PROJECT BLUE BOOK

RETURN TO
USAF rvistor
AS! ASHAF-A

AA.
VIQAWeElI

Ala 36112

7-3745 — 365
1003833

. * Y

WASHINGTON

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE | Jee Pd

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

10j2e811G

scodsolsey

MEMORANDUM FOR DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES

tHory -NILY

»

SUBJECT: McClellan Subcommittee Statement Conce
Handling of UFO Reports

Force

(Se)
DEPUTY maTY [[eexOH

yguorg

ae sa!

a

_

eo)

wi

SOL NYALIY

1. Reference is made to your memorandum of
subject as above.

2. The reason for the delay in my reply is that considerable :

ploratory work has been done with the Committee and the staff relative---

to your suggestion. However, the general attitude of the Committee is
that while they feel that it is not worthwhile to invest further time
and money in this area, plus the fact that the Air Force is conducting
its own investigation, they will not make a release to this effect at
this time.

3- In cases of this type, we have found that Congressional Com-
mittees are not prone to commit themselves in the way you suggest.
Therefore, while the Committee's attitude now is that they are not go-
ing to pursue this matter further, they have indicated that they would
not so commit themselves publicly for if the situation should change at
a later date they would not want to be shackled by a press release in-
dicating that they had no further interest in the matter.

ye

“~ — \
by x aya Lv
OE W. KELLY

jor General, USAF
Director, Legislative Liaison

OC ry [} T

SAFIS-3/Maj Tacker/ jmi/73328/25 Feb 58

FEB 2 81958

MEMORANDUM FOR DIRECTOR O:.° LEGISLATIVE LIAISON

SUBJECT: McClellan Subcommittee Statement Concerning Air Force
Handling of UFO Reports

1. Investigators for the McClellan Subcommittee (the Senate
Committee on Investigating Governmemt Operations) recently held
informal discussions (31 January 1955) with us concerning the
advisability of conducting public hearings on the Air Force's
position regarding unidentified flying objects. The thing they
were concerned with most was the charge that the Air Force was
withholding information on this subject. I am sure we convinced
them that this was not the case, as they have since indicated
there is no need for hearings on this subject.

2. In view of these findings, based upon their preliminary
informal investigation, this office would like to see the McClellan
Subcommittee issue a statement certifying that a preliminary investi-
gation by the Committee proved that the Air Force is properly con-
ducting its investigation of unidentified flying objects and is
not withholding information on this subject from the public. If
possible, the statement chould include that the Air Force has a
definite public information plan in effect concerning unidentified

flying objects.

3. Request SAFLL review the possibility and/or feasibility
of obtaining such a statement from the McClellan Subcommittee.

ARNO /H. LUEXMAN
r General, USAF
ctor of Information Services

_/OOMEBACK- SAFIS- 2
READER-SAFIS-1
STAYBACK-SAFIS- 3

a

FEBS i958

MEMORANDUM FOR DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION SERVICES, SAFS
SUBJECT: Congressional Public Hearings - Unidentified Flying Objects

1. Major Donald Keyhoe of the National Investigation Committee
on Aerial Phenomena has been badgering the members of the McClellan
Subcommittee, the Senate Committee on Investigating Government
Operations, to hold open hearings on the question of the existence
of wiidentified flying objects.

2. In this regard investigators for the subcommittee contacted

SAPLL and a meeting was held on 31 January 1955 at 1000 hours in
Mr. Horner's office on the Air Force's position regarding possible
hearings. Members of the committee attending this meeting were:

Mr. William Weitzen, Deputy for Research & Development
Operations

Lt. Colonel William R. Kelzo, SAFRD

Major Joseph E. Boland, SAFLL

Major James F. Byrne, AFCIN

Major Lawrence J. Tacker, SAFIS

Mr. Donald O'Donnell, FBI (Committee Investigator)
Mr. Jack Healey, FBI (Committee Investigator)

3- The committee's investigators simply asked if the Air Force
desired such hearings. Mr. Weitzen stated that he did not see the
need for it but would cooperate in every way possible if the committee
thought the hearings necessary. Mr. Jack Healey stated they wanted a
@efinite Air Force position. Mr. Weitzen said he would have to wait
until Mr. Horner returned but thought Mr. Horner would agree with his
statement that we would cooperate in every way. The two investigators
were invited to visit ATIC at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base for
background information. They said they would do so if hearings

developed.

/

va 2, eat 1

c_ o— er “

| in

t +

SAFIS-3/Maj Tacker/ jma/74966/3 Beb 58

4. There will be a meeting of this group again this week when
Mr. Horner returns and gives his views.

5. Major Tacker pointed out during the discussions that OIS
was providing the publicity at the present time on this subject at
the request of AFCIN. He stated we would continue to do so and
would cooperate in every way with the staff agencies concerned or
with the congressional committee if hearings are held.

GLEN W. CLARK

Colonel, USAF

Chief, Public Information Division
Office of Information Services