Joseph North was born in 1945 in Colorado. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on November 5, 1962, and completed basic training at MCRD San Diego, California, in January 1963. Pvt North next attended Communications Electronics School at MCB Camp Pendleton, California, and Radio Telegraph Operator training at MCRD San Diego from February to September 1963, followed by service as a Radio Telegraph Operator with Marine Air Base Squadron 31 of Marine Aircraft Group 31 at MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina, from September 1963 to February 1964. His next assignment was as a Radio Telegraph Operator with the Service Company at MCB Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii, from February 1964 to March 1965, and then as a Radio Telegraph Operator with Headquarters Company, Headquarters Battalion of the 3rd Marine Division in South Vietnam from March to December 1965. During this time, PFC North was captured and taken as a Prisoner of War on October 18, 1965, and then escaped and made it back to friendly lines on October 29, 1965. He remained in South Vietnam and served with Company L, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment of the 3rd Marine Division from December 1965 to April 1966. After returning to the United States, PFC North served with the Base Maintenance Battalion at MCB Camp Pendleton from April 1966 until he left active duty on March 24, 1967.