MEMORANDUM FOR RECORD: Flying Saucers

This memorandum, dated 3 December 1952, documents a series of meetings held by the author, P. G. Strong of the OSI, regarding the subject of 'Flying Saucers.' On the previous day, Strong met with Dr. Julius A. Stratton (Provost of MIT) and Dr. Max Millikan (Director of CENIS) to brief them on recent sighting reports, including the Limestone Base Case, the Florida Scout Master, and the Utah Notion Pictures. Dr. Stratton expressed that the subject required investigation and suggested that Project LINCOLN would be the most competent vehicle for such a review, provided it had Air Force concurrence. Stratton recommended Alfred Hill to lead the group, though he also considered Princeton and Cal Tech as alternatives, ultimately favoring Cal Tech due to the presence of experts like Robertson, Lauritson, and Spitzer. Following this, Strong met with Iloyd Berkner and Jerrold Zacharias to discuss the matter. While Berkner was not interested in personal involvement, he agreed on the need for scientific investigation. Zacharias suggested that Shirley Quimby of Columbia University be involved, noting his expertise in 'magic and general chicanery.' The memorandum concludes with Strong's assessment that the support of the DCI is essential to facilitate a scientific review and to secure necessary Air Force cooperation regarding reports and data.