William S. Key

William Shaffer Key
MG William S. Key, USA
Born(1889-10-06)October 6, 1889
Dudleyville, Alabama, US
DiedJanuary 5, 1959(1959-01-05) (aged 69)
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, US
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1907–1949
RankMajor general
Service number0-153045
Commands heldIceland Base Command
United States Army Europe
45th Infantry Division
160th Field Artillery Regiment
Battles/warsPancho Villa Expedition
World War I

World War II

AwardsDistinguished Service Medal (2)
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Other workWarden of the Oklahoma State Penitentiary

William Shaffer Key (October 6, 1889 – January 5, 1959) was a decorated officer of the United States Army with the rank of major general, and businessman. A member of the Oklahoma National Guard, he was called into federal service and participated in combat on the Western Front during World War I as the division quartermaster of 7th Division.[1][2]

Following the war, Key returned to the National Guard, also holding several civil assignments including warden of the Oklahoma State Penitentiary, chairman of the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board, director of the Security National Bank, and state administrator of the Oklahoma Works Progress Administration.[1][3][4]

Key returned to active service in September 1940 as commanding general of the 45th Infantry Division, later embarking overseas for duty as Provost Marshal General of the European Theater of Operations. He then served as commanding general, Iceland Base Command, and completed his service as Chief of the Military Control Commission for Hungary in 1946.[5][6]

  1. ^ a b "KEY, WILLIAM SHAFFER (1889–1959) - Oklahoma Historical Society". okhistory.org. Oklahoma Historical Society Websites. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  2. ^ Solesmont Akers, Trasen (2014). Masonic Generals of the Oklahoma National Guard: 1894-1965. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. pp. 69–76. ISBN 978-1-312-34614-7. Retrieved December 8, 2017. apples.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. ^ "General Key's Career". timesmachine.nytimes.com. New York Times Websites. May 6, 1943. p. 12. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  4. ^ "William S. Key Correctional Center". oklahoma.gov. Oklahoma Department of Corrections Websites. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  5. ^ Cite error: The named reference Valor awards for William S. Key was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "Biography of MG William Shaffer Key, USA". generals.dk. generals.dk Websites. Retrieved 12 April 2017.

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