| |
Don Malarkey in his own words...
http://www.hbo.com/NASApp/band/site/client/stories/curated_story.jsp?exid=16
| |
House Speaker Mark Simmons
State Capitol, H-269
Salem, OR 97301
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 29, 2001
SIMMONS RECOGNIZES LOCAL WORLD WAR II HERO
House honors D-Day veteran
(Salem, OR) House Speaker Mark Simmons (R-Elgin) presented a Citation Exemplar to World War II veteran Donald G. Malarkey during a special ceremony in the Oregon House of Representatives earlier today.
The Citation, which was signed by the Speaker, Senate President Gene Derfler and Governor John Kitzahber, recognizes Malarkey’s military service in Europe and his heroic efforts during the D-Day landing on Utah Beach. Malarkey was awarded the Bronze Star for his actions in the battle that took place near Normandy, France.
The Speaker also presented formal comments that depicted the battle for which Malarkey received this honor. The text of his speech to the House of Representatives is as follows:
HOUSE SPEAKER MARK SIMMONS:
Memorial Day is a time to look back and remember those who "gave the final measure of their devotion" in the name of freedom. Memorial Day is also a time to thank the heroes still living among us.
Heroes inspire us to continue when all seems lost. When doubt and disillusionment threaten to overwhelm, the stories of courage, discipline, honor, and bravery come back to us. They push us to take one more step, to continue pressing on toward the goal. We need to hear their stories of courage, discipline, and honor. Oregon certainly has its own heroes. This state possesses a proud legacy of service to our Nation in time of conflict.
As a young state we sent our youth to fight for the Union in the Civil War. The Spanish-American War and World War One saw Oregonians volunteer in droves. This spirit of self-sacrifice and duty was taken to a higher level when World War II was thrust upon us. Oregonians continued to distinguish themselves in Korea, Vietnam and the Gulf War.
Next week marks the 57th Anniversary of the Allied invasion of France: D-Day. Let me take a moment and share a story of real life heroism. The story of an Oregonian who was one of the first to parachute into Normandy in the early morning hours of that historic day.
Donald G. Malarkey was born and raised on the Oregon coast near Astoria. When the Japanese attacked Pear Harbor he was a freshman at the University of Oregon. With America at war he felt it was his duty to fight. So, he signed up to serve in an experimental unit. He signed up to be a "parachutist" – to jump out of an airplane over hostile territory and engage the enemy.
During the night, Sgt. Malarkey and a few of his fellow paratroopers made it to their rallying point. Several miles away, D-Day landing craft were hitting the beach. It was H-hour, June 6th, 1944. Shells met the American infantry as they landed on Utah beach. A German battery of four 105-mm cannons was dug into a hedgerow a mile back from the beach. Strategically placed, the four large cannons were in perfect position to inflict heavy losses on the D-Day troops.
The battery had escaped detection by allied intelligence. It had not been targeted in the pre-invasion bombardment. The cannons were interconnected by a trench system. It included covered bunkers and telephone lines running to a concrete observation post near the beach. Manned by artillery crews and guarded by approximately 50 members of an elite German parachute regiment, the cannons were dropping shells on the American infantry as they came down the ramps of their landing craft. The shells were devastating the American forces.
Sgt. Don Malarkey was a member of Company "E", 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne. At 7:30 am on June 6th, 1944, his company numbered 11 men and 2 officers. Having jumped into Normandy during the night, the American airborne troops were scattered miles from their intended drop zones.
"E" Company normally ran about 140 men and officers, but with the miss-drops only a handful could be mustered. Don Malarkey was one of this handful of "E" Company men when the German battery opened up on the American landing force.
Sgt. Malarkey and the rest of the company were battered and tired from fighting and marching all night. The German battery had to be taken. "E" Company was only several hundred yards from its location. The 2nd Battalion of the 506th parachute infantry could only spare one company. The task fell to the thirteen men of "E" Company. The untested American troopers were attacking an entrenched, combat experienced force, which outnumbered them six to one.
The squad of men set up a base of fire and isolated the first cannon with a flanking maneuver. Close quarter combat ensued. The Germans, under attack from three sides, retreated. This left the first cannon in American hands. Sgt. Don Malarkey was one of the first to hit the hedgerow and roust the enemy from their positions.
Despite the paratrooper’s early and surprising success, there remained three cannons, which were still firing on Utah beach. Don and the squad went right to work. Over the course of several hours they fought their way down the trench and took the cannon, one by one. The green American paratroopers of Company "E" succeeded in routing a platoon of the elite German paratroopers. Thirteen against seventy-five.
Even as the battle was concluding, Sgt. Malarkey grabbed his partially disabled 60mm mortar, sat down with it between his legs, and fired all his rockets at the retreating Germans.
American lives were lost during the battle, but Don Malarkey survived. He received the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Clusters for his heroic feats on the morning of D-Day. Sgt. Malarkey continued to fight with the 101st Airborne in Holland, The Battle of the Bulge and the siege of Bastogne. He continued action on the Rhine River and eventually into southern Austria. His unit suffered over 150 percent casualty rate and Sgt. Malarkey served more days in combat without a wound than any other man from "E" Company.
We are here today to honor heroes who left our great state to serve our nation in military service. Don Malarkey is an example of an everyday hero. Today he stands in the stead of those who cannot be here; those we seek to remember. We honor and remember them, by honoring him.
Today we are presenting to Sgt. Donald G. Malarkey, a citation exemplar signed by Senate President Gene Derfler, Governor John Kitzhaber and me. The citation exemplar is on display on the House floor today. It reads as follows:
Nearly sixty years ago the United States of America was plunged into armed conflict against the Axis powers. The fury of an aroused republic was ignited and our nation responded with an army of citizen-soldiers. Oregonians went to war.
The character of our citizenry was greatly tested during the Second World War. As a people, we were emerging from the severity of the Great Depression when a generation was called upon to sacrifice the flower of its youth. As a people, we fought the challenge to life and liberty through acts of self-sacrifice both here and abroad. As a people, Oregonians gave of themselves in countless battles and innumerable acts of mercy.
In recognition of the great moral debt owed to a generation of those who sacrificed so much so that we, as a people, might extend and fortify the borders of liberty.
In honor of those Oregonians who participated in service to our Nation during the Second World War we issue this Citation Exemplar to Sgt. Donald G. Malarkey.
Having exhibited the character traits of honor, courage, discipline, and self-sacrifice, Donald G. Malarkey stands before us as an exemplar of those countless Oregonians who gave so much that the world might glimpse, if even for a moment, the liberty of a republic. We issue this Citation Exemplar to honor those who have gone before us, so that we, as a people, might follow their example.
Please join me in welcoming Sgt. Donald G. Malarkey, his wife Irene and his family to the Oregon House of Representatives. Thank you Sgt. Malarkey for your service and your example.
| |
I remember in part two Donald Mularky stating that he is from Astoria Oregon. Is he still alive and is he still a resident? I was born in Astoria and lived there many years. Can anyone answer this question?
| |
pdurkin,
Yes Donald Malarkey is still alive, and still lives in Oregon, but not in Astoria.
| |
Just around Veteran's Day, right after the miniseries ended, I wrote many of the surviving veterans of Easy Company and have received some incredibly generous, heartwarming replies from 10-12 of them. Here's what Don Malarkey said in his Thank You card dated 11/28/01 ...
Dear Tom & Family,
Thank you very much for your nice note and accolade to "E" Company.
Sincerely,
Don Malarkey
| |
Tom,
If it's alright with you, may I have their addresses too so I could write them. My email address is Brook_016@yahoo.com. Thanks.
Brook
| |
Troopers Peterson and Jones with Don Malarkey of E Co. 506th PIR
With permission: http://home.europa.com/~bessel/505thPIR/standards.html
| |
| |
Tom if it is possible for me to also get the address of Sgt. Malarky i would greatly appreciate it. I'd love to write him and his family. You can e-mailme at spaz_1600@yahoo.com
thank you very much
jocelyn
| |
Best regards to Don and the other men in his company on the anniversary of D Day. I cannot begin to comprehend such bravery.
Is there any chance I could have a mailing address or email address for Don? My maiden name was Malarky and I am curious to find out more about him.
Thanks,
Allanna (Scotland)
email: fraser@brough30.freeserve.co.uk
| |
Hey, If anyone has any adresses to the vetrens of Easy, can i please have them, i would like to write to them also. thank you so much! my email is newsted1228@yahoo.com
thanks,
Kristin
| |
From Manda who recently meet Don Malarkey...
Actually the chance to meet Malarkey was a bit random. I had bought something from his son, Mike, and when I found out he lived close by, I asked him if I could pick it up, to save him time (and me shipping costs!) He said sure, then asked if I would like him to make sure his parents were at home so I could meet them. At that point I think I uttered something very intelligent like "Oh my gosh! Wow, meet your parents? Oh wow, uh, yeah, sure, that'd be great!" Anyway, I went over to their house (and made a further fool of myself for getting lost and being an hour late!) and had a wonderful time. They all kept me up past my bedtime :-) Malarkey was there (obviously!) and his wife Irene, and son Michael, and every one of them was incredibly gracious. I'm sure that Michael and Irene had heard some of the stories thousands of times, but they were very active participants
and would often remind Malarkey of something. We covered a lot about "Band of Brothers" but also about our experiences in Ireland, our reactions to September 11, various hobbies, Shakespeare, etc... It was quite the experience.
| |
Does anybody know what Don Malarkey did after WW2, because I can''t find any information about him. Maybe you can give me an adress, then I can contact him.
e-mail adress: bandofbrothers1@hotmail.com
Thank you for you help,
Peter van Sleen
http://members.home.nl/bandofbrothers
| |
Peter, as far as I know, Don returned to the University of Oregon after he was discharged. What he did from there I don't know.
Manda,
Thanks for the posting the photo of you and Don! That's great, and you both are grinning ear to ear! What a fantastic experience. Thanks for sharing it.
Amy
| |
Hello, Ive been watching the re-runs on the BBC over here in England and ive been as engrosed with the series as i was the first time around.
Over the past few months i have been working in the small village of Aldbourne. Its strange to think that these amazing men spent some of thier time here.
If anyone has any adresses to the veterens of Easy, can i please have them, i would like to write to them also.
Marc
Wiltshire, England
| |
Marc,
I meant to reply to your message last week, but I've been a bit busy!!.
Have you been able to go to the Blue Boar Inn at Aldbourne? It's situated by the village green, near the old church? If you go to the bar J on the left behind it, theres a scroll on the wall. It was presented to the pub back in the 80's by some of the Easy Company officers who used to drink there. (You'll see Lt Meehan & Nixon's names.) A picture of the scroll is on this site, if you look under 'Easy Company' & scroll down.
Also, if you're round that way, if you go to Littlecote House, there is a restaurant inside, called 'The Troopers Restaurant'!!!!!!!
Best Wishes,
Jane S. a fellow Wiltshire Moonraker!!!
| |
Hi everyone,
Same question as a lot of you , does anyone have the addresses or e-mail of the members of e-company, and also in the series on the second episode when Malarky walks past the German prisoners and asks "Where are you from son", to one of the prisoners and the german answers he was also from Oregon, is that a true story??
Steve
| |
Hi again'
I forgot to leave my e-mail address for the above info
steve_lundy@hotmail.com
Thanks
Steve
| |
Hello! My brother actually met Malarkey at his Fort and got his autograph on a huge Band of Brothers poster and he said he was so nervous and my brother hardly ever gets nervous!
| |
Hi,
Thanks to this great web site and Manda.
I had the chance to meet Don Malarkey.
I was born in a small town near Bastogne but now live in Oregon.
Last friday I was invited by the Malarkeys to spend the afternnon with them.
I had a fabulous time,we talked about the war,places in Belgium Holland and Normandy were Don went etc...it was amazing.
I was in presence of a true hero and after all those years you can feel the brotherhood that still ties those guys together.
Thanks to evryone who made this meeting possible.
Andre
| |
Andre you are so lucky
gold
| |
hey all,
for those of you who haven't been on Major Winters Thread lately your missing some "fun" conversations. Closer toward the bottom probably the last thiry posts. we have been discussing the sudden stardom thrust upon these greatm en adn what it has done to their lives. for those of you still looking to write the members good luck. A few of the folks chatting know the vets real well. Their fathers or grandfathers are members of Easy. THey have been fillinghte rest of us in on their current struggle to live peaceful lives. Sicne the release of BoB each member has recieved oceans of mail weekly from "fans" i gues you could say. Also, i have heard the Major Winters has had peopel showing up at his door uninvited all the time and he's had to change his phone three times!! ridiculous huh. I know we all want to write some of them heck I've emailed a few of them (Don and Wild Bill) and wel peopel are forgetting that they are elderly men entitled to thei privacy so please if you all want to show them your appreciaction do so but respect their privacy too. Also there is legislation goingaround in D.C. to get Major winters DSC(Distinguished Sercive Cross) whichi he recieved for takign out hte guns at Brecourt Manor, upgraded to the MOH (Medal of Honor.) If you go the Winters thread there are links to go to a website in support of this. The leaders are asking all who care to write their congressmen/ women. Jsut thought i'd give you all a heads up and i thought i'd pass along the info abotu Major winters. Please Write your representatives. afn pray for Senator Slocum (I think that's his name) He will be introducing the legislation in February, and we expect to have a final vote in February. So i guess that's it for now. Have a great day and CURRAHEE!!
Jocey
| |
Hi all,
I just wondered if anyone had an answer to the question someone already posted - what did Sgt Malarkey do after the war? I understand he returned to college but then what? I suppose like every one else here, I'm getting bit absorbed in BoB, and have found it strange that Malarkey's post-war career isn't mentioned, even though he cooperated so closely in Ambrose's research process.
Any thoughts or info hugely appreciated! email address is jo_dann@yahoo.com,
Thanks
Jo
| |
Hello!
Just wanted to say thanks for being there when the world needed you guys in Easy at most!
| |
Where in Oregon does Donald Malarkey live? I was just wondering because I also live in Oregon
| |
I wrote this last message and I forgot to put my e-mail addres so here it is debbiejcor@dsl-only.net. Thank you ahead of time for your possible responce to my question. Just incase you might care I live in Beaverton Oregon. Please respond to my question, and if you could could somebody inclose a phone number or home address. Thank you.
| |
Does anybody know where in Oregon Donald Malarkey lives? I was just wondering because I also live in Oregon. I'm 13 and I'm a huge war buff. I've always had an intrest in the Second World War after I saw Saving Private Ryan, but I liked it even more after I saw Band Of Brothers. If anybody has any information about where Mr. Malarkey lives that would help me alot. ( I'm doing a project in school about World War Two and I chose to do a project about Easy Company and the airborne. It would help my project alot if I would be able to talk to a real vetaran of Easy company. So does anybody know the area, adress,phone number, and or e-mail adress of Donald Malarkey or the e-mail of any other members from Easy Company. That would be cool and also very helpfull if anybody could get me some of this information. This would help me get an AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. My e-mail adress is debbiejcor@dsl-only.net. Thank you in advance for anybody's possible responce to my important question. Thank you.
| |
Did Donald Malarkey really try to get a luger gun from a dead German in the middle of the Brecourt battlefield as depicted in "Day of Days" risking his life in the process. This man and the rest of "EASY" had courage beyond belief. Would it be possible for me to write to Donald Malarkey or any other "EASY" vet to express my admiration.My e/mail address is janice@cusack3871.freeserve.co.uk thanks.
| |
Tony to answer your question it is true that Malarky risked his life for what he thought was a lugar.
| |
Dear Scottie,
I have written you off this web site with some ideas for you to be able to interview an Easy Company veteran.
Susan Finn
| |
The part in episode 2 where DOn Malarkey teases the German POW is very true but in a letter from MR Malarkey he stated that The german replied Portland,Oregon instead of Eugene just thought i would let you know oh and the Speirs stories are all true The POWs he suppsoadly shot actually happened on Easys attack into Carrentan
Nick
| |
The part in episode 2 where DOn Malarkey teases the German POW is very true but in a letter from MR Malarkey he stated that The german replied Portland,Oregon instead of Eugene just thought i would let you know oh and the Speirs stories are all true The POWs he suppsoadly shot actually happened on Easys attack into Carrentan
email me at Pricehamham21@hotmail.com for any Qs
Nick
| |
My grandmother grew up in Astoria as well. I found a high school picture of Don in her year book. Don was 2 years older than my grandmother. Her name then was Viola Dalhgren. She says she remembers a family that lived close to her with the name Malarky but doesn't specifically remember Don. If your listening Don do you remember my grandmother? Maybe we could all get together and look at the year book? jason
gaffneyjason@hotmail.com
| |
I did a report on Band of brothers for my american history through film project and both my history teachers knew the malarkeys but didnt know don or much about BOB but one teacher father was Good buddys with Him before the war they used to go out and drink beer together my other teacher used to live down the street from don and she knew his son they had no idea about how he was potryaed in Band of brothers
| |
Malarkey after war went to the University of Oregon then after that He started his own realEstate Buisness thats all i know
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |