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Flying Saucers
Two memoranda: one relaying Paul Nitze's inquiry about the Air Force position on flying saucers; the second summarizing Gen. Samford's statement that the flying saucer matter remains 'a complete enigma' and that 'credible observers are reporting the incredible.'
Analysis
"Credible observers are reporting the incredible." That's the Air Force Intelligence Chief talking. In July 1952, General Samford briefed the State Department that flying saucers were "a complete enigma" -- phenomena reported for over 100 years, now being confirmed by radar. He considered the possibility of man-made or controlled objects "remote." The threat wasn't what the objects were doing; it was that nobody understood them and they kept showing up. The memo went to Paul Nitze, head of the State Department's Policy Planning Staff and one of the Cold War's most consequential strategic thinkers.
Key Findings
- General Samford stated: "Credible observers are reporting the incredible"
- Flying saucers deemed a threat primarily because they were not understood and were sufficiently frequent to warrant serious Air Force attention
- Radar observations correlated with pilot sightings, though some radar returns showed characteristics of "electronic fluke"
- The possibility of man-made or controlled objects was considered "remote"
- Increase in reporting attributed to improved detection methods (radar) and better civilian/military reporting systems
Page Extractions 2 pages
Page 1
View PDF ↗statushas_content
doc_typememo
classificationSECRET (declassified); DECLASSIFIED NND 852931
page_descriptionState Department memorandum dated July 28, 1952 from F.H. to Mr. Armstrong regarding Air Force assessment of flying saucers, with handwritten annotation and routing notation.
dates1952-07-28 | Date of memorandum
people
- F.H. | Author | State Department | Memo originator
- Mr. Armstrong | Recipient | State Department
- Paul Nitze | Inquirer regarding Air Force assessment | Referenced
- General Samford | USAF/IAC representative | Provided assessment
- Initials appear to be "S.W." or similar in handwritten notation
organizations
- Air Force | USAF | Provides flying saucer assessment
- IAC | Intelligence Advisory Committee | Where Samford provided assessment
- State Department | U.S. government agency
observations
- Memo references flying saucers as topic of discussion at high government level involving State Department and Air Force
- Handwritten note indicates "Duly recorded at 11 A.M. Paul rushed me about 1 o'clock have given the gist of this to Paul, Doc, Holland, 11 July[?]"
- References attachment containing USAF assessment
assessmentsFlying saucers are being considered as matter worthy of discussion at senior government level
referencesAttached assessment from General Samford regarding flying saucers | Referenced as basis for memorandum
redactionsNone visible
Page 2
View PDF ↗statushas_content
doc_typememo
classificationSECRET (declassified); DECLASSIFIED NND 852931
page_descriptionState Department memorandum dated July 28, 1952 with subject "Flying Saucers" documenting General Samford's assessment and statements regarding flying saucer phenomena, radar observations, and Air Force position on unknown objects.
dates
- 1952-07-28 | Date of memorandum
- 1952 (referenced) | Inquiry to General Samford, A-2
people
- General Samford | USAF A-2 (Intelligence Chief) | Air Force | Provided assessment of flying saucers
- F.H. | Author | State Department | Memo author
- Inquirer (F.H.) | Spoke with General Samford
organizations
- Air Force | USAF A-2 Intelligence | Samford's organization
- Intelligence Advisory Committee (IAC) | Referenced context for Samford's remarks
observations
- Flying saucers are a "complete enigma" according to Samford
- Phenomena meeting general description of flying saucers have been reported for over 100 years
- Increase in observations and reporting attributable to improved detection methods including radar and better reporting systems by civilian and military pilots
- Reporting includes elements of "fad" and publicity
- Credible observers are reporting incredible phenomena
- Radar observations show elements of possible "electronic fluke" but are tied to pilot observations
- Air Force views flying saucers as threat primarily because they are not understood
- Phenomena sufficiently frequent to warrant serious attention from Air Force
assessments
- "There is very little that can be said to clarify the flying saucer business: It is still a complete enigma" | General Samford
- "Credible observers are reporting the incredible" | General Samford
- Flying saucers constitute a threat because not understood and are sufficiently frequent in occurrence | General Samford/Air Force assessment
- Possibility of man-made or controlled objects appears "remote" and not seriously considered | Implied assessment
references
- General Samford, USAF A-2 | Primary source of assessment
- 100+ years of flying saucer reports | Historical context
redactions
- None visible beyond classification markings
- Handwritten corrections/annotations visible: "frequently" appears to be corrected, and text about "remote" appears marked/edited
quotes
- "There is very little that can be said to clarify the flying saucer business: It is still a complete enigma." | General Samford
- "Credible observers are reporting the incredible." | General Samford
- "Electronic fluke" | Possible explanation for radar observations
- "Fad" | Description of publicity elements