He registered for the WW II draft on 30 June 1942, and he was listed as employed by Norfolk Flying Service, Glenrock Airport, Norfolk, Virginia. He was 5' 8" tall; weighed 130 pounds; had brown hair, brown eyes and a 'ruddy’ complexion.

He entered the service on 09 August 1943 from Camp Lee, Virginia. He enlisted as a Private (Service # : 13 065 713); he had four years of high school education, was single, without dependents and his civilian occupation was listed as: "Aviators".

We have Joe listed as participating in one 437th TCG flight: Operation VARSITY in March 1945 as Pilot of CG-4A-GN glider #42-73992 (built by the Gibson Refrigerator Company, Greenville, Michigan).

The IX Troop Carrier Command General Orders #71, dated 18 May 1945 has him as being awarded an Air Medal.