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|birth_date= {{birth date|1889|10|06}}
|birth_date= {{birth date|1889|10|06}}
|death_date= {{Death date and age|1959|01|05|1889|10|06}}
|death_date= {{Death date and age|1959|01|05|1889|10|06}}
|birth_place= [[Dudleyville, Alabama]]
|birth_place= [[Dudleyville, Alabama]], US
|death_place= [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma]]
|death_place= [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma]], US
|placeofburial=
|placeofburial=
|placeofburial_label= Place of burial
|placeofburial_label= Place of burial
|allegiance={{flag|United States of America}}
|allegiance=United States
|branch=[[File:United States Department of the Army Seal.svg|25px]] [[United States Army]]
|branch=[[United States Army]]
|serviceyears= 1907–1949
|serviceyears= 1907–1949
|rank=[[File:US-O8 insignia.svg|30px]] [[Major general (United States)|Major general]]
|rank=[[Major general (United States)|Major general]]
|servicenumber=0-153045
|servicenumber=0-153045
|commands=[[Iceland Base Command]]<br/>[[United States Army Europe]]<br/>[[45th Infantry Division (United States)|45th Infantry Division]]<br/>[[160th Field Artillery Regiment (United States)|160th Field Artillery Regiment]]
|commands=[[Iceland Base Command]]<br/>[[United States Army Europe]]<br/>[[45th Infantry Division (United States)|45th Infantry Division]]<br/>[[160th Field Artillery Regiment (United States)|160th Field Artillery Regiment]]
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}}
}}


'''William Shaffer Key''' (October 6, 1889 – January 5, 1959) was a decorated officer of the [[United States Army]] with the rank of [[Major general (United States)|major general]] and businessman. A member of the [[Oklahoma National Guard]], he was called up for federal service and participated in the combats on [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]] during [[World War I]] as Divisional Quartermaster of [[7th Infantry Division (United States)|7th Division]].<ref name="Historical">{{cite web | url = https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=KE014| access-date = 12 April 2017 | work = okhistory.org | title = KEY, WILLIAM SHAFFER (1889–1959) - Oklahoma Historical Society | publisher = Oklahoma Historical Society Websites}}</ref><ref name="Masonic">{{cite book|last=Solesmont Akers|first=Trasen|title=Masonic Generals of the Oklahoma National Guard: 1894-1965|publisher=|location=Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|year=2014|pages=69–76|isbn=978-1-312-34614-7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hh8YBwAAQBAJ&q=Key+Hardware+Co.+and+the+Wewoka+Gas+Co.&pg=PA71|quote=apples.|access-date=December 8, 2017}}</ref>
'''William Shaffer Key''' (October 6, 1889 – January 5, 1959) was a decorated officer of the [[United States Army]] with the rank of [[Major general (United States)|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 (World War I)|Western Front]] during [[World War I]] as the division quartermaster of [[7th Infantry Division (United States)|7th Division]].<ref name="Historical">{{cite web | url = https://www.okhistory.org/publications/enc/entry.php?entry=KE014| access-date = 12 April 2017 | work = okhistory.org | title = KEY, WILLIAM SHAFFER (1889–1959) - Oklahoma Historical Society | publisher = Oklahoma Historical Society Websites}}</ref><ref name="Masonic">{{cite book|last=Solesmont Akers|first=Trasen|title=Masonic Generals of the Oklahoma National Guard: 1894-1965|publisher=|location=Oklahoma City, Oklahoma|year=2014|pages=69–76|isbn=978-1-312-34614-7|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hh8YBwAAQBAJ&q=Key+Hardware+Co.+and+the+Wewoka+Gas+Co.&pg=PA71|quote=apples.|access-date=December 8, 2017}}</ref>


Following the War, Key returned to the National Guard service and held several consecutive civil assignments including as warden of [[Oklahoma State Penitentiary]]; chairman of the [[Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board]]; and director of Security National Bank; State administrator of [[Oklahoma|Oklahoma State]] [[Works Progress Administration]].<ref name="Historical"/><ref name="NYTIMES3">{{cite web | url = https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1943/05/06/96562338.html?pageNumber=12 | access-date = June 19, 2018 | work = timesmachine.nytimes.com | title = General Key's Career|date= May 6, 1943 |page= 12 | publisher = New York Times Websites}}</ref><ref name="ODC">{{cite web | url = https://oklahoma.gov/doc/facilities/state-institutions/william-s-key-correctional-center.html| access-date = 12 April 2017 | work = oklahoma.gov | title = William S. Key Correctional Center | publisher = Oklahoma Department of Corrections Websites}}</ref>
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]].<ref name="Historical"/><ref name="NYTIMES3">{{cite web | url = https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1943/05/06/96562338.html?pageNumber=12 | access-date = June 19, 2018 | work = timesmachine.nytimes.com | title = General Key's Career|date= May 6, 1943 |page= 12 | publisher = New York Times Websites}}</ref><ref name="ODC">{{cite web | url = https://oklahoma.gov/doc/facilities/state-institutions/william-s-key-correctional-center.html| access-date = 12 April 2017 | work = oklahoma.gov | title = William S. Key Correctional Center | publisher = Oklahoma Department of Corrections Websites}}</ref>


Key returned to active service in September 1940 as commanding general, [[45th Infantry Division (United States)|45th Infantry Division]] of the [[Oklahoma National Guard]] and later embarked overseas for duty as [[United States Army Provost Marshal General|Provost Marshal General]] of the [[European Theater of Operations, United States Army|European Theater of Operations]]. He then served as commanding general, [[Iceland Base Command]] and completed his service as Chief of the [[Allied Commission|Military Control Commission]] for [[Hungary]] in 1946.<ref name="Valor awards for William S. Key"/><ref name="generals.dk">{{cite web | url = https://generals.dk/general/Key/William_Shaffer/USA.html | access-date = 12 April 2017 | work = generals.dk | title = Biography of MG William Shaffer Key, USA | publisher = generals.dk Websites}}</ref>
Key returned to active service in September 1940 as commanding general of the [[45th Infantry Division (United States)|45th Infantry Division]], later embarking overseas for duty as [[United States Army Provost Marshal General|Provost Marshal General]] of the [[European Theater of Operations, United States Army|European Theater of Operations]]. He then served as commanding general, [[Iceland Base Command]], and completed his service as Chief of the [[Allied Commission|Military Control Commission]] for [[Hungary]] in 1946.<ref name="Valor awards for William S. Key"/><ref name="generals.dk">{{cite web | url = https://generals.dk/general/Key/William_Shaffer/USA.html | access-date = 12 April 2017 | work = generals.dk | title = Biography of MG William Shaffer Key, USA | publisher = generals.dk Websites}}</ref>


==Early career==
==Early career==
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==Civil career during interwar period==
==Civil career during interwar period==


Key returned to the United States in early 1919, he was returned to the hardware business and remained in the [[Oklahoma National Guard]]. During the rising racial tensions in [[Okmulgee County, Oklahoma|Okmulgee]] and [[Tulsa County, Oklahoma|Tulsa]] counties, Governor [[Jack C. Walton]] declared [[martial law]] and Key commanded [[Oklahoma City]] Military district. Key was appointed warden at [[Oklahoma State Penitentiary]] in [[McAlester, Oklahoma|McAlester]] in early 1924 and held that job until late 1927. He was also president of the Wardens Association of the United States in 1926 and chaired the [[Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board]] from 1928 to 1932.<ref name="Historical"/><ref name="NYTIMES3"/><ref name="ODC"/>
Key returned to the United States in early 1919, re-entering both the hardware business and the Oklahoma National Guard. During the rising racial tensions in [[Okmulgee County, Oklahoma|Okmulgee]] and [[Tulsa County, Oklahoma|Tulsa]] counties, Governor [[Jack C. Walton]] declared [[martial law]] and Key commanded [[Oklahoma City]] military district. Key was appointed warden at [[Oklahoma State Penitentiary]] in [[McAlester, Oklahoma|McAlester]] in early 1924 and held that job until late 1927. He was also president of the Wardens Association of the United States in 1926 and chaired the [[Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board]] from 1928 to 1932.<ref name="Historical"/><ref name="NYTIMES3"/><ref name="ODC"/>


In 1927, Key moved to Oklahoma City and established the Keyokla Oil Company and a real estate business in the Key Building. He was a director of numerous business in bank sector including Security National Bank from 1928 to 1929 or First National Bank and Trust Company from 1929 to 1933. Key was also promoted to the brigadier general of the Oklahoma National Guard in August 1928.<ref name="Historical"/>
In 1927, Key moved to Oklahoma City and established the Keyokla Oil Company and a real estate business in the Key Building. He was a director of numerous business in the banking sector including Security National Bank from 1928 to 1929 and First National Bank and Trust Company from 1929 to 1933. Key was promoted to brigadier general in the Oklahoma National Guard in August 1928.<ref name="Historical"/>


He was also active during the Great Depression, when he served as head of the Executive Relief Committee in Oklahoma City, when he was responsible for the coordination of public and private relief effort to local citizens. Key was also appointed State administrator of [[Oklahoma|Oklahoma State]] [[Works Progress Administration]] (WPA) in 1935 and during his tenure, he directed a progressive program during which 350 schools and 20 libraries were constructed and also supervised the building of Oklahoma National Guard Armories. From total of 126 armories build in the United States, 53 were built in Oklahoma under the supervision of Key. Also due to his work in WPA, Oklahoma state had received forty-three millions dollar in WPA funds and had employed more than one hundred thousands Oklahomans.<ref name="Historical"/><ref name="NYTIMES3"/>
He was also active during the Great Depression, when he served as head of the Executive Relief Committee in Oklahoma City, responsible for the coordination of public and private relief efforts to local citizens. Key was also appointed state administrator of the Oklahoma [[Works Progress Administration]] (WPA) in 1935. During his tenure, he directed a progressive program during which 350 schools and 20 libraries were constructed, along with the building of Oklahoma National Guard armories; from a total of 126 armories built in the United States, 53 were built in Oklahoma under the supervision of Key. Also due to his work in the WPA, Oklahoma received forty-three million dollars in WPA funds, employing more than one hundred thousand Oklahomans.<ref name="Historical"/><ref name="NYTIMES3"/>


In 1936, Key was inducted to the [[Oklahoma Hall of Fame]]. Key was also involved in politics as [[1938 Oklahoma gubernatorial election|Democratic candidate for Governor]] in January 1938. During the campaign, Key was accused by another candidate of irregularity in the building of one of the state armories. Even Key denied that, he lost to [[Leon C. Phillips|Leon Phillips]] by the difference of 3,300 votes. He then worked as director of [[Lincoln Income Life Insurance Company]] in [[Louisville, Kentucky]] until 1941.<ref name="Historical"/><ref name="Fame">{{cite web | url = https://oklahomahof.com/member-archives/k/key-william-shaffer-1936| access-date = 12 April 2017 | work = oklahomahof.com | title = Key, William Shaffer, 1936 - Oklahoma Hall of Fame | publisher = Militarytimes Websites}}</ref>
In 1936, Key was inducted to the [[Oklahoma Hall of Fame]]. Key was also involved in politics as the [[1938 Oklahoma gubernatorial election|Democratic candidate for Governor]] in January 1938. During the campaign, Key was accused by another candidate of irregularity in the building of one of the state armories. Even though Key denied that, he lost to [[Leon C. Phillips|Leon Phillips]] by the difference of 3,300 votes. He then worked as director of [[Lincoln Income Life Insurance Company]] in [[Louisville, Kentucky]] until 1941.<ref name="Historical"/><ref name="Fame">{{cite web | url = https://oklahomahof.com/member-archives/k/key-william-shaffer-1936| access-date = 12 April 2017 | work = oklahomahof.com | title = Key, William Shaffer, 1936 - Oklahoma Hall of Fame | publisher = Militarytimes Websites}}</ref>


==Military career during the Interwar period==
==Military career during the Interwar period==


Key remained active in the Oklahoma National Guard during the period of 1920s and 1930s. Following his return from France, Key reverted to the rank of lieutenant colonel and served as commanding officer, [[160th Field Artillery Regiment (United States)|160th Field Artillery Regiment]] until July 1925. Following his promotion to brigadier general on August 18, 1928, he was appointed commanding general, 70th Field Artillery Brigade. In February 1937, Key was appointed commanding general, [[45th Infantry Division (United States)|45th Infantry Division]] and also was promoted to major general in April that year.<ref name="Historical"/><ref name="generals.dk"/><ref name="Masonic"/>
Key remained active in the Oklahoma National Guard during the 1920s and 1930s. Following his return from France, Key reverted to the rank of lieutenant colonel and served as commanding officer of the [[160th Field Artillery Regiment (United States)|160th Field Artillery Regiment]] until July 1925. Following his promotion to brigadier general on August 18, 1928, he was appointed commanding general, 70th Field Artillery Brigade. In February 1937, Key was appointed commanding general of the 45th Infantry Division, and was promoted to major general in April of that year.<ref name="Historical"/><ref name="generals.dk"/><ref name="Masonic"/>


==World War II==
==World War II==
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Due to worsening situation in Europe, Key was called up into active service in September 1940 and led his command during the [[Louisiana Maneuvers]] in the fall of the year. He then received additional duty as commanding general, [[Fort Sill]], [[Oklahoma]] and was responsible for the training and preparation of 45th Infantry Division for service overseas.<ref name="generals.dk"/><ref name="NYTIMES3"/><ref name="Masonic"/>
Due to worsening situation in Europe, Key was called up into active service in September 1940 and led his command during the [[Louisiana Maneuvers]] in the fall of the year. He then received additional duty as commanding general, [[Fort Sill]], [[Oklahoma]] and was responsible for the training and preparation of 45th Infantry Division for service overseas.<ref name="generals.dk"/><ref name="NYTIMES3"/><ref name="Masonic"/>


Key held another additional duty as acting commanding general, [[V Corps (United States)|V Corps]] from January 1942 to May 1942 and embarked for [[Europe]] for duty as [[United States Army Provost Marshal General|provost marshal general]] of the [[European Theater of Operations, United States Army|European Theater of Operations]] with headquarters in [[London]], [[England]]. While in this capacity, he established the school for [[Military Police]] and during a thirty-day course, students were trained mostly in the map reading; methods of patrolling towns liberated from [[Germany]]; guarding of the prisoners of war and other.<ref name="generals.dk"/><ref name="NYTIMES">{{cite web | url = https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1942/10/27/85059135.html?pageNumber=4 | access-date = June 19, 2018 | work = timesmachine.nytimes.com | title = Gen. W.S. Key Named Chief Of Army Police in Europe|date= October 27, 1942 |page= 4 | publisher = New York Times Websites}}</ref><ref name="Masonic"/>
Key held another additional duty as acting commanding general, [[V Corps (United States)|V Corps]] from January 1942 to May 1942 and embarked for [[Europe]] for duty as [[United States Army Provost Marshal General|provost marshal general]] of the [[European Theater of Operations, United States Army|European Theater of Operations]] with headquarters in [[London]], [[England]]. The Provost Marshall function in the ETO was one of 18 Special Staff Sections of [[Communications Zone]], ETO under Lt. Gen. [[John C. H. Lee]]. While in this capacity, he established the school for [[Military Police]] and during a thirty-day course, students were trained mostly in the map reading; methods of patrolling towns liberated from [[Germany]]; guarding of the prisoners of war and other.<ref name="generals.dk"/><ref name="NYTIMES">{{cite web | url = https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1942/10/27/85059135.html?pageNumber=4 | access-date = June 19, 2018 | work = timesmachine.nytimes.com | title = Gen. W.S. Key Named Chief Of Army Police in Europe|date= October 27, 1942 |page= 4 | publisher = New York Times Websites}}</ref><ref name="Masonic"/>


He served in this capacity under Lieutenant General [[Frank M. Andrews]] until the beginning of May 1943, when the plane carrying Andrews crashed on [[Iceland]]. Key then served as acting [[Commanding General, United States Army Europe]] for five days, before Lieutenant General [[Jacob L. Devers]] arrived from the States and relieved him. Key then resumed his duties as provost marshal and was succeeded by Major General [[Milton Reckord]] in June that year.<ref name="generals.dk"/><ref name="NYTIMES2">{{cite web | url = https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1943/05/06/96562337.html?pageNumber=12 | access-date = June 19, 2018 | work = timesmachine.nytimes.com | title = GEN. KEY ASSUMES LONDON COMMAND|date= May 6, 1943 |page= 12 | publisher = New York Times Websites}}</ref><ref name="Madera Tribune, Volume LI, Number 57, 5 May 1943">{{cite web|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=MT19430505.2.18&srpos=1&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-Major+general+W.+S.+Key-------1|title= AMERICAN AIR CHIEF KILLED General Andrews Is Victim of Bomber Crash in Iceland - Madera Tribune, Volume LI, Number 57, 5 May 1943; page 1; California Digital Newspapers Collection|publisher=cdnc.ucr.edu|access-date=2016-08-27}}</ref>
He served in this capacity under a succession of Theater Commanders, including [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]], and then Lieutenant General [[Frank M. Andrews]] until the beginning of May 1943, when the plane carrying Andrews crashed on [[Iceland]]. Key then served as acting [[Commanding General, United States Army Europe]] for five days, before Lieutenant General [[Jacob L. Devers]] arrived from the States and relieved him. Key then resumed his duties as provost marshal and was succeeded by Major General [[Milton Reckord]] in June that year.<ref name="generals.dk"/><ref name="NYTIMES2">{{cite web | url = https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1943/05/06/96562337.html?pageNumber=12 | access-date = June 19, 2018 | work = timesmachine.nytimes.com | title = GEN. KEY ASSUMES LONDON COMMAND|date= May 6, 1943 |page= 12 | publisher = New York Times Websites}}</ref><ref name="Madera Tribune, Volume LI, Number 57, 5 May 1943">{{cite web|url=https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=MT19430505.2.18&srpos=1&e=-------en--20--1--txt-txIN-Major+general+W.+S.+Key-------1|title= AMERICAN AIR CHIEF KILLED General Andrews Is Victim of Bomber Crash in Iceland - Madera Tribune, Volume LI, Number 57, 5 May 1943; page 1; California Digital Newspapers Collection|publisher=cdnc.ucr.edu|access-date=2016-08-27}}</ref>


Key then assumed duty as commanding general, [[Iceland Base Command]] and was responsible for the defense of the island and administration of garrison of 40,000 soldiers. He remained in that assignment until December 1944 and received numerous decorations including [[Army Distinguished Service Medal]], [[Legion of Merit]], [[Bronze Star Medal]] and [[Army Commendation Medal]]. Key was also appointed Knight of the [[Order of the Bath]] by the United Kingdom and Knight Commander of the [[Order of the Falcon]] by the Government of Iceland.<ref name="Valor awards for William S. Key"/><ref name="Historical"/><ref name="generals.dk"/><ref name="Masonic"/>
Key then assumed duty as commanding general, [[Iceland Base Command]] and was responsible for the defense of the island and administration of garrison of 40,000 soldiers. He remained in that assignment until December 1944 and received numerous decorations including [[Army Distinguished Service Medal]], [[Legion of Merit]], [[Bronze Star Medal]] and [[Army Commendation Medal]]. The citation for his Army DSM reads:

{{Quote|The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General William S. Key (ASN: 0-153045), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during the period from June 1943 to December 1944. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Key reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.}}

Key was also appointed Knight of the [[Order of the Bath]] by the United Kingdom and Knight Commander of the [[Order of the Falcon]] by the Government of Iceland.<ref name="Valor awards for William S. Key"/><ref name="Historical"/><ref name="generals.dk"/><ref name="Masonic"/>


In January 1945, Key was ordered to [[Hungary]] and appointed chief of the [[Allied Commission|Military Control Commission]]. While in this capacity, he was responsible for the directing of the repatriation of displaced persons; supervision of the demobilization of Hungarian armed forces; return of property taken by Germany and regulation and supervision of the execution of the armistice terms. Key was succeeded by Brigadier General [[George H. Weems]] in August 1946 and received his second [[Army Distinguished Service Medal]] for his service.<ref name="Valor awards for William S. Key"/><ref name="generals.dk"/><ref name="Masonic"/>
In January 1945, Key was ordered to [[Hungary]] and appointed chief of the [[Allied Commission|Military Control Commission]]. While in this capacity, he was responsible for the directing of the repatriation of displaced persons; supervision of the demobilization of Hungarian armed forces; return of property taken by Germany and regulation and supervision of the execution of the armistice terms. Key was succeeded by Brigadier General [[George H. Weems]] in August 1946 and received his second [[Army Distinguished Service Medal]] for his service.<ref name="Valor awards for William S. Key"/><ref name="generals.dk"/><ref name="Masonic"/>
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In 1948 the [[University of Oklahoma]] presented Key with a Distinguished Service Citation, and later the university awarded him an honorary [[LLB degree]]. The main entrance at [[Fort Sill]], [[Oklahoma]] is named after Key. Key was a [[Freemasonry|Freemason]] and raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in 1913 at Seminole Lodge No. 147 and was made Sovereign Grand Inspector General of Oklahoma in 1951.<ref name="Historical"/>
In 1948 the [[University of Oklahoma]] presented Key with a Distinguished Service Citation, and later the university awarded him an honorary [[LLB degree]]. The main entrance at [[Fort Sill]], [[Oklahoma]] is named after Key. Key was a [[Freemasonry|Freemason]] and raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in 1913 at Seminole Lodge No. 147 and was made Sovereign Grand Inspector General of Oklahoma in 1951.<ref name="Historical"/>


Major General William S. Key died on January 5, 1959, aged 69, in [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma]], and was buried at Memorial Park Cemetery there. He was married to Irene Genevieve Davis Key (1892–1969) and they had two sons and one daughter. Their older son, Robert Carleton Key (1926–1988), served in the U.S. Army and retired as major.<ref name="Find A Grave">{{cite web | title=Gen William Shaffer Key Sr. | website=Find A Grave | date=2008-04-11 | url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21860443/william-shaffer-key | access-date=2020-01-10}}</ref><ref name="Historical"/>
Major General William S. Key died on January 5, 1959, aged 69, in [[Oklahoma City, Oklahoma]], and was buried at Memorial Park Cemetery there. He was married to Irene Genevieve Davis Key and they had two sons and one daughter. Their older son, Robert Carleton Key (1926–1988), served in the U.S. Army and retired as major.<ref name="Historical"/>


==Decorations==
==Decorations==
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==References==
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://generals.dk/general/Key/William_Shaffer/USA.html Generals of World War II]
*[https://www.unithistories.com/officers/US_Army_officers_K01.html#Key_WS United States Army Officers 1939−1945]

{{s-start}}
{{s-mil}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Charles E. McPherren (United States Army officer)|Charles E. McPherren]]}}
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{{s-aft|after=[[Troy H. Middleton]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Edmund L. Daley]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[V Corps (United States)|Commanding General V Corps]]|years=January−May 1942}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Russell P. Hartle]]}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[[Charles Hartwell Bonesteel Jr.]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Iceland Base Command|Commanding General Iceland Base Command]]|years=1943–1944}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Early Duncan (USAAF)|Early Duncan]]}}
{{s-end}}


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[[Category:1889 births]]
[[Category:1889 births]]
[[Category:1959 deaths]]
[[Category:1959 deaths]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Alabama]]
[[Category:People from Tallapoosa County, Alabama]]
[[Category:People from Tallapoosa County, Alabama]]
[[Category:United States Army generals]]
[[Category:United States Army Provost Marshal Generals]]
[[Category:United States Army Provost Marshal Generals]]
[[Category:United States Army personnel of World War I]]
[[Category:United States Army personnel of World War I]]
[[Category:United States Army personnel of World War II]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit]]
[[Category:Companions of the Order of the Bath]]
[[Category:Companions of the Order of the Bath]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the Falcon]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the Falcon]]
[[Category:United States Army generals of World War II]]
[[Category:United States Army generals]]
[[Category:National Guard (United States) generals]]

Latest revision as of 01:49, 7 May 2024

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
CommandsIceland 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]

Early career

[edit]

William S. Key was born on October 6, 1889, in Dudleyville, Alabama, as the son of Cullen R. and Hadassah Key. Both of his grandfathers had served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. He completed high school in Opelika, Alabama and enlisted the Georgia National Guard as private on April 7, 1907. He was commissioned second lieutenant in summer 1910, but left the National Guard one year later, when his family moved to Oklahoma.[1][7][2]

Key settled in the town of Wewoka and established the Key Hardware Co. and the Wewoka Gas Co. and enlisted the Oklahoma National Guard. He was commissioned again and promoted to first lieutenant on July 12, 1912, and to captain in summer 1916. Key then assumed command of Company G, 1st Oklahoma Infantry Regiment stationed in Wewoka and served on the Mexican Border during the Pancho Villa Expedition, when his unit was called up for federal service in March 1917 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.[1][2]

Following the United States' entry into World War I, Key was promoted to the rank of major and embarked for France. He was attached to the headquarters, 7th Division under Brigadier General Charles H. Barth and served as divisional quartermaster during Champagne Defensive, Château-Thierry, Saint-Mihiel and the Meuse–Argonne offensive. While in France, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel and then to colonel.[1][7][2]

Civil career during interwar period

[edit]

Key returned to the United States in early 1919, re-entering both the hardware business and the Oklahoma National Guard. During the rising racial tensions in Okmulgee and Tulsa counties, Governor Jack C. Walton declared martial law and Key commanded Oklahoma City military district. Key was appointed warden at Oklahoma State Penitentiary in McAlester in early 1924 and held that job until late 1927. He was also president of the Wardens Association of the United States in 1926 and chaired the Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board from 1928 to 1932.[1][3][4]

In 1927, Key moved to Oklahoma City and established the Keyokla Oil Company and a real estate business in the Key Building. He was a director of numerous business in the banking sector including Security National Bank from 1928 to 1929 and First National Bank and Trust Company from 1929 to 1933. Key was promoted to brigadier general in the Oklahoma National Guard in August 1928.[1]

He was also active during the Great Depression, when he served as head of the Executive Relief Committee in Oklahoma City, responsible for the coordination of public and private relief efforts to local citizens. Key was also appointed state administrator of the Oklahoma Works Progress Administration (WPA) in 1935. During his tenure, he directed a progressive program during which 350 schools and 20 libraries were constructed, along with the building of Oklahoma National Guard armories; from a total of 126 armories built in the United States, 53 were built in Oklahoma under the supervision of Key. Also due to his work in the WPA, Oklahoma received forty-three million dollars in WPA funds, employing more than one hundred thousand Oklahomans.[1][3]

In 1936, Key was inducted to the Oklahoma Hall of Fame. Key was also involved in politics as the Democratic candidate for Governor in January 1938. During the campaign, Key was accused by another candidate of irregularity in the building of one of the state armories. Even though Key denied that, he lost to Leon Phillips by the difference of 3,300 votes. He then worked as director of Lincoln Income Life Insurance Company in Louisville, Kentucky until 1941.[1][8]

Military career during the Interwar period

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Key remained active in the Oklahoma National Guard during the 1920s and 1930s. Following his return from France, Key reverted to the rank of lieutenant colonel and served as commanding officer of the 160th Field Artillery Regiment until July 1925. Following his promotion to brigadier general on August 18, 1928, he was appointed commanding general, 70th Field Artillery Brigade. In February 1937, Key was appointed commanding general of the 45th Infantry Division, and was promoted to major general in April of that year.[1][6][2]

World War II

[edit]

Due to worsening situation in Europe, Key was called up into active service in September 1940 and led his command during the Louisiana Maneuvers in the fall of the year. He then received additional duty as commanding general, Fort Sill, Oklahoma and was responsible for the training and preparation of 45th Infantry Division for service overseas.[6][3][2]

Key held another additional duty as acting commanding general, V Corps from January 1942 to May 1942 and embarked for Europe for duty as provost marshal general of the European Theater of Operations with headquarters in London, England. The Provost Marshall function in the ETO was one of 18 Special Staff Sections of Communications Zone, ETO under Lt. Gen. John C. H. Lee. While in this capacity, he established the school for Military Police and during a thirty-day course, students were trained mostly in the map reading; methods of patrolling towns liberated from Germany; guarding of the prisoners of war and other.[6][7][2]

He served in this capacity under a succession of Theater Commanders, including Dwight D. Eisenhower, and then Lieutenant General Frank M. Andrews until the beginning of May 1943, when the plane carrying Andrews crashed on Iceland. Key then served as acting Commanding General, United States Army Europe for five days, before Lieutenant General Jacob L. Devers arrived from the States and relieved him. Key then resumed his duties as provost marshal and was succeeded by Major General Milton Reckord in June that year.[6][9][10]

Key then assumed duty as commanding general, Iceland Base Command and was responsible for the defense of the island and administration of garrison of 40,000 soldiers. He remained in that assignment until December 1944 and received numerous decorations including Army Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal and Army Commendation Medal. The citation for his Army DSM reads:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General William S. Key (ASN: 0-153045), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during the period from June 1943 to December 1944. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Key reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.

Key was also appointed Knight of the Order of the Bath by the United Kingdom and Knight Commander of the Order of the Falcon by the Government of Iceland.[5][1][6][2]

In January 1945, Key was ordered to Hungary and appointed chief of the Military Control Commission. While in this capacity, he was responsible for the directing of the repatriation of displaced persons; supervision of the demobilization of Hungarian armed forces; return of property taken by Germany and regulation and supervision of the execution of the armistice terms. Key was succeeded by Brigadier General George H. Weems in August 1946 and received his second Army Distinguished Service Medal for his service.[5][6][2]

Postwar period

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Key was subsequently ordered back to the United States and retired from active duty. He remained active in Oklahoma National Guard as secretary to adjutant general until October 1949 and received Oklahoma Distinguished Service Medal for his long meritorious service with the guard. He then assumed job as director of Oklahoma Natural Gas Company and simultaneously served as president of the board of directors of Oklahoma Historical Society.[1][8]

In 1948 the University of Oklahoma presented Key with a Distinguished Service Citation, and later the university awarded him an honorary LLB degree. The main entrance at Fort Sill, Oklahoma is named after Key. Key was a Freemason and raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in 1913 at Seminole Lodge No. 147 and was made Sovereign Grand Inspector General of Oklahoma in 1951.[1]

Major General William S. Key died on January 5, 1959, aged 69, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and was buried at Memorial Park Cemetery there. He was married to Irene Genevieve Davis Key and they had two sons and one daughter. Their older son, Robert Carleton Key (1926–1988), served in the U.S. Army and retired as major.[1]

Decorations

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Here is Major General Key's ribbon bar:[5]

Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
1st
Row
Army Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
2nd
Row
Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal Army Commendation Medal
3rd
Row
Mexican Service Medal World War I Victory Medal
with five Battle Clasps
American Defense Service Medal
4th
Row
American Campaign Medal European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal
5th
Row
Knight of the
Order of the Bath
(Great Britain)
Knight Commander of the
Order of the Falcon
(Iceland)
Oklahoma Distinguished Service Medal

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "KEY, WILLIAM SHAFFER (1889–1959) - Oklahoma Historical Society". okhistory.org. Oklahoma Historical Society Websites. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i 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. ^ a b c d "General Key's Career". timesmachine.nytimes.com. New York Times Websites. May 6, 1943. p. 12. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  4. ^ a b "William S. Key Correctional Center". oklahoma.gov. Oklahoma Department of Corrections Websites. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  5. ^ a b c d "Valor awards for William S. Key". valor.militarytimes.com. Militarytimes Websites. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g "Biography of MG William Shaffer Key, USA". generals.dk. generals.dk Websites. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  7. ^ a b c "Gen. W.S. Key Named Chief Of Army Police in Europe". timesmachine.nytimes.com. New York Times Websites. October 27, 1942. p. 4. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  8. ^ a b "Key, William Shaffer, 1936 - Oklahoma Hall of Fame". oklahomahof.com. Militarytimes Websites. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  9. ^ "GEN. KEY ASSUMES LONDON COMMAND". timesmachine.nytimes.com. New York Times Websites. May 6, 1943. p. 12. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
  10. ^ "AMERICAN AIR CHIEF KILLED General Andrews Is Victim of Bomber Crash in Iceland - Madera Tribune, Volume LI, Number 57, 5 May 1943; page 1; California Digital Newspapers Collection". cdnc.ucr.edu. Retrieved 2016-08-27.
[edit]
Military offices
Preceded by Commanding General 45th Infantry Division
1937–1942
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commanding General V Corps
January−May 1942
Succeeded by
Preceded by Commanding General Iceland Base Command
1943–1944
Succeeded by