Edward Lucien Toppins (1915 - 1946)

Born 12 Jun 1915 in Mississippi, United States

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Biography

Edward Toppins is Notable.

Edward Lucien Toppins 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 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Fighter Squadron. He was one of the “Documented Original Tuskegee Airmen.” The Tuskegee Airmen were known for heroic combat service in support of Allied Forces in the European Theater. They served with the 332d Expeditionary Operations Group and the 477th Bombardment Group, both largely Black units of the United States Army Air Forces.^[1]

Edward Lucien Toppins was born on 12 Jun 1915 in Mississippi 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.

After graduating from Los Angeles Junior College, Toppins enrolled at the University of San Francisco while also working as a Greyhound Bus Company porter.[2] 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."

After World War II, Toppins married Lucille, the widow of fellow Tuskegee Airman Sidney Paul Brooks (1918-1943).

Toppins died in an aircraft crash in 1946, six months after marrying Lucille. He is buried in Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California.^[2]

Awards & Honors

Known as the Pilot's Pilot among his fellow pilots. 332nd Fighter Group - Awarded First Place In The Conventional (Propeller) Aircraft Division

Sources

1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_L._Toppins
2. ↑ Memorial: Find a Grave (has image)
   Find A Grave: Memorial #3642084 (accessed 18 November 2022)
   Memorial page for CPT Edward L. Toppins (12 Jun 1915-10 Dec 1946), citing Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, San Mateo County, California, USA (plot: Section G Site 2191-B); Maintained by Johnny History (contributor 49654896).

• 1920 Census: "1920 United States Federal Census"
  Year: 1920; Census Place: New Orleans Ward 13, Orleans, Louisiana; Roll: T625_624; Page: 27B; Enumeration District: 233
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 6061 #50801594
  Edward Toppins (4), single son, in household of Martha Toppins (35) in New Orleans Ward 13, Orleans, Louisiana. Born in Mississippi.