J. Bruce McDonald, Jr entered Wake Forest College School of Law in 1938 to study law. At that time, the college was located in the town of Wake Forest, North Carolina. He attended for three years. In March of 1941, shortly after the war started, he enlisted in Naval Aviation. He was commissioned and received his pilot wings after flight training. Bruce was assigned to the famous Naval 'Fighting Five Squadron' and flew the fighter aircraft called the 'Grumman Wildcat'. His squadron saw action all over the Pacific including the famous Battle of Guadalcanal in 1942. In the summer of 1943, he received the 'Distinguished Flying Cross' for services beyond the call of duty. He attained the rank of Lieutenant JG, USN. Following his medical discharge, he returned to his studies at Wake Forest College and obtained his Degree in Law. He practiced law in Wake Forest, Cary and Raleigh, North Carolina. He married Jane Brooks Harris on February 13, 1943. They had one son and three daughters.