In the fall of 1942, Marine Corps Captain Joseph J. Foss had the intimidating task of defending the base at Guadalcanal with only 24 Graumman 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. I made this unforgettable battle the subject of “When You See Zeros, Fight ‘em!”

At the end of WW II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt awarded Foss the Congressional Medal of Honor for his “indomitable fighting spirit.” Foss’s remarkable military and civilian career highlights include his appointment to the rank of brigadier general and election to the office of Governor of South Dakota. - WP