Admiral Donald J. MacDonald

Admiral Donald J. MacDonald was born in Du Bois, Pennsylvania, on July 25, 1908. He was raised and educated in Du Bois through high school and then received an appointment to the Naval Academy from the 23^rd district of Pennsylvania. After graduating the Academy in 1931, he served several years on destroyers, battleships, and auxiliaries before venturing to Washington in 1938 as the Assistant Communications Officer at the Navy Department. He spent two years in the national's capital, also serving as a White House aid under President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Following his assignment in Washington, MacDonald was ordered to serve as a Flag Lieutenant for Admiral Robert Lee Ghormley's cruiser division stationed in Hawaii. But Ghormley was soon ordered to London to see how the United States could assist the British military in preparation for war with Germany, and MacDonald agreed to join him.

After two years in Europe as a Special Naval Observer and Flag Lieutenant, MacDonald returned to the States and was made the commanding officer of the destroyer the O’Bannon. From 1942 to 1944, MacDonald led the O’Bannon and its crew through numerous conflicts in the Pacific, emerging as the only destroyer to survive the intensive combat. MacDonald was highly-decorated for his heroism and courage. He briefly accepted a position instructing new destroyer commanders before returning to the European front as Admiral Alan Goodrich Kirk’s Operations and Plans officer. By the end of World War II, MacDonald was serving as Deputy Chief of Staff of Admiral Ghormley's U.S, Forces in Germany.

MacDonald’s illustrious military career even included serving as the commanding officer of the Williamsburg, which was President Harry Truman’s personal ship.

Labels: admiral, commanding officer, Donald J. MacDonald, Germany