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JOSEPH JACOB FOSS Born: April 17, 1915, Minnehaha County, S.D. JOE FOSS Died: Jan. 1, 2003, Scottsdale, Ariz. Occupation: US military officer, businessman, Dakota Ace political figure, philanthropist Services: National Guard, US “Sioux Falls Regional Airport” is one of missioned a lieutenant in the newly Marine Corps, the two official names given to the home created Air National Guard and helped Era: World War II base of South Dakota’s Air National Guard. organize South Dakota’s ANG unit. Years of service: 1939-75 (Active, Reserve, and Local Air Guardsmen, however, uniformly Foss was recalled to Active Duty, as an Guard) refer to the site by its second official name: Air Force colonel, during the . Final Grade: Major (USMC) and Brigadier “Joe Foss Field.” Little wonder. Later he became chief of staff of the South General (USAF) Tall, cigar-chomping, curly haired Joseph Dakota ANG and retired as a brigadier Combat: Guadalcanal Jacob Foss was without question one of general in 1975. Military Awards: , Distinguished America’s greatest warriors. Born in 1915 Foss was a restless person who, after Flying Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple on a farm in Minnehaha County, S.D., Foss World War II, posted a nearly unbelievable Heart joined the Marine Corps in 1940, earned record of civilian achievement. First, he Nicknames: Smokey Joe, Old Foos, Ace of Aces pilot’s wings in 1941, became an ace in became a successful businessman. Then College: University of South Dakota 1942, and received the Medal of Honor Foss moved into politics, was elected to Famous Friends: , Lamar Hunt, Tom in 1943. , and served two Brokaw, Marion Carl, , Ted Nu- In the desperate World War II battle for terms—1955-59—as a popular governor. gent, , Gregory Boyington, Oliver Guadalcanal, Foss commanded a small Foss worked with Dallas oil man Lamar North, band of fighter pilots—”Joe’s Flying Cir- Hunt in 1960 to found the upstart American cus”—who defended the island. The circus Football League; he served as commission- JOE FOSS FIELD scored an eye-watering 72 aerial victories er for six years. At the same time, Foss State: South Dakota in mere weeks. served as the National President and Board Nearest City: Sioux Falls Foss himself, flying an F4F Wildcat, shot Chairman of the and Alternate Name: Sioux Falls Regional Airport down five Japanese Zeros in a day, Oct. hosted the ABC TV show, “The American Area: 2.5 sq mi / 1,570 acres 25, 1942, bringing his total to 14. He went Sportsman.” Status: Open, ANG base on to bag another 12 to top out at 26 victo- Later, Foss became president of the Opened: 1937 as civil airport ries—the most of any pilot to that point. On National Rifle Association; president of Leased: (by Army)1942 Nov. 7, 1942, Foss was hit, landed in the National Society of Crippled Children and Original Name: Sioux Falls Army Base Pacific, and spent hours in shark-infested Adults; executive of KLM Royal Dutch Renamed: (1955) Joe Foss Field waters before being rescued. Airlines; and inductee into the National Former Owner: US Army Foss returned home a true national Aviation Hall of Fame. Current Owner: South Dakota ANG hero, the “ace of aces.” His Medal of Hon- In 1955, Sioux Falls gave the local Home Of: 114th Fighter Wing or citation praised his “remarkable flying airport its second title. Today, Joe Foss 1. Foss at Guadalcanal. 2. F-16 of SDANG's 114th skill, inspiring leadership, and indomitable Field is home to the South Dakota Air Fighter Wing—the "Lobos"—stationed at Joe Foss fighting spirit.” National Guard’s 114th Fighter Wing, an Field. 3. Foss (c) with Lamar Hunt (l), owner of the In 1946, Major Foss left USMC, but his F-16 unit. A statue of Foss can be found AFL's Dallas Texans, and Don Rossi, Texans general martial career wasn’t over. He was com- in the main lobby. manager. 4. Joe Foss Field, S. D. 2017 imagery data Map Google 4: Ausland; Nancy SMSgt. by photo ANG 2: Photos:

88 APRIL / MAY 2017 H WWW.AIRFORCEMAG.COM