Bud Anderson

Clarence Emil "Bud" Anderson (born January 13, 1922) is a retired officer in the United States Air Force, a triple ace of World War II, and the highest scoring living American fighter ace. During the war he was the highest scoring flying ace in his P-51 Mustang squadron. Towards the end of Anderson's two combat tours in Europe in 1944 he was promoted to major at 22, a young age even for a highly effective officer in wartime. After the war Anderson became a well regarded fighter test pilot, and a fighter squadron and wing commander. He served his wing commander tour in combat in the Vietnam War. He retired as a full colonel in 1972, after which he worked in flight test management for McDonnell Douglas. A member of the National Aviation Hall of Fame, Anderson has remained a sought after speaker at aviation and military events well into his 90s.

For the baseball player, see Bud Anderson (baseball).
Clarence Emil Anderson
Clarence Emil "Bud" Anderson sitting on the wing of his P-51D Mustang "Old Crow"
Nickname(s)Bud
Born (1922-01-13) January 13, 1922
Oakland, California
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army Air Forces
United States Air Force
Years of service1942–1972
RankColonel
Unit357th Fighter Group
Commands held69th Fighter-Bomber Squadron
18th Tactical Fighter Wing
355th Tactical Fighter Wing
Battles/warsWorld War II
Korean War
Vietnam War
AwardsLegion of Merit (2)
Distinguished Flying Cross (5)
Bronze Star Medal
Air Medal (16)
Spouse(s)Eleanor Cosby (1945–2015, her death)
Other workTest pilot

Early life

Anderson was born in Oakland, California, and reared on a farm near Newcastle, California. In January 1942, he enlisted in the United States Army as an aviation cadet and received his wings and commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Army Air Forces in September 1942.

Military career

Anderson flew two tours of combat against the Luftwaffe in Europe while with the 363d Fighter Squadron of the 357th Fighter Group, based at RAF Leiston, England, and was the group's third leading ace with 16¼ aerial victories. The others only flew one tour so they had less time in the air. His P-51 Mustang, (P-51B-15-NA AAF Ser. No. 43-24823) the P-51D-10-NA Mustang, AAF Ser. No. 44-14450 B6-S, again nicknamed Old Crow[1] (after the whiskey of the same name), carried him safely through 116 missions without being hit by fire from enemy aircraft and without Anderson ever having to turn back for any reason. He returned to the United States in February 1945 as a major.

With over thirty years of military service, Anderson was a test pilot at Wright Field following the end of World War II, where he also served as Chief of Fighter Operations, and later at Edwards Air Force Base, where he was Chief of Flight Test Operations and Deputy Director of Flight Test. He also served two tours at The Pentagon and commanded three fighter organizations at the squadron and wing level. From June to December 1970, he commanded the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, an F-105 Thunderchief unit, during its final months of service in the Vietnam War, and retired as a Colonel in March 1972. He was decorated 25 times for his service to the United States.

Personal life and retirement

Anderson married Eleanor Cosby, on February 23, 1945. She died on January 30, 2015 in Auburn, California.[2] They have two children and several grandchildren.

After his retirement from active duty as a colonel, he became the manager of the McDonnell Aircraft Company's Flight Test Facility at Edwards AFB, serving there until 1998.

During his career, he flew over 100 types of aircraft and logged over 7,000 hours. Anderson was a close friend of Brigadier General Chuck Yeager during the end of World War II, where both served in the 357th Fighter Group.

In 1990, Anderson co-authored the book To Fly & Fight—Memoirs of a Triple Ace.

On July 19, 2008, Anderson was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

In 2013, Anderson was inducted into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame at the San Diego Air & Space Museum.[3]

Bud Anderson as he appeared in 2011. Anderson is seated second from the right, in the white cap. This picture was taken at EAA AirVenture 2011, as Anderson tells a large crowd his war stories. He sits next to a P-51 Mustang painted in his World War II colors.

Awards

During his lengthy career, Anderson earned many decorations, including:

  Command pilot

 Legion of Merit with one bronze oak leaf cluster
 Distinguished Flying Cross with four bronze oak leaf clusters
Bronze Star Medal
 Air Medal with three silver oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
American Campaign Medal
 European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four bronze service stars
World War II Victory Medal
 National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
 Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars
Korea Defense Service Medal
 Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and one bronze oak leaf clusters
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Legion of Honour
 Croix de Guerre, with silver star (France)
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross
Vietnam Campaign Medal

Bibliography
  • Anderson, Colonel Clarence "Bud" with Joseph P. Hamelin. To Fly and Fight, Memoirs of a Triple Ace, Pacifica Military History, Library of Congress. ISBN 0-935553-34-7

References
  1. "P-51 Mustang "Old Crow" World War 2 artwork". Cebudanderson.com. 1944-07-11. Retrieved 2016-12-16.
  2. "Eleanor Anderson Obituary – Auburn, CA | Auburn Journal". Legacy.com. Retrieved 2016-12-16.
  3. Sprekelmeyer, Linda, editor. These We Honor: The International Aerospace Hall of Fame. Donning Co. Publishers, 2006. ISBN 978-1-57864-397-4.
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