Edward L. Toppins
Edward Toppins | |
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Born | Edward Lucien Toppins June 12, 1915 Los Angeles Junior College, University of San Francisco |
Occupations |
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Years active | 1942-1946 |
Edward Lucien Toppins (June 12, 1915 – December 10, 1946) was a
Toppins is considered one of the best pilots to have emerged from the Tuskegee program. He earned the
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 in Louisiana in the 1930s, Toppins moved with his mother and sisters to Los Angeles, California where Martha worked as a maid to a wealthy family.[13][14]
After graduating from
After World War II, Toppins married Lucille, the widow of fellow Tuskegee Airman Sidney 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 the Tuskegee Army Air Field Training 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.[2]
Toppins was considered one of the best pilots to have completed the Tuskegee program.[4][5] 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 of fighter ace.[15][16] His tours included Germany, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Pantelleria, Sicily, Italy, Bulgaria, Southern France, Austria, Greece, Poland, and Yugoslavia.
Toppins and fellow Red Tail Leonard M. Jackson earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroic actions on June 4, 1944, pursuant to a Fifteenth Air Force General Order 4041 -dated October 19, 1944, and a Fifteenth Air Force General Order 4876 - dated 5 Dec 5, 1944. [17]
On July 26, 1944, Toppins, now a Captain, destroyed an enemy
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's
Overall, Toppins was one of only nine
Death in B-25 bomber crash
During a routine instrument training exercise on December 10, 1946, Toppins piloted a North American B-25 Mitchell bomber 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 near Lockbourne Army Air Base, killing all four men.[13]
Toppins is interred in Section G Site 2191-B at the Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, California.
Awards
- Distinguished Flying Cross[4]
- Air Medal with 5 clusters[4]
- Victory Medal, an Eastern Theater Offensive Ribbon with 7 battle stars[4]
- Eastern Theater Offensive Ribbon with 7 battle stars[4]
- American Defense recognition.[4]
Legacy
- Toppins' letters, awards and journals sit in the California African American Museum’s special collection.[2]
- Likely in response to Toppins' death in 1946, Toppins' widow, Lucille, was made an honorary member of the Lockbourne Officers' Wives Club. [18]
- "Captain Edward Toppins Ct" in the predominantly African American town of Prince Georges County is named for Toppins.[19]
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)
References
- ^ PUBLIC LAW 109–213—APR. 11, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN". https://www.congress.gov/109/plaws/publ213/PLAW-109publ213.pdf
- ^ a b c d e "Edward Lucien Toppins". CAF Rise Above. 17 February 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
- ^ "Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Roster". CAF Rise Above. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g "Tuskegee Airman: Toppins Edward L (Captain)". Ciel De Gloire.
- ^ a b c "P-51B/C (serial unknown) TOPPER III of Captain Edward Toppins, 99th FS, Ramitelli, Italy, August 1944". 22nd Air Force. Archived from the original on 25 June 2021. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
- ^ a b "Tuskegee Airmen". Aces of WW2. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
- ^ "The Tuskegee Airmen on BlackPast.org •". Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ “TUSKEGEE EXPERIENCE”. Theopolis W. Johnson. https://www.tuskegee.edu/Content/Uploads/Tuskegee/files/TuskegeeExperience(1).pdf
- ^ Francis, Charles E. The Tuskegee Airmen. Boston: Bruce Humpries, Inc., 1955. pp. 92, 194.
- ^ "Tuskegee Airmen Ace of World War II, Dies." CBS News, January 29, 2010. Retrieved: December 25, 2012.
- ^ The First Tuskegee Ace of WWII | Dogfights | History, retrieved 2024-03-07
- ^ "Tuskegee Airmen". starduststudios.com. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ a b "Captain Edward Toppins registration card and internment documents". CAF RISE ABOVE. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ a b E.F. Joseph (15 November 1944). "Capt Topins, 99th Hero, Returns From Italian Front". The Daily Bulletin.
- ^ Haulman, Daniel, The Legend of the African American Ace (PDF), Air Force Historical Research Agency
- ^ "The Aces | American Fighter Aces". 2018-07-11. Retrieved 2024-03-07.
- ^ AIR FORCE HISTORICAL RESEARCH AGENCY. "TUSKEGEE AIRMEN CHRONOLOGY." DANIEL L. HAULMAN. 24 November 2015. Page 65. http://www.spiritof45.org/TUSKEGEE%20AIRMEN%20CHRONOLOGY.pdf
- ^ "Mrs. Lucille Toppins, wife of the late Captain Edward Toppins, has been made an honorary member of the O.W.L. Club by unanimous vote in the January club meeting. Mrs. Toppins will make her home here in Columbus while attending Ohio State University." LOCKBOURNE OFFICERS' WIVES CLUB, UNDATED. https://transcription.si.edu/view/15993/NASM-NASM.1992.0023-M0000066-00780
- ^ "6902 Captain Edward Toppins Ct, Fort Washington, MD 20744 - MLS MDPG554606 - Coldwell Banker". ColdwellBankerHomes.com.