CADET CORPS ALUMNI COUNCIL/
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LTC (Ret) Max D. Manifold

Lieutenant Colonel Max D. Manifold was born in Coin, Iowa and graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education. He enlisted in the Army as a private in December 1940 and was initially stationed in Hawaii. He received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant by graduating from Infantry Officers Candidate School. He trained with the 2nd Ranger Battalion in England prior the D Day, landed in France a few days after the initial landing and served with the battalion in France and Germany until the end of the end of the War. Initially he was a platoon leader in D Company. During the battle for the port city of Brest, France, he was wounded received the Purple Heart Award. After recuperating in England, he rejoined the Ranger Battalion and continued the fight across Europe. During the Battle of the Bulge he was awarded a Silver Star for his actions on Hill 400 in the Huertgen Forest. In this engagement over 90% of the battalion was killed or wounded. Toward the end of the war his unit liberated one of the Nazi Concentration Camps in Czechoslovakia. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Combat Infantryman’s Badge for his service during the war.

LTC Manifold was discharged from the Army in February 1946 as a captain. He re-enlisted as a Master Sergeant in March 1946 with his brother Kenneth, who retied also as a LTC. He deployed t Japan in March 1950.   He had graduated form the Defense Language Institute of Monterrey, California, as a Korean linguist. His duties required him to travel between Korea and Japan as a liaison officer. During the Korean conflict, LTC Manifold served with X Corps and participated in the Inchon and Wonan landings int September and October 1950. He served in five major campaigns including behind enemy lines intelligence work.

He served in Germany as a Brigade Executive Officer and Liaison Officer to the 3rd German Army Corps. In 1960 he joined the Military Science Department at the University of Texas at Arlington as a Assistant Professor of Military Science. He immediately developed a reputation as someone that you need to listen too. He also was the faculty for the Sam Houston Rifle Drill Team. His ability to effectively communicate with the cadets was phenomenal. During his four years at Arlington, he obtained a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education from Texas Wesleyan College.

In 1967 he deployed Vietnam. Because of his Korean language capability, he was assigned as an advisor and liaison officer to the Republic of Korean forces. He was assigned to the famed Korean “Tiger Division” which fought as allies to the US an Republic of Viet Nam. He was awarded the Legion of Merit and Air Medal for service during this period which also included the Tet Offensive in 1968.

After retirement in 1968, LTC Manifold returned to his family and to Arlington. He took some postgraduate counseling courses at the University of North Texas. He worked as a Veteran Counselor for a federal program and as a Disabled Veterans Counselor for the Texas Employment Commission until full retirement.

During his tour at UTA (then ASC), then Major Manifold was an inspiration and mentor to cadets. He exemplified outstanding leadership qualities and worked to instill those qualities in cadets. He set high standards and demanded adherence to hose standards. He was, however, always available with quiet counsel and ready to help when needed. He had a positive influence on cadets that they carried with them throughout their lives. One of his hallmarks was his ability to council a cadet in such a way that it ws always taken as an opportunity to learn from someone that had been there. His wife, Ingrid, made a marvelous description of her husband. He was modest, the “quiet professional” despite having “seen the action” of his generation, and then some.

He was a member of the Retired Officers Association, Disabled Veterans Association, and the Kiwanis Club International. He attended the First Presbyterian Church in Arlington and later the Action United Methodist Church where he sang in the choir and provided many solos with his rich, beautiful baritone voice. He served several years on the board and as a participating member of the Arlington City Community Choir.

LTC Manifold passed away on Veterans Day, November 11, 1985 at the age of 74. He is buried in the National Cemetery at Fort Sam Houston.

LTC Manifold his survived by Ingrid Manifold, his wife of 43 years, now residing in Granbury, TX, his son Stephen of Austin, daughter Susan M. Tillotson of Springfield, VA; five grand children and five great-grandchildren (and counting).