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            To Fly and Fight, Memoirs of a Triple Ace

Col. Clarence E. “Bud” Anderson with Joseph P. Hamelin 

Bud Anderson is a flyer’s flyer.

The Californian’s enduring love of flying began in the 1920s with the planes that flew over his father’s farm. In January 1942, he entered the Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet Program. Later, after he received his wings and flew P-39s, he was chosen as one of the original flight leaders of the new 357th Fighter Group. Equipped with the new and deadly P-51 Mustang, the group shot down five aircraft for each one it lost while escorting bombers to targets deep inside Germany. But the price was high. Half of its pilots were killed or imprisoned, including some of Bud’s closest friends.

In February 1944, Bud Anderson entered the uncertain, exhilarating and deadly world of aerial combat. He flew two tours of combat against the Luftwaffe in less than a year. In battles sometimes involving hundreds of planes, he ranked among the group’s leading aces with 16 ¼ aerial victories. He flew 116 missions in his “Old Crow” without ever being hit by enemy aircraft or turning back for any reason, despite one life or death confrontation after another.

His friend Chuck Yeager, who flew with Anderson in the 357th says, “In an airplane, the guy was a mongoose…the best fighter pilot I ever saw.”

Bud’s years as a test pilot were at least as risky. In one bizarre experiment, he repeatedly linked up in midair with B-29 bomber, wingtip to wingtip. In other tests he flew a jet fighter that was launched and retrieved from a giant B-36 bomber. As in combat, he lost many friends flying tests such as these.

Bud commanded a squadron of F-86 jet fighters in post-Korea, and a wing of F-105s on Okinawa during the mid-1960s. In 1970 – at age 48 – he flew combat strikes as a wing commander against Communist supply lines.

“To Fly and Fight” is about flying, plain and simple: the joys and dangers and the very special skills it demands. Touching, thoughtful, and dead honest, it is the story of a boy who grew up living his dream.

The updated edition of To Fly and Fight includes 40 new photos, new stories and updates and additional forewords by German Ace Gunther Rall and NASCAR great Mr. Jack Roush.

Acknowledgment

We would like to thank all those who helped make our web site cebudanderson.com and now toflyandfight.com a success. Our adventure making web sites started in the early 90s with Pete Krueger, who helped build the original site. Many people have helped in this long journey! Our inspiration to include the 357th FG in our effort, came from 357th FG crew chief and de facto group historian Merle Olmsted.  Merle has been our mentor and provided the bulk of the photos and materials for the 357th FG portion of the site. Merle promoted the accomplishments of the “Yoxford Boys” for over 50 years and wrote three books on their achievements. Since Merle pasted away we have been trying to carry the torch for promoting the 357th FG “Yoxford Boys”.

Many people have contributed to the success of our web sites. We wish to thank everyone for your help and support over the years. I will try to list some of our contributors and supporters that have helped make this venture special!  Several professional Aviation Photographers have been invaluable to our web site. Earl Smith, John Dibbs, Paul Bowen, Hiro Inoue and Michael Yoksich have provided outstanding images for our use. Many artists have been supporters including Gareth Hector, Joe Milich, Chuck Long, Jerry Crandall, William Phillips, Terry South, Ernie Boyette, Raymond Waddie, Dan Zoernig, Michael Short, Philip E. West, Roy Grinnell, and Harley Copic. Model builders: John Greiner, Erik Whipple, Stanley Parker, Dave Burrows, Scott Brown, Steve Negley, Bob Reiter, Franck Oudin, Rob Loos, Tim Mayberry, Tom Goodwin, Richard Gonzales and many others have contributed to the 357th FG Gallery of Models. They also built special one of a kind models that were presented to 357th FG members. Other special supporters: Edwards AFB Historian Mr. James O. Young, Writers: John Houvouras, Christina Olds and Joe Hamlin. Web Masters: Frank Aldridge, Peter Randall and Corey Jordan. Scandinavian Historic Flight: Anders Saether and Thore Thoresen. 357th FG Association Members: Joe Deshay, Obee Obrien, Bill Dunlop, John Warner, John Cirillo, John Skara, Hoyt Parmer, Morris McKinney, Bill Overstreet, Pete Petersen and many others. My German friends Andi and Yannik, who took me to Jim Browning’s crash site. Ed and Connie Bowlin, who made it possible for Bud to get into warbird flying! Mr. Jack Roush, Mick Rupp and Mr. Jim Hagedorn for outstanding support. EAA and EAA Warbirds! Paul Patist, Dr. D. Fuentes, Warren Brookman, Derek Davis and David Pirot for outstanding support. Scott and Kyle Guyette of Sleeping Dogs Productions! Smithsonian Curator Dr Jeremy Kinney. Historians: Barrett Tillman and Frank Olynyk. There are many museums and flying organizations who have supported and encouraged us, Elissa Lines, Paul and Sue Paul, Skip Lehman, Gary Peters, Ron and Diane Fagen and Super Supporter Tom Dewelle! Long time friend, Peter Saunders of the Friends of Leiston Airfield. Kelly Kreeger also deserves special mention, as one of our biggest promoters and supporters!  Finally, web master Alison Nicolosi for designing our new web site and Josh Katinger for volunteering time and hard work to make the site come to reality. To those not mentioned, I apologize and say “Thanks for all your support to make this site happen!” Sincerely, Bud and Jim Anderson

MSgt. USAF (ret) Merle C. Olmsted

MSGT. USAF (RET) Merle C. Olmsted died January 9, 2008, at age 84 in his Springfield, Mo., home. Born in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1923, the only son of Herschel and Irene Hanna Olmsted, Merle and Margreth, his wife of 60+ years, had just moved to Springfield in May after many years in California. Olmsted spent his life in active duty with the U.S. Army Air Corp and Air Force, and was a member of the 357th Fighter Group with the 8th Air Force as Crew Chief for the P51 Mustangs flying out of Leiston Air Field, England, during World War II. He was a noted historian and author of numerous articles and three books, his latest being “To War With the Yoxford Boys.” After enlisting in the Air Corp in 1942, he served 22 years active duty, then 20 years in the same capacity in the Air Force and Army Aviation, retiring in 1985. He was historian for his World War II 357th Fighter Group and a lifetime member of the Air Force Sergeants Assn., the Mighty 8th AF Museum and the Wright Patterson Air Force Museum. He also was a lifetime member of the American Aviation Historical Society. Olmsted wrote many articles and supplied hundreds of pictures and much information for the AAHS Journal. He was an amateur aviation artist, an expert scratch-built modeler, and shared his knowledge of aviation with many enthusiasts worldwide. His extensive collection of information, pictures, film and other items are being donated to the Mighty 8th Museum. Olmsted was honored at the Gathering of Mustangs and Legends at Rickenbacker Airport, Columbus, Ohio, as one of 51 men and women who flew or maintained the P51 Mustangs in World War II. Gone but not forgotten Merle. Thanks for the inspiration!

Merle Olmsted on the wing of P-51B "Joan." Pilot Robert Wallen.

Crew Chiefs Sgt Merle Olmsted (R) and Sgt Ray Morrison (L) and work P-51 Mustang "Roll U"

Aviation Art – Rock and a Hard Place displayed on our home page with permission from Artist Gareth Hector

Aviation video displayed on our home page with permission from Scott and Kyle Guyette of Sleeping Dog Productions