Posthumous Award of Purple Heart to C.J. Manning
Posthumous recognition awarded by the United States government to Mr. and Mrs. Frank J. Manning, 1211 Ninth Street, in honor of their son, Private Clarence J. Manning, who died in a North African war area July 15, from wounds suffered in battle, culminated today when Mr. Manning was presented the purple heart, awarded by President Roosevelt to the young man who died for his country.
The Purple Heart was established by Gen. George Washington at Newburgh, N.Y. on August 7, 1782, and is conferred for military merit and for wounds suffered in action.
Private Manning was 26 years of age and was well known in Sioux City, having had many friends who referred to him familiarly as “C.J.” He was an athlete, an expert swimmer and also an entertainer. In the summer of 1942 he was manager of the Leif Erikson swimming pool, and in October he entered the armed forces. He also was a former employee of the Journal. After entering service here, he was sent to Fort Knox, Kentucky, and left for overseas in February as a gunner in the tank corps.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, September 29, 1943
Clarence Joseph Manning was born Jan. 17, 1917 to Frank Joseph and May Costello Manning. He died July 15, 1943 and is buried in Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy.
Pvt. Manning served in World War II with the 67th Armored Regiment, 2nd Armored Division and was awarded the Purple Heart.
Sources: ancestry.com; abmc.gov
