D/FBI Correspondence Referral, 1949

This 1949 FBI file holds a January 31, 1949 letter to J. Edgar Hoover from Reverend Charles C. Barnes of the First Presbyterian Church in McMinnville, Oregon. Barnes wrote that the previous May he had seen four beams in the sky converging on the Cascade mountains, with clouds forming and an explosion effect rising about ten thousand feet. The file also contains Hoover's reply acknowledging the letter and a memo passing the report to Air Force Special Investigations and the Atomic Energy Commission.

From the source:Release of 2026-06-12 This collection of documents contains correspondence between the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), J. Edgar Hoover, and Rev. Charles Barnes concerning Barnes’ account of an incident potentially involving unidentified anomalous phenomena (UAP). Rev. Barnes described observing four beams of light “converging in the Cascade Mountains,” at an altitude of approximately 10,000 feet, with a “great explosion” visible at the convergence point of those beams for at least ten minutes. Director Hoover replied to Rev. Barnes thanking him for his letter and informing him that he had forwarded it to the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). Director Hoover conveyed to the AEC that Rev. Barnes believed that the event may relate to a military or scientific experiment within the commission’s purview.

EX SPECIAL LESSONER

To: Director of Special Investigations The Inspector General Department of the Air Force The Portuguese Washington 25, D. C.

From: John Edgar Hoover - Director, Federal Bureau of Investigation Subject: AIRIAL PRECISION

A letter has been received from Reverend Charles E. Darren of Rohnsville, Oregon, advising that last day he observed four bounces of light in the sky passing from the northeast to the southeast and curving over the Canada Mountains. In these bounces small clouds were forming. According to Reverend Darren, where these bounces not an explosive effect was to be seen. This was visible for approximately ten minutes. The explosive effect seemed to rise to a height of about 10,000 feet.

Reverend Barnes requested that this information be passed on as he felt it might be merely an observation of a scientific experiment known to the military authorities or the Atomic Energy Commission.

This is furnished for your information.

oe - Atomic Energy Commission Room 30 Public Health Building Washington, D. C.