James Terry Conway, from Walnut Ridge, AR, graduated from Southeast Missouri State University in 1969 and joined the U.S. Marine Corps as an infantry officer in 1970. He had a 40-year career, reaching the rank of four-star general and serving as the 34th Commandant of the Marine Corps in 2006. He retired in November 2010 after 14 years as a general officer and 26 years as an infantry officer.

Conway earned the Defense Distinguished Service Medal three times, as well as the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, and Defense Meritorious Service Medal. He also received seven expert awards in rifle and pistol marksmanship and the Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon. His roles included rifle platoon leader, infantry company commander, senior aide to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and commander of the First Marine Expeditionary Force, overseeing over 60,000 Marines during two combat tours in Iraq, including the first Battle of Fallujah.

As Commandant, he managed the lives and welfare of all U.S. Marines and handled a $40 billion annual budget.