The South Dakota Wing of the Civil Air Patrol reports that Joe Foss has been honored in Arizona.
Members of CAP’s Yuma Composite Squadron 508 of the Arizona Wing attended a ceremony in which the honor was bestowed.
Foss was honored by having an aircraft hangar named for him at a dedication ceremony at the new Aviation Industrial Center in the Defense Contractor Complex at Yuma International Airport in Yuma, Arizona.
The Aviation Industrial Center is a 24,000-square-foot hangar plus space for offices and engineering shops. The aviation center will fill a vital role in the research and development of advanced technologies for the aerospace industry, according to officials.
Joseph Jacob “Joe” Foss (1915-2003) was the leading fighter ace of the Marine Corps during World War II and a 1943 recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Guadalcanal campaign. In postwar years, he achieved fame as a general in the Air National Guard, was the 20th governor of South Dakota, two time president of the National Rifle Association, the first commissioner of the American Football League, and had a career as a television broadcaster as well.
In later years Foss and his wife lived in Scottsdale, Ariz. Foss died on Jan. 1, 2003 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.