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Private First Class Miles Robert Donaldson

A black and white headshot of a young White man in uniform.
  • Unit: Fleet Marine Force, 1st Marine Division, 1st Marines, 2nd Battalion, Headquarters and Service Company
  • Date of Birth: September 21, 1925
  • Entered the Military: November 16, 1943
  • Date of Death: April 26, 1996
  • Hometown: New Madrid, Missouri
  • Place of Death: Marietta, Georgia
  • Award(s): Purple Heart, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, and National Defense Service Medal
  • Cemetery: Section K, Grave 3967B. Marietta National Cemetery, Marietta, Georgia
Contributed by Braylon Cambor, Izzie Eshiwani-Nate, Emma Fleming, Karol Lopez-Perez, and Brittain Meadows
Mentored by Ms. Mindy Lawrence
Pace Academy, Atlanta, Georgia
2025/2026

Early Life

Miles Robert Donaldson was born on September 21, 1925, in New Madrid, Missouri, to Emma Gertrude Whitlock and Thomas Donaldson. He grew up with three siblings, Howard, Betty, and Idaleane. Donaldson completed only four years of grammar school and did not continue on to high school or college. Leaving school early was not uncommon for young people growing up in working-class families during that era. Instead, he went to work as a baker.

On November 16, 1943, Donaldson enlisted in the U.S. Army in Jefferson Barracks, Missouri.

A snippet of the 1930 Census
The 1930 Census shows the Donaldson family living in New Madrid, Missouri. Dad, Thomas, is working as a laborer, and Mom, Emma, is a laundress at home. National Archives and Records Administration.
A snippet of the 1940 Census
The 1940 Census shows the Donaldson family living in Tywappity Township, Missouri. National Archives and Records Administration.

Homefront

New Madrid, Missouri, was a small agricultural community of approximately two thousand people in Missouri’s Bootheel. New Madrid County was a major agricultural area supplying cotton, soybeans, and timber products to the Midwest. New Madrid’s economy and social structure included many farming households with community churches, schools, and businesses. The community’s landscape and way of life had evolved from a small frontier village at the edge of the American bottomlands into a dynamic hub of twentieth-century rural life.

War Reaches the Home Front

Life in New Madrid changed in many ways for inhabitants far removed from the war’s major battlefronts and industrial centers. While New Madrid was not a major center of war production, its agricultural products were in constant demand in metropolitan centers such as St. Louis and Kansas City. The New Madrid newspapers continually emphasized the importance of citizens’ work on farms and in homes in the production of war materials and foodstuffs. 

Redefining Farm Work as War Work

All was directed to the production of products essential to the war effort. Everything done on the farm was termed “war work” and placed in the same class as the work of shipbuilders and those on battle fronts, with the intent of motivating the individual to his highest effort in aiding the war for democracy. For instance, the Gideon-Anderson Lumber Company organized a scrap metal drive that engaged residents’ attention for months, gathering much-needed war materials from scrap metal on local premises. There was a constant reminder that “Every pound of scrap metal taken up is a U-Boat shot down.”

Community Mobilization and Patriotism

Schools, students, and families were all drawn into war bond drives in communities across the nation. In New Madrid, students in the New Madrid Public School system raised more than $18,000 in war bonds and war savings stamps, with 75 percent of students participating. Victory Gardens and the effort to conserve food and other materials were also undertaken. These measures helped bring the community closer to the war and heighten local awareness of the role residents were expected to play.

Labor Shortages and New Workers

Many young men were called into the military. As a result, local women and girls had to work in the fields to ensure crops were harvested. In addition to the local labor force, 453 German and Austrian prisoners of war (POW) were sent to the Conran POW camp in New Madrid County and were used to harvest the barley and wheat crops.

A newspaper ad showing a sinking submarine with the words, “Sink a Sub From Your Farm Bring in Your Scrap.”
Advertisement from Gideon-Anderson Lumber Co. urging residents to bring in scrap metal for the World War II war effort. Gideon-Clarkton News and Malden Tri-County News, December 17, 1943.
Newspaper article titled “Italian Prisoners Working in County.”
Italian prisoners of war are working on the W.C. Thompson farm, near Portageville. The Weekly Record, June 16, 1944.

Military Experience

Little is known about Donaldson’s time in the Army, but there are records that show he was hospitalized in February 1945 for white phosphorus burns to his abdomen. These injuries were substantial enough to earn him a Purple Heart. After being discharged from the Army on January 31, 1946, he immediately reenlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve, where he served until January 31, 1949. 

On April 27, 1948, Donaldson married Alfreda Botson in Charleston, Missouri. From 1950 to 1952, the couple lived in Charleston, and Donaldson worked as a pastry baker at Jones Bakery in Kennett, Missouri. 

Donaldson Deployed

On September 5, 1952, Donaldson enlisted again, this time in the United States Marine Corps from St. Louis. He was transferred to San Diego, California, where he joined the 2nd Recruit Training Battalion. After being promoted to private first class, he was moved to the Headquarters and Service Company at Camp Pendleton. 

On April 17, 1953, Donaldson embarked aboard USNS General Nelson M. Walker from San Diego, and disembarked at Inchon, Korea, on May 3, 1953. While in Korea, he was assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion, 1st Marines, 1st Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force. Donaldson’s primary duties in Korea included ammo carrier, cook striker, cook, and baker. He remained in this position through the armistice and for over a year of post-armistice occupation duty. On August 8, 1954, Donaldson made the voyage home aboard USNS General E.T. Collins.

Stateside Service

Following his return to the United States, Donaldson was assigned to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, where he remained until he was separated from service on February 1, 1955. 

Donaldson’s Recognition

Donaldson received the Korean Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal. 

A color image of a ship at dock.
The transport vessel, USNS General Nelson M. Walker, on which Donaldson traveled to Korea from April to May 1953. 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry.
A typewritten list of assignments.
Donaldson’s Record of Service from his time in the U.S. Marine Corps, 1955. National Archives and Records Administration.
A snippet of the 1950 Census.
The 1950 Census shows the Donaldson family living in Charleston, Missouri. Miles is working as a baker. National Archives and Records Administration.

Veteran Experience

Before 1955, Miles and Alfreda divorced, and Donaldson remarried. On July 29, 1955, Donaldson married Dorothy Joan Parker in Georgia. Together, they had ten children: Robert, Tim, David, John, Karen, Judy, Jo Ellen, Patty, Jackie, and Melissa. Throughout his life, Donaldson moved frequently within Georgia, building a large family after years of military service. Eventually, the couple divorced.

After his wartime service, Donaldson held civilian jobs as a pastry baker in southeast Missouri, working for Charleston Bakery Co. and later Jones Bakery in Kennett. He also worked for Bunge Corporation in West Memphis, Arkansas, before eventually settling in Georgia in 1993.

Donaldson was a member of the First Baptist Church, the VFW Post No. 4294, and the Disabled American Veterans. 

A typed marriage announcement.
Miles Donaldson and Dorothy Parker’s wedding announcement. The True Republican, August 2, 1955.
A newspaper article.
The Daily Standard welcomed the Donaldson family back to Sikeston, November 28, 1962.

Commemoration

Miles Donaldson passed away on April 26, 1996. He is buried at the Marietta National Cemetery in Marietta, Georgia.

A color photograph of an arched white marble headstone with a cross engraved at the top and the words. “Miles Robert Donaldson PFC US Marine Corps World War II Korea Sep 21 1925 Apr 26 1996.”
Donaldson’s grave at Marietta National Cemetery, April 14, 2026. Courtesy of Mindy Lawrence.
A color image of five students standing in a cemetery.
Students from Pace Academy in Atlanta, Georgia, memorialize Donaldson at the Marietta National Cemetery, April 14, 2026. Courtesy of Mindy Lawrence.

Bibliography

Primary Sources

“Another Scout Heard From.” Gideon-Clarkton News and the Malden Tri-County News [Gideon, Missouri], September 17, 1943. Newspapers.com (861892680).

“Army to Invade County for Scrap Saturday.” Gideon-Clarkton News and the Malden Tri-County News [Gideon, Missouri], September 17, 1943. Newspapers.com (861892635).

“From Where I Sit.” Gideon-Clarkton News and the Malden Tri-County News [Gideon, Missouri], September 17, 1943. Newspapers.com (861892701).

Gideon-Anderson Lumber Company. Advertisement. “Sink a Sub from Your Farm.” Gideon-Clarkton News and the Malden Tri-County News [Gideon, Missouri], September 17, 1943. Newspapers.com (861892701).

“Italian Prisoners Working in County.” The Weekly Record [New Madrid, Missouri], June 16, 1944. Newspapers.com (861789742).

“JUST IMAGINE.” Gideon-Clarkton News and the Malden Tri-County News [Gideon, Missouri], September 17, 1943. Newspapers.com (861892680).

“Marriage Licenses.” The True Republican [Sycamore, Illinois], August 2, 1955. Newspapers.com (898165120).

Miles Donaldson. Missouri Marriage Records, 1805–2002. Digital Images. https://ancestryclassroom.com.

Miles Donaldson. U.S., Newspapers.com™ Obituary Index, 1800s–Current. Digital Images. https://ancestryclassroom.com.

Miles Donaldson. U.S., World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938–1946. Digital Images. https://ancestryclassroom.com.

Miles R. Donaldson. DeKalb County, Illinois Marriages, 1864–1962. Digital Images. https://ancestryclassroom.com.

Miles R. Donaldson. U.S. Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1798–1958. Digital Images. https://ancestryclassroom.com.

“Miles Robert ‘Bob’ Donaldson.” Enterprise-Courier [Charleston, Missouri], May 2, 1996. Newspapers.com (936599246).

Miles Robert Donaldson. Official Military Personnel File (partial). Department of the Navy. National Archives and Records Administration – St. Louis.

Miles Robert Donaldson. Report of Separation. Department of the Navy. National Archives and Records Administration – St. Louis.

Miles Robert Donaldson. U.S. Korean War Era Draft Cards, 1948–1959. Digital Images. https://ancestryclassroom.com.

Miles Robert Donaldson. U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936–2007. Digital Images. https://ancestryclassroom.com.

Missouri. Mississippi County. 1940 U.S. Census. Digital Images. https://ancestryclassroom.com.

Missouri. New Madrid County. 1930 United States Census. Digital Images. https://ancestryclassroom.com.

Robert L. Donaldson. U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls, 1938–1949. Digital Images. https://ancestryclassroom.com.

“Welcome Wagon.” The Daily Standard [Sikeston, Missouri], November 28, 1962. Newspapers.com (87414571).

Secondary Sources

“Armistice Agreement for the Restoration of the South Korean State (1953).” National Archives. Accessed November 1, 2025. https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/armistice-agreement-restoration-south-korean-state. 

“Gideon-Anderson Lumber & Mercantile Company.” Historical Marker Database. Accessed February 27, 2026. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=169488. 

Hartley, Jillian J. The Reclamation of the Missouri Bootheel: The Formation of the Little River Drainage District. Arkansas State University, 2016.

“History of New Madrid’s Street Names.” New Madrid, Missouri (Official City Website). Accessed January 23, 2026. http://www.new-madrid.mo.us/127/History-of-New-Madrids-Street-Names. 

“KCQ: How One Kansas City Company Helped Carry America Through World War II.” Kansas City Public Library. January 2022. Accessed February 27, 2026. https://kclibrary.org/news/2022-01/kcq-how-one-kansas-city-company-helped-carry-america-through-world-war-ii. 

“Life Behind the Wire: How Axis Prisoners of War Worked Missouri Farms During World War II.” St. Louis Jewish Light. Accessed February 23, 2026. https://stljewishlight.org/news/news-local/life-behind-the-wire-how-axis-prisoners-of-war-worked-missouri-farms-during-wwii/. 

“Looking Back at Kansas City’s Production of B-25 Bombers Flown in World War II.” The Kansas City Star / KSHB 41. Accessed December 15, 2025. https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/looking-back-at-kansas-citys-production-of-b-25-bombers-flown-in-world-war-ii. 

“Miles Robert Donaldson.” Find a Grave. Accessed December 12, 2025. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/590639/miles-robert-donaldson. 

“Miles Robert Donaldson.” Veterans Legacy Memorial, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Accessed December 12, 2025. https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/MILESROBERTDONALDSON/D7DA26C. 

Miller, Hunter, Ms. Historical New Madrid County, Mother of Southeast Missouri. New Madrid County Teachers Association, March 19, 1948.

Millett, Allan R. Semper Fidelis: A Popular History of Camp Lejeune. Free Press, Macmillan, 1980. 

Missouri Census Data Center. Missouri City Population, 1900–1990 (PDF). https://mcdc.missouri.edu/population-estimates/historical/cities1900-1990.pdf. 

“New Madrid County.” Bootheel Regional Planning and Economic Development Commission. Accessed February 27, 2026. https://bootrpc.com/new-madrid. 

“New Madrid County, Missouri.” Kiddle. Accessed December 12, 2025. https://kids.kiddle.co/New_Madrid_County,_Missouri. 

O’Brien, M. J. “Federalized Prefabrication: Southeast Missouri Farms Self-Help Housing in the 1930s.” Construction History. Volume 34, Issue 1, (2019): 43-58. https://www.jstor.org/stable/27081135. 

Roll, Jarod. “‘Out Yonder on the Road’: Working-Class Self-Representation and the 1939 Roadside Demonstration in Southeast Missouri.” Southern Spaces. Accessed November 1, 2025. https://southernspaces.org/2010/out-yonder-road-working-class-self-representation-and-1939-roadside-demonstration-southeast-missouri/. 

State Historical Society of Missouri. Gideon-Anderson Lumber & Mercantile Company Papers, 1901–1985 (collection guide, R0449) (PDF). https://files.shsmo.org/manuscripts/rolla/R0449.pdf. 

Swanson, Claude A. “The Fleet Marine Force.” United States Marine Corps. Accessed February 25, 2026. https://www.usmcu.edu/Research/Marine-Corps-History-Division/Frequently-Requested-Topics/Historical-Documents-Orders-and-Speeches/The-Fleet-Marine-Force/. 

“The USNS General Walker.” 1st Battalion 22nd Infantry. Accessed November 1, 2025. https://1-22infantry.org/history3/walker.htm. 

“Weldon Spring Site Profile.” Environmental Protection Agency. Accessed February 2, 2026. https://cumulis.epa.gov/supercpad/SiteProfiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=second.cleanup&id=0701773. 

Wortmann, Jared. Missouri’s Manufacturing Difference During World War II. Paper presented for History 2791: Historical Research Methods, Missouri University of Science and Technology, 2023.  https://scholarsmine.mst.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1008&context=src. 


This profile was funded by a grant from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The opinions, findings, and conclusions stated herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.