Donald Abram Smithies, son of Abram Smithies and Frances H. Imhe, was born 21 March 1919 in Brooklyn, New York. He had a younger brother named William. He enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve 20 June 1938. He served on USS Tuscaloosa in 1939 and USS Pollux as Storekeeper Third Class in 1941. He went missing (presumed drowned) when the Pollux wrecked 18 February 1942 off Newfoundland.
