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Capt Joseph F. Grady Jr. graduated from James Madison High School in 1935, from Brooklyn College and attended St John's University.

He enlisted on 16 October 1940. After he was commissioned in 1942, he was an instructor at the Officers Candidate School in Fort Benning for one year.
He was sent overseas in July 1944 and was promoted to captain after the actions for which he received the Silver Star.
Capt Grady was awarded the Silver Star Medal for his action on 8 November 1944. The citation stated: On that date, Lt Grady, Executive Officer of an infantry rifle company attacking a strongly held ridge, assumed command of the company when the company commander became a casualty. After he had reorganized the company, in the face of intense mortar and machine gun fire, he changed the direction of the attack and overran the machine gun positions, successfully taking the objective. Later a heavy mortar and artillery concentration, followed by a strong enemy counterattack, forced two platoons of his company to withdraw. Lt Grady immediately reorganized the company under extremely heavy artillery fire, and with utter disregard for his own safety, personally led the assault to retake the objective. The personal courage, aggressiveness, and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Lt Grady were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit and the United States Army.

He was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic achievement in France on 22 November 1944. The citation reads in part: "On 22 November 1944, Lt Grady led his rifle company in the attack to relieve another rifle company of his battalion which had been encircled in a position far advanced into enemy lines. When the objective was reached, a diversion had been attained which permitted the encircled company to withdraw but the order had not been received by Lt Grady and his two leading platoons. He held his position steadfastly throughout the day under heavy mortar and artillery fire and in the face of raking enemy machine gun fire. Only upon receipt of the delayed order did Lt Grady withdraw from his exposed position."