William Orlando Darby | |
---|---|
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 | Brigadier General |
Unit | 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.