Bud Anderson

Bud Anderson
Anderson in 1944
Nickname(s)	Bud
Born	(1922-01-13)January 13, 1922 Oakland, California, U.S.
Died	May 17, 2024(2024-05-17) (aged 102) Auburn, California, U.S.
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force
Years of service	1942–1972
Rank	Colonel (retirement rank – 1972) Brigadier General (honorary promotion – 2022)
Unit	357th Fighter Group
Commands held	69th Fighter-Bomber Squadron 18th Tactical Fighter Wing 355th Tactical Fighter Wing
Battles/wars	World War II Vietnam War
Awards	Legion of Merit (2) Distinguished Flying Cross (5) Bronze Star Medal Air Medal (16)
Spouse(s)	Eleanor Cosby ​ ​ (m. 1945; died 2015)​
Children	2
Other work	Manager of the McDonnell Aircraft Company's Flight Test Facility at Edwards AFB (1972–1998)

Clarence Emil "Bud" Anderson (January 13, 1922 – May 17, 2024) was an officer in the United States Air Force and a triple ace of World War II. During the war he was the highest scoring flying ace in his P-51 Mustang squadron.

Toward the end of Anderson's two combat tours in Europe in 1944 he was promoted to major at 22, a young age even for a highly effective officer in wartime. Afterward, he became a test pilot and a fighter squadron and wing commander, serving a combat tour in the Vietnam War.

Anderson 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, he continued to speak at aviation and military events well into his 90s. He received an honorary promotion to brigadier general in 2022.