CIA and UFOs in 1958

Summary

This 1958 CIA document refers to a correspondence with Major Donald E. Keyhoe, a U.S. Air Force officer and active UFO researcher. Keyhoe argued that the CIA and the Air Force held classified information on unidentified flying objects and requested access to official scientific reports. The CIA, however, claimed it had no such documents and insisted that any information had to be obtained through official channels. The document highlights the tension between national security and the growing public interest in UFO sightings.

Keyhoe, who had already worked with scientists and lawmakers, pushed for an open discussion on UFOs. He believed that secrecy around these phenomena generated fear and speculation, and that an open dialogue would better serve the country. Despite initial refusals, the document suggests the CIA eventually acknowledged the existence of reports, though only classified summaries were shared. This interaction illustrates how, even in the 1950s, authorities struggled to balance transparency with security.