Declassified UFO / UAP Document
Responsibility for "Unidentified Flying Objects" (UFOs)
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AI-Generated Summary
This 1955 memorandum from the Physics and Electronics Division recommends the termination of UFO-related responsibilities due to a lack of significant intelligence findings. It suggests moving existing files to dead storage to prioritize other intelligence production programs.
This office memorandum, dated August 8, 1955, from the Chief of the Physics and Electronics Division (SI) to the Acting Assistant Director for Scientific Intelligence, formally requests the termination of the division's responsibilities regarding "Unidentified Flying Objects" (UFOs). The document references previous internal memos from 1953 and 1954 that had established the division's role in maintaining knowledge of UFO sightings. The author notes that the project had been considered inactive and that incoming material was reviewed periodically to filter for recognizable phenomena, with only items of national security concern being retained. The author argues for the termination of the project based on three primary factors: first, that no intelligence of significance to national security had been developed; second, that the project did not fall under the provisions of DCID 4/4 regarding Critical National Intelligence Objectives; and third, that the division's commitment to the FY-1956 CSI Production Program necessitated the cessation of non-essential activities. Consequently, the memorandum recommends that the project be officially terminated and that all associated files be moved to dead storage.
In view of the fact that no positive intelligence of significance has been produced under the subject project, it is recommended that the project be terminated and the files thereof be placed in dead storage.
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Official Assessment
In view of the fact that no positive intelligence of significance has been produced under the subject project, it is recommended that the project be terminated and the files thereof be placed in dead storage.
The division requested to be relieved of responsibilities regarding UFOs because no intelligence of national security concern was developed, the project did not fall under DCID 4/4, and the division's participation in the FY-1956 CSI Production Program required the termination of non-essential activities.