Colonel (Retired) John E. Donaldson entered active duty in 1951 at Fort lee, Virginia, as a Second Lieutenant. Upon graduation from the Quartermaster Officer Basic Course, he received his Regular Army Commission and began a two year branch detail in the Field Artillery. Over the course of his career, Colonel (Retired) John E. Donaldson distinguished himself in a variety of challenging and critical assignments, both in CONUS and OCONUS units as a Quartermaster Officer.

Colonel (Retired) John E. Donaldson  has served in the following Key command and Staff positions during assignments over a 25 year career: Commander, Red River Army Depot, Texarkana, Texas, Commander, Pueblo Army Depot, Pueblo, Colorado, Chief, Military Personnel Division, Directorate of personnel Training & Force  Development, HQ Army materiel Command, Chief, Army Logistics Branch, HQ Military Equipment Team, Cambodia, Chief, Assignments Section, Quartermaster Branch, Officer Personnel Directorate, Washington D.C., Staff Officer, Doctrine and Concepts Division, OACSFOR, Senior Advisor, ARVN, 5^th Area Logistical Command, Nha Trang, Vietnam, Division Chief, Field Test Service Division, General Equipment Test Agency, Fort Lee, Virginia, Commander, 9^th Quartermaster Company, 9^th Infantry Division, Goeppingen, Germany.

Colonel (Retired) John E. Donaldson awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit (with Three oak leaf Clusters), the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (with Two Oak leaf Clusters), the Vietnam Service Medal (with Three Battle Stars), the World War II Victory Medal, the National Defense Service Medal (With Oak Leaf Cluster), the Korean Service Medal (With Three Battle Stars), the United Nation Service Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Meritorious Unit Citation, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Cambodian National Defense Service Medal, Army General Staff Identification Badge.

Colonel (Retired) John E. Donaldson holds a Masters Degree from Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; and a B.S. Ed from Ohio University, Athens Ohio.

Colonel (Retired) John E. Donaldson is a graduate of the following military schools/courses: Army Management School, Army Procurement Course, Basic field Artillery School, Quartermaster Officer Basic Course, Basic, Quartermaster Officer Advanced Course, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and Industrial College of the Armed Forces.