History of Bud Anderson in Timeline

Clarence Emil "Bud" Anderson was a highly decorated officer in the United States Air Force and a triple ace of World War II. He distinguished himself as the highest-scoring flying ace in his P-51 Mustang squadron during the war, solidifying his place as a significant figure in aviation history.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

January 13, 1922: Birth of Bud Anderson

On January 13, 1922, Clarence Emil "Bud" Anderson was born. He would later become a triple ace in the United States Air Force during World War II.

Others born on this day/year

December 7, 1941: Pearl Harbor Attack

On December 7, 1941, during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Bud Anderson was working at the Sacramento Air Depot.

January 1942: Enlistment in the United States Army

In January 1942, shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Bud Anderson enlisted in the United States Army as an aviation cadet.

September 1942: Flying P-39 Airacobras

From September 1942, Bud Anderson began flying Bell P-39 Airacobras with the 329th Fighter Squadron.

September 1942: Receiving Wings and Commission

In September 1942, Bud Anderson received his wings and commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Army Air Forces at Hamilton Field, California.

March 1943: Assignment to the 363rd Fighter Squadron

In March 1943, Bud Anderson was assigned to the 363rd Fighter Squadron of the 357th Fighter Group at Tonopah, Nevada.

October 1943: Stationed in Casper, Wyoming

From October 1943, Bud Anderson was stationed in Casper, Wyoming.

November 1943: Deployment to England

In November 1943, Bud Anderson deployed to England.

January 1944: Equipped with North American P-51 Mustang

In January 1944, the 357th Fighter Group, to which Bud Anderson belonged, was equipped with the North American P-51 Mustang.

May 27, 1944: May 27, 1944, mission

On May 27, 1944, Bud Anderson had a mission, with Anderson recounting his experience.

1944: Promotion to Major

In 1944, towards the end of his two combat tours in Europe, Bud Anderson was promoted to the rank of major at the age of 22, an unusually young age for such a high rank, even in wartime.

January 1945: Return to the U.S.

In January 1945, Bud Anderson returned to the U.S. and served at Perrin Field, Texas.

February 23, 1945: Marriage to Eleanor Cosby

On February 23, 1945, Bud Anderson married Eleanor Cosby.

May 1948: Test Pilot at Wright Field

From May 1948, Bud Anderson served as a test pilot at Wright Field and took part in the FICON project.

February 1953: End of service as test pilot

In February 1953, Bud Anderson ended his service as a test pilot at Wright Field.

September 1954: Attendance at Air Command and Staff College

From September 1954, Bud Anderson attended Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.

August 1955: Director of Operations

From August 1955, Bud Anderson was assigned as Director of Operations for the 58th Fighter-Bomber Wing at Osan Air Base, South Korea.

February 1956: Commander of the 69th Fighter-Bomber Squadron

From February 1956, Bud Anderson became the commander of the 69th Fighter-Bomber Squadron at Osan Air Base.

August 1956: End of command of the 69th Fighter-Bomber Squadron

In August 1956, Bud Anderson's command of the 69th Fighter-Bomber Squadron at Osan Air Base ended.

November 1957: Assistant Chief of Flight Test Operations

From November 1957, Bud Anderson was assigned as Assistant Chief of the Flight Test Operations Division at Edwards Air Force Base.

August 1962: Attendance at the Army War College

From August 1962, Bud Anderson attended the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania.

July 1963: Completion of Army War College

In July 1963, Bud Anderson completed his studies at the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania.

August 1965: Stationed at Kadena Air Base

From August 1965, Bud Anderson was stationed at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa.

December 1967: End of station at Kadena Air Base

In December 1967, Bud Anderson's station at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa ended.

December 1969: End of tour at the Pentagon

In December 1969, Bud Anderson completed another tour at the Air Force headquarters in the Pentagon.

December 1970: End of command of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing

In December 1970, Bud Anderson commanded the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, an F-105 Thunderchief unit, during its final months of service in the Vietnam War. He was also in charge of closing the base when the 355th TFW was inactivated.

March 1972: Retirement as Colonel

In March 1972, Bud Anderson retired as a colonel from the United States Air Force.

1972: Retirement from Air Force

In 1972, Bud Anderson retired from the Air Force as a full colonel.

1990: Co-authoring To Fly & Fight

In 1990, Bud Anderson co-wrote the book "To Fly & Fight—Memoirs of a Triple Ace".

1998: Retirement from McDonnell Aircraft Company

In 1998, Bud Anderson retired from his position as the manager of the McDonnell Aircraft Company's Flight Test Facility at Edwards AFB.

2005: Appearance on Dogfights

In 2005, Bud Anderson appeared on the pilot episode of the History Channel series "Dogfights", where he recounted his May 27, 1944, mission.

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July 19, 2008: Induction into the National Aviation Hall of Fame

On July 19, 2008, Bud Anderson was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

2013: Induction into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame

In 2013, Bud Anderson was inducted into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame at the San Diego Air & Space Museum.

January 30, 2015: Death of Eleanor Cosby Anderson

On January 30, 2015, Eleanor Cosby Anderson, Bud Anderson's wife, passed away in Auburn, California, just four days before her 92nd birthday.

2015: Congressional Gold Medal

In 2015, Bud Anderson and other flying aces received the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of their service and defense of the country's freedom.