NARA RG38: Navy UAP Incident Summaries 173-233 with Photographic Attachments (1947-1950)
Date
July 1947 - early 1950
Document Type
Gov. Investigation Report
Authentication
VerifiedRedaction Status
▐ Partially RedactedIssuing Authority
Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (OPNAV) / Naval Intelligence
Summary
The third and final volume of the NARA RG38 Naval Incident Summaries, covering incidents 173-233 (61 incidents) over 144 pages. At 153.9 MB - approximately 7.5 times larger per incident than the first two volumes at 31 MB and 27 MB respectively - this file almost certainly contains embedded photographic evidence, sketches, or other visual media attachments submitted by witnesses or investigators. The cover page references declassification authority NND 917033. Includes a maritime sighting from the S/S Oakport and Incident 175 (perfectly circular object approximately 50 feet in diameter, observed during an aircraft landing approach). Released via PURSUE Release 1, February 25, 2026.
Significance
The dramatic file size disparity (7.5x larger per incident than the first two volumes) strongly suggests this is the photographic evidence repository for the 1947-1950 Naval Intelligence flying disc investigation - potentially containing witness sketches, photograph reproductions, and investigator-prepared documentation that did not exist in the earlier incident series. If confirmed, this represents the most visually-documented portion of the earliest systematic U.S. military UAP investigation effort. The maritime incident from the S/S Oakport also expands the observation platform category beyond air and ground to commercial shipping.