This two-page memorandum from July 28, 1952, records Air Force General Samford's assessment of flying saucer reports. Samford told the memo's author that flying saucers remain a complete mystery, though he offered context on why reports have increased and what the Air Force thinks about the sightings.
Why have UFO reports increased?
General Samford said phenomena matching flying saucer descriptions have been reported for over 100 years. The recent jump in reports is mostly due to better ways of observing and reporting, including radar and improved systems used by civilian and military pilots. Publicity about the topic has also played a role, creating what Samford called a "fad."
What does the Air Force think about the radar observations?
Samford acknowledged that radar data might contain "electronic fluke" errors. However, he said the radar observations are tied closely enough to pilot sightings that they cannot be blamed entirely on equipment problems. He also noted that credible observers are reporting things that seem incredible.
Does the Air Force see flying saucers as a threat?
The Air Force views flying saucers as a threat only because they are not understood. Since the sightings happen frequently enough, the Air Force plans to study them closely until they figure out what is happening.
Did Samford think flying saucers might be man-made?
Samford did not discuss whether flying saucers could be man-made or controlled by a foreign power. The memo's author notes that Samford's overall tone suggested this possibility was remote and not worth serious consideration.
Full Document Text
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--- PAGE 1 ---
. .. A.F.
July 28, 1952
MElmRANDUU \
To: Jir. A~rong
Paul Nitze asked me what the Air Force thought about tLe flying
saucers , and I susooct that the others would be interested. I recommend,
therefore , vhat you pass on the gist of the attached at the ~orning
meeting tonorrow. Samford gave it to me at the IAC .
r .a ..
Att.
DECLASSIFIED NND 852931
--- PAGE 2 ---
.. . ...
July 28, 1952
UE~.IORANDU?.'!
Subject : Flying Saucers
General Samford, 1 - 2, in response to my inquiry, said that there is
very little that can be said to clarify the flying saucer business :
It is still a complete enigma.
He did, hOivever, point out that phenomena falling ?athin the
general description of flyin~ saucers have actually been known to exist
and have been reported one way or another for over 100 years . The
increase in observation and in reporting and publicity on the su~ject
is probably attributable in the main to vastly inproved r.iethods of
observation and reportin~, including not only radar but the reporting
systems used bv civilian and military pilots . It is also attributable
in some measure to the publicity which is given it, which takes on certain
elements of a II fad . 11
There is no question, according to Samford, that "credible observers
are reporting the incredible . 11 The radar observation may have elements
of "electronic fluke , 11 but is sufficiently tied in with pilot observation
so that it cannot be attributed entirely to this . The Air Force views
the flying saucers as a threat only because they are not understood and ~
they are sufficientl; .:r.rtJquentas a phenomena to mean that they will give
great attention to them until they understand them.
General Samford did not say anything about the possibility that they
were man- made or controlled, friend or foe , but the whole implication of
his remarks 1"1"as that this possibility was ~ emote~ not te be se?iotmfy
considered. tfM\. ,t
F.H.
DECLASSIFIED NND 852931 View the official fileFrequently Asked Questions
What did General Samford say about flying saucers?
Samford told the memo's author that flying saucers are a complete enigma with very little that can be said to clarify the situation. He did note that phenomena matching flying saucer descriptions have been reported for over 100 years.
General Samford, 1 - 2, in response to my inquiry, said that there is very little that can be said to clarify the flying saucer business : It is still a complete enigma. He did, hOivever, point out that phenomena falling ?athin the general description of flyin~ saucers have actually been known to exist and have been reported one way or another for over 100 years .
Why have UFO sightings and reports increased recently?
Samford said the increase in observations, reports, and publicity is mainly due to vastly improved methods of observation and reporting, including radar and the reporting systems used by civilian and military pilots. Publicity about the topic has also contributed to the increase, taking on elements of a fad.
The increase in observation and in reporting and publicity on the su~ject is probably attributable in the main to vastly inproved r.iethods of observation and reportin~, including not only radar but the reporting systems used bv civilian and military pilots . It is also attributable in some measure to the publicity which is given it, which takes on certain elements of a II fad . 11
What did Samford say about radar observations of flying saucers?
Samford said radar observations may contain elements of electronic error, but they are tied closely enough to pilot observations that they cannot be attributed entirely to electronic fluke. He also stated that credible observers are reporting incredible things.
There is no question, according to Samford, that "credible observers are reporting the incredible . 11 The radar observation may have elements of "electronic fluke , 11 but is sufficiently tied in with pilot observation so that it cannot be attributed entirely to this .
Does the Air Force consider flying saucers a threat?
The Air Force views flying saucers as a threat only because they are not understood. Since the sightings occur frequently enough, the Air Force plans to give them great attention until they understand what is happening.
Congressional Context
No confirmed links between this file and the congressional record yet. Connections are added only when the source text supports them, never inferred.