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Capt Joe Beisenstein graduated from Neenah High School in 1930 and from Grinnell College. He worked at the Hopfensperger market before he joined the army.

He entered the service on 1 August 1935 and was stationed at Fort Sheridan until 1941 when, as a staff sergeant, he entered the first officer candidate school at Fort Benning, Georgia. He received his commission as a second lieutenant on 7 November 1941. From Fort Benning, he went to Fort Knox as a gunnery instructor. Later he was assigned to Camp Cook, California where he trained in desert warfare. He was then sent to Pine Camp, New York before going overseas in February 1944. He landed in France late July 1944.

He married with Virginia Smith on 26 May 1942.

At the time of his death, his brother was also serving, with the rank of lieutenant.

He was awarded the Silver Star posthumously for gallantry action in the day of his death. While leading his company in an attack, he was wounded in the leg by artillery fire but refused to be evacuated. While attemptin to proceed across open terrain to supervise the employment of two of his platoons, he was killed by artillery fire.