- Joseph Jacob "Joe" Foss was the leading fighter ace of the United States Marine Corps during World War II and a 1943 recipient of the Medal of Honor, recognizing his role in the air combat during the Guadalcanal Campaign, shooting down 26 enemy planes.

- Foss gained a reputation for aggressive close-in fighter tactics and gunnery skills. He shot down a Japanese fighter plane on his first combat mission. His own F4F Wildcat was shot up in the battle, and with a dead engine and three more fighters on his tail, he landed at full speed with no flaps and minimal control on the American-held runway at Guadalcanal, barely missing a grove of palm trees.

Worked his way up the chain of command (Private- Brigadier General)

- On May 18, 1943 he received the Medal of Honor from President Roosavelt. The ceremony was featured in Life magazine, with Foss appearing on the cover.

- In 1955 at age 39, the state's youngest govener, Foss served two elected terms as a Republican representative in the South Dakota legislature.

In 1959, after serving as governor, Foss spent seven years working as the first Comissioner of the new American Football league.
1964-1967, Foss hosted The American Sportsman on ABC Television.
1988-1989, Foss served as President of the National Rifle Association

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Joseph Jacob Foss