Bud Anderson
American World War II flying ace (1922–2024) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Clarence Emil "Bud" Anderson (January 13, 1922 – May 17, 2024) was an officer in the United States Air Force and a triple ace of World War II. During the war he was the highest scoring flying ace in his P-51 Mustang squadron.
Bud Anderson | |
---|---|
Nickname(s) | Bud |
Born | (1922-01-13)January 13, 1922 Oakland, California, U.S. |
Died | May 17, 2024(2024-05-17) (aged 102) Auburn, California, U.S. |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force |
Years of service | 1942–1972 |
Rank |
|
Unit | 357th Fighter Group |
Commands held | 69th Fighter-Bomber Squadron 18th Tactical Fighter Wing 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 McDonnell Aircraft Company's Flight Test Facility at Edwards AFB (1972–1998) |
Toward 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. Afterward, he became a test pilot and a fighter squadron and wing commander, serving a combat tour in the Vietnam War.
Anderson 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, he continued to speak at aviation and military events well into his 90s. He received an honorary promotion to brigadier general in 2022.