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).
Bud 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, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army Air Forces
United States Air Force
Years of service1942–1972
Rank
Unit357th Fighter Group
Commands held69th Fighter-Bomber Squadron
355th Tactical Fighter Wing
Battles/warsWorld War II
Vietnam War
AwardsLegion of Merit (2)
Distinguished Flying Cross (5)
Bronze Star Medal
Air Medal (16)
Spouse(s)
Eleanor Cosby
​
​
(m. 1945; died 2015)​
Children2
Other workManager of the McDonnell Aircraft Company's Flight Test Facility at Edwards AFB (1972–1998)

On December 2, 2022, Anderson was promoted to the honorary rank of brigadier general by Gen. CQ Brown Jr., the Air Force chief of staff at the Aerospace Museum of California.[1][2]

Early life

Anderson was born in Oakland, California, and reared on a farm near Newcastle, California. In high school, he played football and basketball. He was introduced to aviation at Oakland Municipal Airport. Anderson was working at the Sacramento Air Depot when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 .[3]

Military career

In January 1942, he enlisted in the United States Army as an aviation cadet. He completed Primary Flight Training at Lindbergh Field, San Diego, and his Advanced Training at Luke Field, Arizona. Anderson received his wings and commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Army Air Forces at Hamilton Field, California in September 1942.[4]

Anderson began flying Bell P-39 Airacobras with the 329th Fighter Squadron of the 328th Fighter Group at Hamilton Field and then at the Oakland Municipal Airport, from September 1942 to March 1943. He was later assigned to the 363rd Fighter Squadron of the 357th Fighter Group at Tonopah, Nevada, in March 1943, moving to various bases in California from May to October 1943, then at Casper, Wyoming, from October to November 1943, and finally deploying to England in November 1943.[5]

World War II
The top scoring fighter aces of the 357th Fighter Group. L-R; Richard Peterson, Leonard Carson, John England, and Clarence Anderson.

The 357th Fighter Group was stationed at RAF Leiston, and the group was equipped with the North American P-51 Mustang in January 1944. Anderson flew his first mission on February 5, 1944. On March 3, 1944, he shot down a Messerschmitt Bf 109 that was attacking a straggling B-17 Flying Fortress over Berlin, his first aerial victory. Anderson continued to score aerial victories until he shot down a Bf 109 over Frankfurt, his fifth aerial victory, thus making him a flying ace.[5]

On June 29, 1944, Anderson shot down three Focke-Wulf Fw 190s over Leipzig. In July 1944, he took leave and returned to the United States. In Fall 1944, he returned to 357th FG and continued to score aerial victories. He scored his final aerial victories on December 5, 1944, when he shot down two Fw 190s over Berlin.[6]

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 16+1⁄4 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[7] (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.

Post war
Anderson as a test pilot at Edwards AFB

Anderson returned to the U.S. in January 1945, serving at Perrin Field, Texas, until October 1945, when he was assigned as a recruiter in Ohio. Anderson served as a test pilot at Wright Field from May 1948 to February 1953. During this time, he took part in the FICON project, a concept to increase the effective combat radius of jet fighters by attaching them to a propeller-driven bomber, one hooked up to each wingtip. The hope was that it would not only increase fuel efficiency and effective range, but also allow the bomber to carry its own fighter escort deep into enemy territory.[4][8][9]

Anderson attended Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, from September 1954 to August 1955, and then was assigned as Director of Operations for the 58th Fighter-Bomber Wing at Osan Air Base, South Korea, from August 1955 to February 1956 and commander of the 69th Fighter-Bomber Squadron of the from February to August 1956.[4]

Anderson continued serve as test pilot and was assigned as Assistant Chief and then Chief of the Flight Test Operations Division at Edwards Air Force Base from November 1957 to August 1962. He attended the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, from August 1962 to July 1963.[4]

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. Stationed at Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base, Anderson flew strikes against enemy supply lines, and later was in charge of closing the base when 355th TFW was inactivated.[10]

Anderson retired as a colonel in March 1972. He was decorated 25 times for his service to the United States. 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.

Personal life and retirement
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.
Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force Charles Q. Brown Jr. administers the reaffirmation of the oath of office to Anderson, after promoting him to the honorary rank of brigadier general (2022)

Anderson married Eleanor Cosby, on February 23, 1945. She died on January 30, 2015, in Auburn, California, just four days before her 92nd birthday.[11]

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.[12]

In 1990, Anderson co-authored the book To Fly & Fight—Memoirs of a Triple Ace.[13]

On July 19, 2008, Anderson was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.[14]

In 2013, Anderson was inducted into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame at the San Diego Air & Space Museum.[15]

He turned 100 in January 2022.[16][17] Anderson's hometown Auburn honored him with a grand celebration.[18] He is the last living American triple flying ace of WW2.[19][20]

Aerial victory credits
Date#TypeLocationAircraft flownUnit Assigned
March 8, 19441Messerschmitt Bf 109Hanover, GermanyP-51B363 FS, 357 FG
April 11, 19441Bf 109Hanover, GermanyP-51B363 FS, 357 FG
April 11, 19440.20Heinkel He 111Hanover, GermanyP-51B363 FS, 357 FG
April 30, 19441Focke-Wulf Fw 190Orléans, FranceP-51B363 FS, 357 FG
May 8, 19441Fw 190Soltau, GermanyP-51B363 FS, 357 FG
May 12, 19441Bf 109Frankfurt, GermanyP-51B363 FS, 357 FG
May 27, 19442Bf 109Strasbourg, FranceP-51B363 FS, 357 FG
May 30, 19441Bf 109Schönebeck, GermanyP-51B363 FS, 357 FG
June 29, 19443Fw 190Leipzig, GermanyP-51B363 FS, 357 FG
July 7, 19441Bf 109Leipzig, GermanyP-51B363 FS, 357 FG
November 27, 19441Fw 190Magdeburg, GermanyP-51D363 FS, 357 FG
November 27, 19441Fw 190Nordhausen, GermanyP-51D363 FS, 357 FG
December 5, 19442Fw 190Berlin, GermanyP-51D363 FS, 357 FG
SOURCES: Air Force Historical Study 85: USAF Credits for the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II

Awards

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

  Command pilot

Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Legion of Merit with one bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Distinguished Flying Cross with four bronze oak leaf clusters
Bronze Star Medal
Silver oak leaf cluster
Silver oak leaf cluster
Silver oak leaf cluster
 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
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
Bronze star
 European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four bronze service stars
World War II Victory Medal
Bronze star
 National Defense Service Medal with one bronze service star
Bronze star
Bronze star
 Vietnam Service Medal with two bronze service stars
Korea Defense Service Medal
Silver oak leaf cluster
Bronze oak leaf cluster
 Air Force Longevity Service Award with one silver and one bronze oak leaf clusters
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon
Legion of Honour (France)[21]
Silver star
 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. Novelly, Thomas. "100-Year-Old Flying Ace is Promoted to Honorary Brigadier General by Air Force Chief". Military.com. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  2. "Congressmen LaMalfa and McClintock Celebrate Promotion of Colonel Bud Anderson to Brigadier General in U.S. Air Force". House.gov. 2 December 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
  3. "Biography". To Fly and Fight. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  4. "Clarence E. "Bud" Anderson". Veteran Tributes. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  5. "Bud Anderson - Triple Ace of 357th Fighter Group". Acepilots. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  6. "Clarence E. Anderson". Ciel de Glorie. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  7. "P-51 Mustang "Old Crow" World War 2 artwork". toflyandfight.com. July 11, 1944. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  8. Mark Wolverton (December 2017). "Project Tip-Tow". History Net. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  9. "Caught by the Wing Tip". To Fly and Fight. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  10. "Bud Anderson - FU Hero". Fighter Pilot University. 2009-10-16. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  11. "Eleanor Cosby Anderson 1923-2015 - Obituary – Auburn, CA | Auburn Journal". Legacy.com. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  12. "The 10th Annual 'Taste Of Flight' Gala, An Incredible Evening with Bud Anderson" (PDF). planesoffame.org. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  13. Anderson, Jim (7 August 2017). To Fly and Fight: Memoirs of a Triple Ace Paperback – August 7, 2017. Author Solutions Incorporated. ISBN 978-1543414714.
  14. "Anderson, Clarence E. "Bud"". nationalaviation.org. 2008. Archived from the original on 5 January 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  15. Sprekelmeyer, Linda, editor. These We Honor: The International Aerospace Hall of Fame. Donning Co. Publishers, 2006. ISBN 978-1-57864-397-4.
  16. "#VeteranOfTheDay Air Force Veteran Clarence "Bud" Anderson". blogs.va.gov. 13 January 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  17. "Col. Clarence E. "Bud" Anderson Celebrates his 100th Birthday Today!". warbirdsnews.com. 13 January 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  18. "Happy Birthday, Bud! Auburn celebrates as World War II Triple Ace pilot Anderson turns 100". goldcountrymedia.com. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  19. "Col. Bud Anderson: Gunning for 100!". Flight Journal. 17 November 2021. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
  20. "S5 Ep07 Bud Anderson: WW2 Triple Ace Fighter Pilot - Your History Your Story". iHeart. 2022-04-18. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
  21. "Legion Of Honor Award". chuckyeager.com. 2003-07-18. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
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