Reply to the Honorable Joseph E. Karth regarding Mr. Davidson's correspondence

This document is a formal response from the Central Intelligence Agency's General Counsel, Lawrence R. Houston, to the Honorable Joseph E. Karth, dated July 13, 1961. The letter addresses an inquiry from Congressman Karth regarding a constituent named Mr. Davidson, who had been engaged in extensive correspondence with the Agency and the U.S. Air Force since early 1958. Mr. Davidson alleged that the CIA was withholding information and was solely responsible for creating the 'Flying Saucer' phenomenon. The Agency refutes these claims, stating that it has consistently referred all of Mr. Davidson's letters to the U.S. Air Force, which serves as the executive agent for such matters. The letter clarifies that while Mr. Davidson was provided with a declassified version of the 1953 Scientific Advisory Panel report on UFOs, he remained unconvinced. The Agency further notes that the classified portions of that report did not specifically address UFOs but rather other intelligence matters. Additionally, the document mentions that Major Lawrence J. Tacker of the U.S. Air Force had previously provided Mr. Davidson with information regarding the subject, including corrections to statements made in Captain Ruppelt's book, 'The Report of Unidentified Flying Objects.' The Agency concludes by categorically denying any involvement in the 'Flying Saucer' phenomenon or its use as a tool for psychological warfare, asserting that such beliefs are entirely unfounded.