Office Memorandum: Unidentified Flying Objects

This office memorandum, dated March 31, 1953, from F. C. Durant to P. G. Strong, addresses the administrative handling of Unidentified Flying Object (U.F.O.) reports within the United States government, specifically concerning the O/SI (Office of Scientific Intelligence). The document notes that Jack Heckert had informed the author that the O/CI (Office of Current Intelligence) was no longer tracking U.F.O. reports and sought guidance on the disposition of their existing files. The author reports that O/SI interest is currently focused on Dave Stevenson of the Applied Science Division, who is supported by Lt. Col. Fritz Cder of the Geophys Br/R&D Division. Given the expectation of increased U.F.O. activity during the upcoming summer, the author proposes a streamlined procedure for managing these reports. This procedure includes designating the Chief of the Applied Science Division as the coordinator for U.F.O. reports, with Dave Stevenson serving as the 'action man.' Furthermore, the author recommends that the files currently held by Jack Heckert be transferred to Stevenson for review, with the suggestion that most material be destroyed, retaining only reports deemed indicative or unusual. Finally, the author suggests that the O/CI Screening Panel, specifically mentioning Miss Lowry, should route all future U.F.O.-related messages directly to the Applied Science Division for Stevenson's review. The author concludes that this method represents the simplest approach for O/SI to maintain oversight of the subject with minimal time requirements.