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Airmen from the U.S. Air Force Honor Guard, airmen the U.S. Air Force Band’s Ceremonial Brass and soldiers from the U.S. Army’s 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Caisson Detachment conduct full military funeral honors with escort for U.S. Air Force Col. Clarence “Bud” Anderson in Section 38 of Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, Monday, March 30, 2026. The last living American triple flying ace of World War II, Anderson’s career with the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) and U.S. Air Force spanned 30 years, covering World War II and the Cold War. During that time, Anderson was a fighter pilot, combat and operational commander, test pilot and the leader of flight test programs. He flew over 130 different aircraft, logging over 7,500 flying hours. In January 1942, Anderson enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program and that September, he received his wings and commission in the USAAF. During World War II, Anderson served two tours of combat in Europe. From November 1943 to January 1945, he flew with the 363rd Fighter Squadron of the 357th Fighter Group, Eighth Air Force. Anderson flew 116 individual combat missions and destroyed more than 16 enemy aircraft in aerial combat, making him a triple ace. Following World War II, Anderson continued active-duty service in the Air Force. In post-armistice Korea, he commanded an F-86 Sabre fighter-bomber squadron and in Okinawa, Japan, an F-105 Thunderchief wing. During the Vietnam War, he commanded the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing and flew bombing strikes against enemy supply lines. He retired from the Air Force as a colonel in 1972. In 2008, Anderson was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame. and in 2022, he received an honorary promotion to brigadier general. His awards include two Legion of Merits, five Distinguished Flying Crosses, 16 Air Medals, and the French Legion of Honor and the French Croix de Guerre. Anderson had been married to his wife, Eleanor, for nearly 70 years when she passed away in 2015. Anderson’s son, James Anderson, received the U.S. flag from his father’s funeral service. (U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Fraser / Arlington National Cemetery / released)
| Date Taken: | 03.30.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 03.30.2026 14:29 |
| Photo ID: | 9590335 |
| VIRIN: | 260330-A-IW468-2956 |
| Resolution: | 7196x4803 |
| Size: | 12.22 MB |
| Location: | ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 13 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Full Military Funeral Honors with Escort are Conducted for U.S. Air Force Col. Clarence “Bud” Anderson in Section 38 [Image 30 of 30], by Elizabeth Fraser, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
Last Surviving World War II Triple Ace Laid to Rest at Arlington National Cemetery
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