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S/Sgt Joseph P. Madona graduated from Winthrop High School in 1939 and was employed at the Winthrop Theatre.

He enlisted in Boston, Massachusetts on 22 June 1942.

He was awarded the Silver Star Medal. The citation cited: On 20 December 1944, he was in command of his squad during an attack against the enemy in the vicinity of Foy, Belgium. His unit was attacking across open terrain exposed to intense enemy fire. Enemy infantry units, supported by artillery and tanks, were entrenched on the military crest of the commanding ground that had to be taken by our forces. Seeing that machine gun fire was hindering the advance of adjacent units, Sgt Madona exposed himself to heavy enemy fire and moved forward toward the enemy position. Observing this action, the remainder of his squad and platoon followed him in a swift and vicious attack. On one occasion during the engagement, Sergeant Madona's rifle jammed. Swinging his rifle over his head as a club, he led his squad into and through three enemy machine gun emplacements, and captured all three guns and crews intact without losing a single man. His courage, aggressiveness and bold determination, inspired his platoon to a swift attack that ended in opening the main highway, and enabled an isolated friendly force to withdraw down the road with their vehicles and wounded personnel.

S/Sgt Madona was first buried at the Temporary American Military Cemetery of Grand Failly, France.