Old Crow Flies Onward
The last American “Triple Ace,” Brig. Gen Clarence Emil “Bud” Anderson passed away yesterday at the ripe old age of 102.
Born in Oakland in 1922, he enlisted as an aviation cadet with the USAAF right after Pearl Harbor and earned both his butter bar and lead wings by September 1942.
After cutting teeth on the P-39, he joined the 363rd FS, in England flying early model P-51Bs in January 1944 and bagged his first (of six) Messerschmitt Fb 109s on 3 March and, upgraded to a bubble canopy P-51D, by the end of the war would add a He 111 bomber and five Fw 190s to his scorecard, ending the war with 16.25 aerial victories spanning 116 sorties.
Both of Bud Anderson’s Mustangs were dubbed “Old Crow” after the rock gut whisky, the later, P-51D-10-NA Mustang, AAF Ser. No. 44-14450 B6-S, seen here.
Post-war, Anderson continued on active service with the USAF as a test pilot, squadron, and wing commander, ultimately logging over 7,000 hours in over 100 types and retired in 1972 as a full bird colonel, later upgraded to a star in 2022.
He earned two Legion of Merits, five Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star, 16 Air Medals, the French Legion of Honor, and the French Croix de Guerre, among other decorations.
He passed in his sleep at his home in Auburn, California last Friday.
Via the CAF
General “Bud” Anderson flies off to a better world. Our prayers are with him and with his family. Thank you, Chris, for being one of the few to note his passing. I had to smile at the last photo. It’s great to see a tribute to the close of a very long and meaningful life. I’m sure Mr. Anderson was an inspiration to many young pilots, and he certainly did his part to take the Luftwaffe out of the war–six Bf-109s and five FW-190s, for a total of 16.25 German aircraft? Wow!
If someone scoffs at the “Greatest Generation” moniker, simply point them to the likes of Clarence “Bud” Anderson, USAAF, and Marion E. Carl, USMC, who did similar service against the Empire of Japan. They and their contemporaries are sorely missed.