AFOIN-X/Lt Col Bloomer/tjc/71092
Wrttn 3 Jan 55
INT 2-2-7
x Wilson, Robt. D.
x Meteorite
3 January 1955
MEMORANDUM FOR MATERIEL AND OPERATIONS BRANCH, SAFLL
ATTN: Mr. Robert D. Wilson
SUBJECT: Alabama Meteorite
In connection with the attached letter to Senator Sparkman concerning the "seizure" of the Alabama meteorite, the following is offered as a basis for reply:
The Air Force feels a very definite obligation to identify and analyze things that happen in the air that have in them a menace to the United States and, because of that feeling and in pursuit of that interest, the Air Force established an activity known as the Unidentified Flying Object Program.
In connection with reports of an unidentified flying object which fell from the sky at Sylacauga, Alabama, the Air Force authorities at Maxwell Air Force Base sent two officers to investigate. The investigating officers talked with the Mayor and the Chief of Police of Sylacauga, Alabama, and the object which had fallen from the sky through the roof of Mrs. Hodges' home was turned over to them by these two public officials for further examination. It was flown to the Air Technical Intelligence Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio, and there determined to be a meteorite by competent technical officials. Subsequent to that it was returned to Mrs. Hodges through the intermediary efforts of SAFLL.
1 Incl
Memo Route Slip
dtd 27 Dec 54 to
AFOIN fr Mr Wilson,
SAFLL w/1 Incl
JOSEPH A. BLOOMER
Lt Colonel, USAF
Directorate of Intelligence
AFOIN-X
Lt Col Bloomer
D/I File Cy, X2B2
D/I X-Ref File Cy, X2B2
NWW 911198
DocId:34745775 Page 2