The Twining Memo 1947: Military Confirmation of Flying Disc Reality

Document Overview

The Twining Memorandum, dated September 23, 1947, stands as the first official U.S. military document confirming the reality of “flying discs.” Written by Lieutenant General Nathan F. Twining, Commander of Air Materiel Command at Wright Field, to Brigadier General George Schulgen at the Pentagon, this classified memo stated unequivocally that “the phenomenon reported is something real and not visionary or fictitious.” Coming just months after Kenneth Arnold’s sighting and the Roswell incident, the Twining Memo marks the military’s initial formal acknowledgment that structured craft of unknown origin were operating in U.S. airspace.

Historical Context

The 1947 UFO Wave

Precipitating Events:

Kenneth Arnold sighting (June 24)
Nationwide sighting explosion
Roswell incident (July)
Military bases overflown
Public concern mounting
Media coverage intense

Military Response

Initial Confusion:

No unified approach
Local base responses varied
Intelligence community concerned
Foreign technology feared
Coordination needed urgently
Formal assessment required

The Request

General Schulgen’s Query

Pentagon Requirements:

Technical assessment needed
Reality determination
Threat evaluation
Origin possibilities
Recommendation for action
Expert opinion crucial

Why Wright Field?

Air Materiel Command:

Technical expertise center
Foreign technology analysis
Reverse engineering capability
Top scientists available
Classification authority
Direct Roswell connection

The Complete Memorandum

Header Information

HEADQUARTERS AIR MATERIEL COMMAND Wright Field, Dayton, Ohio MCREXA 23 September 1947

SUBJECT: AMC Opinion Concerning “Flying Discs”

TO: Commanding General Army Air Forces Washington 25, D.C. ATTENTION: Brig. General George Schulgen AC/AS-2

Main Text

As requested by AC/AS-2 there is presented below the considered opinion of this Command concerning the so-called “Flying Discs.” This opinion is based on interrogation report data furnished by AC/AS-2 and preliminary studies by personnel of T-2 and Aircraft Laboratory, Engineering Division T-3. This opinion was arrived at in a conference between personnel from the Air Institute of Technology, Intelligence T-2, Office, Chief of Engineering Division, and the Aircraft, Power Plant and Propeller Laboratories of Engineering Division T-3.
It is the opinion that:

a. The phenomenon reported is something real and not visionary or fictitious.

b. There are objects probably approximating the shape of a disc, of such appreciable size as to appear to be as large as man-made aircraft.

c. There is a possibility that some of the incidents may be caused by natural phenomena, such as meteors.

d. The reported operating characteristics such as extreme rates of climb, maneuverability (particularly in roll), and action which must be considered evasive when sighted or contacted by friendly aircraft and radar, lend belief to the possibility that some of the objects are controlled either manually, automatically or remotely.

e. The apparent common description of the objects is as follows: (1) Metallic or light reflecting surface. (2) Absence of trail, except in a few instances when the object apparently was operating under high performance conditions. (3) Circular or elliptical in shape, flat on bottom and domed on top. (4) Several reports of well kept formation flights varying from three to nine objects. (5) Normally no associated sound, except in three instances a substantial rumbling roar was noted. (6) Level flight speeds normally above 300 knots are estimated.

f. 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 in subparagraph (e) above which would be capable of an approximate range of 7000 miles at subsonic speeds.

g. Any developments in this country along the lines indicated would be extremely expensive, time consuming and at the considerable expense of current projects and therefore, if directed, should be set up independently of existing projects.

h. Due consideration must be given the following: (1) The possibility that these objects are of domestic origin - the product of some high security project not known to AC/AS-2 or this Command. (2) The lack of physical evidence in the shape of crash recovered exhibits which would undeniably prove the existence of these objects. (3) The possibility that some foreign nation has a form of propulsion possibly nuclear, which is outside of our domestic knowledge.
It is recommended that: a. Headquarters, Army Air Forces issue a directive assigning a priority, security classification and Code Name for a detailed study of this matter to include the preparation of complete sets of all available and pertinent data which will then be made available to the Army, Navy, Atomic Energy Commission, JRDB, the Air Force Scientific Advisory Group, NACA, and the RAND and NEPA projects for comments and recommendations, with a preliminary report to be forwarded within 15 days of receipt of the data and a detailed report thereafter every 30 days as the investigation develops. A complete interchange of data should be effected.
Awaiting a specific directive AMC will continue the investigation within its current resources in order to more closely define the nature of the phenomenon. Detailed Essential Elements of Information will be formulated immediately for transmittal thru channels.

N.F. TWINING Lieutenant General, U.S.A. Commanding

Document Analysis

Key Confirmations

“Real and not visionary or fictitious”

Unequivocal statement
Reality confirmed
Not hallucinations
Not misidentifications
Physical phenomena

Technical Assessment

Performance Characteristics:

Extreme climb rates
High maneuverability
Evasive actions
Controlled flight
Formation flying

Physical Description:

Disc-shaped
Metallic surface
Domed top
Flat bottom
No visible propulsion

Origin Theories

Possibilities Considered:

Secret U.S. project
Foreign development
Natural phenomena (partial)
Unknown technology

Nuclear Propulsion Mention:

Revolutionary concept 1947
Foreign capability feared
Outside known science
Strategic implications

Significance

First Official Confirmation

Military Acknowledgment:

Phenomenon real
Not explained away
Serious consideration
High-level attention
Action required

Technical Expertise

Wright Field Authority:

Top technical command
Best scientists involved
Comprehensive analysis
Considered opinion
Expert consensus

Policy Foundation

Recommendations Led To:

Project Sign creation
Formal investigation
Data collection system
Interagency coordination
Classification protocols

Hidden Implications

Roswell Connection

Timing Significant:

Two months post-Roswell
Wright Field destination
Debris analysis location
Recovery mentioned obliquely
“Lack of physical evidence”

Carefully Worded

What’s Not Said:

No denial of crashes
Qualified statements
Open possibilities
Classified implications
Between the lines

Foreign Technology Fear

Cold War Context:

Soviet capability unknown
Nuclear propulsion feared
Technology gap possible
Strategic vulnerability
Urgent action needed

Impact on Policy

Project Sign

Direct Result:

Established 1948
Top Secret initially
Formal investigation
Military priority
Based on Twining

Classification Born

Security Established:

Code name requested
Classification system
Need-to-know basis
Compartmentalization
Secrecy culture

Interagency Approach

Coordination Mandated:

Army involvement
Navy participation
AEC notification
Scientific advisors
Think tank inclusion

Technical Analysis

Performance Impossibilities

1947 Technology Limits:

300+ knots cruise
Extreme climb rates
Silent operation
No exhaust trail
Hovering capability

Conclusion Unavoidable:

Beyond U.S. capability
Beyond known physics
Revolutionary technology
Origin unknown
Investigation critical

Engineering Assessment

T-3 Laboratory Input:

Propulsion experts
Aerodynamics specialists
Materials scientists
Power plant engineers
Unanimous agreement

Comparison with Later Documents

Versus Condon Report

Twining (1947):

Phenomenon real
Investigation needed
Technical mystery
Open approach
Scientific interest

Condon (1969):

Nothing to study
Close investigation
Dismiss phenomenon
Predetermined conclusion
Political agenda

Versus Robertson Panel

Different Approaches:

Twining: Study phenomenon
Robertson: Debunk sightings
Twining: Technical focus
Robertson: Psychological warfare
Twining: Open mind
Robertson: Closed conclusion

Classification History

Original Status

1947-1969:

Classified Secret
Limited distribution
Need-to-know only
Pentagon control
Hidden from public

Declassification

Released Through:

FOIA requests
Blue Book files
Gradual emergence
Historical significance
Public domain now

Modern Validation

Pentagon UAP Admission

2020s Confirmation:

Validates Twining
Same characteristics
Still unexplained
Technology unknown
Investigation renewed

Historical Vindication

Twining Correct:

Phenomenon real
Not conventional
Controlled objects
Advanced technology
Serious matter

Expert Commentary

Stanton Friedman

Nuclear Physicist’s View: “The Twining Memo is smoking gun proof that at the highest levels, the military knew flying saucers were real, not imaginary, and demonstrated technology beyond our capabilities.”

Richard Dolan

Historian’s Analysis: “This document shows the U.S. military took UFOs seriously from the very beginning, despite later public denials.”

Jacques Vallée

Scientist’s Perspective: “The technical detail and careful analysis in the Twining Memo reflects genuine military concern about unknown aerial phenomena.”

Unanswered Questions

Still Classified?

Missing Elements:

Attachment references
Detailed reports
Technical data
Photograph mentions
Physical evidence

Project Knowledge

“High security project not known”

Suggests compartmentalization
Even Twining limited
Higher classification?
Hidden programs?
Need-to-know basis

Document Legacy

Foundation Stone

Established Precedents:

Official investigation
Military involvement
Scientific approach
Classification system
Serious treatment

Historical Importance

Proves Early Knowledge:

1947 awareness
Technical understanding
Performance documented
Mystery acknowledged
Cover-up beginning

Research Value

For Historians:

Primary source
Official position
Technical details
Policy formation
Truth documentation

Key Revelations

Technology Assessment

Objects demonstrated capabilities impossible in 1947
Military experts unanimously agreed phenomenon real
Controlled flight indicated intelligence
Formation flying suggested coordinated operation
No conventional explanation adequate

Policy Implications

Formal investigation mandated
Interagency coordination required
Classification system established
Scientific study prioritized
National security implications recognized

Conclusions

The Twining Memorandum represents a watershed moment in UFO history - the first official military acknowledgment that flying discs were “real and not visionary or fictitious.” Written by one of the Air Force’s most respected technical commanders, this document established that unknown objects demonstrating advanced technology were operating in U.S. airspace.

The memo’s technical focus, careful analysis, and specific recommendations stand in stark contrast to later debunking efforts. Twining’s straightforward acknowledgment of reality, based on expert analysis from Wright Field’s best minds, set the stage for decades of military investigation, classification, and ultimately, cover-up.

Most significantly, the Twining Memo proves that from the very beginning, at the highest levels of military command, officials knew that structured craft of unknown origin were real. The technical characteristics described - extreme performance, controlled flight, formation flying - remain consistent with modern UAP reports, validating both historical witnesses and contemporary disclosure.

The document’s existence refutes claims that early UFO sightings were simply Cold War hysteria or misidentified conventional aircraft. Instead, it reveals that America’s top military technical experts recognized a genuine mystery requiring serious investigation - a mystery that continues to this day, finally acknowledged again by the Pentagon after decades of denial that began shortly after Twining’s honest assessment.