Abraham Louisiana

their infectious grins and contagious enthusiasm.”
Edwards stayed active long after his retirement. Until
age 85, he flew his own plane out of Summit Aviation in
Middletown, Del. He remained a volunteer for Meals
On Wheels and donated time to the Perry Point VA
Medical Center. He also was a member of the Rotary
Clubs of Middletown and Newark, the Aircraft Owners
and Pilots Association, Scottish Rite of Freemasonry
(Stephenson Lodge No. 135), OX5 Aviation Pioneers,
Quiet Birdmen and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and
he was an early supporter of the Delaware Agricultural
Museum and Village in Dover.
In 2006, Edwards was present for a ceremony
unveiling the Rehoboth Beach Historical Marker,
erected in memory of four Base 2 subchasers who died
during World War II. He was a regular at such events,
said Col. Russell Opland, former Delaware Wing
commander. “It was remarkable for all our members,
but especially our cadets, to see and speak to a man who
was literally a living legend,” Opland said. “Most
everyone learns about Eddie and Hugh when they first
learn about CAP’s origins, as they were the first
recipients of the Air Medal during War World II.”
Opland said Edwards donated his medal to the
Delaware Wing. “We held it reverently, along with
Hugh Sharp’s.”
In 2007, Civil Air Patrol promoted Edwards and his
colleagues to the rank of colonel and presented them
with CAP Distinguished Service Medals for their
wartime service. “I was privileged to preside at the
ceremony,” said Anderson, adding, “Nothing can
compare to standing in the long shadows that they
continue to cast.”
Edwards died in December 2009 following a long
illness. His passing represents yet another loss from
perhaps CAP’s greatest generation of fliers. Just a few of
Edwards’ Base 2 anti-sub comrades are still alive, and
less than 60 subchasers remain nationwide. ▲
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