USA: Truman denies US flying saucer technology
On April 4, 1950, President Truman's press secretary stated that top military advisors confirmed the US lacks flying saucer technology. Air Force research dismissed their existence, echoed by a Caltech expert.
Background
Official Rejection
Charlie Ross, press secretary to President Harry S. Truman, announced on April 4, 1950 that Truman had spoken with his senior military advisers Rear Adm. Robert Dennison and Brig. Gen. Robert B. Landry. Both gave assurances that the USA possessed no such technology for flying objects such as flying discs. An Air Force investigation concluded that such craft did not exist.
Expert Opinion
Clark Blanchard Millikan, professor of aeronautics at Caltech, supported this and stressed that he knew of no project in aircraft or guided missiles that could suggest anything of the kind. His statement reinforced the official position.
Media Reports
Several newspapers carried the story, among them the Oakland Tribune, Long Beach Press-Telegram, Los Angeles Daily News, Whittier News, and Pomona Progress-Bulletin. Later articles discussed dissenting views from US congressmen. The events illustrate the government's efforts to dispel rumours of secret weapons (Swords 97–99).