He was a flying ace credited with shooting down ten enemy aircraft and was awarded the Navy Cross during World War II.

One day, Conger escorted another future Marine flying ace, Joe Foss, out of the theater after he had snuck in.

Henderson Field was being bombed daily by Japanese aircraft, and the squadrons operating from the airfield were dubbed the Cactus Air Force.

First Lieutenant Conger began flying combat missions on October 16, intercepting and shooting down Japanese bombers and strafing enemy ships and ground positions.

Conger then pursued a fourth Zero, piloted by flying ace Petty Officer Second Class Shiro Ishikawa.

Ishikawa thanked Conger for saving his life 48 years earlier at Guadalcanal, which allowed him to raise a family.