1953 Memo for D/CI from OSI Subject: USAF request to Declassify CIA Material on UFOs
This CIA memorandum for the Deputy Director of Central Intelligence (D/CI) provides a chronological review of the Air Force's requests to declassify CIA material on Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs). It recounts that in 1953 the Office of Scientific Intelligence (OSI) convened a panel of scientists to evaluate UFO reports and advise on potential national security threats, producing a report classified 'secret.' In 1957, following publicity on CIA involvement, the USAF obtained an unclassified version of the report's conclusions that avoided mentioning CIA sponsorship. In July 1966 the USAF again requested declassification, citing prior publicity as justification. The memo documents meetings and communications through July and August 1966, including a 19 July meeting where an Air Force representative displayed a USAF copy of the 1953 report stamped unclassified, a new USAF request dated 27 July, and the forwarding of a declassified version of the complete 1953 report to the Air Force on 15 August. It also notes that a newsman, John Lear, had published an article on UFOs in the Saturday Review, prompting the USAF's desire to release the complete CIA report publicly. The document is heavily degraded (OCR artifacts), and the 1953 panel referenced is consistent with the Robertson Panel.
Description
A CIA internal memorandum, apparently dated 1 September 1966, reviewing the sequence of events surrounding a U.S. Air Force request to declassify CIA material on Unidentified Flying Objects, including the 1953 OSI scientific panel report and its subsequent partial and complete declassification in 1966.
Claims
In 1953 the CIA Office of Scientific Intelligence convened a panel of scientists to evaluate UFO reports and advise on potential national security threats, producing a report classified 'secret.'
85%In 1957 the USAF obtained an unclassified version of the 1953 report's conclusions that avoided mentioning CIA involvement.
80%A declassified version of the complete 1953 report was forwarded to the Air Force on 15 August 1966.
80%Newsman John Lear published a UFO article in the Saturday Review, prompting USAF interest in releasing the complete CIA report to the public.
65%
Events
Dec 31, 1952
OSI convenes scientific panel on UFOs
CIA's Office of Scientific Intelligence convened a panel of scientists to consider UFO reports and advise on national security threats, resulting in a 'secret' report.
Dec 31, 1956
USAF obtains unclassified version of 1953 report conclusions
Following publicity on CIA involvement, USAF requested and obtained an unclassified version of the report's conclusions that omitted CIA involvement.
Jun 30, 1966
USAF renews declassification request
In July 1966 the USAF again requested declassification of the 1953 report, citing prior publicity as justification.
Jul 18, 1966
Meeting with Air Force representative
CIA met an Air Force representative who displayed a USAF copy of the 1953 report stamped unclassified.
Jul 26, 1966
New USAF request prepared
A new declassification request dated 27 July was prepared by the USAF.
Aug 14, 1966
Complete 1953 report declassified version forwarded
A declassified version of the complete 1953 report was forwarded to the Air Force.
Aug 31, 1966
Memorandum authored
The reviewing memorandum for the D/CI was prepared (dated 1 September 66).
Dates mentioned
Keywords
Entities
Organizations
Programs
Phenomena
Extracted text (OCR)
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Memorandum for the p/ct
Subject; Air Force Request to Declassify CIA Materiel on Unidentified . -... =
Flying Objects (UFO). st ,
sudject catter. - a
2. In 1953 OSI_convensa-a penel of “scientists to consider reports
on unidenti*ted flying objects end to advise us on the. potential threat
to national security. This resulted in a report classified "secret."
13- In 1957 following some publicity on CIA involvement in the UFO”
problem, the USAY requested and obtained “an unclassified version of the |
conclusions of the 1953 report. Taat version avoided- mentioning CIA ls
. the CIA sponsored -penel.on UM's .
. >
yere fod ee
Gg 5. Oaile July 1966 USAR _egcin requested Geclassification of the 1953-----—
ay Se egmnmr a ak
Pere aa
report. {Seo “ttochtoat 5b) -- prior sublicity. was given cs justification for
downgredi ny.
6. In 2s mich ts @% seniticed version of the 1953 report had heen ‘
yeleased to the Air Force in 1957; we requested clarification in 2
meeting with an Air Force representative on 19 July. (See attachment ¢C)
Daring tais meeting the Air Force representative shoved us a USAF copy of
vomeuens Ake 1052 OTA resort. It was stamped unclassified, indicating that the ..
classification hed been changed sometine prior to 19 July.
7. A new request dated 27 July was prepared by USKF. (See
Memorandum for the D/CI
Subject:
1. The following is
subject matter.
2, In 1953 OSI convened a penel- of-s scientists to consider reports
on unidentified flying objects end to advise us on the pote
“F
Air Force Request to Declassify CIA Material on Unidentified
Flying Objects (UFO) a
a brief review of events pertinent to the
ntilal threat -
to national security. This resulted ina report classified "secret."
3s In 1957 following some_publicity on CIA inyolvement in the UFO ce
probvlea,
conclusions of the 1953 report.
(See attachzent-A)
the USAF requested-and obtained en unclassifi
Tiat version avoided mentioning CIA
involvement.
have refdefed tothe CLAs> ponsored_parielon UFO's.”
ae a
July 1966 USAF cscin'x
ed version of. the.
a -
{See sttoch=
report.
downgrading.
-§& Ines se
yelessed %
meeting with on Air-Force representative on-19
ant By=Prior-gublicity was given 66° ju
“‘galy.
Daring tais meeting the “Air -Force-represe
the 1032 CTA report.
classification hea deen: changed §
7. Anew ‘request dated 27 July was prepercd by USAF.
attachazent D)
sometime prior to 49 July.
stification for
-ye requested clarification in @
(See attachnent C)
ntative shoved us 2 USAF copy of
It was stamped unclassified, indicating that the --
(See
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4
sree emme—eenue meen
yavefon-of the 1953 réport had bee
eee ane pari es Faie a
i
)
‘ete iaes
a ater
“
“OS1/DSD/ACtS
8. On 10 August the Air Force representative called to esk about
the status of our reply. . She stated thet Ur. John Learf, a newsman, hed
midlished an-article on UFO's in the seturdcy Review. (See ettechment
E) paragregh 3) This was the first indication during the recent interchanges
that the USAF wanted to relecss: the ‘complete CIA report to the public.
9. On 15 August ¢ decle sastetet-veraten of’ te comlete 1953 report a :
was forwarded to the Air Force. (See attachment F) re oo?
10. Prior to USAF receipt of the OSI reply, the Air Force sadied oe
twice on 16 August to detersine the. status. of our response” end, to asi
about the extentof the santtizing. ~~
LL. Tney called -egain on” 18 august to request return of the USAF... ----
copy of the CIA_report vtech hed been sent to us for senitizing. (See
attachzent 6G)” ee
ee ee
DESt sevenson, Dfen/tée (1 September 66) {3 a rieRelated files
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