Sergeant David Manning

Sergeant David Manning is the main protagonist in the 1998 World War II Film, When Trumpets Fade. He was a US Army Sergeant during World War II. He was portrayed by Ron Eldard.
In the early draft of When Trumpets Fade, David Manning is carrying his friend, Bobby who has been severely wounded in battle. He and Bobby are the only survivors of the previous Battle Of the Hurtgen Forest in 1944 between Manning's Squad and the Nazi Wehrmacht. Bobby doesn't want to make it to the field hospital and Manning is forced to put him out of his misery by shooting him. Manning then makes it back to the US 28th Infantry Division Base Camp. Manning is then promoted from a Private to a Sergeant by his Colonel. He is then put in charge of leading a squad of newbies. In the middle draft of the film, Manning and his squad are ordered to take out Two Flak 88 Artillery Guns that have been shelling the Bridgeway of the American Frontlines. Manning and his squad flank around the Flak 88 Guns and and Private Baxter, being inexperienced, loses his control in battle with his M2 Flamethrower and deserts and Manning is forced to shoot him for deserting. Private Warren Sanderson then takes out the German Soldiers manning the Artillery with his M2 Flamethrower and the Flak 88 Guns are seized by the American Soldiers. Then, in the final draft of the film, Manning and his squad sabotage the German Frontline by taking out Opel Blitz Trucks and Panzer Tanks with rockets and charges. Then, most of the squad are killed in action and Manning is shot repeatedly by Nazi Soldiers. Private Warren Sanderson then shoots down the Nazi Soldiers and drags Manning out of the war zone and Manning is carried on Sanderson's back and Manning then falls into a coma and dies offscreen.
Category:War Heroes
Category:Deceased
Category:Honorable
Category:Protectors
Category:Protectors of Innocence
Category:Military
Category:Categories Needed