USAAF Triple Ace Bud Anderson - U.S. Army Air Force

Clarence Emil “Bud” Anderson
US WWII “Triple Ace” Fighter Pilot


Clarence Bud Anderson was born in Oakland, California in 1922. In Jan., 1942 he enlisted in the 
United States Army as an aviation cadet and received his wings and commission as a second 
lieutenant in the USAAF in Sept 1942.

During WWII, Anderson was the 357th Fighter Group’s 3rd leading ace with 16.5 aerial victories. 
His P-51D Mustang, nicknamed “Old Crow”, carried him safely through 116 missions without 
being hit by any enemy aircraft’s fire and without Anderson ever having to turn back for any 
reason. Anderson returned to the United States in Feb. 1945 as a Major.  

With over 30 years of military service, Anderson was a test pilot, served at the Pentagon, 
commanded the 355th TFW in Vietnam and having been decorated 25 times retired as a Colonel 
in 1972.

Bud Anderson became manager of the McDonnell Aircraft Company’s Flight Test Facility until 
1998 when he retired. With over 7,000 flight hours he has flown over 100 types of aircraft. In July 
2008, Bud was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.