 Dargue was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1886 and entered the United States Military Academy on June 15, 1907.He graduated on June 13, 1911 and was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant in the Coast Artillery Corps.In March 1913, while stationed in the Philippines, he was trained to fly by 1st Lt. Frank Purdy Lahm, and was detailed to the Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps on July 23, 1914, as the sole rated pilot in the Philippines.