Medal of Honor: Sidney E. Manning– World War I, July 28, 1918

"Alabama’s Bulletproof Corporal"
Sidney E. Manning
Rank: Corporal
Conflict: World War I
Unit: Company G, 167th Infantry Regiment, 42nd “Rainbow” Division
Date of Action: July 28, 1918
Location: Near Breuvannes, France

Summary of Action:
On the shattered slopes near Breuvannes, France, under the punishing heat of late July 1918, the Rainbow Division launched a ferocious assault across the Ourcq River against well-entrenched German forces. In the chaos of machine gun fire and exploding shells, Company G of Alabama’s own 167th Infantry Regiment was struck hard. Both the platoon commander and sergeant were cut down early in the fight. Leadership fell to a 25-year-old corporal from Butler County—Sidney E. Manning.

Despite being severely wounded, Manning rose and rallied the survivors—just 35 men—guiding them through a storm of gunfire and bursting shells toward the enemy’s fortified ridge. Shot again and again as he pressed forward, Manning refused to fall. He led his depleted platoon up the heights and into a foothold on the enemy position. Only 7 men were still standing by his side.

Bleeding from nine wounds, Corporal Manning refused to seek shelter. Instead, he manned an automatic rifle and held off a German counterattack from just 50 yards away—alone, exhausted, and nearly dead. Only after securing the line and ensuring his men were safe did he finally drag himself to cover.

His body was broken, but his spirit unyielding. His selfless leadership, savage determination, and unflinching bravery in the face of death saved lives and won ground that day. Sidney Manning was hailed as a hero of the Rainbow Division and remains one of Alabama’s most decorated soldiers of the Great War.

Medal of Honor 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.