War.gov PURSUEDepartment of State
GovernmentJul 28, 1952Analysis complete

59 64634 711.5612[7-2852

The released record says phenomena falling within the general description of flying saucers have been reported for over 100 years. File: 59 64634 711.5612[7-2852. 59 64634 711.5612[7-2852 combines an official, downloadable document, 5 extracted claims, 1 evidence record, and 1 timeline entry across 2 source pages, and file-level provenance that can be compared with related release records.

File
Document · Release 01
Date
Jul 28, 1952
Extent
2 pages
Agency
Department of State

Probed Assessment

Key takeaways

  • Phenomena falling within the general description of flying saucers have been reported for over 100 years.
  • The increase in UFO sightings is attributable to improved methods of observation and reporting.
  • The Air Force views flying saucers as a threat because they are not understood.

Why it matters

59_64634_711.5612[7-2852 is an officially released 2-page record with searchable page text, page-specific claim locators, dated events where supported, and document-level provenance.

Corroboration

The release establishes official provenance for 59_64634_711.5612[7-2852, but its reported observations, judgments, and interpretations remain source claims unless supported by independent records.

Open questions

  • Which companion records or contemporaneous sources, if any, independently corroborate the document’s key claims?

Probed separates this editorial assessment from the source claims below. It summarizes what the released artifact supports; it is not independent verification.

Official Description from War.gov

This two page memorandum, dated July 28, 1952, relates to increased reports of unidentified flying objects (UFOs). Included in the record are possible explanations of increased sightings, such as technological improvements, historical records of UFOs, and U.S. Air Force opinions on UFOs.

Preserved verbatim as source metadata. This wording is separate from Probed’s file-specific description and assessment.

File Context

Related entities

3
Research Map relationships require row-level claim or timeline references.

Release provenance

Release
Release 01
Official ID
release-01-file-012-59-64634-711-5612-7-2852
Cleared
May 8, 2026
Official release source

Referenced Timeline

  1. Page 1

    Memorandum on Flying Saucers

    Memorandum discussing increased reports of UFOs and Air Force opinions.

    LinkedUSAF

Source Claims

Claims are attributed to the released source and remain distinct from Probed’s assessment and tracker findings.

Source interpretation4Reported by source1
Source reportedObservedPage 2

Phenomena falling within the general description of flying saucers have been reported for over 100 years.

phenomena falling ?athin the general description of flyin~ saucers have actually been known to exist and have been reported one way or another for over 100 years.

InterpretationAssertedPage 2

The increase in UFO sightings is attributable to improved methods of observation and reporting.

The increase in observation and in reporting and publicity on the su~ject is probably attributable in the main to vastly inproved r.iethods of observation and reportin~.

InterpretationAssertedPage 2

The Air Force views flying saucers as a threat because they are not understood.

The Air Force views the flying saucers as a threat only because they are not understood.

LinkedUSAF
InterpretationAssertedPage 2

Radar observations of UFOs may have elements of electronic fluke but are corroborated by pilot observations.

The radar observation may have elements of "electronic fluke," but is sufficiently tied in with pilot observation so that it cannot be attributed entirely to this.

InterpretationAssertedPage 2

The possibility that UFOs are man-made or controlled is remote and not seriously considered.

General Samford did not say anything about the possibility that they were man- made or controlled, friend or foe, but the whole implication of his remarks 1"1"as that this possibility was ~ emote~ not te be se?iotmfy considered.

Source Material & Evidence

document

Memorandum dated July 28, 1952

RELEASE-01-FILE-012-59-64634-711-5612-7-2852