Guadalcanal Flying Ace Joe Foss

foss stands cactus air force commander majgen roy geiger.

as lead pilot in flight of 8 wildcats, group became known foss s flying circus, 2 sections foss nicknamed farm boys , city slickers. in december 1942, foss contracted malaria. sent sydney, australia rehabilitation, met australian ace clive killer caldwell , delivered lectures on operational flying raf pilots, newly assigned theater. on january 1, 1943, foss returned guadalcanal, continue combat operations lasted until february 9, 1943, although japanese attacks had waned height of november 1942 crisis. in 3 months of sustained combat, foss s flying circus had shot down 72 japanese aircraft, including 26 credited him. upon matching record of 26 kills held america s top world war ace, eddie rickenbacker, foss accorded honor of becoming america s first ace-of-aces in world war ii.

foss returned united states in march 1943. on may 18, 1943, foss received medal of honor president franklin delano roosevelt. white house ceremony featured in life magazine, reluctant captain foss appearing on magazine s cover. asked participate in war bond tour stretched 1944.

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