Born in Toronto, ON. the son of Norman Donald and Louina McDonald of 14 Burnham Thorpe Road, Islington, ON. John enlisted with the RCAF in July of 1940 and was sent overseas in May of 1941. The brother of Marjorie, Bruce (RCAF instructor) and Donald (RCAF on a Officer Training course and Uncle to Ian and Patricia.

He enlisted in the RCAF in 1941. John had graduated at the head of his class at Moncton, NB. He received his commission, leaving for overseas in May 1941. He would be stationed at No. 83 Bomber Squadron RAF.

F/O McDonald had flown many operations over enemy territory and was on the 1,000 air attack on Cologne.

He would be awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross ( after his death  and was presented to his father) The citation is as follows:

DFC Citation:

“This officer had carried out many sorties on heavily defended targets in the Ruhr, Germany and occupied territory in France. One day in May 1942 he participated in a strong attack on Cologne. Whilst over the target area his aircraft was heavily engaged by defenders. The aircraft was extensively damaged but he flew it safely back to his base.”

F/O McDonald would be KIA 11/09/42 when his Lancaster bomber was shot down. He is buried at Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Awards	(DFC)
Sources	WHS-HR, M. Matt, BT, BT-HR, CDN(1), CVWM

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