During high school, Donald helped with the war effort working at the aircraft companies in Wichita. Following high school graduation in 1944, he joined the United States Navy on June 16, 1944, and proudly served his country as a Seaman First Class during WWII. He served as a Gun Crew Member of the Liberty ship, SS George B. McFarland. Donald was honorably discharged on May 24, 1946. He received Service Ribbons, the Victory Medal, American Area Campaign Medal and Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign medal. Donald received training at the Armed Guard School of San Diego, California, US Naval Training Center in Farragut, Idaho.