Mac was born in Boston, Massachusetts, November 14, 1929, the son of Herman Albin MacDonald SR. and Marion Young. He was confirmed at age twelve at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Beverly Farms, Massachusetts. Mac grew up in Beverly Farms and Marblehead Massachusetts. He was very athletic in High School. Mac’s military career began shortly after he graduated from high school in 1948, when he joined the United States Coast Guard Reserves while attending Bryant College in Smithfield, Rhode Island. Mac graduated with Degrees in Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. After graduation, he joined the United States Marine Corp, and became an officer.
Mac’s military career sent him to distant lands to defend America’s interest. He served in combat on the main line of resistance in Korea. In Korea he received his Sergeant stripes and was promoted to Second Lieutenant on the same day. Mac was a first Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, stationed at Kaneohe, Hawaii. In August 1956, he met Violet “Vi” Kline. Mac and Vi where married in the Chapel of St. Andrews Episcopal Cathedral in Honolulu, Hawaii, by Rev. Samuel VanCulin.
Following a tour in Hawaii in 1959, he was transferred to Great Lakes, Illinois. In 1961 Mac was transferred to Sea duty aboard the USS Providence, a guided missile cruiser, the flag ship for the seventh fleet. It was home ported at Long Beach, California and Yokosuka, Japan. His shipboard duty was throughout the western pacific. After Japan he was transferred to Camp Pendleton, California where he was promoted to Major. He was a company commander in a Recon Battalion. Next, he became the Commanding officer of First Force Reconnaissance at Camp Pendleton.
Mac served as an Inspector and Instructor “I & I” in Binghamton, New York and at Picatinny Arsenal in D over, New Jersey. At Picatinny he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. His next duty station was at Command and Staff College at Quantico, Virginia. While living in Virginia he went to Virginia Tech and received a Master’s degree in Education. After Quantico he was sent to Vietnam 1969-1970.
He served in Vietnam as part of the highly classified, multi-service United States Special operations Unit (SOG). After Vietnam he was transferred to Marine Corps Headquarters in Washington D.C.. While stationed in Washington D.C. he became military aid to Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, George Romney, for President Nixon's second Inauguration. Following his service with the Secretary, Mac was transferred to Toronto, Canada.
In Canada he was an Instructor at the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College. He returned to the United States in 1976, to Camp Pendleton as Executive Officer of the First Marine Division Support Group. This was his last duty station. Mac retired from the United States Marine Corp in 1978. Upon retirement he had earned various awards to include the Legion of Merit with Combat V (Valor), for "exceptionally meritorious conduct" in combat, the Meritorious Service Metal, National Defense Service, Korean Service, U.N. Service 5 stars, Republic of Vietnam Campaign, Vietnam Meritorious Unit Commendation, Combat Action Ribbon, the Navy-Marine Corps and Republic of Vietnam Parachute Insignia, and various weapons expert badges. He earn a total of 24 ribbons, 5 of which were personal decorations, in addition to presidential unit citations from the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps.
In 1978 Mac and his family moved to Salem, Oregon. For Mac, retirement meant a chance to follow a new dream.
His compassion for children brought him to the classroom, where he became a teacher. From 1978 to 1985 Mac taught in the Salem School District in Oregon, where he worked with troubled teenagers. He became the Principal of the Woodburn Gervais Alternative High School. He retired in 1999.
After his retirement from the Oregon School District, he served Veterans as an advocate for Oregon Veterans’ Organizations. In 2019 he received the Korean Ambassador Peace medal from the Korean Government. In addition, he helped with legislation for the development of the Oregon Veterans home in Lebanon, OR. He also conducted memorial services in Salem, OR, at City View Cemetery for six years. In addition, he was the founder of the Oregon Military Educational Display, a collection of uniforms, metals, and artifacts from various wars throughout history.
The items are put on a display during May each year at the Oregon State Capital. He has held positions of leadership in the community for many years. He was a proud member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Marion Post 661, Salem, OR; Military Order of World Wars and Military Officers Association of America.
Lt. Colonel Herman (“MAC”) MacDonald, age 93 passed away on December 19, 2022, at the Oregon Veterans Home in Lebanon, Oregon. His entire life was dedicated to serving America, its Veteran's and Citizens. Mac and his wife Vi, married 65 years. He is survived by his wife, Son Kevin MacDonald, Daughter Kathy Terry, and two grandchildren Greg Publise and Jayson Terry.
A funeral service for Mac will be held Wednesday, December 28, 2022 at 11:00 AM at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 1444 Liberty St. SE, Salem, Oregon 97302. Viewing will begin prior to service at 10:00am. Following the funeral service will be a graveside service at 2:00 PM at Restlawn Memory Gardens, 201 S Oak Grove Rd NW, Salem, Oregon 97304.
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