General Carl Spaatz National USAAF Museum, Keith Seiwell Earn 2026 "Special Recognition" Award

by Julie Cordingley    

A chance drive from his home in Schwenksville, through Boyertown, on his way to Kutztown, had Keith Seiwell remembering a book he read about a truly impressive WWII general. Wasn’t he from around here? Yes, there it is: a roadside marker on south Reading Ave. dedicated to Boyertown native, General Carl Spaatz. The marker in itself is very nice, but shouldn’t there be more?

So, for the love of his own father who also served in WWII in the Air Force, his love for this country having recently retired after 30 years in the Marines, and his serendipitous love of reading historical novels, Keith Seiwell decided to create a beautiful tribute to General Spaatz, a man Seiwell describes as” the most well-known American general from WWII that no one has ever heard of."  

While movies have been made about military leaders like General Patton and General Douglass MacArthur, no movie has ever been made about Carl Spaatz, who in every estimation had the respect of presidents and peers. In the absence of much recognition it became apparent to Seiwell that he needed to somehow honor this humble yet learned man who did everything right in his unwavering commitment to the United States Air Force.

Opened in 2021, the General Carl Spaatz National USAAF Museum was dedicated right in Boyertown, a beautiful little space that tries to encapsulate a huge legacy! Seiwell estimates that close to 10,000 visitors have walked in and have become immersed in the history of Spaatz and his enduring contribution to WW II, the most notable being mid-air refueling. Spaatz was the leader and visionary behind perfecting this process, finally demonstrating it on January 1, 1929 during a maneuver dubbed the Question Mark ? Flight. Before this method, airplanes could only be aloft for approximately 42 hours. By proving that it could be done, planes now have the capability of remaining in the air for up to 151 hours. As Seiwell puts it, “It was like a big gas station in the sky,” but he also emphasizes the lasting impact this capability has had on US Air Force superiority.

By honoring Spaatz, the contributors and volunteers of the museum expanded their mission to honor soldiers, their families, their communities, companies, US allies - anyone, in any capacity, who was instrumental in helping the cause during WWII. There were many.

In the museum here is a beautiful, long walkway titled the Hall of Heroes which highlights soldiers from the nearby four counties: Berks, Bucks, Montgomery, and Chester County. It is here, that you may see names familiar to our area…Imbody, Croll, Sell, Seiwell. The beauty of this hall is not only the stories, but also the immersive quality of the displays. It is not necessary to read each placard (unless you so wish) because there is that “feel” of the time through the display.

There are many other pieces of the museum – too numerous to name, too numerous to describe their role in the war years…sweetheart pillows, recycled animal fat, Virginia Hall, Mae West vests, Allison engines…. There are award winning Escape Rooms (yes, plural!), talking pictures, a huge air field diorama, period uniforms, and music. 

Seiwell, the museum’s Board of Directors, and its numerous volunteers are always discussing ways to improve the experience. Suffice it to say that this museum deserves a visit from you!

Spaatz was forever proud of Boyertown… as we are of him... and we are equally proud of Keith Seiwell's vision and his ability to make it real.

.

More News from Boyertown

• April 14: One-a-Day in Celebration of National Poetry Month In celebration of National Poetry Month, enjoy the performance poetry of Sara Holbrook.
• Kids Poetry Workshop: Learn Haiku Writing for Rain Poetry Project Boyertown Community Library invites youth from grades 3-5 to a haiku writing workshop as part of the PA Humanities inaugural Rain Poetry grant.