[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 157 (Wednesday, September 27, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E899]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING MASTER SERGEANT WILLIE MANNING

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. DIANA HARSHBARGER

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 27, 2023

  Mrs. HARSHBARGER. Mr. Speaker, as a partner of the Vietnam War 
Commemoration, I recently had the privilege to honor Master Sergeant 
Willie Manning of Erwin for his distinguished career of service in the 
United States Air Force. Throughout his multidecade career, Master 
Sergeant Manning received numerous accolades and awards from his 
superiors for his outstanding performance and countless mission 
accomplishments. From achieving the highest level of training in his 
field as an ``Informational Superintendent'' to his numerous AF 
Commendation Medals, including for his support to the 9th AF during 
quality inspections of the 116th Fighter Wings' operational readiness, 
Master Sergeant Manning proved an invaluable member of our nation's 
military.
  Master Sergeant Manning first began his career as a Clerk Typist in 
1971. Stationed at Dobbins Air Force Base, Master Sergeant Manning 
employed his expertise in quality information management for both 
operations domestic and abroad. This included ensuring quality 
maintenance for all forms of information management, from simple 
communication letters to the most protected forms of classified 
documentation. And revered for his leadership and computer systems 
expertise, when the Air Force received new technology, the Georgia 
State Adjutant General personally asked Master Sergeant Manning to 
provide the software training to his staff.
  However, Master Sergeant Manning always highlights the brotherhood he 
shared with his comrades as a source of joy and gratitude. In his own 
words, ``we had each other's back . . . I could be counted on, and I 
knew I could count on my fellow airmen.'' He fondly remembers his 
experience flying with officers in F4 and F15 fighter jets as the 
second seater in appreciation of his administrative efforts; or his 
ability to pilot Cessna 125, the smallest two-seat single engine 
aircraft.
  After 25 years of distinguished military service, Master Sergeant 
Manning retired from the U.S. Air Force in 1996 as a Noncommissioned 
Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of base administration for a fighter wing in 
Georgia. Following his retirement, Master Sergeant Manning continued to 
use his skills to benefit his community, assisting the Chamber of 
Commerce and supporting his local church and nearby senior center. I 
thank him for his service and sacrifice. Interested Vietnam era 
veterans and their families can sign up for recognition at: https://
harshbarger.house.gov/.../honoring-vietnam-veterans.

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