I had the pleasure of meeting Joe Foss at the NRA National Convention in Kansas City a few years back. If you look in the dictionary for the word gentleman, Joe's picture is there with the definition. He was signing autographs and posing for pictures with everyone who asked, took the time to ask their name and converse with each one. I shook his hand and thanked him for being such a great role model to follow, and I asked him if I could get my picture take with him and of course he said it would be HIS pleasure. I told him that I had been an aircraft mechanic for a while in the Corps, and he smiled and told the story of shooting down the Japanese planes at Guadalcanal. The best part was when he talked about a conversation he had with General Geiger shortly after he received the Medal of Honor. The General called Joe into his office and said, "Captain, when it comes right down to it, you are still nothing more then a dirt farmer from South Dakota. Don't let that medal go to your head." Joe then turned to the long line of folks waiting in line and said, "And darn it if General Geiger wasn't right!". Joe Foss didn't need the MoH to be a bigger then life hero. The man was a class act, and the world is a bit more empty and colder with his passing.
Rest in Peace Flying Leatherneck.