Joe Foss

Joe Foss
Captain Joe Foss, U.S. Marine Corps
President of the National Rifle Association
In office 1988–1990
Preceded by	James E. Reinke
Succeeded by	Richard D. Riley
20th Governor of South Dakota
In office January 6, 1955 – January 6, 1959
Lieutenant	L. Roy Houck
Preceded by	Sigurd Anderson
Succeeded by	Ralph Herseth
Personal details
Born	Joseph Jacob Foss (1915-04-17)April 17, 1915 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, U.S.
Died	January 1, 2003(2003-01-01) (aged 87) Scottsdale, Arizona, U.S.
Resting place	Arlington National Cemetery
Political party	Republican
Spouses	June Shakstad ​ ​ (m. 1942; div. 1967)​ Donna Wild Hall ​ (m. 1967)​
Occupation	American Football League Commissioner NRA President Television broadcaster Author Entrepreneur Spokesperson
Nickname(s)	"Smokey Joe", "Old Joe", "Old Foos",[1] "Ace of Aces"
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	South Dakota National Guard (1939–1940)  United States Marine Corps (1940–1946) South Dakota Air National Guard (1946–1955)
Years of service	1939–1955
Rank	Major (USMC) Brigadier General (ANG)
Unit	VMF-121 VMF-115
Battles/wars	World War II Battle of Guadalcanal
Awards	Medal of Honor Distinguished Flying Cross Air Medal (3)

Joseph Jacob Foss (April 17, 1915 – January 1, 2003) was a United States Marine Corps major and a leading Marine fighter ace in World War II. He received the Medal of Honor in recognition of his role in air combat during the Guadalcanal Campaign. In postwar years, he was an Air National Guard brigadier general, served as the 20th Governor of South Dakota (1955–1959), president of the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) and the first commissioner of the American Football League. He also was a television broadcaster.