John Joseph Welch was the son of Italian immigrants Jim and Mary Welch. He attended Sacred Heart Academy at Helena and was employed as a payroll clerk by the Pekin Wood Products Company of Helena. He was also the secretary of the American Federation of Musicians until he left for the military.

The 1920 US Census shows the family living in Phillips County, Arkansas. The following information is recorded as to the individuals living in the home at this time:
Head James Welch M 38y Italy
Wife Mary Welch F 27y Italy
Dau Mary Welch F 7y Italy
Dau Rosa Welch F 5y Arkansas
Son Johnie Welch M 4y Arkansas
Son James Welch M 1y2m Arkansas
UNK Joe Barravacchia M 21y Italy

The 1940 US Census shows he was living with his family in the St. Francis Township, Phillips County, Arkansas. John was working as a checker at a lumber mill at the time of the census. the following family members were shown as living in the home on the census record:
Head Jimmy Welch M 57 Italy
Wife Mary Welch F 48 Italy
Dau Mary Welch F 27 Arkansas
Dau Rosie Welch F 25 Arkansas
Son Johnny Welch M 24 Arkansas
Son Jimmy Welch M 21 Arkansas
Dau T Marie Welch F 17 Arkansas
Dau Josephine Welch F 12 Arkansas
Dau Eleanor M Welch F 11 Arkansas

John enlisted in the Army on 6/16/1941 and received his basic training at Camp Roberts, California. He became a supply sergeant for three and a half years before being deployed overseas to England in September, 1944. He served with an infantry unit in France and Belgium until he was killed in action during the Battle of the Bulge.

Staff Sergeant John Joseph Welch earned the following badges/decorations during his service in World War II:
- Combat Infantryman's Badge
- Bronze Star Medal
- Purple Heart Medal
- Army Good Conduct Medal
- American Defense Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- European Theater of Operations Campaign Medal with two bronze battle stars
- World War II Victory Medal