No foreign nation implication in these flying saucers
This document set comprises an Evaluation Study of the Phenomenon (Flying Saucers) and associated internal Army routing slips, memoranda for record, and coordination forms. Following a number of CM IN Radios reporting 'flying saucers' in February 1949, P&O requested the Intelligence Division (ID) on 24 March 1949 to evaluate the phenomena. ID forwarded the attached evaluation on 7 March 1949, intimating that of all cases investigated there was no foreign nation implication in these flying saucers. After Walter Winchell's 3 April 1949 broadcast on the subject, a comment (D/F Cmt #1) was sent to ID requesting verification of the broadcast's accuracy, and ID responded via D/F Cmt #2. The records name coordinating officers including Lt Col Peisinger, Lt Col Dawley, Col Goodell, Lt Col Ryan, Maj J.S. Byrne, and Mr. Stites of ID. According to the source page context, the study aimed to determine whether the origin of the reports could be traced to natural phenomena or to a foreign power. The file was released by the U.S. Department of War.
Focus
Archive-highlighted excerpt · page 11 · Jul 6, 2026
Description
A 1949 U.S. Army Intelligence Division evaluation study of the 'flying saucer' phenomenon, prepared at the request of the Plans & Operations Division of the General Staff (P&O, GSUSA) to determine whether reported sightings originated from natural phenomena or the activities of a foreign power. Released by the U.S. Department of War as part of its UAP records.
Claims
The evaluation study was prepared to determine whether reports stemmed from natural phenomena or the activities of a foreign power.
90%The evaluation study was prepared to determine whether flying saucer reports stemmed from natural phenomena or the activities of a foreign power.
90%The Intelligence Division's study intimated that of all cases investigated there was no foreign nation implication in the flying saucers.
85%A number of CM IN Radios reporting 'flying saucers' were received in February 1949.
85%The Intelligence Division study intimated that of all cases investigated there was no foreign-nation implication in the flying saucers.
85%P&O requested verification of the accuracy of Walter Winchell's 3 April 1949 broadcast statement regarding flying saucers.
85%
Events
Mar 23, 1949
P&O requests ID evaluation
P&O requested the Intelligence Division on 24 March 1949 to evaluate the flying saucer phenomena.
Mar 6, 1949
ID forwards evaluation study
ID forwarded its evaluation study of the flying saucer phenomenon (per the memorandum for record).
Apr 2, 1949
Walter Winchell broadcast
Walter Winchell's broadcast on flying saucers prompted a request to verify the accuracy of his statement.
Jan 31, 1949
CM IN Radios reporting flying saucers
A number of CM IN Radios reporting 'flying saucers' in February 1949 prompted P&O to request evaluation.
Apr 4, 1949
Comment #1 to D/ID
A comment was sent to the Director of Intelligence requesting verification of Winchell's statement.
Apr 19, 1949
Memorandum for Record
Maj J.S. Byrne's memorandum summarizing the sequence of events and coordination.
Jan 31, 1949
CM IN Radios on 'flying saucers'
A number of CM IN Radios in February 1949 reporting flying saucers, prompting P&O to request an evaluation.
Apr 4, 1949
Memorandum for Record / Comment #1 to D/ID
Comment #1 to D/ID requesting verification of the accuracy of Mr. Winchell's statement of 3 Apr 49.
Apr 19, 1949
Final memorandum for record
Memorandum summarizing the sequence of requests, evaluation, and Winchell broadcast response.
Jun 11, 2026
Public release by Department of War
Release of the file as part of the Department of War UAP disclosure dataset (release 3).
Dates mentioned
Keywords
Entities
Organizations
Phenomena
People
Extracted text (OCR)
Authority:
2S
tN • "60 OUTWOUND DISPATCH D&aK
'
'
Bxecutin Branch,. P&O
Lt Col Peiainge 9
22 Jlarch 1949
uatien etuc:3T wae prepared at request of P&O to determine
varieus report• on thia aubjeot stemmed troa natural phenomena
it
or it the origin could be traced detinitel7 to the actiTitie• ot a
foreign power.
2.
ID ia to keep P&O informed it future developments in thia
field. are at Taria.nce with the en.l.uation placed on this atuqy.
s.
Pm haa been intormed.
4.
ACTION: Circulate a.a indicated. then tile in P&O.
6.
OOORDillATIOlf:
D , P&O(il), Lt Col Dawley. Bxt - 76SOZ.,
KA Branch, Col Goodell, Bxt • 3852,
PID,. Lt Col lq'an. lxt - ?2966
N-FILING FORM
,GSUSA
Decimal Classification:
P&O 350.05
(5 Apr 49)
3
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Evaluation Study of Phenomenon
(Flying Saucers)
Subject:
Date:
5 Apr 49
Oi;est:
Action:
•Cmt #1 to D/ID.
"
Reply required by: None
Executive
To:
Branch:
Comments·:
Control
D
D
European 8 Middle East
Far East a Pacific
Operations
□ Latin American •
North American
□ Joint War Plans •
Army War Plans
□
Plans
Policy Planning •
Recommend Approval:
Advanced Study
¾□
□
Records
Implementing
Asst Executive,Pao
□
Dote
Dote
Group Chief
Personnel
□
Branch Chief
Executive Br.
Signed
ocs
REV I JAN 1949
Concur:
(
□
Deputy Dire
0. Deputy Director, Pa O
□ Director, Pa 0
Executive Br, P&O
Lt Col Peisinger/2944/eb
5 April 1949
MEMOHANDUM J?QR RECORD:
,_
I - ~ ,...- . . ._ _,
1.
ID had submitted, at P&O• s request, a. study of the fiying
saucer phenomenon. This study int:una.ted that of all cases investigated
there was no foreign nation implication in these flying saucers.
2. Mr. Stites, ID, said that they would be glad to ·take action
on this, at the request of P&O.
3. ACTION: Comment #1 to D/ID requesting tJiey verify accuracy of
Mr. Winchell 'sstatement of .3 Apr li9 re flying saucers.
4.
-
COORDINATION:
.
ID - Mr. Stites, Ext 6196
Executive Br, P&O
Maj J. s. Byrne
91+4/eb
20 Apr h9
MEMOH.Al!DUM FtOR RF:COHD:
1. As a result of a number of CM IN Radios in February 19h9 on
"flying saucerstt, P&O requested ID on 24 Ii'eh 49 to evaluate these
phenomEn-1.a. On 7 11ar 49 ID forwarded the at·tached .=,valuation.
2.
As a result of Walter Winchell's 3 Apr h9 broadcast (summary
in attached Daily Bullet,in), ·the D/F Cmt #1 was sent to ID requesting
verification of the accuracy of the broadcast. D/F Cmt #2 from ID
constitutes the ID answer.
J.
PID not informed.
Circulate as indi.cated, then file in P~i:O.
COORDINA l:ION: Asst Dep Dir P&O (AE) - Lt Col Dawley, Ext 75303
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- - - - - · - Exec, NA Br - Lt Col Clark, Rxt 7!i676
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