U.S. Air Force Col. Clarence “Bud” Anderson Honored with Full Military Funeral
A full military funeral honors were held on March 30, 2026, at Arlington National Cemetery. The service took place in Section 38, Arlington, Virginia.
Ceremony details
U.S. Air Force Honor Guard airmen provided the honors. The U.S. Air Force Band’s Ceremonial Brass performed during the ceremony.
Soldiers from the U.S. Army’s 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment, The Old Guard Caisson Detachment, provided the escort. The U.S. flag was presented to his son, James Anderson.
Subject of the ceremony
U.S. Air Force Col. Clarence “Bud” Anderson was honored at the service. He was recognized as the last living American triple flying ace of World War II.
Photographer Elizabeth Fraser documented the event. The image was released through DVIDS and published by Filmogaz.com.
Military career and achievements
Anderson’s career spanned about 30 years across the USAAF and the U.S. Air Force. He served through World War II and the Cold War in multiple roles.
He flew more than 130 different aircraft and logged over 7,500 flight hours. His duties included fighter pilot, combat commander, test pilot, and flight test leader.
World War II service
He enlisted in the Aviation Cadet Program in January 1942. He earned his wings and commission in September 1942.
Anderson flew two combat tours in Europe. From November 1943 to January 1945, he served with the 363rd Fighter Squadron of the 357th Fighter Group, Eighth Air Force.
He flew 116 combat missions. He was credited with destroying more than 16 enemy aircraft in aerial combat.
Postwar and later service
After World War II, he remained on active duty. In post-armistice Korea, he commanded an F-86 Sabre fighter-bomber squadron.
He later led an F-105 Thunderchief wing in Okinawa, Japan. During the Vietnam War, he commanded the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing and flew bombing missions against enemy supply lines.
He retired with the rank of colonel in 1972. In 2008, he was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.
In 2022, he received an honorary promotion to brigadier general.
Awards and family
His decorations included two Legion of Merits and five Distinguished Flying Crosses. He also received 16 Air Medals.
Foreign honors included the French Legion of Honor and the French Croix de Guerre. He was married to Eleanor for nearly 70 years until her death in 2015.
The funeral proceedings concluded with full military funeral honors and the flag presentation to his son, James Anderson.
Photo metadata: taken and posted March 30, 2026. Location: Arlington, Virginia. The image is public domain and credited to Elizabeth Fraser via DVIDS, as published by Filmogaz.com.
