Desert Lightning News, Nellis-Creech AFB Edition, May 10, 2019

vol. 3, no. 10 Serving Southern Nevada’s military community, including Nellis, Creech and NTTR may 10, 2019 An Aerotech news And review publicAtion • www.Aerotechnews.com
Three-time ace, World War II, Vietnam War veteran visits Nellis
By Airman 1st Class Bryan Guthrie
Nellis AFB, Nev.
Retired Col. Clarence Ander- son, highest scoring living ace, visited Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., for a meet and greet with leader- ship and Airmen, April 25 at the Nellis Club.
Anderson earned his title of three-time ace for successfully shooting down 16 adversary air- craft. For every five aircraft he shot down, he received one ace.
The 30-year veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps and U.S. Air Force met Airmen, recalled some of his countless stories and participated in a Q&A session.
“My favorite time while flying was my World War II experience,” said Anderson. “I was in England flying a brand-new P-51 Mustang that had long range and was very maneuverable.”
During the meet and greet, Col. Shane Henderson, 57th Mainte- nance Group commander, asked Anderson if he could recount a memorable experience he had with his crew chiefs during his career.
Anderson replied with a story about a time when he jokingly asked his crew to repaint his air- craft. While it was lifted for heavy maintenance, Anderson teased that he’d like a natural aluminum paint scheme on it.
“The next day walking out to my P-51, it sat out there with a new gleaming aluminum,” said Ander- son. “I couldn’t believe it. The three guys standing there had huge grins on their faces, but I felt horrible. Their hands were raw from using whatever they could find to get the old paint off.”
Anderson praised his crew chiefs for their hard work and dedication.
“I can’t say enough for the crew chiefs of the world,” said Anderson. “Any pilot out there should pat
them on the back.”
Throughout the Q&A, Nellis
Airmen asked Anderson many questions about his life in and out of the service.
Anderson recounted how he served two combat tours during World War II. He flew 116 combat missions, accumulating 480 hours of flight time in aerial combat. In addition, he destroyed 16 enemy aircraft in aerial combat and one more on the ground. His achieve- ments earned him 25 decorations, including two Legions of Merit, five Distinguished Flying Crosses, 16 Air Medals, the Bronze Star and the French Croix De Guerre. After a long, successful career An- derson retired in 1972. However, he continued to fly P-51s until the mid-1980s.
Before his visit was over, Ander- son expressed his appreciation for Nellis and its outstanding Airmen.
“The squadrons I’ve visited are still young, clean-cut Americans doing their job and serving their country the best they can,” said An- derson. “I’m very proud of them.”
Air Force photographs by Airman 1st Class Bryan Guthrie
Col. Ronald Gilbert, 57th Wing vice commander meets with retired Col. Clarence Anderson, World War II and Vietnam War veteran, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 25, 2018. Anderson began his career in 1942 after entering the U.S. Army Aviation cadet program and retired as a colonel after 30 years of service.
Retired Col. Clarence Anderson, a World War II and Vietnam War veteran, speaks into a microphone at the Nellis Club on Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 25, 2019. Anderson was decorated 25 times including two Legions of merit, five Distinguished Flying Crosses, 16 Air Medals, the Bronze Star and the French Croix De Guerre.
Retired Col. Clarence Anderson, World War II and Vietnam War veteran, views a display full of Air Force and Army Air Corps relics at the Nellis Club on Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., April 25, 2019. During World War II, Anderson served two combat tours escorting heavy bombers over Europe in the P-51 Mustang.
INSIDE: Commentary - 2; News — 3-4; Veteran’s News — 5; Hometown Heroes — 6