J. P. registered for the draft in Jacksonville, FL on 16 October 1940 and was inducted into the Army at Camp Blanding, FL on 18 October 1942.

although the 508th was taking its initial recruits at Camp Blanding at that same time, J. P. was sent to another parachute unit.

Pvt Scarborough appeared in the 3rd Anniversary book photo of men recently arrived in Hq 1st, 508th PIR published 20 October 1945..