Julho de 1947: o FBI aceita investigar discos voadores a pedido da inteligência da Força Aérea do Exército

Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO: Director, FBI DATE: July 3, 1947 FROM: SAC, Butte SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS Mr. DAVE JOHNSON, of the Idaho Daily Statesman, Boise, Idaho, telephonically contacted the Butte Office and asked if the FBI was checking on the flying discs reported to have been seen by many citizens. He advised that so many had reported having seen them that it undoubtedly was not a figment of the imagination. He said that these discs had been seen on July 1, 1947, in the vicinity of Trail Creek near Sun Valley, Idaho, by reputable citizens. The writer informed Mr. JOHNSON that this office was not making an investigation and inquired as to whether he had contacted Army and Navy officials. He said that he was inquiring of these agencies. WGB:LB AIR MAIL [anotação a lápis de leitura incerta] [rubrica]

Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO: D. M. Ladd DATE: July 7, 1947, 9:50 PM FROM: K. C. Howe SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS Miscellaneous SAC Weeks called from New Orleans on the matter discussed in the attached teletype. He wanted to know what policy the Bureau was following in connection with reports concerning these "flying discs" which were being received. I told Mr. Weeks that, unless advised to the contrary, he should, in the particular case at hand, allow G-2 to handle and not take any jurisdiction for the FBI. He was told the Bureau would be interested in being kept advised of developments, and in copies of the photographs he said G-2 would make of the object found, but that he should not allow himself to be jockeyed into a position where investigative responsibility, if any were entailed, would fall on us. Mr. Weeks said he would so handle unless I called him back immediately with instructions for specific action. As you will recall, I called you concerning the foregoing. KCH:h

Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO: D. M. Ladd DATE: 7/10/47 FROM: E. G. Fitch SUBJECT: FLYING DISKS At request of Brigadier General George F. Schulgen, Chief of the Requirements Intelligence Branch of Army Air Corps Intelligence, Special Agent S. W. Reynolds discussed the above captioned matter with him on July 9, 1947. General Schulgen indicated to Mr. Reynolds that the Air Corps has taken the attitude that every effort must be undertaken in order to run down and ascertain whether or not the flying disks are a fact and, if so, to learn [lacuna] about them. According to General Schulgen, the Air Corps Intelligence are [uti]lizing all of their scientists in order to ascertain whether or not such a [phe]nomenon could in fact occur. He stated that this research is being conducted [lacuna] the thought that the flying objects might be a celestial phenomenon and with [lacuna] view that they might be a foreign body mechanically devised and controlled. General Schulgen also indicated to Mr. Reynolds that all Air Corps [inst]allations have been alerted to run out each reported sighting to obtain all [poss]ible data to assist in this research project. In passing, General Schulgen [not]ed that an Air Corps pilot who believed that he saw one of these objects was [tho]roughly interrogated by General Schulgen and scientists, as well as a psychologist, and the pilot was adamant in his claim that he saw a flying disk. General Schulgen advised Mr. Reynolds that the possibility exists that the first reported sightings of the so-called flying disks were fallacious and prompted by individuals seeking personal publicity, or were reported for political reasons. He stated that if this was so, subsequent sightings might be the result of a mass hysteria. He pointed out that the thought exists that the first reported sightings might have been by individuals of Communist sympathies with the view to causing hysteria and fear of a secret Russian weapon. General Schulgen indicated to Mr. Reynolds that he is desirous of having all the angles covered in this matter. He stated that reports of his scientists and findings of the various Air Corps installations will be available in his office. He advised that to complete the picture he desired the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in locating and questioning the individuals who first sighted the so-called flying disks in order to ascertain whether or not they are sincere in their statements that they saw these disks, or whether their statements were prompted by personal desire for publicity or political reasons. General Schulgen assured Mr. Reynolds that there are no War Department or Navy Department research projects presently being conducted which could in any way be tied up with the flying disks. General Schulgen indicated to Mr. Reynolds that if the Bureau would cooperate with him in this matter, he would offer all the facilities of his office as to results obtained in the effort to identify and run down this matter. Mr. Reynolds advised General Schulgen that his request would be made known to the Bureau and an answer made available to him as soon as possible.

Memorandum for Mr. Ladd Mr. Reynolds also discussed this matter with Colonel L. R. Forney of MID. Colonel Forney indicated that it was his attitude that inasmuch as it has been established that the flying disks are not the result of any Army or Navy experiments, the matter is of interest to the FBI. He stated that he was of the opinion that the Bureau, if at all possible, should accede to General Schulgen's request. SWR:AJB ADDENDUM I would recommend that we advise the Army that the Bureau does not believe it should go into these investigations, it being noted that a great bulk of those alleged discs reported found have been pranks. It is not believed that the Bureau would accomplish anything by going into these investigations. DML [manuscrito:] I think we should do this 7-15 [rubrica] [manuscrito:] I would do it but before agreeing to it we must insist upon full access to discs recovered. For instance in the La. case the Army grabbed it & would not let us have it for cursory examination. H. - 2 -

MEMORANDUM FOR D. M. LADD 7/23/47 RECOMMENDATION There is attached a Bureau Bulletin to the Field for their assistance in handling this matter. Attachment - 2 -

Office Memorandum • UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TO: D. M. LADD DATE: 7/24/47 FROM: E. G. Fitch SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS Reference is made to my memorandum to you in the above captioned matter dated July 10, 1947, indicating that Brigadier General George F. Schulgen of the Army Air Corps Intelligence had requested that the Bureau cooperate with the Army Air Corps Intelligence in connection with the above captioned matter. The Director noted on the referenced memorandum, "I would do it but before agreeing to it we must insist upon full access to discs recovered. For instance in the La. case the Army grabbed it and would not let us have it for cursory examination." This is to advise that Special Agent Reynolds has recontacted General Schulgen and advised him in connection with the Director's notation. General Schulgen indicated to Mr. Reynolds that he desired to assure Mr. Hoover of complete cooperation in this matter and stated that he would issue instructions to the field directing that all cooperation be furnished to the FBI and that all discs recovered be made available for the examination by the FBI Agents. General Schulgen pointed out to Mr. Reynolds that he will from time to time make the results of the studies of his scientists available to the Bureau for the assistance of the FBI Field Offices. General Schulgen indicated to Mr. Reynolds that there has been a decrease in the reported sightings of the discs which might be because of the fact that it has lost much of its publicity value. He indicated, however, that he believed it necessary to follow this matter through to determine as near as possible if discs were in fact seen and to determine their origin. General Schulgen inquired of Mr. Reynolds the method by which the Bureau would make the information obtained from the Bureau's inquiries, known to the Air Corps, in the Field as well as at the War Department level. Mr. Reynolds pointed out to General Schulgen that the best procedure appeared to be through the regular established channels. It was pointed out to General Schulgen that the Bureau Field Offices maintain close liaison with the Intelligence Divisions of the various Armies as well as close liaison with the Intelligence Division of the War Department. General Schulgen indicated that he would be satisfied to receive information through this means. General Schulgen indicated to Mr. Reynolds that he believed that there was a possibility that this entire matter might have been started by subversive individuals for the purpose of creating a mass hysteria. He suggested that the Bureau keep this in mind in any interviews conducted regarding reported sightings. General Schulgen stated to Mr. Reynolds that he would make available to the Bureau all information in the possession of the Air Corps regarding the sightings which were first reported so that the Bureau could conduct some investigation regarding these individuals to ascertain their motives for reporting that they had observed flying discs. When General Schulgen makes the information available regarding these individuals, it will be promptly brought to your attention. SWR:mr

(B) FLYING DISCS -- The Bureau, at the request of the Army Air Forces Intelligence, has agreed to cooperate in the investigation of flying discs. The Air Forces have confidentially advised that it is possible to release three or more discs in odd numbers, attached together by a wire, from an airplane in high altitudes and that these discs would obtain tremendous speed in their descent and would decend to the earth in an arc. The Army Air Forces Intelligence has also indicated some concern that the reported sightings might have been made by subversive individuals for the purpose of creating a mass hysteria. 7-30-47 BUREAU BULLETIN NO. 42 Series 1947 - 2 - You should investigate each instance which is brought to your attention of a sighting of a flying disc in order to ascertain whether or not is is a bona fide sighting, an imaginary one or a prank. You should also bear in mind that individuals might report seeing flying discs for various reasons. It is conceivable that an individual might be desirous of seeking personal publicity, causing hysteria or playing a prank. The Bureau should be notified immediately by teletype of all reported sightings and the results of your inquiries. In instances where the report appears to have merit, the teletype should be followed by a letter to the Bureau containing in detail the results of your inquiries. The Army Air Forces have assured the Bureau complete cooperation in these matters and in any instances where they fail to make information available to you or make the recovered discs available for your examination, it should promptly be brought to the attention of the Bureau. Any information you develop in connection with these discs should be promptly brought to the attention of the Army through your usual liaison channels.