Memoranda Regarding Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (1952)

This collection of memoranda documents the Central Intelligence Agency's internal assessment and subsequent policy recommendations regarding unidentified aerial objects during 1952. In July 1952, the Office of Scientific Intelligence (OSI) initiated a review of reports concerning unidentified aerial objects, noting that radar and visual sightings had been reported over the previous several weeks. By December 1952, the CIA had determined that these incidents, occurring at great altitudes and high speeds in the vicinity of major U.S. defense installations, were not attributable to natural phenomena or known aerial vehicles. The Agency expressed concern that these events warranted immediate attention and a more formal, scientific approach to investigation. Consequently, the Director of Central Intelligence recommended to the National Security Council that a program of intelligence and research activities be established to solve the problem of positive identification of these objects. The proposed National Security Council Directive would authorize the Director of Central Intelligence to coordinate these efforts across government departments and agencies, including the military services and the Research and Development Board, to ensure a comprehensive and scientific understanding of the phenomena while avoiding duplication of effort.