Joseph Lawrence Corcoran was born in the fall of 1898 to Joseph E. Corcoran, and Anna McCloskey Corcoran who resided in West Chester, Pennsylvania. He was one of three brothers including Eugene and John.

Joseph’s father died when he was young and he went to live with Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Leary who lived at 122 Lacy St. in West Chester.  (The Leary’s sons, William and Thomas were close friends and teammates of hero Norman Becker.)

Joseph who was known as “Deacon”, obtained employment with the state Highway Department for 4 years at the Veterans Hospital in Coatesville.

Joseph enlisted in the Army on September 17, 1942 at the age of 44.  That was the age limit for service, (which shortly afterwards changed to the limit of 38 years old.)

After training, Joseph was sent overseas to North Africa, where he served in a medical section of an Aviation Engineers unit.  His duty involved frequently flying aboard B-17 Flying Fortresses or large transport aircraft ferrying engineers to the front lines.

Mrs. Leary received his last letter in mid November, and a Thanksgiving greetings Cable Gram.

Corporal Joseph Lawrence Corcoran was reported Missing In Action on November 26^th 1943.  No other information could be found about his death.