Edward L. Toppins facts for kids

Edward Lucien Toppins (born June 12, 1915 – died December 10, 1946) was a brave pilot in the U.S. Army Air Force. He was a leader in the 602nd Air Engineering Squadron. Edward Toppins was a famous African-American pilot during World War II. He was part of the 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Fighter Squadron. These pilots were known as the Tuskegee Airmen, or "Red Tails." Enemy German pilots sometimes called them “Schwartze Vogelmenschen,” meaning "Black Birdmen."

Toppins was one of 1,007 pilots who trained at Tuskegee. Many people thought he was one of the best pilots from the program. He earned many awards for his bravery. These included the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal. He flew 141 missions. During these missions, he shot down four enemy planes. Toppins, along with "Buddy" Lee Archer and Joseph Elsberry, each destroyed four enemy aircraft. None of these Tuskegee Airmen officially reached five "kills." Five kills would have made them a "fighter ace."

Early Life and Education

Edward Toppins was born in Mississippi on June 12, 1915. His mother, Martha E. Toppins Davis, was a dressmaker. He had three sisters: Henrietta, Delphine, and Naomi. In the 1930s, Edward moved with his family to Los Angeles, California.

After finishing at Los Angeles Junior College, Edward went to the University of San Francisco. While studying, he also worked for the Greyhound Bus Company. At the university, he took pilot training courses. He earned his commercial pilot’s license. He also became a flight instructor. It was hard for African Americans to join these courses back then. But Edward was proud of his training. He said, "Once in, there was not trouble at all."

After World War II, Toppins married Lucille. She was the widow of another Tuskegee Airman, Sidney Brooks. Edward Toppins died in a plane crash in Ohio. This happened just six months after he married Lucille.

Military Career

Edward Toppins wanted to be a pilot. He joined the military on October 16, 1940. He was accepted into the Tuskegee Army Air Field Training Program. He got hurt in a training crash but recovered. On September 6, 1942, he graduated. He was part of Class 42-H.

A P-51B/C plane named Topper III, August 1944

Toppins was known as a very skilled pilot. His friends called him a "pilot's pilot" and "almost a daredevil." He flew 141 missions. He shot down four enemy planes. He likely shot down a fifth one too.

Edward Toppins was one of three Tuskegee Airmen who almost became a "fighter ace." A fighter ace is a pilot who shoots down five or more enemy planes. He flew missions over many countries. These included Germany, Italy, and France.

Toppins and fellow Red Tail Leonard M. Jackson received the Distinguished Flying Cross. They earned this award for their brave actions on June 4, 1944.

On July 26, 1944, Captain Toppins destroyed an enemy Messerschmitt Bf 109 plane. His squadron was protecting bombers on a mission in Austria. This was Toppins' fourth confirmed victory. At that time, he had more kills than any other Red Tail pilot.

After returning to the United States, Toppins became a commanding officer. He led the 602nd Air Engineering Squadron. This was at Ohio's Lockbourne Army Air Base. Overall, Toppins was one of only nine pilots in the 332nd Fighter Group with at least three confirmed kills.

Death in Plane Crash

On December 10, 1946, Edward Toppins was flying a training exercise. He was piloting a North American B-25 Mitchell bomber. Co-pilot Captain Chase Brenzier, Jr., Lt. Ralph Berkes, and Staff Sergeant John Smith were with him. The plane crashed and exploded near Lockbourne Army Air Base. All four men died in the crash.

Edward Toppins is buried at the Golden Gate National Cemetery. This cemetery is in San Bruno, California.

Awards

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

Legacy

• Edward Toppins' letters, awards, and journals are kept at the California African American Museum.
• After his death, his wife Lucille became an honorary member of the Lockbourne Officers' Wives Club.
• A street in Fort Washington, Maryland is named after him. It is called "Captain Edward Toppins Ct."

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)