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To Fly and Fight  By  cover art

To Fly and Fight

By: Clarence E. Bud Anderson
Narrated by: Joshua Katinger
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Publisher's summary

Bud Anderson is a flyers flyer. The Californians enduring love of flying began in the 1920s with the planes that flew over his father's farm. In January 1942, he entered the Army Air Corps Aviation Cadet Program.

Later after he received his wings and flew P-39s, he was chosen as one of the original flight leaders of the new 357th Fighter Group. Equipped with the new and deadly P-51 Mustang, the group shot down five enemy aircraft for each one it lost while escorting bombers to targets deep inside Germany. But the price was high. Half of its pilots were killed or imprisoned, including some of Buds closest friends.

In February 1944, Bud Anderson, entered the uncertain, exhilarating, and deadly world of aerial combat. He flew two tours of combat against the Luftwaffe in less than a year. In battles sometimes involving hundreds of airplanes, he ranked among the groups leading aces with 16 aerial victories. He flew 116 missions in his old crow without ever being hit by enemy aircraft or turning back for any reason, despite one life or death confrontation after another.

His friend Chuck Yeager, who flew with Anderson in the 357th, says, In an airplane, the guy was a mongoose...the best fighter pilot I ever saw.

Bud's years as a test pilot were at least as risky. In one bizarre experiment, he repeatedly linked up in midair with a B-29 bomber, wingtip to wingtip. In other tests, he flew a jet fighter that was launched and retrieved from a giant B-36 bomber. As in combat, he lost many friends flying tests such as these.Bud commanded a squadron of F-86 jet fighters in postwar Korea, and a wing of F-105s on Okinawa during the mid-1960s. In 1970 at age 48, he flew combat strikes as a wing commander against communist supply lines.

To Fly and Fight is about flying, plain and simple: the joys and dangers and the very special skills it demands. Touching, thoughtful, and dead-honest, it is the story of a boy who grew up living his dream.

©1990, 2011, 2019 Clarence E. "Bud" Anderson (P)2023 Clarence E. "Bud" Anderson

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Fantastic!!!

I have seen General Anderson speak several times at Oshkosh. He is a true national treasure. This book is absolutely fantastic!!!

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You will like it

If you are searching for this type of book, then you have found it. I bought the autographed hard copy after listening.

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Excellent account of an amazing individual.

Excellent narration by Josh. What an amazing person Bud was. I wish I had known about him before now.

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Buds Life.

Incredible story, Listened twice, and read the physical book. Fantastic Book. Would recommend to anyone with even a hint of interest in WW2 Aviation.

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detail

first half too much detail. second half short on action ending test pilot. disappointing action short

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Wonderful

Excellent story of a terrific life. What a guy! We all owe men like him our gratitude. Thanks

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Outstanding!

My father was the same age as Bud. They followed similar paths. However, instead of deploying, dad stayed as a P-39 instructor in Thomasville, GA until the end of the war. He deployed to Nuremberg right after VE Day in May of 45, for 6 weeks, flying P-51's in reconnaissance missions against the Soviets. He went on to become C.O. of one of the Ohio ANG squadrons at Wright-Patterson from 1946 to 1951. He had the squadron with both P-51D & H models. Afterwards he flew for TWA from 1951 - 1982. We lost him in 2009.

This book brought back so many memories of his stories. Including one where 2 test pilots (Yeager & Hoover) "borrowed" 2 of his Mustangs for a night of barnstorming! Ha Ha Ha. I heard an interview with them reminiscening about it.

Bud, the story of Chuck & You doing your demonstration & victory roll in Glamorous Glen & Old Crow brought tears to my eyes.

You have had an amazing life.

God Bless You

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McClellan

I’ve met the general at the museum at my “home” base, McClellan AFB. I’ve read a lot of these memoirs and this one is the best. Fly safe, Sir!
- Daniel

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Great WW2 dogfighting stories!

After reading the memoirs of Chuck Yeager, and Robin Olds this made a great addition to my library!

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Always enjoyable and never boring.

What an incredible life! I really enjoyed Bud’s story and look forward to the next update!

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