INSCRIBED BY ACE JOE FOSS—THE HIGHEST-RANKING MARINE CORPS ACE OF WORLD WAR II

FOSS, Joe and FOSS, Donna Wild. A Proud American: The Autobiography of Joe Foss. New York: Pocket Books, (1992). Octavo, original half cloth, original dust jacket. $500.

First edition of the autobiography of the highest-ranking Marine Corps World War II ace, inscribed by him on the front free endpaper: "My best wishes to Martin, God bless you! Joe Foss, 1-12-99."

Joe Foss was the executive officer of the Cactus Air Force flying out of Henderson Field on Guadalcanal; on combat missions, he led a flight of eight Grumman F4F Wildcats that became known as Foss's Flying Circus. With 26 victories he is the highest ranking Marine Corps ace of World War II. He went on to serve two terms as South Dakota's governor, and then became the first commissioner of the American Football League, and became the "driving force" behind the creation of the Super Bowl.

Fine condition.