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William Orlando Darby
William Orlando Darby | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | February 8, 1911 Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States |
| Died | April 30, 1945 (aged 34) Torbole, Italy |
| Buried | Fort Smith National Cemetery, Arkansas, United States |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1933–1945 |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Service number | 0-19133 |
| Commands | 179th Infantry Regiment 6615th Ranger Force 1st Ranger Battalion |
| Battles / wars | World War II † |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Cross (2) Army Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal Purple Heart (3) Croix de Guerre (France) Order of Kutuzov Third Class (USSR) Distinguished Service Order (United Kingdom) |
William O. 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.
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