OSS Manierre, Cyrus Edson, Jr.

John Robertson

Administrator
Staff member
Other Entry
  • SURNAME
Manierre
  • FORENAME
Cyrus Edson, Jr.
  • UNIT
OSS Jedburgh Team Dodge
  • RANK
Major
  • NUMBER
  • AWARD
Legion of Merit, Bronze Star
  • PLACE
France 1944
  • ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
born 30.08.1919 Chicago, Illinois, USA
son of Cyrus Edson (1892-1978) and Edith Ogden (nee Harrision) Manierre (1896-2011)
US Army (Infantry)/OSS
Instructor, Jedburgh Training School ME65
codename Rupert
Jedburgh Team Dodge
POW 15.8.1944 near Valence, Drome, France
Stalag Luft 1,Barth
liberated 2.5.1945
"Manneirre" in one account (error)
1946 married Nancy Estelle (nee Reymond) Manierre (1923-2010)
2 sons Carter H. & Redmond F.
died 22.04.1974 (Aged 54) The Plains, Virginia, USA
Emmanuel Episcopal Church Cemetery, Middleburg, Virginia, USA. Lot 42
  • OBITUARY
Cyrus Edson Manierre, Jr., was born on 30 August 1919 in Chicago, IL, a city where his family had deep and lasting roots. He was the son of Cyrus Edson and Edith Harrison Manierre. His maternal grandfather, Carter Henry Harrison, served as Mayor of Chicago for five terms, as did his great-grandfather. Cy's early years were spent in Lake Forest where he attended the Bell School, and then The Hill School in Pottsdown, PA.
After entering the U.S. Military Academy in 1938, Cy spent a bright and cheery four years as a Cadet, never actively seeking recognition by either the Tactical or the Academic Department. He was still one of only thirty-five of the class of 1942 selected to be a Cadet instructor his First Class year, introducing Plebes to the mysteries of the French language while continuing his own academic pursuits, thanks to supplemental night classes.
There was never any question about Cy's choice of branch upon graduation in 1942— it was Cavalry all the way, reflecting Cy's deep affection for horses and equitation, as well as his unfailing search for action and challenge. He first attended a preflight course and then the Parachute School, earning his jump qualification at a time when the Office of Strategic Services was recruiting prospects to help pave the way for the still distant invasion. Such an assignment was a natural for Cy; so he became a member of the Jedburgh Team, destination France. [Operation Jedburgh was a clandestine operation during World War II, in which personnel of the British Special Operations Executive, the U.S. Office of Strategic Services, the Free French Bureau Central de Renseignements et d'Action ("Intelligence and operations central bureau") and the Dutch and Belgian Armies were dropped by parachute into Nazi-occupied France, Holland and Belgium to conduct sabotage and guerilla warfare, and to lead the local resistance forces in actions against the Germans.]
In June 1944 he parachuted into France and spent two successful months with the Maquis, blowing up troop trains and power plants. However, he was captured out of uniform by the Gestapo and threatened with death as a spy. Persuasiveness and a lot of luck saved Cy; he was able to convince his captors that he was a pilot who was trying to escape after being shot down! The Germans sent him off to Stalag Luft I in Barth where one of the first men he met was his younger brother, a pilot who really had been shot down. They spent ten months together in camp before being liberated by the Russians. Cy returned to the states in June 1945, attended the Command and General Staff College, and was assigned to the Pentagon.
On 20 June 1946, Cy married Nancy Redmond at The Plains, VA. During the next twenty-eight years, Nancy's personality, wit and wisdom brought strength, life and substance to a happy marriage.
Beckoned to civilian life by attractive postwar prospects, Cy left active duty as a Lieutenant Colonel, Military Intelligence. During the first years of Cy's civilian career, he worked for the Continental Illinois Bank and Trust Company in Chicago, but in 1950 he moved to Virginia where he bought a farm and an interest in a horse-vanning business.
With the onset of the Korean War, Cy resumed his service to his country by joining the Central Intelligence Agency and working in Frankfurt for eighteen months. Upon his return to Virginia, he transferred from the Army Reserve to the Marine Corps Reserve, with the rank of major.
Medals, Awards & Badges
Prisoner of War Medal
American Theater Campaign Medal
European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
World War II Victory Medal
Parachutist Badge with 1 Combat Jump Star
Post-Military Life
Cy then spent some time with the American Security Bank and Trust Company in Washington, but his first and true vocation was his farm in Virginia. An active fox-hunter and race rider, he enjoyed many happy hours and much success afield. He retired the prestigious Rokeby Bowl on horses he trained and rode, and his fine horse. Uncle Pierre, won a number of races, notably the Virginia Gold Cup in 1955. Aside from his interest in thoroughbreds, Cy was an active, dedicated participant in many community affairs; this included helpful service on many local Boards as well as partnership in a local nursing home.
Death and Burial
Cyrus "Cy" Edson Manierre Jr. died on 22 April 1974 in The Plains, VA. He is buried at Emmanuel Cemetery in Middleburgh, CA.
He was survived by his wife and two sons, Carter H. Manierre of Boston and Redmond F. Manierre of The Plains.
 
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