The Second World War (WWII) - Identities Honored :: World War 2 II Two

JOE FOSS PAGE Joe Foss was born in 1915 to a Norwegian-Scots family in South Dakota. He learned hunting and marksmanship at a young age. Joe Foss was inspired by Charles Lindbergh, especially after he saw Lindy at an airport near Sioux Falls. Five years later he watched a Marine squadron put on a dazzling exhibition, led by Capt. Clayton Jerome, future wartime Director of Marine Corps Aviation. In 1934, Joe began his college education in Sioux Falls, but he had to drop out to help his mother run the family farm. However he scraped up $65 for private flying lessons. Five years later he entered the University of South Dakota again and supported himself by waiting on tables. In his senior year he also completed a civilian pilot training program before he graduated with a Business degree in 1940. When he graduated he enlisted in the Marine Corps reserves as an aviation cadet. Seven months later, he earned his Marine wings at Pensacola and was commissioned a second lieutenant. For the next nine months he was a "plowback" flight instructor. He was at Pensacola when he was notified about Pearl Harbor, and since he was Officer of the Day, he was placed in charge of base security. Thus he prepared to defend Pensacola from Jap invaders, riding around the perimeter on a bicycle. He was then ordered to the aerial photographers school and assigned to a VMO-1, a photo reconnaissance squadron. But he insisted he wanted fighter pilot duty, even after being told he was to old at the age of 27. After lengthy lobbying with Aircraft Carrier Training Group, he learned all about the new F4F Wildcat, logging over 150 flight hours in June and July. When he finished training, he became executive officer of VMF-121. Three weeks later, he was on his way to the South Pacific, where Americans were fighting t change the momentum of the war. Arriving in the South Pacific, VMF-121 was loaded aboard the escort carrier Copahee. Joe Foss fits well into this book because he is an example of an ambiti ous leader and at this time of need thats what was very important. Joe Foss was one of the success stories of his age. He represented his generation well and is commended with a story in this book. GEORGE SHULTZ George Shultz was a man who accomplished many things in his life. He graduated from Princeton University in 1942 and recieved a B.