The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Field Artillery) William Orlando Darby (ASN: 0-19133), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while Commanding the 1st Ranger Battalion, in action against enemy forces at Arzew, Oran, North Africa, for the five days from 21 to 25 March 1943. Leading his command, the 1st Ranger Battalion (Separate), over ten miles, almost all on mountain ranges during the night 20 – 21 March 1943, Lieutenant Colonel Darby took with his force with complete surprise at dawn, a strongly fortified enemy position. Always conspicuously at the head of his troops, Lieutenant Colonel Darby personally led the assaults against the enemy in the face of machine gun and artillery fire, establishing the front by his skillful employment of hand grenades and close quarter fire. The success of this attack was largely due to the outstanding heroism of Lieutenant Colonel Darby, who, with complete disregard to his own safety, led the assault. On 22 March, again leading his Ranger Battalion in the face of enemy artillery fire, Lieutenant Colonel Darby bravely directed his battalion in an advance on the Bou Hamra, capturing prisoners and destroying a battery of self-propelled artillery. During the two succeeding days, while the Ranger Battalion was in a defensive position with the *** Infantry Regiment, Lieutenant Colonel Darby again initiated the dogged resistance of his troops by circulating freely among his men in the face of the enemy artillery, mortar and machine gun fire, to establish positions and to encourage his troops and direct their fire. On the night of 25 March after five days of savage and almost uninterrupted fighting, while employing his Rangers in a successful full rear guard activity, Lieutenant Colonel Darby again displayed extraordinary heroism by remaining at the head of his covering force and directing the movement of his Rangers in the face of machine gun and artillery fire. The selfless courage displayed by Lieutenant Colonel Darby inspired his command to exceedingly greater efforts and proved an immeasurable important factor in the ultimate successes in the sector. Lieutenant Colonel Darby’s gallant leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.