Sidney Earnest Manning

Wounded nine times, he rallied a platoon and held its ground

Sidney Earnest Manning was born in Alabama in 1892 and entered the Army during the First World War. He served with the 167th Infantry Regiment of the 42nd Division, a unit drawn from the Alabama National Guard.

On 28 July 1918 near the Ourcq River and Sergy in France, his platoon attacked a strongly defended position. After its leaders fell, Corporal Manning assumed command despite his own wounds. He rallied the survivors, led them forward and kept up fire with his automatic rifle.

Although repeatedly wounded, he refused to leave. When only a handful of his men remained effective, he helped maintain their captured position until relief was possible. General John Pershing presented his Medal of Honor in March 1919 during the Army's occupation of Germany.

Manning returned to Flomaton, Alabama,with lasting injuries. He pursued agricultural training and later received state support to obtain a farm and equipment. He also attended the 1921 ceremonies for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He died in the Veterans Administration hospital at Montgomery on 15 December 1960 and was buried at Little Escambia Cemetery.