World War II Honoree

Joseph J. Foss

Branch of Service

U.S. Marine Corps

Hometown

Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Honored By

Friends of American Heroes

JOINED THE MARINE CORP RESERVE IN 1940, TO BECOME A PILOT. EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF MARINE CORPS FIGHTER SQUADRON 121 (VMF-121) FLYING F4F WILDCAT AND F4U CORSAIR FIGHTERS FROM HENDERSON FIELD ON GUADALCANAL DURING THE DARK DAYS OF 1942. IN HIS FIRST 6 WEEKS OF COMBAT, HE SHOT DOWN 23 JAPANESE AIRCRAFT, INCLUDING 5 IN A SINGLE DAY. IN TOTAL, HE SHOT DOWN 26 JAPANESE PLANES, A FEAT THAT EARNED HIM THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, PRESENTED BY ADMIRAL WILLIAM F. HALSEY. HIS SQUADRON ACCOUNTED FOR 60 DOWNED ENEMY PLANES IN 1942. A YEAR LATER, HE RECEIVED THE MEDAL OF HONOR FROM PRESIDENT FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT.