Military Service
Before World War II
Josey joined the U.S. Army sometime before June 1935. On July 7, 1935, Josey was a private on the US Grant from Fort McDowell, California to Chinwangtao (Qinhuangdao), China. He was likely stationed at Camp Holcomb, a US military base, when he was serving in Chinwangtao. In 1937, Josey returned to Fort McDowell, California from Chinwangtao.
World War II
Josey served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 2nd Infantry Regiment of the 5th Division of the 174th Infantry during World War II. He entered service into the U.S. Army during World War II from Mississippi on October 7, 1943.
The 5th Division first landed in Continental Europe at Utah Sugar Red Beach on July 9, 1944. On August 22, 1944, the 2nd Infantry Regiment captured Etamps, France. They crossed the Marne River to capture Reims on August 29, 1944. The 2nd Infantry Regiment captured Fort Driant on December 8, 1944, near the city of Metz. During the Battle of the Bulge, the 5th Division stuck the south flank of the Bulge, pushing the Germans back across the Sauer River. On March 27, 1945, the 5th Division entered Frankfurt-on-Main, where they were given a short rest before continuing operations into Germany and Czechoslovakia.
The 5th Division first landed in Continental Europe at Utah Sugar Red Beach on July 9, 1944. On August 22, 1944, the 2nd Infantry Regiment captured Etamps, France. They crossed the Marne River to capture Reims on August 29, 1944. The 2nd Infantry Regiment captured Fort Driant on December 8, 1944, near the city of Metz. During the Battle of the Bulge, the 5th Division stuck the south flank of the Bulge, pushing the Germans back across the Sauer River. On March 27, 1945, the 5th Division entered Frankfurt-on-Main, where they were given a short rest before continuing operations into Germany and Czechoslovakia.