| | | We loved this photo when we saw it. The two pictured are Dean “Diz” Laird and Clarence “Bud” Anderson, both World War II ace pilots. The photo was taken by Air Force Senior Airman Christian Conrad at the Travis Air Force Base in California, Nov. 10, 2020. Then we learned these guys are legends.
Dean is the only Navy ace with victories in the Pacific and European theaters of World War II. One of his 138 missions ended when he piloted his enemy fire riddled F6F Hellcat 250 miles and landed it on the USS Essex with no landing gear. In 2015 he received the Congressional Gold Medal for his service.
Bud is the highest scoring living ace pilot. During his 116 missions, he and his “Old Crow” (nickname) planes never took a hit. And he never had to turn back. He also received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2015.
Both went on to fly as test pilots. Today they are 100 and 99 years old, respectively. They were once high school students together in Auburn, California. Not every veteran can look to another with such shared life experience. These men reminded us to make an effort to honor those who serve and have served.
Not all our veterans had to witness tragedy, but all of them witnessed service. And that is what has defined them all.
Thank you for your service. | |
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