To Fly and Fight: Memoirs of a Triple Ace [Hardcover]

Clarence E. Anderson (Author), Joseph P. Hamelin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1999

Touching, thoughtful, and dead honest, To Fly and Fight is the story of a boy who grew up living his dream. During World War II Anderson flew with Chuck Yeager in the famed 357th Squadron where he became a triple ace by shooting out of the sky fifteen enemy planes. Following World

War II, Anderson became a test pilot and later commanded jet fighter squadrons in South Korea and Okinawa. Then, in 1970, at an age when most pilots have long-since retired, Anderson flew combat strikes over Vietnam.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Anderson flew P-51 Mustangs in the WW II European theater and shot down 17 German planes. Writing with freelancer Hamelin, he here relates his spectacular aerial confrontations with Messerschmitts and Focke-Wulfs, defines (in understandable technical detail) what "combat flying skill" really means and conveys the unique mindset a fighter pilot needs in order to survive. Anderson, who became an Air Force test pilot during the postwar "golden age of flight testing," recalls hair-raising incidents highlighting the challenge and risk of such work. After an onerous tour of desk-duty in Washington ("A colonel at the Pentagon is nothing but a glorified clerk"), he became one of the few fighter pilots to serve in combat both in WW II and Vietnam. This is an entertaining and instructive book for hardcore air combat buffs, who will find particularly interesting Anderson's comparisons between flying prop-driven Mustangs and high-performance jets in enemy skies. Photos.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Anderson, a California farm boy who loved hot cars and airplanes, earned his wings in the Army Air Corps in September 1942 and flew P-39s. Sent to Europe in 1944, his squadron traded in their P-39s for P-51 Mustangs. Anderson flew 116 missions with the Mustang and shot down 17 enemy planes without receiving a single hit to his own plane. He also served in the Korean War and Vietnam, and as a test pilot. In the course of his 30-year career in the Air Force he was decorated 25 times. Hamelin, a sportswriter, does a highly credible job of telling Anderson's story. He skillfully interweaves anecdotes by men who flew with Anderson, such as fellow World War II section leader Chuck Yeager. Anderson's accounts of some of the projects he flew as a test pilot, as well as his candid remarks on the early space and high altitude programs give the reader an insider's view. An exceptional account of an exceptional man. Highly recommended. Photos not seen.
- George F. Scheck, Naval Underwater System Ctr. Lib., Newport, R.I.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 306 pages
• Publisher: Pacifica Press (CA); First Edition Thus edition (July 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9355533470
• ISBN-13: 978-9355533470
• ASIN: 0935553347
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #384,361 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Memories of a Triple Ace, January 14, 2000

By 

Gregory Pierce, President 8th AFHS, WS (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Fly and Fight: Memoirs of a Triple Ace (Hardcover)

Triple Ace Col. "Bud" Anderson takes you to his first encounters with aircraft as a young boy in rural California. With WWII Captain Anderson finds himself flying missions over Nazi Germany and encountering a number of talented Luftwaffe pilots as the 357th FG makes its effort for Air Supremacy in 1944. Follow this wonderful pilot as he tests aircraft for the Air force followed by a trip to Vietnam. As you read the book keep in mind the author is "still" flying OLD CROW at airshows! No lack of good adventure in "To Fly and Fight". Hard to put down once you pick it up!

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly outstanding, November 7, 1999

By 

Ernest ([e-mail]) (Edwards AFB CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Fly and Fight: Memoirs of a Triple Ace (Hardcover)

Col. Anderson's accounts of his flying in WWII and as a test pilot are truly memorable. While the writing style is course, it reflects his verbal recollections. I heard Col. Anderson speak at a Test Pilot School graduation; the way he told his stories and his dry humor are as much evident in the book as when he was on the stage. The room was full of test pilots and their families, and you could hear a pin drop. One of the very best books on a man and his love of flying, duty, honor, country, and his family. A must read!

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars To Fly & Fight, November 12, 2000

By 

Thomas A. Goodwin (Modesto, California United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: To Fly and Fight: Memoirs of a Triple Ace (Hardcover)

As an avid reader of World War Two History. And being a Viet Nam Veteran; I found this book to be a most fascinating history; Of "Not Only the Man"; But his recollections of his life growing up oin Rural California in the 1930's & 1940's. His enlistment in the Army Air Corp; And his experiences in England during the war. This is "No dry" mundane slow reading military text book. Colonol Anderson, tells of his love for flying and his vivid discriptions of Europe during World War Two; Help the reader to picture what it was like for an average guy; Who has a love for flying and trying his best to stay alive in a extremly hostile environment. He does not dwell on the sadder aspects of war. But trys to explain how he learned to cope with these stressors; And still fullfill his dream of flying. He also go's to great lengths to discuss the other aircraft he had flown. His adventures in P-39's and T-6 Texans. I found his book to be non-judgemental; But very fair to all the persons good and bad that he had come to know in his life. He only briefly discusses his flying career during the Viet Nam Conflict. But then this book was not written with Viet Nam in mind solely. This book is about the man; His love of flying.

I found this book to enlightning; refreshing; funny; sad; extrordinary; And written with a smooth tempo and hums along like the engine of a P-51 Mustang. The Book and the Man are unseperable. He takes you up in his Mustang with him through his rememberences. And brings you home to the runway just as a good pilot would do today. I would recommend this book to anyone who has not only an intrest in World War Two. But an intrest in a "Great Man" who lived an extrordinary life. Fighting for all of us; Flying for all of us. This man is a "TRUE"; American Hero.