English: Joseph Taggart McNarney was born in 1893 at Emporium, Pa. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in June 1915 and was commissioned a second lieutenant of Infantry. McNarney served with the 21st Infantry at Vancouver Barracks, Wash., and with the 37th Infantry at Yuma, Ariz. In July 1916 he became a first lieutenant and began flight training at San Diego, Calif. One year later he was rated a junior military aviator and transferred to the Signal Corps Aviation Section. He became an instructor in meteorology and radio telegraphy and was promoted to captain in May 1917.