WILLIAM J. MANBY, JR., CDR, USN
William Manby, Jr. '43
Lucky Bag
From the 1943 Lucky Bag:
WILLIAM JOHN MANBY, JR.
South Bend, Indiana
There never has been and there never will be a more clean-cut, congenial, and straightforward fellow to graduate from the academy than Bill Manby. His sincerity and pleasing personality have made him one of the most popular fellows in the class. Bill's knowledge of sports has been a source of increasing wonder to us—he is virtually a walking encyclopedia of the sport world. But he has not confined his interest to the sporting page; for Bill has done a fine job at wrestling. After starting from scratch during plebe summer, he worked up to varsity by youngster year. He has fallen for more than one girl while here and he never seemed to have much trouble in helping the gals make up their minds; they just couldn't resist those sparkling blue eyes.
He was a member of the wrestling team.
The Class of 1943 was graduated in June 1942 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
WILLIAM JOHN MANBY, JR.
South Bend, Indiana
There never has been and there never will be a more clean-cut, congenial, and straightforward fellow to graduate from the academy than Bill Manby. His sincerity and pleasing personality have made him one of the most popular fellows in the class. Bill's knowledge of sports has been a source of increasing wonder to us—he is virtually a walking encyclopedia of the sport world. But he has not confined his interest to the sporting page; for Bill has done a fine job at wrestling. After starting from scratch during plebe summer, he worked up to varsity by youngster year. He has fallen for more than one girl while here and he never seemed to have much trouble in helping the gals make up their minds; they just couldn't resist those sparkling blue eyes.
He was a member of the wrestling team.
The Class of 1943 was graduated in June 1942 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
Loss
William was lost on August 1, 1955 when the F7U-3 Cutlass (BuNo 129673) he was piloting crashed near Jasper, Tennessee, 15 miles west of Chattanooga. He had only recently assumed duties as the commanding officer of Attack Squadron (VA) 66, in June. In July the squadron was re-designated from Fighter Squadron (VF) 81.
Other Information
From the Class of 1943 anniversary book "25 years later…":
Bill was born on 14 November 1920 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. He was appointed from Kentucky and entered the Academy in June 1939. Upon graduation Bill put the carrier USS LEXINGTON in commission and then went to submarine school in New London in August 1943. After a short tour aboard the submarine USS PORPOISE he reported to the submarine USS HARDHEAD in which he served until flight training in May 1946. The HARDHEAD completed five war patrols with Bill embarked. Flight Training was conducted at Dallas and Corpus Christi, Texas and Pensacola and Jacksonville, Florida. The first operational flying duty was with Fighter Squadron Two followed by duty aboard the carrier USS F. D. ROOSEVELT in Anti-Submarine Squadron 22. From August 1950 to January 1953 Bill was on duty at NAS Patuxent, Maryland, He then served on the staff of Commander Carrier Squadron Six on the carrier USS CORAL SEA and as Aide and Flag Lieutenant to Commander Naval Air Forces Atlantic Fleet.
In July 1955 Bill reported to Attack Squadron 66. It was on that duty that he was killed on an operational flight when his aircraft flew into Ladd Mountain, Marion County, Tennessee on 1 August, 1955. Bill wore the Navy Commendation Medal, the American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp, American Area Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the Korean Service Medal. Bill’s commendation reads:
For distinguishing himself by meritorious and outstanding service in action in the performance of his duty as Torpedo Computer Operator and Torpedo Officer on the USS HARDHEAD during her fifth War Patrol in the Southwest Pacific Area from 9 August to 7 July, 1945. His skillful performance as Torpedo Computer Operator was instrumental in the sinking of an enemy minelayer by torpedo fire and the sinking of a small freighter and a subchaser by gunfire. Lieutenant Manby carried out all his assigned duties in an outstanding manner. For his conduct throughout he is commended and authorized to wear the Commendation Ribbon.
Bill was survived by his wife Peggie and their children William John, a senior at Ohio State University in the School of Education and Sue, who is a junior at Ashland College in Ohio. Peg married Dick Holden in the class of 1937 in 1957. Her address is Mrs. Richard Holden, 10352 Miravista, Santa Ana, California 92705.
From researcher Kathy Franz:
William graduated from Central Senior High School in 1938 as president of the June class. He then attended Purdue University where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta.
He was also survived by his mother Elsie of South Bend, and sister Virginia, Mrs. Jennie Duke.
He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
Flight Record
From US Naval Aviation History:
27 JANUARY [1955] • Lt. Cmdr. William J. Manby Jr. of VF-33 set an unofficial time-to-climb mark by reaching 10,000 feet from a standing start in 73.2 seconds in an FJ-3 Fury at NAS Oceana, Va.
Photographs
From The South Bend Tribune on July 9, 1935
From The South Bend Tribune on January 24, 1938
From The South Bend Tribune on December 28, 1939
Related Articles
Wilfred McNeil, Jr. ’43 was also lost while serving as commanding officer of Attack Squadron (VA) 66.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
