Josh McConkey

Joshua Michael McConkey (born 18 September 1977) is an American author, politician, emergency physician, and United States Air Force (USAF) colonel. He is the author of the leadership book Be the Weight Behind the Spear and previously served as Chief of Aviation Medicine for the Nebraska Army National Guard from 2007 to 2009. He ran for Congress from the 13th district seat of North Carolina in 2024.

Early life and education McConkey grew up in Alliance, Nebraska and attended Alliance High School. He participated in the Rural Health Opportunity Program (RHOP) at Chadron State. McConkey graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences from Chadron State College in 1999. He also received a Doctorate of Medicine from the University of Nebraska Omaha in 2003.

Career McConkey joined the Nebraska Army National Guard in 2000 as a Medical Service Corps officer and later served as the Nebraska Guard's Chief of Aviation Medicine, holding the role of flight surgeon from 2007 to 2009. His military medical background includes over 340 hours of flight surgeon experience in both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. In 2007, he was deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Alliance Public School named him to their Wall of Fame in 2022.

In 2023, McConkey released the book Be the Weight Behind the Spear. which received a Distinguished Favorite award in the “Motivational” category at the 2024 Independent Press Awards. The book was also nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 2025. He also received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Chadron State College.

In 2024, McConkey ran for Congress from the 13th district seat of North Carolina, but was not elected.

In 2025, he received a People's Telly Gold Award for his work on the program A True American Hero: Dr. Josh McConkey's Journey as a Doctor, Soldier, and Leader. In the same year, McConkey also released the screenplay One Week with Gerald, which won a New York Script Award for Best War Screenplay and was named an official selection at the Beverly Hills Film Festival in 2026. He received a Gold Mom’s Choice Award for the book in March 2025. Previously, he also was a professor at Duke University. McConkey has also served as a correspondent for news programs such as WRAL News.

Personal life McConkey is married and has three children. They reside in Apex, North Carolina.

Awards and accolades

Media and print awards Work Year and Award Category Result Ref. A True American Hero: Dr. Josh McConkey's Journey as a Doctor, Soldier, and Leader 2025 Telly Award People’s Telly Gold Won One Week with Gerald 2025 New York Script Award Best War Screenplay Won 2026 Beverly Hills Film Festival Official Selection (Screenplay) Won

Military honors

Legion of Merit for Exceptional Service