Edward L. Toppins

Edward Toppins
Born	Edward Lucien Toppins June 12, 1915 Mississippi,US
Died	December 10, 1946(1946-12-10)(aged 31) Lockbourne, Ohio,US
Cause of death	B-25 Bomber Crash
Resting place	Golden Gate National Cemetery
Alma mater	Los Angeles Junior College,University of San Francisco
Occupations	Military officer fighter pilot
Years active	1942-1946

Edward Lucien Toppins(June 12, 1915 – December 10, 1946) was aU.S. Army Air Forceofficer, commanding officer of the 602nd Air Engineering Squadron, and a celebratedAfrican-AmericanWorld War IIfighter pilot within the332nd Fighter Group's99th Fighter Squadron,best known as theTuskegee Airmen,"Red Tails," or “Schwartze Vogelmenschen” ( "Black Birdmen" ) among enemy German pilots.He was one of 1,007 documented Tuskegee Airmen Pilots.

Toppins is considered one of the best pilots to have emerged from the Tuskegee program. He earned theDistinguished Flying Cross,theAir Medalwith 5 clusters, aVictory Medal,an Eastern Theater Offensive Ribbon with 7 battle stars, and an American Defense recognition.Known among by his peers as a "pilot's pilot" and "almost a daredevil," Toppins completed 141 missions, destroying four enemy aircraft with one probable.Toppins, "Buddy"Lee Archer,andJoseph Elsberryeach destroyed four enemy aircraft during World War II aerial missions in Europe.None of these Tuskegee Airmen were officially credited with the coveted fifth “kill” which would place a fighter pilot in the “ace” category.

Early life, education, family

Toppins was born in Mississippi on June 12, 1915, to Martha E. Toppins Davis, a dressmaker. He was the only brother of three sisters: Henrietta Toppins Whitby, Delphine, and Naomi. After living inLouisianain the 1930s, Toppins moved with his mother and sisters to Los Angeles, California where Martha worked as a maid to a wealthy family.

After graduating fromLos Angeles Junior College,Toppins enrolled at theUniversity of San Franciscowhile also working as aGreyhound Bus Companyporter.At the University of San Francisco, Toppins took five courses in civilian pilot training, and obtained both his commercial pilot’s license and instructor’s rating. Though it was difficult for an African American to get into the course, Toppins considered his pre-war pilot’s training a feather in his cap. "Once in," he remarked, "there was not trouble at all."

AfterWorld War II,Toppins married Lucille, the widow of fellow Tuskegee AirmanSidney Brooks.Toppins died in an aircraft crash in Ohio six months after marrying Lucille.

Military career

Interested in a career as a pilot, he joined the military on October 16, 1940. He applied and was admitted into theTuskegee Army Air FieldTraining Program. Despite incurring injuries during a training crash, Toppins recovered and, on September 6, 1942. he graduated as a member of the Tuskegee Army Air Field Training Program's Class 42-H.

A P-51B/C marked at Toppin'sTopper III,August 1944

Toppins was considered one of the best pilots to have completed the Tuskegee program.Known among by his peers as a "pilot's pilot" and "almost a daredevil," Toppins completed 141 missions, shooting down four enemy aircraft with one probable victory.

Toppins was one of three Tuskegee Airmen who came close to earning the US Military's designation offighter ace.His tours includedGermany,Czechoslovakia,Romania,Pantelleria,Sicily,Italy,Bulgaria,SouthernFrance,Austria,Greece,Poland,andYugoslavia.

Toppins and fellow Red Tail Leonard M. Jackson earned theDistinguished Flying Crossfor heroic actions on June 4, 1944, pursuant to aFifteenth Air ForceGeneral Order 4041 -dated October 19, 1944, and a Fifteenth Air Force General Order 4876 - dated 5 Dec 5, 1944.

On July 26, 1944, Toppins, now a Captain, destroyed an enemyMesserschmitt Bf 109aircraft while his squadron escorted the47th Bombardment Wingon a bombing mission against theMarkersdorfairdrome in Austria. This event marked Toppins' fourth kill, giving him more kills than any other Red Tail pilot at that time.

After returning from the United States from Europe, Toppins became the commanding officer of the 602nd Air Engineering Squadron or the 580th Air Services Group at Ohio'sLockbourne Army Air Base.

Overall, Toppins was one of only nine332nd Fighter Grouppilots with at least three confirmed kills during World War II.

Death in B-25 bomber crash

During a routine instrument training exercise on December 10, 1946, Toppins piloted aNorth American B-25 Mitchellbomber with co-pilot Captain Chase Brenzier, Jr., Lt. Ralph Berkes, and Staff Sergeant John Smith. Mid-flight, the bomber crashed and exploded over 25 acres of land nearLockbourne Army Air Base,killing all four men.

Toppins is interred in Section G Site 2191-B at the Golden Gate National Cemetery,San Bruno, California.

Awards

• Distinguished Flying Cross
• Air Medalwith 5 clusters
• Victory Medal,an Eastern Theater Offensive Ribbon with 7 battle stars
• Eastern Theater Offensive Ribbon with 7 battle stars
• American Defense recognition.

Legacy

• Toppins' letters, awards and journals sit in the California African American Museum’s special collection.
• Likely in response to Toppins' death in 1946, Toppins' widow, Lucille, was made an honorary member of the Lockbourne Officers' Wives Club.
• "Captain Edward Toppins Ct" in the predominantly African American town ofFort Washington, MarylandinPrince Georges Countyis named for Toppins.

See also

• List of Tuskegee Airmen Cadet Pilot Graduation Classes
• List of Tuskegee Airmen
• Military history of African Americans
• Dogfights (TV series)
• Executive Order 9981
• The Tuskegee Airmen(movie)