“But I can say, had it not been for the support of Sigma Nu, and specifically Al Gray, I would not have lasted in school. The discipline and rules did a lot to create a special bond that was very much like what I experienced in the military. It’s something very special and rare,” he shares. Gray was the one who talked Malarkey into enrolling at the University of Oregon in the fall of 1941 and suggested he join Sigma Nu. Although, Malarkey didn’t need convincing to join the Fraternity, since his father, Leo (Oregon) and Uncle Robert (Oregon) had been in the chapter as well as his cousin, Huntington (Oregon). “I had every intention of joining Sigma Nu when I enrolled at the University of Oregon,” he says. In fact, it was the only fraternity he was willing to consider.

-Donald Malarkey
University of Oregon
Sigma Nu Gamma Zeta Alumni #0479

Malarkey is a WWII veteran who is portrayed in "Band of Brothers", a mini HBO series. In addition he is mentioned in the book Band of Brothers written by Stephen E. Ambrose. Malarkey's most recent book is an autobiography titled, Easy Company Soldier: The Legendary Combat of a Sergeant from World War II's "Band of Brothers".