The last living triple ace of the United States Air Force in WW II passed away in his sleep yesterday at the age of 102. He had a long and star-studded career in aviation, starting out in 1944 and serving until 1972, including service in Vietnam where he completed 25 missions flying F-105 Thunderchiefs during bombing missions over the Ho Chi Mihn Trail in South East Asia/IndoChina.
After his military service, he became a test pilot in California along with his famous squadron mate, Gen. Chuck Yeager. He was among those called those with "The Right Stuff" in Tom Wolfe's book of that name. They were heralded as the pilots who would lead America into the space programs that eventually put John Glenn and Neil Armstrong into space and onto the moon in 1969.
Anderson and Yeager stayed friends long after WW II and enjoyed fishing among other past times during retirement. They were often sought after by historians to explain their personal stories for the next and future generations of astronauts and pilots. Anderson credited his perfect eyesight for his success in aerial combat. He said he was able to spot enemy(Nazi) aircraft well ahead of contact giving him and his fellow pilots an edge that allowed victories when dueling at 15,000 feet. He flew the P-51 Mustang, the single engine fighter that changed the course of the war by flying as fighter protection for the B-17 armadas that flew over Germany and destroyed the industrial heartland of the Third Reich. He flew along with Gen Yeager on their last mission in January, 1945. His aircraft carried the name"Old Crow" after his favorite whiskey. In Vietnam, he flew "Old Crow II".
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