Leroy Joseph Manor | |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | Roy |
Born |
Morrisonville, New York |
February 21, 1921
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/branch | United States Air Force |
Years of service | 1943-1978 |
Rank | O-9/ Lieutenant General |
Unit |
358th Fighter Squadron 100th Fighter Wing |
Commands held |
37th Tactical Fighter Wing 835th Air Division USAF SOF 13th Air Force |
Battles/wars |
World War II Vietnam War |
Awards |
Air Force Distinguished Service Medal (4) Legion of Merit (2) Distinguished Flying Cross (2) Purple Heart |
Leroy Joseph Manor (born February 21, 1921) is a retired United States Air Force Lieutenant General who began his career serving as a P-47 fighter pilot in World War II, and in numerous command positions during the Vietnam War era. General Manor is perhaps best known as task force commander of Operation Ivory Coast, a special forces raid on the prisoner of war camp at Son Tay, Vietnam on November 21, 1970.
Born in Morrisonville, New York, on February 21, 1921, Manor graduated in 1937 from Cadyville High School, in Clinton County, New York, and then received his Teacher’s Certificate from New York State Normal School in 1940. Manor entered aviation cadet training in November 1942 and received his pilot wings and commission upon graduation in August 1943. During World War II, Lt. Manor flew 72 combat missions as a P-47 pilot with the 358th Fighter Squadron in Europe, and was later assigned to the 100th Fighter Wing, also in Europe.
In September 1945, Captain Manor was assigned as a pilot at the Air Proving Grounds, Fla. He attended New York University during 1946–47 and received a bachelor of science degree in education. For the next six years, Manor was an instructor, first at Tactical Air School, Tyndall Air Force Base; next at the newly formed Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base; and last at the Air-Ground Operations School, Southern Pines, North Carolina.