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Pfc Donald J. McConkey enlisted in Greensburg, Pennsylvania on 12 June 1943.

He was killed by small arms fire to the head.

He was awarded the Silver Star Medal posthumously. the citation cited: For gallantry in action while serving with Company L, 142d Infantry Regiment, 36th Infantry Division, in action on 7 November 1944 in France. The 3rd Platoon of Company L was advancing along a wooded draw, leading the attack against enemy defenses on an important hill, when hostile machine gun, rifle and mortar fire directed from all sides cut it off from the remainder of the company. One machine gun, well-emplaced on the lower ridge overlooking the draw, was sweeping the entire platoon with deadly bursts of fire, threatening to inflict heavy casualties on the group. Pfc McConkey, an acting squad leader, determined upon a course of immediate action. He courageously led his men forward in an attempt to destroy the machine gun position. Moving calmly in the face of point blank fire, he skillfully deployed his squad and advanced to within 50 yards of the hostile emplacement. After placing his men in advantageous firing positions, he courageously exposed himself in order to direct their fire with greater effectiveness. He immediately became the target for the enemy gunners and was killed by the machine gun fire. As a result of his daring and aggressiveness, the hostile position was eliminated and the company was able to continue its advance.