BRIGADIER GENERAL WILLIAM T. SEAWELL

Brigadier General William T. Seawell, commandant of cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy, is an Air Force veteran with more than 20 years active commissioned service.

Born in Pine Bluff, Ark., in 1918, he attended high school in that city, which he still lists as his permanent home. He graduated 28th in a class of 424 at the U.S. Military Academy, Class of 1941. In 1942 he received his pilot's wings upon graduation from flying school. He is presently a command pilot.

During World War II, General Seawell served in the European theater of Operations. Flying B-17 Flying Fortresses, he commanded the 401st Bombardment Group. He flew 30 combat missions and was awarded the Silver Star, the Distinguished Flying Cross with three oak leaf clusters, the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters, and the French Croix de Guerre with palm.

Post-war assignments have taken him to Headquarters Army Air Forces (1945-46), for which service he was awarded the Commendation Medal; to Harvard University as a student under the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology program, graduating with a bachelor of law degree in 1949; commander of the 11th Bomb Wing (Strategic Air Command) (1953-54); to the Air War College as a student (1955-56); to the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters U.S. Air Force (1956-58); and the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force (1958-59).

Prior to reporting to the U.S. Air Force Academy as commandant of cadets in June 1961, he was assigned as military assistant to deputy secretary of defense, Washington, D.C. His present assignment places him in command of the Airmanship Program at the U.S. Air Force Academy. The Airmanship Program prepares and motivates the cadet for a career of leadership as an officer in the U.S. Air Force.

DECORATIONS AND MEDALS
Silver Star
Distinguished Flying Cross with three oak leaf clusters
Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Commendation Ribbon
Presidential Unit Citation with oak leaf cluster
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
American Defense Service Medal
French Croix de Guerre with Palm
American Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Department of Defense Badge