Industrialist, US Army General. He immigrated to the United States in 1900, and in 1902 began working at a bicycle factory. The company began manufacturing parts for Ford, and when Ford purchased it in 1911, Knudsen took a position with the automaker. In 1914 he began supervising construction of Ford factories throughout the country, becoming a recognized expert on mass production. During World War I, Knudsen directed Ford's construction of patrol boats and other materiel for the Navy. In 1922 he joined General Motors, recently created from the merger of several smaller car makers. In 1924 he became president of GM's Chevrolet division, and in 1937 he was named president of GM. In anticipation of US involvement in World War II, in 1940 he was appointed Director of Industrial Production for the National Defense Research Committee. In 1941 he was named to oversee production of war materiel as head of the Office of Production Management. In 1942 Knudsen was commissioned as a Lieutenant General, the only person to ever enter the US military at such high rank. From the War Department he continued to oversee production of vehicles, weapons and munitions, receiving the Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of his efforts. After World War II he returned to private business, remaining active until his death from a cerebral hemorrhage. Considered a hero in Denmark for his contributions to the defeat of the Nazis, Knudsen was twice awarded that nation's Order of the Dannebrog. In 1968 he was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame.
Industrialist, US Army General. He immigrated to the United States in 1900, and in 1902 began working at a bicycle factory. The company began manufacturing parts for Ford, and when Ford purchased it in 1911, Knudsen took a position with the automaker. In 1914 he began supervising construction of Ford factories throughout the country, becoming a recognized expert on mass production. During World War I, Knudsen directed Ford's construction of patrol boats and other materiel for the Navy. In 1922 he joined General Motors, recently created from the merger of several smaller car makers. In 1924 he became president of GM's Chevrolet division, and in 1937 he was named president of GM. In anticipation of US involvement in World War II, in 1940 he was appointed Director of Industrial Production for the National Defense Research Committee. In 1941 he was named to oversee production of war materiel as head of the Office of Production Management. In 1942 Knudsen was commissioned as a Lieutenant General, the only person to ever enter the US military at such high rank. From the War Department he continued to oversee production of vehicles, weapons and munitions, receiving the Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of his efforts. After World War II he returned to private business, remaining active until his death from a cerebral hemorrhage. Considered a hero in Denmark for his contributions to the defeat of the Nazis, Knudsen was twice awarded that nation's Order of the Dannebrog. In 1968 he was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame.
Bio by: Bill McKern
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