A native of Holdrege, Nebraska, Cleland was raised and educated in Omaha and attended Kemper Military School, from which he graduated in 1921.

During the 1930s, he served in the Philippines and Panama, and attended the United States Army Command and General Staff College.

He ended the war as a temporary brigadier general and deputy commander of the 43rd Division, and he subsequently served in Japan during the post-war occupation.

[4] The junior Cleland's older sister Effie was a teacher and social worker who joined the American Red Cross for World War I and helped operate Morale, Welfare, and Recreation facilities in Belgium, France, and post-war Germany.

[5] Cleland was raised and educated in Omaha, Nebraska, and in 1919 began attendance at Boonville, Missouri's Kemper Military School.

[7] During his college career, Cleland continued his involvement in sports and played soccer and football, took part in indoor track and field, and served as captain of the wrestling team.

[9] In November 1930, he was promoted to first lieutenant and assigned to the 31st Infantry Regiment at the Post of Manila and Camp John Hay.

[9] In June 1931, Cleland married Florence Emily Cadotte in Manila; her father was from Michigan, and her mother was from Spain.

[3][10] As the army expanded in anticipation of U.S. entry into World War II, in January 1941, Cleland was promoted to temporary major and assigned as operations officer of the Panama Mobile Force.

[3] Cleland led the regiment during combat on Luzon, including the attack against Japanese forces in San Fabian, Pangasinan and capture of the Ipo Dam, the site of Manila's main water supply.

[3] Cleland was assigned to Korean War duty as commander of the 40th Infantry Division in June 1952, and was subsequently promoted to major general.

[3][13] Over time, the Clelands renovated the main house, constructed new outbuildings, and developed the farm into a successful venture, which they operated until they sold it in 1972.

[3] From 1957 to 1959, Cleland served as president of Kemper Military School, during which he oversaw the conversion of the institute from a private for-profit enterprise into a non-profit.

[3] In 1965, they toured northern Europe by car, including England, Scotland, Ireland, France, Spain, and Mallorca.

[3] In 1964, Francis Cardinal Spellman awarded Cleland the Sovereign Military Order of Malta in recognition of his work on behalf of orphans in South Korea.

[3] The United States Military Academy presents the annual Joseph P. Cleland Memorial Leadership Award as part of the recognition ceremonies for graduating seniors.