CIA-UAP-D023, Briefing Notes for Mr. Walter Elder
Briefing notes summarize radar and pilot observations near Puerto Rico during November 1964. They describe a radar contact involving USS Gyatt, a Crusader pilot’s view of a delta-shaped object, and reported performance estimates while noting that naval intelligence had no further information.
- File
- Document · Release 05
- Date
- Undated
- Location
- Caribbean Sea
- Extent
- 2 pages
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Probed Assessment
Key takeaways
- The briefing notes describe an object appearing on an operator's radar and then closing on the fighter again.
- The notes characterize the reported object as delta-shaped and approximately the size of a jet fighter.
- The reported performance estimate exceeded Mach 3.
Why it matters
This 2-page official record adds page-located primary-source material to the public history represented in Release 05. Its value lies in what the document records, not in independent confirmation of every reported event or estimate.
Corroboration
The assessment is grounded in the official PDF, reviewed page text, and faithful source excerpts. Statements attributed to witnesses or agencies remain source claims unless separately corroborated in the record.
Open questions
- • Which reported observations or technical estimates can be independently corroborated from contemporaneous records?
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 document contains briefing material prepared for Mr. Walter N. Elder, Executive Assistant to the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), regarding a November 19, 1964, incident allegedly involving unidentified aircraft in the vicinity of Puerto Rico. The previous entry in this collection, CIA-UAP-D022, contains CIA memoranda on the same subject matter. The briefing includes additional details regarding that incident, including a characterization of the meteorological conditions and sensing capabilities of nearby U.S. military collection systems. The briefing states that a radar system aboard USS Gyatt, a guided missile destroyer operating in the vicinity, detected a contact tracking more than 3,800 knots (approximately 4,373 mph) over a period of 21 minutes. The briefing contains visual estimates regarding the phenomenon’s apparent capabilities from the pilot of an F-8 Crusader who was present during the incident.
Preserved verbatim as source metadata. This wording is separate from Probed’s file-specific description and assessment.
File Context
Related entities
Tracker findings
The briefing notes describe an object appearing on an operator's radar
The record states: The briefing notes describe an object appearing on an operator's radar and then closing on the fighter again.
The notes characterize the reported object as delta-shaped and about the size
The record states: The notes characterize the reported object as delta-shaped and approximately the size of a jet fighter.
Briefing notes estimated reported performance above Mach 3
The record states: The reported performance estimate exceeded Mach 3.
Release provenance
- Release
- Release 05
- Official ID
- release-05-file-011-cia-uap-d023-briefing-notes-for-mr-walter-elder
- Cleared
- Aug 7, 2026
Referenced Timeline
USS Gyatt radar observation
The notes describe a November 19 radar and pilot observation involving USS Gyatt.
Second high-speed target reported
The notes describe another high-speed, high-altitude target at the Atlantic Fleet Weapons Range.
Source Claims
Claims are attributed to the released source and remain distinct from Probed’s assessment and tracker findings.
The briefing notes describe an object appearing on an operator's radar and then closing on the fighter again.
The object appear on Clyatt'• radar for tvttnty..one again closed on the fighter £:rom ast .
The notes characterize the reported object as delta-shaped and approximately the size of a jet fighter.
UFO we.a tdtntiiled as a Delta •haptld objJJct a out th♦ 11,se of a Jet £1'1,hte:r.
The reported performance estimate exceeded Mach 3.
be in excess of Mach 3.
Source Material & Evidence
Research Map
Lines appear only when two entities share a row-level source claim or dated timeline event. Unconnected nodes remain visible without implying a relationship.