Joseph registered for the draft in Paris, Logan, Arkansas on 16 October 1940 and was inducted into the Army on 15 March 1941.

Pvt Riley was transferred to the 508th PIR from the 507th PIR as a member of the cadre team on 18 October 1942.

Unfortunately, the 1942 morning reports for multiple companies are unavailable and it is not known which company he was assigned to nor when he was transferred out of the 508th.