Bud Anderson
Bud Anderson | |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | Bud |
Born | Oakland, California, U.S. | January 13, 1922
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force |
Years of service | 1942–1972 |
Rank |
|
Unit | 355th Tactical Fighter Wing |
Battles/wars | World War II Vietnam War |
Awards | Legion of Merit (2) Distinguished Flying Cross (5) Bronze Star Medal Air Medal (16) |
Spouse(s) |
Eleanor Cosby
(m. 1945; died 2015) |
Children | 2 |
Other work | Manager of the Edwards AFB (1972–1998) |
Clarence Emil "Bud" Anderson (born January 13, 1922) is a retired officer in the
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
Military career
In January 1942, Anderson enlisted in the
Anderson began flying
World War II
The 357th Fighter Group was stationed at
On June 29, 1944, Anderson led his fighter squadron on a bomber escort over Leipzig. Over the target, the squadron encountered eight Focke-Wulf Fw 190s attempting to attack the bomber formation. Anderson led his squadron against the enemy aircraft and shot down the lead Fw 190. In the subsequent dogfight, Anderson shot down two more Fw 190s, bringing his total to three Fw 190s destroyed in the mission. In July 1944, after scoring his twelfth aerial victory, he took leave and returned to the United States.[6][9][8][10]
In Fall 1944, he returned to 357th FG and on November 27, 1944, he shot down two Fw 190s over Magdeburg and forced another to crash land as he attempted to shoot it, crediting him with two aerial victories and one probable in the mission. On December 5, 1944 while leading a fighter escort of bombers over Berlin, the escort was attacked by a formation of 20 Fw 190s and in the dogfight, Anderson shot down two Fw 190s, his final aerial victories.[11][6]
Anderson flew two tours of combat against the
Post war
Anderson returned to the U.S. in January 1945, serving at
Anderson attended
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
After serving another tour at the Air Force headquarters in
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.[17]
Personal life and retirement
Anderson married Eleanor Cosby, on February 23, 1945. She died on January 30, 2015, in Auburn, California, just four days before her 92nd birthday.[18]
After his retirement from active duty as a
In 1990, Anderson co-authored the book To Fly & Fight—Memoirs of a Triple Ace.[20]
On July 19, 2008, Anderson was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.[21]
In 2013, Anderson was inducted into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame at the San Diego Air & Space Museum.[22]
He turned 100 in January 2022.[23][24] Anderson's hometown Auburn honored him with a grand celebration.[25] He is the last living American triple flying ace of WWII.[26][27]
Aerial victory credits
Date | # | Type | Location | Aircraft flown | Unit Assigned |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
March 8, 1944 | 1 | Messerschmitt Bf 109 | Hanover, Germany | P-51B | 363 FS, 357 FG |
April 11, 1944 | 1 | Bf 109 | Hanover, Germany | P-51B | 363 FS, 357 FG |
April 11, 1944 | 0.20 | Heinkel He 111 | Hanover, Germany | P-51B | 363 FS, 357 FG |
April 30, 1944 | 1 | Focke-Wulf Fw 190 | Orléans, France |
P-51B | 363 FS, 357 FG |
May 8, 1944 | 1 | Fw 190 | Soltau, Germany | P-51B | 363 FS, 357 FG |
May 12, 1944 | 1 | Bf 109 | Frankfurt, Germany | P-51B | 363 FS, 357 FG |
May 27, 1944 | 2 | Bf 109 | Strasbourg, France | P-51B | 363 FS, 357 FG |
May 30, 1944 | 1 | Bf 109 | Schönebeck, Germany | P-51B | 363 FS, 357 FG |
June 29, 1944 | 3 | Fw 190 | Leipzig, Germany | P-51B | 363 FS, 357 FG |
July 7, 1944 | 1 | Bf 109 | Leipzig, Germany | P-51B | 363 FS, 357 FG |
November 27, 1944 | 2 | Fw 190 | Magdeburg, Germany | P-51D |
363 FS, 357 FG |
December 5, 1944 | 2 | Fw 190 | Berlin, Germany | P-51D | 363 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:
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 | |
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 (France)[28] | |
Croix de Guerre, with silver star (France) | |
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross
| |
Vietnam Campaign Medal |
- American Fighter Aces Association life member
- Fellow, Society of Experimental Test Pilots
- Aerospace Walk of Honor, 1993
- Crystal Eagle Award, 2011
- Congressional Gold Medal, May 2015
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
- ^ Novelly, Thomas. "100-Year-Old Flying Ace is Promoted to Honorary Brigadier General by Air Force Chief". Military.com. Retrieved 3 December 2022.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Biography". Bud Anderson: To Fly and Fight. Retrieved 2024-01-11.
- ^ "Biography". To Fly and Fight. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e "Clarence E. "Bud" Anderson". Veteran Tributes. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Bud Anderson - Triple Ace of 357th Fighter Group". Acepilots. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
- ISBN 9781846039867. Retrieved 2024-01-19.
- ^ a b c "Air Force Historical Study 85: USAF Credits for the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II" (PDF). 1978. p. 12. Retrieved 2024-01-24.
- ^ Anderson, Clarence. "Combat Report (29 June 1944)". WWII Aircraft Performance. Retrieved January 19, 2024.
- ^ a b c Tillman, Barrett (2017-08-30). "America's Last Living Triple Ace". History. Retrieved January 30, 2024.
- ^ Anderson, Clarence. "Combat Report (5 December 1944)". WWII Aircraft Performance. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
- ^ "P-51 Mustang "Old Crow" World War 2 artwork". toflyandfight.com. July 11, 1944. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
- ^ "Resolution: Adopt and present a Resolution to Clarence Emil "Bud" Anderson for his outstanding service to his country and his community". Board of Supervisors, County of Placer. 2012-10-09. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
- ^ Mark Wolverton (December 2017). "Project Tip-Tow". History Net. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
- ^ "Caught by the Wing Tip". To Fly and Fight. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
- ^ "Bud Anderson - FU Hero". Fighter Pilot University. 2009-10-16. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
- ^ "Brigadier General C.E. "Bud" Anderson World War II Triple Ace Fighter Pilot". Aerospace Museum of California. 21 December 2022. Retrieved 2024-01-22.
- ^ "Eleanor Cosby Anderson 1923-2015 - Obituary – Auburn, CA | Auburn Journal". Legacy.com. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
- ^ "The 10th Annual 'Taste Of Flight' Gala, An Incredible Evening with Bud Anderson" (PDF). planesoffame.org. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
- ISBN 978-1543414714.
- ^ "Anderson, Clarence E. "Bud"". nationalaviation.org. 2008. Archived from the original on 5 January 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
- ISBN 978-1-57864-397-4.
- ^ "#VeteranOfTheDay Air Force Veteran Clarence "Bud" Anderson". blogs.va.gov. 13 January 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
- ^ "Col. Clarence E. "Bud" Anderson Celebrates his 100th Birthday Today!". warbirdsnews.com. 13 January 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
- ^ "Happy Birthday, Bud! Auburn celebrates as World War II Triple Ace pilot Anderson turns 100". goldcountrymedia.com. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
- ^ "Col. Bud Anderson: Gunning for 100!". Flight Journal. 17 November 2021. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
- ^ "S5 Ep07 Bud Anderson: WW2 Triple Ace Fighter Pilot - Your History Your Story". iHeart. 2022-04-18. Retrieved 2022-11-12.
- ^ "Legion Of Honor Award". chuckyeager.com. 2003-07-18. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
External links
- To Fly and Fight - C.E. "Bud" Anderson's Official website
- Biography at acepilots.com
- Images including contemporary photos and paintings
- Auburnjournal.com