🇺🇲WWII uncovered: Colonel Bud Anderson the Last Living Triple Ace Fighter Pilot of World War II.
🇺🇲WWII uncovered: Colonel Bud Anderson the Last Living Triple Ace Fighter Pilot of World War II.
Please join us in honoring these service of World War II Fighter Pilot Colonel Clarence E. "Bud" Anderson the last living Triple Ace fighter pilot of World War II.
According to Anderson's biography website To Fly and Fight: "During WW II Bud served two combat tours escorting heavy bombers over Europe in the P-51 Mustang.
He flew 116 combat missions (480 hrs) and destroyed 16 and 1/4 enemy aircraft in aerial combat and another one on the ground. Bud flew in the 357th Fighter Group “Yoxford Boys” and was the highest scoring Ace in the 363rd Fighter Squadron."
Anderson served from 1942 to 1972. Some of his decorations include: two Legions of Merit, five Distinguished Flying Crosses, 16 Air Medals and the Bronze Star.
After retiring from active duty, Anderson worked at the F-15 test facility at Edwards Air Force Base, California. - Travis Air Force Base
On 2 December 2022, Bud was given an honorary promotion to Brigadier General at the Aerospace Museum of California.
Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General Charles Brown presided over the ceremony and pinned the rank on Bud.
Anderson was also inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2008.
"In 2013 Anderson was inducted into the San Diego Air and Space Museum’s International Air and Space Hall of Fame.
In 2015, Bud was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, with all the American Fighter Aces. In 2017, Bud was inducted into the EAA Warbirds of America Hall of Fame and awarded the Air Force Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Bud Anderson celebrated his 101st birthday on January 13, 2023. Thank you for your service Colonel Anderson - You are truly a member of the Greatest Generation.
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