Roger M. Kyes
Encyclopedia
Roger M. Kyes was a General Motors
executive who served as United States Deputy Secretary of Defense
in 1953.
. In 1940, Harry Ferguson
persuaded Kyes to join the Ferguson Company and Kyes relocated from Cleveland to Dearborn, Michigan
. As Ferguson's Executive Vice President, Kyes was responsible for overseeing the firm's day-to-day business operations.
Kyes left the Ferguson Company in the 1940s, joining General Motors
. There, he was responsible for the transit bus
division of General Motors Diesel Division
. Kyes was responsible for GM's bus division in the period in which transit buses overtook streetcars as the primary form of public transport
in most large American cities; as such, Kyes features prominently in the well known conspiracy theory
known as the General Motors streetcar conspiracy
.
In 1953, President of the United States
Dwight D. Eisenhower
named GM president Charles Erwin Wilson
as United States Secretary of Defense
. Wilson asked to be allowed to bring Kyes along, so, at Wilson's request, Eisenhower nominated Kyes as United States Deputy Secretary of Defense
. Kyes was sworn in on February 2, 1953, and served as Deputy Secretary of Defense until May 1, 1954. Upon becoming Deputy Secretary of Defense, Kyes criticized the United States military-defense establishment as dominated by "unrealistic requirements, poor planning and inefficient execution . . . waste of money, poor utilization of manpower, unnecessary drain of materials from the civilian economy, and the inefficient use of tools, equipment and facilities." He slashed the defense budget
in an attempt to improve efficiencies, in the process gaining himself the nickname of "Jolly Roger
" because of his piratical ruthlessness. As Deputy Secretary, Kyes was a member of the Committee on International Information Activities
.
Kyes agreed to come to Washington, D. C. for only a year, although Defense Secretary Wilson convinced Kyes to stay a few months longer to help explain the administration's "New Look" defense concept to the United States Congress
. When some editors speculated that Kyes was leaving because he was afraid of being called before the McCarthy hearings, the tough minded Kyes said he was not afraid of a fight. President Eisenhower awarded Kyes the Medal of Freedom for his service to the country.
Upon leaving government, Kyes returned to General Motors. In the 1960s, he clashed with John DeLorean.
In 1969, Kyes left General Motors to become chief executive officer
of the American Steamship Company
.
Kyes died of a heart attack in 1970 in Columbus, Ohio
.
An American Steamship Company vessel was christened
the Roger M. Kyes in his honor on July 28, 1973 at Toledo, Ohio
. This boat was renamed the Adam E. Cornelius
in 1989.
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
executive who served as United States Deputy Secretary of Defense
United States Deputy Secretary of Defense
The Deputy Secretary of Defense is the second-highest ranking official in the Department of Defense of the United States of America. The Deputy Secretary of Defense is appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate...
in 1953.
Biography
Roger M. Kyes was a native of Cleveland. Kyes got his start in farm implements, running a Cleveland firm that supplied implements to the Ferguson CompanyFerguson Company
In about 1934, in company with David Brown, Harry Ferguson formed the Ferguson-Brown Company and the two men produced the Model A Ferguson-Brown tractor with a Ferguson-designed hydraulic hitch...
. In 1940, Harry Ferguson
Harry Ferguson
Henry George "Harry" Ferguson was an Irish engineer and inventor who is noted for his role in the development of the modern agricultural tractor, for becoming the first Irishman to build and fly his own aeroplane, and for developing the first four-wheel drive Formula One car, the Ferguson P99...
persuaded Kyes to join the Ferguson Company and Kyes relocated from Cleveland to Dearborn, Michigan
Dearborn, Michigan
-Economy:Ford Motor Company has its world headquarters in Dearborn. In addition its Dearborn campus contains many research, testing, finance and some production facilities. Ford Land controls the numerous properties owned by Ford including sales and leasing to unrelated businesses such as the...
. As Ferguson's Executive Vice President, Kyes was responsible for overseeing the firm's day-to-day business operations.
Kyes left the Ferguson Company in the 1940s, joining General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
. There, he was responsible for the transit bus
Transit bus
A transit bus , also known as a commuter bus, city bus, or public bus, is a bus used for short-distance public transport purposes...
division of General Motors Diesel Division
General Motors Diesel Division
General Motors Diesel Division was a unit of General Motors and was a manufacturer of locomotives, transit buses and military products.The locomotive unit was acquired by private investors, the transit bus divisions were purchased by TMC in the U.S. and MCI in Canada, and the GM Defense unit was...
. Kyes was responsible for GM's bus division in the period in which transit buses overtook streetcars as the primary form of public transport
Public transport
Public transport is a shared passenger transportation service which is available for use by the general public, as distinct from modes such as taxicab, car pooling or hired buses which are not shared by strangers without private arrangement.Public transport modes include buses, trolleybuses, trams...
in most large American cities; as such, Kyes features prominently in the well known conspiracy theory
Conspiracy theory
A conspiracy theory explains an event as being the result of an alleged plot by a covert group or organization or, more broadly, the idea that important political, social or economic events are the products of secret plots that are largely unknown to the general public.-Usage:The term "conspiracy...
known as the General Motors streetcar conspiracy
General Motors streetcar conspiracy
The General Motors streetcar conspiracy refers to allegations and convictions in relation to a program by General Motors and a number of other companies to purchase and dismantle streetcars and electric trains in many cities across the United States and replace them with bus services; a program...
.
In 1953, President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Dwight David "Ike" Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States, from 1953 until 1961. He was a five-star general in the United States Army...
named GM president Charles Erwin Wilson
Charles Erwin Wilson
Charles Erwin Wilson , American businessman and politician, was United States Secretary of Defense from 1953 to 1957 under President Eisenhower. Known as "Engine Charlie", he previously worked as CEO for General Motors. In the wake of the Korean War, he cut the defense budget significantly.-Early...
as United States Secretary of Defense
United States Secretary of Defense
The Secretary of Defense is the head and chief executive officer of the Department of Defense of the United States of America. This position corresponds to what is generally known as a Defense Minister in other countries...
. Wilson asked to be allowed to bring Kyes along, so, at Wilson's request, Eisenhower nominated Kyes as United States Deputy Secretary of Defense
United States Deputy Secretary of Defense
The Deputy Secretary of Defense is the second-highest ranking official in the Department of Defense of the United States of America. The Deputy Secretary of Defense is appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate...
. Kyes was sworn in on February 2, 1953, and served as Deputy Secretary of Defense until May 1, 1954. Upon becoming Deputy Secretary of Defense, Kyes criticized the United States military-defense establishment as dominated by "unrealistic requirements, poor planning and inefficient execution . . . waste of money, poor utilization of manpower, unnecessary drain of materials from the civilian economy, and the inefficient use of tools, equipment and facilities." He slashed the defense budget
Military budget of the United States
The military budget is that portion of the United States discretionary federal budget that is allocated to the Department of Defense, or more broadly, the portion of the budget that goes to any defense-related expenditures...
in an attempt to improve efficiencies, in the process gaining himself the nickname of "Jolly Roger
Jolly Roger
The Jolly Roger is any of various flags flown to identify a ship's crew as pirates. The flag most commonly identified as the Jolly Roger today is the skull and crossbones, a flag consisting of a human skull above two long bones set in an x-mark arrangement on a black field. This design was used by...
" because of his piratical ruthlessness. As Deputy Secretary, Kyes was a member of the Committee on International Information Activities
Committee on International Information Activities
The U.S. President's Committee on International Information Activities was appointed on January 24, 1953 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in order to survey and evaluate the government’s information and related policies and activities with particular reference to international relations and the...
.
Kyes agreed to come to Washington, D. C. for only a year, although Defense Secretary Wilson convinced Kyes to stay a few months longer to help explain the administration's "New Look" defense concept to the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
. When some editors speculated that Kyes was leaving because he was afraid of being called before the McCarthy hearings, the tough minded Kyes said he was not afraid of a fight. President Eisenhower awarded Kyes the Medal of Freedom for his service to the country.
Upon leaving government, Kyes returned to General Motors. In the 1960s, he clashed with John DeLorean.
In 1969, Kyes left General Motors to become chief executive officer
Chief executive officer
A chief executive officer , managing director , Executive Director for non-profit organizations, or chief executive is the highest-ranking corporate officer or administrator in charge of total management of an organization...
of the American Steamship Company
American Steamship Company
The American Steamship Company is an American transportation company that operates a fleet of in the Great Lakes. The company is owned by the General American Transportation Corporation .-History:...
.
Kyes died of a heart attack in 1970 in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
.
An American Steamship Company vessel was christened
Ship naming and launching
The ceremonies involved in naming and launching naval ships are based in traditions thousands of years old.-Methods of launch:There are three principal methods of conveying a new ship from building site to water, only two of which are called "launching." The oldest, most familiar, and most widely...
the Roger M. Kyes in his honor on July 28, 1973 at Toledo, Ohio
Toledo, Ohio
Toledo is the fourth most populous city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Lucas County. Toledo is in northwest Ohio, on the western end of Lake Erie, and borders the State of Michigan...
. This boat was renamed the Adam E. Cornelius
Adam E. Cornelius
Adam E. Cornelius was one of the co-founders of the American Steamship Company.-Biography:At age 20, Cornelius went to work for a small shipbroking and shipping chartering business owned by John J. Boland in Buffalo, New York. Initially, Cornelius did clerical work and earned six dollars a week. ...
in 1989.