- Elected as the youngest governor in the history of South Dakota at age 39. (1954)
- Medal of Honor winner as a Marine fighter pilot in World War II. He shot down 26 Japanese fighters and bombers in the battle for Guadalcanal from October 1942 to January 1943. With his 26th "kill," he became the first American pilot of World War II to equal Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker's record in World War I. He also received the Silver Star, Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.
- Survived by his second wife, two children, and two stepchildren.
- Inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame. (1984)
- (1988-1990) President of the National Rifle Association.
- (1/4/55-1/6/59) Governor of South Dakota. At age 39, he was the youngest governor in that state's history.
- (1959-1966) First commissioner of the American Football League.
- (10/42-1/43) Shot down 26 enemy planes, becoming the first pilot to match the record of World War I ace Eddie Rickenbacker.
- Received the Medal of Honor "for aerial combat achievement unsurpassed in this war". (1943)
- The regional airport in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, is Joe Foss Field. The terminal also features a statue of him.
- Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume 7, 2003-2005, pages 192-194. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2007.
- Was at one time a musician with Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra,.
- Inducted into the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame in 2001 (inaugural class).
- Inducted into the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame in 2002.
- Inducted into the South Dakota Aviation Hall of Fame in 1991 (inaugural class).
- Inducted into the American Combat Airman Hall of Fame in 1997 (inaugural class).
- Inducted into the University of South Dakota Henry Heider Coyote Sports Hall of Fame in 1988.
- Inducted into the Fresh Water Fishing Hall of Fame in 1996.
- Inducted into the Scandinavian-American Hall of Fame in 1992.
- Inducted into the South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame.
- Inducted into the South Dakota Hall of Fame in 1978.
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