William Orlando Darby

William Orlando Darby (February 8, 1911 – April 30, 1945) was a career United States Army officer who fought in World War II, where he was killed in action at age 34 in Italy. He was posthumously promoted to brigadier general. Darby was the founding commander of the First Ranger Battalion, which evolved into the United States Army Rangers. He was subsequently portrayed by James Garner in the 1958 theatrical film about Darby's career titled Darby's Rangers, which was also the title of his memoir, the source for many of his exploits.

Early military career

William O. Darby graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1933. where he was the cadet captain of "I" Company. His fellow classmate, William H. Baumer Jr., would later co-author the book Darby's Rangers, We Led the Way with Darby.

Darby's first assignment was as assistant executive and supply officer with the 82nd Field Artillery at Fort Bliss, Texas. In July 1934, he transferred to Cloudcroft, New Mexico, where he commanded the 1st Cavalry Division detachment. He received intensive artillery training from September 1937 to June 1938 while attending Field Artillery School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

World War II Army Rangers As World War II progressed, Darby saw rapid promotion to the grade of lieutenant colonel. He was with the first United States combat troops sent to Europe after the United States entry into World War II, the 34th Infantry Division, a National Guard unit known as the Red Bull. During its stay in Northern Ireland Darby became interested in the British Commandos. On June 19, 1942, the 1st Ranger Battalion was sanctioned, and Darby was put in charge of their recruitment and training under the Commandos in Achnacarry, Scotland. Many of these original Rangers were volunteers from the 34th.

The three existing Ranger battalions were effectively wiped out - killed or captured - in the disastrous Battle of Cisterna during the Anzio campaign in early February 1944, after which they were disbanded. "Task Force Darby" continued with their mission. Two days later, on May 2, 1945, all German forces in Italy surrendered.

Legacy Darby's medals, military records, and uniforms are on display at the Fort Smith Museum of History in Fort Smith, and his boyhood home is open for tours. Camp Darby, near Fort Benning, which is home to the first phase of Ranger School, is named after him. Two U.S. Army installations in Europe were named after Darby; W.O. Darby Kaserne, Fürth, Germany (closed in 1995); and the operational Camp Darby, near Livorno, Italy. The town of Cisterna, Italy, dedicated its high school to Darby. A book entitled Onward We Charge: The Heroic Story of Darby's Rangers in World War II by H. Paul Jeffers was published in 2007. An Admiral Benson Class transport ship, the USS Admiral W. S. Sims (AP-127), was renamed USAT General William O. Darby in the 1940s. In 1955, the name of Fort Smith Junior High School was changed to William O. Darby Junior High School. In 1958, the name of the school's athletic teams was changed from Cubs to Rangers after the famous Darby's Rangers. In 1958, the motion picture Darby's Rangers, starring James Garner as Darby, dramatized Darby's military exploits. Wayde Preston also played a character role based on Darby in the 1968 film Anzio. In 1992, Darby was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame. Every year in Italy on April 30 the "40-mile Ranger Challenge Hike" to honor Col. Darby is held from Peschiera del Garda to the Darby monument in Torbole sul Garda.

Monument to the memory of General W.O. Darby in Torbole sul Garda, Italy

Awards and decorations Darby's military awards include:

Badges:

Awards: Distinguished Service Cross with one bronze oak leaf clusterArmy Distinguished Service MedalSilver StarLegion of MeritBronze Star MedalPurple Heart with two oak leaf clustersAmerican Defense Service MedalAmerican Campaign MedalEuropean-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with five campaign starsWorld War II Victory MedalCroix de Guerre with Silver Star (France)Order of Kutuzov Third Class (Soviet Union)Distinguished Service Order (United Kingdom)

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