Donald was born in Carroll in 1921 and graduated from Carroll High School. He worked at his parents laundry family business within town. During this time period, citizens of the United States were remembering the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg that was in July 1938. Some of the McClellan family trekked from Iowa to Pennsylvania to witness what their grandmother and great-grandmother witnessed and experienced here in town. Below is a picture of four young persons near a brick wall. This brick wall is part of the Jennie Wade House in 1938.
Left to Right – Kenneth Wade Schwarzenbach, Mercedes Deah Schwarzenbach, Georgia (Wade) McClellan and Donald
However, as World War II began, Donald enlisted into the Army Air Corps. He served from 1941 to 1945. Prior to meeting his wife Agnes, he was overseas fighting the war. He was enlisted and served within the 303rd Bomber Heavy Group in England. This force was called the “Hell’s Angels” of the 8th Air Force. He may have been one of the flight crew that fought with the B-17 fighter bomber group. This picture show below shows the “Hell Angels” of the bomber group.
During World War II, this bomber group flew 364 combat missions. However, during the four years of fighting, the bomber group lost 165 aircraft. They were stationed in Molesworth, England.
Upon return to Iowa after the World War, Donald met Agnes and married her in September 1947. They would have three sons together during this lifetime. They are buried within Carroll Cemetery in Carroll, Iowa. These sons continue the Schwarzenbach family name into the 21st century.