1947 Flying Saucers observed over Oak Ridge, TN
This document is Serial 153 within FBI Headquarters classified case file 62-HQ-83894, an internal-security-classified matter concerning "flying saucers"/Unidentified Flying Objects. The serial, associated with Knoxville file #65-11, transmits enclosures to the Bureau: two photographs of reputed "flying saucers" observed over the Oak Ridge, Tennessee area during July 1947, plus a photostatic copy of a newspaper clipping from the Knoxville News-Sentinel about the sightings. According to the releasing agency, case file 62-HQ-83894 comprises investigative records, eyewitness testimonies, and public reports on UFOs and flying discs documented between June 1947 and July 1968, including high-profile incident accounts, photographic evidence from sites such as Oak Ridge, and technical propulsion proposals. The publisher notes this posting is the complete case file with several newly declassified pages and only minor redactions, in contrast to a more heavily redacted version on the FBI Vault.
Focus
Archive-highlighted excerpt · page 8 · Jul 6, 2026
Description
A serial from the FBI Headquarters case file 62-HQ-83894 concerning Unidentified Flying Objects. This item forwards to the Bureau two photographs of reputed "flying saucers" seen at Oak Ridge, Tennessee in July 1947, along with a photostatic copy of a Knoxville News-Sentinel newspaper clipping about the sightings. Released by the U.S. Department of War / FBI as part of a UAP records disclosure.
Claims
A Knoxville News-Sentinel newspaper clipping concerning the flying saucers was preserved in the FBI file.
85%The FBI's 62-HQ-83894 case file documents UFO and flying disc reports between June 1947 and July 1968.
85%The parent FBI file documents UFO/flying disc reports between June 1947 and July 1968, including Oak Ridge photographic evidence and propulsion proposals.
80%The posted file is the complete case file with several newly declassified pages and only minor redactions, unlike the more redacted FBI Vault version.
75%Two photographs of reputed 'flying saucers' were taken at Oak Ridge, Tennessee during July 1947.
60%Two photographs depict reputed 'flying saucers' seen at Oak Ridge, Tennessee during July 1947.
50%
Events
Jun 30, 1947
'Flying saucers' observed over Oak Ridge area
Photographs and press reports of reputed flying saucers seen at Oak Ridge, Tennessee in July 1947.
May 7, 2026
Release of complete case file
FBI/Department of War posted the complete 62-HQ-83894 case file with newly declassified pages.
Jun 30, 1947
"Flying saucers" observed over Oak Ridge area
Reputed flying saucers photographed and observed over Oak Ridge, Tennessee during July 1947, reported in the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
May 7, 2026
Release of FBI case file 62-HQ-83894
Publication of the complete case file with newly declassified pages via war.gov UAP data release.
Dates mentioned
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Extracted text (OCR)
FBI - CENTRAL RECORDS CENTER HQ - HEADQUARTERS Class I Case# 0062 83894 Sub Vol. Serial # 1 153 8/11/1274168 II II II II RRP003 1111111111 11111 IXGA ONLY • JQIOXVILLE FILE #65-11 RE: "FLYING SAOOll!S" OB.SERVED OVER OAK RIDGE AREA INTmNAL SIDURITY - X ENCLOOURE3 TO J31JREAU: Two photographs of reputedly "f]J'1ing saucers" seen at Oak Ridge, Tennessee, during JulJr 1947. Photostat1o copy of newepa.per clipping appearing in the Knoxville Newa-Sentine1 concernin.g: these "flying saucers." , \ ., • l \ I ., S lCLw"' • I , .\ i y. - / 3 I --._:._----==----- -- -- )
Related files
Connected through the network
SF-2026-000115