TSGT Donald George Malarkey was born in Astoria Oregon to Leo and Helen Malarkey. Donald being the second of four children Brother of John being oldest, Bob younger, and Marilyn was the youngest. Donald grew up during the great depression, with his father being in insurance the family was not has badly off as other families during the great depression. Donald went on to graduate from Astoria High school in 1939. After Graduating Donald did odd jobs Dairy farmer, fisherman, loading ships, machinist and Volunteer fireman. In his first year at the University Oregon which is where his father and brother had went. Then the attack on Pearl Harbor happened and Malarkey registered for the draft and finished his freshman year at University of Oregon. Malarkey moved to Portland and started working for Monarch. After his twenty first birthday in 1942 his draft noticed arrived. In September of 1942 Donald was put on a train to head towards Camp Toccoa Georgia to begin his training as a paratrooper which only 1 in 6 passed this training Malarkey received certification as a paratrooper and he was assigned to Easy Company, 2nd Battalion of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division. The regiment was nicknamed "Currahees" after Currahee Mountain. After training was complete the 101st Airborne was sent to England in 1944. Then on Tuesday June 6th 1944 Malarkey took part in Operation Overlord which was airborne assault part of Operation Neptune Commonly known as D-Day. At 0830 on June 6th 1944 Easy Company under the command of 1st Lt Richard Winters starting with twelve paratroopers and in the end total of twenty three paratroopers Malarkey being one of first twelve. The company destroyed a battery of four 105mm howitzers which is now the famous Brécourt Manor Assault which is taught to this day at West point military academy. Pvt. Donald Malarkey was awarded the Bronze star. It is noted by several members of Easy Company and in Donald Malarkey book that he served more consecutive time on the front and then any other Easy company men. Easy company started in Normandy then saw battle in Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Germany. Donald G. Malarkey was promoted to Sergeant before Operation Market Garden. Donald G. Malarkey was awarded several medals during World War II just to list a few they are a Bronze start with one oak leaf cluster, Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Good Conduct Medal, Parachutist Badge with 2 jump stars, Legion of Honor Medal and held the rank of Technical Sergeant at the end of World War II. After the war Donald Malarkey returned to Oregon in 1946 and in 1949 he earned his bachelor’s degree in business from University of Oregon. While attending the university he met Irene Moor from Portland Oregon. And on June 19th 1948 they were married the couple lived in Astoria where Donald was a sales manager for Lovell Auto company. In 1954 Donald ran for County Commissioner of Clatsop County Oregon and was elected. Donald and Irene moved the family to Portland where Donald followed in his father’s footsteps working in insurance and also being a real estate agent. Donald and Irene had four children one son Michael Malarkey and three daughters Marianne McNally, Sharon Hill and Martha Serean. Irene passed away in 2006 from breast cancer. In 1992 the book Band of Brothers by Stephen Ambrose was published that was all about the men of Easy Company which included recollections from TSGT Donald George Malarkey and the men of Easy Company. On September 9th 2001 HBO aired the first of ten part Miniseries named Band of Brothers an American war drama based off of Stephen Ambrose's book. The Miniseries showed the history of Easy Company during World War II. Malarkey was made famous by this miniseries and was played by Actor Scott Grimes. Donald past away September 30th 2017 in Salem Oregon at the age of 96. Malarkey is survived by his daughters and his sister, Molly Rumpunkis.