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Declassified UFO / UAP Document

Memorandum for Record: Comments on Letters Dealing with Unidentified Flying Objects

🏛 Applied Science Division, SI 📄 Memorandum for Record
UFOAir ForceCIACorrespondenceProcedure

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AI-Generated Summary

TL;DR

This 1958 memorandum establishes a protocol where the Air Force, rather than the CIA, takes responsibility for responding to public inquiries regarding UFOs. It documents the specific coordination between the CIA's Applied Science Division and the Air Force Information Service.

This Memorandum for Record, dated April 4, 1958, documents a procedural decision regarding the handling of public and external inquiries concerning Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). The author, W. E. Lexow of the Applied Science Division, SI, details a series of communications involving the Air Force and the CIA. Initially, the author contacted Major Byrne's office (AFCIN) regarding the release of a panel report to Mr. Davidson and Major Keyhoe. This inquiry led to a referral to Major Tacker at the Air Force Information Service (SAFIS). Major Tacker expressed a preference for the Air Force to handle these specific inquiries, requesting that the CIA forward relevant letters to him so that his office could provide the responses. Following this, the author consulted with Frank Chapin in the DDCI's office to confirm this arrangement. It was agreed that the Air Force would take responsibility for answering the letters from Davidson and Keyhoe. The memorandum concludes by proposing that this interaction serve as a formal precedent for managing all future inquiries related to UFOs.

I think we can use this procedure as a precedent henceforth in all inquiries regarding UFO's.

Official Assessment

The document establishes a procedure for handling inquiries regarding UFOs, where the Air Force will handle responses to letters from individuals such as Mr. Davidson and Major Keyhoe, rather than the CIA.

Key Persons

  • ByrneMajor
  • DavidsonRecipient of panel report
  • KeyhoeMajor, recipient of panel report
  • TackerMajor, Office of the Secretary of Air Force Information Service (SAFIS)
  • Frank ChapinStaff in the DDCI's office

Organizations