Memorandum: Unidentified Flying Objects

This memorandum, dated March 21, 1958, is addressed to the Assistant Director for Scientific Intelligence from the Acting Assistant Director for Operations. It serves to address a query raised by a Major [illegible] regarding allegations that CIA agents were actively preventing UFO witnesses from publicly sharing their experiences. The memorandum clarifies that these allegations stem from a misunderstanding of the Agency's policy regarding its Contact Division. The document explains that the Agency maintains a confidential relationship with its sources. While the Agency does not impose security restrictions on the information held by these sources, it does strive to minimize the disclosure of the Agency's relationship with them. The author notes that confusion can arise when a source fails to distinguish between the information they possess—which they are free to share—and their relationship with the Agency, which is intended to remain confidential. Furthermore, the document references a directed collection request for UFO information issued on November 6, 1957, by the Office of Scientific Intelligence to the Contact Division, with responses forwarded on November 14, 1957. It also mentions that the Contact Division maintains a detailed history of Dr. Leon Davidson's activities concerning UFOs and outer space ceramics, noting that ATIC had also communicated with Dr. Davidson. The memorandum concludes by enclosing relevant field correspondence.