Declassified UFO / UAP Document
Memorandum for Record: Telephone Conversation with Dr. John A. Wheeler
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AI-Generated Summary
This 1953 CIA memorandum records Dr. John A. Wheeler's refusal to consult on the 'flying saucer' problem due to other commitments. Wheeler instead recommended several other scientists, including Dr. Chapman and Dr. Hannes Alfven, for the agency to consider.
This memorandum, dated January 6, 1953, documents a telephone conversation between F. C. Durant of the Office of Scientific Intelligence (OSI) and Dr. John A. Wheeler of Princeton University. The primary purpose of the call was to thank Dr. Wheeler for his interest in serving as a consultant for the CIA regarding the 'flying saucer' problem. Dr. Wheeler informed Durant that he could not assist at that time due to his ongoing work with the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) on Project MATTERHORN. Furthermore, Dr. Wheeler indicated that he would be unable to provide active assistance after March 1953, as he would be occupied with particle research. Despite his unavailability, Dr. Wheeler provided recommendations for other experts who might be consulted. He suggested Dr. Chapman, a British subject and authority on aurorae, ion paths, and magnetic focussing, who was believed to be at Cambridge University. He also suggested Dr. C'Day, the Director of Research at the USAF Research Center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, noting that the Air Force had been studying upper atmospheric phenomena in that region. Additionally, Dr. Wheeler recommended Dr. Hannes Alfven, described as an 'original thinker and outstanding researcher' and author of 'Cosmological Electrodynamics' published by Oxford University Press. Dr. Wheeler suggested that if the 'flying saucer' problem persisted, the CIA might consider a 'cut out' method to engage these experts for a scientific assessment.
Dr. Wheeler thought some method of using one or both of these men might be devised through a "cut out", assuming the problem continued for an appreciable length of time and scientific attack was warranted.
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Official Assessment
Dr. Wheeler declined to assist the CIA with the flying saucer problem due to his current commitments with the AEC (MATTERHORN) and future work on particle research. He suggested Dr. Chapman and Dr. Hannes Alfven as potential experts for consultation.
Key Persons
- Dr. John A. WheelerPotential consultant for the CIA on the flying saucer problem
- Dr. ChapmanBritish subject and authority on aurorae and ion path/magnetic focussing
- Dr. C'DayDirector of Research at Cambridge, Massachusetts USAF Research Center
- Dr. Hannes AlfvenOriginal thinker and outstanding researcher