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Flying Saucers Observed Over Oak Ridge Area
Evidence envelope containing two photographs of 'flying saucers' seen at Oak Ridge, Tennessee during July 1947, along with a newspaper clipping from the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Analysis
Flying saucers over a nuclear weapons facility. In July 1947, someone photographed unidentified objects above Oak Ridge, Tennessee -- the most sensitive atomic production site in the country. One image clearly shows a bright, luminous spherical object in the sky above the facility grounds. The Knoxville FBI field office forwarded the photographs and a newspaper clipping from the Knoxville News-Sentinel to headquarters. The file is thin (nine pages, mostly blank dividers), but the location gives it weight: Oak Ridge was producing enriched uranium for the U.S. nuclear arsenal.
Key Findings
- Flying saucers were observed over Oak Ridge, Tennessee during July 1947
- Two photographs were taken of the alleged objects
- One photograph clearly shows a bright, luminous spherical or circular object in the upper sky
- The sightings occurred over a sensitive nuclear facility area
- A newspaper clipping from the Knoxville News-Sentinel accompanied the report
- The Knoxville field office case was filed as #65-11
Page Extractions 9 pages
Page 1
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doc_typeother
classificationnone visible
page_descriptionCover sheet for FBI Case 62-HQ-83894 Vol. 1 Serial 153, showing file classification markings and declassification authority.
dates1927-04-08 | filing date (8/11/1274168 appears to be a barcode/reference)
organizations
- FBI Central Records Center | federal_agency
- FBI Headquarters (HQ) | federal_agency
references
- Case# 0062-83894 | FBI headquarters case file on flying discs
- Serial# 153 | specific document serial within the case
- Volume 1 | multi-volume case file
redactionsnone visible on this page
notes
- Declassification authority derived from FBI Automatic Declassification Guide, issued May 24, 2007
- Barcode: RRP003IXGA
- Reference number: 8/11/1274168
Page 2
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doc_typememo
classificationINTERNAL SECURITY - X
page_descriptionKnoxville FBI field office memo regarding flying saucers observed over Oak Ridge, Tennessee, with list of enclosures to the Bureau.
dates1947-07 | flying saucers observed during July 1947
locations
- Oak Ridge, Tennessee | site of observed flying saucers
- Knoxville | filing location (Knoxville File #65-11)
observationsFlying saucers observed at Oak Ridge, Tennessee during July 1947; evidence includes two photographs of the objects
references
- Knoxville File #65-11 | local field office case file
- Knoxville News-Sentinel | newspaper source of information
- Flying Saucers case | subject matter
enclosures
- Two photographs of reportedly "flying saucers" seen at Oak Ridge, Tennessee, during July 1947
- Photostat copy of newspaper clipping from Knoxville News-Sentinel concerning the "flying saucers"
quotes
- "FLYING SAUCERS" OBSERVED OVER OAK RIDGE AREA | memo subject line
- "flying saucers" | description used in document
Page 3
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doc_typeother
classificationnone visible
page_descriptionMostly blank page with handwritten reference marking and enclosure notation.
redactions
- Handwritten marking at bottom appears to read "ENCLOSURE" (partially legible)
- Additional handwritten notation visible but largely illegible
Page 4
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Page 5
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doc_typephotograph
classificationnone visible
page_descriptionPhotograph showing an unclear aerial object against a light background, with case reference marking visible.
observationsAerial object visible in photograph; details unclear due to image quality and distance; appears to be disc or saucer-shaped object
referencesCase marking: 62-83894-153 (visible at bottom of photograph)
notesThis appears to be one of the two photographs of allegedly "flying saucers" mentioned in the enclosures list from page 2 (Oak Ridge sighting, July 1947)
Page 6
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doc_typephotograph
classificationnone visible
page_descriptionBlack and white photograph of a rural or industrial facility area showing buildings, utility poles, and landscape with hills in the background.
observations
- Landscape photograph showing multiple residential or industrial buildings with windows and doors
- Utility poles with transmission/distribution lines visible throughout scene
- Rural or facility area with hills/mountains visible in background
- Appears to be taken during daytime with clear visibility
- No anomalous objects visible in this photograph
- Fence or barrier visible in foreground
locationsLikely Oak Ridge, Tennessee area based on document context, though not explicitly stated on this page
notes
- This appears to be a contextual or reference photograph showing the Oak Ridge facility area where the flying saucers were allegedly observed
- Second of the two photographs mentioned in the enclosures list
Page 7
View PDF ↗statushas_content
doc_typeother
classificationnone visible
page_descriptionMostly blank page with faint case reference marking visible at bottom.
referencesCase marking at bottom (partially legible): 62-83894-152 or similar
notesThis appears to be a blank divider or transition page within the document
Page 8
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doc_typephotograph
classificationnone visible
page_descriptionBlack and white photograph of Oak Ridge facility area with a bright spherical object visible in the sky above the landscape.
observations
- Bright, luminous spherical or circular object visible in upper portion of sky, upper right area
- Object appears to be bright white against darker sky background
- Buildings, utility poles, and vegetation visible in foreground
- Same facility landscape as previous photographs
- Hills/mountains visible in background
- Photograph appears to show the alleged "flying saucer" object observed at Oak Ridge
locationsOak Ridge, Tennessee area | site of sighting
notes
- This is likely one of the two photographs mentioned in the enclosures that allegedly shows a flying saucer object
- The bright object in the sky is consistent with descriptions of the phenomenon being investigated
Page 9
View PDF ↗statushas_content
doc_typeother
classificationnone visible
page_descriptionBlank page with case reference marking at bottom.
referencesCase marking: 62-83894-153 (visible at bottom of page)
notesFinal page of this document serial; appears to be a blank closing page