Myron Donald was born in Auburn, New York, in 1943. He entered the U.S. Air Force Academy in June 1961, and was commissioned a 2d Lt in the U.S. Air Force on June 9, 1965. Lt Donald next completed Undergraduate Pilot Training and was awarded his pilot wings at Craig AFB, Alabama, in October 1966, followed by F-4 Phantom II Combat Crew Training from October 1966 to February 1967. His first assignment was as an F-4 pilot with the 476th Tactical Fighter Squadron at George AFB, California, from February to September 1967, and then with the 497th Tactical Fighter Squadron at Ubon Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from September 1967 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on February 23, 1968. After spending 1,847 days in captivity, Capt Donald was released during Operation Homecoming on March 14, 1973. He was briefly hospitalized to recover from his injuries at March AFB, California, and then received an Air Force Institute of Technology assignment to complete his master's degree at the University of Arizona from August 1973 to August 1975. His next assignment was as Information Officer for the Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center at Davis-Monthan AFB, Arizona, from August 1975 to June 1978, followed by service as Deputy Chief of the Information Division at Davis-Monthan from June 1978 to April 1979. LtCol Donald served as Editor of Airscoop with Headquarters U.S. Air Forces in Europe at Ramstein AB, West Germany, from April 1979 to July 1983, and then as Chief of the Public Affairs Division with the 416th Bomb Wing at Griffiss AFB, New York, from July 1983 until his retirement from the Air Force on September 1, 1986.

His Legion of Merit Citation reads:

For the period February 1968 to February 1971: This officer distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the United States as a Prisoner of War in North Vietnam during the above period. His ceaseless efforts, by a continuous showing of resistance to an enemy who ignored all international agreements on treatment of prisoners of war, in the extremely adverse conditions of the communist prisons of North Vietnam, demonstrated his professional competence, unwavering devotion, and loyalty to his country. Despite the harsh treatment through his long years of incarceration, this individual continued to perform his duties in a clearly exceptional manner which reflected great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.