Joseph Tollis, born Giuseppe Guido Tollis on November 19, 1921, was from Pacentro, L’Aquila, Abruzzo. He came to the United States in June 1937 to join his father, Pasquale Tollis, in Detroit, leaving his mother and three siblings behind.

Upon turning 21, he was drafted into the army and selected to serve as an Italian interpreter when he was in basic training. As part of the 441st Division, he and his fellow soldiers processed and interrogated Italian and German prisoners of war. His tour of duty brought him to England and France, following the Invasion of Normandy.