Foss, Joseph Jacob (1915-2003), was a leading United States fighter pilot in the South Pacific during World War II (1939-1945). He also served as Republican governor of South Dakota from 1955 to 1959. During the war, Foss led a United States Marine Air Force unit known as Joe’s Flying Circus. The unit shot down 72 Japanese planes. Foss destroyed 26 of them. He received the Medal of Honor, Bronze Star, Silver Star, and the Purple Heart. He was the director of operations for the Central Air Defense Force in the Korean War. Foss was commissioner of the American Football League from 1959 to 1966.
Foss was born on April 17, 1915, near Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He died on Jan. 1, 2003.
See also Ace.
