ViB 6 Col. Richard Toliver Production

Retired Col. Richard Toliver graduated from Tuskegee Institute University in January 1963 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. He learned from the Tuskegee Airmen, and proudly accepted their challenge to faithfully serve the nation as their “protégé.”

He began his Air Force career in February 1963 as a Project Engineer and completed pilot training in June 1965. He was one of the first five African American F-4 pilots to serve under the famed Tuskegee Airman General Daniel "Chappie" James.

As a 1st Lt., he deployed to Vietnam in December 1965 and completed 231 combat missions by October 1966. In 1972 as a Capt., he deployed to Thailand and flew an additional 215 combat missions for a total of 446 missions and 860 combat hours in jet fighters.