FBI's 1947 Flying Disc Files: From Recoveries to Warnings

In the summer Investigation found itself drawn into a mystery that would test its investigative procedures and interagency relationships. " Central to this effort was Bureau Bulletin No. 42, Series 1947, dated July 30, 1947, which instructed field offices to investigate all reports concerning flying discs.

This bulletin marked a formalization of the FBI's role, transforming what had been ad hoc responses into a systematic inquiry. The Milwaukee field office, in particular, had already encountered flying disc reports before receiving these instructions. In an August 12, 1947 memorandum to the Director, the Milwaukee office detailed two instances that had come to its attention.

The first, received on July 7, 1947, was a telephone call from Mr. Fletcher at the Bureau, but no investigation was conducted. The second, arriving on July 11, 1947, involved a call from an individual in charge of the Civil Air Patrol, an auxiliary of the Army…