McDonald speaks French and Russian. He has received the U.S. Department of State's Superior Honor Award six times as well as the Presidential Performance Award. He is an officer (honorary) in the National Order of the Republic of the Gambia. McDonald was born in Florida. External links United States Department of State: Biography of Jackson McDonald Living people People from Florida Sciences Po alumni Walsh School of Foreign Service alumni Ambassadors of the United States to the Gambia 1956 births United States Foreign Service personnel 21st-century American diplomats