Declassified UFO / UAP Document
Memorandum for Record: Flying Saucers Problem
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AI-Generated Summary
This 1952 memorandum outlines an administrative effort to streamline the intelligence community's approach to the 'flying saucers problem' by coordinating a research program for high-level review. It identifies key personnel involved in the planning, including representatives from the USAF and the RDB.
This memorandum, dated 14 October 1952, documents an agreement reached during an informal discussion between the DD/I, AD/IC, and Acting AD/SI regarding the 'flying saucers problem.' The participants determined that the issue should be addressed by organizing a coordinated research and intelligence program. The objective of this initiative was to create a structured approach that could be presented directly to the Director of Central Intelligence (DCI), and potentially the Secretary of Defense and the National Security Council, thereby bypassing the need for extensive, high-level administrative 'paper pushing' before taking action. The document further notes that the DD/I directed the Acting AD/SI to coordinate a meeting with Dr. Walter G. Whitman (Chairman of the RDB) and General John A. Samford (Director of Intelligence, USAF) to review the background of the subject. The memorandum identifies the proposed attendees for this meeting as Dr. Whitman, General Samford, Mr. Loftus E. Becker (DD/I), and Mr. James Q. Reber (AD/IC), with the meeting tentatively scheduled for 20 or 21 October 1952.
The agreed program can then be forwarded to the DCI and possibly the Secretary of Defense and the balance of the National Security Council as an established program rather than waiting for a great deal of formal, high level paper pushing before taking action.
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Official Assessment
An informal discussion between DD/I, AD/IC, and Acting AD/SI resulted in an agreement to address the 'saucer problem' by coordinating a research and intelligence program. This program was intended to be forwarded to the DCI and potentially the Secretary of Defense and the National Security Council to avoid excessive administrative delays.
Key Persons
- Dr. WhitmanIndividual to be contacted for a meeting
- Gen. John A. SamfordDirector of Intelligence, USAF
- Mr. Loftus E. BeckerDD/I
- Mr. James Q. ReberAD/IC
- Dr. Walter G. WhitmanChairman, RDB