November 8, 1942

The First U.S. Army Rangers Battalion went into action during World War II as part of Operation Torch under the command of Major General Lloyd Redendan. The Rangers were an elite commando unit organized and trained by then-Major William Orlando Darby from Fort Smith (Sebastian County). They served a distinguished role in the invasion of Italy and Sicily. Darby became known as an exemplary leader who received many military honors and was promoted posthumously to brigadier general, the only soldier to have received that distinction.