CIA and a 1958 UFO Letter

Summary

In 1958, the CIA received a letter from a citizen named Leon Davidson, who asked about the existence of unidentified phenomena. The agency internally debated whether to respond, as it was not their usual policy to do so. Officials considered that a response was unnecessary, but also raised the possibility that Davidson might be acting on behalf of a subversive group. Ultimately, it was agreed that if a response was made, it should be a generic negative one, to avoid disclosing sensitive information.

The CIA also considered the possibility that Davidson was trying to obtain classified information, so it was suggested that the letter be reviewed by the FBI. This document shows how the agency handled public inquiries on sensitive topics, and how security concerns influenced their decisions. Although no direct response was given, the internal debate reflected in this memorandum illustrates the context of the time, when UFOs were a topic of public interest and also suspicion.