Last Surviving World War II Triple Ace Laid to Rest at Arlington National Cemetery

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Hat tip, the Mid Atlantic Mil Air 2026 listeners' group.

Last Surviving World War II Triple Ace Laid to Rest at Arlington National Cemetery


Photo By Elizabeth Fraser | Airmen from the U.S. Air Force... read more

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA, UNITED STATES
03.30.2026
Courtesy Story
Arlington National Cemetery

On March 30, 2026, more than 100 people gathered at Arlington National Cemetery to honor and remember aviation legend Col. (Ret.) Clarence E. “Bud” Anderson, the last surviving World War II triple ace and one of the most distinguished fighter pilots in American history. (Shooting down five enemy aircraft qualifies a pilot as an ace.) Anderson, who passed away at age 102, was laid to rest in Section 38, joining his beloved wife of nearly 70 years, Eleanor “Ellie” Cosby, who was buried in 2015.

Anderson’s full military funeral honors with escort service commenced with a double flyover: first by four F-35 Lightnings, followed by four World War II-era P-51 Mustangs, two of which bore the name “Old Crow,” the name of Anderson’s fighter. A horse-drawn caisson carried Anderson’s urn to Section 38, where an Air Force firing team fired three volleys, a bugler sounded Taps and a bagpiper concluded the ceremony by playing “Amazing Grace.”

U.S. Air Force Chaplain (Capt.) Andrew Lloyd, who oversaw the service, told the mourners, “In life, Bud Anderson honored the flag with his service to the nation; now, it is our honor to present our nation’s flag in honorable and faithful service.” After the Color Guard crisply folded the American flag over Anderson’s urn, Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach presented it to Anderson’s son Jim, who then passed it to his sister Katherine “Kitty” Burlington, seated next to him. “We’re sharing it,” he later explained.

Receiving the flag from Gen. Wilsbach humbled Jim. “I appreciate that he would take time out of his busy schedule to be here,” he said. Both siblings were deeply moved by the service, particularly the double flyover. While Jim had worked to ensure that the P-51s would be part of the ceremony, the addition of the F-35s came as a surprise. “That was really special,” he said.

Anderson’s journey to becoming an aviation legend began in the 1920s, when he was growing up on a California farm and became fascinated by airplanes flying overhead. In 1941, at age 19, he earned his private pilot’s license. He joined the Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet Program in January 1942, shortly after the United States entered World War II, and was commissioned in the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) later that year. During World War II, Anderson served two tours with the USAAF’s 363rd Fighter Squadron, flying P-51 Mustangs that escorted heavy bombers—helping to win Allied air supremacy over Europe. He flew 116 individual combat missions that resulted in 16 ¼ kills, earning him “triple ace” status. After World War II, Anderson remained in the Army and then the Air Force, after it was established as a separate service branch in 1947. As a fighter pilot, test pilot, and combat and operational commander, Anderson logged over 7,500 flight hours and flew more than 130 types of aircraft. His many decorations include five Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Legion of Merits, 16 Air Medals, and the French Legion of Honor and Croix de Guerre.

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[Irish_Dem]

1. Col. Anderson is up in the wild blue yonder now.

[MustLoveBeagles]

2. Thank you for your service