William O. Darby

William Orlando Darby, during World War II, was the first commander of the US Army Rangers and commanded them in North Africa and in Italy until 1943. Darby returned to the US after the destruction of the 1st and 3rd battalions at Cisterna. He came back to Europe in 1945 serving as Colonel and assistant division commander in the 10th Mountain Division. On 30th April he was killed by an 88mm shell fragment while visiting the front at Torbole in Italy. At the time of his death he was under consideration for promotion to General which was conferred posthumously several weeks later.