Washington, 1947: o FBI deixa de investigar discos voadores ao descobrir que lhe caberiam as “tampas de lata de lixo”

Office Memorandum, United States Government. TO: The Director. FROM: D. M. Ladd. DATE: September 25, 1947. SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS. The Bureau was requested by the Air Forces Intelligence to assist the Air Forces in attempting to arrive at an explanation of the above phenomena. The Air Forces indicated that the alleged sightings of flying discs might have been made by individuals of Communist sympathies for the purpose of causing mass hysteria in the United States over the fear of a secret Russian weapon. The Bureau agreed to assist in the investigation of the reported sightings, and the Field was advised in Bureau Bulletin No. 42, Series 1947, dated July 30, 1947, that they should investigate each instance which was brought to their attention of the sighting of a flying disc in order to ascertain whether or not it was a bona fide sighting, an imaginary one, or a prank. The results of the investigation conducted by the Bureau Field Offices in this matter have failed to reveal any indication of subversive individuals being involved in any of the reported sightings. The Bureau has received a communication in the captioned matter from the Special Agent in Charge at San Francisco, dated September 19, 1947, which attached a "restricted" letter that was furnished confidentially to the SAC at San Francisco by Lieutenant Colonel Donald L. Springer, A-2, Army Air Forces, Hamilton Field, California, a copy of which is attached hereto. It is noted that the letter, which is dated September 3, 1947, is signed "By Command of Lieutenant General Stratemeyer" by Colonel R. H. Smith, Assistant Chief of Staff Intelligence, Headquarters, Air Defense Command, Mitchel Field, New York, and is addressed to the Commanding Generals of the various Air Forces. This letter is entitled "Cooperation of FBI with AAF on Investigations of 'Flying Disc' Incidents." This letter states in substance that it was the original intent of the AC/AS-2, Headquarters, Army Air Forces that whereas the ADC Air Forces would interview responsible observers, the FBI would investigate incidents of so-called discs being found on the ground. Further, it indicates that the services of the FBI were enlisted in order to relieve the numbered Air Forces of the task of tracking down all the many instances which turned out to be "ash can covers, toilet seats and whatnot." RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Bureau protest vigorously to the Assistant Chief of Air Staff - 2. It is also recommended that the Bureau discontinue all activity in this field and that the Bureau Field Offices be advised to discontinue all investigations and to refer all complaints received to the Air Forces. A proposed Bulletin is attached for your approval. Attachment. SWR:AJB. [Anotações manuscritas:] I agree 9-26; I agree. [Carimbo:] Recorded 62-83894-121.

COPY. HEADQUARTERS AIR DEFENSE COMMAND, Mitchel Field, New York. In reply refer to: D333.5EX. 3 September 1947. SUBJECT: Cooperation of FBI with AAF on Investigations of "Flying Disc" Incidents. TO: Commanding Generals, First, Second, Fourth, Tenth, Eleventh and Fourteenth Air Forces. ATTENTION: Assistant Chief of Staff, A-2. 1. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has agreed to assist Air Force Intelligence personnel in the investigation of "flying disc" incidents in order to quickly and effectively rule out what are pranks and to concentrate on what appears to be a genuine incident. 2. It was the original intent of the AC/AS-2, Headquarters, Army Air Forces that whereas the ADC Air Forces would interview responsible observers whose names would be furnished by AAF, the FBI would investigate incidents of so called "discs" being found on the ground. The services of the FBI were enlisted in order to relieve the numbered Air Forces of the task of tracking down all the many instances which turned out to be ash can covers, toilet seats and whatnot. 3. It is requested that each A-2 informally coordinate and cooperate with the FBI, generally keeping the FBI informed of any proposed calls that intelligence personnel will make on this subject. Very shortly, with the separation of the AAF from the War Department, a firm policy will be established to clarify the liaison arrangements between A-2's and FBI Special Agents. Presently, it is considered inadvisable to promulgate a formal interim policy -- only to have it replaced in a month or so by another. BY COMMAND OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL STRATEMEYER: /s/ R. H. SMITH, R. H. SMITH, Colonel, GSC, Asst Chief of Staff-Intell. [Anotação:] 62-83894-121.

Federal Bureau of Investigation, United States Department of Justice, 422 - Federal Office Building, Civic Center, San Francisco 2, California. September 19, 1947. Director, FBI. Attention: Assistant Director D. M. LADD. RE: REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS. Dear Sir: I am transmitting herewith copies of a "restricted" letter dated September 3, 1947, which was furnished to me by Lieutenant Colonel DONALD L. SPRINGER, A-2, Army Air Forces, Hamilton Field, California, which letter is designated to certain Commanding Generals in the Army Air Forces from Colonel R. H. SMITH, Assistant Chief of Staff - Intelligence, Headquarters Air Defense Command, Mitchel Field, New York, concerning "Cooperation of FBI with AAF on Investigations of 'Flying Disc' Incidents". It is my understanding from recent Bureau instructions that we are to assist the Air Force Intelligence personnel in the investigation of flying disc incidents. However, it will be noted from the attached letter that it is Army interpretation that it was their intent that the Bureau would investigate those incidents of the so-called "discs" being found on the ground and apparently not those which are observed only in flight. Further, the attention of the Bureau is respectfully called to paragraph two of this letter and to the last sentence therein which states, "The services of the FBI were enlisted in order to relieve the numbered Air Forces of the task of tracking down all the many instances which turned out to be ash can covers, toilet seats and whatnot." In the first place, the instructions issued by the Army Air Forces in this letter appear to limit the type of investigations which the Bureau will be asked to handle and secondly it appears to me the wording of the last sentence in the second paragraph mentioned above is cloaked in entirely uncalled for language tending to indicate the Bureau will be asked to conduct investigations only in those cases which are not important and which are almost, in fact, ridiculous. The thought has occurred to me the Bureau might desire to discuss this matter further with the Army Air Forces both as to the types of investigations which we will conduct and also to object to the scurrilous wordage which, to say the least, is insulting to the Bureau in the last sentence of paragraph two. [Carimbos e anotações:] Recorded 62-83894-128; Oct 22 1947.

Director, FBI. 9/19/47. RE: REPORTS OF FLYING DISCS. In the event the Bureau decides to discuss the matter further with the Army Air Forces, it is recommended that no indication whatsoever be given indicating this letter was referred to me by Lieutenant Colonel SPRINGER inasmuch as it would undoubtedly cause him serious embarrassment and would certainly cause the excellent personal relationship which exists between Lieutenant Colonel SPRINGER and this office to be endangered. Very truly yours, Harry M. Kimball, Special Agent in Charge. HMK:mhr, 62-2938.

September 27, 1947. Major General George C. McDonald, Assistant Chief Air Staff - 2, The Pentagon, Washington, D. C. Dear General McDonald: The Federal Bureau of Investigation has been requested by your office to assist in the investigation of reported sightings of flying discs. My attention has been called to instructions disseminated by the Air Forces relative to this matter. I have been advised that these instructions indicate that the Air Forces would interview responsible observers while the FBI would investigate incidents of discs found on the ground, thereby relieving the Air Forces of running down incidents which in many cases turned out to be "ash can covers, toilet seats and whatnot." In view of the apparent understanding by the Air Forces of the position of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in this matter, I cannot permit the personnel and time of this organization to be dissipated in this manner. I am advising the Field Divisions of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to discontinue all investigative activity regarding the reported sightings of flying discs, and am instructing them to refer all complaints received to the appropriate Air Force representative in their area. Sincerely yours, John Edgar Hoover, Director. [Carimbos:] Recorded 62-83894-121; Communications Section, Mailed 8, Sep 29 1947 P.M., Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Justice.

[Anotação manuscrita:] Bu Bulletin #57, 10-1-47. (D) FLYING DISCS -- Effective immediately, the Bureau has discontinued its investigative activities as outlined in Section B of Bureau Bulletin No. 42, Series 1947, dated July 30, 1947. All future reports connected with flying discs should be referred to the Air Forces and no investigative action should be taken by Bureau Agents. [Carimbos:] 62-83894, Not Recorded, Oct 6 1947.

Office Memorandum, United States Government. TO: Mr. Ladd. DATE: October 9, 1947. SUBJECT: FLYING DISCS. There are attached hereto, photographs of various reports received by the Air Corps in connection with the above-captioned matter. These photographs were made available to Special Agent S. W. Reynolds of the Liaison Section by Lieutenant Colonel K. L. Garrett of the Intelligence Division of the Air Force for completion of Bureau files. RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that this memorandum be made available to Supervisor R. G. Fletcher of the Internal Security Section for his information. SWR:hmm. [Anotações manuscritas:] No indexing necessary; Encl. behind file 11-12-47. [Carimbos:] Recorded 62-83894-130; Oct 13 1947; Handled by Stop Desk.