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WWII Triple Ace CE Bud Anderson is now 102 and due to age limitations can no longer sign books, photos, or other items. We have a limited stock of signed items remaining in the store. When these signed items are gone, we will continue to offer unsigned books and photos. If you are interested in items signed by Bud, please take advantage of the remaining signed inventory. Thank you!

Bud Gets Honorary Promotion to Brigadier General

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.

promo5 Promotion Ceremony held at the Aerospace Museum of California, hosted by Executive Directors Tom and Karen Jones.
promo9-scaled Bud presenting the Chief of Staff General Brown a signed bottle of Old Crow.
promo8-scaled Connie Bowlin, guest speaker.
Promo3-scaled Brigadier General Clarence E "Bud" Anderson's personal flag.
promo7 Official Certificate of Honorary Promotion
317989150_860095108664746_4890455352259834853_n 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) 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)
toast A toast of Old Crow with CSAF General Charles Brown, B/Gen Bud Anderson and Executive Director of the Aerospace Museum, Tom Jones.
promo1 Brigadier Clarence E "Bud" Anderson
 

 

Donate to the Aerospace Museum of California Brigadier General Bud Anderson STEM Education Fund

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AF.mil: CSAF promotes retired WWII triple ace fighter pilot to brigadier general

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