[1] Born in Gay Head, Massachusetts to William and Minnie (née Manning) Malonson,[5] his father was French Canadian.
[5] He and his sister, Gladys Widdiss, were raised at the family homestead near Lobsterville Road, which had been built by their great-grandparents, Thomas Manning and Rosabelle Howwasswee.
[5] Donald only left Gay Head once — to serve in the 61st United States Naval Construction Battalion in the South Pacific during World War II.
After being sent to Camp Perry in Virginia for training, he shipped out of California with the 61st United States Naval Construction Battalion to serve in the Pacific.
The Wampanoag tribe governs themselves with an elected Tribal Council, with traditional positions held by a chief (currently F. Ryan Malonson) and medicine man (currently Jason Baird), who maintain their status for life.