“Joe Foss: American Hero and Governor of South Dakota”

Joe Foss was born in Sioux Falls on April 17, 1915. He discovered a love of flying after he saw Charles Lindbergh and his Spirit of St. Louis visit Sioux Falls in 1927. After graduating from the University of South Dakota, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and became a naval aviator. While serving at Guadalcanal in 1943, Foss downed 26 Japanese planes in 63 days, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Congressional Medal of Honor. Fifty thousand people greeted Foss when he returned to Sioux Falls in 1943. In 1946, Foss organized the South Dakota Air National Guard, and during the Korean War, he returned to active duty. In 1954, Foss was elected Governor of South Dakota.In two terms as Governor, he traveled widely to promote the state’s economic development efforts. He also signed legislation to repeal all state laws that discriminated against Native Americans. In 1959-1966, Foss served as the first Commissioner of the American Football League and, in 1988-90, was President of the National Rifle Association. Foss died in 2003 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Joe Foss was an American Hero who loved God and Country above all else.

Minnehaha County, inside the airport