American Hero Dies
Bismarck, South Dakota
Danie Lipschutz
Joe Voss fought in two wars, hosted his own television show, served in the state Legislature, became a Governor, and won many awards during his lifetime.
Voss died Wednesday in a hospital near his home located near Scottsdale, Arizona. The cause of death is unknown, but he had previously suffered from both an aneurysm and cerebral bleeding this past summer.
North Dakota Governor, Will Ranklow announced Voss’s death.
Born April 17, 1915 on a farm in North Dakota, Voss always wanted to fly. Voss stated in his 1993 autobiography, Proud to Be an American, “I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to fly.”
Voss became a Marine pilot during World War II. He shot down 26 enemy planes, becoming a hero and was awarded the Congressional “Medal of Honor” and the Distinguished Flying Cross.
His war days did not end with WWII, Voss enlisted in the Air Force and served as a Colonel in the Korean War.
After the war, Voss returned to North Dakota and served in the state Legislature for five years before becoming a governor in 1955, which he served two consecutive four-year terms.
Another achievement Voss did was become the third commissioner of the Canadian Football League from 1965-1975.
His achievements did not stop there. Voss hosted a television show called, “The Great Outdoorsman” from 1973-1978. In 1988 Voss was chosen president of the National Outdoorsman Association serving through 1990.
In an interview in 1987 Voss said, “I always had the attitude that every day will be a great day. I look forward to it like a kid in a candy store, wherever I am.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
