John Owen Donaldson

Who is John Owen Donaldson?

Captain John Owen Donaldson was a World War I flying ace credited with seven aerial victories.

Donaldson was born in Fort Yates, North Dakota, the son of General Thomas Quinton Donaldson. He left Cornell and joined the Royal Flying Corps in Canada in March 1917. When the U.S. declared war, he transferred to the American air service. He was attached to the RAF, and posted to 32 Squadron. From July 22, through August 29, he destroyed four Fokker D.VII fighters and drove down three others out of control.

On September 1, he was shot down by Theodor Quandt, and captured. The following day, he and another prisoner escaped and tried to steal a German two-seater for a flying exit. Donaldson received a bayonet wound in the back struggling with a sentry, and the refugee duo fled. On September 9, they were caught swimming a stream in No Man's Land, and re-incarcerated. Three days later, Donaldson, his companion, and three other POWs escaped; Donaldson made it to the Netherlands in October.

Donaldson won the U.S. transcontinental air race in October 1919, and was awarded the Mackay Gold Medal. He resigned his commission in 1920.