LETTER TO SECRETARY OF DEFENSE WITH THREE ATTACHMENTS RE UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS (UFO'S)

• Document Type: FOIA
• Keywords: UFO SPECIAL COLLECTION
• Collection: FOIA Collection
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 0005517565
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 7
• Document Creation Date: June 24, 2015
• Document Release Date: January 31, 2011
• Case Number: F-2010-00651
• Publication Date: March 13, 1953

C00183852
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
The Honorable
The Secretary of Defense
Department of Defense
Washington 25, D. C.
Dear Mr. Secretary:.
13 March 1953
The Director of Central Intelligence has asked that -you.be
furnished a copy of the attached report prepared by a panel of
scientists on, the subject of "Unidentified Flying Objects." 'This
panel was convened at the direction of General Smith, following the
recommendation of the Intelligence Advisory Committee.
The conclusions and recommendations say be of interest to you,
in that they point out certain potential dangers to national security
which are related to the subject and suggest ways of their elimination.
e
J
pies o$, this report are also being sent to the P
and tc(!,"the'Chairman, National Security Resources Board.
-
?-
F- O
Sincerely yours,
t5
r+-
RICHARD D. DRAIN
CD
Secretary
or"
Intelligence Advisory Committee
Although this Agency-does not -conei prob-lems--ar si from -- -
sightings of "flying saucers" primarily its concern, we shall be
pleased to assist in any appropriate action that you may deem ad-
visable.
Approved for Release
1 n
This material contains inferm.:tion
affecting the national defense of
the United Slates with the meaning
of the espionage laws, Title 18, USC,
Sees. 793 and 794, and transmission ?
or roneiation of which in any manner to.
an anaathortled person is prohibited by
law.
SecDef Cont.. No.-L-+!` t/
 C00183852.
REPOT Of THE SCZL'NPIF. 'IC P.AUoL
ON
UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS
JAN 171953
1. Pursuant to the request of the Assistant Director for Scientific
Intelligence, the undersigned Panel of Scientific Consultants` has met to
evaluate any possible threat to national security posed by. Unidentified
Flying Objects ("Flying Saucers"), and to make recommendations thereon.
The Panel has received the evidence as presented by cogni2ant intelli-
gence .agencies,.primarily the Air Technical Intelligence Center, and has
reviewed4aselection of the. best documented incidents.
2. As a result of it considerations, the Panel concludes,,
a. That the evidence presented on Unidentified Flying
Objects shows no indication that these phenomena constitute
a direct physical threat to national. security.
We firmly believe that there is no residuum of cases which indicates
phenomena which are attributable to foreign artifacts capable of hostile
acts, and ,teat there is no. evidence that the phenomena indicate a need
for .the revision of current scientific. concepts.
The Panel further, concludes :
a. That the continued emphasis on the reporting of
these phenomena does, in these parlous times, result in a
threat to the orderly functioning of the protective organs
of the body politic.
We cite asexanmles the clogging of channels of communication by irrelevant
reports, the danger of being led by continued false alarms to ignore real
3
SeODef Conii 17o.-
 C00183852..
indications of hostile action, and the cultivation of a morbid national
psychology in which skillful 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 concomitant dangers alluded to
abcrre, the. Panel recommends:
a. That the national security agencies take immediate steps
to strip the Unidentified Flying Objects of the special status they
have been given and the aura of mystery they have unfortunateltlv
acquired;
b: That the national security agencies institute policies
on intelligence, training, and public' education designed to prepare
the material defenses. end the morale of the country to recognize
most promptly and to react most effectively to true indications
of hostile intent or action.
We suggest that these aims may be achieved by an integrated program
designed to reassure the public of the total lack of.evidence of inimical
farces behind the phenemena,'to train personnel to recognize and reject
false indications quickly'end effectively, and to strengthen regular
channels for the evaluation of and prompt reaction to true indications
of hostile measures.
/ Lloyd V. Berkner
Associated Universities, Inc.
!e/ H. P.'Robertson , Chairman
'California Institute. of Technology . Ls/ S. A. Goudsmit
W. Alvarez
University of California
Brootutaven madonna. Lanoratoriea
La lMxorntp Pam
Johns Hopkins University
-2-
 C00183852...,
ScI r] FIC ADVISORY PANEL ON
UNIDENTIFIED FL!IIG OBJFDTS
24 - 17 January 1953
, NIDa~CE. PROS II?
1, Seventy-five case. histories of sighhirige 1951 - 1952 (selected by
ATIC as those best documented). .
2. ATIC Status and*Progress Reports of'Project GRD%E and Project
3.
6. Oatline of Investigation of U.F.O.oa Proposed by Xirtlend?Air'Force
Baas (Pro jest .POUNCE): '
.7. Motion Picture Films o?'? sightings at T tonton, Utah 2: July 1952 ,
and Great Falls, Montana, August 1950.
BLUE BOOK (code nemee for ATV-otidy of subject)..
Progress Reports'. of Project ST( (code name for Battelle Memorial
institute. contract work supporting ATIC).
Summer9 Report: of, Sightings ,at HoUoman Air Force Base, New. Meodeoo
Report of USAF Reeeerch..Ceiiter,'. Cembaridge, .Mass., 12 eatigetion of
MGreen Fireball.", Phenomene< (project. Tw3M=)
Summary Report of 69 selected_cases..of'sightings of. various
categories (Formations, Blinking lights. Hov+ering,'eto.).
9: Draft of nanuals 'How to Make a - FI N PTw p prepared, at ATIC.
].O. -Chart Shoring Plot of Geographic Location of Unexplained Sightings
in the United States during 1952.
Sunlight Shang High Reflectivity.
11. Chart Showing Balloon-TAtnehing Sites in?the United States.'
22. Charts Showing Selected Actual Balloon Flight Paths and Relation
to Reported Sightings.
13.. Charts Showing Frequency of Reports of.Sightings, 194 - 1952.
14. Charts Showing Categories'of i planatione of Sightings.
15. Kodachrome Transparencies of Polyethylene Film Balloons in Bright
 TAB B
16. Motion picture.of sesgullo in bright sunlight showing high. reflectivity..
17. Inte11ig ence, Reports?ReiatUg to U.S.S.Ro Interest in U. S. Sightings.
18. Samples of Official USAF Reporting Forma and Copies of Pertinent
Air Force, Army and rtavy Orders Relating to Subject.
19. Semple Pol70thy1ene "Pillow" Balloon (54 inches square) .
20.. aVeriations in Rader Coverage". JAVP 101?(Maimal illustrating unusuai
operating characterristion of Service radar)
21. Miscellaneous official letters end foreign iatel igex a reports
gosling with subject.
22. Copies of popular published works dealing with subject (articles
in periodicals, newspaper clippings ax d books) .
 C00183852
SC3'ENTIFIC ADVISORY PA1 L ON
uNID=IFIED FLYT.3G OBJFETS
14 -.17 Jairjr 1953
?OFiGANIZATION
Dr.. )I. P. Robertet (Chairiazu California Institute
Dr. L.tvyd V. Berl
' Dr, I+nia. W. Alvarq
.. Samiaat. Goudsaait
of Technology
University of
California.'
Associated Un4v
cities, Ingo
Brookhaven National
Iaburatories
.
Dr. J: 'Alien lk
!k'0. l ierick C, Durant
Ohio State Uniberr
city
Arthur P. Little,
Inc
. Garland.
Varstial l ? Chedwell
Mr?? Ralph L.. Clark
timmanding General,
.A.1I~C?: .
Asa'.stant Director,
aril, CIA
Deputy .@anietant
Direro9y, 0/SI, CIA
Flk= OF CONFETII"-
Phyaics, ?,rcapons
.. Physics, tadar
Geophysics
Atomic staMMU= ,
statistical.
problem
Aatronoz*q. Astr.o-
. ph3isias . ? ,
. AstronouV
.Rockets, guided
.missiles
Scientific and
technical Intelli-
gence
Scientific and
technical intelli-
gee
Scientific and . .
technical intelli.
 C00183852
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