US: Gen. LeBailly urges Blue Book continuation
USAF Director Gen. Eugene B. LeBailly recommended continuing Project Blue Book to monitor potential national security threats from unidentified objects. He proposed a scientific panel to evaluate the program's methods and resources.
Background
Background
On September 28, 1965, Gen. Eugene B. LeBailly, USAF Director of Information, wrote a memorandum to the military director of the USAF Scientific Advisory Board. He referred to the favourable assessment by Gen. Arthur C. Agan, who regarded Project Blue Book as a useful programme.
Content of the Memorandum
LeBailly stressed the need to continue investigations in order to establish that such objects posed no danger to national security. The project should remain with the Foreign Technology Division at Wright-Patterson AFB. He also called for a scientific panel of natural and social scientists to review its resources, procedures, and findings.
Significance
This letter marked an important step in the Air Force's official position on UFOs. It led indirectly to the establishment of the O'Brien Committee in February 1966, which recommended strengthening Blue Book scientifically and cooperating with universities. It points to the continuing military focus despite public scepticism. (Source: Eberhart, p. 576; Clark III 924; Clark IV 1034)