A short life of the author
Donald George Malarkey (1921–2017) was a World War II veteran from Astoria, Oregon, who served with Easy Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division — the unit that became famous through Stephen Ambrose’s book Band of Brothers (1992) and the 2001 HBO miniseries.
Malarkey parachuted into Normandy on D-Day, fought through Holland, survived the Siege of Bastogne, and was among the American troops who liberated concentration camp subcamps in Bavaria. He appeared as a featured character in both the book and the television series.
Easy Company Soldier
Easy Company Soldier: The Legendary Battles of a Sergeant from World War II’s “Band of Brothers” (2008, St. Martin’s Press, with Bob Welch) is his memoir — a direct, personal account of his wartime experience that provides details and perspectives not captured in Ambrose’s group biography.
Collecting Malarkey
Easy Company Soldier (2008, St. Martin’s Press) first editions bring $30–$80. Signed copies from Band of Brothers reunions and veteran events are particularly sought after. As the World War II generation has passed, signed material from surviving Easy Company veterans has become increasingly scarce and valuable.