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Mayhew Foster Obituary
Foster died Monday night in a Missoula nursing home, son-in-law Roy Korkalo said Tuesday. A cause of death was not immediately given.
Foster served as brigadier general of the Montana National Guard, was awarded the Silver Star for valor as an artillery air officer and received the French Legion of Honor for his service in World War II.
But his mission flying Reichsmarschall Hermann Goering was the highlight of his military career. The head of Nazi Germany's Luftwaffe had surrendered when the war ended in Europe in 1945, and Foster flew him from Kitzbuhel, Austria, to 7th Army headquarters in Germany for interrogation before turning him over to stand trial at Nuremberg.
Goering weighed more than 300 pounds, and Foster told The Associated Press in Jan uary he had to take a larger plane than he normally used for reconnaissance missions.
"I had the impulse to turn the plane over and see if I could shake him out but he was wedged in like a champagne cork," Foster told his wife, Virginia Lou Foster, in a letter written soon after the mission.
Foster said Goering was relaxed during the 55-minute flight, avoiding any talk of Hitler or the war and instead pointed out the sites below them.
"He acted as though he was going on a sightseeing tour, or really as though as I was going on a sightseeing tour and he was showing me where he grew up," Foster told the AP.
Goering was found guilty of war crimes at Nuremberg, but killed himself by swallowing a cyanide capsule before a hanging sentence could be carried out.
Foster returned to the U.S. in October 1945, having flown 70 reconnaissance combat missions. He was awarded the Silver Star after spending five hours taking fire above the battlefield when the 36 th Division made an amphibious assault landing in southern France in 1944.
He returned to Montana and was appointed lieutenant colonel in the Montana National Guard, then was promoted to brigadier general of the Guard, a rank he held from 1963 until 1971.
Foster was awarded the French Legion of Honor in 2009 for his "personal, precious contribution to the United States' decisive role in the liberation of our country during World War II," according to a letter from French Ambassador Pierre Vimont.
Foster was born Oct. 9, 1911, in Richmond, Va., and graduated from Yale University in 1937 with an English degree. He married his wife Virginia in 1940 and they had a daughter, Susan, who died in 2007.
Foster is survived by his son-in-law, Korkalo, his grandson, Chris Korkalo, and his sister, Priscilla Howell.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Copyright © 2011 The Associated Press
121 Entries
Harald Sandner
April 10, 2023
Dear Family of the Survivors of Mayhew Y. "Bo" Foster. I am a German historian writing a biography of Hermann Goering, which of course includes "Bo" Foster. I would ask you to contact me.
Email: [email protected]
Thank you very much and all the best to you! Best regards
Rose Royals
September 5, 2012
Thank you for your service in keeping our country free.
June 22, 2011
I had the privilege of working for/with him in peacetime as he quietly made his community, his state, his nation a better place. A glance or a word from him made all the work worthwhile.
J. Missoula
How you can show support
Jacqueline Quarré
April 22, 2011
Au revoir Bo, je n'oublierais jamais notre première rencontre dans les Vosges en France, en 1944. Ni les suivantes avec Lou, puis Suzann et Roy.
Je vous embrasse.
Jackie . le Vert Galant .France
Becky Noake
April 2, 2011
Bo once dated my Mother-in-law, Eve Harris Noake. She often spoke kindly of him. They spoke in the last year...she loved earing from him. Eve passed away 3/13/11. My sincere sympathy yo the family. Becky Noake
Paul Johnson
March 29, 2011
Thank you for your service General Foster. God bless you and your family. I wish so much that I could have met you and spoken with you as I am trying to do research for a book on this very topic. If any of the Korkalo family or Ms. Priscilla Howell read this please contact me at [email protected] Thank you so much.
Christine Korkalo
March 29, 2011
Bo, we will miss you greatly. Thank for leaving such a legacy for Chris and your great grand-daughters.
John Cawley
March 28, 2011
Rest now General as your work is done, and, as always, done to perfection. May your family know the peace of your love.From fellow Veterans all over, we salute you sir..
March 28, 2011
Thank you General 'Bo' for your service to our country, and may God be by your side forever. Mike McCullough Missoula, Mt.
March 27, 2011
May the God of all comfort be with the Foster family.
Jay Cormier
March 25, 2011
Rest in Blessed Peace Sir. Thank You for your service and helping the US of A and the whole world in that teriible war. My sincere prayers for his family in their time of loss. Take care my fellow comrade from one Air Force buddy to another!!!
one step to freedom,
Robby H
March 25, 2011
now you can loop it and do wingovers and all the other fun things flying offers as much as you desire, fly free my fellow human,
Tom Quinn
March 25, 2011
Sleep well , fellow comrade in arms . Your job is done and done well.May the good Lord welcome you home.
Tonie Batson
March 25, 2011
Thank you for your service General. May the Lord welcome you with open arms. May your family find comfort in the LOrd.
James Conroy
March 25, 2011
Another ordinary man who did extraordinary deeds. This is why they were called the greatest generation. His family should be justly proud of is service and the country should mourn the passing of another one of it's heros. God Rest his Soul.
March 25, 2011
Thank you for your service. May you rest in peace and I pray that God comforts your family.
Bonnie Haegele
March 25, 2011
Thank you General Foster for your service to America...may God grant you peace.
Tom Gugliuzza
March 25, 2011
Thank you General Foster for your service. Special blessings.
March 25, 2011
Thank you for your service for our country.
March 25, 2011
General Foster, Thank You for your service at a time when this Nation need great men. You are truly and American hero!! Thank You and God Bless
Eric S
March 24, 2011
Bless you General Foster. Thank you for your service to our country.
Kay Barbee
March 24, 2011
God Bless you General Foster for all you have done for our country. You are truly a hero.
March 24, 2011
REST IN PEACE UNCLE BO, YOU WILL ALWAYS BE MY HERO.
LEE FOSTER (WESTMINSTER CO.)
Annette Summers
March 24, 2011
May God bless you and your family and many thanks for your service to our country. We should never forget our true heroes like General Foster.
Larry Dietz
March 24, 2011
Many Thanks, General for all you have done for our country! You are truly an inspiration, may you rest in peace!!
Melissa Pedersen
March 24, 2011
What an amazing legacy he has left his family...and the world.
He is the kind of stuff heroes are made of!
Lou Ann Berman
March 24, 2011
Thank you for your service and for our freedom. May God continue to bless your family. May your rest be this day in peace and your dwelling place in the Paradise of God.
Gunnery Sgt. M.T. Foster II
March 24, 2011
Semper Fi, General Foster Rest In Peace. May Your Family Find Peace in Knowing You Were A Hero In Our Eyes.
1st. Sgt. K. T. Spaulding
March 24, 2011
Semper Fi my brother. Rest in peace in the Lord's heaven. You have spent more than your share of time in hell.
Kitty Richards
March 24, 2011
I agree with Camille, well written. God bless America. I thank our Vets and service personal for the freedom we have. This man will be remembered like Ike & Alvin York,Sr. Freedom isn't Free..
Kitty
In GOD I Trust,
Cindy Hockstad
March 23, 2011
God Bless Bo Foster and his family. Thank you, General Foster for your honorable service for our country.
Susan Courtney
March 23, 2011
A grateful nation salutes you.
Camille
March 23, 2011
May the family and friends of The General find assurance from the God who cannot lie when he says that one day there will be no more wars and no more death and that all the fomer thing will have passed away- So that the General can use his talents and brillance under peaceful earth-wide conditions-Paradise.
Nancy
March 23, 2011
Please know that you can throw all your aniety upon God,for he cares for you. 1Peter 5:6,7
KIM FOSTER-BROWN
March 23, 2011
I salute your veteran. My condolences for your loss and gratitude for your loved one's service to our country.
Marc W
March 23, 2011
Thank You For Your Honorable Service General!
March 23, 2011
God Bless you and may you Rest in Peace.
Henryk Zaleski
March 23, 2011
Old soldiers never die they just fade away. Rest in peace.
Geneva Humphrey
March 23, 2011
The precious memories of MAYHEW "BO" FOSTER will bring you comfort. However, even in the face of calamity you can have hope. God will comfort and bless you at this critical time. Do not let your hearts be troubled. (John 14:27) Complete reliance on "the God of all comfort" will help to endure your bereavement (2Corinthian 1:3,4).
Bonnie
March 23, 2011
God bless you all our thoughts and prayers go out to you all.
MARILYN OSBORNE
March 23, 2011
MAY GOD BLESS YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO KEEP US ALL FREE. -- MARILYN --CINCINNATI, OHIO
Aaron Jenkins
March 23, 2011
Rest in peace. God bless the members of our "Greatest Generation."
james willner
March 23, 2011
May he rest in peace.....
John Liller
March 23, 2011
There are no words to thank you for the service you gave for our country and the world. Rest in Peace with the wind always at your back.
Thanh
March 23, 2011
To the family of Mayhew Foster:
I am sorry for your loss and my deepest sympathy goes to the family during this time of your loss. He had live his life through many wars. The family will be able to reunite with Mr. Foster in a paradise earth where war will be no more (Psalm 46:8,9.)
Karen
March 23, 2011
Rest in Peace.
Many Thanks for your service.
Les Breese
March 23, 2011
May God bless you, sir, and many thanks for your selfless service to our nation.
March 23, 2011
We praise God for the life and service of our veteran. May he rest in peace in the arms of our Lord as a grateful nation mourns.
Michele N. Sandridge, Chaplain
American Legion Auxiliary
Department of Ohio
Lisabeth Risley
March 23, 2011
I salute you sir for your service to our country. Thank you for being one of America's heros. God bless and keep you and give peace to your family that mourns your passing.
March 23, 2011
THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE. "Old soldiers never die, they just fade away" You were a hero and you always will be. Thanks to guy like you, today we are alive and enjoy our life and family. People should read more history and show more respect to guys like your self.
J.A. Alvarez (Korean Veteran)
Betty
March 23, 2011
Rest in peace..thank you, Patriot.
Andy Redd
March 23, 2011
Godspeed, General Foster. Your kind is fast disappearing and the world will be lessened by it. Thank you for your service to your country and for you life, well lived.
Bob Hartman
March 23, 2011
Another WWII hero has fallen. God bless you, General Foster. You served your country with honor and distinction. We shall never forget your duty to country. RIP,sir,America salutes you!
KEN VENTRELLA
March 23, 2011
THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DID FOR YOUR COUNTRY.REST IN PEACE WITH THE LORD.SURELY THERE IS A SPOT IN HEAVEN FOR YOU.
March 23, 2011
Another hero from "The Greatest Generation" has gone. We can thank them all for their sacrifices to keep us free. God Bless America and God Bless Mayhew "Bo" Foster.
David Johnson
March 23, 2011
Thank you, Mr. Foster for the gift of freedom that your great generation gave the world. I hope America never forget what the WW ll Veterans did for the free World.
March 23, 2011
Semper Fi General.........
CC
March 23, 2011
THANK YOU, FOR BEING OUR AMERICAN HERO... GOD BLESS
March 23, 2011
To the family of Mayhew "Bo" Foster, may the God of all comfort strengthen you at this time of grief and sorrow. (Erma L. Davis, Park Forest, IL.)
Barbara Sykes
March 23, 2011
I would like to go to his funeral. I could if he is going to be at his birth place, Richmond, Va..
I pray that he is in heaven.
March 23, 2011
Thank you for your service. America needs more like you. W. Gladden (NC)
Al
March 23, 2011
R.I.P. Just read about your heroic WW2 heroics. Sure glad you were on our side!
David Nielsen
March 23, 2011
Thank you General Foster for your service to our Country. You were a hero to pay the price for our freedom. To the family and friends, may the the LORD give you comfort through our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
March 23, 2011
Thank you for your service.
God Bless you.
Karen
March 23, 2011
Thank you so much for your service to our country. Rest in peace.
Sally Geiger-Olenick
March 23, 2011
Thank you, Bo, for your couragous service for America. God's peace and comfort to your family and friends.
Ms Bea
March 23, 2011
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
CarolS
March 23, 2011
With many thanks for being a True Patriot ~ God be with your family and friends as they remember and cherish the memories of a wonderful man who set a good example for others.
R Golay
March 23, 2011
To the the family of Mayhew Foster - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that Bo will be missed by many.
March 23, 2011
The entire free world owes tribute to this great man. May his soul rest in peace and his memory be forever honored.
Thoughts of gratitude and prayers of codolance to his family
Sincerely
A Greateful American
Marbie Lee
Patrick Higgins
March 22, 2011
May you rest in peace, and thank you for your service and sacrifice for your country.
a friend
March 22, 2011
My condolences to the family of brigadier general Foster. Thank you for your outstanding server to our nation, the WWII generation truly was the greatest, we are free because of your sacrifices.
Richard Rouse
March 22, 2011
Thank you for serving our country Sir.
silence dogood
March 22, 2011
Where can I learn more about this MAN and the life we were was blessed that he lived ?
March 22, 2011
God BlessYou from another WW2 vet. My papa is 87 yrs young and still counting. Your family should be very proud to have known you. from Glenn Warren & daughter Glenda.
Wm. Miller
March 22, 2011
Thank God for people like you. God be with you.
March 22, 2011
thank you for your service and for making my life possible. thank you for serving when my dad was a teen thus giving me life.
faye sizemore
March 22, 2011
Godspeed,soldier and Thank you.
Sandra Dick
March 22, 2011
May his spirit rest with Jesus Christ..
Doug Dawes
March 22, 2011
What a great memory for his family.
A Friend in
March 22, 2011
Rest now, soldier, you are an irreplaceable participant in the 20th century drama that will be reviewed as historical importance for years to come. We thank you for your loyalty to Old Glory and that the efforts you put forth will be reaped by generations to come. God's comfort to your family in this time of sorrow.
Rob
March 22, 2011
We are forever indebted for your bravery. Godspeed, Mr. Foster.
March 22, 2011
Thank You Sir. You are a true American Hero. God love all of you Heroes of that Era.
Michael
March 22, 2011
Thanks for your service, RIP.
D.Bradley Capt. U.S. Army Ret.
March 22, 2011
To the Foster Family
Bo was one of many people who helped us get to where we are today.He was a proud leader and man who stood up for what was right and it showed after his service.
Thank you for his service and bravery and to come back home to have a very long life.People like Bo only come once or twice in a life time and with that said I salute you and all that has preceded you and the ones that are left God bless you sir you did your country proud.
Jim Stevens
March 22, 2011
Thank you, General Foster, for your distinquished service to our great country. May you now rest in peace with your fellow heros of WWII and all who have worn the uniform so proudly and are now at assembly with our Heavenly Father.
kate lawry
March 22, 2011
No doubt his last inspection went perfect. Thank you soldier for your service. It is because of you that we are not in ruins
March 22, 2011
May the God of all comfort be with you.
Marc Minton
March 22, 2011
general Mintons family sends condolances we lost dad dec 20 1969 ww11 101st airborne d-day- no doubt they knew each other
101st airborne/d-day normandy/bastogne etc
Marc Minton
March 22, 2011
on behalf of Brig.General Heber L. Minton and family/ to Gen. Fosters' family and friends/ we express reapect and honor to you Marc Minton
sheila sorrell
March 22, 2011
God has a special place for such honored generals as General Foster. I thank God he blessed this earth and America with such a wonderful man. God Bless America and all who have served. Rest with honor and grace, General Foster
Timothy McCoy
March 22, 2011
FREEDOM IS NOT FREE - IT COMES WITH A PRICE AND MUCH SACRIFICE. God Bless the Family of this GREAT AMERICAN. You are all in my prayers.
THANK YOU GENERAL, MAY YOU REST IN PEACE, SHELTERED IN THE ARMS OF GOD.
steve vail
March 22, 2011
I thank you for your service to our Great
Nation during WWII. Rest in Peace sir.
Thank you.
March 22, 2011
I Pray that God gives General Foster His Best of Perpetual Blessings. Sincerely, WRD, Kingston, NY, USA.
Jean Liben
March 22, 2011
Thank you for your service to our country. Without, you, we would not have the freedoms we enjoy today. God Bless you and your family. Jean Liben
Connecticut
March 22, 2011
God rest his soul. Condolences to family.
Glenda Acord
March 22, 2011
My sincere sympathy to you, the family..and I commend General "Bo" Foster for his service to our country,so that me and the citizens of this great country can be free. Salutations to you!! and may heaven be alittle brighter when you join your family and comrades...God Bless you and thank you God for his life.
Tami W
March 22, 2011
Rest in Peace, Thank you for your service God Bless
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