Current:Home > MarketsBud Anderson, last surviving World War II triple ace pilot, dies at 102-InfoLens
Bud Anderson, last surviving World War II triple ace pilot, dies at 102
View Date:2024-12-23 10:48:17
The last surviving World War II triple ace pilot died at age 102 this week, more than 75 years after serving in the U.S. Air Force and flying missions over Europe, the Washington Post reported.
Brigadier General Clarence E. Anderson, better known as "Bud," died peacefully in his sleep on May 17, his family said in a statement on his website.
"We were blessed to have him as our father," the statement read. "Dad lived an amazing life and was loved by many."
Anderson is survived by his two children, four grandchildren and five great grandchildren. His wife, Eleanor, died in 2015.
Anderson, who was born in California and learned to fly at 19, served two combat tours during World War II, according to his website. He escorted heavy bombers over Europe from November 1943 to January 1945, flying 116 combat missions and destroying over a dozen enemy aircraft in aerial combat as part of the 357th Fighter Group, nicknamed the "Yoxford Boys." He was the highest scoring ace in his squadron, according to his website.
Anderson's other military service included serving as the commander of a squadron in post-war Korea and as the commander of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing during combat in Southeast Asia.
During his military service, Anderson earned 25 medals, including two Legion of Merits, 16 Air Medals and "many campaign and service ribbons," according to his website. He has also been recognized as a fighter ace, or a pilot who has destroyed five or more enemy aircraft in aerial combat, three times over.
When not overseas, Anderson was a fighter test pilot and served multiple roles, including as the deputy director of flight test operations at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. In total, Anderson logged over 7,500 flying hours in more than 130 types of aircraft.
Anderson retired from the Air Force in 1972, and joined the McDonnell Aircraft Company and spent 12 years serving as the manager of a test facility at Edwards Air Force Base in in California. He retired fully in 1984, published an autobiography in 1990, and quit flying at 90 years old but continued to lecture on the topic and consult on computer flying games, according to his website.
Anderson was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2008 and the International Air & Space Hall of Fame at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in 2013, according to his website. He received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2015. In December 2022, he was given an honorary promotion to Brigadier General at the Aerospace Museum of California.
- In:
- World War II
- U.S. Air Force
- United States Military
- United States Air Force
Kerry Breen is a news editor at CBSNews.com. A graduate of New York University's Arthur L. Carter School of Journalism, she previously worked at NBC News' TODAY Digital. She covers current events, breaking news and issues including substance use.
TwitterveryGood! (6963)
Related
- Groups seek a new hearing on a Mississippi mail-in ballot lawsuit
- This NBA star always dreamed of being a teacher. So students in Brooklyn got the substitute teacher of a lifetime.
- Kenya Moore, Madison LeCroy, & Kandi Burruss Use a Scalp Brush That’s $6 During the Amazon Big Sale
- Stellantis recalls nearly 285,000 Dodge, Chrysler cars over potentially deadly airbag defect
- Fantasy football buy low, sell high: 10 trade targets for Week 11
- These Are the 22 Top Trending Deals From the Amazon Big Spring Sale: Shop Now Before It’s Too Late
- March Madness Sweet 16 dates, times, TV info for 2024 NCAA Tournament
- Save Up to 50% on Shapewear Deals From the Amazon Big Spring Sale: Feel Fabulous for Less
- How Alex Jones’ Infowars wound up in the hands of The Onion
- Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden announce birth of ‘awesome’ baby boy, Cardinal, in Instagram post
Ranking
- What Republicans are saying about Matt Gaetz’s nomination for attorney general
- Mega Millions winning numbers for March 22 drawing: Lottery jackpot soars to $977 million
- Rough game might be best thing for Caitlin Clark, Iowa's March Madness title aspirations
- Deadly attack on Moscow concert hall shakes Russian capital and sows doubts about security
- Wendi McLendon-Covey talks NBC sitcom 'St. Denis Medical' and hospital humor
- My 4-Year-Old Is Obsessed with This Screen-Free, Storytelling Toy & It’s 30% off on Amazon
- Can ChatGPT do my taxes? Chatbots won't replace human expertise any time soon
- J. Crew's Sale is Up To 50% Off — And It's Making Us Want Summer ASAP
Recommendation
-
Gerry Faust, the former head football coach at Notre Dame, has died at 89
-
Rough game might be best thing for Caitlin Clark, Iowa's March Madness title aspirations
-
Mifepristone access is coming before the US Supreme Court. How safe is this abortion pill?
-
Wyoming governor vetoes bill to allow concealed carry in public schools and meetings
-
Melissa Gilbert recalls 'painful' final moment with 'Little House' co-star Michael Landon
-
Women's March Madness games today: Schedule, how to watch Saturday's NCAA Tournament
-
March Madness Sweet 16 dates, times, TV info for 2024 NCAA Tournament
-
FBI tells Alaska Airlines passengers on flight that had midair blowout that they may be victim of a crime