The Descriptive Finding Guide for the Thomas W. Sefton Personal Papers SDASM.SC.10129
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: Thomas W. Sefton Personal Papers
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10129
Physical Description:
0.43 Cubic Feet
1 box, 10” x 5” x 15”.
Date (inclusive): 1917-2006
Abstract: Thomas W. Sefton was in the US Air Corps and President at the San Diego Bank and Trust.
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”]
Thomas W. Sefton, born on October 8, 1917 in New York City New York city. Orphaned at a young age, he was adopted by Helen
and Joseph W. Sefton. Thomas was then raised in the city of San Diego, California and resided in Point Loma suburbs. After
graduating high school, Thomas started to accumulate flying hours at Speer Field with small planes. By 1938, Thomas started
working at the San Diego Trust and Savings Bank where his father was President. He was a messenger until 1941 until he relocated
at a near-by aviation plant. In 1942, Thomas left the aviation plant to join the U.S. Army Air Corps. He trained for many
months across California and neighboring states until he was assigned to a carrier, which was sent to Italy, on assignment
in the Mediterranean. He was honorably discharged in July 1946, having achieved the rank of Captain.
When Thomas returned to San Diego, he resumed working at the San Diego Trust and Savings Bank as the President’s assistant.
He then married to Donna Knox, daughter of then San Diego City Mayor Harley E. Knox on April 15, 1951. The couple had two
children: Laurie Jo Sefton born on April 5, 1952 and Harley Knox Sefton born on November 17, 1953. Both children are still
residents of San Diego. Thomas became President of the family operated bank after his father retired. During his time as bank
president, he maintained a growth of 1.4 billion dollars in assets over 53 branches. He has been awarded with titles such
as Mr. San Diego (1972), and Executive of the Year (1961). Since his death in 2006, his family still runs San Diego Trust
and Savings.
This collection consists of 1 box, 10” x 5” x 15”. In this collection, there are a variety of documents including personal
memorabilia. Of note, there are documents to and from Thomas W. Sefton regarding his work in the US Air Corps and this job
as a President at the San Diego Bank and Trust. There are approximately 15 folders regarding his work and personal life.
Secondary Sources:
For more information on Thomas W. Sefton go to http://www.sandiegohistory.org/journal/v53-1/pdf/2007-1_sefton.pdf and http://articles.latimes.com/1990-02-23/business/fi-1133_1_san-diego-trust.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
San Diego Trust and Savings Bank
San Diego (California)
Smithsonian Institution, National Space and Air Museum
United States. Army. Air Corps
Sefton, Thomas W.
Box 01
Folder 01- Personal Documents Inquired to Thomas Sefton
Physical Description: 1. 2 Pages Western Union Telegram to Franklin D. Roosevelt Oct. 8, 1940 Atch. In Regards To Telegram, Oct. 24, 1940.
2. 3 Pages with Envelope Letter to Tom Sefton from Bill Holt at HQ USAF (ODC), Feb. 17, 1970.
3. 2 Articles Christmas Card with Envelope From Irene and Tom, Dec. 22, 1957.
4. 1 Page Letter to Tom Sefton From Irene Garber, Sept. 23, 1974.
5. 1 Envelope to Thomas Sefton From the Early Birds of Aviation Inc., Jul. 25, 1981.
6. 2 Page Letter and News Paper Clipping To Tom From Alfred V. Verville, Feb. 6, 1968, News Clipping on A.V Verville death.
7. 5 Page Letter to Tom Sefton Regarding a Road Trip June 8, 1944.
8. 1 Page Letter to Tom Sefton from the Early Birds of Aviation, Inc. Nov. 2, 1974.
9. 1 Page Letter to Tom Sefton from Paul Edward Garber July 27, 1981.
10. 1 Page Letter to Tom Sefton from Paul Edward Garber Nov. 20, 1974.
11. 1 Page Letter to Tom Sefton from Paul Edward Garber Feb. 7, 1981.
12. 2 Page Letter to Tom Sefton from Otto S. Schmidt June 30, 1959.
13. 1 Page Letter to Tom Sefton from Otto S. Schmidt Sept. 18, 1959.
Folder 02- Letters Written By Thomas Sefton
Physical Description: 1. 2 Page Letter to Mr. M. Kelly Gardner Oct. 31, 1963.
2. 1 Page Letter to General Daniel James, Jr. Jan. 24, 1.
3. 3 Business Cards for Thomas Sefton 1962-65.
4. 1 Page Letter to Mr. T. C. Macaulay Dec. 9, 1958.
5. 1 Letter to Dr. Schmidt from Thomas Sefton Oct. 20, 1964.
6. 1 Letter to General Speed from Thomas Sefton June 15, 1970.
Folder 03- Personal Inquiries
Physical Description: 1. 1 Letter with Envelope Admirals Club Membership Certification Letter Dec. 29, 1975.
2. 1 Envelope Addressed to Thomas Sefton from the Early Birds of Aviation Inc. Feb. 9, 1981.
3. 1 Letter from American Airlines President to Thomas Sefton Dec. 29, 1958.
4. 1 Letter from Camel Back Inn Feb. 26, 1965.
5. 1 Letter from Theodore C. Macaulay, Col. USAF (Ret.) Jan. 9, 1958.
6. 4. Note for Ruben H. Fleet Feb. 15, 1966.
7. 1 Letter to Tom Sefton from UNITED STATES AIR FORCE ACADEMY HEADQUARTERS Sep. 11, 1961.
8. 1 Letter from Mac to Sefton Family Regarding Banking March 6, 1957.
9. 1 Letter from Paul E. Garber at the Smithsonian Institution June 8, 1965.
10. 1 Envelope to Thomas Sefton from Paul E. Garber Nov. 18, 1974.
11. 3 Page Letter from Congress Of The United States Regarding UFO Feb. 10,1965.
12. 1 Page letter with Envelope from General John C. Meyer Nov.13, 1972.
13. 1 Page Letter from Thomas Sefton to Major Theodore C. Macaulay March 4, 1957.
14. Single Envelope to Joseph W. Sefton Aug. 1, 1957.
15. 2 Letters from Brig Gen. Gerald E. Cooke, USAF March 23, 1977.
Folder 04- Air Force Manuscripts and Letters
Physical Description: 1. 3 Page Letter to Tom Sefton Regarding UFO’s from AF Section MAAG April 21, 1965.
2. 5 Page Manuscript on Project Blue Book.
3. 2 Page Letter to Tom Sefton from Department of the Air Force Aug. 3, 1959.
4. 3 Page Letter from the Office Memorandum/United States Government with Blue. Honorary Member and Naval Aviation 50 Aniv.
Decal July 25, 1961.
5. 1 Page Letter from the Dep. Of The Air Force to Thomas Sefton July 23, 1957.
Folder 05- National Air and Space Museum from Paul E. Garber
Physical Description: 1. 2 Letters from NASM to Thomas Sefton with Envelope Jan. 13, 1984 & June 13, 1980.
2. 1 Letter from NASM to Thomas Sefton Apr. 20, 1981.
3. 1 Letter from NASM to Thomas Sefton March 27, 1984.
4. 1 Letter from NASM to Thomas Sefton July 7, 1967.
5. 1 Letter from NASM to Thomas Sefton March 16, 1966.
6. 1 Letter from NASM to Thomas Sefton Nov. 9, 1983.
7. 1 Letter from NASM to Thomas Sefton June 27, 1984.
8. 1 Letter from NASM to Thomas Sefton May 27, 1965.
9. 1 Letter from NASM to Thomas Sefton Sep. 19, 1983.
10. 1 Letter from NASM to Thomas Sefton and Business Card May 31, 1984.
Folder 08- Newspapers
Physical Description: 1. Clipping of Warplane Missing 30 Years Found May 4, 1974.
2. Clipping of Plan, Skeletons Discovered In Philippines March 26, 1970.
3. T.C. Macaulay Dies At Alpine; Pioneer Army Aviation Leader April 20, 1965.
4. Eisenhower,Spaatz,Doolittle July 15, 1974.
5. Honolulu Star Bulletin on War! Oahu Bombed By Japanese Planes December 7, 1941.
6. The Droppings December 1969.
7. The Army Air Corps Song.
Folder 09- Certificates and Documents
Physical Description: 1. Certificate Of Membership Department Of Aerospace Sciences.
2. Brochure From a Visit to Pearl Harbor 1966.
3. Certificate for The Caravelle first flight in San Diego June 7, 1957.
4. American Airlines Beverage Pamphlet Boeing 747 Flight NY-SD Oct. 9, 1975.
5. The “War” Book from Thomas Sefton’s Son Harley 1964.
6. Quote from Wilbur Wright.
7. Hughes H-1 Document (2 Pages).
Folder 10- Personal Airplane Photography
Physical Description: 1. Photo of a ‘Original Stealth Bomber’ from Mayor Bob Sarclenas.
2. Photo of a ‘Original Stealth Bomber’.
3. New Paper clipping with Main Picture of the 8-Jet Feb. 9, 1949.
4. 2 Photos of a Single Bullet and Ruler.
5. Poster of Travel Air “Mystery Ship”.
6. Photo of a Lockheed SR-71/U-2 from Col. Mike Kidder.
Folder 11- Personal Photography and Postcard
Physical Description: 1. Delta Airlines Postcard.
2. Continental Airlines Postcard 1975.
3. 3 Single Postcards from Heeresgeschichtliches Museum (Vienna 1980).
4. 2 Single Photos of a Army Prop Plane AF Museum 1965.
5. 6 Postcards from Mt. Sefton in New Zealand Feb. 28, 1964.
6. Photo of General Stillwell.
7. Christmas card from General and Mrs. E.W. Rawlings.
8 Photo of Supermarine S6 1931 Model.
9. Photo Album from Pearl Harbor Aug. 11-18 1962.