| Lieutenant Colonel William O. Darby was presented with the Distinguished Service Cross, America's second highest decoration for bravery. In the meantime, General Bradley had asked Patton for Darby to command a regiment of the 45th Division, which had come in beside the 1st Infantry on Gela Beach. As Bradley pointed out, "It would have meant a promotion for him and a choice combat command." But, Patton had chosen not to order Darby to accept the promotion. Instead, according to Bradley, "George propositioned him instead." Darby was reported to have grinned and said, "You mean I get a choice, General? I'm not used to choices in the army." Patton quickly replied with, "Take the regiment and I'll make you a full colonel in the morning, but I won't force your hand. There are a thousand colonels in this army who'd give their eyeteeth for this chance." Bradley, who was present, remembered, "Darby looked first to me, then to Patton." Then, unwilling to leave his beloved Rangers, Darby answered, "Well, thanks anyhow, General. But, I think maybe I'd better stick with my boys." An amazed Patton wrote in his diary that night, "This is the first time I ever saw a man turn down a promotion. Darby is a great soldier." |