C.E. BUD ANDERSON

Clarence Emil "Bud" Anderson (born January 13, 1922) is a retired officer in the United States Air Force and a "triple ace" in World War II. During the war he was the highest scoring ace in his P-51 Mustang squadron. This was the same squadron as well known test pilot (and first pilot to break the sound barrier) and ace Chuck Yeager, and they have remained lifelong close friends. Towards the end of Anderson's two combat tours in Europe in 1944 he was promoted to major at age 22, an extremely young age even for a highly effective officer in wartime. After the war Anderson became a well regarded fighter test pilot, and a fighter squadron and wing commander. He served his wing commander tour in combat in the Vietnam War. He retired as a full colonel in 1972, after which he worked in flight test management for McDonnell Douglas. A member of the National Aviation Hall of Fame, Col. Anderson has remained a sought after speaker at aviation and military events well into his 90's.