1979 07 00 SAGA - The UFO Papers

Magazine Overview

This issue of SAGA magazine, dated July 1979, features a prominent cover story on a "Crime Of Century Mass-Murderer" awaiting trial for the sex-killings of 36 young coeds. Other cover highlights include "The UFO Papers" with documented cases directly from secret CIA files, a preview of the INDY 500 with frontrunner Danny Ongais, a report on Roberto Duran, a weightlifting showdown for Olympic gold, and advice on "Jobs Of The 80's". The magazine also includes a piece on a "Third World War" scenario as told by a NATO General.

The UFO Papers: Declassified CIA Documents

The core of this issue delves into "The UFO Papers," presenting verbatim UFO reports and memos from formerly secret CIA files, spanning from 1950 to 1977. These documents reveal an active, albeit informal, interest by the Agency in unidentified flying objects.

Incident Reports:

• August 4, 1950 (At Sea-North Atlantic): A Third Mate on a ship observed an ovular, cylindrical object traveling at high speed (estimated over 25 m.p.h., possibly faster than 500 m.p.h.) about 50-100 feet above the water. The object was described as shiny aluminum white, with a length approximately six times its breadth and a depth of possibly five feet. It made no noise and appeared to have a churning or rotary motion. The object was observed for about 15 seconds and estimated to be 1,000 feet away at its closest approach.
• August 8, 1952 (W. Germ.): An Agence France Press report from Bonn stated that a flying saucer had recently crashed at Spitsbergen and was studied by Norwegian and German rocket experts. Dr. Norsal, a Norwegian expert, reportedly found a radio piloting transmitter with a plutonium nucleus transmitting on all wavelengths with 934 hertz, a measure previously unknown. The apparatus was said to have a diameter of 47 meters, constructed of an unknown alloy, and featured 46 automatic jets. Inscriptions on the measurement instructions were in Russian. The crash was attributed to a defect in the radio piloting system.
• October 4, 1955 (Country Deleted): While on a train, the source and companions observed a large, triangular object on a ground airfield. The object, described as having a squat shape and three lights (one on each point), was ejected from its launching site, performing three to seven fast spirals before climbing extremely fast at a 45-degree angle. The object was estimated to be two miles distant and was followed by a searchlight.
• December 6, 1958 (USSR/India): An artificial object with a continuous brightness of magnitude 3 was observed through a telescope crossing the field of vision while observing Mars. The object traveled from north to south.

CIA's Involvement and Analysis:

• October 2, 1952 (Memorandum): Assistant Director of Scientific Intelligence H. Marshall Chadwell addressed the Director of Central Intelligence regarding "Flying Saucers." The memorandum outlined the problem of determining national security implications, the adequacy of current research, and recommendations for further action. It noted that the Air Technical Intelligence Center (ATIC) was the primary group studying UFOs but their case-by-case approach was insufficient for overall evaluation. The memo highlighted two national security concerns: mass psychological considerations and the vulnerability of the U.S. to air attack.
• Action Recommended (October 2, 1952): Chadwell recommended that the Director of Central Intelligence advise the National Security Council, discuss the subject with the Psychological Strategy Board, and develop a public information policy to minimize public concern and panic.
• January 21, 1953 (Meeting of OSI Advisory Group on UFO): A panel of scientific consultants, including Dr. Robertson, Dr. Luis-Alvarez, Dr. S. Gondsmit, Dr. Thornton Page, and Dr. J.A. Hynek, convened to review the UFO problem. Their conclusions stated that there was no evidence of a physical threat to national security or the use of unknown scientific principles. They deemed the subject of "UFO" to be of indirect intelligence interest, primarily concerning psychological warfare and potential interference with air defense systems.
• Report of the Scientific Panel on Unidentified Flying Objects (January 17, 1953): This report, based on the January meeting, reiterated that UFOs were not a direct physical threat but could be of operational interest due to potential enemy jamming, disruption of air defense observation, or psychological offensive tactics.
• May 16, 1958 (Meeting with Air Force Personnel): A meeting was held to discuss steps concerning the Scientific Advisory Panel Report on UFOs, particularly in response to inquiries from Mr. Leon Davidson, who was seeking the release of the full "Secret" report. A declassified version was available, but the full report could not be declassified due to concerns about actions an enemy could take with potentially dangerous consequences to national security.
• July 29, 1970 (Subject: Vartorella's letter on UFOs): W.E. Lexow, Chief of the Applied Science Division, provided background on a discussion regarding a letter alleging that the CIA used the Condon Report as a "whitewash." Lexow confirmed that the only formal CIA involvement in a UFO investigation was the Robertson Panel in 1953. He noted that the panel members requested their names not be connected to the CIA. The IAC concluded that no NSCID was needed and that the real dangers lay in overloading air defense and mass hysteria. The CIA had no organized effort on the subject after this, with only one or two analysts maintaining a watch.

CIA's Stance and Recommendations:

The CIA, through its Scientific Intelligence Office, expressed concern about the potential for "mass hysteria" and the "clogging of channels of communication by irrelevant reports." They recommended that national security agencies "strip the Unidentified Flying Objects of the special status they have been given and the aura of mystery they have unfortunately acquired." Furthermore, they advised instituting policies for intelligence, training, and public education to "prepare the material defenses and the morale of the country to recognize most promptly and to react most effectively to true indications of hostile intent or action."

Other Articles

• Crime of Century: Details the impending trial of a mass-murderer accused of the sex-killings of 36 young coeds.
• Roberto Duran: An article profiling "The Most Feared Fighter In The Ring Today."
• INDY 500 Preview: Focuses on the frontrunning driver Danny Ongais.
• Weightlifting Showdown: Discusses "Pumping Iron For Olympic Gold."
• Jobs Of The 80's: Offers advice on "How to Make The Big Money."
• "Third World War": Features a NATO General discussing the "How, When & Where" of a potential Third World War.

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring themes in this issue revolve around national security, intelligence gathering, and the potential threats facing the United States, both overt and psychological. The CIA's involvement with UFOs is presented as a case study in how intelligence agencies handle potentially sensitive information, balancing public perception with national security concerns. The editorial stance, as reflected in the recommendations from the Scientific Panel and intelligence memos, emphasizes the need for rational assessment, clear communication, and preparedness against genuine threats, while cautioning against succumbing to mass hysteria or being misled by irrelevant phenomena. The magazine appears to aim at informing its readers about a range of serious topics, from crime and international conflict to the unexplained, all within the context of national security and societal well-being.