LETTER TO MAJOR DONALD F. KEYHOE USMC (RET) FROM (Sanitized)

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80B01676R004000110004-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 7, 2003
• Sequence Number: 4
• Publication Date: October 2, 1958
• Content Type: LETTER

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NATIONAL INVESTIGATIONS COMMITTEE
ON AERIAL PHENOMENA
Major Donald E. Keyhoe, Director
1536 Connecticut Avenue
Washington 6, D. C.
North 7-9434
NICAP
Richard Hall
Elizabeth Ann Kendall
Sept. 22, 1958
Executive cer
Central Intelligence Agency
Washington 25, D. C.
With the approval of Board members with whom I have discussed the situation,
I am writing again to ask what part the Central Intelligence Agency plays in
the official investigation of the unidentified flying objects.
Since January 1953 I have been aware of the fact that the Central Intelligence
Agency assembled a group of scientists at the Pentagon to examine the evidence
on UFOs and to decide or suggest a course of action. Several months ago I was
questioned by an investigator of the McClellan, Subcommittee on Government
Operations. During one of the several interviews in which I gave the sub-
committee a mass of verified evidence, I told the investigator of the 1953
meeting of scientists and suggested that he ask for the copy of the official
report.
Later he told me that the Air Force explained that this was not an Air Force
document and that they would have to ask the approval of the agency involved.
On still another occasion the investigator told me that this had proved to be the
Central Intelligence Agency and that he had been sent a summary of the full report,
which was classified.
Until that time, the Air Force had officially denied the existence of any such
document. However, shortly fifter I had the verification from the McClellan
subcommittee investigator, the Air Force admitted that there was such a
document, as I had claimed. Within a short time they released what they said
was a summary of the main points, and the conclusions of the scientists.
No mention was made of the connection with the Central Intelligence Agency.
Since then, requests for the full report of this group have been refused,
on the grounds that the report is classified.
The National Investigations Committee is hereby requesting declassification
of this full report so that we may examine the document and the evidence along
with the scientists' conclusions.
The Air Foe has repeatedly stated that there is absolutely no danger connected
with unidentified flying objects. It has also said that,-there is no classifica-
tion as regards national security. It has admitted "official use only" classi-
fication, which, the Air Force says, is to protect the names of witnesses who
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Since the CIA document is said not to list witnesses' names but to discuss
the general problem, there is no reason apparent why it should not be de-
classified, as requested.
Despite the published conclusions of the 1953 scientists group, we have
found that there is an increasing public belief that the UFOs may possibly
be unfriendly. We have absolutely no evidence to prove that they are
hostile and I cite this only to prove the danger of the present secrecy
policy. Secrecy breeds ignorance of the subject and it could lead to
hysteria or even panic under certain conditions. I believe that an open
discussion of the problem would serve the best interests of the country.
In addition to requesting a copy of the formal report drawn up by the
scientists in 1953, NICAP requests an interview with an official of the
Central Intelligence Agency who is qualified to speak for the CIA on this
subject. It is our belief that a frank discussion of the problems will
be of mutual benefit.
In my previous letters, I gave you the name of some of our Board members,
including Vice Admiral R. H. Hillenkoetter, USN (Ret.), who formerly
was director of the Central Intelligence Agency. I am sure that Admiral
Hillenkoetter, as well as all the members of our Board and our Special
Advisers would tell you, if questioned, that they disagree with the present
secrecy about unidentified flying objects.
With a memberbhip covering all 49 states and many foreign countries,
except those in the USSR, NICAP has, by its serious, factual approach won the
attention of many important citizens here and abroad. Our factual press
releases have been given serious attention by the press and by newscasters.
We are in a position to help citizens in America, and elsewhere, for the
facts which eventually will have to be made public. We hope the Central
Intelligence Agency will agree to a conference or at least an interview on the
various aspects of this problem.
Sincerely yours,
/s! Donald E. Keyhoe
Donald E. Keyhoe, Major USMC (Ret.)
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 SENDER WILL CHECK CLASSIFICATION TOP AND BOTT
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CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
OFFICIAL ROUTING SLIP
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NAME AND ADDRESS
INITIALS
DATE
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ACTION
DIRECT REPLY
PREPARE REPLY
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DISPATCH
RECOMMENDATION
COMMENT
FILE
RETURN
CONCURRENCE
INFORMATION
,SIGNATURE
Remarks :
Shall we refer this to the Air Force for
reply in accordance with our previous
procedures, or do you recommend some other
action? Please give me a call and let me
know.
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FOLD HERE TO RETURN TO SENDER
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FORM N APR 55 237 Replaces Form 30-4
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which may be used.
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U. S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1955--0-342531
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INITIALS
DATE
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ACTION
DIRECT REPLY
PREPARE REPLY
APPROVAL
DISPATCH
RECOMMENDATION
COMMENT
FILE
RETURN
CONCURRENCE
INFORMATION
SIGNATURE
Remarks: 1. I called Major Tacker and he also
received a letter, same date, from Keyhoe.
Major Tacker will be very glad to answer both
letters along the lines he has previously
discussed With Keyhoe, i.e., the Air Force is
the executive agency and, in fact, the only
agency qualified to speak on unidentified
flying objects. Furthermore, Major Tacker
assures me that he has advised Ke hoe that the
remaining portions of the report are not only
Secret but do not deal with unidentified flying
objects.
2. Both the above statements are true and
I suggest we write a letter to Keyhoe telling h
that we have referred hi lptter to Major
ac office, USAF. Qu
FOLD HERE TO RETURN TO SENDER I/ rl
FROM: NAME, ADD ESS AND PHONE NO.
DATE
30Sep58
prpg e e
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FORM APR O. 237 Replaces Form 30-4
which may be used.
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