Joe Foss

Joe Foss
Captain Joe Foss, U.S. Marine Corps
President of the National Rifle Association
In office
1988–1990
Preceded byJames E. Reinke
Succeeded byRichard D. Riley
20th Governor of South Dakota
In office
January 6, 1955 – January 6, 1959
LieutenantL. Roy Houck
Preceded bySigurd Anderson
Succeeded byRalph Herseth
Personal details
Born
Joseph Jacob Foss

(1915-04-17)April 17, 1915
Sioux Falls, South Dakota, U.S.
DiedJanuary 1, 2003(2003-01-01) (aged 87)
Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.
Resting placeArlington National Cemetery
Political partyRepublican
Spouses
June Shakstad
(m. 1942; div. 1967)
Donna Wild Hall
(m. 1967)
OccupationAmerican Football League Commissioner
NRA President
Television broadcaster
Author
Entrepreneur
Spokesperson
Nickname(s)"Smokey Joe", "Old Joe", "Old Foos",[1] "Ace of Aces"
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceSouth Dakota National Guard (1939–1940)
United States Marine Corps (1940–1946)
South Dakota Air National Guard (1946–1955)
Years of service1939–1955
RankMajor (USMC)
Brigadier General (ANG)
UnitVMF-121
VMF-115
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsMedal 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.

  1. ^ Miller 1969, p. 115