The Fort Smith General Darby Challenge commemorates General Darby’s sacrifice on April 30, 1945, in Nago-Torbole, Italy, during World War II. In 2023, Fort Smith and Nago-Torbole formalized a sister city partnership rooted in this shared history, and the Darby Challenge coincides with Nago-Torbole’s Col Darby 40-Mile Ranger Challenge, reinforcing the international connection. A defining moment of the 2026 event is the Silent Mile along the Arkansas River waterfront, honoring 93 World War II Arkansans listed as KIA or MIA and interred near Fort Smith’s sister cities in Italy. The course begins and ends at the General William O. Darby statue in Cisterna Park, traveling along “A” Street to the Greg Smith River Trail, north along the Riverfront to Fort Smith Park, and returning to Cisterna Park, where participants are invited to reflect and pay their respects.

The 2026 Challenge will also honor Master Sergeant Joshua Lloyd Wheeler, a member of the Cherokee Nation and a native of Sequoyah County, Oklahoma, who was killed in action in Iraq during Operation Inherent Resolve. A member of the elite Delta Force, MSgt. Wheeler was the first American service member killed by enemy fire while fighting ISIS militants.

###

The Ranger Legacy Foundation's purpose is to share the heart and soul of what it means to be a Ranger and to honor Rangers in perpetuity by means of a Ranger Legacy Center that provides a forum for the preservation of history, education, and training to both the Ranger community and the public.

Our vision for the Ranger Legacy Center is for it to be an inclusive, apolitical, and beautifully authentic home for all Rangers that provides the environment for connection, growth, and personal development. Prominently showcased is the prestigious Ranger Hall of Fame.

This ‘home’ hosts organizations, individuals and events (both large and small) that appeal to the spiritual, mental and physical well-being of the entire Ranger community. The sprawling grounds are a destination spot for Rangers, their families, and community members to find respite amongst the historical preservation, relaxed experiences, and the forward leaning thought leadership of our future.

Darby Days