Mannix was born in Moira, New York, on 22 May 1916. He was literally a transplanted “Yankee” who flew with the RAF. Bob became a resident of Daytona Beach in 1933. At some point in 1937 he secured a job with the Florida Power and Light Company and became popular in social circles. Robert Mannix learned to fly at the Daytona Beach Aero Club. While chauffeuring his fiancée to California in December 1940 he learned of RAF recruiting within the United States. Bob applied and was accepted. Afterward, he underwent training at Polaris Flight Academy in Lancaster, California, and Canada before being sent to England where he joined No. 71 (Eagle) Squadron at Martlesham Heath. There Pilot Officer Robert Louis Mannix, RAF Volunteer Reserve, flew Hawker Hurricanes before transitioning to Spitfires that July. While abroad some of Bob Mannix’s letters were published in Florida newspapers, and the young man became a local celebrity. During October 1941 Robert came home on a leave. On Friday, 24 October 1941 the Empire Theatre in Daytona Beach hosted a “Special Advance Preview” of the film A Yank in the R.A.F. The evening featured “Daytona Beach’s own Yank in the R.A.F.” Upon his return to England Mannix was promoted to Flying Officer and posted to No. 127 Squadron at Haifa, British Palestine (Israel). There he again piloted Hurricanes. On 31 October 1942 Bob Mannix attained the rank of Squadron Leader and the command of No. 33 Squadron. Mannix was shot down and killed in a Hurricane on a strafing run by the pilot of a Messerschmitt 109 fighter on 18 November 1942 in the vicinity of Benghazi, Libya.