University News
Leo Manning, WIU's Inaugural Military Science Chair, Passed Away
March 29, 2007
MACOMB, IL - - Retired Army Colonel Leo W. Manning of Macomb, 91, who provided the foundation of Western Illinois University's military science department as its first professor of military science (department chair) from 1968-1970, died March 27 at McDonough District Hospital.
Manning, who was born Oct. 10, 1915 in Clover Chapel, IL, was a farmer (1934-1936) in Cambridge (IL) before moving to Normal (IL) to earn his Bachelor of Arts degree at Illinois Wesleyan (1940). He taught and served as a coach at Normal Jr. High School (1939-1941), and he also took graduate courses at Illinois State Normal University (1940).
His service in the U.S. Army (1941-1970) included a tour with the infantry in Europe (1943-1945); professor of military science at Coe College, Cedar Rapids, IA (1945-1948); Korea (1948-1951); Battalion Commander, 95th Infantry Battalion, Ft. Campbell, KY (1951-1952); a tour of duty to Germany (1954-1957); Office of Inspector General, Washington, D.C. (1957-1961); senior adviser to the Second Royal Thai Army, Korat, Thailand (1962); and chief of civil defense division in the deputy chief of staff for operations and training office at Fifth United States Army Headquarters, Ft. Sheridan, IL (1963-1968).
Among the numerous medals he was awarded are the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, National Defense Service Medal and the U.S. Army Legion of Merit Award.
Manning was an active community volunteer. He was a member of the First Christian Church, was a past president of the Macomb Rotary Club, where he received the Paul Harris Award; was active in Boy Scouts of America; and held memberships in Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, Macomb American Legion and Macomb's VFW. He was also on the McDonough County United Way Board of Directors, and in April 2000 he was awarded the D.A.R. National Medal of Honor.
In November 2001, the Colonel and his wife, Truth, who survives, established the Colonel Leo W. Manning Outstanding ROTC Cadet Award, a $1,000 stipend to be presented to an outstanding cadet based on academics, training, ROTC and University extracurricular activities, and community involvement.
Also surviving are three daughters, Susan Manning of Urbana, IL; Jennifer Chapman of Greenwich, CT; and Hellen (Russell) Gutsche of Minneapolis, MN.; five grandchildren; and one sister and one brother.
Funeral services will be at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 31 at First Christian Church of Macomb. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Rev. Steven Workman will officiate. Burial will be in the Rock Island Arsenal National Cemetery at 1 p.m. Monday April 2.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Boy Scouts of America - ILLOWA Council; Macomb Rotary Foundation; or the First Christian Church. Dodsworth-Piper-Wallen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. A guestbook is available at www.dodsworthfh.com
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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