LETTER TO (Sanitized)FROM H. MARSHALL CHADWELL

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP81R00560R000100030026-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 36
• Document Creation Date: December 9, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 5, 2001
• Sequence Number: 26
• Publication Date: January 28, 1953
• Content Type: LETTER

p.
STATINTL
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Dear sob:
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STATINTL
28 Jennery 1953
Many tesaks for your letter of SO January. A eoPY of the Paola
report, lists at personnel concerned' Soil widened, reesived ere being
forwarded to you via another channel,
The report is on its way up the ladder with our eoneurrenes hot
conclusions emit reeammendations. I do not believe that a rump Panel
meeting will be indicated next weak. However, we shall hope to see
you Friday afterneea, 6 February, to bring yoa qp to date on offieial
action. Fred's memo has been delayed in completion but will be
available at that time. Action is being taken on the requests in
your telegram of 22 January
And so, until next week.
Distribution:
Opne/SI - 2 I
Admin/SI - 1
AD/SI -1
Cordially yours,
SigrA H. Marsha n ChodA4
N. Marshall Outdo*11
081 :POWISPtied(28.741itiaatse 2001/08/07 : CIA-RDP81R00560R000100030026-1
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//;StuTuat
Se Pity InTorrntloy,
JAN 27 1953
request to toi/orpt informed at say progress in
asidestified flyia ?Nests," this letter vin bring
Last Novelber, the eectima of the Air Techeical Intelligence Ouster
Charged with investigation of reports of sighting* presentei statue
briefing at the ageoly. Based epos the evidence presented, the object
use discussed at a Deceiber meetiag of the latalligasee Advisory Cart
mitime (CIA, Army, 'levy, Air Pores, joist sum State, AMC, Ea 711).
At that time it we recommended that CIA ehouli eassible e panel of
highly qualified personnel to examine the problem sat its remifiestiens.
Particular competency in the fields of physics, radar and astromemy lees
believed desirable.
WO Imre fortunate to Obtain the services of especially qualified
men, I believe you vill agree. Enclosed for your information are copies
of the report submitted by the Penal eat related material. Vs ovacer is
the conclusions and recommendetioes of the Penal, and are forwarting the
report to appropriate authorities. Sipes the pv11101400 related to this
'object eppear to be operational rather thee intelligens* ia nature, ye
mill be concerned may indirectly is the future. Mosever, if there are
amy developments in tail* we believe you mieht be iaterested, le Mall
infers you. Incidentally, knowledge of any interest of CIA La the subject
of "flying saucers' hes been oaretally restrict**, in use of probable
siseuderotseding if it mire publicly kn.
With, best wishes
Cordially yours,
Signer' H. Marsha!
V. Marshall Chadwell
Assistant Director
1
1. Panel tepert
2. List of Pereoneel 25X1A
3. /widens* presents(
Distribution
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OSI:PSAVAIW-(37Jao53)
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0100030026-1
RFSORT OF EEETIEGS OF SUMITIFIC ADVISORY MEL
ON UNMENTIPIED FLYING OBJ1DTS
COEMED BY OFF/OE OF SC,IPTIFIO INTEILIGEOGE9 CIL
&allay 24 260 2953 .
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INDEX
Purpose
Part Is History of Meetings of Panel
Part IIs Comments and Suggestione of Panel
he&
1
1
.General
7
On Lack of Danger
8
Air Force Reporting System
9
Artifacts of Extraterrestial Origin
213
Trenton, Utah, Sighting
11
Potential Related Dangers
15
Geographic Locations of Unexplained
Sightings
35
Instrumentation to Obtain Data
16
Radar Problem of Nhtual Interference
18
Unexplained Cosmic Ray Phenomena
19
Educational Program
29
Unofficial Investigating Groups
23
Increase in Humber of Sightings
24
Report of Panel Tab A
List of Personnel Concerned with Meetings Tab B
List of Docunantary Evidence Presented Tab C
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Sezurity Wareation
26 February 1933
PEICRAPIDUM FCEL: LLociatant Dire:atm* for Sciontifio Intelligence
ON g 25X1A
s Report of Meutings of the Office of Scientific
Intelligence Scientific Advisory Panel on
Unidentified Flying Objects& J #40-'st 24 r180 1953
DIME
The purptso of this mmerandum le to presents
a. A brief history of the meetings of the 0/81 Advisory Pena
On Unidentified Flying Objects (Pi 100
b. An unofficial supp1eza7dt to tho eficial Panel Report to
/81 setting forth commnts and suggestions of the Panel
HWifibers which they believed were ina,orepricts fa? Inclusion
in the formal report (Part II).*
ZAELD?BIEPILPE20,774q4
DT!. ?
After consideration.ef tho umbjeot .of "Inedentified flying
object' at the 4 Daceabsr meeting of th6 Intelligence Advisory
Committee& the following action uas agreads
nThe Director of Contml Intelligence wills
a. Enlist the Service@ GO selected scientists to
rovlew aEd appraise the available evidence. in the
light of pertinent scientific thesries..'00'
/Tollcuilag the dolgation of this action to the Assistant
Director
for Szieatifinioe 22i prellE0Tm7 itzestigatum0
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an Advisory Panel of selected scientists was assenbled. In
Ceoperation with the Air Technical Intelligence Center, can
histori of reported sightings and related materiel were
made available f their Study and considoration.
Present at the inftialtime4ing (093) Wednesdays 14 4=W)
%MVOS
(ME Division), and the writer. Panel Members
I'was abeent until !ridgy afternoon.
v
ere present theaughOut the sessions to familiarize the. elves
with the subjects represent the substantive interest of their
Divisions, and assist in edministrative support of the meetings.
(Allot of personnel concerned with the meetings is given in
Tb A.), .
irliONWATNPRENG
Th ADA/ evened the Meeting, reviewing CIA interest in the
subject and action taken. Thin review included the mention of
the 0/SI Study Group of August 1952
culminating in the briefing of the DCI, the ATIC Nov ber 21
briefings 4 December IAC considerations Visit to ATIC (Chadee110
? and Cl/SI ao ern over potential dangers
to national security indirectly relat to these sightings.
enumerated these pot tial dangers. Following this
introductions Dr. Chadwell turned the meeting over to
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as Chairmen of the Panel. enumerated
the evidence available and requested consideration of speoific
reports and letters be taken by certain individuals present (Tab B).
For example, case histories involving radar or radar and visual
sightings were seleCted for while reports of Green 25X1A
Fireball phenomena, nocturnal lights, and suggested programs Of
25X1A investigation were routed to Following these remarks,
the motion pictures of the sightings at Tresonton, Utah (2 July 1952)
and Great Falls, Montana (15 August 1950)- Were 'hewn. The meeting
adjourned at 2200,
W EDNESDAT Arimutocs
The second meeting of the Panel opened at 2400. Lt. R. S.
Neashass. USN, and Mr. Barry Woo of the USN ,Ergiote Interpretation
Laboratory, Anacostia? presented the results of their analyses of
the, films mentioned above, This analysis evoked considerable
discussion as elaborated upon below. Besides Panel members and 25X1A
CIA personnel, Capt. E. 3. Ruppelt, Dr. 3. Allen Ilyssics
25X1A Capt. Harry B. Smith (2.402). and Dr, Stephan Possony
were present.
Following the Photo Interpretation lab presentation.
Mr. E. 3, Ruppelt spoke for about 40 minutes on ATM methods of
handling and evaluating reports of sightings and their efforts to
improve the quality of reports. The meeting was adjourned at 1715.
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TIMRSIDLT maim
The third and fourth meetings of the Panel were held Thursday,
15 January, commencing at 0900 with a twomhour break for luncheon.
Besides Panel lamberts and CIA personnel, Ruppelt and Eh.. ETynek
were present for both 8030.01150 In the morning, Mk.. Ruppelt oonw
tinned his-briefing.on ATIC collection and analymis procedures.
The Project mu support at Battelle Memorial Institute? Columbus',
was described by L/1.07 HYnok. Al mbmber of case histories were diem
cussed in detail and emotion picture film of seagulls was shown.
A two hour break for lunch was taken at 1200.
DEIRSDAY MOM!
At 1400 hours gave a 40-minute briefing of
Project WINKLE, the investigatory project conducted by the Air
Force Meteorological Research Center at Cambridge, Mass. In this
briefing he pointed out the many problems of setting up and manning
240.hour instrumentation watches of patrol cameras searching for
sightings oft4F.0.4s.
At 2615 Brig. Gen. William M, Garland joined the meeting with
AD/SL Genera/ Garland expressed his support of the Panelos
efforts and stated three personal opinions:
ao That greater use of Air Force intelligence officers in
the field (far followmup investigation) appared desirable,
it that they requited thorough briefing.
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te That vigorous effort should be made to declassify as many
of the reports as pot:foible,
o. That some increase in the AT section devoted to 11,Y000
analysis was indicated.
This meeting was adjourned at 1700.
112-4.02021.
The fifth 80831WA or the Panel convened at 0900 with the same
personnel present as endmerated for.Thursday (with the exception
of irig. Gan. Garland).
Pram 0900.? 1000ethere was general discussion and study of
reference material. Also? Dr. Hynek read a prepared paper making
certain observations and conolusions. At 1000 gave a
briefing on his fifteen months experience in Washington as Preleet
Office for U.F.000s and his personal conolusione. There wae
considerable discussion of individual case histories of sightinge
to which he referred. Following presentation, a 25X1A
=Ler of additional case historiee were examined and discussed
with Peppelt, and Hynek. The meeting adjourned
at 2200 for lundheon.
2122ALMERWE
This session opened at 1400. Besides Panel members and CIA
personnel, Dr. Hynek was present. as Panel 25X1A
Member, was present at this rooting for the first time. Progress
of the meetings was reviewed by the Panel Chairman and tentative
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eonelnsions reached. A general discussion followed and tentative
recommendations considered. It was agreed that the Chairman Should.
draft a report of the Panel to AD/SI that evening for review by the
Panel the next morning. The meeting edjourned at 1715.
WINIDAY MORNING
At 0945 the Chairman opened the neventb eassion and submitted
a rough draft of the Panel Report to the members. This draft had
been reviewed and approved earlier by The next two
and oneehalf hours were consumed in discuesion and revision of the
draft. At 3.100 the AD/SI joined the meeting and reported that ht
had shown and discussed a copy of the initial rough draft to
the Director of Intelligence, USAF, whose reaction was favorable. At
1200 the meeting was adjournedo
S#TDRDAX AFTERNOON
At 1400 the eighth and final meeting of the Panel was opened.
Discussion and rewording of certain sentences of the Report occupied
the first hour. (4, copy of the final report is appended as Tab C.)
This was followed by a review of work accomplished by the Panel
and restatement of individual Panel Mumberos opinions and suggestions
on details that were felt inappropriate for inclusion in the formal
report. It was agreed that the writer would incorporate these
comments in an internal report to the AD/8I. The material below
represents this information,
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. The Panel Memters we impressed (as have been others, includ-
ing clIsi personnel). in the lack of sound data in the great majoritY
of ease histories; also, in the lack of speedy fellow/up due primarily
to the modest size and limited facilities of the ATIC section concerned.
Among the rate histories of significant sightings discuseed In detail
Were the followings
Bellefontaine? Ohio (1 August 1952); Tremonton, Utah (2 'Idly 1952)S
Great Falls; Montana (15 August 1950); Teak, Mattani (1 September
1952); Washington, D. C. area (19 3i217 1952); and kaneda AJoB.,
Japan (5 August 1952), Part Enron, Vachigan (29 July 1952); and
Presque Isle, Maine (10 October 1952)0
After review and discussion of these cases (and about 25 others,
in less detail), the Panel concluded that reasonable explanations
could be suggested for most sightings and ny deduction and scientific
method it could be induced (given additional data) that other cases
mdght be explained in a similar rsannee. The Panel pointed out that
because of the brevity of some sightings' (e.g. 2..3 seconds) and the
inability of the witnesses to express themselves clearly (semantics).
that conclusive explarations could not be expected for every ease
reported. FUrthermore, it was considered that, normally, it would
be a great waste of effort to try to solve most of the sightings,
unless such action would benefit a training and educational prognma
(see below), The writings of Charles Fort were referenced to show
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that "strange things in the she had been recorded foe hurdrede a
years. It appeared ?bylaw that there uus no anal() omPlaratien
for a majority of the things men, The preeence of radar and astro?
nomical specialists on the Panel proved of value at otce in their
confident recognition of phenemena r.lated to their fields. It emee
apparent that epecialists in ouch additionel fields as psychologeo
moteorologya aerodynamice9 ornithology and military air operations
would ext
the ability of the Panel to recognize mew mere catee
series of littloehneen phencmeneo
plisdaffe.P.Ma
The Panel cencladed umnimeanly that there uaa no evidence of
a direct threat to national seeurity in the objects sighted,
instances of "Poo Fighter& umme cited. These were unexplained
phenomena sighted by aircraft pilote during-World War II in both
Earopean and Far Zest theetere of operation wherein "Jane of lights'
wall fly near or with the aircraft and =waver rapidly, They were
believed to be electroatetic (slar to St,, Fameoe f:Zre) eleetrre
magnetic phenomena ar poesibly light reflections feom ie cryetalc
in tho air, bet their meet cause or natuee eon =eve &i' "e& Ben,
'Lad beee emeerned in ehe ieveutigetionea
these phenomena, but Doeid T. Grigge (Profescer f Gee.e4ysics at
the Univeeeity of Galiftralve nt ntR Pegelee) le hGd to heve
been the most knowledgeable paeson on thie eubjeet. IT the term
flying eaucere had bean porta= in 194) 29452 thee? objects wee:ea
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? have been so labeled, It was interesting that in at least two 25X1A
eases reviewed that the object sighted was categorized by
25X1A and as probably "Poo Fighters', to date unexplained but not
dangerous; they were not happy thus to dismiss the sightings by
calling then names, It was their feeling that these phenomena are
not beyond the domain of present knowledge of physical science however,
WC'
It was the Fanelli? opinion that some of the Air Force concern
over ZEV.00e0 (notwithstanding Air Defense Command anxiety Over fast
radar tracks) was probably caused by public pressure, The result
today. is that the Air Force has inetituted a fine channel few
receiving reports 44 nearly anything anyone sees in the sky and
fails to understand, This has been particularly encouraged in popu-
lar articles on this and other subjects, such as apace travel and
science fiction, The result is the mass receipt of low-grade reports
which tend to. overload channels of communication with material gaits
irrelevant to hostile objects that might some der appear, The Panel
agreed generally that this mass of poor-quality.reports7containing
little, if any, scientific data,VJA a of no value, quite the opposite,
it was possibly dangerous in having a military service fester public
cone= in "nocturnal meandering lights", The implication being,
since the interested agency was military, that these objects were
or might be potential direct threats to national security, Accord-
ingly, the need for decmphasization rade itself apparent, Comments
cm a possible eduoatiobal.ppgrem are enumerated below,
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25X1A It wee the opinion of that the ?saucer! problem
he been found to he different in nature free the detention and
investigation of German V.1 en:ill-42 guided miseiles prior to their
operational WO in World War /I, In this 19434944 intelligence
operation (cROSSBOW), there uae excellent intelligence and by Zane
1944 there uao material eviderep of the existence of "hardwaro!
obtained from crashed vehicles in Soden0 Thle evidence gave the
investigating tame a basis upon uhich to operate The abeauce of any
?hardwire? resulting from unexplained C.F.?0 sightings bends. a "will-
of6the wisp) nature to t4e, ATIC problem, The results of their investi-
gation, to dates strongly indicate that no evidence of hostile act
or danger exiate. Furthermore, the current reporting system/4'01dd
hevo little value in the ease of detection of mew attack bycenvon.
tioa1 mITereb w guided minsileN =der such coaditions '21,1=42mme
tzra711 be avaD le n1most otomen
Egralgo.sr P7P5.7mOTAL 1:17
It was interesting to note that =az of the members of the
Panel were loath. to accept that this earth night be visited by extra--
terrestrial intelligent beings of some sort9 some day. What. they did
not find was any evidence that related the objects sighted to space
travelers in his presentation, allowed how he had elim-
inated each of the known, and.probable causes of sightingeleaving him
ftextra.terrestial? as the only one remaining in many cages?
background as an aeronautical engineer and technical intelligence 25X1A
25X1A
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officer (Project Officer, BLUEBOOK for 15 months) could not be
alighted? However, the Panel could not accept any of the cases
sighted by him because that/6E01MM, unevaluated reports.
Terrestrial explanations of the sightings were suggested in some
cases and in others the time of sighting was so short as to cause
suspicion of visual impressions. lt vas noted by and 25X1A
others that extraterrestrial artifacts, if they did exist, are no
cause for alarm; rather, they are in the realm of natural phenomena
subject to scientific study, lust as comic rays were at the time
of their discovery 20 to 30 years ago. This was an attitude in
25X1A which did not concur, as he felt that such artifacts
would be of immediate and great concern not only to the U. S. but
to all countries. (Nothing like a common threat to unite people's!)
25X1A noted that present astronomical knowledge of the solar
system makes the existence of intelligent beings Cos we know the
term) elsewhere than on the earth extremely unlikely, and the
concentration of their attention by any controllable means confined
to any one continent of the earth quite preposterous.
TRENONTON, UTAH. SIGBTIMG
This case was considered significant because of the excellent
documentary evidence in the form of Kodachrome motion picture film
(about 1600 frames), The Panel studied these films, the case history,
AT1Cps interpretation, and received a briefing by representatives of
the USN Photo Interpretation Laboratory on their analysis of the
film. This team had expended (at Air Force request; approximately
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1600 aan.hours of professional and sub-professional time in, the
preparation of graph plots of individual frames of the filly shov-
ing apparent (tad relative motion of objects and variation intheir
light intensity it was the opinion of the representatives
that the objects sighted were not birds:, balloons or ail-crafts,
ware. 'not reflections because there was no blinking while passing
through te Graze and were? thereforee Ileareauminoualo Plots of
motion and variation in light intensity of the objects were die-
Awed. While the Panel Nsmhere were impressed by the evident
enthuslascy industry and extent of effort of the P./.L0 they
could not accept the conclusions reaehed. Same of the mamma for
this were as followas
a. A semi.spherical object can readily produce a roil tion
of sunlight without "blinking" through 600 of aro travel.
b. Although no data was available on the "albede of birds or
polyethylene balloons in bright aualightg the apparent
motions, sizes and twightnesses of the objects were
considered strongly to suggest birdso particulaay after
the Panel viewed a short file showing high reflectivitg
of seagulls in bright sunlight.
op P.1.1,4, description of the objects sighted as "cireularp
bluish.dwhitem in color would be expected in casco of
specular reflections of sunlight from convex surfaces where
the brilliance of the reflection would obscure other portions
of the object.
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? d. Objects in the Great Falls case were believed to have
probably been aircraft, and the bright lights such reflection*.
e. There was no valid reason for the attempt to relate the objects
In the Tremonton sighting to those in the Great Falls sight'.
ing. This may have been due to misunderstanding in their
directive. The objecte in the Great Falls sighting are
strongly suspected of being reflections of aircraft known to
have. been in:the area.
f. The Intensity change in the Tremonton lights was too great
for acceptance of the P.I.L. hypothesis that the apparent
motion and changing intensity of the lights indicated extremely
high speed in small orbital paths.
g. Apparent lack of guidance of investigators by those familiar
with U.F.O. repor1s and explanations.
h. Analysis of light intensity of objects made from duplicate
rather than original film. The original Mama noted to
have a, much lighter background (affecting relative brightness
of object) and the objects appeared much less bright.
i* Method of obtaining data of light intensity-appeared faulty
because ed'unaultability of equipment and questionable
assumptions in making averages of readings.
jo NO data had been obtained on the sensitivity of Kodachrome
film to light of various intensities using the same camera
type at the same lens openings.
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Ne Hand "jitter" frequencies (obtainable from early part of
Tremont= film) were not removed from the plots of the
'single pass plate* at the end of the file.
The Panel believed strongly that the data available on this
sighting was sufficient for positive Identification if further data
is obtained by photographing polyethylene %Allow, balloons released
neer the site under similar weather conditiome0 checking bird flight
and reflection characteristic= with competent ornithologists and
caleelating apparent 60" fore= attire upon objects from their apparent
tracks. It was coneluded that the results of such tests would prOb-
abaer lead to creditable explanation., of value in an educational or
traleing progr=0 However, the Panel noted that the cost in technical
manpower effort required to fella/up and'explain every of the
thousand or more reports received through channele cedh year (10900 in
1952) could not be justifi 0 It was felt that there 1411 always be
sightings, for which complete data is laokinge that can only be
explained with diaproportiozate effort and with a long time delays if
t all. The long do in explaining a sighting tends to eliminate
any intelligence value. Tb e eirmational or training progr Should
have as a major purpose the atoination of popular feeling that every
sighting, no matter haw poor the data, mast be explained in detail?
Attention should be directed to the requirement among scientists that
a new phenomena, to be aoceptiel, must be completely and comvineingly
deeumonted. In other uerds0 thc, bard= of proof is the eighter,
not the =plainer.
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MCIP-ANCESMIRA
The Panel Members were in agreement with 0/61 opinion that,
although evidenee of aay direct threat from these sightings was
wholly lacking, related dangers might well exist resulting front
a, Misidentification of actual amimramtifacts by defense
personnel.
b. Overloading of emergency reporting channels with "false
information ("noise to signal retie analogyAIIIIIIII 25X1A
00 Subjectivity of public to mass hysteria and greater vulp.
aerability to possible gnaw psychological warfare.
Although not the concern of CIA, the first two of these problems
may seriously affect the Air Defame intelligence system, and should
be studied by experts, possibly under ADC. if U.F.0.0e becoms
credited in a reaction to the "flying saucer" scare, or if report-
ing channels are saturated with false and poorly documented reports,
our capability of detecting hostile activity will be redacted.
25X1A Mnoted that more competent screening or filtering of reported
sightings at or near the source is required, and that this can best
be accomplished by an educational progrean.
02216.=-2)C=40:-SNESETEXPLAg-------;VRIERIMLala
The map prepared by ATIC showing geographic locations of efficially
reported unexplained sightings (1952 only) was examined by the Panel.
Thin map shoved clusters in certain strategic areas such as Los Alamos.
This might be explained on the basis of 24.thour watchful guard and
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awareness of security measures near such locations. On the other
hand, there had been no sightings in the vicinity of sensitive
related AE establishments while there were occasionally multiple
cases of unexPlained sightings in non-strategic areaso Furthermore,
there appeared. to be no logical relationship to population +seaters.
The Panel could find no ready explanation for these clusters. It
was noted, however, that if terrestrial artifacts were to be observed
it would be likely that they would be seen first near foreign areas
rather than central U. So
INSTRUMENTATION TO OBTAIN DATA
The Panel was of the opinion that the present ATIC program to
place 100 inexpensive 35 mot. stereo cameras in the hands of various
airport control tomer operators would probably produce little valum
able data related to U.F.0.0s. However, it was recognized that
such action would tend to allay public concern in the subject until
an educational program had taken effecto It was believed that pro-
curement of these cameras was pertly the result of public pressure
in July 1952. With the poor results of the year-long Project
TWINKLE program of 24-hour instrumentation watch (two frames of
film showing nothing distinguishable)p a widespread program of sky-
watching would not be expected to yield much direct data of valueo
There was considerable discussion of a possible "sky patrol!' by 25X1A
amateur astronomers (Hynek) and by wide-angle cameras
and pointed out that at present a considerable fraction
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of the sky is novd.and has been for smang. years...under surveillance
every clear night in several meteor and aurora observing programs as
well as sky mapping programs at tho various locations listed below.
Although the attention of those astronomers is largely directed
toward identified rather than unidentified objects* no case of any
25X1 A
striking unidentified object is known to D' Dr. SYnek. Such
an object would most certainly be reported if found on petrol plates.
A case was cited where an astronomer refusod to interrupt his
exposure in order to photograph an alleged sighting in a different
part of the sky. This led Dr e gynak to say that, if a program of
watching .could be an adjunct of planned astronomical programs* little
ooirb would be involved and that the trained astronomical personnel
might .photograph a sighting of an unidentified object?
The location of some of these programs and their directors are
believed to be
Harvard Univeraity? Cambridge and New Mexico meteor patrol).
WhipPleo
Urkes Observatory, University of Chicago and Fart Davis* Texas
(several programe)--Moinel (aurorae)* Kuiper (asteroide)*
Morgan Nide angle camera).
e, University of Alaska, Fairbanks (aurorae).?Eley
d. Dominio4 Observatory, Ottawa (meteors)--Ndrillru
O , Palomar Observatory, California (sky map).r.Minkowski
f, Lick Observatory, California (sky maP).Shane
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It was agreed by the .Panel that no government-sponsored megrims
Of optical nationowide sky patrol is worthwhile at the present time,
and that the encouragement of amateur astronomers to undertake such
a program might have the adverse effect of over-emphasising "flying
saucer" stories lathe public mind* However, the issue of radar 'scope
cameras for recording peculiar radar echoes would serve several per..
poses, including the better understanding of radar interference as
well as identification of U.F.O.es,
RADAR PROBLEM OF MUTUAL /NTARFIRENCE
This characteristic problem of radar operation wherein the pulse
-signal (of approximately the same frequency) from station A may be
picked up on the screen of station B and show as a high-speed track
or series of dots was recognized to have probably caused a number of
U.P000.reports, This problem was underlined by information received
indicating ADC concern in solving this problem of signal identification
before service use of very high.speed aircraft or guided missiles
25X1A
(19554956)0 believed that one answer to this problem
was the use of a "doppler filter" in the receiving circuit0
suggested that the problem, might be better solved by the use of a 25X1A
"controlled jitter" wherein the operator receiving 'very fast tracks"
(=the order of l000. 10,000 mop.h.) would operate a circuit which
would alter slightly his stationos pulse frequency rate, If the signal
received an the screen had been caused by mutual interference with
another station, the track would now show itself at a,different distance
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25X1A
from Ow center of the screen, if it still appeared at all.
kelt such a technical solution vas ampler and would cost much less than
idoppler filter*.
EkpM_WCACOS!.aAY
Two reported cases were examined: one at Palmer Mountain, California,
in October 1949, when cosmic ray counters vent ?off scale for a few seconds",
apparently while a 'V" of flying saucers was observed visually; and Imo, a
series of observations by the nos Alamoe Bird Watchers: Association' from
August 1950 to January 1951, when cosmic ray coincidence counters behaved
queerly. Circuit diagrams and records were available for the latter, and
25X1A was able quickly to point out that the recorded data were
undoubtedly due to instrumental effects that would have been recognised
as such by more experienced observers.
The implication that'radloactive effects were eorrelated with
unidentified flying objects in these two cases was, therefore, rejected
by the Panel.
EDUCATIONAL FROMM
The Pawns concept of a broad educational program integrating
efforts ()fall concerned agencies was that it should have two major
aims: training and "debunking'.
The training aim would result in proper recognition of unusally
illuninated objects (e.g., balloons, aircraft reflections) as well as
natural phenomena (meteors, fireballs, mirages, =stilts:sent clouds).
Both visual and radar recognition are concerned. There would be maw
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levels in such education from enlisted personnel to command and research
personnel. Relative emphasis and degree of explanation of different
programs would correspond to the categories of duty (e,g., radar operators;
pilots; control tower operators Ground Observer Corps personnel; and
officers and enlisted men in other categories,) This training should
result in a marked reduction in reports caused by misidentification
and resultant (mansion,
TheMebunkingl aro would result in reduction in public interest
in 'flying saucers" which today evokes a strong psychological reaction,
This education could be accomplished hymen; media such as television,
notion pictures, and popular articles, Basle of such education would
be actual case hietoriee which had been puzzling at first but later
explained, An in the case of conjuring tricks, there is much less
ntimulation if the "secret" is known, Such a program should tend to
reduce the current gullibility of the public and consequently their
susceptibility to clover hostile propaganda, The Panel noted that the
general absence of Russian propaganda based an a subject with so many
obvious possibilities for eceploitation might indicate a pi,seible Russian
official policy.
Madhern of the Panel had various suggestions related to the plaem
ning of such an educational pregram, It was felt strongly that
psychologists familiar with mews psychology should advise an the nature
and extent of the program, In this connections, Dr, Hadley Cantril
(Princeton University) was cmggeated, Cantril authored "invasion from
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Nare?.(a study in the psychology of panic, written about the femme
Orson Welles radio broadcast in 19,S8) and has since performed advanced
laboratory studies in the field of perception. The names of Don Marquis
(University of Michigan) and leo Roston were mentioned as possibly
suitable as consultant psychologists. Also, someone f0s414,sr with
mass communication techniques, perhaps an advertising expert, would be
helpful. Arthur Godfrey was mentioned as possibly a valuable channel 25X1
of ocemunication reaching-a mass audience of certain levels.
suggest .1
the U, S. Navy (ONR) Special Devices Center, Sands Point, L.
100
as a potentially valuable organization to assist in such an educational
program. The teaching techniques used by this agency for aircraft
Identification during the past war was cited as an example of a similar
educational task. The :mai Handy Cc, which made World War II training
films (motion picture and slide strips) was also suggested, as well as
Walt Disney, Inc. animated cartoons. Dr. Hynek suggested that the
amateur astronomers in the U, S. ndet be a potential source of enthusi?
astic talent "to spread the gospel". It was believed that business
clubs, high schools, colleges, and television stations would all be
pleased to cooperate in the showing of dseumentary type motion pictures
if prepared in an interesting manner. The use of true cases showing
first the "watery" and then the "explanation* would be forceful.
To plan and execute such a program, the Panel believed was no
mean task. The current investigatory group at ATMC would, of necessity,
have to be closely integrated for support with respect to not only the
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bdstorical cases but the current ones. Recent cases are probably mudh
n,re susceptible to explanation than older ones p firsts because of
ATICes experience ands secondlys their knowledge of most plausible
*explanations. The Panaltelieved that some expansion of the ATIC effort
would certainly be required to support such a program. It was believed
Inappropriate to state exactly how large a Table of Organization would
be required. Captain Ruppelt of ATIC unofficially proposed, for purposes
of analyzing and evaluating reports*
aa An analysts') panel ef four officers
b.; Four officer investigators
0. A briefing officer
d. An ADC liaison officer
e. A weather' and balloon data officer
f. An astronomical consultant
ga A Group Leaders with administrative assistants file clerks and
? stenographers.
This proposal not with generally.favorable comment. The Panel
believed thats with ATICle supports the educational program of strain-
ing and debunking' outlined above night be required for a !Anima of -
one and one-half to two ytera. At the end of this times the dangers
related to *flying saucers? should have been greatly reduced if not
eliminated. Cooperation from other military services and agencies
concerned (e.g., Federal Civil Defense Aervinistration) would be a
necessity. In investigating significant cases (such as the Tremontons
Utaho sighting) s controlled experiments might be required. An example
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would be the photographing of "pillow 'helicons" at different distances
under similar weather conditions at the site.
The help of one or two psychologists and writers and a subcontractor
to produce training films would be necessary in addition? The Panel
considered that ATICto efforte, temporarily expanded as neoessary?..
could be most useful in implementing any action taken as a result of
its recommendations. Bkperience and records in ATID would be of 'value
in both the public educational and service training program envisaged0
at least was of the opinion that after public gullibility
lessened and the service organizations, such as ADC, had been trained
to sift out the more readily explained Spurious sightings, there would
still be a role for a very modest-sized ATIO section to wipe with the
residuum of items of possible scientific intelligence value. This
section should concentrate on energetically following up (perhaps on
the advice of qualified Air Force Scientific Advisory Board members)
those cases which seemed to indicate the evidence of unconventional
enemy artifacts. Reports of such artifacts would be expected to
arise mainly from Western outposts in far closer proximity to the
Iron Curtain than Labook?'Texag
UNOFFICIAL INVESTIGATMNG GROWS
The Panel took cognisance of the existence of such groups as the
"Civilian Flying Saucer investigators? (Los Angeles) and the "Aerial
Phenomena Research Organization (Wisconsin)'. It was believed that
Sueh organizations should be watched because of their potentially
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gma*,1,rotueoci: OD men thinking if
The &poarent irreeponel and the posalhie me of sir h groupm
IW 3obvcre14 pirposee should be kept in Made
sad sightings sho4.i.;:i eitaur.
_
is,.
OF
Theo (SOWSINIOUS of the -Panel vase tattoo upog; tb(1 blotory of tNr'.i
pubJecto that the number of elentings oou3d be roliorobiy. lictirxt4t4
to in:A,-.47, 401Av thie SUZMere
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TAB A
REPCRT OF THE SCIENTIFIC PANEL
ON
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
JAN 1 7 1953
Released in MORI
Parsuat to the request of the Assistant Director for Scientific
Intelligence, the vudersigned Panel of Scientific Consultants has met to
evaluate auy possibl,?. threat to national security posed by Unidentified
Flying anje,As l?"Flying Saucer6 ), and to make recommendations thereon.
The Panel has 7.-ee1ved. the evideme as presented by cognizant intelli-
gence am ie, primrtly the Al_ Technical Intelligence Center, and has
revieved a selentien r3f the best documented incidents.
2. As a resuat of tts r,onsiderations, the Panel concludes:
e?. That the elridence presented on Ilnidentified Flying
Object ihovs no inJc.aticn that these phenomena constitute
di.erA physit, tAeat to national security.
We firmly be iv thri th re ia residuum of cases 'which indicates
.plumomm are atributat:F?to foreign artifacts capable of hostile
at and that therc no evidence that the phenomena indicate a need
lentif Ic oncepts,
3, '.JAtif
Panel further oncludes:
a. That be contlo.as1 Imphasis on the reporting of
these phnomena does, in
parlous times, result in a
three-bi- the orderly f'n loning of the protective organs
_
,els of crPirralnication by irrelevant
,....!,:::1-0?121.u.ed false alarms to ignore real
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indications of hostile action? and the cultivation of a morbid national
psychology in which kiliZul hostile propaganda could induce hysterical
behavior and harmful distrust of duly constituted authority.
4. In order most effectively to strengthen the national facilities
for the timely recognition and the appropriate handling of true indications
of hostile action, and to minimize the eoncomitant dangers alluded to
above, the Panel recommends:
a. That the national security agencies take immediate steps
to strip the Unidentified Flying Objets of the special status they
have been given and the aura of mystery they have unfortunately
acquired;
b. That the national eeeurity agencies institute policies
on intelligence, training, and public education designed to prepare
the material defenses and tbr morele of the country to recognize
most promptly and to reset meat effectively to true indications
of hostile intent or action,
We suggest that these aims nme be achieved by an integreted program
designed to reassure the public of the total lack of evidence of inimical
forces behind the phenomena to train personnel to recognize and rejeet
false indications quickly and effeetively, and to strengthen regular
channels for the evaluation of and proapt reaction to true indicatione
of hostile. measures,
/ 420. V. Berkner
Associated Universitiee, Inc
He,P. Rebertaen
:,x1A11771/P,D
Ciiifornia Inetetute of TeOinologa /o/ S, A, Goudemit
Broekhaven Vaticeal Leberatorees
AL--.1-4112.1e-Ilvarez ---
University of California 114Z-1122Elataa
Johns Hopkins University
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SCIENTIF/C ADVISORY PANEL ON
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
14 . 17 January 3.953
100030026-1
TAB B
EUINCE PRESENTEQ
1. Seventy.five case histories of sightings 1951 1952 (selected by
ATIC as those best documented).
2. ATIC Status and Progress Reports of Project GRDUCE and Project
BLUE BOOK (code names for ATIC study of subject).
3. Progress Reports of Project STORK (code name for Battelle Memorial
Institute contract work supporting ATM).
4. Summary Report of Sightings at Holleman Air Force Base, New Mexico.
5. Report of USAF Research Center, Cambridge Mass., Investigation Of
"Green Fireball" Pt:Ammons (Project TWIALE).
A Outline of Investigation of U.F00.110 Proposed by Kirtland Air Farce
Base Project POUNCE).
. Motion Picture Films of sightings at Tremonton, Utah, 2 July 1952
and Great Falls, Montana, August 19500
Sumarkary Report of 89 selected cases of sightings of various
categories (Formations, Blinking Lights, Hovering, stop).
c), Draft of manuals 'How to Mkko a ?MEM?, prepared at ATIC.
10. Chart Shaving Plot of Geographic Location of tincricplained Sightings
in the United States during 19520
11. Chart Showing Balloon Launching Sites in the United States*
12. Charts Showing Selected Actual Balloon Flight Paths and Relation
to Reported Sightings.
130 marts Showing Frequency of Reports of Sightings, 1942 ? 1952.
14. Charts Showing Categories of Ekplanations of Sightings*
15. Kodachrome Transparencies of Polyethylene Film Balloons in Bright
Sunlight Showing High Reflectivity.
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TAE B
Nation picoxr Qf seagulls in bright sunlight ahwing higbrft
17 Intelligence Report leIating to U.S.S.R. Intermt in U, S, Sighinga.
18. Samples of Official USAY Reporting Forms and Copies of Pertinent
Air Force, Army. and Navy Orders Relating to SubjA*t,
19, Sample Polyethylene '',7i2lovm flalicon (54 inches square),
20. Variations in Radar Cere.l.p-,P, JANP 37)1 (Kennel .i.lausi:TatIng uriausi
operstang charaeterititice o rceladar).
Niecellaneous .officiel lettclro ftwolgs inte1.1 ge 7;:'op,Irts
dealing with eubjev%,
Copies of popeler ?h1i d(1 iiDe Vith bjet,t
in periodicals. meweptv.T ;-%kAppincs and books),
Released in MORI
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Socwttry realation
?
Released in MORI
mtENTrric ADVISORY par,
ULIIDENTIFIED FLY110 0 TS
14c 17 Jsnuetry 1953
Nrimmo21
ar3 ro P. Roberta= (Clairman) OnlVecrnis Institute
c.,1* T oleo'
Dr, Dais W. illIzzez
d V. Rerlinar
At
1170 SVEP
At,,, Vim-Pub:rim Page
Dr