Correspondence regarding NICAP inquiry into Central Intelligence Agency involvement in UAP investigations

This document consists of a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) routing slip and a formal letter dated August 23, 1958, from Major Donald E. Keyhoe, Director of the National Investigations Committee on Aerial Phenomena (NICAP), to J. S. Earman, Executive Officer of the CIA. The routing slip records internal CIA communication regarding how to handle Keyhoe's inquiry. It notes that the CIA had consulted with a 'Major Tacker' of the Air Force, who advised that the Air Force is the primary agency responsible for addressing unidentified flying objects and that the CIA should not deal with them directly. In his letter, Keyhoe requests information regarding the CIA's role in investigating unidentified flying objects. He references a 1953 scientific panel convened by the CIA and expresses frustration that the Air Force had previously denied the existence of reports generated by this group. Keyhoe argues that the public is increasingly concerned about the potential hostility of these phenomena and that the current government secrecy policy is counterproductive, potentially leading to public hysteria. He offers to provide the names of NICAP board members, including Vice Admiral R. H. Hillenkoetter, to demonstrate the credibility of his organization. Keyhoe concludes by requesting an interview with a CIA official to discuss the matter, emphasizing that such a discussion would be of mutual benefit to the country.