Anderson, Clarence Emil "Bud"

Date of birth:: January 13th, 1922 (Oakland/California, United States)
Date of death:: May 17th, 2024 (Auburn/California, United States)
Nationality:: American

Biography

Anderson grew up playing sports in the Bay Area. Before he joined the U.S. military he was already a licensed pilot, having earned his pilot’s license while in college at the age of 19. Shortly after the U.S. entered World War II, Anderson enlisted in January 1942. A few months later he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Forces. He stayed stateside for more than a year, piloting a Bell P-39. He finally went overseas to England in late 1943.

Assigned to the 357th Fighter Group, Anderson began flying bomber escort missions, piloting a series of P-51 Mustangs, each named "Old Crow" — after the bourbon whiskey. In the first five months of 1944, he shot down five German planes, earning him "ace" status. He rose through the ranks, serving two combat tours. By the end of 1944 he’d reached triple ace status, won several dog fights and by the end of the war flew 116 missions.
He is credited with 16 and a quarter kills. The quarter came from a joint effort in downing one German plane. Anderson had the third-highest number of enemy aircraft kills in the 357th Fighter Group, which alone took out nearly 700 German planes.

However he wasn’t done fighting. He led a F-86 squadron in Korea after the 1953 ceasefire, and then a F-105 squadron based out of Okinawa. During the Vietnam War Anderson again was in combat, flying 25 missions while in command of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing. Flying an F-105 Thunderchief named "Old Crow II," his wing focused on bombing North Vietnamese supply lines along the Ho Chi Minh Trail.

Anderson retired from the military in 1972 with the rank of colonel. Once retired, he then became the manager for the McDonnell Aircraft Company’s test facility at Edwards Air Force Base, working there for more than a decade.
In 2022, Anderson was given the honorary promotion to brigadier general. Anderson was re-inducted into the Air Force and given his last promotion.

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Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Captain
Unit:: 363rd Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces
Awarded on:: July 11th, 1944

"For extraordinary achievement and heroism in aerial combat over enemy occupied Continental Europe while serving as a P-51 Fighter Pilot of the 363d Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in the destruction of one enemy airplane on 6 May 1944. The skillful and zealous manner in which Captain Anderson has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage, under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."

Headquarters, 8th Fighter Command, General Orders No. 40

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Captain
Unit:: 363rd Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces
Awarded on:: October 25th, 1944

"For extraordinary achievement and heroism in aerial combat over enemy occupied Continental Europe while serving as a P-51 Fighter Pilot of the 363d Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in the destruction of three enemy airplanes on 17 June 1944. The skillful and zealous manner in which Captain Anderson has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage, under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."

Headquarters, 8th Fighter Command, General Orders No. 50 (Second DFC reveived as Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Captain
Unit:: 363rd Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces
Awarded on:: December 14th, 1944

"For extraordinary achievement and heroism in aerial combat over enemy occupied Continental Europe while serving as a P-51 Fighter Pilot of the 363d Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in the destruction of three enemy airplanes on 27 July 1944. The skillful and zealous manner in which Captain Anderson has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage, under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."

Headquarters, 8th Fighter Command, General Orders No. 63 (Third DFC reveived as second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Captain
Unit:: 363rd Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces
Awarded on:: December 16th, 1944

"For extraordinary achievement and heroism in aerial combat over enemy occupied Continental Europe while serving as a P-51 Fighter Pilot of the 363d Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, in the destruction of five enemy airplanes on 15 August 1944. The skillful and zealous manner in which Captain Anderson has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage, under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States."

Headquarters, 8th Fighter Command, General Orders No. 72 (Fourth DFC reveived as third Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)

Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Captain
Unit:: 363rd Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces

"For extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight as a P-51 Fighter Pilot of the 363d Fighter Squadron, 357th Fighter Group, EIGHTH Air Force, as leader of a flight of fighter type aircraft on a combat operation in the vicinity of Berlin, Germany, on 27 November 1944. When superior forces of enemy aircraft were encountered, Major Anderson skillfully led his flight in assisting to disperse the enemy formations, personally destroying two enemy aircraft and probably destroying another. The courage, superior airmanship, and devotion to duty displayed by Major Anderson on this occasion reflect great credit upon himself and the Army Air Forces."

Fifth DFC reveived as fourth Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster

Legion of Merit - US Military

Period:: Vietnam War (1955-1975)
Rank:: Colonel
Unit:: 18th Tactical Fighter Wing, U.S. Air Force

"For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Deputy Commander for Operations, Vice Commander, and Commander, 18th Tactical Fighter Wing, Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, from 3 August 1965 to 22 December 1967. In these important assignments, the leadership, exemplary foresight, and ceaseless efforts consistently demonstrated by Colonel Anderson resulted in significant contributions to the effectiveness and success of the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing. He developed and supervised programs that not only increased the Wing's performance but also strengthened the Air Force's procedures for countering aggression within Southeast Asia. The superior initiative, outstanding leadership, and personal endeavor displayed by Colonel Anderson reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Air Force."

Legion of Merit - US Military

Period:: Vietnam War (1955-1975)
Rank:: Colonel
Unit:: Aircraft Division with Material Command, U.S. Air Force

"For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Chief of the Aircraft Division with Material Command at McClellan AFB, California, from 1970 to 1972. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Anderson culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions in the Service of his Country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force."

In the function of Chief (second LoM reveived as Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)