The Big One - WWII

Arthur L. Manning Jr.

A few friends and some of my grand children have shown some interest in my military career duty during World War II and suggested I write some sort of account about it. To me it is hardly worth mentioning compared to the courage, endeavors, escapades, accomplishments and sacrifices of so many others. I had a friend badly wounded who came home on crutches, and a cousin named after my father as I am also, who never made it through the D-Day invasion and left a new bride a new widow. My time spent in the Army Air Corps and U.S. Air Force had a significant and tremendous impact on my life and to bring this to a close when the war was over and I was discharged would leave it without a proper ending. To take up this slack I felt I must add something about my post war activities to round out the complete the picture. I wanted to enlist when I saw my friends and relatives serving, but my father, who had served in World War I, talked me out of it saying that by the time I got there it would be all over as the war in Europe was coming to an end very soon. Even so I still had to register for the draft, and I was secretly hoping I would be called. I figured that my parents would be happier if it was not my idea that I went in. As you read the rest of this I want you to see the hand of God in everything that happens from here on. I did not realize it at the time but I most assuredly do now. To continue reading about Auts' military career, click Signing Up here, or in the frame on the left.