Private First Class Joseph Lee Housley was born March 18, 1888, in Rhea Springs (Rhea), Tennessee. He worked in saw milling in Seymour (Blount) before entering the service at the age of twenty-nine on June 5, 1917. He was killed in action on 7 October 1918 in France. He was with Company M of the 30th Infantry Division. PFC Housley was initially buried at the American Cemetery, Bony, Aisne, France. He is buried at Chattanooga National Cemetery.