Clarence Emil Anderson Jr
MilitaryCorrection to caption
Clarence "Bud" Anderson enlisted shortly after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour. He earned his pilots wing in September 1942 and joined the 357th Fighter Group a year later. In late 1943, Anderson and the 357th arrived in Europe, where they quickly transferred to the P-51 Mustang and began flying missions from February 1944. Anderson described feeling "more afraid of screwing up than of dying" on his first mission on 5 February 1944, but soon found his form, claiming his first victory less than a month later on 3 March 1944. He claimed a total of 16.25 kills, becoming a triple Ace and flew 116 Combat missions between November 1943 and January 1945.
Anderson stayed with the US Air Force following the War, and became a test pilot, flying 130 different types of aircraft over 7,500 hours. He commanded an F-86 Sabre Squadron in Post War Korea, an F-105 Thunderchief Wing on Okinawa and the 355th Tactical Fighter Squadron in Southeast Asia. Anderson retired from the US Air Force in March 1972, and joined McDonnell Aircraft Company. He fully retired in 1984, and gives lectures on experience, he retains a pilots license and still flies P-51s.
Connections
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Units served with
People
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 55th Fighter Group 38th Fighter Squadron
- Service Numbers: O-746211
- Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Role/Job: Fighter Pilot 1056 twin engine
- Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
- Nationality: American
- Unit: 357th Fighter Group 363rd Fighter Squadron
- Highest Rank: Sergeant (RAF)
- Role/Job: Ground Personal/Armorer
Aircraft
Places
Events
Event | Location | Date | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Oakland, CA, USA | 13 January 1922 | |
Other Assigned |
Leiston IP16, UK | 27 February 1943 | Assigned to 363FS, 357FG, 8AF USAAF. |
Other Crashed |
Leiston IP16, UK | 3 May 1944 | Taxiing Accident Leiston/Sta 373 Cat 3 damage, pilot 1st Lt Clarence E Anderson Jr, 3-May-44. P-51B7 43-6727 - 362FS 357FG 8AF |
Other End Tour Duty (ETD) #1 |
13 July 1944 | Ended 1st Tour Duty (ETD). | |
Other Transferred |
Leiston IP16, UK | 9 November 1944 - 1 December 1944 | Transferred to HQ Sqn, 357FG, 8AF USAAF. |
Other End Tour Duty (ETD) #2 |
17 January 1945 | Ended 2nd Tour Duty (ETD). | |
Other Crashed |
Eglin AFB, FL 32542, USA | 31 March 1949 | Landing Accident Eglin AFB, Florida Cat 3 damage, pilot Capt Clarence E Anderson Jr, 31-Mar-1949. Q-14B 44-68786 - Testing |
Other Crashed |
Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, USA | 25 August 1949 | Landing Accident due to Mechanical Failure Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio Cat 3 damage, pilot Capt Clarence E Anderson Jr, 25-Aug-49. F-86A 48-295 - FTD |
Other Crashed |
Hamilton, OH, USA | 15 April 1951 | Mechanical Failure 20 Miles Nth Hamilton, Ohio Cat 2 damage, pilot Capt Clarence E Anderson Jr, 15-Apr-51. F-84E 49-2067 - FTD |
Auburn, CA, USA | Bud currently lives in Auburn, CA with his wife. | ||
Newcastle, CA 95658, USA |
Revisions
Merged with duplicate entry to include details from:
- the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia;
- Fighter Aces of the U. S. A., Mustang Aces of the Eighth Air Force and Aces and Wingmen II