View source for Bud Anderson

{{Short description|American World War II flying ace (1922–2024)}}
{{For|the baseball player|Bud Anderson (baseball)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}

{{Infobox military person
| name          = Bud Anderson
| image         = Bud Anderson (cropped) 01.jpg
| caption       = Anderson in 1944
| nickname      = Bud
| birth_date    = {{birth date|1922|1|13}}
| birth_place   = [[Oakland, California]], U.S.
| death_date    = {{death date and age|2024|5|17|1922|1|13}}
| death_place   = [[Auburn, California]], U.S.
| placeofburial = [[Arlington National Cemetery]], [[Arlington, Virginia]], U.S.                                                                                                                                           
| allegiance    = United States
| branch        = [[United States Army Air Forces]]<br/>[[United States Air Force]]
| serviceyears  = 1942–1972
| rank          = *[[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]] (retirement rank – 1972)
*[[Brigadier General (United States)|Brigadier General]] (honorary promotion – 2022)
| unit          = [[357th Fighter Group]]
| commands      = [[69th Fighter Squadron|69th Fighter-Bomber Squadron]]<br/>[[18th Wing|18th Tactical Fighter Wing]]<br/>[[355th Fighter Wing|355th Tactical Fighter Wing]]
| battles       = [[World War II]]<br/>[[Vietnam War]]
| awards        = [[Legion of Merit]] (2)<br/>[[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] (5)<br/>[[Bronze Star Medal]]<br/>[[Air Medal]] (16)
| spouse        = {{marriage|Eleanor Cosby|February 23, 1945|January 30, 2015|reason=died}}
| children      = 2
| laterwork     = Manager of the [[McDonnell Aircraft|McDonnell Aircraft Company's]] Flight Test Facility at [[Edwards AFB]] (1972–1998)
}}

'''Clarence Emil''' "'''Bud'''" '''Anderson''' (January 13, 1922 – May 17, 2024) was an officer in the [[United States Air Force]] and a triple [[flying ace|ace]] of [[World War II]]. During the war he was the highest scoring flying ace in his [[P-51 Mustang]] squadron.

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 (United States)|brigadier general]] in 2022.

==Early life==
Anderson was born on January 13, 1922, in [[Oakland, California]], and raised on a farm near [[Newcastle, California]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Biography |url=https://toflyandfight.com/about-bud/biography/ |access-date=January 11, 2024 |website=Bud Anderson: To Fly and Fight |language=en-US |archive-date=March 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240331005046/https://toflyandfight.com/about-bud/biography/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He graduated from [[Placer Union High School District|Placer Union High School]] in [[Auburn, California]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://goldcountrymedia.com/news/149717/reunion-for-98-year-old-wwii-air-aces-both-1939-placer-high-grads/|title=Reunion for 98-year-old WWII air aces, both 1939 Placer High grads|website=goldcountrymedia.com}}</ref> In high school, he played football and basketball. He was introduced to aviation at [[Oakland Municipal Airport]]. He was working at the Sacramento Air Depot during the Japanese [[attack on Pearl Harbor]] on December 7, 1941.<ref name=":Anderson">{{cite web|url=https://toflyandfight.com/about-bud/biography/|title=Biography|newspaper=To Fly and Fight|access-date=January 20, 2022|archive-date=January 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119013731/https://toflyandfight.com/about-bud/biography/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Military career==
In January 1942, shortly after [[Attack on Pearl Harbor|Japan attacked Pearl Harbor]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 May 2022 |title=Clarence Emil Anderson Jr |url=https://www.americanairmuseum.com/archive/person/clarence-emil-anderson |access-date=20 May 2024 |website=American Air Museum in Britain}}</ref> Anderson enlisted in the [[United States Army]] as an [[aviation cadet]]. He completed Primary Flight Training at [[Lindbergh Field]], San Diego, and his Advanced Training at [[Luke Air Force Base|Luke Field]], [[Arizona]]. He received his wings and commission as a [[second lieutenant]] in the [[United States Army Air Forces]] at [[Hamilton Air Force Base|Hamilton Field]], California in September 1942.<ref name=":VT">{{cite web|url=http://veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=610|title=Clarence E. "Bud" Anderson|newspaper=Veteran Tributes|access-date=January 20, 2022|archive-date=January 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105190942/http://veterantributes.org/TributeDetail.php?recordID=610|url-status=live}}</ref>

Anderson began flying [[Bell P-39 Airacobra]]s with the [[329th Fighter Squadron]] of the [[328th Fighter Group]] at Hamilton Field and then at the Oakland Municipal Airport, from September 1942 to March 1943. He was later assigned to the [[164th Airlift Squadron#World War II|363rd Fighter Squadron]] of the [[357th Fighter Group]] at [[Tonopah, Nevada]], in March 1943, moving to various bases in California from May to October 1943, then at [[Casper, Wyoming]], from October to November 1943, and finally deploying to England in November 1943.<ref name=":AP">{{cite web|url=http://acepilots.com/usaaf_anderson.html|title=Bud Anderson – Triple Ace of 357th Fighter Group|newspaper=Acepilots|access-date=January 20, 2022|archive-date=January 22, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220122013322/http://acepilots.com/usaaf_anderson.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===World War II===
[[File:Bud Anderson with his P-51.jpg|thumb|Anderson onboard his P-51D-10-NA Mustang 'Old Crow']]
[[File:357th-Ftr-Gp-Top-Acesjpg.jpg|thumb|The top scoring fighter aces of the 357th Fighter Group. L-R; [[Richard A. Peterson (aviator)|Richard Peterson]], [[Leonard K. Carson|Leonard Carson]], [[John B. England|John England]], and Clarence Anderson.]]
The 357th Fighter Group was stationed at [[RAF Leiston]], and the group was equipped with the [[North American P-51 Mustang]] in January 1944. On 5 February he claimed a [[Messerschmitt Bf 109]] that was attacking a straggling [[B-17 Flying Fortress]] N. of [[Dessau]] damaged as his first aerial victory. On April 11, he claimed another Me 109 W. of Hanover at 11.10 and second damaged 20 min. later. On the same mission, he and two other members of his flight took turns in shooting down a [[Heinkel He 111]] bomber that was landing at an airfield in Hanover, resulting in the bomber crashing, crediting the three of them with the shared aerial victory. Anderson continued to score aerial victories until he shot down a Bf 109 over Frankfurt on May 12, his fifth aerial victory, thus making him a [[flying ace]]. Before the end of May, he destroyed three more enemy aircraft.<ref name=":AP"/><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KFe1CwAAQBAJ&dq=bud+Anderson+he-111&pg=PA21|title=Mustang Aces of the 357th Fighter Group |author1=Chris Bucholtz |page=21|date= December 20, 2012|publisher=Bloomsbury |isbn= 9781846039867 |access-date=January 19, 2024}}</ref><ref name="AF">{{cite web|url=https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA542272.pdf|title=Air Force Historical Study 85: USAF Credits for the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II|date=1978|page=12|access-date=January 24, 2024|archive-date=September 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210919020531/https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/pdfs/ADA542272.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

On June 29, Anderson led his fighter squadron on a bomber escort over [[Leipzig]]. Over the target, the squadron encountered eight [[Focke-Wulf Fw 190]]s attempting to attack the bomber formation. He shot down the lead Fw 190 then, in the subsequent dogfight, shot down two more Fw 190s, for a total of three. In July, after scoring his twelfth aerial victory, he took [[Leave (military)|leave]] and returned to the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spitfireperformance.com/mustang/combat-reports/357-anderson-29june44.jpg|title=Combat Report (29 June 1944)|first=Clarence|last=Anderson|newspaper=WWII Aircraft Performance|access-date=January 19, 2024|archive-date=September 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904061539/http://www.spitfireperformance.com/mustang/combat-reports/357-anderson-29june44.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="AF"/><ref name=":HISTORY">{{cite web|url=https://www.historynet.com/bud-anderson/|title=America's Last Living Triple Ace|newspaper=History|first=Barrett|last=Tillman|date=August 30, 2017|access-date=January 30, 2024|archive-date=January 30, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240130023900/https://www.historynet.com/bud-anderson/|url-status=live}}</ref>

That fall, Anderson returned to 357th FG and on November 27, 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, while leading a fighter escort of bombers over [[Berlin]], the escort was attacked by a formation of 20 Fw 190s and in the dogfight, he shot down two, his final aerial victories.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.spitfireperformance.com/mustang/combat-reports/357-anderson-5dec44.jpg|title=Combat Report (5 December 1944)|first=Clarence|last=Anderson|newspaper=WWII Aircraft Performance|access-date=January 20, 2024|archive-date=September 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220904061538/http://www.spitfireperformance.com/mustang/combat-reports/357-anderson-5dec44.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":AP"/>

Anderson flew two tours of combat against the ''[[Luftwaffe]]'' in Europe while with the 363d Fighter Squadron of the [[357th Fighter Group]], based at [[RAF Leiston]], England, and was the group's third leading ace with {{Fraction|16|1|4}} aerial victories.<ref name="AF"/> The others only flew one tour so they had less time in the air. His first P-51 Mustang (P-51B-15-NA AAF Ser. No. 43-24823) and his second ([[P-51D|P-51D-10-NA Mustang]], AAF Ser. No. 44-14450 B6-S), both nicknamed ''Old Crow''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://toflyandfight.com/resources/aviation-artwork/ |title=P-51 Mustang "Old Crow" World War 2 artwork |website=toflyandfight.com |date=July 11, 1944 |access-date=January 20, 2022 |archive-date=January 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119013717/https://toflyandfight.com/resources/aviation-artwork/ |url-status=live }}</ref> (after the [[Old Crow#Famous drinkers of Old Crow|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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.placer.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/31862/bosd12100901ap1p2-PDF|title=Resolution: Adopt and present a Resolution to Clarence Emil "Bud" Anderson for his outstanding service to his country and his community.|newspaper=Board of Supervisors, County of Placer|date=October 9, 2012|access-date=January 20, 2024|archive-date=January 20, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240120084536/https://www.placer.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/31862/bosd12100901ap1p2-PDF|url-status=live}}</ref>

The 357th group was also known as the Yoxford Boys.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Olmsted |first=Merle |title=D-Day and the Yoxford Boys |url=https://toflyandfight.com/d-day-and-the-yoxford-boys/ |access-date=20 May 2024 |website=Bud Anderson: To Fly and Fight}}</ref>

===Post-war===
[[File:Bud Anderson test pilot.jpg|thumb|Anderson as a test pilot at Edwards AFB]]
Anderson returned to the U.S. in January 1945, serving at [[Perrin Field]], Texas, until that October, when he was assigned as a recruiter in Ohio. He served as a test pilot at Wright Field from May 1948 to February 1953. During this time, he took part in the [[FICON project]], a concept to increase the effective combat radius of jet fighters by attaching them to a propeller-driven bomber, one hooked up to each wingtip. The hope was that it would not only increase fuel efficiency and effective range, but also allow the bomber to carry its own fighter escort deep into enemy territory.<ref name=":VT"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Project Tip-Tow|author=Mark Wolverton|date=December 2017|url=https://www.historynet.com/project-tip-tow.htm|website=History Net|publisher=|access-date=January 20, 2022|archive-date=January 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105192931/https://www.historynet.com/project-tip-tow.htm|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Caught by the Wing Tip|author=|date=|url=https://toflyandfight.com/caught-by-the-wing-tip/|website=To Fly and Fight|publisher=|access-date=January 20, 2022|archive-date=January 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105192947/https://toflyandfight.com/caught-by-the-wing-tip/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Anderson attended [[Air Command and Staff College]] at [[Maxwell Air Force Base]], Alabama, from September 1954 to August 1955, and then was assigned as Director of Operations for the [[58th Fighter Wing|58th Fighter-Bomber Wing]] at [[Osan Air Base]], South Korea, from August 1955 to February 1956 and commander of the [[69th Fighter Squadron|69th Fighter-Bomber Squadron]] at Osan, from February to August 1956.<ref name=":VT"/>

Anderson continued as a 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 [[United States Army War College|Army War College]] at [[Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania]], from August 1962 to July 1963. From August 1965 to December 1967, he was stationed at [[Kadena Air Base]] in [[Okinawa Island|Okinawa]] where he served as deputy director, director of operations and commander of the [[18th Wing|18th Tactical Fighter Wing]].<ref name=":VT"/><ref name=":HISTORY"/>

After serving another tour at the Air Force headquarters in [[the Pentagon]] until December 1969, Anderson commanded the [[355th Wing|355th Tactical Fighter Wing]], an [[F-105 Thunderchief]] unit, during its final months of service in the [[Vietnam War]], from June to December 1970. Stationed at [[Takhli Royal Thai Air Force Base]], he flew 25 missions in strikes against enemy supply lines and later was in charge of closing the base when 355th TFW was inactivated.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bud Anderson – FU Hero|author=|date=October 16, 2009|url=http://www.fighterpilotuniversity.com/history/fu-heroes/bud-anderson-fu-hero/|website=Fighter Pilot University|publisher=|access-date=January 20, 2022|archive-date=January 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109185532/http://www.fighterpilotuniversity.com/history/fu-heroes/bud-anderson-fu-hero/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":VT"/><ref name=":HISTORY"/><ref name=airandspace/>

Anderson retired as a colonel in March 1972. He was decorated 25 times for his service to the [[United States]], during which he flew over 100 types of aircraft and logged over 7,000 hours. He was a close friend of Brigadier General [[Chuck Yeager]] during and after the end of World War II, where both served in the 357th Fighter Group.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://aerospaceca.org/brigadier-general-c-e-bud-anderson/|title=Brigadier General C.E. "Bud" Anderson World War II Triple Ace Fighter Pilot|newspaper=Aerospace Museum of California|date=December 21, 2022|access-date=January 22, 2024|archive-date=December 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231206152914/https://aerospaceca.org/brigadier-general-c-e-bud-anderson/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Personal life and death==
[[Image:Bud Anderson 2011.jpg|thumb|Anderson (seated second from the right) in 2011]]
[[File:Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ. Brown, Jr. administers the reaffirmation of the oath of office to retired Brig. Gen. Clarence E. “Bud” Anderson, during a ceremony promoting Anderson to the rank of brigadier general (2022).jpg|thumb|[[Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force]] [[Charles Q. Brown Jr.]] administers the reaffirmation of the oath of office to Anderson, after promoting him to the honorary rank of brigadier general (2022)]]
Anderson married Eleanor Cosby, on February 23, 1945. She died on January 30, 2015, in [[Auburn, California]], just four days before her 92nd birthday, and is buried at [[Arlington National Cemetery]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/auburnjournal/name/eleanor-anderson-obituary?pid=174042963&__cf_chl_captcha_tk__=7rmA6SuNNLmcSuUPWE_vqJ1Ve7pWydCkTjcbjNlbiRc-1641391872-0-gaNycGzNCH0 |title=Eleanor Cosby Anderson 1923–2015 – Obituary – Auburn, CA &#124; Auburn Journal |website=Legacy.com |access-date=January 20, 2022 |archive-date=January 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220106002425/https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/auburnjournal/name/eleanor-anderson-obituary?pid=174042963&__cf_chl_captcha_tk__=7rmA6SuNNLmcSuUPWE_vqJ1Ve7pWydCkTjcbjNlbiRc-1641391872-0-gaNycGzNCH0 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/index.html#/search-all/results/1/CghBbmRlcnNvbhIHRWxlYW5vchoFQ29zYnk-/
|title=Burial detail: Anderson, Eleanor Cosby | publisher=Arlington National Cemetery| access-date=June 2, 2024}}</ref> They had two children.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.historynet.com/bud-anderson/|title=America's Last Living Triple Fighter Ace|first=Amy|last=Chan|date=August 30, 2017|website=HistoryNet}}</ref>

After his retirement from active duty as a [[colonel]], Anderson became the manager of the [[McDonnell Aircraft|McDonnell Aircraft Company's]] Flight Test Facility at Edwards AFB, serving there until 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://planesoffame.org/uploads/newsletter/POF_NWLTR_VOL-40_NO-3_WEB-v2.pdf|title=The 10th Annual 'Taste Of Flight' Gala, An Incredible Evening with Bud Anderson|website=planesoffame.org|access-date=January 20, 2022|archive-date=January 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109192006/https://planesoffame.org/uploads/newsletter/POF_NWLTR_VOL-40_NO-3_WEB-v2.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1990, he cowrote the book ''To Fly & Fight—Memoirs of a Triple Ace.''<ref>{{cite book|title=To Fly and Fight: Memoirs of a Triple Ace Paperback – August 7, 2017|isbn=978-1543414714 |last1=Anderson |first1=Jim |date=August 7, 2017 |publisher=Author Solutions Incorporated }}</ref>

In 2005, Anderson appeared on [[pilot episode]] of the [[History (U.S. TV channel)|History Channel]] series ''[[Dogfights (TV series)|Dogfights]]''. In the episode titled 'The Greatest Air Battles' features his May 27, 1944 mission, with Anderson recounting his experience of the mission.<ref>{{Cite episode |title=The Greatest Air Battles |series=[[Dogfights (TV series)|Dogfights]] |network=[[History Channel]] |publisher= |date=16 September 2005 |season=|number=[[Television pilot]]}}</ref>

On July 19, 2008, Anderson was inducted into the [[National Aviation Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nationalaviation.org/enshrinee/clarence-e-bud-anderson/|title=Anderson, Clarence E. "Bud"|first=|last=|newspaper=nationalaviation.org|date=2008|access-date=January 20, 2022|archive-date=January 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220105172433/https://www.nationalaviation.org/our-enshrinees/anderson-clarence/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2013, he was inducted into the [[International Air & Space Hall of Fame]] at the [[San Diego Air & Space Museum]].<ref>Sprekelmeyer, Linda, editor. ''These We Honor: The International Aerospace Hall of Fame''. Donning Co. Publishers, 2006. {{ISBN|978-1-57864-397-4}}.</ref> A life-size bronze statue of him was installed at the [[Auburn Municipal Airport (California)|Auburn Municipal Airport]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/auburn-grass-valley/bud-anderson-ace/103-342f0267-86bd-4b79-a9dd-af8a984629bf|title=General 'Bud' Anderson, one of the most decorated fighter pilots, reflects on service|first=Mark S.|last=Allen|work=ABC10|date=November 10, 2023|accessdate=May 18, 2024|archive-date=November 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231114031401/https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/auburn-grass-valley/bud-anderson-ace/103-342f0267-86bd-4b79-a9dd-af8a984629bf|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2015, he along with other flying aces received the [[Congressional Gold Medal]], in recognition of "their heroic military service and defense of the country's freedom throughout the history of aviation warfare."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usmint.gov/news/press-releases/20150520-american-fighter-aces-receive-congressional-gold-medal|title=American Fighter Aces Receive Congressional Gold Medal|date=2015-05-25|newspaper=U.S. Mint|access-date= June 3, 2024}}</ref>

Anderson [[centenarian|turned 100]] in January 2022.<ref name="VAnews">{{Cite web|last=Jefimova|first=Elizabeth|editor1=Adams, Katherine|editor2=MacSweeney, Erica|title=#VeteranOfTheDay Air Force Veteran Clarence "Bud" Anderson|url=https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/97664/veteranoftheday-air-force-veteran-clarence-bud-anderson/|access-date=January 20, 2022|website=blogs.va.gov|date=January 13, 2022|language=en-US|archive-date=January 25, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125070309/https://blogs.va.gov/VAntage/97664/veteranoftheday-air-force-veteran-clarence-bud-anderson/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Col. Clarence E. "Bud" Anderson Celebrates his 100th Birthday Today!|url=https://warbirdsnews.com/warbirds-news/col-clarence-e-bud-anderson-celebrates-his-100th-birthday-today.html|access-date=January 20, 2022|website=warbirdsnews.com|date=January 13, 2022|language=en-US|archive-date=January 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220115233428/https://warbirdsnews.com/warbirds-news/col-clarence-e-bud-anderson-celebrates-his-100th-birthday-today.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
His hometown Auburn honored him with a grand celebration.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Happy Birthday, Bud! Auburn celebrates as World War II Triple Ace pilot Anderson turns 100|url=https://goldcountrymedia.com/news/214155/happy-birthday-bud-auburn-celebrates-as-world-war-ii-triple-ace-pilot-anderson-turns-100/|access-date=January 20, 2022|website=goldcountrymedia.com|language=en-US}}</ref> He was the last living American triple flying ace of World War II.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flightjournal.com/gunning-for-100/|title=Col. Bud Anderson: Gunning for 100!|newspaper=Flight Journal|date=November 17, 2021|access-date=November 12, 2022|archive-date=October 30, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030181610/https://www.flightjournal.com/gunning-for-100/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-your-history-your-story-73613619/episode/s5-ep07-bud-anderson-ww2-triple-95714041/|title=S5 Ep07 Bud Anderson: WW2 Triple Ace Fighter Pilot – Your History Your Story|newspaper=iHeart|date=April 18, 2022|access-date=November 12, 2022}}</ref> On December 2, he was promoted to the honorary rank of [[Brigadier general (United States)|brigadier general]] by General [[Charles Q. Brown Jr.]], the Air Force [[Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force|chief of staff]] at the Aerospace Museum of California.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Novelly |first1=Thomas |title=100-Year-Old Flying Ace is Promoted to Honorary Brigadier General by Air Force Chief |url=https://www.military.com/daily-news/2022/12/02/100-year-old-flying-ace-promoted-honorary-brigadier-general-air-force-chief.html |website=Military.com |access-date=December 3, 2022 |archive-date=December 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203010703/https://www.military.com/daily-news/2022/12/02/100-year-old-flying-ace-promoted-honorary-brigadier-general-air-force-chief.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://lamalfa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressmen-lamalfa-and-mcclintock-celebrate-promotion-of-colonel-bud |website=House.gov |access-date=December 3, 2022 |title=Congressmen LaMalfa and McClintock Celebrate Promotion of Colonel Bud Anderson to Brigadier General in U.S. Air Force |date=December 2, 2022 |archive-date=December 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203011153/https://lamalfa.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressmen-lamalfa-and-mcclintock-celebrate-promotion-of-colonel-bud |url-status=live }}</ref>

Anderson died in his sleep at his home in Auburn, California, on May 17, 2024, at the age of 102.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bud Anderson, Last of World War II's 'Triple Ace' Pilots, Dies at 102|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/18/us/bud-anderson-dead.html|date=May 18, 2024|work=The New York Times|last=Goldstein|first=Richard|access-date=May 18, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url= https://vintageaviationnews.com/warbirds-news/wwii-triple-ace-brigadier-general-clarence-e-bud-anderson-passing.html |title=WWII Triple Ace Brigadier General Clarence E. "Bud" Anderson Passing|publisher=Vintage Aviation News |date=May 18, 2024}}</ref> A life sized bronze statue of Anderson dressed in his leather flight helmet and goggles, and wearing a parachute, was installed in [[Grass Valley, California]] about three months after his death.<ref>{{cite news | last =Boll-See | first =Marianne | title ='This guy broke the mold': Free community celebration and unveiling ceremony honoring Triple Ace pilot ‘Bud’ Anderson | newspaper =[[The Union (newspaper)|The Union]] | location =[[Grass Valley, California]] | pages = | language = | publisher = | date =July 20, 2024 | url =https://www.theunion.com/news/this-guy-broke-the-mold-free-community-celebration-and-unveiling-ceremony-honoring-triple-ace-pilot/article_876861d6-461e-11ef-8a65-37d97ef899f0.html | accessdate =January 11, 2025 }}</ref>

==Aerial victory credits==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; border: none; text-align:right; width: 100%;"
|- style="color: white;"
! scope="col" style="background:#39f;"|Date
! scope="col" style="background:#39f;"|#
! scope="col" style="background:#39f;"|Type
! scope="col" style="background:#39f;"|Location
! scope="col" style="background:#39f;"|Aircraft flown
! scope="col" style="background:#39f;"|Unit Assigned
|-
!scope="row"|March 8, 1944
|align=center|1||align=center|[[Messerschmitt Bf 109]]||align=center|[[Hanover]], [[Germany]]||align=center|P-51B||align=center|363 FS, 357 FG
|-
!scope="row"|April 11, 1944
|align=center|1<br>0.20 ||align=center|Bf 109<br>[[Heinkel He 111]]||align=center|Hanover, Germany||align=center|P-51B||align=center|363 FS, 357 FG
|-
!scope="row"|April 30, 1944
|align=center|1||align=center|[[Focke-Wulf Fw 190]]||align=center|[[Orléans, France]]||align=center|P-51B||align=center|363 FS, 357 FG
|-
!scope="row"|May 8, 1944
|align=center|1||align=center|Fw 190||align=center|[[Soltau]], Germany||align=center|P-51B||align=center|363 FS, 357 FG
|-
!scope="row"|May 12, 1944
|align=center|1||align=center|Bf 109||align=center|[[Frankfurt]], Germany||align=center|P-51B||align=center|363 FS, 357 FG
|-
!scope="row"|May 27, 1944
|align=center|2||align=center|Bf 109||align=center|[[Strasbourg]], France||align=center|P-51B||align=center|363 FS, 357 FG
|-
!scope="row"|May 30, 1944
|align=center|1||align=center|Bf 109||align=center|[[Schönebeck]], Germany||align=center|P-51B||align=center|363 FS, 357 FG
|-
!scope="row"|June 29, 1944
|align=center|3||align=center|Fw 190||align=center|[[Leipzig]], Germany||align=center|P-51B||align=center|363 FS, 357 FG
|-
!scope="row"|July 7, 1944
|align=center|1||align=center|Bf 109||align=center|Leipzig, Germany||align=center|P-51B||align=center|363 FS, 357 FG
|-
!scope="row"|November 27, 1944
|align=center|2||align=center|Fw 190||align=center|[[Magdeburg]], Germany||align=center|[[P-51D Mustang|P-51D]]||align=center|363 FS, 357 FG
|-
!scope="row"|December 5, 1944
|align=center|2||align=center|Fw 190||align=center|[[Berlin]], Germany||align=center|P-51D||align=center|363 FS, 357 FG
|}
::::<small>SOURCES: ''Air Force Historical Study 85: USAF Credits for the Destruction of Enemy Aircraft, World War II'' </small>

==Awards==
{{More citations needed|section|date=May 2024}}

Anderson earned 25 awards, including:

[[File:COMMAND PILOT WINGS.png|150px]]&nbsp;&nbsp;[[USAF aeronautical rating#Pilot ratings|Command pilot]]

{|
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=oak|ribbon=Legion_of_Merit_ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[Legion of Merit]] with one bronze oak leaf cluster<ref name="VAnews"/>
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=4|type=oak|ribbon=Distinguished Flying Cross ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] with four bronze oak leaf clusters<ref name="VAnews"/>
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Bronze Star ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[Bronze Star Medal]]<ref name="VAnews"/>
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=15|type=oak|ribbon=Air Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[Air Medal]] with three silver oak leaf clusters<ref name="VAnews"/>
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Air Force Commendation Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[Air Force Commendation Medal]]<ref name=airandspace/>
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=AF_Presidential_Unit_Citation_Ribbon.png|width=106}}
|[[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|Air Force Presidential Unit Citation]] 
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Outstanding_Unit_ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[Air Force Outstanding Unit Award]] 
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[American Campaign Medal]]<ref name=americanairmuseum>{{Cite web|url=https://www.americanairmuseum.com/archive/person/clarence-emil-anderson|title=Clarence Emil Anderson &#124; American Air Museum}}</ref>
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=4|type=service-star|ribbon=European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal]] with four bronze [[service stars]]<ref name=americanairmuseum/>
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[World War II Victory Medal]]<ref name=americanairmuseum/>
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=National Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[National Defense Service Medal]] with one bronze [[service star]]<ref name=americanairmuseum/>
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=|type=service-star|ribbon=Vietnam Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[Vietnam Service Medal]] 
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=service-star|ribbon=Korea Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[Korea Defense Service Medal]]{{#tag:ref|As Anderson served in fighter units stationed in South Korea from 1955 to 1956, this award was retroactively awarded when it was created in 2004.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.afpc.af.mil/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/421913/korean-defense-service-medal/|title=Korean Defense Service Medal|newspaper=Air Force Personnel Center|access-date=May 30, 2024}}</ref>|group=N}} 
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=6|type=oak|ribbon=Air Force Longevity Service ribbon.svg|width=106}}
| [[Air Force Longevity Service Award]] with one silver and one bronze oak leaf clusters<ref name=americanairmuseum/>
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=USAF_Marksmanship_ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|[[Marksmanship Ribbon|Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon]]
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Legion_Honneur_Chevalier_ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|Knight of the ''[[Legion of Honour]]'' (France)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.chuckyeager.com/legion-of-honor-2003|title=Legion Of Honor Award|date=July 18, 2003|website=chuckyeager.com|access-date=January 20, 2022|archive-date=January 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109191726/https://www.chuckyeager.com/legion-of-honor-2003|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=5|type=award-star|ribbon=Croix de Guerre 1939-1945 ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|''[[Croix de Guerre]]'' with silver star (France)<ref name="VAnews"/>
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Vietnam Campaign Medal ribbon with 60- clasp.svg|width=106}}
|[[Vietnam Campaign Medal]]
|}

*[[American Fighter Aces Association]] life member<ref name=airandspace>{{Cite web|url=https://www.airandspaceforces.com/bud-anderson-wwii-triple-ace-dies/|title=Bud Anderson, WWII Triple Ace and Air Force Test Pilot, Dies at 102|first=John|last=Tirpak|date=May 20, 2024|website=Air & Space Forces Magazine}}</ref>
*Fellow, [[Society of Experimental Test Pilots]]<ref name=airandspace/>
*[[Aerospace Walk of Honor]], 1993<ref>{{cite web |title=HONOREES 1993 |url=http://www.awoh.org/hon1993.htm |website=[[Aerospace Walk of Honor]] |access-date=21 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041117090117/http://www.awoh.org/hon1993.htm |archive-date=17 November 2004 |format=by web.archive.org, the [[Wayback Machine]] |date=17 November 2004}}</ref>
*Crystal Eagle Award, 2011<ref>{{cite web |title=The Aero Club Of Northern California |url=http://www.aeroclubnocal.org/crystaleagle_Past.html |website=www.aeroclubnocal.org |access-date=21 May 2024}}</ref>
*[[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==
===Notes===
{{Reflist|group=N}}

===Citations===
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Portal|Biography}}
*[https://toflyandfight.com/ ''To Fly and Fight'' – C.E. "Bud" Anderson's Official website]
*[http://www.acepilots.com/usaaf_anderson.html Biography at acepilots.com]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070927222117/http://www.starduststudios.com/Fighter_Aces.htm Images including contemporary photos and paintings]
*[http://www.auburnjournal.com/article/5/27/15/congressional-gold-medal-glow-shines-auburn-fighter-ace Auburnjournal.com]
{{Top US World War II Aces}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Anderson, Bud}}
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[[Category:American World War II flying aces]]
[[Category:Aviators from California]]
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[[Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit]]
[[Category:United States Air Force personnel of the Vietnam War]]
[[Category:American recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1939–1945 (France)]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Air Medal]]
[[Category:American test pilots]]
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[[Category:People from Newcastle, California]]
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