SerpApi.Org
One of the missions of Warbirds of America is to educate future generations about the actions of military pilots during times of war. One way to do that is to create monuments to remember them.
On Tuesday, July 21, the group unveiled a statue to honor Brigadier General C.E. "Bud" Anderson, one of America's "triple aces" during World War II, in the warbirds section of the EAA AirVenture grounds at Wittman Regional Airport (KOSH) in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Anderson died in May 2024 at the age of 102 and laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.
The bronze likeness of the famous flyer stands outside the Warbird PX (souvenir shop) on a granite platform with an engraved plaque explaining who he was and what he did for the U.S. during the war. To become an "ace", a fighter pilot must have at least five confirmed aerial combat victories. Anderson was credited with 16 in his P-51 Mustang.
- READ MORE: 10 Must-Read Books for Military Aviation History Fans
- READ MORE: Living Historian Groups Walk Back in Time at Airshows
Clarence Emil Anderson was born on January 13, 1922, in Oakland, California. He grew up on a farm in the central part of the Golden State and developed an interest in aviation as a teen.
In December 1941 when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, drawing the U.S. into WWII, he was working at Sacramento Air Depot. In January 1942 he enlisted in the Army as an aviation cadet with intent to fly for the military.
He completed his training in September 1942 and began flying Bell P-39 Aircobra with the 329th Fighter Squadron of the 328th Fighter Group at Hamilton Field in California. He stayed in the states until November 1943 as part of the 357th Fighter Group, which flew P-51 Mustangs.
Anderson made a career of the military. Promoted to major at 22, he served as a wing commander for the 357th Fighter Group's 69th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 18th Tactical Fighter, Wing, and 355th Tactical Fighter Wing. His last combat tour was in Vietnam.
He retired a full colonel in 1972 and went to work in the flight test management division of McDonnell Douglas. He was a member of the National Aviation Hall of Fame, a sought-after speaker and much-respected celebrity at AirVenture.
He was a frequent visitor to Oshkosh. Well into his 90s, he attended aviation events, often as a much sought-after guest speaker. It was not uncommon for him to be surrounded by aviation fans and pilots who hung on his every word.
In 2022 he received an honorary promotion to brigadier general.
The inscription on the monument notes his unit commands and ends with: "His legacy of integrity, service and sacrifice endures as a lasting tribute to The Greatest Generation."
