Colonel Leo W. Manning Outstanding ROTC Cadet Award

The Colonel Leo W. Manning Outstanding ROTC Cadet Award was established October 1, 2001 by Leo W. and Truth Manning to support a graduating ROTC senior about to receive his/her commission. Leo W. Manning was the founder of the WIU Military Science Department. Manning made several charitable contributions to both Western and the Macomb community throughout his lifetime.

Manning was awarded a Purple Heart, a Bronze Star and a National Department Service Medal. Other awards he received include the Daughters of the American Revolution National Medal of Honor, Macomb Rotary Club’s Paul Harris and various awards through the Boy Scouts of America. Leo Manning served in the military from 1941 until 1970. Leo also served as a deacon at the First Christian Church of Macomb, and was active in the Fraternity Tau Kappa Epsilon, the Macomb American Legion, and the Macomb VFW. He was also a past president of the Macomb Rotary Club, member ot the Macomb United Way board of directors and a member of many other organizations community-wide.

Leo W. Manning passed away March 27, 2007 at the age of 91. At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, Truth, three daughters and five grandchildren.

CRITERIA:
Screening Criteria:
1. Cadets must meet all eligibility requirements for graduation from Western Illinois University.
2. Cadets must meet all academic and military pre-commissioning requirements to earn a commission as a U.S. Army Second Lieutenant.
3. Cadets must be assessed by the Department of the Army Selection and Branching Board as either:
a. Branched Combat Arms (Air Defense Artillery, Armor Aviation, Engineer, Field Artillery, Infantry) or
b. Branch Detailed to a Combat Arms branch, or
c. Branched Military Police.
4. Minimum GPA of 3.0, with a record of high achievement in ROTC.