Leighton McMicking Manning

Leighton Manning, a Canadian-raised aviation enthusiast, enlisted in the Marine Corps in May 1942 after serving with the Royal Canadian Air Force. His experience flying coastal patrols enabled him to rise quickly to the rank of staff sergeant, and he deployed overseas as a radioman and gunner with VMSB-141. As part of the “Cactus Air Force” flying out of Guadalcanal, Manning took part in numerous patrols and strikes on various targets in the Solomon Islands.

On 13 November 1942, American Army, Navy, and Marine pilots based on Guadalcanal attempted to finish off the Japanese battleship Hiei, crippled in a naval battle near Savo Island. The big ship attempted to steam north to safety while her crew worked desperately to repair her crippled steering mechanism; although hit numerous times, she stubbornly remained afloat. A final flight of Marine dive bombers departed Henderson Field late in the afternoon and flew through a rapidly developing storm to attack the Hiei‘s escorting ships. Among the fliers were Second Lieutenant William J. Knapp, Jr. and Staff Sergeant Manning in SBD-3 06571.

The storm grew so strong that the flight was scattered and only the leader, Major Joseph Sailer, Jr., was able to drop his bomb on the target. In the relatively short distance between Henderson Field and the Hiei, two bombers disappeared along with their crews. Knapp and Manning were never heard from again; both were declared dead on 19 February 1945.