Glynn Donaho was born on March 25, 1905, in George, Texas. He entered the U.S. Naval Academy on July 10, 1923, and was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy on June 2, 1927. His first assignment was aboard the battleship USS California (BB-44) from July 1927 to May 1930, followed by Submarine training at the Submarine Training School at Submarine Base New London, Connecticut, from June to December 1930. LtJg Donaho served as Navigator aboard the submarine USS S-12 (SS-117) from December 1930 to March 1933, and then as Navigator aboard the submarine USS R-3 (SS-80) from March 1933 to August 1934. His next assignment was as Navigator aboard the submarine USS R-13 (SS-90) from August 1934 to June 1935, followed by Naval Postgraduate School at the U.S. Naval Academy from June 1935 to May 1937. Lt Donaho served on the Staff of the Commander, Submarine Squadron 4 from June 1937 to May 1940, and then as Executive Officer aboard the submarine USS R-14 (SS-91) from May 1940 to November 1941. He became Commanding Officer of the submarine USS Flying Fish (SS-229) during her fitting out in November 1941, and commanded her during her first 7 war patrols from December 1941 to November 1943. CDR Donaho served with the Commander of Submarine Division 222 from December 1943 to July 1944, and then served as Commanding Officer of the submarine USS Picuda (SS-382) during that submarine's 3rd War Patrol from July to October 1944. He again served with the Commander of Submarine Division 222 from October 1944 to May 1945, and then as Operations Officer with the Commander of Battleship Squadron 1 from May to October 1945. His next assignment was as the Director of the Recruiting Division in the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, D.C., from October 1945 to May 1948, followed by service as the Commander of Submarine Squadron 3 from May 1948 to June 1950. CAPT Donaho served as Assistant for United Nations Matters in the International Affairs Division in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations from June to August 1950, followed by National War College from August 1950 to June 1951. His next assignment was as Head of the Foreign Military Aid Branch with the International Affairs Division in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations from June 1951 to July 1953, and then as Commander of Destroyer Squadron 17 from July 1953 to January 1955. He served as Chief of Staff and Aide to the Commander of U.S. 7th Fleet from January to December 1955, followed by service as Commander of U.S. Naval Base Subic Bay in the Philippines from December 1955 to August 1957. ADM Donaho served as the Commander of Destroyer Flotilla 3 from August 1957 to September 1958, and then as Director of the Logistics Plans Division in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations from September 1958 to September 1959. His next assignment was as Director of Naval Administration from September 1959 to September 1962, followed by service as Naval Inspector General from September 1962 to July 1964. His final assignment was as Commander of the Military Sea Transportation Service from July 1964 until his retirement from the Navy on April 1, 1967. Glynn Donaho died on May 26, 1986.

His 4th Navy Cross Citation reads:

For extraordinary heroism in action in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of a United States Submarine during a war patrol of that vessel. As Commanding Officer, his skill and tenacious actions in penetrating air and surface escort screens maintained around enemy shipping enabled him to launch well-planned and aggressive torpedo attacks which resulted in the sinking or damaging of enemy shipping totaling over 29,000 tons. In spite of enemy countermeasures, his skillful evasive tactics enabled him to bring his ship back to port. His conduct throughout was an inspiration to his officers and men and is in keeping with the highest traditions of the naval service.