California Committee for Saucer Investigation

This memorandum, dated February 9, 1953, from the Chief of the Contact Division to the Assistant for Operations at the Office of Strategic Intelligence (OSI), details the activities of the California Committee for Saucer Investigation (CSI). The report is based on information provided by Dr. Walter Riedel, a former Chief Designer at the German Experimental Rocket Center at Peenemunde, who was then working as a Project Engineer at North American Aviation Corp. The author describes CSI as a group of private individuals who are scientifically interested in investigating 'saucer' phenomena. According to the document, CSI had received approximately 1570 reports, of which 75% were discarded after initial review. The remaining 25% were subjected to rigorous investigation, including verification of physical possibility and background checks on witnesses. The author expresses surprise at the thoroughness of these investigations. The document further reveals that CSI planned to conduct a 'hoax' in the Los Angeles area, specifically over Malibu on January 30, 1953, to test public reaction and the reliability of reporting regarding aerial phenomena. Additionally, the memorandum notes that interest in UFO sightings is also directed toward the Soviet Union, as evidenced by a paper titled 'Rockets Behind the Iron Curtain' presented by George P. Sutton at an American Rocket Society convention in December 1952. Finally, the document mentions that the National aeronautical association (NAA) had suggested that Dr. Riedel disassociate himself from the CSI.