Joe Foss | |
|---|---|
 Captain Joe Foss, U.S. Marine Corps | |
| President of the National Rifle Association | |
| In office 1988–1990 | |
| Preceded by | James E. Reinke |
| Succeeded by | Richard D. Riley |
| 20th Governor of South Dakota | |
| In office January 6, 1955 – January 6, 1959 | |
| Lieutenant | L. Roy Houck |
| Preceded by | Sigurd Anderson |
| Succeeded by | Ralph Herseth |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Joseph Jacob Foss April 17, 1915 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, U.S. |
| Died | January 1, 2003 (aged 87) Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S. |
| Resting place | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouses | June Shakstad
(m. 1942; div. 1967)Donna Wild Hall (m. 1967) |
| Occupation | American Football League Commissioner NRA President Television broadcaster Author Entrepreneur Spokesperson |
| Nickname(s) | "Smokey Joe", "Old Joe", "Old Foos",[1] "Ace of Aces" |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | South Dakota National Guard (1939–1940) United States Marine Corps (1940–1946) South Dakota Air National Guard (1946–1955) |
| Years of service | 1939–1955 |
| Rank | Major (USMC) Brigadier General (ANG) |
| Unit | VMF-121 VMF-115 |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Medal of Honor Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal (3) |
Joseph Jacob Foss (April 17, 1915 – January 1, 2003) was a United States Marine Corps major and a leading Marine fighter ace in World War II. He received the Medal of Honor in recognition of his role in air combat during the Guadalcanal Campaign. In postwar years, he was an Air National Guard brigadier general, served as the 20th Governor of South Dakota (1955–1959), president of the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) and the first commissioner of the American Football League. He also was a television broadcaster.
- ^ Miller 1969, p. 115