Governor Brad Little called for flags at Idaho state buildings to be lowered in remembrance of Maj. Gen. Darrell Manning, a military pilot, former state legislator, and senior administrator whose four-decade record of public service touched virtually every corner of Idaho government.

Little made the announcement Friday, August 28, in Boise. Under the directive, U.S. and Idaho state flags at all state buildings will drop to half-staff beginning at sunrise Wednesday, September 2, and remain there through sunset Friday, September 4.

Forty-One Years in Uniform

Manning’s military career stretched across three branches of service — the U.S. Air Force, the Air Force Reserve, and the Idaho National Guard — accumulating 41 years before his retirement in 1995. A skilled aviator, he qualified to fly more than 65 distinct aircraft types over the course of his career.

From 1985 through his retirement, Manning held the position of Adjutant General and commanded the Idaho National Guard — a ten-year assignment that left a lasting mark on the organization. Maj. Gen. Timothy Donnellan, who currently leads the Guard, offered a tribute that reflected that enduring influence. “General Manning devoted his life to serving Idaho and our nation, and his impact on the Idaho National Guard is immeasurable,” Donnellan said.

Legislative and Executive Roles

Manning’s service extended far beyond the military. He won election to the Idaho House of Representatives four times and also completed a term in the Idaho Senate, giving him a firsthand understanding of the legislative branch that few executive-agency leaders can claim.

His administrative record was equally broad. At various points, Manning led the Idaho Transportation Department, the Idaho Transportation Board, the Department of Health and Welfare, the Division of Financial Management, the Idaho Military Division, the Bureau of Disaster Services — which has since been reorganized as the Idaho Office of Emergency Management — and the State Board of Education. Taken together, his roles spanned six different gubernatorial administrations, making him one of the most consistently relied-upon figures in modern Idaho governance.

Governor’s Tribute

Governor Little spoke to Manning’s sustained contribution to the state’s leadership over more than six decades. As first reported by the Governor’s office, Little said: “Idaho has been extraordinarily blessed by the unparalleled service of General Darrell Manning. For more than 60 years, he has served and advised Idaho’s governors with distinction.”

The half-staff order reflects both formal military honors and the personal regard the current governor holds for Manning’s record. No information about funeral or memorial arrangements was included in the official announcement.