--- PAGE 1 --- J-564 (12-22-55) [Declassification authority derived from FBI Automatic Declassification Guide, issued May 24, 2007.] HQ-HEADQUARTERS Class / Case # 0062 83894 Sub 6 Vol. 246 Serial # 301 FBI - CENTRAL RECORDS CENTER [barcode: 8/11/1274188 RRP003IXGU] [unclear: ment] of Justice (REMOVED FROM OR ADDED TO THIS FILE) [strikethrough: COPIED FOR] [unclear: BY] BUREAU [handwritten vertical:] serial [handwritten angled:] Copied for 8.6 [stamp:] COPIED FOR [stamp:] JAN 19 1979 BY [stamp:] MAR 2 1978 3Y 295 [handwritten vertical:] NOV27 [red stamp:] INVESTIGATION [red stamp:] COPIED FOR [stamp:] APR 13 1977 BY [unclear: 5/231] USE CARE IN HANDLING, THIS FILE Transfer-Call DESTROY FOIPA # 993087 62-HQ-83894 SERIALS 246-301 SECTION 6 [barcode: *62-HQ-83894-6W] [red handwritten cross] [handwritten vertical:] SECTION [handwritten vertical:] SERIAL --- PAGE 2 --- STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : D. M. Ladd [handwritten signature] FROM : A. H. Belmont [handwritten signature] DATE: August 23, 1950 [handwritten initials: J.W.] [handwritten checkmark] Tolson Ladd [unclear: Clege?] [handwritten checkmark] Glavin [handwritten checkmark] Nichols Rosen Tracy Harbo Belmont [handwritten signature: A. Belmont] Mohr Tele. Room [unclear: [illegible]] Gandy SUBJECT: SUMMARY OF AERIAL PHENOMENA IN NEW MEXICO MISCELLANEOUS – INFORMATION CONCERNING [handwritten red checkmark] PURPOSE To advise that: (1) OSI has expressed connection with the continued appearance of unexplained phenomena described as green fireballs, discs and meteors in the vicinity of sensitive installations in New Mexico. (2) Dr. LaPaz, Meteor Expert of the University of New Mexico, reported that the phenomena does not appear to be of meteoric origin. (3) OSI has contracted with Land-Air Inc., Alamogordo, New Mexico, to make scientific study of the unexplained phenomena. [handwritten blue vertical text:] Flying Discs [handwritten red vertical text:] [illegible] NATURE OF PHENOMENA Observations of aerial phenomena occurring within the vicinity of sensitive installations have been recorded by the Air Force since December, 1948. The phenomena have been classified into 3 general types which are identified as follows: 1. Green fireballs, objects moving at high speed in shapes resembling half moons, circles and discs emitting green light. 2. Discs, round flat shaped objects or phenomena moving at fast velocity and emitting a brilliant white light or reflected light. 3. Meteors, aerial phenomena resembling meteoric material moving at high velocity and varying in color. The above phenomena have been reported to vary in color from brilliant white to amber, red and green. [handwritten red mark] Since 1948, approximately 150 observations of aerial phenomena referred to above have been recorded in the vicinity of installations in New Mexico. A number of observations have been reported by different reliable individuals at approximately the same time. KWD/mp [handwritten checkmark] RECORDED - 2 [handwritten red mark] 62-83894- 246 INDEXED - 2 [stamp: SEP 8 1950] [handwritten signature: A. Belmont] [handwritten initials: J.W.] [handwritten initials: S.K.] [handwritten initials: C.K.D.] [handwritten initials: J.W.] [stamp: 52 SEP 18 1950] --- PAGE 3 --- [reversed text, top of page] MEMORANDUM UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT [stamp, left, vertical] SEP 5 11 02 AM '50 REC'D BELMONT F.B.I. DEPT. OF JUSTICE [stamp, right, vertical] RECEIVED-LADD F.B.I. U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE SEP 5 9 32 AM '50 [stamp, bottom left, horizontal] SEP 1 6 59 PM '50 U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F.B.I. RECEIVED - DIRECTOR [stamp, bottom left, diagonal, below DIRECTOR stamp] U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F.B.I. REC'D 6. SEC. OF ESPIONAGE SEP 6 9 27 AM '50 [stamp, bottom center-left, diagonal] U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F.B.I. RECEIVED-TOLSON SEP 6 10 AM '50 [stamp, bottom center-left, diagonal, overlapping previous] U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F.B.I. REC'D BELMONT SEP 6 10 05 AM '50 [stamp, bottom right-center, diagonal] RECEIVED-TOLSON F.B.I. U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE SEP 2 12 16 PM '50 [stamp, bottom right-center, diagonal, below previous] U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE F.B.I. REC'D BELMONT Aug 23 10 05 AM '50 [stamp, bottom right-center, diagonal, below previous] RECEIVED-TOLSON F.B.I. U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE Aug 24 2 50 PM '50 [stamp, bottom right, diagonal] RECEIVED-LADD F.B.I. U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE Aug 23 2 41 PM '50 [stamp, bottom center, diagonal, faint] RECEIVED 12 42 PM '50 --- PAGE 4 --- RESULTS OF AN INQUIRY BY PROFESSOR LINCOLN LA PAZ Dr. LaPaz, Director, Institute of Meteoritics, University of New Mexico, submitted an analysis of the various observations on May 23, 1950. He concluded, as a result of his investigation, that approximately half of the phenomena recorded were of meteoric origin. The other phenomena commonly referred to as green fireballs or discs he believed to be U.S. guided missiles being tested in the neighborhood of the installations. Dr. LaPaz pointed out that if he were wrong in interpreting the phenomena as originating with U.S. guided missiles that a systematic investigation of the obser- vations should be made immediately. Dr. LaPaz pointed out that missiles moving with the velocities of the order of those found for the green fireballs and discs could travel from the Ural region of the USSR to New Mexico in less than 15 minutes. He suggested that the observations might be of guided missiles launched from bases in the Urals. || On the basis of the investigations made by Dr. LaPaz and the Air Force, it was concluded that the occurrence of the unexplained phenomena in the vicinity of sensitive installations was a cause for concern. The Air Force entered into a contract with Land-Air, Incorporated, Alamogordo, New Mexico, for the purpose of making scientific studies of the green fireballs and discs. It was pointed out in the summary furnished by OSI on July 19, 1950, that the unexplained green fireballs and discs are still observed in the vicinity of sensitive military and Government installations. || RESULTS OF AIR FORCE INVESTIGATION The Air Force together with Land-Air, Incorporated, have established a number of observation posts in the vicinity of Vaughn, New Mexico, for the purpose of photographing and determining the speed, height and nature of the unusual phenomena referred to as green fireballs and discs. On May 24, 1950, personnel of Land-Air, Incorporated, sighted 8 to 10 objects of aerial phenomena. A 24-hour day watch is being maintained and has been designated [strikethrough: XProject Twinkle.] - 2 - --- PAGE 5 --- CONCLUSIONS The Albuquerque Office, in a letter dated August 10, 1950, advised that there have been no new developments in connection with the efforts to ascertain the identity of the strange aerial phenomena referred to as green fireballs and discs. The Albuquerque Office advised that Dr. Anthony O. Mirarchi, Project Engineer, had been informed of the Bureau's jurisdiction relative to espionage and sabotage and arrangements have been made so that the Bureau will be promptly advised in the event additional information relative to this project indicates any jurisdiction on the part of the Bureau. ACTION None. The above is for your information. [illegible handwritten markings] - 3 - --- PAGE 6 --- September 8, 1950 [strikethrough: CONEEDENTIAI] [handwritten]: Declassified [handwritten]: 2010 [handwritten]: 8/31/77 To: Director of Special Investigations The Inspector General Department of the Air Force The Pentagon Washington, D. C. From: John Edgar Hoover - Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation Subject: FLYING SAUCERS There is attached hereto for your consideration and attention a copy of a self-explanatory letter dated August 29, 1950, received by this Bureau from Mr. Walter D. Jones, of 36 King Street East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. For your information, the letter from Mr. Jones has been acknowledged by this Bureau, and he has been informed his communication has been referred to your Department. Attachment. EHM:eas RECORDED - 5 [strikethrough: R337] [stamp: O SEP 10 1950] APPROPRIATE AGENCIES AND FIELD OFFICES ADVISED BY ROUTING SLIP(S) OF [handwritten]: 2040 DATE [handwritten]: 9/1/77 [handwritten]: ~ [handwritten]: 62 8389 [stamp: SEP 14 1950] [handwritten]: O [handwritten, red]: 247 [handwritten]: AB [handwritten]: CH [handwritten]: ENM per wire [stamp: MAILED TO SEP 11 1950 COMM - FBI] --- PAGE 7 --- Here is the transcription of the scanned document page, following your strict rules: [handwritten at top left, with strikethrough] [strikethrough: [unclear: C/fombell]] [unclear: Cr.] 10/18 [unclear: M14]4/8/18 [Faint typewritten text - largely illegible due to poor quality] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] 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[illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible --- PAGE 8 --- STANDARD FORM NO. 64 g Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GO[illegible] TO : MR. A. H. BELMONT FROM : MR. L. L. LAUGHLIN SUBJECT: FLYING SAUCERS DATE: September 27, 1950 Tolson Ladd Clegg Glavin Nichols Rosen Tracy Harbo Belmont Mohr Tele. Room Nease Gandy[illegible] SAC Cornelius of Philadelphia called at 10:45 A.M. today and stated that yesterday evening while two officers of the Philadelphia Police Department were cruising in their scout car they saw through the windshield an object descending slowly to the earth which appeared at first glance to be a parachute. When the officers first noticed the object, it was at tree-top level and was described as being six feet in diameter. It landed in a field near-by and the officers, upon examining it, noted that it gave out a purplish glow which was almost a mist. The officers summoned two other police officers. After looking at the object for some time they attempted to pick it up. The object broke, leaving a slight odorless residue. Over a period of about 25 minutes which the officers spent watching the object it completely disintegrated. The officers further commented that the object was so light that when it hit the field, it did not even bend the weeds or the grass it fell on. Mr. Cornelius said that he has called the local office of the Air Force but the individual with whom he spoke there said he knew nothing about them and was not aware that his office was looking into reports of this type. Mr. Cornelius desired to know what further action should be taken by him. I told Mr. Cornelius that he was correct in referring this matter to the local office of OSI and that he should direct a letter to the Bureau incorporating all available information concerning the matter and that we here, upon its receipt, in turn would bring it to the attention of OSI Headquarters. LLL:mer [Handwritten marginalia, vertical:] may co[illegible] admin 9.29-50 [illegible] [Stamp:] RECORDED - 84 [Stamp:] 162-83894459 [Stamp:] OCT 4 1950 [Stamp:] EX-29 [Stamp:] 14 [Handwritten squiggle:] [illegible] --- PAGE 9 --- [inverted text: Office Memorandum] [inverted text: UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT] TO FROM SOURCE DATE 10 September [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] ... :07 at Boston Mr. [unclear: Mullen] ... the two officers [unclear: there] were [unclear: yesterday] ... [unclear: in] [unclear: police] station [unclear: 3D] where he had been ... for observation at the Boston branch and ... was released yesterday at 5:00 [unclear: o'clock]. ... Officers told me they [unclear: found] him ... upon arrival at the hotel again. ... 1941. ... was located and advised that he some time had ... officers in the [unclear: [illegible]] office in Boston about ... 25 minutes which [unclear: [illegible]] that officers told ... he went inside the [unclear: [illegible]] house and [unclear: one] of ... the houses if it fell on no. ... [unclear: to] be called the said Mr. [unclear: Mullen]. ... that the individual [unclear: left] [unclear: at] [unclear: 1:00] [unclear: PM]. ... [unclear: and] about them doing nothing about [unclear: him]. ... [unclear: back] to his office. ... [unclear: to] be returned to Mr. [unclear: Mullen]. ... Mr. [unclear: Connelley] ... was contacted by Mr. [unclear: [illegible]] ... [unclear: and] one local [unclear: [illegible]] and [unclear: [illegible]] ... [unclear: information] will remain in [unclear: [illegible]] ... [unclear: to] be returned to [unclear: [illegible]] [stamp: CORRELATION - LIAISON F. B. I. U. S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE Oct 6 4 43 PM '50] [stamp: RECEIVED-LADD F. B. I. U. S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE SEP 27 5 13 PM '50] [stamp: CORRELATION-LIAISON F. B. I. U. S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE SEP 28 9 08 AM '50] --- PAGE 10 --- CONFIDENTIAL DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES AIR FORCE WASHINGTON 25, D. C. DECLASSIFIED Authority: NND 90986 [Handwritten top right]: [unclear: Heinrich] [strikethrough: Helen] [unclear: Blunard] [unclear: Massaberg] [unclear: Elkin] [unclear: SEP 1950 Elin]? Hon. J. Edgar Hoover Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation Department of Justice Washington 25, D. C. [Handwritten top right]: [unclear: Flying Discs] Dear Mr. Hoover: The inclosed letter, subject: "Reporting of Information on Unconventional Aircraft," is forwarded for your information and any cooperation you may be able to extend. As indicated in the letter it is desired to place this subject in its proper perspective as part of the normal USAF requirement for information of air technical intelligence interest. Respectfully yours, [Signature: C. P. Cabell] [Handwritten right margin]: [unclear: ry] C. P. CABELL Major General, USAF Director of Intelligence 1 Incl: a/s [Handwritten left margin]: M [stamp: ENCL] [Handwritten]: 108 SAC Letter #38 [Handwritten]: Sever 1949 [Handwritten]: dated 3/25/49 [Handwritten]: Ehn [Handwritten bottom left]: Recd 9-25-50 S/S [Stamped/Handwritten bottom middle]: RECORDED - 108 [stamp: BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION] [stamp: U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE] [stamp: AIR MAIL] [stamp: OCT 5 3:12 PM 1950] [Handwritten, red]: 62 8394-249 [Handwritten, red]: [unclear: r-wos] "This document contains information affecting the national defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title 18 U.S.C., Sections 793 and 794. Its transmission or the revelation of its contents in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law." 4/98 [stamp: OCT 23 1950] [strikethrough: CONFIDENTIAL] --- PAGE 11 --- [strikethrough: CONFIDENTIAL] DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES AIR FORCE WASHINGTON 25, D. C. AFOIC-CC-1 8 September 1950 SUBJECT: Reporting of Information on Unconventional Aircraft TO: Commanding Generals, Major Air Commands, ZI and Overseas All United States Air Attaches 1. The United States Air Force has a continuing requirement for the reporting and technical analysis of observations of uncon- ventional aircraft which might indicate an advance in technological progress of a foreign power. An unconventional aircraft, within the meaning of this directive, is defined as any aircraft or air- borne object which by performance, aerodynamic characteristics, or unusual features, does not conform to any presently known aircraft type. 2. It is desired that information on unconventional aircraft be reported in the following manner: a. A separate report of each incident will be forwarded. No information other than that bearing on the unconventional air- craft will be included in this report. b. Priority of transmission accorded the report will be that appropriate in the judgment of the forwarding agency, accord- ing to its apparent authenticity and importance as intelligence. c. Reports will be forwarded to Commanding General, Air Materiel Command, Attention: MCIS. d. Reports forwarded by electrical transmission will include, as far as possible: (1) A brief description of the object(s); its shape, size, color, number, formation if more than one, aerodynamic features, trail or exhaust, propul- sion system, speed, sound, maneuvers, manner of disappearance, and other pertinent or unusual features. (2) Time sighted in 24-hour clock zonal time, and length of time observed. [strikethrough: CONFIDENTIAL] ENCLOSURE [handwritten]: Ind. 1 [handwritten]: 62-83894-249 --- PAGE 12 --- [strikethrough: CONFIDENTIAL] (3) Manner of observation; visual or electronic, from air (give speed, altitude, and type of aircraft), or surface. Any type of optical or electronic equipment used should be described. (4) Location of observer during sighting, giving exact lati- tude and longitude as closely as feasible, and/or reference to a known landmark. Location of object(s) with respect to observer, giving distance, direction, and altitude. (5) Identifying information on observer(s) and witnesses, estimate of reliability and experience, and any factors bearing on estimated reliability of the sighting. (6) Weather and wind conditions (teletype sequences) at time and place of sightings. (7) Any activity or condition, meteorological or otherwise, which might account for the sighting. (8) Existence of any physical evidence; fragments, photo- graphs and the like, of the sighting. (9) Interception or identification action taken. (Such action should be taken whenever feasible, complying with existing air defense directives.) e. Reports forwarded by electrical transmission will be followed up within ten (10) days by a written report on AF Form 112. This report will contain the same information specified in subparagraph 2d above in greater detail, and where feasible will include sketches and signed attested narrative statements of observers. f. Written reports of sightings, where no previous electrically transmitted report has been submitted, will follow the same form as the written follow-up report described in subparagraph 2e above. g. Any physical evidence of the sighting will be forwarded by most expeditious means to Commanding General, Air Materiel Command, Attn: MCIS, under cover of a letter identifying the shipment with the report of sighting. Mention of the method and time of shipping of this evidence will be included in written report of the sighting. 3. It is desired that no publicity be given this reporting or analysis activity. BY COMMAND OF THE CHIEF OF STAFF: Info copies to: Dir/Int, G-2, Army Dir/Naval Int. Commandant (INT) US Coast Guard Sp Asst for Research & Intel, State Director FBI Director of CIA C. P. CABELL Major General, USAF Director of Intelligence [strikethrough: CONFIDENTIAL] --- PAGE 13 --- STANDARD FORM FORM NO. 64 Off: Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : THE DIRECTOR DATE: October 9, 1950 FROM : MR. D. M. LADD SUBJECT: FLYING SAUCERS FLYING DISCS GREEN FIREBALLS PURPOSE To advise you of the most recent information known to the Bureau concerning the captioned aerial phenomena. BACKGROUND You will recall that on August 23, 1950, I furnished to you a memorandum regarding Project Twinkle set up by the Department of the Air Force, with the assistance of Land-Air, Inc., at Vaughn, New Mexico, for the purpose of obtaining data regarding these unusual aerial phenomena which had been seen in the vicinity of sensitive installations in New Mexico. To date the Air Force has not advised us of any new developments in connection with this project. Dr. Anthony O. Mirarchi, Project Engineer of Project Twinkle, has been contacted by the Albuquerque Office and arrangements have been made in order that the Bureau will be advised in the event any information relative to these phenomena indicates any jurisdiction on the part of the Bureau. According to Bureau files, an average of approximately three or four complaints have been received per month from June through September. These complaints were brought to the attention of OSI. A review of Bureau files does not indicate that there has been any increase in the sightings of these phenomena during or as a result of the war in Korea. JURISDICTION FOR INVESTIGATION OF THESE PHENOMENA You will recall the investigation to obtain information concerning these aerial phenomena is the jurisdiction of the Department of the Air Force. The Department of the Air Force is aware of our jurisdiction in matters relating to espionage, sabotage and internal security, and we have contacted OSI and requested them to advise us of any developments in connection with these phenomena which would be of interest to us as a result of our jurisdiction. [handwritten marginalia: gm] [handwritten mark] [handwritten mark] Tolson [checkmark] ______ Ladd ______ Clegg ______ Glavin [checkmark] ______ Nichols [unclear: M] [checkmark] ______ Rosen ______ Tracy ______ Harbo ______ Mohr ______ Tele. Room ______ Nease ______ Gandy ______ EHM:de [handwritten signature] [stamp: RECORDED - 105] [handwritten numbers: 162-83894-250] [stamp: OCT 10 1950] [stamp: OCT 16 1950] [handwritten: EHM] [handwritten mark] [unclear: RECEIVED 10/10/50] [handwritten signatures/marks] --- PAGE 14 --- MEMORANDUM UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT DATE: October 9, 1950 TO: THE DIRECTOR FROM: MR. A. H. BELMONT SUBJECT: KOREAN INTELLIGENCE GENERAL INTELLIGENCE CHEJU INTELLIGENCE I recall that on August 22, 1950, [unclear: Mr. Joseph S.] had advised that a project had been set up by the Department of State in [unclear: Arlington, Virginia], for the purpose of obtaining raw intelligence from sources who were traveling in North Korea. He indicated that the information being received was not too good as of that date. In connection with this project, Mr. Joseph F. Carroll advised you and Mr. Belmont on September 19, 1950, that the activities in Korea had been turned over to the Department of Defense. In view of the fact that the Department of Defense is now handling this type of project, I would suggest that we secure from the Department of Defense copies of any intelligence reports they have received from their Korean source of intelligence. I would appreciate it if you would advise Mr. Belmont of this and then arrange to obtain from the Department of Defense any intelligence reports that would be of interest to us. [stamp: U. S. DEPT OF JUSTICE FBI RECEIVED-TOLSON OCT 9 6 55 PM '50] [stamp: RECEIVED-NICHOLS F B I U. S. DEPT OF JUSTICE OCT 9 7 53 PM '50] --- PAGE 15 --- POSSIBLE ORIGIN OF THESE AERIAL PHENOMENA The Bureau has been advised in the past by OSI that many of the sightings reported to them were determined by investigation to have been of weather balloons, falling stars, meteorological phenomena and other air-borne objects. INFORMATION OBTAINED BY BUREAU LIAISON FROM OSI, WASHINGTON, D. C. RE THE CAPTIONED MATTERS ON OCTOBER 9, 1950. Bureau liaison determined on the morning of October 9, 1950 from OSI headquarters that the investigations of these aerial phenomena are being handled by OSI, Wright Field, Ohio. Their investigation of these phenomena fails to indicate that the sightings involved space ships or missiles from any other planet or country. According to OSI, the complaints received by them have failed to indicate any definite pattern of activity. OSI further advised they are closely following the investigation of the captioned matters, and they will advise this Bureau of any matters of interest. ACTION None. The above is for your information. - 2 - --- PAGE 16 --- October 9, 1950 THE DIRECTOR MR. D. M. LADD FLYING SAUCERS FLYING DISCS GREEN FIREBALLS PURPOSE To advise you of the most recent information known to the Bureau concerning the captioned aerial phenomena. BACKGROUND You will recall that on August 23, 1950, I furnished to you a memorandum regarding Project Twinkle set up by the Department of the Air Force, with the assistance of Land-Air, Inc., at Vaughn, New Mexico, for the purpose of obtaining data regarding these unusual aerial phenomena which had been seen in the vicinity of sensitive installations in New Mexico. To date the Air Force has not advised us of any new developments in connection with this project. Dr. Anthony O. Mirarchi, Project Engineer of Project Twinkle, has been contacted by the Albuquerque Office and arrangements have been made in order that the Bureau will be advised in the event any information relative to these phenomena indicates any jurisdiction on the part of the Bureau. According to Bureau files, an average of approximately three or four complaints have been received per month from June through September. These complaints were brought to the attention of OSI. A review of Bureau files does not indicate that there has been any increase in the sightings of these phenomena during or as a result of the war in Korea. JURISDICTION FOR INVESTIGATION OF THESE PHENOMENA You will recall the investigation to obtain information concerning these aerial phenomena is the jurisdiction of the Department of the Air Force. The Department of the Air Force is aware of our jurisdiction in matters relating to espionage, sabotage and internal security, and we have contacted them and requested them to advise us of any developments in connection with these phenomena which would be of interest to us as a result of our jurisdiction. Tolson Ladd Clegg Glavin Nichols Rosen Tracy Harbo Belmont Mohr Tele. Room Ease undy JMH:de de 39 [stamp: 9 OCT 23 1950] 62-83894-250 --- PAGE 17 --- POSSIBLE ORIGIN OF THESE AERIAL PHENOMENA The Bureau has been advised in the past by OSI that many of the sightings reported to them were determined by investigation to have been of weather balloons, falling stars, meteorological phenomena and other air borne objects. INFORMATION OBTAINED BY BUREAU LIAISON FROM OSI, WASHINGTON, D. C. RE THE CAPTIONED MATTERS ON OCTOBER 9, 1950. Bureau liaison determined on the morning of October 9, 1950 from OSI headquarters that the investigations of these aerial phenomena are being handled by OSI, Wright Field, Ohio. Their investigation of these phenomena fails to indicate that the sightings involved space ships or missiles from any other planet or country. According to OSI, the complaints received by them have failed to indicate any definite pattern of activity. OSI further advised they are closely following the investigation of the captioned matters, and they will advise this Bureau of any matters of interest. ACTION None. The above is for your information. - 2 - --- PAGE 18 --- STANDARD FORM NO. 64 Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO : DIRECTOR, FBI DATE: October 2, 1950 FROM : SAC, PHILADELPHIA ATTENTION: MR. LEO LAUGHLIN [handwritten: BFB] SUBJECT: FLYING DISC REPORTED AT [handwritten: #] PHILADELPHIA ON 9/26/50 [handwritten, in blue, crossed out: FLYING SAUCERS] During the late evening hours of September 26, 1950, two Phila- delphia police officers observed a peculiar phenomenon on Vare Boulevard near 26th Street when they saw a round object about six feet in circumference slowly float down to the ground. The object had the appearance of a parachute and landed in a field, it being so light it did not even depress the weeds in the field. The object was lavender in color, described by the officers as dewy, sort of like soap suds, and evaporating within fifteen or twenty minutes after it landed. When touched by the officers, the substance composing the object disappeared, leaving nothing but a slight sticky substance. This matter was reported to this office by the Philadelphia Police and for that matter, was subsequently carried in the [handwritten: CACL] Philadelphia press as "Flying Saucer Just Dissolves". [strikethrough: RECEIVED] Mr. LAUGHLIN of the Bureau was telephonically advised of the above by this office and issued instructions that the matter should be referred to Air Force Intelligence for handling and any investigation. Accordingly, Major WATTS of the Philadelphia Office of OSI was telephonically advised of the above and no further action was taken by this office. FMK/mmd 98-0 [handwritten: Ehm] [handwritten: Mossberg] [stamp: RECORDED - 80] [handwritten: 62-83874-251] [handwritten: Henrich] [stamp: OCT 12 7 1950] [handwritten: Laughlin] [handwritten: FIVE] [handwritten: Ehm] [handwritten: 134] [stamp: 55 OCT 18 1950] [handwritten: B] --- PAGE 19 --- МИГНЯОMЗМ ЗОТИЧО МТЗМНЗУЯЗО ЗЗТАТГ ДЗТИГИ 0201 'S yədətəO МАУ: MORT: ТХЗТ ИI ЗОТИЧО А:ИIТНIВАТИД . 020I,8S yədmetqə2 , tserpəb [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] [illegible] 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Melton 413 Irving Ave. Glendale 6 Calif. [strikethrough: E L WEHTON] Hs Mr. My theory of the flying saucer is: It gets its power from electricity generated by a gen. generator, The generator is run from a revolving disc, therefore giving the flying saucers a disc like appearance. By the use of gears the revolving disc is able to generate 10 or 20 times more power than is needed. The faster the disc goes, the more power. By use of the new light weight electric motors, there is less weight, and less space taken. The revolving disc is in side of light shell. Forward motion of ships allows disc to revolve, generating elec power. This way, the flying disc could fly almost any length of time. Compressed air could be used to start power disc. [Marginalia, left:] OF FLYING DISCS [Stamp, bottom left:] 5 OCT 25 1950 [Stamp, middle right:] RECORDED - 125 INDEXED - 125 [Printed text, middle right:] 162-83894 [Stamp, middle right:] OCT 13 1950 [Printed text, middle right:] EX-29 --- PAGE 21 --- [illegible] S DEPT OF JUSTICE F B I RECEIVED OCT 11 3 42 PM '50 MR. JONES. RECORDED - 152 INDEXED - 152 [handwritten, bottom left] 10/11 [stamp, diagonal, red ink] RECEIVED RECORDS SECTION OCT 11 14 42 '50 --- PAGE 22 --- FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ------ CC-160 To: COMMUNICATIONS SECTION. OCTOBER 13, 1950 URGENT Transmit the following message to: SAC, LOS ANGELES [handwritten: O]FLYING SAUCERS. YOU ARE INSTRUCTED TO DISCREETLY DETERMINE THROUGH [strikethrough: X] APPROPRIATE RELIABLE SOURCES OF YOUR OFFICE WHETHER FRANK [strikethrough: X] SCULLY, AUTHOR OF THE BOOK QUOTE BEHIND THE FLYING SAUCERS UNQUOTE IS IDENTICAL TO THE FRANK SCULLY WHO HAS BEEN ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN COMMUNIST ACTIVITIES SINCE THE LATE NINETEEN THIRTIES IN THE TERRITORY OF YOUR OFFICE. HOOVER EHM:gmu [handwritten signature] Mr. Tolson Mr. Clegg Mr. Glavin Mr. Ladd Mr. Nichols Mr. Rosen Mr. Tracy Mr. Egan Mr. Gurnea Mr. Harbo Mr. Mohr Mr. Pennington Mr. Quinn Tamm Tele. Room Mr. Nease Miss Gandy [stamp: RECORDED = 95] [stamp: INDEXED = 95] [stamp: 55 OCT 26 1950] [stamp: FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION] [stamp: U. S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE] [stamp: COMMUNICATIONS SECTION] [stamp: OCT 18 1950] SENT VIA COPIES DESTROYED TELETYPE 270 NOV 23 1964 [handwritten: 359] M Per [handwritten signature] [handwritten in red: 62-83894-253] [handwritten: GTS] [handwritten signature: E Hum] [vertical stamp: RECEIVED READING ROOM F.B.I. U.S. DEPT. OF JUSTICE OCT 13 1 30 PM 50] --- PAGE 23 --- 62- 83894-254 CHANCED TO 100-2244- 6 OCT 31 1950 R e --- PAGE 24 --- [strikethrough: CONFIDENTIAL] DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES AIR FORCE WASHINGTON THE INSPECTOR GENERAL USAF 17TH DISTRICT OFFICE OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, NEW MEXICO [box with text] DECLASSIFIED Authority: NND 90986 DR/ms File No: (24-8)-28 25 May 1950 SUBJECT: Summary of Observations of Aerial Phenomena in the New Mexico Area, December 1948 - May 1950 TO: Brigadier General Joseph F. Carroll Director of Special Investigations Headquarters USAF Washington 25, D. C. [handwritten: Flying Discs] 1. In a liaison meeting with other military and government intel- ligence and investigative agencies in December 1948, it was determined that the frequency of unexplained aerial phenomena in the New Mexico area was such that an organized plan of reporting these observations should be undertaken. The organization and physical location of units of this Dis- trict were most suitable for collecting these data, therefore, since December 1948, this District has assumed the responsibility for collect- ing and reporting basic information with respect to aerial phenomena occurring in this general area. These reports have been distributed to the Air Materiel Command, USAF, in accordance with Air Intelligence Requirements No. 4, and to other interested military and government agencies. 2. There is attached, as a part of this summary, a compilation of aerial phenomena sightings that have occurred mostly in the New Mexico area and have been reported by this District Office subsequent to December 1948. This compilation of sightings is not a complete record of all reported observations, but includes only those in which sufficient information was available to justify their inclusion. The observers of these phenomena include scientists, Special Agents of the Office of Special Investigations (IG) USAF, airline pilots, military pilots, Los Alamos Security Inspectors, military personnel, and many other persons of various occupations whose reliability is not questioned. This com- pilation sets forth the most important characteristics with respect to [strikethrough: ENCL] [handwritten: 4] [handwritten: 3] each observation and evaluates each sighting into one of three classifi- cations, (1) green fireball phenomenon, (2) disc or variation, and (3) probably meteoric. 3. There is also attached an analysis of the green fireball occurrences in this area made by Dr. Lincoln LaPaz. Dr. LaPaz is the [handwritten: INDEXED - 87] [strikethrough: NOT RECORDED] [handwritten: 64-83894-253] [strikethrough: CONFIDENTIAL] [handwritten at bottom left: 5 OCT 28 1950] [handwritten: 10-] [handwritten: o s'] [handwritten at bottom right, likely a signature: Drisly] --- PAGE 25 --- [strikethrough: CONFIDENTIAL] File No: (24-8)-28 Subj: Summary of Observations of Aerial Phenomena in the New Mexico Area, December 1948 - May 1950 25 May 1950 Director of the Institute of Meteoritics and Head of the Department of Mathematics and Astronomy at the University of New Mexico. He was Re- search Mathematician at the New Mexico Proving Grounds under an OSRD appointment in 1943 and 1944, and Technical Director of the Operations Analysis Section, Headquarters, Second Air Force, 1944-45. Since 1948, Dr. LaFaz has served on a voluntary basis as consultant for this Dis- trict in connection with the green fireball investigations. 4. On 17 February 1949 and again on 14 October 1949, conferences were held at Los Alamos, New Mexico, for the purpose of discussing the green fireball phenomena. Representatives of the following organizations were present at these meetings: Fourth Army, Armed Forces Special Wea- pons Project, University of New Mexico, Federal Bureau of Investigation, U. S. Atomic Energy Commission, University of California, U. S. Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, Geophysical Research Division Air Material Command USAF, and the Office of Special Investigations (IG) USAF. A logical explanation was not proffered with respect to the origin of the green fireballs. It was, however, generally concluded that the pheno- mena existed and that they should be studied scientifically until these occurrences have been satisfactorily explained. Further, that the continued occurrence of unexplained phenomena of this nature in the vicinity of sensitive installations is cause for concern. 5. The Geophysical Research Division, Air Material Command, Cambridge, Massachusetts, has recently let a contract to Land-Air, Inc., Holloman AFB, Alamogordo, New Mexico, for a limited scientific study of green fireballs. The results of this scientific approach to the problem will undoubtedly be of great value in determining the origin of these phenomena. 6. This summary of observations of aerial phenomena has been prepared for the purpose of re-emphasizing and reiterating the fact that phenomena have continuously occurred in the New Mexico skies during the past 18 months and are continuing to occur, and, secondly, that these phenomena are occurring in the vicinity of sensitive mili- tary and government installations. [Signature: Doyle Rees] 4 Incls DOYLE REES 1. Summary of Sightings Lt Colonel, USAF 2. Photo of Sighting No. 175 District Commander w/comments 3. Ltr fr Dr. LaFaz to Lt Col Rees, dtd 23 May 50 4. Graph indicating maximums 2 [strikethrough: CONFIDENTIAL] --- PAGE 26 --- [strikethrough: CONFIDENTIAL] File No: (24-8)-28 Subj: Summary of Observations of Aerial Phenomena in the New Mexico Area, December 1948 - May 1950 25 May 1950 DISTRIBUTION: 6 cys, Director of Special Investigations, Headquarters USAF 1 cy, CG, Air Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio ATTN: Director of Technical Intelligence 1 cy, CG, Special Weapons Command, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico 1 cy, CG, Armed Services Special Weapons Project, Sandia Base, New Mexico. ATTN: J-2 1 cy, CG, Headquarters, Fourth Army, Ft. Sam Houston, Texas ATTN: AC of S, G-2 1 cy, CO, Holloman AFB, New Mexico 1 cy, CO, Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories, Cambridge, Mass. 1 cy, Director, Security Division, U. S. Atomic Energy Commission, Los Alamos, New Mexico. ATTN: Mr. B. O. Wells 1 cy, Federal Bureau of Investigation, El Paso, Texas 1 cy, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Albuquerque, New Mexico 1 cy, Air Force Scientific Advisory Board, Pentagon Building ATTN: Dr. Joseph Kaplan. 1 cy, Research and Development Board, Pentagon Building ATTN: Dr. H. E. Landsberg, Executive Director, Committee on Geophysics and Geography 1 cy, File 3 [strikethrough: CONFIDENTIAL] --- PAGE 27 --- [strikethrough: CONFIDENTIAL] THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO ALBUQUERQUE INSTITUTE OF METEORITICS May 23, 1950 To: Lt. Colonel Doyle Rees, Commanding Officer 17th District, O. S. I. From: Lincoln LaPaz, Director Institute of Meteoritics Subject: Anomalous Luminous Phenomena (Seventh Report) 1. In the second report of this series, dated 1948, December 20, the writer listed ten significant differences between the bright green horizon- tally-moving fireballs observed in the interval 1948, December 5-20, and typical meteors. These differences were the following: (1) The horizontal nature of the paths of most of the December fireballs is most unusual. Genuine meteors are rarely observed to move in horizontal paths. (2) Again the very low height of the December fireball discussed in section 2 above sets it off in sharp contrast from the genuine meteors for which heights of the order of 40 or more miles are nor- mally observed. (3) The velocity determined for the fireball of December 12 is much less than the velocities determined from typical meteors (and yet is considerably greater than the speeds of the V-2 Rockets or jet planes or of conventional flares). (4) In the case of meteorites that penetrate to as low levels as that determined for the fireball of December 12, the observed lu- minous phenomena are always accompanied by very violent noises. No noises whatever have been observed in connection with the various December fireballs so far investigated. (Note added on 1950, May 23: Possible exceptions to the noiselessness of green fireballs are the incidents of 1949, January 30, and 1949, December 4.) (5) Genuine meteors normally show remarkable variations in brightness, beginning as fine thin hair lines, which are scarcely visible to the observer, and then brightening up to flash out near the end of their paths. In the case of the December fireballs most of the observers have reported that the green balls appeared almost instantly at their full brightness. [strikethrough: CONFIDENTIAL] --- PAGE 28 --- [strikethrough: CONFIDENTIAL] To: Lt. Colonel Doyle Rees - Page 2 Subj: Anomalous Luminous Phenomena (Seventh Report) May 23, 1950 (6) In the case of genuine meteors the paths are directed to- ward all points of the compass with equal frequency. On the contrary in the case of the green fireballs, plots of admissible approach sec- tors show that there is a very pronounced tendency for the paths to come in from the north half of the sky. (7) The three groups of anomalous greenish luminous phenomena show a curious association with well known meteor showers, although none of these meteor showers normally produce extremely bright green fireballs, such as those recently observed. For example, the obser- vation mentioned by Mr. Monnig appeared near the maximum of the Quadrantid shower of early January, Mr. McCullough's observation of August was near the time of the Persid shower and the December observations all fell in the interval covered by the Geminid shower. This relationship might indicate an attempt to render the green fire- balls less conspicuous by causing them to appear only when there is considerable meteoric activity. (8) As noted in an earlier communication, the remarkably vivid green color reported for most of the December fireballs is rarely observed in the case of genuine meteors. By laboratory test this peculiar color seems to be identical with that given off by copper salts in the blowpipe flame. If this identification is correct, the wave length of the radiation from the green fireballs is near λ =5210Å. (9) The duration estimates of between 2 and 3 seconds reported for the green fireballs are considerably longer than than those (0.4 - 0.5 seconds) for the ordinary visual meteors, but shorter than the duration estimates invariably reported in the case of a genuine meteorite fall (5 to 30 seconds or even longer). (10) For none of the green fireballs has a train of sparks or a dust cloud been reported. This contrasts sharply with the be- havior noted in case of meteoric fireballs--particularly those that penetrate to the very low levels where the green fireball of December 12 was observed. 2. In the year and a half since this list was prepared, many ad- ditional observations have been made, the total number of objects now accepted as belonging in the green fireball category being 72. (Al- though this number constitutes nearly 50% of the incidents listed in the accompanying Summary, it constitutes less than 5% of the total number of unscreened observations reported to the writer.) Critical analysis of all green fireball reports now available shows that only one of the statements in the list given in paragraph 1 needs to be modified, namely, item (1). Within the last year, a considerable number of the green fireballs have appeared to fall vertically downward rather than [strikethrough: CONFIDENTIAL] --- PAGE 29 --- [strikethrough: CONFIDENTIAL] To: Lt. Colonel Doyle Rees - Page 3 May 23, 1950 Subj: Anomalous Luminous Phenomena (Seventh Report) to move horizontally. However, a strictly vertical infall is also very rarely observed in the case of genuine meteor falls. 3. An analysis just completed of the time distribution of the green fireballs so far observed permits us to add an llth item to the list of differences given in paragraph 1 above. The graph of frequency versus local time which accompanies the present report shows that the maximum frequency of sighting of green fireballs (occurring at approximately 2030) coincides in time with neither the frequency maximum for ordinary meteors (occurring at approximately 0300) nor the frequency maximum for meteorite falls (occurring at approximately 1600). 4. Inspection of the graph referred to in paragraph 3 also will show that most of the green fireballs have been sighted in a time inter- val extending from about 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. (MST). This concentration might be even more pronounced if it were possible to screen out of the secondary maximum, around 2 a.m. (MST), all ordinary meteors which have been mistakenly identified as green fireballs. That such misidentifica- tion has occurred is strongly suggested by the near coincidence in time of the secondary maximum of the green fireballs and the well established early morning maximum of the ordinary meteors. 5. Some significance may attach to the fact that the time interval alluded to in paragraph 4 extends from about 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Ural region of the USSR. Since missiles moving with velocities of the order of those found for the green fireballs for which real path determinations have been possible would travel from the southern Urals to New Mexico in less than 15 minutes, a possible interpretation of the concentration of the green fireballs result from guided missiles launched from bases in the Urals in the morning hours before cloudiness due to convection or blinding afternoon dust storms can interfere with non-radar tracking, such as has been used by the Optical Trajectory Section at White Sands Proving Ground. 6. There is also a pronounced concentration of green fireball incidents on the four days, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday, almost all of the most widely observed incidents having occurred on Saturday or Sunday. 7. It is a curious and fairly well-established fact that there has been a distinct decline in the number of green fireball sightings during the last two months, within which the number of so-called "fly- ing saucer" incidents in this region has attained an all-time high. 8. Although I have recently received from Dr. Joseph Kaplan of the Scientific Advisory Board a letter containing the statement "Frankly, I don't know of any U. S. experiments that would result in the appearance of these unconventional objects, and neither does Von Karman". I still [strikethrough: CONFIDENTIAL] --- PAGE 30 ---