Memorandum: Flying Saucers

This memorandum, authored by Herbert Scoville, Jr., Assistant Director of Scientific Intelligence, addresses a report in a French magazine regarding Unidentified Flying Objects (U.F.O.s). The author critiques the article for failing to provide sufficient information to allow for proper identification of the phenomena. Scoville references the U.S. Air Force's Project Blue Book, noting that concentrated investigative efforts have successfully reduced the percentage of 'unknown' reports from 25 percent to 10 percent. He suggests that if the specific U.F.O. reported in the French publication were thoroughly investigated, it would likely be classified within existing Blue Book categories. The memorandum also highlights that the office maintains liaison with the Air Force Technical Intelligence Center regarding reports from both foreign countries and the United States. Furthermore, the document anticipates a potential surge in public reports of 'flying objects' and 'little green men' due to the upcoming proximity of Mars to Earth on 7 September 1955. While acknowledging that astronomers will have a rare opportunity for scientific study, the author notes that the Naval Observatory does not attach any important implications to this event. The memorandum concludes by stating that the office will continue to monitor the subject and provide updates on significant published reports.