SR 7 Summary

• General William Orlando Darby was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas on February 8, 1911, graduated from the United States Military Academy, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in Field Artillery on June 13, 1933.

• Darby directed the organization and training of the First United States Army Ranger Battalion and led "Darby's Rangers" in combat operations in North Africa and Italy during World War II, earning the Distinguished Service Cross with oak leaf cluster, Silver Star, and international decorations.

• Colonel Darby was killed on April 30, 1945, at age 34 while issuing orders for an attack on Trento, Italy; he was posthumously promoted to brigadier general and buried at Fort Smith National Cemetery.

• Darby's legacy includes multiple military installations and schools named after him, including Camp Darby near Fort Benning, Georgia, W.O. Darby Kaserne in Germany, Camp Darby in Italy, and Darby Junior High School in Fort Smith.

• The Senate honors General Darby for his leadership in establishing the United States Army Ranger as an elite special force and supports the General Darby Legacy Project to erect a statue in Cisterna Park, Fort Smith, Arkansas.