Joseph was born in Milwaukee, on Dec. 29, 1926, the only child of Harold and Lorraine (Weckerle) Bump and was later lovingly adopted by his step-mother Estelle (Mummert) Bump. At 17 he volunteered for the U.S. Navy to fight in World War II and was a Seaman First Class in the Amphibious Forces in the Caribbean. He served on LST 664, re-fitted as a Submarine Hunter, which protected Allied shipping from German U-Boats. Joe was the radarman for the entire flotilla. Laid down, 28 January 1944, at American Bridge Co., Ambridge, PA. Launched, 13 April 1944. Commissioned USS LST-664, 10 May 1944, LT. John R. Burke, USNR, in command. During World War II USS LST-664 was assigned to the Europe-Africa-Middle East Theater.
