balloons. He said that when he first observed the objects they were at such a great distance from him that it was not necessary that he raise his head in order to see them from his porch on the third floor of the apartment building. He immediately turned around to obtain his camera and estimated it took him approximately twenty to thirty seconds, at which time the discs were almost directly over his apartment and it was necessary that he stoop and look up almost perpendicular in order to obtain the photograph, which accounts for the porch railing being shown in the newspaper clipping. BILLY pointed out that the day on which he took the picture, the weather was hazy and somewhat cloudy and there was a slight breeze blowing from the southwest in the general direction of the northeast, which is the same direction traveled by the black image which he photographed. Inasmuch as the Army authorities in the Tidewater Area of Virginia are cognizant of the above information, no further investigation will be conducted by this office in this matter. Enclosure. TJC:lab Stamped: RECORDED & INDEXED COPIES DESTROYED FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION AUG 4 1947 TELETYPE
DIRECTOR U R G E N T FLYING DISC REPORTED AT HACKENSACK, NJ AUGUST THREE, NINETEEN FORTY-SEVEN, MISC. INFORMATION RECEIVED THAT ____ AGE ____ ____ AGE TWENTY, ____ HACKENSACK AND ____ ____ FT. DIX, NJ ON LATE AFTERNOON AUGUST THIRD LAST SIGHTED FROM GROUND OBJECT DESCRIBED AS FLYING DISC. ____ CLAIMED IT WAS TWO HUNDRED ____ YDS, IN AIR, REVOLVING SLOWLY, MOVING RAPIDLY, AND NEITHER A KITE NOR A BALLOON. ____ TELEPHONED INFORMATION TO HACKENSACK PD. INQUIRY BEING MADE, BUREAU WILL BE KEPT ADVISED. MC KEE RECORDED 62-83844-49 END ACK PLS Handwritten: Info. brought to the attention of ____ 8/6/47 Stamped: RECORDED EX-46 FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION AUG 6 1947 TELETYPE
DIRECTOR AND SACS SEATTLE AND SAN FRANCISCO U R G E N T FLYING DISCS, SM DASH X. RE TELEPHONE CALL FROM MR. LADD, ONE PM TODAY REQUESTING TELETYPE SUMMARY CONCERNING NEWSPAPER REPORTS OF RECENT REPORTED FLYING DISCS IN PORTLAND AREA AND A REPORTED CONFERENCE OF ARMY OFFICIALS IN PORTLAND CONCERNING FLYING DISCS.____ ____ THE OREGONIAN, ADVISED THAT A CAPTAIN WILLIAM L. DAVIDSON AND LT. FRANK M. BROWN OF FOURTH AAF HEADQUARTERS SAN FRANCISCO WERE IN PORTLAND JULY TWENTY SEVEN LAST AND INTERVIEWED ____ AN EXPERIENCED PILOT, WHO HAD REPORTED JUNE FOURTEEN LAST SEEING A FORMATION OF TEN FLYING DISCS OVER BAKERSFIELD, CALIF. ACCORDING TO ____ THEY HAD ALSO INTERVIEWED FOLLOWING FOUR EXPERIENCED PILOTS WHO WERE AMONG FIRST WHO REPORTED SEEING DISCS—____ TO ASCERTAIN THE PURPOSE OF THE INTERVIEWS ____ CONTACTED MAJOR GENERAL TWINING OF WRIGHT FIELD, OHIO BY PHONE AT ALBUQUERQUE, NM, AND FROM HIM GAINED THE IMPRESSION THAT THE AAF INSTITUTED THIS INVESTIGATION TO WASH OUT THE DISC REPORTS, SINCE THEY ARE DEFINITELY NOT OF AAF ORIGIN. ON FRIDAY, AUGUST FIRST, THE PLANE IN WHICH AAF INVESTIGATORS CAPTAIN DAVIDSON AND LT. BROWN WERE RIDING, CRASHED AT KELSO, WASH. AND BOTH WERE KILLED. THE WRECKAGE WAS SCREENED BY AAF INTELLIGENCE FROM MCCHORD FIELD. THE TACOMA NEWS TRIBUNE AND THROUGH THEM THE UNITED PRESS PUT OUT A STORY THE PLANE WAS CARRYING PARTS OF A DISC WHICH HAD STRUCK A BOAT OWNED BY HAROLD DAHL AND FRED CRISMAN, TACOMA, WN. ____ ADVISED THAT TODAY'S ISSUE OF THE OREGONIAN CARRIES A UP STORY STATING THAT DAHL DENIES SAYING THE METAL FRAGMENTS HE FURNISHED WERE FROM A DISC, AND ANALYSIS OF THE FRAGMENTS SHOWS THEM TO BE FROM A TACOMA SLAG MILL. NO AAF INTELLIGENCE PERSONNEL AVAILABLE PORTLAND. NO RECENT SUBSTANTIVE REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS IN THE PORTLAND AREA. SEATTLE VERIFY AT MCCHORD FIELD AND SAN FRANCISCO VERIFY AT AAF HDQRTS. SF, SUBMITTING TELETYPE SUMMARIES TO THE BUREAU. NO FURTHER INVESTIGATION PORTLAND. BOBBITT END AND ACK Handwritten: b7C Stamped: 67C RECORDED & INDEXED EX-30 STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
Special Agent ____ of the Liaison Section contacted Lieutenant Colonel ____, Army Air Forces Intelligence, inquiring about an article which appeared in the West Coast newspapers recently stating in substance that an airplane carrying recovered flying saucers crashed in route from Portland, Oregon, to Los Angeles, California. ____ advised ____ that the only information that has been received by Headquarters of the Army Air Forces is that a CIC Agent of the 4th Air Forces Headquarters, Hamilton Field, San Francisco, was killed in an airplane crash. The Headquarters of the Air Forces have been advised that he was on a top secret mission. ____ indicated that he was under the impression that the CIC Agent was either on route to or from an interview with ____ who is one of the individuals who first saw one of the flying saucers. ____ stated that the Air Forces have no additional information and will receive none until the report is received from the 4th Air Forces. ____ suggested that the San Francisco Field Office contact Colonel ____ Headquarters 4th Air Forces, Hamilton Field, San Francisco, who undoubtedly would be able to furnish the details regarding this matter which are at this time unknown by the Headquarters of the Air Forces. ____ pointed out to ____, however, that it was his belief that no flying saucers have been recovered but that it was merely an attempt to reinterview an individual who previously had reported seeing one of the flying saucers. SWR:rnr Stamped: RECORDED EX-25
There are attached hereto copies of a letter received from the above-captioned individual concerning "flying discs." ____ letter has been acknowledged and he has been advised that copies of his letter have been furnished to you for your consideration. Attachment WVC:mjp:rb Handwritten: declassified Stamped: RECORDED COMMUNICATIONS SECTION L-26 Invoice of Contents from
List of Contents Powered Soap Stone. SPECIAL INSTRUCTION [illegible] Room, place date of shipment and registry number; Shipping Room, above date of 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. Stamped: COMMUNICATIONS SECTION REGISTERED FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION
UNSUBS, ____ INFORMANTS, FLYING DISC, MISC. REURTEL AUGUST 5 MATERIAL SHOULD NOT BE FORWARDED TO FBI LABORATORY FOR EXAMINATION BUT SHOULD BE TURNED OVER TO THE ARMY AIRFORCE INTELLIGENCE. HOOVER RGF:mae Stamped: RECORDED & INDEXED FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION TELETYPE COPIES DESTROYED
There are attached hereto copies of a letter received from the above-captioned individual concerning "flying saucers." ____ letter has been acknowledged and she has been advised that copies of her letter have been furnished to you for your consideration. Attachment WVC:mjp Handwritten: declassified Stamped: RECEIVED & INDEXED STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
____ has come to the resident agency at Santa Fe, New Mexico on several occasions to report that she has received information concerning flying objects passing through the air. Some of the reports that she has received concern light objects seen at night which have allegedly been followed by explosions. She advised that one of such objects was reported by ____ ____ who works near Canjilon, New Mexico. She claims that others were seen near Park View and Tierra Amarilla, New Mexico. ____ called attention to clippings from various newspapers concerning "disc-like" objects seen in New Mexico and other parts of the country. ____ claims to be a student of radio waves and ray forms, and contends that the above mentioned objects may be missiles similar to those appearing over Sweden some time ago. ____ has discussed the above with officials of the Atomic Energy Commission, and has written the Secretary of War and other government officials concerning her theories. ____ for the A.E.C., has advised that officials at Los Alamos consider ____ ____ unreliable and possibly not well balanced mentally. She has mentioned to agents of this office that she was struck by lightning when a child. On July 15, ____ came to the Santa Fe resident agency and advised that she had written to WALTER WINCHELL, promising him a story in connection with the "flying discs." The foregoing information is being submitted to the Bureau, inasmuch as ____ has written to several government officials and Mr. WINCHELL. 62-0-3594c Stamped: RECORDED & INDEXED STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
Reference is made to my memorandum to you in the above captioned matter dated July 10, 1947, indicating that Brigadier General George F. Schulgen of the Army Air Corps Intelligence had requested that the Bureau cooperate with the Army Air Corps intelligence in connection with the above captioned matter. The Director noted on the referenced memorandum, "I would do it but before agreeing to it we must insist upon full access to discs recovered. For instance in the La. case the Army grabbed it and would not let us have it for cursory examination." This is to advise that Special Agent ____ has recontacted General Schulgen and advised him in connection with the Director's notation. General Schulgen indicated to ____ that he desired to assure Mr. Hoover of complete cooperation in this matter and stated that he would issue instructions to the field directing that all cooperation be furnished to the FBI and that all discs recovered be made available for the examination by the FBI Agents. General Schulgen pointed out to ____ that he will from time to time make the results of the studies of his scientists available to the Bureau for the assistance of the FBI Field Offices. General Schulgen indicated to ____ that there has been a decrease in the reported sightings of the discs which might be because of the fact that it has lost much of its publicity value. He indicated, however, that he believed it necessary to follow this matter through to determine as near as possible if discs were in fact seen and to determine their origin. General Schulgen inquired of ____ the method by which the Bureau would make the information obtained from the Bureau's inquiries, known to the Air Corps, in the Field as well as at the War Department level. Mr. ____ pointed out to General Schulgen that the best procedure appeared to be through the regular established channels. It was pointed out to General Schulgen that the Bureau Field Offices maintain close liaison with the Intelligence Divisions of the various Armies as well as close liaison with the Intelligence Division of the War Department. General Schulgen indicated that he would be satisfied to receive information through this means. General Schulgen indicated to ____ that he believed that there was a possibility that this entire matter might have been started by subversive individuals for the purpose of creating a mass hysteria. He suggested that the Bureau keep this in mind in any interviews conducted regarding reported sightings. General Schulgen stated to ____ that he would make available to the Bureau all information in the possession of the Air Corps regarding the sightings which were first reported so that the Bureau could conduct some investigation regarding these individuals to ascertain their motives for reporting that they had observed flying discs. When General Schulgen makes the information available regarding these individuals, it will be promptly brought to your attention. SWR:rnr Stamped: Copies Destroyed 50 SEP 30 1947 RECORDED EX-43 7/23/47 MEMORANDUM FOR D. M. LADD RECOMMENDATION There is attached a Bureau Bulletin to the Field for their assistance in handling this matter. Attachment July 30, 1947 ____ Dear ____: I desire to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated July 14, 1947, and to express my appreciation to you for bringing this matter to my attention. The information set forth in your letter has been carefully reviewed and is being maintained in this Bureau as a matter of record. Sincerely yours, John Edgar Hoover NOTE: ____ has been a previous correspondent with the Bu file ____. No record could be located in the Crime Records Section indication that the correspondent might be a mental case. Stamped: RECORDED COMMUNICATIONS SECTION STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum · UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT
At request of Brigadier General George F. Schulgen, Chief of the Requirements Intelligence Branch of Army Air Corps Intelligence, Special Agent ____ discussed the above captioned matter with him on July 9, 1947. General Schulgen indicated to ____ that the Air Corps has taken the attitude that every effort must be undertaken in order to run down and ascertain whether or not the flying disks are a fact and, if so, to learn all about them. According to General Schulgen, the Air Corps Intelligence are utilizing all of their scientists in order to ascertain whether or not such a phenomenon could in fact occur. He stated that this research is being conducted with the thought that the flying objects might be a celestial phenomenon and with the view that they might be a foreign body mechanically devised and controlled. General Schulgen also indicated to ____ that all Air Corps installations have been alerted to run out each reported sighting to obtain all possible data to assist in this research project. In passing, General Schulgen stated that an Air Corps pilot who believed that he saw one of these objects was thoroughly interrogated by General Schulgen and scientists, as well as a psychologist, and the pilot was adamant in his claim that he saw a flying disk. General Schulgen advised ____ that the possibility exists that the first reported sightings of the so-called flying disks were fallacious and prompted by individuals seeking personal publicity, or were reported for political reasons. He stated that if this was so, subsequent sightings might be the result of a mass hysteria. He pointed out that the thought exists that the first reported sightings might have been by individuals of Communist sympathies with the view to causing hysteria and fear of a secret Russian weapon. General Schulgen indicated to ____ that he is desirous of having all the angles covered in this matter. He stated that reports of his scientists and findings of the various Air Corps installations will be available in his office. He advised that to complete the picture he desired the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in locating and questioning the individuals who first sighted the so-called flying disks in order to ascertain whether or not they are sincere in their statements that they saw these disks, or whether their statements were prompted by personal desire for publicity or political reasons. General Schulgen assured ____ that there are no War Department or Navy Department research projects presently being conducted which could in any way be tied up with the flying disks. General Schulgen indicated to ____ that if the Bureau would cooperate with him in this matter, he would offer all the facilities of his office as to results obtained in the effort to identify and run down this matter. ____ advised General Schulgen that his request would be made known to the Bureau and an answer made available to him as soon as possible. ____ also discussed this matter with ____ of ____ ____ indicated that it was his attitude that inasmuch as it has been established that the flying disks are not the result of any Army or Navy experiments, the matter is of interest to the FBI. He stated that he was of the opinion that the Bureau, if at all possible, should accede to General Schulgen's request. SWR:AJB ADDENDUM I would recommend that we advise the Army that the Bureau does not believe it should go into these investigations, it being noted that a great bulk of those alleged discs reported found have been pranks. It is not believed that the Bureau would accomplish anything by going into these investigations. DML First Handwritten Note: I think we should do this. 7-15 Second Handwritten Note: I would do it but before agreeing to it we must insist upon full access to discs recovered. For instance in the La. case the Army grabbed it & would not let us have it for cursory examination. H. Stamped: RECORDED FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION AUG 14 1947 TELETYPE
WASHINGTON, SM X. REURTEL INSTANT DATE. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT ____ DID NOT ADMIT TO ____ THAT HIS STORY WAS A HOAX BUT ONLY STATED THAT IF QUESTIONED BY AUTHORITIES HE WAS GOING TO SAY IT WAS A HOAX BECAUSE HE DID NOT WANT ANY FURTHER TROUBLE OVER THE MATTER. COMPLETE REPORT NOW EN ROUTE TO BUREAU AMSD, WHICH INDICATES PROBABLY ____ MADE THE ANONYMOUS PHONE CALL IN THE HOPE OF BUILDING UP THEIR STORY THROUGH PUBLICITY TO A POINT WHERE THEY COULD MAKE A PROFITABLE DEAL WITH FANTASY MAGAZINE, CHICAGO ILLINOIS. ____ WILL NOT BE REINTERVIEWED UNLESS ADVISED TO THE CONTRARY BY THE BUREAU. WILCOX Stamped: 18 Aug 26 1947. RECORDED & INDEXED G.I.R. (B) FLYING DISCS—The Bureau, at the request of the Army Air Forces Intelligence, has agreed to cooperate in the investigation of flying discs. The Air Forces have confidentially advised that it is possible to release three or more discs in odd numbers, attached together by a wire, from an airplane in high altitudes and that these discs would obtain tremendous speed in their descent and would descend to the earth in an arc. The Army Air Forces Intelligence has also indicated some concern that the reported sightings might have been made by subversive individuals for the purpose of creating a mass hysteria. _______________________________ You should investigate each instance which is brought to your attention of a sighting of a flying disc in order to ascertain whether or not it is a bona fide sighting, an imaginary one or a prank. You should also bear in mind that individuals might report seeing flying discs for various reasons. It is conceivable that an individual might be desirous of seeking personal publicity, causing hysteria, or playing a prank. The Bureau should be notified immediately by teletype of all reported sightings and the results of your inquiries. In instances where the report appears to have merit, the teletype should be followed by a letter to the Bureau containing in detail the results of your inquiries. The Army Air Forces have assured the Bureau complete cooperating in these matters and in any instances where they fail to make information available to you or make the recovered discs available for your examination, it should promptly be brought to the attention of the Bureau. Any information you develop in connection with these discs should be promptly brought to the attention of the Army through your usual liaison channels. Stamped: RECORDED 78 AUG 4, 1947 252 AUG 18 1947 July 10, 1947 ____ Dear ____ I wish to acknowledge receipt of your Western Union telegram dated July 6, 1947. Your interest in bringing this information to my attention is greatly appreciated. Inasmuch as the contents of your telegram appear to be of interest to the War Department only, I have taken the liberty of turning this information over to that Department. Sincerely yours, John Edgar Hoover cc—Savannah |
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