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Joseph S. Fiala graduated from Northeast Catholic High School in 1933 and attended college for two years. He had been employed at the Frankford Arsenal Ordinance Department.

He volunteered for the Army of the United States in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on 10 August 1942. He was selected for the Army Specialized Training Program (A.S.T.P.) and studied at Rutgers University until it was abolished.

He was awarded the Silver Star Medal posthumously. The citation stated: On 26 November 1944, having been repulsed in their first attempt to capture an objective, the company to which Pvt Fiala was assigned attacked a second time across 800 yards of open, flat terrain toward a strongly defended enemy stronghold. As first scout of the leading assault unit, Pvt Fiala was well in advance of the platoon when it was pinned down 200 yards from its objective by severe cross fire from heavy enemy machine guns. Realizing that the company had to continue its advance despite the merciless enemy fire, Pvt Fiala rose to his feet and ran back 100 yards to his platoon, walking boldly among his comrades, completely exposed to enemy fire, calling to them to follow him forward. Inspired by Pvt Fiala's fearlessness, the platoon advanced through the intense fire, quickly destroying the foremost enemy emplacements, and again under Pvt Fiala's inspiring leadership, advanced and captured the secondary defense positions. Pvt Fiala was fatally wounded in leading this advance, but his heroic action, far above and beyond the call of duty, is in keeping with the finest traditions of the armed forces and reflects the greatest credit on himself and the military service.