He was credited with eight confirmed victories during World War I while flying as a wingman to Victoria Cross winner William George Barker.
[1] However, as his attestation paper is missing, his actual date of enlistment is unknown; his Canadian citizenship also becomes questionable, as he is not known to have sworn allegiance to the Crown.
MacDonald began his military hitch in the motor transport segment of the Army Service Corps.
[3] While assigned to 66 Squadron, MacDonald flew as a wingman for William George Barker, the great Canadian ace.
This feat earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross, awarded on 20 August 1918[3] and gazetted on 2 November 1918: On 20 April 1919, MacDonald was transferred to the unemployed list of the Royal Air Force, ending his term of service.