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For over 38 years Colonel Don Ethell served as an infanteer in the Canadian Army (Regular). He retired from the Army in July 1993.

Colonel Ethell is a veteran of 14 Peace Support Operations tours and other secondments to the United Nations and other international agencies. Throughout his Service, Don's tours of duty have included three years of NATO service in Germany, and extensive service in Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Israel, Central America, and the Balkans.

He was awarded the Meritorious Service Cross (military division) by the Governor General on October 1986. The citation read:

On 28 June 1984, as the Acting Chief of Staff and during the absence of the Force Commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Ethell made arrangements for an exchange of more than 300 prisoners of war between Syria and Israel. This delicater exchange, which had been more than two years in the making, was effected with only 36 hours advance notice. Furthermore, it was conducted under the threat of armed intervention from both sides and a myriad of other distractions which could have jeopardized the arrangements. Lieutenant-Colonel Ehtell`s leadership and personal supervision averted any such calamity, and thereby secured both the reputation and future role of the United Nations with the two countries. Similarly, on 20 May 1985, he was instrumental in effecting an exchange of 154 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel for three Israelis held by Syria. Lieutenant-Colonel Ethell`s outstanding professional performance of military duties was of a rare, high standard that has been applauded by senior military officers, diplomats and civilians of many nations, reflecting great credit on both himself and the Canadian Forces.

In honour of Col. Ethell's service a minefield will be cleared in the area of Srebrenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina.