September 9, 1943

American forces of the First, Third, and Fourth Ranger battalions were the first to land during the World War II invasion of Italy. These troops, expanded from the original First United States Army Ranger Battalion organized and trained by West Point graduate William Orlando Darby from Fort Smith (Sebastian County), were principally involved in actions at Anzio and Cisterno, Italy. Unopposed at first, the First and Third battalions later suffered severe casualties, leaving the Fourth battalion the only remaining ranger force.