Hospitalman Ronald James Manning, USN, was a crewman assigned to Headquarters and Service Company, 2nd Battalion, 9th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force, Pacific. On May 15, 1975, Hospitalman Manning was among the joint forces assigned the mission of rescuing the captured crew of the American freighter MAYAGUEZ and returning the seized ship. The helicopter in which Manning and twenty-two Marines were being transported came under heavy fire from Cambodian soldiers as it approached the island of Koh Tang to begin the search for the crewman of the captured freighter. The severely damaged helicopter crashed into the sea off the coast of the island and exploded. Because of the intense ground fire from the Cambodians and the forced exit from the burning aircraft, the troops were compelled to swim out to sea. Extensive search and rescue efforts undertaken by air and surface forces rescued twelve of those aboard the helicopter. Regrettably, Hospitalman Manning was among those who either perished in the helicopter or were lost in the swift current. His remains could not be located.

Hospitalman Manning was listed as Missing In Action which was later changed to Killed In Action/Body Not Recovered.

Hospitalman Manning was born May 9, 1954, in Steubenville, Ohio, and listed Toronto, Ohio, as his Home of Record.