Senator Goldwater Letter: UFO Subject 'Still Classified Above Top Secret'
Senator Barry Goldwater (R-AZ) writes a remarkable letter in response to a UFO inquiry. States the subject has interested him for 'ten or twelve years,' that he tried to access Wright-Patterson AFB storage building but was denied by the Air Force. Confirms: 'It is still classified above Top Secret.' Says he has heard plans exist to release some material 'in the near future.' Notes that his friend USAF Chief of Staff General Curtis LeMay blocked his access. This accords with 1950 statement by Canadian government scientist Wilbert Smith that UFOs were 'the most highly classified subject in the United States Government.'
Background
1. In a letter dated March 28, 1975, Senator Barry Goldwater (R-AZ) responded to an inquiry about UFOs, revealing his long-standing interest in the subject. He disclosed his past attempt to access a storage building at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base containing UFO information, an attempt that was denied.
The Incident Senator Goldwater wrote the letter in response to an inquiry regarding UFOs. He stated that he had been interested in the subject for "ten or twelve years." Around 1964, while a candidate for President, Goldwater attempted to gain access to a building at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base where the Air Force stored UFO-related information.
His request to access the building was denied. Goldwater stated in the letter that the information was "still classified above Top Secret." He also mentioned hearing about a potential plan to release some or all of the material in the near future.
Investigation The source text does not describe any formal investigation into Goldwater's claims or the UFO information at Wright-Patterson AFB. The text only mentions Goldwater's failed attempt to gain access. The person who blocked him was his friend, USAF Chief of Staff General Curtis LeMay.
Significance Goldwater's statement is significant because it came from a respected senator and former presidential candidate with strong ties to the military. His inability to access UFO information, despite his stature, raised questions about the level of secrecy surrounding the subject.
* It highlighted the existence of a classification level "above Top Secret," fueling speculation about the nature of the UFO data.
* It prompted questions about who had access to the information and what the data contained.
* The statement resonated with earlier claims, such as that of Canadian government scientist Wilbert Smith in 1950, who was told that UFOs were "the most highly classified subject in the United States Government."