Joseph J. Piontek was born on October 9, 1909 in Housatonic, Berkshire County, Massachusetts. He was the son of Wawrzyniec Piontek and Karolina Krolek Piontek. He resided in Rutland County, Vermont prior to the war. He enlisted in the Army on July 3, 1942 in Rutland, Vermont. He was noted as being employed as a Farmer and also as Single, without dependents. Joseph served as a Private First Class, 350th Infantry, U.S. Army during World War II. He was Killed in Action on September 28, 1944 at the age of 34 in Italy and is now buried in the Long Island National Cemetery, East Farmingdale, Suffolk County, New York, USA. His unit was cited for outstanding performance of duty in action during the period 27 September to 3 October 1944 at Mt. Battaglia, Italy against German forces. For seven days, amidst powerful counterattacks, the men of the battalion repulsed each attack with fighting ability and teamwork, therefore, their objective was accomplished.