TOP SECRET EYES ONLY THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON September 24, 1947. MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE. In 1947, President Truman established a group of 12 of the top military scientific personnel of their time. They were known as MJ-12. Although the group exists today, none of the original members are still alive. The last one to die was Gordon Gray, former Secretary of the Army, in 1982. As each member passed away, the group itself appointed a new member to fill the position. There is some speculation that the group known as MJ-12 expanded to at least seven more members