1958 Space Message and Transmitter Case 17708 Dr. Leon Davidson
This one-page CIA memorandum, dated 9 January 1958 and originating from the Chicago Office of the Contact Division's Support Branch, documents a telephone conversation with Dr. Leon Davidson. The memo states that the CIA contacted Davidson to advise that it could not resolve his concern about a 'space message and its transmitter' because records on the transmitter had been destroyed by the originating agency. Davidson reportedly accepted the statement, noting he had been told this before, and mentioned he had a second article for publication concerning Air Force handling of space sightings then in Pentagon security review. The author observes that the noncommittal, evasive answer given to Davidson was the only one possible to avoid contradicting prior statements by the CIA and other involved agencies, while acknowledging it was 'hardly fair' to Davidson and unlikely to be fully accepted by him. The memo notes Davidson was aware he had been dealing with the CIA in prior contacts and anticipates hearing more from him. According to the releasing source, a redacted version of this memorandum has previously been available on the CIA's public website.
Description
A 1958 CIA Contact Division memorandum recording a telephone conversation with Dr. Leon Davidson concerning a destroyed 'space message' and its transmitter, released by the U.S. Department of War in 2026 as part of a UAP records disclosure.
Claims
A redacted version of this memorandum has previously been available on the CIA's public website.
85%The CIA told Dr. Leon Davidson it could not resolve his inquiry because records on the transmitter had been destroyed by the originating agency.
85%Davidson had a second article for publication concerning Air Force handling of 'space sightings' under Pentagon security review.
80%The noncommittal, evasive answer given to Davidson was the only response consistent with prior statements by the CIA and other involved agencies.
80%The evasive answer given to Davidson was chosen to avoid contradicting prior statements by the CIA and other involved agencies, and was 'hardly fair' to Davidson.
80%The CIA told Davidson it could not resolve his concern about a 'space message and its transmitter' because records on the transmitter had been destroyed by the originating agency.
75%Davidson had a second article pending publication concerning Air Force handling of space sightings, then under Pentagon security review.
75%An effort had been made to conceal from Davidson that he was dealing with the CIA in prior contacts.
70%
Events
Jan 8, 1958
Telephone contact with Dr. Leon Davidson
CIA telephoned Davidson advising that his inquiry about the space message and transmitter could not be resolved because records were destroyed.
Jan 7, 1958
Referenced telecon (Lohmann)
Telephone conversation referenced as WA 26643, Lohmann telecon of 8 January 1958.
Jan 7, 1958
Telephone conversation with Dr. Leon Davidson
CIA telephoned Davidson advising that records on the transmitter had been destroyed and his problem could not be resolved.
Jan 8, 1958
Memorandum authored
CIA Chicago Office Contact Division memo documenting the Davidson case (Case 17708, closed).
Jun 11, 2026
Public release by Department of War
File released as part of a UAP records disclosure.
Dates mentioned
Keywords
Entities
Organizations
People
Events
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Extracted text (OCR)
App roved f or Re l ease 2026
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9 J'anuar,- 1958
Chief, Contact Divi.sicn
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SupportBranc.h . ·
C!iI-58-l.7
Chid'., Chicago Office
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Case l.TT08 { CJ cseil) ·and Dr. teol2 Darld.ao:a
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WA 26643, arid r.ooneJJ., Lobz:;s-nn, ~~ Tclecan o~ 8 Jan. 58
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1. ~1e bm, c ~ t e d Dr. Dav.td.son by ielepboce advising hi:a
that ve cannot. reaolve bis problem cocc-e:rrdng the spic-e message and
.i.ta t:ransmittcr beca:ose reco:rds en the t::e.~..er l::ave been. destroyed
by tho ~ t i . : l g agency. Parldson accepted. thia sta.temait vitb the
cc=.1eI1t tba-t he b!4 been told thi.a bei'ore, tbat he Il01' had a seca:id
art:Lcl..e ~c,r pnbllcatiOll cOJJ.Ce:rn:1ng .Aj.r Force banditng or S];:BCS sight-.
1.ng3 1.n the l;anc'J:1 ~ the Penta.gr:m secorl:t;y revie-;, peopl~ (wich be
thought w.a mild e?lOtlgh to J;aSS them}. and he ll1nted that be lidglit
lid.sh to take ,::g, asz,1n at a la:ter date the ma.tte:r or this i:a-,rt1cul.ar
cessage.
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2. tle a~ec!a~ that there have been rraey cQOks :1n •"the k i . ~ •
on tbis dish and that, as e. result, the ~ nonea:mt:I.ttal.
am evasive 8.l:l.SVe2" ve were inst.meted to give Davidsen w..s ~ : p e .-;lle
only Cllle pos:ibl.e tt lie 'li'e::r'C to a-void czossillg up previous sta:te:,ent•
~ oar O'WJl, and other UlV'Ol.ved agellC:leS, to this man. :But the tUJsWc:r
~ bard1y tai.r to na:v1.d.scm, and cm~ not J 1kelJ to be f'ully acc-epted
by h.iJ:a...
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3.. Be:texeDCed. te:l.epbone ~ disclosed t=t the:ra 1a
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nothing ill tm :record to sbo;i- that Drnideon lmev he was ch.mBng vi.th
the ~ 1.n ?wJ contacta nth twalker aoo. Smk1.ch, that in fact., mi
ettort bad becsi ::sde to caiceru tbe.!r CL\ 1dem;:1ty- :Crcm·him. Ve- an, .
r ~ su:re tbat wen ~ +ruJtea to us in the court of' ippeaJ.s
Building confc:xeace .rocu, h9 kru!,v ver.,-vell. v.lth. Yball he l.a.s deaUJ?g;
run in the Davidsan-I.alfountaiu tel.eyhone eoxrrersati~ Davidson speett,·
j _i'f calJJ l?leX1t:1.oned • )"O'l:U'" a ~ rs-,- which he p;ns:11::sh.1.J" mem1t en. .
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Tile ant s:a:re xaore 'V:ill. be hes.xd :f'rcm. l:!aT:1.d.so:n.
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