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.
Bud Anderson | |
|---|---|
Anderson in 1944 | |
| Nickname(s) | Bud |
| Born | January 13, 1922 Oakland, 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) |
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.