William S. Knudsen

William S. Knudsen was born in Copenhagen, Denmark, but went to the United States where he arrived in the year 1900. I have heard a few radio clips of him talking in the 1930's, and he was a true American at that time. 

Knudsen wasn't highly educated but he had a mind for production on an industrious scale, and could spot those small issues needing adjustments leading to a big impact on productivity. When the company he was employed at was bought by Henry Ford in 1911, his talents for mass production was quickly spotted and he climbed the ranks in the Ford company. It was the right place for William, who was a believer that the automotive industry was the best in the world.

In the 1930's William S. Knudsen ended up as General Manager at General Motors, a top 3 company in the United States. Then WW2 happened..

USA was not involved in the WW2 in 1940 when Roosevelt asked Knudsen to head the United States' war production to help the Allied (and perhaps prepare to get involved, I don't know..) Roosevelt had asked his best advisors about who he should appoint the job, and they all answerd  Knudsen. When you get a recommendation from people like Baruch it's worth listening.

Knudsen hated politics and impediments. As a civilian he was appointed Lieutenant General in the Army to allow him to trumph pretty much anyone. Even the generals didn't know what they needed, so he figured out what and how much to produce by himself. There was only one chair in his office - his chair. Other chairs would just allow people to settle in and enjoy themselves which was unproductive. Say your piece and move on. I think it says a lot about the resposibility he felt as the man in charge. The guy worked 16 hours a day for 7 days a week for his country. 

Knudsen turned the industrial USA into a war production machine which enabled the Allies to win the war. First by suppliying the Allies, and later as a part in the war.

It is so inspiring to see a man from my own country pursue happiness in USA and achieve it. Not only that, but also a feeling of belonging to a country. As a dollar-a-year-man he wanted to serve his country - the country that allowed him to improve his life. I do not feel that same way about my country, but maybe I would if I was an American.