What did the declassified documents reveal?

COLD OPEN. This is a declassified memorandum from the F-B-I dated September fourth, nineteen forty‑seven. The document records the bureau’s handling of reports of “flying discs” that appeared in the press and in military channels during the summer of nineteen forty‑seven. It is catalogued in the Black Vault archive under the title sixty‑five underscore H‑S‑one eight three four two two eight nine six one underscore six two hyphen H‑Q‑eight three eight nine four underscore Section three. PROVENANCE. The file was released to the public through the Black Vault website, uploaded on an unspecified date. The entry lists the source as an archival copy from the National Archives, identified by the Black Vault reference number. The document can be accessed at https://archive.org/download/expediente-ovni-65-hs1-834228961-62-hq-83894-section-3-e9bc79/65hs1-83422896162-hq-83894section3djvu.txt and the same URL is provided for the PDF version. THE DOCUMENT. Standard Form sixty‑four, Office Memo. To: Director, F-B-I. Date: September fourth, nineteen forty‑seven. From: S‑A‑C, San Francisco. Subject: Reports of flying discs. “Enclosed is a copy of a letter dated August twenty‑fifth, nineteen forty‑seven, with attachment from Colonel Donald L. Springer of A‑2, Hamilton Field, California. Even though Colonel Springer feels that Mr. Johnson may have read some of his claims in a newspaper, Colonel Springer believes that Mr. F. M. Johnson should be interviewed in this matter. In accordance with Bureau Bulletin No. forty‑two, dated July thirtieth, nineteen forty‑seven, Portland is requested to exhaustively interview Mr. F. M. Johnson, one hundred six North‑west First Avenue, Portland, Oregon, regarding his alleged sighting of a “flying disc” on June twenty‑four, nineteen forty‑seven. Copies of the result of this interview should be furnished to the San Francisco Field Office for distribution to the Sixth Army Intelligence.” The memo continues: “This headquarters does not intend to investigate this incident. It is requested that a result of any interview you may make be furnished.” Attached is a true copy of a letter from Mr. F. Johnson received by this officer on August twenty‑second, nineteen forty‑seven. “Your attention is invited to the similarity between Arnold’s gentleman’s report. A possibility exists that he read some of this in the newspapers when Arnold was publicized regarding these matters.” A second memorandum, dated September fourth, nineteen thirty‑seven, addressed to the Assistant Director D.

Why was this case declassified?

This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. The originating source document is linked on this page so the citation chain is auditable.

Declassified Army File

◆ BLUF — The short version

COLD OPEN. This is a declassified memorandum from the F-B-I dated September fourth, nineteen forty‑seven. The document records the bureau’s handling of reports of “flying discs” that appeared in the press and in military channels during the summer of nineteen forty‑seven.

Date: JUL 18 · 2026
Release: Declassified · U.S. public record (FOIA)
Source document: View the primary source document

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What was Declassified Army File about?: COLD OPEN. This is a declassified memorandum from the F-B-I dated September fourth, nineteen forty‑seven. The document records the bureau’s handling of reports of “flying discs” that appeared in the press and in military channels during the summer of nineteen forty‑seven.
Why was this case declassified?: This material entered the public record through the U.S. declassification and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process. Storyflo narrates it directly from the public release.

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