Drayton P. Mannies was born on December 1, 1924, in Mansfield, Louisiana. He was the son of Ben D. Mannies and Myrtis F. Mannies.

Drayton served in the 850th Bomber Squadron, 490th Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Corporal and Machine Gunner on the B-17G #43-38167 during World War II. He was Killed in Action on February 6, 1945, when his airplane was involved in a mid-air collision with B-17G #43-38699, piloted by Lt Dunn, over France. That day, his crew took off from airfield station 134 in Eye, England, for a strategic mission to Chemnitz, Germany.

Cpl Mannies is now buried in the Epinal American Cemetery, Dinozé, France. He also has a cenotaph located in Barber Cemetery, Louisiana.

Airmen on B-17G #43-38167:
1Lt William S. Schoenfeld - Pilot - Survived
2Lt Raymond D. Schar - Co-Pilot - Survived
Lt Jack Ronald Owen - Co-Pilot - KIA
2Lt Garry I. Leonard - Navigator - KIA
F/O Leo A. Braddell - Bombardier - KIA
Sgt Frank M. Alexander - Mechanic - Survived
Sgt Mehlman - Radio Operator - KIA
Cpl Drayton P. Mannies - Machine Gunner - KIA
Sgt Irwin H. Wramp - Rear Gunner - KIA

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, francecrashes39-45.net, www.abmc.gov