Joseph was born on 1 Jun 1913 in Springfield, Washington County, KY. His father was Albert J., born 26 Jan. 1889 near Cardville, Kentucky, died 19 Feb 1952 in Decatur, Macon County, IL., buried in Graceland Cemetery, Decatur, Macon, IL. Joe's mother was Leota Dennis, born 1 Feb 1892 in Washington County, KY., died 19 Feb 1977 in Decatur, Macon, IL., buried in Graceland Cemetery, Decatur, Macon, IL.

1920 Census, KY, Washington County, Mooresville, Albert J. Masters is 30, occupation farming. Wife "Ota" Leota is 27, sons Dennis J. is 8, Joseph is 6 and Arznal is 4-8/12.

1930 Census, IL. Macon, Decatur, Albert is 41, married at age 20, occupation polisher at brass factory. Wife Leota is 38, married at 17, sons Dennis is 18, laborer at the railroad, Joseph is 16, Arznal is 15 and daughter Shirley J. is 3/12.

1940 Census, IL., Macon, Decatur, Albert J. is 51, unemployed, Leota is 48, Joseph is 26 and Shirley J. is 10.

Joseph married Lucille Wilson, daughter of Allen Wilson on 29 Apr 1933 in Springfield, Sangamon County, IL. They had a daughter Joan. They were divorced, Lucille married Roy Tombaugh 3 Jul 1939. Lucille was born 29 Apr 1933 in Illinois, died 15 Dec 1997, Decatur, Macon County, IL. buried in Maroa Township Cemetery, Maroa, Macon, IL.

Before entering the service Joe worked as a meat cutter at Green's Food Market and played baseball for the Springfield Red Birds. Joe entered the service of 2 Jan 1943, he did his basic training at Camp Robinson, Ark. scoring 178 out of 200 to make a rating of "expert" in rifle marksmanship. Further training was at Camp Fanin, TX, and Fort Meade, MD. before being shipped overseas. He served with Co. B, 23 Infantry, 2 Division. Joe died from his wounds suffered during the liberation of Brest, France on 13 Sep 1944, buried in Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial, St. James, France.

Source: Findagrave.com, Ancestry and Newspapers.com.

This story is part of the Stories Behind the Stars project (see www.storiesbehindthestars.org). This is a national effort of volunteers to write the stories of all 400,000+ of the US WW2 fallen here on Fold3. Related to this, there will be a smart phone app that will allow people to visit any war memorial or cemetery, scan the fallen's name and read his/her story.

Joseph L Masters