21 linear ft.

Background:
Joseph J. Foss remains an important figure in South Dakota history. He was born on a farm outside of Sioux Falls, South Dakota on April 17, 1915. He received a degree from the University of South Dakota in 1940. Foss' service as a pilot in the United States Air Force gained him the Congressional Medal of Honor. In addition to his rank as brigadier general in the USAFR, Foss served as a major in the United States Marine Corp from 1940-1945. Foss also served in the South Dakota Air National Guard.

Following his return to South Dakota, Foss served as a member of the South Dakota House of Representatives in 1949 and 1953. He was elected for two terms as governor of South Dakota, from 1955-1959. Additional professional activities include stints as commissioner of the American Football League, as vice-president of Raven Industrites, as president of the National Rifle Association and as president of the National Society for Crippled Children and Adults from 1969-1971. He hosted his own television show entitled "The Outdoorsman: Joe Foss." Foss, along with his wife Donna Wild Foss, published A Proud American: the autobiography of Joe Foss.

Scope and Content:
The collection consists of correspondence, manuscript and print materials relating to Foss' term as South Dakota governor from 1955-1959.

Related Subjects:
American Fighter Pilots--United States
Fighter pilots--United States--Biography
Governors--South Dakota
South Dakota--Politics and government
World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American
World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American