Robert Lee Manning was born 29 November 1910 to Marvin A. Manning and Edna Marshall. He was married to Juanita Anderson. Father of Roger Manning.
He was killed 10 March 1945 and was returned from Iwo Jima.
Buried at Chattanooga National Cemetery, Y, 311
Second Lieutenant
U.S. Marine Corps
Robert Manning was awarded the Silver Star Medal and the Navy Cross Medal in 1943. It reads:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Sergeant Robert L. Manning (MCSN: 10051), United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with the First Parachute Battalion, First Marine Division, during the assault on enemy Japanese forces at Gavutu, Solomon Islands, on 7 August 1942. When the progress of Company B was retarded by heavy sniper opposition, Marine Gunner Manning, with utter disregard for his extreme danger, led a courageous attack on a heavily barricaded three-inch gun emplacement from which the deadly fire was emanating. Charging forward against the withering blasts of hostile weapons, he unhesitatingly plunged through the entrance and, while engaging the enemy in hand-to-hand combat, overpowered and killed the officer in command. Marine Gunner Manning’s daring, aggressive, and gallant conduct contributed immeasurably to the elimination of a strong Japanese position and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Sergeant Robert L. Manning MCSN 10051, United States Marine Corps, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving with the First Parachute Battalion, First Marine Division, during the assault on enemy Japanese forces at Gavutu, Solomon Islands, on 7 August 1942. When the progress of Company B was retarded by heavy sniper opposition, Marine Gunner Manning, with utter disregard for his extreme danger, led a courageous attack on a heavily barricaded three-inch gun emplacement from which the deadly fire was emanating. Charging forward against the withering blasts of hostile weapons, he unhesitatingly plunged through the entrance and, while engaging the enemy in hand-to-hand combat, overpowered and killed the officer in command. Marine Gunner Manning’s daring, aggressive, and gallant conduct contributed immeasurably to the elimination of a strong Japanese position and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
The Chattanooga Times, 11 April 1945:
Lt. Manning was reported killed in action on March 10. He was the father of a child he had never seen. He was the son of Mrs. Edna O’Neal and the brother of Mrs. Nadine Kirby. Lt. Manning was one of a group of marines to see some of the bitterest fighting in the Pacific area from Pearl Harbor to the Solomons, and he had been awarded the Navy Cross for meritorious action in combat. He was cited for heroic service in action on Gavutu Island.
Prior to the outbreak of the war he had served three years on the island of Guam and had seen service in Cuba as well as numerous posts throughout the U.S. He was stationed at New River, N.C., when war was declared and was immediately sent to the Pacific theater.
Marine Gunner Manning was promoted to the rank of Marine gunner April 1, 1943. He was born in the East Lake section of Chattanooga, but moved to Hixson after the death of his father. Manning enlisted in the Marine corps before finishing school and has served in the service continuously since that time.
- Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Date of birth: 29 November 1910
- Date of death: 10 March 1945
- County: Hamilton
- Hometown: Hixson
- Service Branch: Marine Corps
- Division/Assignment: 1st Parachute Battalion, 1st Marine Division
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Battles: Iwo Jima
- Awards: Navy Cross, Silver Star, Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Chattanooga National Cemetery, Chattanooga, Hamilton County, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XI, Top Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Robert L. Manning
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