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442:(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.
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619:. 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
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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
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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
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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.
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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
343:. 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
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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.
677:, 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.
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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
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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
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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
1321:"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"
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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arrived from the States and relieved him. Key then resumed his duties as provost marshal and was succeeded by Major General
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and during a thirty-day course, students were trained mostly in the map reading; methods of patrolling towns liberated from
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Following the war, Key returned to the National Guard, also holding several civil assignments including warden of the
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Key was subsequently ordered back to the United States and retired from active duty. He remained active in
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presented Key with a Distinguished Service Citation, and later the university awarded him an honorary
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and was responsible for the training and preparation of 45th Infantry Division for service overseas.
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390:. While in France, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel and then to colonel.
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525:. The Provost Marshall function in the ETO was one of 18 Special Staff Sections of
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in the fall of the year. He then received additional duty as commanding general,
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was promoted to brigadier general in the Oklahoma National Guard in August 1928.
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He served in this capacity under a succession of Theater Commanders, including
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Key returned to active service in September 1940 as commanding general of the
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and established the Key Hardware Co. and the Wewoka Gas Co. and enlisted the
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until the beginning of May 1943, when the plane carrying Andrews crashed on
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and simultaneously served as president of the board of directors of
347:, when his unit was called up for federal service in March 1917 at
234:(October 6, 1889 – January 5, 1959) was a decorated officer of the
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Major General William S. Key died on January 5, 1959, aged 69, in
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1007:"KEY, WILLIAM SHAFFER (1889–1959) - Oklahoma Historical Society"
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by the difference of 3,300 votes. He then worked as director of
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Key held another additional duty as acting commanding general,
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Masonic Generals of the Oklahoma National Guard: 1894-1965
362:, Key was promoted to the rank of major and embarked for
533:. While in this capacity, he established the school for
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Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army)
1246:. New York Times Websites. October 27, 1942. p. 4
1269:"Key, William Shaffer, 1936 - Oklahoma Hall of Fame"
1240:"Gen. W.S. Key Named Chief Of Army Police in Europe"
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1301:. New York Times Websites. May 6, 1943. p. 12
1114:. New York Times Websites. May 6, 1943. p. 12
604:by the United Kingdom and Knight Commander of the
16:United States Army Major general and businessman
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505:from January 1942 to May 1942 and embarked for
418:military district. Key was appointed warden at
308:William S. Key was born on October 6, 1889, in
919:European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
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374:and served as divisional quartermaster during
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1143:. Oklahoma Department of Corrections Websites
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571:Key then assumed duty as commanding general,
558:Commanding General, United States Army Europe
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1475:United States Army Provost Marshal Generals
1055:. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. pp. 69–76.
449:. Key was also involved in politics as the
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1209:"Biography of MG William Shaffer Key, USA"
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1085:: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (
469:Military career during the Interwar period
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1373:Commanding General 45th Infantry Division
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560:for five days, before Lieutenant General
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685:Here is Major General Key's ribbon bar:
288:. He then served as commanding general,
1515:National Guard (United States) generals
1427:Commanding General Iceland Base Command
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623:in August 1946 and received his second
591:. The citation for his Army DSM reads:
366:. He was attached to the headquarters,
280:, later embarking overseas for duty as
1470:People from Tallapoosa County, Alabama
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1013:. Oklahoma Historical Society Websites
1500:Recipients of the Order of the Falcon
1350:United States Army Officers 1939−1945
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959:Oklahoma Distinguished Service Medal
600:Key was also appointed Knight of the
459:Lincoln Income Life Insurance Company
360:United States' entry into World War I
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1137:"William S. Key Correctional Center"
611:In January 1945, Key was ordered to
1495:Companions of the Order of the Bath
394:Civil career during interwar period
242:, and businessman. A member of the
14:
1490:Recipients of the Legion of Merit
1295:"GEN. KEY ASSUMES LONDON COMMAND"
1170:"Valor awards for William S. Key"
451:Democratic candidate for Governor
445:In 1936, Key was inducted to the
254:as the division quartermaster of
1049:Solesmont Akers, Trasen (2014).
852:Army Distinguished Service Medal
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625:Army Distinguished Service Medal
577:Army Distinguished Service Medal
428:Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board
267:Oklahoma Pardon and Parole Board
1465:Military personnel from Alabama
1420:Charles Hartwell Bonesteel Jr.
902:American Defense Service Medal
666:is named after Key. Key was a
608:by the Government of Iceland.
548:, and then Lieutenant General
515:European Theater of Operations
475:160th Field Artillery Regiment
286:European Theater of Operations
142:160th Field Artillery Regiment
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440:Works Progress Administration
271:Works Progress Administration
641:Oklahoma Natural Gas Company
556:. Key then served as acting
1510:United States Army generals
645:Oklahoma Historical Society
617:Military Control Commission
615:and appointed chief of the
420:Oklahoma State Penitentiary
335:Key settled in the town of
294:Military Control Commission
263:Oklahoma State Penitentiary
224:Oklahoma State Penitentiary
200:Distinguished Service Medal
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1400:Commanding General V Corps
924:World War II Victory Medal
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166:Battle of Château-Thierry
134:United States Army Europe
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1345:Generals of World War II
1299:timesmachine.nytimes.com
1275:. Militarytimes Websites
1244:timesmachine.nytimes.com
1176:. Militarytimes Websites
1112:timesmachine.nytimes.com
898:with five Battle Clasps
370:under Brigadier General
1174:valor.militarytimes.com
948:Knight Commander of the
914:American Campaign Medal
878:Army Commendation Medal
675:Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
658:. The main entrance at
637:Oklahoma National Guard
589:Army Commendation Medal
511:provost marshal general
388:Meuse–Argonne offensive
345:Pancho Villa Expedition
341:Oklahoma National Guard
282:Provost Marshal General
244:Oklahoma National Guard
213:Army Commendation Medal
176:Meuse–Argonne offensive
152:Pancho Villa Expedition
71:Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
1215:. generals.dk Websites
1108:"General Key's Career"
652:University of Oklahoma
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330:Georgia National Guard
278:45th Infantry Division
171:Battle of Saint-Mihiel
138:45th Infantry Division
35:MG William S. Key, USA
890:Mexican Service Medal
529:, ETO under Lt. Gen.
517:with headquarters in
447:Oklahoma Hall of Fame
188:Occupation of Iceland
98:Years of service
1366:Charles E. McPherren
573:Iceland Base Command
546:Dwight D. Eisenhower
463:Louisville, Kentucky
310:Dudleyville, Alabama
290:Iceland Base Command
130:Iceland Base Command
54:Dudleyville, Alabama
950:Order of the Falcon
606:Order of the Falcon
568:in June that year.
527:Communications Zone
488:Louisiana Maneuvers
430:from 1928 to 1932.
406:counties, Governor
376:Champagne Defensive
232:William Shaffer Key
161:Champagne Defensive
23:William Shaffer Key
414:and Key commanded
265:, chairman of the
236:United States Army
92:United States Army
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1434:Succeeded by
1410:Russell P. Hartle
1407:Succeeded by
1404:January−May 1942
1383:Troy H. Middleton
1380:Succeeded by
1358:Military offices
1062:978-1-312-34614-7
963:
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938:Order of the Bath
873:Bronze Star Medal
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627:for his service.
602:Order of the Bath
585:Bronze Star Medal
328:and enlisted the
238:with the rank of
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209:Bronze Star Medal
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320:. He completed
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1213:generals.dk
1068:December 8,
681:Decorations
412:martial law
322:high school
316:during the
252:World War I
156:World War I
1449:Categories
1431:1943–1944
1377:1937–1942
1327:2016-08-27
966:References
656:LLB degree
78:Allegiance
47:1889-10-06
1081:cite book
668:Freemason
660:Fort Sill
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424:McAlester
410:declared
349:Fort Sill
318:Civil War
300:in 1946.
101:1907–1949
1305:June 19,
1279:12 April
1250:June 19,
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1180:12 April
1147:12 April
1118:June 19,
1017:12 April
664:Oklahoma
496:Oklahoma
400:Okmulgee
386:and the
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126:Commands
121:0-153045
86:Service/
1074:apples.
954:Iceland
613:Hungary
554:Iceland
539:Germany
523:England
513:of the
503:V Corps
298:Hungary
284:of the
250:during
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519:London
507:Europe
364:France
337:Wewoka
196:Awards
88:branch
854:with
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1307:2018
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