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William Orlando Darby

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William Orlando Darby Famous memorial Veteran

Birth
Fort Smith, Sebastian County, Arkansas, USA
Death
30 Apr 1945 (aged 34)
Torbole, Provincia di Trento, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
Burial
Fort Smith, Sebastian County, Arkansas, USA GPS-Latitude: 35.3838247, Longitude: -94.4290708
Plot
Section 9, Grave 3991
Memorial ID
View Source
United States Army Brigadier General. Renown for commanding "Darby's Rangers" in World War II, he graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1933. By October 1940 he had achieved the rank of Captain. Early in World War II he had served in staff positions but in early 1942 he was assigned to form a unit that bore the title "Rangers" based on the British model. He led "Darby's Rangers" with the rank of Colonel in North Africa, Sicily and Anzio as well as other actions. His awards included the Silver Star, Purple Heart, Distinguished Service Medal, and others. On April 30, 1945, while serving with the 10th Mountain Division in Italy he was killed by an artillery burst. He was posthumously awarded the rank of Brigadier General.
United States Army Brigadier General. Renown for commanding "Darby's Rangers" in World War II, he graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 1933. By October 1940 he had achieved the rank of Captain. Early in World War II he had served in staff positions but in early 1942 he was assigned to form a unit that bore the title "Rangers" based on the British model. He led "Darby's Rangers" with the rank of Colonel in North Africa, Sicily and Anzio as well as other actions. His awards included the Silver Star, Purple Heart, Distinguished Service Medal, and others. On April 30, 1945, while serving with the 10th Mountain Division in Italy he was killed by an artillery burst. He was posthumously awarded the rank of Brigadier General.

Bio by: Steve Dunn



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  • Maintained by: Find a Grave
  • Originally Created by: Steve Dunn
  • Added: May 10, 2003
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7428735/william_orlando-darby: accessed ), memorial page for William Orlando Darby (9 Feb 1911–30 Apr 1945), Find a Grave Memorial ID 7428735, citing Fort Smith National Cemetery, Fort Smith, Sebastian County, Arkansas, USA; Maintained by Find a Grave.