Birthday Celebration for General William O. Darby
by January 17, 2011 10:43 am 102 views
The Fort Smith Museum of History will celebrate the one hundredth birthday of native son and World War II hero General William Orlando Darby. Born in Fort Smith on February 8, 1911, Darby graduated from Fort Smith High School and the United States Military Academy at WestPoint, New York. General Darby is well known for the formation of the Darby’s Rangers during World War II. Darby’s Rangers distinguished themselves in combat from North Africa the Europe. Darby was killed in action on April 30, 1945 at Torbole, Italy. During his career Darby received three Purple Hearts, two Distinguished Service Crosses, the Silver Star, the Legion of Merit, the Russian Order of Kutuzov and the French Croix de Guerre.
Darby Watkins, nephew of the famous general, will present a program from the vast research he has completed in preparation for a manuscript on William O. Darby.
Join the museum at 1:00 p. m. for birthday cake and punch in the museum’s soda fountain and at 2:00 p. m. in the newly renovated Darby Room for the program with Darby Watkins. As well, visitors may view a new video on General Darby in the new Griffin Theater sponsored by the Fort Smith Historical Society.
For more information, contact the Fort Smith Museum of History, 320 Rogers Avenue, 479-783-7841, www.fortsmithmuseum.com