The Dakota Scout

The Dakota Scout

Share this post

The Dakota Scout
The Dakota Scout
SCOUTING YESTERDAY | U.S. Post office gives Joe Foss rare defeat
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
The Lounge

SCOUTING YESTERDAY | U.S. Post office gives Joe Foss rare defeat

This week in South Dakota history: May 2-8

Dan Gehlsen's avatar
Dan Gehlsen
May 06, 2024
∙ Paid
1

Share this post

The Dakota Scout
The Dakota Scout
SCOUTING YESTERDAY | U.S. Post office gives Joe Foss rare defeat
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
Share
Joe Foss. Photo: United States Marine Corps.

World War II pilot, future governor and Sioux Falls airport namesake, Joe Foss wasn’t done flying missions for his brothers-in-arms 75 years ago, according to the Lead Daily Call. In an attempt to be first in line to have their state bonus applications processed, Sioux Falls veterans had their paperwork flown to Pierre — in the overnight hours of May 2, 1949 — by the “Ace of Aces.”

Born on a farm near Sioux Falls, Foss saw his hero, Charles Lindbergh, fly the Spirit of St. Louis at a local airfield when he was 11. Four years later, he and his father would pay $1.50 for their first airplane ride. Attending the University of South Dakota, he earned his business degree and a pilot’s license, according to the South Dakota Hall of Fame.

NEWS: Gov. Kristi Noem defends upcoming book in contentious national interview

Keep reading with a 7-day free trial

Subscribe to The Dakota Scout to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 The Dakota Scout
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More