News United States Air Force
 CSAF promotes retired WWII triple ace fighter pilot to brigadier generalPublished Dec. 6, 2022
                        
                        By Nicholas Pilch
                        
                        
                        60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
                **MCCLELLAN, Calif. (AFNS) --**
                Air Force Chief of Staff **Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.** presided over a ceremony for retired Col. Clarence E. “Bud” Anderson, promoting him to the honorary rank of brigadier general at the Aerospace Museum of California in McClellan, Dec. 2.A close portrait of an elderly man smiling.Retired Col. Clarence E. “Bud” Anderson spends time with family before a ceremony promoting him to the honorary rank of brigadier general by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. at the Aerospace Museum of California in McClellan, Calif., 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)
            
            
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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.
Anderson was also presented with a general officer’s personal flag, which has historically symbolized leadership on the battlefield. Today, general officer flags signify the presence of a general officer, and their personal flags are present at all official military functions one attends.
“It is a real, real pleasure and honor to be here today with you,” Brown said. “As you might imagine, I get to do some pretty neat things, and this is one of them. This is the second opportunity I've had to promote someone from our greatest generation.”
Anderson flew 116 combat missions as a fighter pilot and leader with the 357th Fighter Group during WWII. He shot down 16 1⁄4 enemy aircraft during combat in his P-51 Mustang, earning the title, “triple ace.” The term ‘Ace’ is used to describe a fighter pilot who has been credited with shooting down five enemy aircraft.
The California native is the last American triple-ace from WWII and the oldest living American fighter ace.
"For me, he represents all the guys he flew with,” said retired Lt. Col. Jim Anderson, son of Bud. “He's the last of them."An overall photo of a large aviation museum with aircraft displayed throughout as well as a large crowd of people sitting in chairs in front of a stage.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, Calif., 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)
            
            
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    And elderly man sits on stage and talks into a microphone.Retired Brig. Gen. Clarence E. “Bud” Anderson, center, gives remarks during a ceremony promoting him to the honorary rank of brigadier general by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. at the Aerospace Museum of California in McClellan, Calif., 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)
            
            
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    And elderly man sits in a chair and a high-ranking military leader stand, and they both have their arms raised like they are giving an oath.Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ. Brown, Jr. administers the reaffirmation of the oath of office to retired Brig. Gen. Clarence E. “Bud” Anderson, during a ceremony promoting Anderson to the rank of brigadier general at the Aerospace Museum of California in McClellan, Calif., 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)
            
            
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Anderson served from 1942 to 1972. Some of his decorations include: two **Legion of Merits**, five **Distinguished Flying Crosses**, 16 **Air Medals** and the **Bronze Star Medal**. After retiring from active duty, Anderson worked at the F-15 test facility at **Edwards Air Force Base**.
“[Bud’s] kind of a wrecking ball of a guy and I think for many of us, probably wouldn't want to have him behind us shooting us down—he had a distinguished career,” Brown said. “It was really good to have a chance just to read through [some of Bud’s service records] and for me personally to reflect on the impact you had on our history of our Air Force.”
A large crowd of more than 200 people were in attendance to honor Anderson, as well as members of Congress, local district representatives and retired military.
“To all the young people that have the ambition to join the Air Force,” Anderson said, “have at it! You can be what you want to be and you should know that when you like what you do, you can excel, be a better person at your job to do it better.”
Before the ceremony, Anderson was asked how it feels to receive this honor; he said he was too overwhelmed to answer that question.Retired Brig. Gen. Clarence E. “Bud” Anderson cuts a celebratory cake after an honorary promotion ceremony presided over by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. at the Aerospace Museum of California in McClellan, Calif., 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)Retired Brig. Gen. Clarence E. “Bud” Anderson cuts a celebratory cake after an honorary promotion ceremony presided over by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. at the Aerospace Museum of California in McClellan, Calif., 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)
            
            
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Following the ceremony, refreshments and cake were provided to celebrate Anderson. The crowd raised shots of Old Crow, the bourbon whiskey Anderson named his aircraft after; Anderson’s first “Old Crow” was a **P-39Q Airacobra** when flying with the **363rd Fighter Squadron** during WWII.FS 



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