Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., promoted U.S. Air Force retired Col. Clarence E. “Bud” Anderson to the Honorary Appointment of Brigadier General. The event was hosted by the Aerospace Museum of California on Friday, December 2, 2022.
California native, Anderson flew in 116 combat missions as a fighter pilot and leader within the famed 357th Fighter Group during World War II. Anderson earned “Triple Ace” status after shooting down 16 1⁄4 enemy aircraft in combat in a P-51 Mustang he named “Old Crow.” He was decorated 25 times including two Legion of Merits, five Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star, 16 Air Medals, the French Legion of Honor, and the French Croix de Guerre during his 30-year U.S. Air Force career.
Anderson, 100 years old, is the highest-scoring living World War II Ace in the United States and the only surviving American triple Ace. There are now only 14 living US Fighter Aces out of 1,447 recognized US Fighter Aces.
Promotion Ceremony held at the Aerospace Museum of California, hosted by Executive Directors Tom and Karen Jones.
Bud presenting the Chief of Staff General Brown a signed bottle of Old Crow.
Connie Bowlin, guest speaker.
Brigadier General Clarence E "Bud" Anderson's personal flag.
Official Certificate of Honorary Promotion
Special present to Bud from the Jim Beam Company, an Old Crow barrel head.
Connie Bowlin, podium, a close friend of retired Col. Clarence E. “Bud” Anderson, delivers a special tribute during a ceremony presided by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. promoting Anderson to the honorary rank of brigadier general at the Aerospace Museum of California in McClellan, California, Dec. 2, 2022. The ceremony was an opportunity to honor the 100-year-old World War II triple ace during the 75th anniversary year of the U.S. Air Force’s establishment as a military service. (U.S. Air Force photo by Nicholas Pilch)
A toast of Old Crow with CSAF General Charles Brown, B/Gen Bud Anderson and Executive Director of the Aerospace Museum, Tom Jones.
Brigadier Clarence E "Bud" Anderson
Donate to the Aerospace Museum of California Brigadier General Bud Anderson STEM Education Fund
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