Declassified UFO / UAP Document
MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD: Flying Saucers
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AI-Generated Summary
This 1952 memorandum documents high-level discussions regarding the need for a scientific investigation into UFO reports. It highlights the challenges of securing inter-agency cooperation and suggests potential academic experts to lead the research.
This memorandum, dated December 3, 1952, and authored by P. G. Strong of the OSI, details meetings held to discuss the investigation of 'Flying Saucers.' On the previous day, Strong met with Dr. Julius A. Stratton (MIT) and Dr. Max Millikan (CENIS) to brief them on various reports, including the Limestone Base Case, the Florida Scout Master, and the Utah Motion Pictures. Dr. Stratton emphasized the necessity of a scientific investigation, suggesting Project LINCOLN as a potential venue, provided Air Force concurrence was obtained. Alfred Hill was proposed as the ideal candidate to lead such a group. Alternative locations, including Princeton and Cal Tech, were also discussed. Following this, Strong met with Lloyd Berkner and Jerrold Zacharias. While Berkner expressed interest in the scientific investigation of the phenomenon, Zacharias suggested involving Shirley Quimby of Columbia University, noting his expertise in 'magic and general chicanery.' The document concludes that the full backing of the DCI is required to facilitate the necessary Air Force cooperation for a comprehensive scientific review.
Zacharias suggested Quimby because the latter is probably the most expert man in the country on magic and general chicanery.
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Official Assessment
The author concludes that securing the backing of the DCI is likely necessary to ensure a scientific review of the flying saucer problem, as Air Force cooperation regarding reports and data would otherwise be difficult to obtain.
Key Persons
- Dr. Julius A. StrattonExecutive Vice President and Provost of Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Dr. Max MillikanDirector of CENIS
- Alfred HillProposed head of the project group
- LauritsonPresent at the meeting
- SpitzerPresent at the meeting
- Lloyd BerknerBriefed at lunch
- Jerrold ZachariasBriefed at lunch
- Shirley QuimbySuggested expert