CIA and the Lincoln Project in 1952

Summary

In December 1952, a CIA officer met with prominent scientists to discuss recent UFO sightings. Among them were Dr. Julius Stratton and Dr. Max Millikan, who emphasized the importance of investigating these phenomena from a scientific perspective. Stratton suggested that the Lincoln Project, an initiative at MIT, could lead this review, though he noted that any support would require Air Force approval due to prior tensions. Other institutions like Princeton and Caltech were also considered, where experts in physics and technology were valued.

During the meetings, the need for full support from the CIA Director was highlighted. Without this backing, it would be difficult to secure Air Force cooperation, especially for accessing key reports. The possibility of involving experts in paranormal phenomena, such as Shirley Quimby, was also mentioned. The document reflects the serious interest of U.S. intelligence in understanding UFOs and their potential strategic implications.