9th Ward Veteran Interviews - Brit McConkie

Spotlight on Brother Brit McConkie

Brother Brit McConkie served in the Army as a Tank Destroyer for about ten years from 1935- 1946. He served during World War II in Europe, and he fought in the greatest U.S. war known as the Battle of the Bulge. During his service he received a couple of medals, one of which was for saving a town from being exploded! Brother McConkie served as Captain during the war, overseeing about 125 men and 4 officers. He was once asked by a Colonel during his service as Captain, after a three-day training in the desert, why he didn’t have even one man in his company arrested for rowdiness or alcohol, which had occurred in other companies. Brother McConkie told this Colonel that they behaved so well because his men knew his standards.

Brother McConkie witnessed many miracles during his service. The one that stands out to him most is when he got a chance to speak to his brother on the telephone, who was also serving in the war. They hadn’t spoken for about two or three years and it was very rare that they were both located near a telephone. Brother McConkie happened to call the very building where his brother was at the time, not knowing he would be there. It was a miracle they got to speak to each other that day. Brother McConkie felt that his life was spared time after time during the war, as he spoke with people while they were dying. The number one lesson he learned during his service was that the Lord can protect us. Brother McConkie enjoyed his military service and after the war, he was promoted to the rank of Major.