Lt. Col. Donald Adam began a 31-year military career by enlisting in the Army Air Corps Reserve in October, 1944, at the age of 17. After graduating from high school, he enlisted into active duty the following year. Following the conclusion of WW II, Adam returned home for several semester at Carroll College. The U.S. Aviation Cadet Program opened up in the late 1940s and Lt. Col. Adam volunteered for a three-year assignment in Germany during which he became a Flight Commander and Group Leader while flying P-47 and F-84E jets.