Corporal Sidney E. Manning was a soldier in the U.S. Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions on July 28, 1918 near Breuvannes, France during World War I. At the time he was serving with Company G, 167th Infantry, 42d Division. Manning was 26 years old.
The medal was presented on March 17, 1919.
Manning was born on July 17, 1892 in Butler County, Alabama. His Medal of Honor is credited to Flomaton, Escambia County, Alabama. Manning died on December 15, 1960 in Flomation, Alabama, at the age of 68. He is buried at Little Escombia Baptist Church Cemetery in Flomation, Alabama.
Manning is one of 132 Medal of Honor recipients from World War I and one of 21 credited to Alabama.
Official Medal of Honor citation
When his platoon commander and platoon sergeant had both become casualties soon after the beginning of an assault on strongly fortified heights overlooking the Ourcq River, Cpl. Manning took command of his platoon, which was near the center of the attacking line. Though himself severely wounded he led forward the 35 men remaining in the platoon and finally succeeded in gaining a foothold on the enemy's position, during which time he had received more wounds and all but seven of his men had fallen. Directing the consolidation of the position, he held off a large body of the enemy only 50 yards away by fire from his automatic rifle. He declined to take cover until his line had been entirely consolidated with the line of the platoon on the front when he dragged himself to shelter, suffering from nine wounds in all parts of the body.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Wounds and injuries
What the citation records about his wounds:
Though himself severely wounded he led forward the 35 men remaining in the platoon and finally succeeded in gaining a foothold on the enemy's position, during which time he had received more wounds and all but seven of his men had fallen.
He declined to take cover until his line had been entirely consolidated with the line of the platoon on the front when he dragged himself to shelter, suffering from nine wounds in all parts of the body.
- Age at death: 68
- Resting place: Little Escombia Baptist Church Cemetery
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War I.
Places
- Born: Alabama — map
Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Alabama →
Timeline
- July 17, 1892Born in Butler County, Alabama
- July 28, 1918Act of valor — near Breuvannes, FranceAge 26. Company G, 167th Infantry, 42d Division
- March 17, 1919Medal of Honor presented
- December 15, 1960Died in Flomation, AlabamaAge 68.
- Resting placeLittle Escombia Baptist Church CemeteryFlomation, Alabama
Biography
Sidney Earnest Manning (July 17, 1892 – December 15, 1960) was a soldier in the United States Army who received the Medal of Honor for his actions during World War I.
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