Federal Bureau of Investigation Memorandum Regarding Reported Flying Disc in Death Valley, August 17, 1949

This document is a memorandum from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Los Angeles, dated August 17, 1949, addressed to the Officer in Charge at Headquarters District 18 OSI in Maywood, California. The correspondence details a report received by the FBI on August 8, 1949, from an individual identifying himself as a radio station announcer in Long Beach, California. The announcer reported receiving a telephone call from a prospector who claimed that he and another individual had witnessed a large circular object crash in Death Valley approximately two or three weeks prior. According to the report, the object was approximately twenty-four feet in diameter and seven feet thick. The witnesses claimed that immediately following the crash, two 'small men' who were 'heavily clothed' emerged from the object and disappeared over a nearby ridge. One of the witnesses, described as having a scientific background, reportedly examined a portion of the object and declared it to be composed principally of calcium, noting that it was iridescent and radioactive, with small green wires running throughout the material. The witness claimed to have a small portion of this material in his possession. The FBI memorandum notes that the office was unable to furnish the address of the witness but stated that if he recontacts them, they would endeavor to obtain it. The FBI concluded that no action was being taken by their office and forwarded the information to the OSI for any disposition deemed appropriate.