The last Triple Ace pilot from World War II, Bud Anderson, is no longer as of May 17, 2024, reminding all Americans about his dedication to the Air Force Military with his 30 years of career and a recent promotion in 2022.
Bud Anderson recorded himself in history by making a total of 16.25 ‘kills’ He shared fews kills with other pilots. of German planes in dogfights during World War II.
He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1942, at 20, after getting his pilot’s license in 1941.
Anderson became the first to fly the P-51 Mustang after he was stationed in Europe in late 1943, eventually turning the tide of the air war in Europe.
Brig. Gen. “Bud” Anderson, the last American triple ace, passed away May 17, 2024, at 102 years old.
— U.S. Air Force (@usairforce) May 21, 2024
Blue skies and tailwinds, Wingman. Rest easy. pic.twitter.com/vZEBiyHeYt
While maintaining his military dedication, Bud Anderson retired as a Colonel in 1972.
At the time of retirement, Anderson had a wife, Eleanor Cosby Anderson, who married in 1945 and shared two children: daughter Kitty Burlington and son Jim Anderson.
Eleanor passed away on January 30, 2015, at 91, and now Bud Anderson followed his wife at the age of 102 after passing away while sleeping in his home on Friday, as confirmed by his daughter.
Bud Anderson was receiving annual retirement pay for his 30 years of dedication to the Air Force
Bud Anderson, full name Clarence Emil Bud Anderson, was born on January 13, 1922, in Oakland, California, to his mother, a secretary to several California governors, and his rancher father.
He grew up in Newcastle, Northeast of the state capital of Sacramento, and enrolled at Placer Union High School in Auburn, California.
Later, Anderson entered the United States Army in 1942 and served his country as a second lieutenant in the US Army Air Forces, earning an initial monthly paycheck of $138.00.
During his European tenure at the war, Anderson logged 480 hours of combat time, extending from March to December 1944, and took on 116 missions.
He gave his 30 years of youth to the American military and flew over 100 aircraft before retiring as a Colonel in 1972.
Since Bud Anderson enrolled in the military before September 8, 1980, and completed 20 years in the field, he could receive Military Pension benefits under the Final Pay retirement Plan.
It states that soldiers can receive 50% of their base salary. Looking at the present pay scale scenario, Bud Anderson might have received a monthly pension of $7,141, which is half of the recent Colonel salaries figure provided by Miltary-Ranks.
He also worked as a manager at McDonnell Aircraft Company’s Flight Test Facility until 1998, where his base salary might be around $110K annually.
WWII Veteran Clarence “Bud” Anderson of Auburn, CA, died on May 17, 2024 at 102. Anderson was a celebrated U.S. Air Force pilot who was the last surviving triple ace of WWII and the highest scoring P-51 Mustang pilot in his squadron.
— WWII Memorial Friends (@WWIIMemorial) May 22, 2024
Rest in Peace, Sir!#WeRememberThem pic.twitter.com/Vr4fKbKPe8
Meanwhile, in 2022, General Charles Q. Brown Jr., Air Force chief of staff, recently promoted Bud Anderson to the honorary rank of Brigadier General.
After the promotion, Anderson’s salary jumped to the current rate of between $ 82K and $134K. He can receive 50% of the base salary per the retirement plan.
So, in our estimation, Bud Anderson might have successfully listed himself on the millionaire list with an estimated net worth of around $2.5 million. Yet, the officials have yet to evaluate his overall assets.
May Bud Anderson’s gentle soul rest in peace. We at Superslice send our regards to his family.
Additional Information
- Bud Anderson and his wife, Eleanor Cosby, had two children, four grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.
- He was the last surviving Ace pilot who fought against Germany during World War II over Europe.
- Anderson also fought during the Vietnam War as the commander of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing to bombard enemies’ supply chains.
