Summary
- WWII Triple Ace fighter pilot Bud Anderson passed away at 102, leaving behind an incredible aviation legacy.
- Anderson earned multiple honors and served in numerous roles within the United States Air Force.
- As one of the last triple aces, Anderson achieved this elite status with his remarkable aerial victories.
Brigadier General Clarence E. “Bud” Anderson – the last surviving World War II ‘Triple Ace’ fighter pilot – has died at the age of 102. Anderson is credited with over 16 confirmed kills and was also a prolific test pilot during his illustrious aviation career.
WWII ace Bud Anderson dies aged 102
Anderson passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Auburn, California last week. The fighter pilot recorded 16 and a quarter confirmed aerial shootdowns in the P-51 Mustang as part of 357th Fighter Group, along with two probable kills, two damaged enemy aircraft and one destroyed on the ground. Following World War II, he enrolled as a test pilot at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio and would log over 7,500 hours piloting more than 130 test aircraft, as well as holding command positions in the United States Air Force (USAF) which included active duties in Korea and Vietnam.
Photo: Alvaro Maya | Shutterstock
In a statement to his website, Anderson’s family said,
“On 17 May 2024 at 5:29pm, WWII Triple Ace Brigadier General Clarence E “Bud” Anderson passed away in his home peacefully in his sleep surrounded by his family. We were blessed to have him as our father. Dad lived an amazing life and was loved by many. He was 102! Thank you for all your kind comments and messages.”
Anderson retired from the Air Force with the rank of Colonel in 1972 (later promoted to the honorary rank of Brigadier General in 2022 at age 100). During his life, he earned five Distinguished Flying Crosses, 16 Air Medals, two Legions of Merit, a Bronze Star, the French Legion of Honor, as well as a Congressional Gold Medal in 2015. He also served alongside famed pilot Chuck Yeager, another aviation pioneer who passed away in 2020.
The last triple ace
An ace is a fighter pilot credited with five enemy aircraft kills, so a triple ace is any pilot with at least 15 confirmed shootdowns. After he was deployed to England in early 1944, Anderson achieved ace status within three months of active service with his first confirmed victory over a German Bf-109 Messerschmidt coming on March 8th, 1944. By the end of the year, he had reached rare triple ace status.
Related
The P-51 Mustang: A Complete History
What started as a British request soon became a wartime legend and post-war icon.
In total, Anderson flew 116 missions during World War II and his fighting days would not stop with there, as he would go on to pilot other USAF aircraft, including the F-86 and F-105.
Did you know about “Bud” Anderson and his exploits? Feel free to share your respects in the comments.