[3] Donaldson was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism in December 1941 at Cavite, Philippine Islands, when he worked to evacuate ships and wounded and to fight fires during Japanese air raids.

She screened a convoy to Roi Namur and gave local escort service there and at Eniwetok until returning to Pearl Harbor 25 March.

Donaldson returned to Pearl Harbor on 15 August and five days later got underway to escort the Western Garrison Force for the assault and occupation of the Palaus, patrolling off Peleliu and Angaur from 20 to 22 September.

Arriving at Ulithi on 21 November 1944 Donaldson reported to the 3rd Fleet for duty as escort for the logistics group supporting the fast carrier task force.

She returned to duty with the 3rd Fleet fueling group operating in support of the assaults on Iwo Jima and Okinawa and the final strikes on the Japanese homeland and on 31 August she was detached to join a logistics unit in the Yellow Sea for the occupation of Jinsen, Korea.