Richard Ford “Dick” McDonald Jr. was born on February 16, 1920, in Austin, Travis County, Texas. He was the son of Richard Ford McDonald and Myrtle Mollie Marshall McDonald. He was married to Helen Cooke McDonald. While attending law school at the University of Texas, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps just ten days after the bombing of Pearl Harbor, on December 17, 1941. He initially entered pilot training before transferring to Bombardier School in Midland, Texas, where he trained for six months and then remained as an instructor for two years. He was later assigned to a combat squadron in Clovis, New Mexico, before being deployed to Italy. He served in the 782nd Bomber Squadron, 465th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a First Lieutenant and Bombardier of B-24 #44-41011, nicknamed "Fast Number" during World War II.

On August 3, 1944, the 'Fast Number' took off from Pantanella Airfield in Cerignola, Italy, on a mission to bomb the steel plant at Friedrichshafen, Germany. After completing the bombing run, the aircraft was attacked by German fighters during the return flight over Tyrol, Austria. Fast Number was struck by 20mm cannon fire from a Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 flown by an unknown pilot of Jagdgeschwader 3, causing catastrophic damage. The bomber exploded in mid-air, killing several crew members instantly, and the others managed to bail out and were captured, becoming prisoners of war.

1Lt McDonald successfully bailed out of the aircraft, was captured, and was held as a prisoner of war at Stalag Luft III. He ended his military service as a Captain. After the war, McDonald settled in Aiken in 1950, where he built a successful career as a builder and developer and became a partner in Combs, McDonald & Parks. A passionate golfer, he designed and constructed the clubhouse at Midland Valley Country Club, where he was a lifetime member. He also won the Devereux Milburn Tournament at the Palmetto Golf Club. He died on April 5, 2014, and is now buried in the Aiken Memorial Gardens, Aiken, Aiken County, South Carolina, USA.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.loc.gov, 465th.org