This week in 1943, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve captain Joe Foss shoots down three more enemy planes, bringing his total to twenty-six Japanese planes since late November. Foss was a World War II “Ace” and eventually earned the Congressional Medal of Honor for his service during the war.
The life of Joe Foss was documented in the SDPB Television production: “AMERICAN ACE: THE JOE FOSS STORY”.
Foss interest in aviation was sparked shortly after WWI, but with the passing of his father, he helped keep the family farm running. When his younger brother took over the farm, Joe Foss went to College, learned to fly, and joined the Marines in 1941 at the age of 26. He was initially told he was too old to be a fighter pilot, but persisted and eventually proved himself over Guadalcanal. In just six weeks, he shot down 23 Japanese planes. We he added three more on this day in 1943, he earned international fame and the Medal of Honor.
Post WWII, Joe Foss helped develop the South Dakota Air National Guard and served two separate terms in the South Dakota House of Representatives. He was elected to the first of two terms as Governor in 1955, during which time his administration created a state agency to promote business growth and economic development.
Later, Foss became the first Commissioner of the American Football League, leaving that post in 1966, just before the agreement that led to the merger of AFL and NFL and the creation of the Super Bowl.
He was a host for the network television program "The American Sportsman," and later, he started his own weekly syndicated series: "The Outdoorsman: Joe Foss."
His picture was on the cover of Life Magazine and he served as president of the National Rifle Association. Joe Foss died on New Year's Day 2003 in Scottsdale Arizona at the age of 87.
Production help is provided by Doctor Brad Tennant, Professor of History at Dakota Wesleyan University.