Darby, William Orlando

William O. Darby was born at Fort Smith, Ark. in 1911. He graduated from West Point in 1933. At the outbreak of WWII, Darby was stationed in Ireland, where he had became interested in British commando units. He was instrumental in the formation of "Ranger" units in the U.S. Army. On April 23, 1945, Brigadier General Robinson E. Duff, Assistant Division Commander of the 10th Infantry Mountain Division, was wounded and Colonel Darby volunteered to take charge of the unit. "Task Force Darby" spearheaded the breakout of the Fifth Army from the Po River Valley bridgehead and reached Tabole at the head of Lake Garda. On April 30, 1945 while issuing orders for the attack on Trento to cut off a German retreat, an 88mm shell burst in the middle of the assembled officers and NCOs, killing Darby and wounding several others. Darby earned the Distinguished Service Cross and had attained the rank of Brigadier General at the time of his death.

From the description of William O. Darby papers, 1963-1991. (Denver Public Library). WorldCat record id: 239631521