Gerald Barrie McDonald

CAPTAIN GERALD BARRIE MCDONALD
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959
Cadet Squadron 9 ("Vandenberg")

Born in Sackets Harbor, New York, Gerald Barrie McDonald—known warmly as "Mac" to his friends and classmates—grew up in Upstate New York. Prior to entering the United States Air Force Academy, Mac spent a year building an engineering foundation at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, New York.

Determined to pursue a military aviation career, he earned a senatorial appointment from New York and joined the Class of 1959 as part of the original cadet wing starting at Lowry Air Force Base, eventually graduating with the First Class to complete training at the Academy's permanent campus in Colorado Springs.

Cadet Years
At USAFA, Mac was assigned to Cadet Squadron 9. Recognized for his natural leadership, competitive athletic drive, and team spirit, he was an active member of the Academy Lacrosse team and proudly served as the Cadet-in-Charge of the Lacrosse program, helping establish the groundwork for USAFA's proud intercollegiate lacrosse tradition.

MILITARY SERVICE

Following graduation on June 3, 1959, Lieutenant McDonald entered primary and basic pilot training at Bartow Air Base, Florida, and Craig Air Force Base, Alabama, earning his pilot wings in 1960.

• Instructor Pilot (1960–1964): Upon completing pilot training, Mac was selected to remain at Craig AFB with the 3615th Pilot Training Wing, instructing incoming aircadets and student pilots.
• Overseas Tour (1964–1966): He transferred to the 78th Tactical Fighter Squadron stationed at RAF Woodbridge in the United Kingdom, flying mission-critical tactical fighter aircraft during the height of the Cold War in Europe.
• F-4C Phantom II Operations (1966–1967): Returning to the United States, Captain McDonald completed Squadron Officer School (SOS) and converted to the F-4C Phantom II with the 15th Tactical Fighter Wing at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.

After serving honorably as an Air Force officer and tactical pilot, Captain McDonald separated from active service to transition into executive civilian leadership.

CIVILIAN CAREER & LATER LIFE

Following his military tenure, Mac launched an executive career in corporate management, software, and systems technology, spanning Florida and Georgia:

• UniCraft Corporation (1972–1982): Executive Vice President in Sarasota, Florida.
• Pleiades Computer Center & Scimitor Inc. (1982–1991): President and senior tech analyst specializing in early commercial computing systems in Bradenton and Miami Beach, Florida.
• Pan Am / Vend-Tronics & Financial Systems (1992–1997): Director and President across technology and operations ventures in South Florida and Norcross, Georgia.
• UPS International (1997–2004): Supervisor in International Finance and Accounting, retiring in the mid-2000s.

Captain McDonald passed away on March 22, 2010. His legacy as a pioneer cadet, fighter pilot, business leader, and dedicated classmate endures through the USAFA Class of 1959 "Forever First" heritage.

EDUCATION
Degree / School Institution Years
Undergraduate Studies Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) 1954–1955
Bachelor of Science United States Air Force Academy (CS-09) 1955–1959
Squadron Officer School (SOS) Maxwell Air Force Base 1966

CAREER HISTORY & ASSIGNMENTS

Year Duty / Position Unit / Location
1959–1960 Student Pilot Bartow AB, FL / Craig AFB, AL
1960–1964 Flight Instructor 3615th Pilot Training Wing, Craig AFB, AL
1964–1966 Pilot 78th Tactical Fighter Squadron, RAF Woodbridge, UK
1966–1967 F-4C Fighter Pilot 15th Tactical Fighter Wing, MacDill AFB, FL
1972–1982 Executive Vice President UniCraft Corp, Sarasota, FL
1982–1983 President Pleiades Computer Center, Bradenton, FL
1983–1989 President Scimitor Inc., Sarasota, FL
1989–1991 Senior Analyst Online Data Systems, Miami Beach, FL
1991–1992 President Sciuitun Inc., Miami Beach, FL
1992 Director MIS, Pan Am / Vend-Tronics, Hialeah, FL
1996–1997 President Scimitor Inc., Norcross, GA
1997–2004 Supervisor International Finance & Accounting, UPS, GA