Lieutenant Colonel John T. Joseph joined the 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Fort Benning, Georgia in 1942. While with this unit he saw combat in the European Theater of Operations serving as a Company Commander. He attained the rank of Captain in 1945. Lieutenant Colonel Joseph returned to Fort Benning in 1946 to become Regimental Adjutant of the 1st Parachute Infantry Regiment, subsequently attending the Infantry Officers Associate Advance Course. He then served as Executive Officer, Special Troops, 11th Airborne Division, Japan, and as Company Commander Headquarters Company, 11th Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He attended Air Command and Staff School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Alabama in 1950. In 1951, Lieutenant Colonel Joseph was promoted to Major and served as G3 Air, Headquarters Eighth United States Army, Korea. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1954 while serving as Airborne Action Officer, TAGO. Following this assignment, Lieutenant Colonel Joseph served as a Battalion Commander, 511th Airborne Infantry Regiment, Fort Campbell, Kentucky and Augsburg, Germany, Executive Officer G-1 Section, Headquarters VII Corps, Stuttgart, Germany, Brigade Chief of Staff, United States Army Task Force, 201, Lebanon, and Deputy Commanding Officer of a Battle Group in the 2d Infantry Division, Fort Benning, Georgia. Lieutenant Colonel Joseph was assigned to the Combat Development Office, United States Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, Georgia in 1960. | His awards and decorations include: the Silver Star w/Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star Medal w/ two Oak Lead Clusters, Purple Heart w/ two Oak Leaf Clusters, Combat Infantryman Badge, Distinguished Unit Badge, and Master Parachute Badge.