WHEN YOU SEE ZEROS FIGHT EM

In the fall of 1942, Marine Corps Captain Joseph J. Foss had the intimidating task of defending the base at Guadalcanal with only 24 Grumman F4F Wildcats. On October 23, when 28 Japanese Zeros and 16 Betty bombers swooped upon the island, Foss and his men counterattacked. At one point, a Wildcat in pursuit of a Zero became potential prey himself, pursued by another Zero. Seeing this, Foss brought his plane in behind to within feet of the Zero and opened fire. The Zero burst into flames and the pilot bailed out, clearing Foss' plane by inches. At the end of World War II, President Roosevelt awarded Foss the Congressional Medal of Honor for his "indomitable fighting spirit." Joseph J. Foss' back on remarkable military and civilian career included his appointment to the rank of brigadier general and election to the office of Governor of South Dakota. Countersigner: Brigadier General Joseph J. Foss.