William Orlando Darby

William Orlando Darby
Born	(1911-02-08)February 8, 1911 Fort Smith, Arkansas, United States
Died	April 30, 1945(1945-04-30) (aged 34) Torbole, Italy
Buried	Fort Smith National Cemetery, Arkansas, United States
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1933–1945
Rank	Brigadier General
Service number	0-19133
Commands held	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.