William S. Knudsen

William Signius Knudsen (March 25, 1879 – April 27, 1948) was a leading automotive industry executive. His experience and success as a key senior manager in the operations sides of Ford Motor Company and later General Motors led the Franklin Roosevelt Administration to commission him as a Lieutenant General in the United States Army to help lead the United States' war materiel production efforts for World War II.

Background
Knudsen was born in Copenhagen, Denmark. His name was originally Signius Wilhelm Poul Knudsen. He immigrated to the United States arriving in New York in February 1900.

Career
Knudsen was working for the John R. Keim Company of Buffalo, New York when the Ford Motor Company bought it in 1911 for its steel-stamping experience and tooling. Knudsen worked for Ford from 1911 to 1921, a decade that saw the formative development of the modern assembly line and true mass production. Working first for the Ford Motor Company and later for General Motors, Knudsen became an expert on mass production and a skilled manager. Knudsen was president of the Chevrolet Division of General Motors from 1924 to 1937, and was president of General Motors from 1937 to 1940.

In 1940, President Roosevelt asked Knudsen to come to Washington to help with war production. Knudsen was appointed as Chairman of the Office of Production Management and member of the National Defense Advisory Commission.

In January 1942, Knudsen was commissioned a Lieutenant General in the U.S. Army, the only civilian ever to join the Army at such a high initial rank. and appointed as Director of Production, Office of the Under Secretary of War. In this capacity, he worked as a consultant and a troubleshooter for the War Department.

He was appointed Director of the Air Technical Service Command when it was founded in July 1944 at Patterson Field, Ohio. He served in the Army until his resignation on June 1, 1945.

Personal life
Knudsen was the father of Semon "Bunkie" Knudsen who also became a prominent automobile industry executive.

Honors and Awards
Knudsen was awarded the Vermilye Medal by the Franklin Institute in 1941.

Knudsen was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal in 1944 and again in 1945. He also received the American Campaign Medal, and World War Two Victory Medal for his wartime service.

He was also appointed a Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog by the nation of Denmark in 1930 and was promoted Grand Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog in 1946.

Knudsen was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1968.

Other sources

 * Beasley, Norman. Knudsen: a Biography (New York: Whittlesey House, 1947)
 * Knudsen, William S. (Current Biography'', 1940:464-466)
 * Knudsen, William Signius (American National Biographny'', 12:843-844)
 * William Signius Knudsen (Encyclopedia of American Business History and Biography: The Automobile Industry, 1920-1980. Pages 265-283)
 * William Signius Knudsen (Encyclopedia of American Business History and Biography: The Automobile Industry, 1920-1980. Pages 265-283)