The dreaded 88's

Apparently a German 88mm artillery shell had Darby's name written on it:

On 30 April 1945, while Darby was issuing orders for the attack on Trento to cut off a German retreat, an 88 mm shell burst in the middle of the assembled officers and NCOs, killing Darby and a sergeant and wounding several others. Relying on the inspiration of their late commander, “Task Force Darby” continued on with their mission. Two days later, on 2 May 1945, all German forces in Italy surrendered.

Darby, who was 34 at the time of his death, was posthumously promoted to brigadier general as of the date. He was buried at Fort Smith National Cemetery in Fort Smith, Sebastian County, Arkansas.

He died on the same day as Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun.