[October 8, 2016] We need heroes … we need them because of a deep need to realize personal excellence; our heroes are symbols for those qualities we would like to possess and the ambitions we would like to gratify. Looking to what Tom Brokaw called, “the Greatest Generation,” there can be found Joe Foss, one of the leading fighter aces of the U.S. Marines Corps during World War II. But he was more and that is the real story.
Joe Foss was born in a farmhouse without electricity in 1915. Growing up “dirt poor” he happened upon an airfield near his house and saw Charles Lindbergh on tour with the aircraft, the Spirit of St. Louis. At age 12 this made an impression upon him that would never wane. He worked extra jobs to earn enough money to get flight lessons and eventually was commissioned a Second Lieutenant as a Naval Aviator in 1941 just prior to the war.
In October of 1942, Foss and his squadron were sent to Guadalcanal where he gained a reputation for aggressive close-in fighter tactics and uncanny gunnery skills. As lead pilot in his flight of eight Wildcat fighters, the group became known as Foss’s Flying Circus. In three months of sustained comb at, Foss’s Flying Circus had shot down 72 Japanese aircraft, including 26 credited to Foss. He was accorded the honor of becoming America’s first “ace-of-aces” in WWII. Later he would receive the Medal of Honor for his exploits.
After his military discharge at the end of WWII, Foss opened a charter fling service and instructor school. Later he owned a Packard car dealership. He was called to active duty during the Korean War and eventually promoted to the rank of Brigadier General. After the Korean War, Foss was elected to the South Dakota legislature and at age 39 became the state’s youngest governor.
His leadership roles didn’t stop there. After serving as governor, Foss became the first Commissioner of the newly created American Football League in 1959. He oversaw the genesis of modern professional football, lucrative television deals, and expansion of football franchises. He also had a successful career in television in several roles earning several million dollars. In 1988, Foss was elected to be the president of the National Rifle Association.
Joe Foss earned many awards and accolades that can only be covered superficially here. For example, he became the president and board chairman of the Air Force Association and Director of the United States Air Force Academy.
Joe Foss is a true American hero who helps us define excellence. He deserves the respect that we have for Joe and for those like him.
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