Report on Book Entitled 'Flying Saucers from Outer Space'

This memorandum, dated December 8, 1953, from the Chief of the Operations Staff, O/SI, to the Assistant Director of Scientific Intelligence, provides an assessment of the book 'Flying Saucers from Outer Space' by an author identified as Keyhoe. The document was produced following a request to review the book for potential security violations related to CIA involvement in flying saucer investigations. The author of the memo characterizes the book as highly readable but fundamentally distorted, containing numerous half-truths and inferences. A primary concern identified is the book's reliance on statements from Albert M. Chop, an Air Force (Reserve) Public Information Officer, which the author uses to suggest that the Air Force is deliberately withholding positive conclusions about UFOs from the public. The memo specifically addresses claims made on page 212 of the book, where it is alleged that CIA personnel advised the Air Force to debunk saucer reports and move the project underground. The author of the memo refutes this, stating that there is no evidence of such recommendations from the CIA panel, and suggests that Keyhoe has misinterpreted the panel's findings. The memo further discusses the potential for a security breach, noting that while it is difficult to be certain, it is suspected that Chop may have heard of CIA briefings. The author mentions consulting with Dr. Stefan T. Poscony of the USAFOIN Special Study Group, who was unaware of any particular concerns regarding Keyhoe's assertions. The memo concludes that no security breach occurred and advises against any further investigation of the book, as doing so would only draw unnecessary attention to what is described as 'sensational science fiction.'