Bud Anderson
| Clarence Emil Anderson | |
|---|---|
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|
| Nickname(s) | Bud Anderson |
| Born |
January 13, 1922 Oakland, California |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
United States Air Force United States Army Air Forces |
| Years of service | 1942–1972 |
| Rank |
 Colonel
|
| Unit | 357th Fighter Group |
| Commands held | 355th Tactical Fighter Wing |
| Battles/wars |
World War II Vietnam War |
| Awards |
Legion of Merit (2) Distinguished Flying Cross (5) Bronze Star Air Medal (16) |
| Spouse(s) | Eleanor Cosby (1945-2015, her death) |
| Other work | Test pilot |
Clarence Emil "Bud" Anderson (born January 13, 1922) is a retired officer in the United States Air Force and a "triple ace" in World War II. During the war he was the highest scoring ace in his P-51 Mustang squadron. This was the same squadron as well known test pilot (and first pilot to break the sound barrier) and ace Chuck Yeager, and they have remained lifelong close friends. Towards the end of Anderson's two combat tours in Europe in 1944 he was promoted to major at age 22, an extremely 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, Col. Anderson has remained a sought after speaker at aviation and military events well into his 90's.
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 U.S. Army Air Forces in September 1942.
Anderson flew two tours of combat against the Luftwaffe in Europe while with the 363rd Fighter Squadron of the 357th Fighter Group, based at RAF Leiston, England, and was the group's third leading ace with 16¼ aerial victories. His P-51D-10-NA Mustang, AAF Ser. No. 414450 B6-S, nicknamed Old Crow (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.
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