Unidentified Flying Objects

This memorandum, dated December 10, 1952, and addressed to the Director of Central Intelligence, provides a summary of the current situation regarding the investigation of unidentified flying objects. The author, H. Marshall Chadwell, Assistant Director of Scientific Intelligence, highlights four specific recent incidents. These include ten unidentified flying objects observed near Tremonton, Utah, on July 2, 1952; a light observed over the coast of Maine for four hours on the night of October 10-11, 1952; an alleged contact with a device on the ground in Florida that resulted in unexplained after-effects; and various other sightings of lights or objects that do not resemble known aerial vehicles or natural phenomena. The document further details that on December 4, 1952, the Office of Current Intelligence (O/CI) initiated action to review the situation. This involved consultation with Dr. H. P. Robertson, the former Director of Research at the Weapons Development Board (WDB), to establish a panel of scientists and engineers from fields such as astrophysics, nuclear energy, and electronics. The memorandum confirms that cooperation has been secured from the Directorate of Intelligence, United States Air Force (DI/USAF) and the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC), and expresses hope that the panel will be organized to conduct a scientific review within the following two to three weeks.