WWII TRIPLE ACE BUD ANDERSON

Colonel Bud Anderson is the last living WWII Triple Ace fighter pilot!

During WWII, Bud flew the  P-51 Mustang named "Old Crow" while assigned to the famed 357th Fighter Group "Yoxford Boys," 8th Air Force.   He has flown 116 combat missions (480 hrs) including "Operation Overlord" over Normandy, France on D-Day.   

Bud was the leading Ace of the 363rd Fighter Squadron, credited with destroying 16 and 1/4 enemy aircraft in aerial combat and another one on the ground.

Colonel Anderson has an extensive flight testing background that spans over a 25 year period.  He has flown over 130 different types of aircraft and has logged over 7,500 flying hours.  He also served as Commander of an F-86 Squadron in post war Korea and was Commander of an F-105 Wing on Okinawa during Vietnam.  Bud completed two assignments with the Pentagon as an advanced R & D staff planner and as Director of Operational Requirements. 

While serving in Southeast Asia where he was Commander of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, Col. Anderson flew bombing strikes against enemy supply lines and later was in charge of closing the first large air base when his combat wing was deactivated.

Col. Anderson was decorated 25 times.  His awards include 2 Legion of Merits, 5 Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star, 16 Air Medals, the French Legion of Honor and the French Croix de Guerre, as well as many campaign and service ribbons.

Bud's many achievements include:

• 2008 - Inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame

• 2013 - Inducted into the San Diego Air and Space Museum's International Hall of Fame

• 2015 - Awarded the Air Force Congressional Gold Medal with all the American Fighter Aces

• 2017 - Bud Inducted in the EAA Warbirds of America Hall of Fame and awarded the Air Force's Association 's Lifetime Achievement Award

At 99 years of age, Bud remains active in the aviation community giving speeches and presentations with great emphasis on encouraging our youth to "Live Their Dreams!"

You can read more about Bud's legacy of flight in his book, TO FLY AND FIGHT;  MEMOIRS OF A TRIPLE ACE  

https://www.amazon.com/Fly-Fight-Memoirs-Triple-Ace-ebook/dp/B0794ZNDZN

The Operation "Call-To-Service" Live Your Dreams segment is in loving memory of the President of Colonel Bud Anderson's Super Fan Club, Kelly Kreeger                     (October 31,1958 - July 5, 2020)

The LIVE YOUR DREAMS episode is a tribute to Kelly Kreeger for her service to the aviation community, Colonel Bud Anderson and his Super Fan Club. 

...Butterflies and Old Crows unite in their passion of flight to inspire others to "Live Their Dreams!"