Declassified UFO / UAP Document
Reply to your Note Regarding Gordon H. Scherer
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AI-Generated Summary
A 1960 CIA memorandum dismissing a constituent's UFO sighting report as a hoax involving a fake photograph, noting that the matter was outside the agency's purview.
This memorandum, dated August 31, 1960, is addressed to Mr. L. Cary, Deputy Assistant Director for Collection/OSI, from F. G. Strong. The document serves as a response to a note regarding Congressman Gordon H. Scherer and a constituent, Mrs. Golden, who had been corresponding with the State Department and the Air Force regarding a UFO sighting. The CIA investigated the matter with the Air Force and concluded that the agency should not involve itself in the correspondence, as the issues raised did not pertain to the CIA. The Air Force had previously investigated the claims made by Mrs. Golden and determined that a photograph associated with the sighting was a fake, created by a freelance photographer known for trick photography. The document further notes that the U.S. Naval Attache expressed skepticism regarding the possibility of such a sighting occurring on the barren island of Trindade. The memorandum concludes by noting that a draft reply for Congressman Scherer is attached for the recipient's review.
It is the reporting officer's private opinion that a flying saucer sighting would be unlikely at the very barren island of Trindade, as everyone knows Martians are extremely comfort loving creatures.
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Official Assessment
The U.S. Naval Attache evaluation indicates that the picture was false. The photo was taken by a free lance photographer noted for his trick photography.
The CIA determined that the correspondence from Mrs. Golden regarding a UFO sighting did not concern the agency and should be handled by the Air Force, which had already investigated and dismissed the photograph as a hoax.
Witnesses
Key Persons
- Mr. L. CaryDeputy Assistant Director for Collection/OSI
- Gordon H. SchererCongressman