United States. An Air Medal to DFC, SS and BS Recipient 2nd Lieutenant Darby, 6147th Tactical Air Control KIA

In bronze gilt, engraved "2ND LT WILBUR S. DARBY A.C." on the reverse, measuring 42.3 mm (w) x 54.2 mm (h) inclusive of its integral suspension, light contact, original ribbon with brooch pinback, near extremely fine. Accompanied by its 36.5 mm (w) x 9.5 mm (h) ribbon bar and its 17.2 mm (w) x 3.5 mm (h) enameled ribbon bar, in its hardshelled case of issue, marked "AIR MEDAL" on the lid, case extremely fine.

 

Footnote: Wilbur Smith Darby was born on September 27, 1918 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, the son of Florence Darby and Azel Darby. He attended Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, then attended Thomas Jefferson High School, where he graduated as part of the Class of 1936. In the fall of that same year, he enrolled at Rutgers College. Known as “Fuzzy” by his Alpha Kappa Pi fraternity brothers, Darby developed a reputation of being a ladies man. His greatest popularity, however, stemmed from his athletic pursuits. Throughout his athletic career, he earned many awards for his achievements, participating in water polo, 150 pound football, lacrosse and swimming. He won the Eastern Collegiate Swimming Association Medal for the 200 meter relay and was Junior A.A.U. Champion for several years. In total, Darby captured twenty-two swimming awards, as well as lettering in football and lacrosse. After so much success in athletics, he managed to earn a degree in Physical Education and made his home in Maplewood, New Jersey. After teaching for two years, Darby enlisted in the United States Army Air Corps. He saw tour duty in Iceland, Northern Ireland, England, North Africa, and Egypt before going to India. While flying in the Army Air Corps, he flew 89 combat missions, functioning as either a Bombardier or a Navigator in B-24 Liberator bombers during the Second World War. Lieutenant Darby was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross after sinking a Japanese freighter he encountered on a lone mission. He would serve for ten years with the United States Army Air Force/United States Air Force, from 1942 to 1952. After the Second World War, Captain Darby would continue his war service, serving during the Korean War. He was stationed at Pyeongtaek Airfield (K-6), South Korea and was the pilot of a LT-6G Mosquito control aircraft with the 6148th Tactical Air Control Squadron, 6147 Tactical Air Control Group, accompanied by his back-seater, Sergeant Ray L. Servatius, when on October 24, 1952, after evaluating damage from a bombing raid, his aircraft was hit by ground fire and crashed. Sergeant Servatius was able to bail out and was captured, ultimately surviving the war. However, Captain Wilbur Smith Darby was killed when the aircraft impacted the ground, the disposition and location of his remains unknown. Captain Wilbur Smith Darby, 6148th Tactical Control Squadron, 6147th Tactical Air Control Group, United States Army Air Force was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for actions taken seventeen days before his death, on October 7, 1952, during the Korean War, by Headquarters, Far East Air Forces, General Orders No. 660 of December 31, 1952, his citation stating: "The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to  (AFSN: 12895A), United States Air Force, for gallantry in action against an armed enemy of the United Nations as a Forward Air Controller, 6147th Tactical Control Group, Fifth Air Force, on 7 October 1952. At the start of a combat operation near Chorwon, Korea, Captain Darby established his Tactical Air Control Party in a forward bunker. During the entire period of the battle this area was subjected to heavy enemy bombardment. On 7 October 1952 the remote system which had been established from the radio jeeps to the bunker failed. At this time, voluntarily and with complete disregard for his personal safety, Captain Darby stationed himself in an exposed radio jeep, and for three days, with the battle at the height of its intensity, continued to direct close air support strikes from his exposed position. By his high personal courage in the face of enemy fire and his exemplary devotion to duty, Captain Darby was instrumental in the success of United Nations operations in that area, and reflected great credit upon himself, the Far East Air Forces, and the United States Air Force. Darby was also a recipient of the Bronze Star, as well as the Air Medal with oak leaf cluster, however, the cluster for the latter award has been lost to time. On the morning of June 25th, 2002, five members of the 6147th Tactical Air Control Group, Mosquito Association, arrived on the campus of Old Queens Rutgers University. Their visit was by invitation, submitted by the Commander (Colonel Randall S. Lanning, USAF) his Cadre and Cadets of the Air Force ROTC, Detachment 485. The cordial invite was for a Korean War Monument Dedication in memory of Captain Wilbur S. Darby, USAF. He was an alumni of Rutgers in the year 1940, and received great honorable mention on this occasion for his heroism, not only as a pilot with the 6147th Tactical Air Control Group, but for the Silver Star and Bronze Star Medal awarded for his duties as a Forward Air Controller with the 6150th Tactical Control Squadron prior to his last flight. The bronze plaque dedicated at the campus was unveiled by Captain Darby’s wife and Colonel Lanning. Special reading was made by one of Captain Darby’s daughters, Mrs Joan “JED” Chang representing the Darby Family. It was noted that she proudly wore the Silver Star and Bronze Star awarded to her father around her neck. The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) detachment at Rutgers University is named for Captain Darby.