Descriptive Finding Guide for the Frank W. Seifert Personal Papers SDASM.SC.10130
Alan Renga
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
11/13/2014
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Title: Frank W. Seifert Personal Papers
source:
Seifert, Frank W.
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10130
Physical Description:
0.43 Cubic Feet
One Box
Date (inclusive): 1896-1977
Abstract: Col. Frank Walter Seifert, (September 29, 1896 – December 1, 1977) was an aviation pioneer and a veteran of World War II.
He was on the team which preformed the first aerial refueling.
The collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The materials in this Collection were donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
[Item], [Filing Unit], [Series Title], [Subgroups], [Record Group Title and Number], [Repository “San Diego Air & Space Museum
Library & Archives”]
Col. Frank Walter Seifert, (September 29, 1896 – December 1, 1977) was an aviation pioneer and a veteran of World War II.
He became an aviation cadet in the Army Signal Corps and received his second lieutenant’s commission in 1918. He then became
a flying instructor at various military airfields in the United States. At Rockwell Field (now North Island NAS) he was a
member of the team that performed the first aerial refueling in history, and for that he was later inducted into the Air Force
Hall of Fame.
In the 1925 he was elected to the San Diego City Counsel, and spearheaded the development and building of what is now Lindbergh
Field. When Lindbergh Field opened in 1928, Seifert was the first person to land at the field carrying the Mayor as the first
passenger.
After serving in private industry during the 1930’s, Seifert was recalled to active military duty in 1942, where he was assigned
with the 20th Air Force in the Pacific and was named Commander of the Northwest Air Base in Guam.
After WWII, Col. Seifert returned to San Diego where he held various civic positions, including being City Manager of National
City, heading the bond drive to expand Lindbergh Field, and was foreman of the San Diego County grand jury in 1963.
This collection spans the entire professional life of Col. Seifert, from his early days in 1918 as a cadet in the then Signal
Corps, though his historic aviation achievements in the 1920’s to his civil life and death in San Diego in 1977. A significant
item in this collection is his 1918 Aviator’s Certificate issued by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale. The collection
also includes many original awards and certificates, including his induction into the Air Force Hall of Fame.
Related SDASM Resources:
Secondary Sources: Maurer, Maurer, Aviation in the US Army 1919-1939, United States Air Force Historical Research Center,
Washington, D.C., 1987
SDASM Bio-File- Seifert, Frank W. (If there are photos in this file, they might have to be incorporated)
SDASM Film – F-0482 – The Air Force Story: Struggle for Recognition 1923-1930
Related Research Institutions:
Airlift Tanker Association: http://www.atalink.org/HallOfFame/Members/AR_Pioneers.aspx
Subjects and Indexing Terms
San Diego International Airport
Rockwell Field
United States. Air Force. Air Force, 20th
Aerial Refueling
United States. Army. Signal Corps. Aviation Section
Naval Air Station North Island (Calif.)
Seifert, Frank W.
Boc 01
Folder 01 – Awards, Correspondences and Certificates 1918 – 1929
Folder 02 – World War II – 1949 – Awards, Correspondences and Certificates
Physical Description: 1. General Henry H. (Hap) Arnold, Letter of February 14, 1947.
2. General Henry H. (Hap) Arnold, Letter of February 16, 1948.
3. General Henry H. (Hap) Arnold, Letter of March 24, 1943.
4. Certificate of Retirement, 1948.
5. Promotion to Lt. Colonel letter, 1944.
6. Presentation of Distinguished Flying Cross, 1940.
7. Lt. General Ira C. Eaker, Letter of March 10, 1947.
8. Certificate of Commendation for Meritorious Service for Colonel Frank W. Seifert, June, 1946.
9. International Military Tribunal security pass.
10. Col. E. W. Duncan, Award of decoration letter, December 8, 1949.
Folder 03 – Post World War II – Awards, Correspondences and Certificates
Physical Description: 1. City of San Diego, Certificate of Appreciation, November 13, 1962.
2. Veterans of World War I, Award of Appreciation, July 12, 1962.
3. Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Certificate of Completion, 1955.
4. Most Reverend Charles F. Buddy, recommendation letter of May 2, 1952.
5. T. Claude Ryan, congratulations letter of September 11, 1951.
6. Congressman Clinton D. McKinnon, letter of October 18, 1951.
7. Mayor Charles C. Dail, congratulations letter of September 24, 1956.
8. Ruben H. Fleet, recommendation letter of November 7, 1968.
9. A.J. Sutherland, congratulations letter of September 24, 1956.
10. J. H. Doolittle, personal letter of July 20, 1966.
11. T. Claude Ryan, congratulations letter of September 24, 1956.
12. James Don Keller, letter of January 24, 1964.
13. James R. Mills, San Diego Port Commission support letter of January 23, 1961.
14. Charles E. Petillon, San Diego Port Commission letter of October 30, 1964.
Folder 08 – Newspaper Clippings -1918-1929.
Folder 09 – Newspaper Clippings – World War II – 1949.
Folder 10 - Newspaper Clippings – Post World War II – Civic Life.