Col. Toliver graduated from Tuskegee Institute (University) in February 1963 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. As a protege of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, he was mentored, trained, and commissioned under their tutelage. During his Air Force career, he graduated from the USAF Fighter Weapons School (“Top Gun”) at Nellis AFB, NV and completed two tours in Southeast Asia amassing 446 combat missions and 863 combat hours. Later, he held key roles in advanced research, development, and testing of tactical fighter aircraft where he trained the first top five Israeli pilots in the F-15 Air Superiority jet fighter. He also directed the testing and evaluation of other weapon systems for the Department of Defense and allied military programs.
The Colonel held several key staff and command positions in multiple major commands of the Air Force. His duty assignments included bases throughout the United States, Southeast Asia, Europe, North Africa, and the Persian Gulf. He is a Command Pilot with 4,000 flying hours in the F-4, F-15, F-16, OT-37, O-2, T-33, and several civilian aircraft. His military decorations include the Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Air Medal with 27 Oak Leaf Clusters. Col. Toliver retired from the United States Air Force March 1, 1989 after 26 years of distinguished service.
Since retiring from the Air Force, Colonel Toliver pursued several business, economic development, and political ventures in New Mexico, Alabama, Georgia, and Texas. He was recruited by Ross Perot’s United We Stand America and became a national advocate for education, economic, and government reform. He served respectively as the Executive Director of New Mexico and the Southwest Regional Director of twelve states. His public service includes several years in New Mexico on the Public Safety Advisory Commission; Board of Regents, University of New Mexico; and Board of Directors of the Kirtland Partnership Committee.
Since moving to Arizona in 2003, Colonel Toliver was the founding president of the Archer-Ragsdale Arizona Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. and held a key role in securing for them the Congressional Gold Medal in 2007. He also served on the Board of Director’s for the West Valley Hospital in Goodyear. Colonel Toliver continues to be in demand as a motivational speaker nationwide and overseas, including trips to Canada, Germany, Israel, Iraq, Kuwait, Spain, Hawaii, and Japan. He has extensive experience with local, state, and national television, radio, and news media. His published books include “An Uncaged Eagle,” a book of his memoirs (2009) and “WOMAN-A Godly Creation,” a book that celebrates and honors the historical and continuing accomplishments of women worldwide (2014).
Colonel Toliver has been married nearly fifty-nine years to the former Margaret A. Hairston of Baltimore, Maryland. They have eight adult children, five of which are adopted or foster. The Tolivers recently resettled in Litchfield Park, AZ. More about Colonel Toliver and autographed copies of his books can be obtained on his website, www. anuncagedeagle.com.