Clarence "Bud" Anderson
P-51B  "Old Crow"

By Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette

This page is an exclusive interview and writings by Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette and the pilot of "Old Crow", Bud Anderson.

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Clarence E. “Bud” Anderson Jr.

By Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette

Clarence Anderson graduated from U S Army Air Corp flight training in September 1942. When the 357thFighter Group was formed, Anderson joined its 363^rd Fighter Squadron. The 357^th was transferred to England in November 1943 and was the first unit in the Eight Air Force to be equipped with the new P-51 Mustangs.

On March 8, 1944 “Bud” scored his first aerial victory during a mission to Berlin. His flight found three Bf 109’s attacking a straggling B-17. Someone in his group shot down one of the German fighters. “Bud” engaged another, which sent them both in a turning contest in which neither pilot could get a good shot at the other. Finally, ”Bud” pulled the nose of his plane up hard till the Bf109 was just out of sight under the nose of his Mustang. He fired a long burst from his guns. Even though Bud could not see the Luftwaffe fighter it was because of the angle of the turn both fighters were engaged in. The bullets went right where he thought the enemy should be in his turn. “Bud” eased back on the stick and watched the Bf109 come back into view. As the Bf109 appeared, it was loosing coolant with the pilot bailing out. Good shot.

During an escort mission on May 27^th 1944, to Ludwigshafen, the Luftwaffe came up in force. Anderson’s group was answering a distress call from some bombers when four Bf109’s intercepted him and his flight. Mustangs and 109's were twisted in the sky acrobatically. The Germans tried to out maneuver the Mustangs. Anderson pulled behind one of the 109’s and fired a burst from his 50’s into the enemy aircraft. Pieces flew off the plane as it rolled over and went out of control streaming black smoke. “Bud” then pulled behind a second plane in their formation. The German tried to out climb him and was successful twice till on the third try “Bud” and the German were almost flying strait up. Fighting the German’s prop wash, gravity, and stalling, “Bud” was able to bring his guns to bear on the 109. As he fired, flashes appeared showing hits. An explosion rocked the 109, which then rolled over and fell from the sky.

All his fellow pilots have complemented Anderson’s flying ability. His friend Chuck Yeager described him as “a mongoose, the best combat pilot I ever saw.” So aggressive was Anderson’s skill in intimating the enemy, that one German pilot simply bailed out before “Bud” was able to fire. Another pilot flew into the ground trying to avoid him. On June 29^th 1944, Anderson downed three FW 190’s including the flight leader on a mission to Leipzig.

In his 116 missions totaling 480 combat flying hours, Anderson always returned “Old Crow” undamaged! The P-51B-15, shown above, was Anderson’s favorite. Anderson scored eight victories in this aircraft making it the most he had scored in any one particular fighter. Anderson flew 40 of the 74 missions of his first tour in this “Old Crow”.  Shown above with the black and white “D-Day” invasion stripes, Anderson flew many missions during the Normandy invasion attacking targets of opportunity behind the beachhead.

During his two tours of combat, “Bud” Anderson either led his flight, the squadron or sometimes the whole Group on every mission he flew. His ground crew maintained “Old Crow” with perfection. Anderson never had to abort a combat mission because of mechanical problems or any other reason.

Losing friends is the toughest part of combat duty. Of the 28 original pilots Anderson started with, fifteen were killed in action or taken prisoner.

Anderson ended his second tour of the war as a Triple Ace and a Major at the age of 23. Anderson stayed in the Air Force and commanded an F-86 squadron. He also enjoyed a long career as a test pilot in the fifties. “Bud” also commanded two Tactical Fighter Wings, and flew combat missions in the F-105 Thunderchief in South East Asia.

Anderson was decorated 25 times. He earned the Legion of Merit with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Distinguished Flying Cross with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Bronze Star, the Air Medal with 15 Oak Leaf Clusters and the French Croix de Guerre as well as numerous campaign and service ribbons. After 30 years of continuous service, Bud retired as a Colonel on March 1 1972.

Bud Anderson and Artist.

All research, writings and artwork are by Sir Ernie Hamilton Boyette.

No one is permitted to republish any part of this story with out my personal permission.

Please call or e-mail me for any use of this story.

I do not mind sharing, just call or e-mail and ask for permission.

Sir. Ernie Hamilton Boyette

904-282-4198

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Started 2-10-07