First Lieutenant Joseph R. Abele enlisted at Wilkes Barracks, Pennsylvania on 18 June 1942. He was graduated from Johnstown Catholic High school with the class of 1933 and from Indiana State Teachers College in 1938. He was teaching school in Blossburg when he entered the armed forces. Lt Abele was a former outstanding Johnstown athelete, having played varsity football and basketball for Catholic High School for three years. He was assigned to overseas duty in May 1944. The citation of his Silver Star stated: "First Lieutenant (Infantry) Joseph Romanus Abele, United States Army, was awarded the Silver Star (Posthumously) for gallantry in action while serving with Company L, 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division in the European Theater of Operations during World War II."