This is the official VIC 4 VETS Honor Roll, highlighting our Honored Veterans during Veterans Appreciation Month.

SUBMITTED BY:  Dr. Josh McConkey
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COLONEL JOSHUA M. “BLACKJACK” MCCONKEY
Physician, Commander, and Award-winning/Best-selling Author
Nominated for the 2025 Pulitzer Prize in Nonfiction

Col Joshua M. McConkey serves as the Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer for the National Capital Region, coordinating emergency response and national security readiness with the Department of Defense, FEMA, and federal, state, and local partners. A combat-experienced Emergency Physician and former Duke University professor, he has served over two decades in uniform, including as a flight surgeon with more than 90 combat flight hours during Operation Iraqi Freedom—earning the Air Medal for lifesaving medical support. He previously commanded the 459th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, leading over 100 medical professionals in global patient movement and contingency operations. In addition to his military service, Col McConkey is the CEO of The Weight Behind the Spear Foundation and an award-winning author dedicated to developing resilient leaders and strengthening communities.

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with one oak leaf cluster
Combat Readiness Medal
Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal with one service star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal with one service star
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal

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Today's VIC 4 VETS Honor Roll Inductee,
Honored Veteran on NewsTalkSTL.
With support from our friends at: Alamo Military Collectables,  Gemini Wealth Group
H.E.R.O.E.S. CARE, Inc.  Michel's Funeral Home
and Freddie's Market