John H. Manning

John Hall Manning (September 27, 1889 – July 21, 1963) was a lawyer, government official and officer in both North Carolina National Guard and United States Army during World War II. He served as Adjutant General of North Carolina between October 1, 1951 – August 16, 1957. Manning was the son of James S. Manning, North Carolina Attorney General and grandson of John Manning Jr., the United States House of Representatives in 1870 and 1871.

Early career John Hall Manning was born on September 27, 1889, in Durham, North Carolina as the son of Julia Tate Cain and James S. Manning, who served as North Carolina Attorney General in 1916–1925. His paternal grandfather was John Manning Jr., the United States House of Representatives in 1870 and 1871. Young John attended the public schools in Durham and enrolled the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he graduated with Bachelor of Arts degree in 1909 and Bachelor of Laws in 1913. During his time at the University, Manning was active in American football and was a member of the German club.

Manning returned to the United States and honorably discharged from Federal service in August 1919, retaining his commission in the North Carolina National Guard.

Interwar period and World War II

Manning returned to his law practice following his return stateside and also served as a trustee of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill between 1921 and 1931. He was appointed an Assistant United States Attorney in 1934 and remained in this capacity until 1946. Manning was meanwhile promoted to lieutenant colonel in the North Carolina National Guard and became the executive officer of the 1st Regiment of Infantry (federally recognized as 120th Infantry Regiment).

Following his promotion to Colonel in 1937, Manning was placed in command of that unit. When the regiment was inducted into Federal service at Raleigh in mid-September 1940, Manning remained in command and led the regiment during the periods of intensive training until October 1942. He was then replaced by regular army officer and later served on the staff of Fort Hayes in Columbus, Ohio.

Manning was later ordered to the North Africa as commanding officer of Replacement Depot and later served in the same capacity in Italy. He also held additional duty as Senior member on an Army Reclassification Board, which was charged with finding some place for officers who had been relieved of their commands for failing to perform their assignments as required. For his service during the War, Manning was decorated with Legion of Merit.

Postwar career

During 1946, Manning was tasked by North Carolina Governor R. Gregg Cherry to assist in reorganizing the North Carolina National Guard, appointed Manning commander of the 30th Infantry Division with the rank of Major general. Manning was appointed U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina at the time and remained in this capacity until late 1951.

In October 1951 Governor W. Kerr Scott appointed Manning Adjutant General of North Carolina, replacing his old superior officer from World War I, John Van Bokkelen Metts. Manning remained in that capacity until mid-August 1957, when he retired from the National Guard. For his meritorious service, he was decorated with North Carolina Distinguished Service Medal and North Carolina Achievement Medal. He was active in the Episcopal Church and was a Democrat.

Major general John H. Manning died of heart attack on July 21, 1963, aged 73 at his home in Raleigh, North Carolina. He was buried at Raleigh National Cemetery.

Decorations

Here is Major General Mannings's ribbon bar:

Head coaching record