William T. Seawell
Brigadier General, U.S. Air Force

William T. Seawell (pronounced SOO-uhl) was born on 27 January 1918 in Pine Bluff, AR.

Seawell left the University of Arkansas prior to graduating in order to enter the U.S. Military Academy, where he earned his undergraduate degree in 1941. He earned a law degree from Harvard University in 1949.

Upon his graduation from the Academy, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He earned his pilot wings in 1942. During World War II, he commanded a bomber unit in the European Theatre of Operations.

After several postwar air commands, he was named Military Assistant to the Secretary of the Air Force in 1958. He was Commandant of Cadets at the U.S. Air Force Academy from 1961-63.

He retired from the Air Force in 1963.

Medals and Awards

Silver Star Medal
Distinguished Flying Cross (4 Awards)
Croix de Guerre with Palm (France)

In Retirement

After two years with the Air Transport Association, in 1965 he served as Senior Vice President for Operations at American Airlines, then as President of Rolls-Royce Aero Engines.

Pan American World Airways recruited him in 1971 as President and Chief Operating Officer. A year later he was named Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Pan Am, where he served until his retirement in 1981.

Death and Burial

Brigadier General William T. Seawell died on 20 May 2005 in Pine Bluff, AR. He is buried at Bellwood Cemetery in Pine Bluff.