Bolender Memo: UFOs Remain National Security Issue After Blue Book

In October 1969, two months before the public announcement that all government UFO investigations would be terminated with Project Blue Book, Brigadier General Carroll H. Bolender issued a classified memo revealing the government's true position.

The Bolender Memo demonstrated that the military's public dismissal of UFOs was a deliberate PR operation — the real investigations continued through intelligence channels, hidden from public scrutiny.

Hintergrund

Brigadier General Carroll H. Bolender issued the classified Bolender Memo in October 1969.

This was two months before the public announcement terminating Project Blue Book.

The memo revealed the government's true position on UFOs.

Key Points

• UFOs can affect national security
• A "defense function" may be necessary in responding to UFOs
• Reports affecting national security are "handled" irrespective of Project Blue Book through standard Air Force intelligence procedures

Significance

The memo showed military's public dismissal of UFOs was a deliberate PR operation.

Real investigations continued through intelligence channels.

These were hidden from public scrutiny.

Kean emphasizes this document as proof that Blue Book's closure was merely cosmetic: reports affecting national security continued through separate classified channels. The memo stated 'reports of unidentified flying objects which could affect national security are not part of the Blue Book system.'