In February of 1944, Donahue was assigned to the newly formed Marine Fighting Squadron 451 (VMF-451) at Marine Corps Air Station Mojave. The squadron was attached to the USS "Bunker Hill", taking part in raids over mainland Japan and supporting the Marine landings at Iwo Jima. The squadron then participated in bombing missions on Okinawa, just prior to the invasion. Several Marines with the squadron were shot down and killed, and Donahue was made the executive officer.