Sidney Earnest Manning

Corporal, U.S. Army

Medal of Honor Recipient

World War I

Corporal Sidney E. Manning (17 July 1892 - 15 December 1960) was a U.S. Army soldier who received the U.S. military's highest award for valor, the Medal of Honor, for his heroic actions during World War I.

Sidney E. Manning was born in Butler County, AL, on 17 July 1892. He entered the Army at Flomaton, AL.

Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army Company G, 167th Infantry, 42nd Division.

Place and date: Near Breuvannes, France, 28 July 1918.

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 7 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 9 wounds in all parts of the body.

Corporal Sidney E. Manning died 15 December 1960. He is buried at Little Escambia Cemetery in Flomaton, AL.