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William Orlando Darby

William Orlando Darby
William Darby.jpg
Born February 8, 1911
Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States
Died April 30, 1945 (aged 34)
Torbole, Italy  
Buried at Fort Smith National Cemetery, Arkansas, United States
Allegiance  United States
Service/branch  United States Army
Years of service 1933–1945
Rank US-O7 insignia.svg Brigadier General
Unit USA - Army Field Artillery Insignia.png Field Artillery Branch
Commands held 1st Ranger Battalion
6615th Ranger Force
179th Infantry Regiment
Battles/wars World War II
Awards Distinguished Service Cross (2)
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star
Purple Heart (3)
French Croix de Guerre with Silver Star
Russian Order of Kutuzov (3rd degree)
British Distinguished Service Order

Brigadier General William O. Darby (8 February 1911 – 30 April 1945) was a United States Army officer who fought in World War II, where he was killed in action. He was posthumously promoted to brigadier general. Darby led the famous Darby's Rangers, which evolved into the U.S. Army Rangers.

Darby was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point with a bachelor of science degree and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Field Artillery on 13 June 1933.

His first assignment was being an 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. On 9 September 1940, he was promoted to captain and subsequently served with the 80th Division at Camp Jackson, South Carolina; Fort Benning, Georgia; Camp Beauregard, Louisiana and Fort Des Moines, Iowa.


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