WWII Triple Ace Colonel Bud Anderson tribute #shorts #ace #usaaf #ww2 #usaf

World War 2 American triple ace fighter pilot legend colonel Bud Anderson has passed away at age 102. He and his “Yoxford Boys” with the 357th Fighter Group, 363rd Fighter Squadron (8th Air Force) based at Leiston Field, UK made quick work of German Luftwaffe. They shot down 600 between 1943 and 1945, producing more than 40 flying aces.

With his Mustangs “Old Crow”, Anderson served in 2 major combat tours. He flew 116 combat missions in Europe, shooting down 16 adversaries. Ace pilot Chuck Yeager, the famous aviator who was the first man to break the sound barrier even flew with Anderson.

Col Anderson earned numerous decorations in his 30-year career. They include 2 Legion of Merits, 5 Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star, 16 Air Medals, the French Legion of Honor & the French Croix de Guerre. In 2015, he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, with all the American Fighter Aces

Other highlights of his career include duty as commander of an F-86 fighter squadron in post-war Korea, and commander of an F-105 tactical fighter wing on Okinawa. He also served on 2 Pentagon assignments.

After retiring from active duty, he worked at the F-15 test facility at Edwards AFB. Anderson joined McDonnell Aircraft, where he worked for 12 years as an assistant manager and then manager of the company’s flight test facility.
Over his life, Anderson logged over 7,500 flight hours, in more than 130 types of aircraft.

#ace #acepilot #usaaf #usaf #combataircraft #p51mustang #p51 #p51d #p39 #airacobra #f86 #f105 #f15 #chuckyeager #yeager #x1 #testpilot #fighterpilot #american #america #usa #luftwaffe #americanhistory #8thairforce #mastersoftheair

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