Edward L. Toppins: Difference between revisions

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Toppins became one of three Tuskegee Airmen who came close to earning the US Military designation of [[Fighter Ace]].<ref> "THE LEGEND OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN ACE." Daniel Haulman, PhD. Air Force Historical Research Agency. https://www.afhra.af.mil/Portals/16/documents/Studies/AFD-141118-043.pdf </ref><ref> The American Fighter Aces Association. "The American Fighter Ace". https://www.americanfighteraces.org/the-aces/ </ref> His tours included [[Germany]], [[Czechoslovakia]], [[Romania]], [[Pantelleria]], [[Sicily]], [[Italy]], [[Bulgaria]], Southern [[France]], [[Austria]], [[Greece]], [[Poland]], and [[Yugoslavia]]. <ref name="auto2"/>
Toppins became one of three Tuskegee Airmen who came close to earning the US Military designation of [[Fighter Ace]].<ref> "THE LEGEND OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN ACE." Daniel Haulman, PhD. Air Force Historical Research Agency. https://www.afhra.af.mil/Portals/16/documents/Studies/AFD-141118-043.pdf </ref><ref> The American Fighter Aces Association. "The American Fighter Ace". https://www.americanfighteraces.org/the-aces/ </ref> His tours included [[Germany]], [[Czechoslovakia]], [[Romania]], [[Pantelleria]], [[Sicily]], [[Italy]], [[Bulgaria]], Southern [[France]], [[Austria]], [[Greece]], [[Poland]], and [[Yugoslavia]]. <ref name="auto2"/>

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. <ref> AIR FORCE HISTORICAL RESEARCH AGENCY. "TUSKEGEE AIRMEN CHRONOLOGY." DANIEL L. HAULMAN. 24 November 2015. Page 65. http://www.spiritof45.org/TUSKEGEE%20AIRMEN%20CHRONOLOGY.pdf <ref>


On July 26, 1944, Toppins, now a Captain, destroyed an enemy [[ME 109]] aircraft while his squadron escorted the [[47th Bombardment Wing]] on a bombing mission of the Markersdorf Airdrome in Austria. This event marked Toppins' fourth kill, temporarily giving him more kills than any other Red Tail pilots. <ref> Aces of WWII. "The Tuskegee Airmen." https://acesofww2.com/tuskegee/ </ref>
On July 26, 1944, Toppins, now a Captain, destroyed an enemy [[ME 109]] aircraft while his squadron escorted the [[47th Bombardment Wing]] on a bombing mission of the Markersdorf Airdrome in Austria. This event marked Toppins' fourth kill, temporarily giving him more kills than any other Red Tail pilots. <ref> Aces of WWII. "The Tuskegee Airmen." https://acesofww2.com/tuskegee/ </ref>

Revision as of 17:56, 25 June 2021

Edward Toppins
Born
Edward Lucien Toppins

June 12, 1915
Mississippi
DiedDecember 10, 1946(1946-12-10) (aged 31)
Lockbourne, Ohio
Cause of deathB-52 Bomber Crash
Resting placeGolden Gate National Cemetery
Alma materLos Angeles Junior College, University of San Francisco
Occupations
  • Military officer
  • fighter pilot
Years active1942-1946

Edward Lucien Toppins (June 12, 1915- December 10, 1946) was a U.S. Army Air Force officer, Commanding Officer of the 602nd Air Engineering Squadron, and a celebrated African-American World War II fighter pilot within the 99th Pursuit Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group, otherwise known as the famed Tuskegee Airmen or "Red Tails."[1]

Toppins is considered one of the greatest pilots to have ever emerged from the Tuskegee Airmen, earning him the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 5 clusters, a Victory Medal, an Eastern Theater Offensive Ribbon with 7 battle stars, and an American Defense recognition. [2][3] Known among by his peers as a "pilot's pilot" and "almost a daredevil," Toppins completed 141 missions, destroying an astounding four enemy aircraft with one probable Luftwaffe aircraft.[4][5] Toppins, "Buddy" Lee Archer (pilot), and Joseph Elsberry each destroyed four enemy aircraft during World War II aerial missions in Europe.[6] Unfortunately, none of these Tuskegee Airmen were officially credited with the coveted fifth “kill” which would place a fighter pilot in the rare “ace” category.[7][8] However, despite some contention, Lee Archer (pilot) is considered by some as the first and only African American U.S. pilot in World War II to earn an "ace" designation, making him the only Red Tail ace.[9][10][11][12]

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. Despite 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 Los Angeles Junior College, Toppins enrolled at the University of San Francisco while also working as a Greyhound Bus Company porter.[15] 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.” [16]

After World War II, Toppins married Lucille, the widow of fellow Tuskegee Airman Sidney P Brooks. Brooks was killed during World World II while attempting to crash land his damaged aircraft at his base.[17] Tragically, Toppins would also die in an aircraft crash in Ohio six months after marrying Lucille. [5]

Military Career, Famed Four Kills as Combat Pilot

Interested in a career as a pilot, Toppins 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. graduated as a member of the Tuskegee Army Air Field Training Program's Class 42-H.[15]

Prior to 1942, African Americans were not permitted to become fighter pilots because of rampant racial discrimination in the U.S. armed services. As the United States ramped up its involvement in World War II, the U.S. military experienced a severe shortage of skilled, experienced pilots. As African American newspapers and civil rights leaders including the NAACP's Walter White, Judge William H. Hastie, and Pullman Porter union leader A. Philip Randolph pleaded with President Franklin Roosevelt to include African American in aeronautics and the United States Army Air Corps, the U.S. Army created a test aviator training program for African American men, a by-product of President Roosevelt's post-reelection promise.[18] Some of the way was paved by U.S. Congress' April 3, 1939 Appropriations Bill Public Law 18 which designated funds to train African-American pilots at civilian flight schools.[19]

This Tuskegee Airmen program, initiated in June 1941, began at Tuskegee, Alabama at the Tuskegee Army Airfield near Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University).[20][21]

Toppins was considered one of the greatest pilots to have ever emerged from the Tuskegee Airmen[22][23]Known among by his peers as a "pilot's pilot" and "almost a daredevil," Toppins completed 141 missions and destroyed an astounding four enemy aircraft and one probable victory over Luftwaffe aircraft. [24][5]

Toppins became one of three Tuskegee Airmen who came close to earning the US Military designation of Fighter Ace.[25][26] His tours included Germany, Czechoslovakia, Romania, Pantelleria, Sicily, Italy, Bulgaria, Southern France, Austria, Greece, Poland, and Yugoslavia. [5]

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. Cite error: A <ref> tag is missing the closing </ref> (see the help page).

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 Lockbourne Army Air Base.[1]

Death in B-52 Bomber Crash

During routine instrument training exercise on December 10, 1946, Toppins piloted a B-52 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.[27]

Legacy

  • Toppins' letters, awards and journals sit in the California African American Museum’s special collection.[1]
  • Likely in response to Toppins' untimely death in 1946, Toppins' widow, Lucille, was made an honorary member of the Lockbourne Officers' Wives Club. [28]

References

  1. ^ a b c Cafe Rise Above. "Edward Lucien Toppins". https://cafriseabove.org/joseph-d-elsberry/
  2. ^ Chiel De Gloire. “TUSKEGEE Airman: TOPPINS Edward L (Captain).” http://www.cieldegloire.fr/insolite_003.php
  3. ^ 22nd Air Force. "P-51B/C (serial unknown) TOPPER III of Captain Edward Toppins, 99th FS, Ramitelli, Italy, August 1944." https://www.22af.afrc.af.mil/News/Art/igphoto/2000413799/
  4. ^ 22nd Air Force. "P-51B/C (serial unknown) TOPPER III of Capt. Edward Toppins, 99th FS, Ramitelli, Italy, August 1944." https://www.22af.afrc.af.mil/News/Art/igphoto/2000413799/
  5. ^ a b c d Hanger 47. North American P-51B/C Mustang by Pro Modeler (Monogram). https://hangar47.com/p-51-bc-mustang-preview/
  6. ^ Aces of WW2. "Tuskegee Airmen." https://acesofww2.com/tuskegee/
  7. ^ Black Past. "BLACK HISTORY MONTH, 2014: THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN ON BLACKPAST.ORG." https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/tuskegee-airmen-blackpast-org/
  8. ^ “TUSKEGEE EXPERIENCE”. Theopolis W. Johnson. https://www.tuskegee.edu/Content/Uploads/Tuskegee/files/TuskegeeExperience(1).pdf
  9. ^ Francis, Charles E. The Tuskegee Airmen. Boston: Bruce Humpries, Inc., 1955. pp. 92, 194.
  10. ^ "Tuskegee Airmen Ace of World War II, Dies." CBS News, January 29, 2010. Retrieved: December 25, 2012.
  11. ^ The History Channel. "Dogfights: The First Tuskegee Ace of WWII.". Feb 17, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vr7nzvwm2Z4
  12. ^ Stardust Studios. “Red Tails.” https://www.starduststudios.com/tuskegee-airmen-332nd-fighter-group.html
  13. ^ a b Cafe Rise Above. "Captain Edward Toppins Registration Card And Internment Documents." Editor: Nicky Tenuto. https://cafriseabove.org/artifact/captain-edward-toppins/
  14. ^ The Daily Bulletin. (Dayton, Ohio). “Capt,~Toopins, 99th Hero, Returns From Italian Front.” E.F. Joseph. 1944-11-15, [p ].
  15. ^ a b Cafe Rise Above. "Edward Lucien Toppins." https://cafriseabove.org/edward-lucien-toppins/
  16. ^ The Daily Bulletin. (Dayton, Ohio). “Capt,~Toopins, 99th Hero, Returns From Italian Front.” E.F. Joseph. 1944-11-15, [p ].
  17. ^ Honor States. “Sidney P. Brooks..” https://www.honorstates.org/index.php?id=323437.
  18. ^ Double Victory: The Tuskegee Airmen at War | Full-Length 90 Min. Documentary | Lucasfilm. Oct 16, 2020. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmcpILi1Rxc.
  19. ^ Francis, Charles E.; Caso, Adolph (1997). The Tuskegee Airmen: The Men Who Changed a Nation. Boston: Branden Books. ISBN 0-82832029-2. Pages 38–9.
  20. ^ Arlington National Cemetery. "Tuskegee Airmen." https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/Notable-Graves/African-Americans/Tuskegee-Airmen
  21. ^ National Parks Foundation. "TUSKEGEE AIRMEN NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE INFORMATION." https://www.nationalparks.org/connect/explore-parks/tuskegee-airmen-national-historic-site
  22. ^ Chiel De Gloire. “TUSKEGEE Airman: TOPPINS Edward L (Captain).” http://www.cieldegloire.fr/insolite_003.php
  23. ^ 22nd Air Force. "P-51B/C (serial unknown) TOPPER III of Captain Edward Toppins, 99th FS, Ramitelli, Italy, August 1944." https://www.22af.afrc.af.mil/News/Art/igphoto/2000413799/
  24. ^ 22nd Air Force. "P-51B/C (serial unknown) TOPPER III of Capt. Edward Toppins, 99th FS, Ramitelli, Italy, August 1944." https://www.22af.afrc.af.mil/News/Art/igphoto/2000413799/
  25. ^ "THE LEGEND OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN ACE." Daniel Haulman, PhD. Air Force Historical Research Agency. https://www.afhra.af.mil/Portals/16/documents/Studies/AFD-141118-043.pdf
  26. ^ The American Fighter Aces Association. "The American Fighter Ace". https://www.americanfighteraces.org/the-aces/
  27. ^ Find a Grave. "CPT Edward Toppins." https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/3642084/edward-l-toppins
  28. ^ "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
  29. ^ "6902 Captain Edward Toppins Ct, Fort Washington, MD 20744 - MLS MDPG554606 - Coldwell Banker". ColdwellBankerHomes.com.
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