J. Edgar Hoover

John Edgar Hoover was the first Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). During the early years of the flying saucer phenomenon, particularly around 1947, Hoover authorized FBI agents to investigate UFO sightings and recover physical evidence. He eventually ceded primary jurisdiction of UFO investigations to the United States Air Force, though the FBI continued to monitor civilian UFO groups.

Directed early FBI involvement in UFO investigations and the monitoring of civilian UFO research organizations.