Michael McDonald-Low

Michael McDonald-Low graduated from Officers Candidate School in 1966, at Ft. Knox, Kentucky, where he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant at 19 years of age. He served in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968 as a 1st Lieutenant infantry platoon leader and later as company commander after being promoted to Captain. He has one soldier from his platoon still there, Specialist 4 Clifford Van Artsdalen - MIA #1165. In 2012, he led an American Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command team to search for his location. Among McDonald-Low's military awards and decorations are the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Bronze Star with “V” Device for Heroism, Bronze Star for Meritorious Service, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster (2), Army Commendation Medal, Army Good Conduct Award, Meritorious Service Medal (2x), National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Army Valorous Unit Award, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Tet Counter-Offensive Medal. In September 2014, McDonald-Low joined the newly reorganized Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) as the its first-ever Southeast Asia Veteran Liaison. McDonald-Low participates in MIA case analysis and review of existing DPAA background information and investigative reporting related to unresolved ground loss cases in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.