Lieutenant McManus
Born January 18 1905, Cleveland Ohio. Ordained April 6, 1930, Innsbruck Austria. Died December 15, 1944. A graduate of Cleveland’s Cathedral Latin School.
Rev. Francis McManus was the first Priest from the Cleveland
Diocese, to be killed in World War II. He volunteered for service,
joining the Navy as Chaplain in November 1936, and 
served
on the U.S.S. Canopus. He was commended for his gallantry on December
29, 1941 when the ship was bombed in Mariveles Harbor, Bataan. When a
General Magazine explosion seemed imminent, Fr McManus, although he was
not required to be on board, assisted in removing the wounded and
administered the Last Rites of the Church to the dying. It was
considered, that his action was in accordance with the highest
traditions of Naval Service.
The medal to the left is the Legion of Merit, awarded posthumously to Lt. McManus in 1946.
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