Colonel Manner was a Distinguished Military Graduate from Indiana University, Pennsylvania. He was detailed to Armor and served in the 6^th Armor, 2^nd Armor Division. He then began his Quartermaster career as a Platoon leader in the 101^st Airborne Division. He subsequently served as Commander of the 561^st supply & Service Battalion, Fort Campbell, Kentucky.

Colonel Manner’s staff assignments included Chief of the Quartermaster Supply control Agency at the Giesen Depot, Germany; Professor of Military Science, University of Rhode Island; Supply Office, 9^th Logistics Command, Karat, Thailand; J-4 on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and as the Quartermaster Coordinator for United States Army Reserve Readiness Region V, fort Sheridan, Illinois.

Colonel Manner also served as Director of Logistics for Military Assistance Command, Vietnam Studies and Observation Group (MACV-SOG). MACV-SOG carried out highly classified operations in South Vietnam and adjacent countries.  Supporting these missions required an officer of exceptional logistics experience that could respond to unusual combat circumstances.

Colonel Manner made major contributions to the Quartermaster Corps in a succession of highly responsible positions.