DOB/DOD: September 17, 1859 (New Haven, CT) – unknown *
* One of 314 Medal of Honor recipients whose final resting place is a mystery.
ENLISTED: March 8, 1876, in Baltimore, Maryland, at 16 years old.
DISCHARGE: September 18, 1880, in New Haven, Connecticut.
OTHER: Also served aboard the U.S.S. Juniata.
FAMILY: Parent and sibling information is unknown.
MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION
AWARDED FOR ACTIONS DURING: Peace Time Awards
BRANCH OF SERVICE: Navy
ASSIGNED TO: U.S. Training Ship New Hampshire
GENERAL ORDERS: War Department, General Orders No. 326 (October 18, 1884)
CITATION:
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Quartermaster Henry J. Manning, United States Navy, for gallant and heroic conduct while serving on board the U.S. Training Ship New Hampshire, off Newport, Rhode Island, 4 January 1882. Jumping overboard, Quartermaster Manning endeavored to rescue Jabez Smith, Second Class Musician, from drowning.
The U.S.S. Juniata in 1862
When Henry Manning enlisted, his initial rank was “2nd class boy,” and his original service expiration date was September 17, 1880 – his 21st birthday.
Prior to the Second World War, the Navy offered minor enlistments in which a young man could be enlisted until his 21st birthday, when he would reach the legal age of majority and could decide for himself if he wished to continue his career in the Navy.
His physical description was that he was five foot two and one half inches tall, grey eyes, dark brown hair, and dark complexion.
By January 4, 1882, he was serving as a quartermaster on the training ship U.S.S. New Hampshire. On that day, while New Hampshire was off Coaster’s Harbor Island in Newport, Rhode Island, he and another sailor, Ship’s Printer John McCarton, jumped overboard in an attempt to save Second Class Musician Jabez Smith from drowning. For this action, both Manning and McCarton were awarded the Medal of Honor two and a half years later, on October 18, 1884.
Nothing is known of Henry Manning’s life after he received the Medal of Honor.
END