Rodney A Manning….Died on 21 Feb 1989 of a massive heart attack. He flew over 45 missions.

Lt Rodney A Manning was a Bombardier in the B-25 Mitchell with the 321st Bomb Group, 446th Bomb squadron and he flew over 45 Combat Missions. Rod returned from the Mediterranean Theater in the late summer of 1943 to attend pilot training at Mustang Class 44-K at El Reno. We recall that he mentioned that he went on to fly the B-26, so it is possible that he made it back into Combat during WWII.

Rodney A Manning of Hennepin, Minnesota enlisted on 3 April, 1942 as a Private in the Army Air Corp. Rodney was born in Wisconsin in 1921, was White, a Citizen, had completed one year of college, was working as a baker and was married at enlistment. Rodney Allen Manning was a 1st Lt in the US Army Air Corp during WWII as a Commissioned Bombardier, he was born on 17 Jan.1921 and passed in Anoka County, Minn. on 21 Feb. 1989. He was interred 24 Feb, 1989 at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in South Minneapiois, MN. His last residence was on St Paul Street in Ramsey, Minnesota.

As with many WWII Vets, most personal items have gotten lost, not much is known yet but the story of Lt Rodney Manning is being given by his daughter and her husband. Rod flew 50 Combat Missions with the 321st Bomb Group in the MTO during WWII. Rod passed away as a result of a massive heart attack after having been a relatively successful, 'one of the first' open heart surgery patients many years earlier. Rod made his living as a successful local interior decotator. His projects included several regional airports, mansions of local wealthy families, including the Daytons (Target Corp, Dayton-Hudsons), and several downtown Minneapolis retail stores and office buildings.