PURSUE Release 03 — USNavy Report of Flying Discs 1948 (DOW-UAP-D086)
Source: U.S. Department of War, PURSUE (Presidential Unsealing and Reporting System for UAP Encounters) — Release 03 (third tranche), published 12 June 2026. Document DOW-UAP-D086.
URL: release portal https://www.war.gov/UFO/release/03/ · bundle https://www.war.gov/medialink/ufo/061226/release_03/release_03_documents.zip (file: DOW-UAP-D086_USNavy-Report-of-Flying-Discs_1948.pdf)
Captured: 2026-06-12. The released PDF was an image-only/garbled scan; text below is a clean Gemini (gemini-3-flash) re-OCR, 2026-06-12. Page markers [--- p.N ---], handwriting [handwritten: …].
What this is: the December 1948 US Navy “Flying Discs” memorandum — a Chief of Naval Operations instruction (CNO Op-322V, 4 Nov 1948; circulated by the Fifth Naval District 13 Dec 1948) relaying that the USAF Director of Intelligence reported a “cycle of reappearance” of Flying Discs with “a new interval … imminent.” Flagged by Christopher Sharp (sharp-1948-navy-flying-discs-memo-2026-06-12) as one of the tranche’s most important documents. Index/analysis: pursue-release-03-uap-records.
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[DECLASSIFIED Authority: NND 740185]
[crossed out: Secret] 1948
DATE CLOSED
Office, Chief Army Field Forces [crossed out: Secret]
A. G. Files
[Sidebar:] FILE NO. 000.9 BINDER NO. 1
[Footer:] NW 91215 DocId:34746269 Page 1
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[handwritten: Intel en] [stamped diagonally: CONFIDENTIAL]
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH NAVAL DISTRICT Norfolk 11, Virginia
Refer to: ND5(32)/V21 Serial 0430
13 Dec 1948
[crossed out: CONFIDENTIAL]
[handwritten: A.F.F. H Marshall, In Chief, Col Ely [illegible initials], Col Thompson, B (circled)]
From: Commandant, Fifth Naval District To: Activities Indicated in Distribution List
Subj: “Flying Discs” - Report of
Ref: (a) CNO Conf ltr Op-322V P16-3/QN, Serial 04422P32, dtd 4 November 1948
- Reference (a) is quoted herewith for information and compliance:
” From: Chief of Naval Operations. To: Commandants, All Naval Districts.
SUBJECT: “Flying Discs” - Report of
-
The Director of Intelligence, U.S. Air Force has informed the Navy Department that a cycle of reappearance of “Flying Discs” is becoming apparent, and that the beginning of a new interval is imminent. They have requested that any such sightings be reported as quickly as possible, and that these phenomena be investigated.
-
It is requested, therefore, that all stations be directed to report to the nearest Air Force command and to the Naval District Intelligence Office any reported sighting of “Flying Discs” or other unidentified aerial objects. It is desired, also, that photographic evidence of the phenomena be obtained whenever possible.
-
DIO’s will forward such information to the Chief of Naval Intelligence who will pass the information to the Director of Intelligence U.S. Air Force by the fastest means.
s/ Thos. B. Inglis THOS. B. INGLIS By direction”
s/ R. C. Hudson R. C. HUDSON CHIEF OF STAFF
[crossed out: CONFIDENTIAL] 12
Distribution List (Rev. 7/1/48) [handwritten: PWB]
List 1A (only 1, 3, 9, 10, 11, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 36, 58, 60, 62) 1 copy each. 2A (only 1, 3, 4, 16) 1 copy each. 3A (only 5, 6, 13, 34, 35, 63, 64, 66) 1 copy each. 6A 1 copy each. 7A (only 1, 2, 10, 20) 1 copy each. 85 copies.
[handwritten: AG Rects file 12/23/48 (Intel) alm]
[stamped diagonally: CONFIDENTIAL] 12
[Sidebar:] 000.9
[Footer:] NW 91215 DocId:34746269 Page 2
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[Note: This page is an administrative routing and receipt record for the document on page 2.]
[handwritten top left:] 1100
[handwritten top right:] x000.9 x319.1 (C) (Intel) x045 (C)
[Table at top:] CHIEF [illegible] 194 23 Dec 48 CLASSIFIED [illegible] ROUTING [illegible] FILE CLERK [illegible] 194 24 Dec 48
[Stamp:] RECEIVED A.F.F. DISTRIBUTION CENTER 1948 DEC 15 PM 12 28
[The body of the page contains a faint duplicate of the letter from page 2, including the circular Fifth Naval District seal in the center.]
[Footer:] NW 91215 DocId:34746269 Page 3