More than two decades after it first aired HBO’s Band of Brothers remains a simal work of Television the passage of time means that the soldiers depicted in the show have passed however many of the core members depicted in the series lived into the 21st century even well past the on-screen interviews they did
For Band of Brothers the last Living member of Easy Company private first class Bradford Freeman died on July of 2022 78 years after D-Day so 22 years after the show originally aired let’s see how some of the real life soldiers compared to their on-screen depictions one outstanding veterans
Major dick Winters kicking off our distinguished veteran series is Major Richard Dick Winters the leader of easy company in the second Battalion 506th parachute Infantry Regiment part of the renowned Screaming Eagles 101st Airborne Division Winters was known for his remarkable leadership and unwavering respect for his troops leaving an
Indelible mark on the lives of his soldiers and the future of our nation born on January 21st 1918 in New Holland Pennsylvania Dick had an extraordinary upbringing with his parents Richard senior and Edith in 1937 he enrolled at Frank and Marshall College a private liberal arts university in Lancaster Pennsylvania
Where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in economics after completing his education in the summer of 1941 Winters made the decision to enlist in the United States Army he noted in his journal I had no desire to get into the war but he chose to serve to fulfill the mandatory
One-year service requirement imposed by the recently Ann enacted selective training and Service Act of 1940 America’s first peacetime conscription law Winter’s enlisted just 7 days after President Roosevelt signed the service extension Act of 1941 into law on August 18th which extended the draft period to 30 months for those
Conscripted however as a volunteer and not a draft D Winter’s commitment remained at the original 12-month term this changed after after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th 1941 when the United States officially entered World War II leading to an increase in the number of draes and
Changes in the rules governing their service in September 1941 Winters began his basic training at Camp Croft South Carolina his natural leadership qualities and good natured demeanor earned him the admiration and respect of fellow trainees recognizing his potential Camp officials recruited Winters as an instructor while the rest
Of his unit was deployed to Panama in April 1942 Winters was selected to attend officer candidate school at Fort Benning Georgia where he crossed paths with Lewis Nixon a fellow future officer and lifelong friend during OCS Winters decided to pursue paratrooper training a designation that had only recently become available with
The formation of the Army’s new Airborne forces upon his graduation from OCS Winters was commissioned as a second lieutenant and sent to complete additional paratrooper training at Tamp tocoa Georgia after five intense weeks of training Winters was assigned to the 506th parachute Infantry Regiment specifically to Easy
Company the 506 P was an experimental regiment that attracted courageous volunteers who had met the rigorous criteria for paratrooper training this specialized training encompassed a wide range of skills including parachute maintenance aircraft exits safe landing techniques terrain analysis and in true Army fashion strenuous physical conditioning out of the initial 5,000
Officers who began the training only 148 including Winters successfully completed the program in total out of the original class a mere 1800 were deemed fit to serve as paratroopers in the fall of 1943 the 506 P arrived in Liverpool to join the ranks of Major General William Lee’s company the illustrious 101st
Airborne Relentless and thorough training commenced for Winters in the 506 all in preparation for the grand Allied invasion of Europe however amidst this rigorous preparation a storm brewed within the unit first lieutenant Herbert soel who had commanded over the 506 had a turbulent relationship with Winters during their stay in England while
Winters was admired by the men of the company for his cheerful and unpretentious nature soell harbored suspicions that Winters might leverage this affection for personal gain a notion far from Winter’s true intentions Winters did possess reservations about sobel’s capability to effectively lead the company into battle
A sentiment shared by many others in the unit Sobel attempted to have Winters Court Marshal twice but both efforts proved fruitless such was the Loyalty of the 506 to Winters that many among them voiced their discontent with sobel’s unfair treatment they even issued ultimatums demanding sobel’s removal or
Threatening to relinquish their ranks to Colonel Robert sink the unit’s regimental Commander sink though unimpressed by this display did eventually reassign soel ushering in first lieutenant Thomas Mian as his replacement with sobel’s departure this Band of Brothers grew stronger than ever on the Fateful evening of June 5th 1944
Winters joined the ranks of hundreds of paratroops ERS descending into occupied France primed for Operation Overlord the Allied invasion of Europe despite losing his weapon during the jump Winters skillfully pinpointed his landing spot in France and made his way to the rendevu point Gathering other down Troopers along the way Lieutenant
Mian had fallen to German anti-aircraft fire on the same day thrusting Winters into the role of de facto leader of the second battalion of the 506th on July 1st 1944 Winters was promoted to the rank of Captain and bestowed with the distinguished service Cross by Lieutenant General Omar Bradley
Later that year Winters and the second Battalion played a crucial role in the Battle of the Bulge thwarting Hitler’s desperate bid to turn the tide of the war the 101st Airborne Division valiantly held off 15 formidable German units for 3 days until General George Patton’s forces broke through the German
Lines providing the 101st with much needed supplies Winter’s exceptional bravery and leadership in Belgium earned him a promotion to the rank of major on May 5th 1945 the war in Europe concluded ushering in Jubilation throughout the Free World Winters yearned to return to America immediately as he had acred enough points according
To the adjust usted service rating score a system used by the US Army to determine repatriation eligibility however his departure was delayed and it wasn’t until November 1945 that he finally boarded a ship Bound for the United States upon his return Winters began his career at Nixon nitration Works a
Company owned by his friend Lewis Nixon’s family in Edison New Jersey he gradually ascended Ed to the role of general manager at the plant in 1948 Winters married Ethel Esty and wisely us utilized the GI Bill taking courses at Rutter’s University the onset of the Korean War in 1950 reluctantly brought Winters back
To active service Winters journeyed to Washington DC in an attempt to persuade General Anthony mcol under whom he had served during the battle of the B not to send him to Korea Winters implored that he had witnessed enough War but mcalli recognizing Winter’s extensive command experience insisted on his deployment to
Korea before heading to Korea winter successfully completed Ranger school however he managed to resign his commission and stay at home Winters and Ethel raised two children in New Brunswick New Jersey in 1972 the family relocated to Hershey Pennsylvania where Winters ventured into entrepreneurship establishing his own business manufacturing animal feed he eventually
Retired in 1997 in the 1980s the members of e company 506th regiment held a reunion in New Orleans renowned history professor and author Steven Ambrose learned of this Gathering and secured an invitation surrounded by these distinct uish men Ambrose documented their stories and reminisces for Ambrose immortalizing this Band of Brothers in
The written word felt like Destiny initially hesitant Winters eventually acquiesced to Ambrose’s request to share his experiences offering corrections to embellished stories from his fellow soldiers in 1992 Ambrose’s book Band of Brothers Easy Company 506 regiment 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler’s Eagles Nest was published and met with resounding
Success renowned actor and producer Tom Hanks along with director Steven Spielberg captivated by the book’s narrative turned it into a highly acclaimed miniseries Winters played an active role in the production ensuring that the events experienced by The Band of Brothers remained faithful to their actual experiences the miniseries achieved
Remarkable success earning an Emmy Award award dedicated to the Valiant men of Easy Company major dick Winters concluded his journey on January 2nd 2011 at the age of 92 in the following year on the 68th anniversary of the D-Day Landings a grand 12-ft statue of winters was
Unveiled at Utah Beach on the Normandy coast of France this Monument stood as a tribute to all the junior officers like Winters who had sacrificed their lives on that stretch of Coastline a duplicate cast of this sculpture found its place in ephra Pennsylvania where Winters had spent his childhood two Lieutenant Colonel Ronald
Spears in a military career spanning 22 years Spears has been lotted as a hero embroiled in controversy and celebrated in both print and TV Ronald Charles Spears entered this world on April 20th 1920 in the vibrant Scottish City of Edinburgh he was the youngest among five siblings born to Robert Craig Spears Jr
And Martha Agnes mcneel Spears however his Scottish Roots were soon Left Behind as his father Robert Spears embarked on a career as an engineer Robert’s journey into engineering began as an apprenticed engineer fitter in Glasgow Scotland during this time he crossed paths with Mara mcneel and in 1908 they sealed
Their Union in matrimony their early years together were spent in delmare near Glasgow while Robert honed his skills as a journeyman engineer in 1908 a significant change beckoned for the spears family Robert secured a position at the devonport shipyard in Plymouth England where he was tasked with outfitting the imposing
Guns aboard Royal Naval battleships including the legendary HMS hood while stationed in Plymouth Robert and Martha welcomed three daughters and a son into their family however the Winds of Change blew again in 1918 prompting their return to Scotland this time in edenburg where Ronald their youngest was
Born the Armistice of November 11th 1918 marked the end of World War I and signaled the gradual decline of Britain’s ship building industry Robert observing the dwindling opportunities witnessed many skilled men leaving for the United States in search of employment during the Depression years he too decided to seek his fortune
Across the Atlantic marking the beginning of a prosperous engineering career in America initially Robert ventured into America alone seeking employment in Boston with hunt Spiller company known for their expertise in high carbon gun iron this move set the stage for the event ual reunion of his family Martha and their five children
Embarked on the SS Winnie freden from Liverpool on December 13th 1924 Bound for Boston their Journey culminated with a Christmas morning arrival at Boston Harbor marking a joyous reunion in Boston the family settled in suffk County neighborhood surrounded by a diverse community of recent immigrants primarily of Scotch Irish
Descent Ronald spent his formative years in Boston although there were notable interludes records reveal that during one summer break when Ronald was transitioning from the 8th to the 9th grade he and his parents embarked on a voyage back to the United Kingdom aboard the MV jorek part of the kunard White Star Line
Originating from Boston this Voyage included stops in New York and gallway Ireland before reaching Liverpool on June 25th 1934 2 months later they returned to Boston Ronald attended Boston English high school and graduated in 1938 it was during his high school years that he first encountered the military as close
Order drill instruction was led by two regular army officers they encouraged students to attend citizens military training camp during summer vacations and Ronald participated in citizens military training camp infantry training on great diamond island in Portland Maine following High School Ronald pursued further education at Bentley College where he earned a certificate in
Accounting this credential enabled him to secure a position as a junior accountant Ronald Spear’s first marriage unfolded on May 20th 1944 in alderborn Wiltshire England he met his English wife while stationed in Winchester and their Union took place in the quaint Village Church of St Michaels in albourne fellow paratroopers Lieutenant
Frederick Haler and Lieutenant Herbert verell stood as Witnesses the lady Spears married was an englishwoman and their marriage marked her first after the war however she decided not to leave her close-knit family in England to relocate to the United States this decision weighed heavily on Ronald who had a deep
Affection for her this Union resulted in the birth of a son Ronald’s only child despite their separation Ronald maintained contact with his son Robert and remained an active presence in his life Father and Son shared moments like Robert’s first day of Preparatory School in England and their bond remained
Strong as Robert grew into adulthood Ronald son eventually pursued a military career and retired from the British army as a lieutenant colonel a rank matching that of his father Ronald expressed immense pride in his son’s achievements in the later years of his life Ronald found himself disheartened
By inaccuracies in the book Band of Brothers he clarified details surrounding his first marriage emphasizing that his English wife was not a widow as the book claimed despite their separation Ronald continued to hold deep affection for her the inaccuracies LED Ronald to decline publicity interviews and request that
Any references to his first marriage be eliminated when adapting the book into a television series his enduring love and concern for his English wife were evident and he sought to protect her reputation following the war Ronald Spear’s Journey continued he sailed from England in January 1946 as company
Commander with the 82nd air Airborne Division upon his return to the United States he and his English wife were divorced under us law Ronald embarked on a second marriage to a war Widow who had lost her husband in 1944 this marriage occurred on May 8th 1950 at Maxwell Air Force Base in
Alabama records do not reveal when this marriage ended but a third marriage took place on July 12th 1958 in Berlin Germany this Union concluded with a divorce in 1966 the period between his 1966 divorce and his final marriage in 1987 remains shrouded in uncertainty with limited information available about Ronald’s
Personal life during these years three Lynn Buck Compton Lynn Davis Compton affectionately known as Buck Compton graced this world on December 31st 1921 in the radiant city of Los Angeles California from an early age he decided to adopt the moniker Buck because he believed it suited him better
Than his given name Lynn his mother Ethel worked for movie studios and the youthful Buck even found himself as an extra in films an interesting anecdote from those days involved him getting kicked off of the set of modern times after inadvertently ruffling the feathers of the legendary Charlie
Chaplain Buck was not just a film extra he was an athlete of note at the University of California Los Angeles his prowess on the field earned him recognition as an allconference catcher and an All-American selection in 1942 it’s worth noting that one of his baseball teammates happened to be none
Other than the iconic Jackie Robinson Buck’s achievements in baseball led to his induction into the University of California Los Angeles Baseball Hall of Fame his academic Pursuit saw him major in physical education with a minor in education while joining the FI cap asai Fraternity in 1940 additionally he
Dawned the University of California Los Angeles football uniform in the 1943 Rose Bowl game during his University of California Los Angeles days Buck also answered the call of duty and participated in RC under the command of Cadet Commander John sing laab in December 1943 he took the next
Step in his journey enlisting in the Army and finding himself in E company second Battalion 506 parachute Infantry Regiment within the 101st Airborne Division just in time for Operation Overlord one of the standout moments in Buck’s military career occurred during the company’s heroic assault at bra cour Manor under the command of Lieutenant
Richard Winters buck and his comrades stormed a German battery equipped with four 105 mm howitzers that were menacing Utah Beach their daring actions silenced the guns and sent the enemy scattering for his Valor in this endeavor Buck was bestowed with the Silver Star this harrowing feat is poignantly
Depicted in episode 2 day of days in the HBO miniseries Band of Brothers in the midst of battle Buck threw a grenade with such Precision that it struck a German Soldier squarely on the back of his helmet later in 1944 Buck faced another perilous trial during operation Market Garden this ill-fated Allied Mission
Involved seizing bridges in the Netherlands and crossing the formidable ryin River into Germany it was here that buck sustained a gunshot wound through his buttocks an injury that saw the bullet passing through sideways entering one side and exiting the other after a period of partial recover recovery he
Returned to e company just in time for the brutal Battle of the Bulge in the Frozen ardines during this tumultuous period Buck was evacuated due to severe trench foot author stevenh e Ambrose suggested that buck had been deeply affected by witnessing the suffering of two close friends Joe toy and William
Gar however Buck himself contested this notion stating that while the horrors of the bagong had undoubtedly left an impact he didn’t believe he was clinically shellshocked In the Heat of the Moment his thoughts were focused on helping the wounded and the looming threat of German forces in 1947 Buck transitioned to the
Air Force Reserve serving in the office of special investigations before moving on to the Judge Advocate General core his military Journey culminated with his retirement as AE lieutenant colonel in 1970 notably in 1946 Buck opted out of a minor league baseball opportunity choosing instead to dedicate himself to a career in
Law in October 1947 Buck embraced married life tying the knot with Donna Newman the couple’s Union blossomed further as they lovingly adopted two children Buck pursued a legal career by enrolling at lyola law school in Los Angeles his journey led him to the Angeles Police Department in 1946 where
He embarked on a detectives path within the central burglary division in 1951 he transitioned to the district attorney’s office initially serving as a deputy district attorney before ascending to the position of Chief Deputy district attorney in 1964 bucks legal Acumen shown brightly during his tenure with the District
Attorney’s Office notably he played a pivotal role in the successful prosecution of Siran Siran for the assassination of Robert F Kennedy in 1970 Governor Ronald rean appointed buck as an associate Justice of the California courts of appeal his esteemed legal career continued until his retirement in 1990 after which he
Found respit in the state of Washington until his eventual passing Buck chronicled his remarkable life journey in the Memoir Call of Duty my life before during and after the Band of Brothers co-authored with Marcus Brotherton on the occasion of his 90th birthday A celebratory gathering in January 2012 saw the attendance of
Nearly 200 well-wishers including actors from Band of Brothers who had foraged lasting friendships with him this included Michael cudlitz James medo Neil McDonna and Richard Spate Jr McDon in particular maintained a close bond with buck with his son earning the endearing nickname little buck in tribute in January 2012 Buck endured a
Heart attack and on February 25th 2012 he peacefully passed away in the comfort of his daughter’s Home in Burlington Washington his beloved wife Donna had preceded him in death in 1994 four Carwood Lipton Clifford Carwood lip Lipton born on January 30th 1920 and departing this world in December 16
2001 was a distinguished officer in the United States Army he served with Valor in the 101st Airborne Division specifically with the 506 parachute Infantry Regiment second Battalion Easy Company carard embarked on his military journey in 1942 when he enlisted as a private Through The Crucible of European battlefields he ascended the ranks to
Company first sergeant and was ultimately honored with a battlefield commission as a second Lieutenant a dis distinction he cherished as the highest of honors hailing from Huntington West Virginia car Wood’s upbringing was marked by responsibility following his father’s tragic demise in a car accident when Carwood was just 10 years old he
Found himself thrust into the role of being the man of the family his journey through higher education commenced at Marshall University in Huntington but due to financial hardships at home he left after one year to support his family he sought employ mment in war related production his path towards becoming a
Paratrooper was sparked by an article in Life Magazine detailing the arduous training required for such elite soldiers motivated by the notion that only the best could join their ranks Carwood enlisted in 1942 cwoods dedication and Leadership soon propelled him through the ranks of Easy Company notably he assumed the role
Of company first sergeant shortly after the D-Day Landings during Operation Overlord car Wood’s unwavering commitment extended Beyond military strategy he also played a crucial role in keeping the spirits of his fellow soldiers High urging them to reach their full potential this dedication didn’t go unnoticed earning him the admiration of
Officers within Easy Company the 101st Airborne and the 506th in the leadup to the D-Day invasion of France Carwood and several other non-commissioned officers made the brave decision to relinquish their stripes and requested transfers to different companies their action stemmed from a shared belief that their commanding officer at the time Captain Herbert
Sorbel lacked the competence required for leadership while Carwood and his compatriots faced some verbal rebukes they largely escaped punishment this significant decision ultimately led to the restructuring of of Easy Company Carwood Lipton served as the jump Master for one of the c47 sky trains used by paratroopers during the
Normandy invasion he descended into Normandy and with remarkable Precision rended with first lieutenant Richard Winters the executive officer of easy company and other soldiers from the 101st Airborne as well as a few from the 8C Airborne Division they were later joined by additional members of easy company and
Ventured just south of their intended target in Caron Carwood played a pivotal role during the break cour Manor assault where easy company was assigned the formidable task of neutralizing four 105 mm howitzers that were bombarding Utah Beach these guns were initially believed to be 88 mm but the true caliber was
Discovered on site despite the challenges Easy Company succeeded in destroying the four guns in Carwood Valor earned him the Bronze Star Carwood remained actively involved in key operations including the assault on Caron where he sustained injuries from shrapnel resulting in the award of the Purple Heart his unwavering commitment to Easy
Company led to a swift return to duty as the company faced the need for reinforcements during operation Market Garden Carwood welcomed replacement Soldiers with open arms earning their respect and Trust he played a vital role in guiding these newcomers during the operation Carwood was by easy company’s side during the liberation of einhoven
And he participated as part of an advanced scouting team that surveyed a bridge ahead of the main Force Carwood Lipton fought tenaciously alongside Easy Company during their Endeavor to capture arnheim when faced with insurmountable German defenses he courageously traversed a perilous path through a German occupied part of the town to
Relay orders for withdrawal a small group of Scouts stationed at a cross roads in Holland faced a dire situation when one of their comrades was grievously wounded by a German model 24 style hand granti easy company was swiftly called into action assigned to eliminate any remaining Germans at the crossroads although
Carwood was was not part of the initial assault team he joined forces with Easy Company the following morning rallying the rest of the troops their determined surprise attack resulted in the destruction of over two companies of ss troops situated at the crossroads operation Pegasus represented a relatively low-risk mission that
Involved Easy Company crossing a river on boats supplied by Canadian Engineers to rescue more than 140 British Red Devils who had had been stranded after easy company’s withdrawal from arnheim Carwood and first lieutenant haiger expertly oversaw the operation leading it to a successful conclusion under the leadership of second Lieutenant Norman Dyke whose
Competence was questioned by the company Carwood emerged as the deao commander during their arduous trials in the ardens forest overlooking Foy his steadfastness in lead ERS ship offered hope to the men who had lost faith in Dyke’s abilities after the successful assault on the town of Foy Carwood received the
Long-awaited news that he would be granted a battlefield commission as a second Lieutenant this honor became official during his time in hagino one of the most poignant moments of this service occurred when he bore witness to the horrors of the Holocaust at lansburg it was here alongside the
Rest of easy company that he played a role in liberating the camp Carwood remained dedicated to Easy Company throughout the war steadfastly standing with them until their dism manments he continued to serve in the Army Reserves during the Korean war was but was not deployed overseas again Upon returning to the United
States Carwood pursued higher education enrolling at Marshall University he completed his remaining three years graduating with a degree in engineering armed with this degree he embarked on a career at Owens Illinois Incorporated a renowned manufacturer of glass products and Plastics packaging his rapid Ascent within the company led him to the
Position of chief operator by 1952 in 1966 he relocated to Bridgton New Jersey where he assumed the role of administrative manager manager in 1971 he and his wife ventured to London where he served as the Director of manufacturing for eight different glass companies in England and Scotland over several years in 1982 he
Settled in Toledo Ohio and retired a year later from his post as director of International Development Carwood Lipton graced television screens through his appearances on two distinct shows first he provided his veteran insights for the popular HBO miniseries Band of Brothers recounting the heroic Saga of Easy Company additionally he contributed to
We Stand Alone Together the men of Easy Company a documentary chronicling The remarkable true story of easy company in the miniseries Band of Brothers Carwood was portrayed by The Talented Donnie Wahlberg the final chapter of car Wood’s life unfolded on December 16th 2001 when he succumbed to pulmonary fibrosis in
Southern Pines North Carolina his departure left a profound void among the remaining Veterans of easy company and he will forever be remembered as one of the most extraordinary soldiers to Grace their ranks five Don Malarkey Donald Malarkey who with fellow members of e company 506th regiment 101st Airborne Division US Army
Parachuted into Normandy on D-Day then fought onward through the Netherlands Belgium and Germany has died at age 96 an Oregon native Malarkey was awarded the bronze star and the French Legion of Honor medal among many other honors for his World War II service Malarkey was portrayed in the HBO miniseries Band of
Brothers by Scott Grimes Donald Malarkey born in the picturesque town of atoria Oregon on July 31st 1921 was a product of Leo and Helen Malarkey’s Union in 1918 his educational Journey led him to graduate from atoria high school in 1939 and he proudly traced his Heritage back
To Ireland as a young man he toiled on a Pur siner crew navigating the Waters of the Columbia River his selflessness Shone through when he volunteered As A Firefighter during the devastating tillamuk burn forest fire which raised thousands of Acres of Oregon Timber it was during his inaugural
Semester at the University of Oregon in the fall of 1941 that the course of his life took a dramatic turn as he bore witness to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in the wake of the Pearl Harbor attack Malarkey’s unwavering patriotism drove him to seek enlistment in the
Marines but alas Dental issues thwarted that path undeterred he turned to the Army Air corps only to find his aspirations hindered by a lack of requisite mathematical training consequently in July 1942 when the draft beckoned Malarkey willingly joined the paratroops of the United States Army his inspiration sprang from a Life
Magazine article hailing them as the best his rigorous training unfolded at Tamp tcoa Georgia where one out of every six enlisted men earned the coveted certification as paratrooper in 1942 Malarkey proudly received his jump certification Malarkey became an integral member of Easy Company second Battalion 506 parachute Infantry Regiment within the legendary 101st
Airborne Division his journey led him to England in 1944 where he played a pivotal role in Mission Albany the Airborne segment of Operation Neptune this operation was an integral part of Operation Overlord and the largest amphibious invasion in history Malarkey’s medal Shone as he parachuted into France alongside his fellow
Soldiers on that fateful day he contributed to a decisive battle remembered as the bort Manor assault and for his Valor he was bestowed with a bronze star his journey through World War II was marked by 23 days in Normandy nearly 80 in the Netherlands 39 in the battle
Of best gone in Belgium and almost 30 more in the environs of hagino France and the rur pocket in Germany his steadfastness and resilience culminated in a promotion to the rank of Sergeant before the onset of operation Market Garden remarkably Malarkey who miraculously evaded serious wounds stood
As the member of Easy Company who spent the most consecutive days on the front lines for his service he was decorated with honors including the Bronze Star Purple Heart Good Conduct Medal and the American campaign medal among others after World War II Malarkey returned to the University of Oregon in
1946 to pursue the completion of his degree his time at the University was not only marked by academic Pursuits but also by the meeting of Irene Moore 1926 to 2006 whom he would later marry on June 19th 194 8 in 1949 Malarkey graduated with the bachelor’s degree in Business settling
In atoria Oregon he took on the role of sales manager for the LVL Auto Company his ambition even led him to a successful bid for the position of County Commissioner of Clatsop County Oregon in 1954 the Malarkey subsequently relocated to Portland Oregon where Donald embarked on a career as an insurance and real
Estate agent the couple was blessed with four children a son Michael and three daughters Martha Sharon and Maryanne tragically on April 2006 Irene succumbed to breast cancer in 1987 Malarkey’s path crossed with that of author and University of New Orleans professor of History Steven Ambrose during an easy company reunion
In New Orleans this encounter led to a journey in 1989 during which Malarkey along with fellow easy comp members such as Richard Winters and Carwood Lipton Revisited the European battlefields where they had once fought their firsthand accounts and Recollections became the foundation for Ambrose’s acclaimed book Band of Brothers published in
1992 during the book’s creation Malarkey shared the poignant tale of the Nyland Brothers of Tona Wanda New York this narrative in which two brothers lost their lives on D-Day while another was presumed dead became the ins inspiration for the screenplay of Saving Private Ryan Malarkey called Salem Oregon home
And devoted his later years to engaging with high school and college students as well as other groups recounting his experiences as a member of Easy Company he furthered his commitment by joining the USO in visiting Army posts and hospitals across the United States and Europe offering Solace and support to
Soldiers wounded in the Iraq War in 200 5 he took a public stand in an advertisement advocating the repeal of the estate tax in 2012 Malarkey chose to retire from public speaking engagements following the passing of Sergeant Paul Rogers on March 16th 2015 Malarkey assumed the role of the oldest
Surviving member of Easy Company his journey came to an end on September 30th 2017 as he peacefully succumbed to age related causes he found his fin resting place at willamet National Cemetery leaving behind a legacy etched in the annals of History goodbye to the men of easy company
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