William S. Key

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.

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.

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.

Early career

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.

Military career during the Interwar period

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.

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:

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.