The Twining Memo

September 23, 1947 — US Army Air Forces / Air Materiel Command

Overview

On September 23, 1947, Lieutenant General Nathan F. Twining, Commander of Air Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, sent a classified memorandum to Brigadier General George Schulgen, Chief of the Air Intelligence Requirements Division. This memo is one of the most significant early documents in UFO history.

Key Statement

Twining's memo stated unequivocally: "The phenomenon reported is something real and not visionary or fictitious." He described the objects as having "metallic or light-reflecting surface," being "circular or elliptical in shape, flat on bottom and domed on top," and capable of "extreme rates of climb, maneuverability, and actions which must be considered evasive when sighted or contacted by friendly aircraft and radar."

Technical Assessment

The memo acknowledged that while some sightings might be explained as natural phenomena, the characteristics of the reported objects exceeded known technology: "It is possible within the present U.S. knowledge — provided extensive detailed development is undertaken — to construct a piloted aircraft which has the general description of the object... which would be capable of an approximate range of 7000 miles at subsonic speeds." However, he noted that no known domestic project matched the descriptions.

Recommendation

Twining recommended establishing a formal, classified investigation program with "the assignment of a priority, security classification, and Code Name" — a recommendation that directly led to the creation of Project Sign. The Twining Memo is significant because it represents a senior military commander's official assessment that UFOs were a real, physical phenomenon worthy of serious investigation.