World War II Honoree
Killed in World War II
William Orlando Darby
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Fort Smith, Arkansas
Honored By
A Fellow Soldier
United States Army Officer. Commanded 'Darby's Rangers' in WWII. Graduated from the United States Military Academy. By October, 1940 he had achieved the rank of Captain. Early in WWII he had served in staff positions but in early 1942 he was assigned to form a unit that bore the title 'Rangers'. He led this unit 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. He is buried at the U.S. National Cemetery, Fort Smith, Arkansas.