Foss Fast Facts
- During World War II, 1,283 American pilots became aces, with five or more enemy aircraft destroyed. Foss, with 26 kills, is in the top 10 of this distinguished list.
- Foss was one of 82 Marines who earned the Medal of Honor during WW II.
- Foss was President of the National Rifle Association from 1988-1990.
- Foss became South Dakota’s youngest-ever governor at age 39.
- Foss was the host of two popular sportsmen’s shows: "The American Sportsman" and "The Outdoorsman: Joe Foss."
- Foss, who had a daughter with cerebral palsy and son who had polio, helped organize the Crippled Children’s School and Hospital in Sioux Falls (now The Children’s Care Society); was President of the South Dakota Society of Crippled Children and Adults; and President of the National Society of Crippled Children and Adults from 1956 to 1961.
- Foss was the first Commissioner of the American Football League, leading the upstart organization to the respectability that led to the NFL/AFL merger and the creation of the Superbowl.
- Foss is a retired Brigadier General and Chief of Staff for the South Dakota Air National Guard.
- Foss earned a bachelor of science degree from the University of South Dakota in 1940. He has honorary degrees from five South Dakota schools - Augustana College, Black Hills State University, Northern State University, the University of Sioux Falls and Yankton College.