| Rudolf Anderson, Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 15, 1927 Greenville, South Carolina |
| Died | October 27, 1962 (aged 35) |
| Buried at | Greenville, South Carolina |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/branch | U.S. Air Force |
| Rank | Major |
| Battles/wars | Korean War Cuban Missile Crisis |
| Awards | Air Force Cross Air Force Distinguished Service Distinguished Flying Cross (2) Purple Heart Cheney Award |
Rudolf Anderson, Jr. (15 September 1927 – 27 October 1962) was a pilot and officer in the United States Air Force, and the first recipient of the Air Force Cross. Anderson was killed when his U-2 reconnaissance aircraft was shot down while overflying Cuban airspace during the Cuban Missile Crisis; he was the only casualty that occurred as a result of enemy fire during the confrontation.
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Originally flown by the CIA, the USAF took over the Lockheed U-2 high altitude reconnaissance missions of Cuba on 14 October 1962, using CIA U-2 aircraft that were remarked with USAF insignia. Anderson was part of the 4028th Strategic Reconnaissance Weather Squadron, 4080th Strategic Wing, headquartered at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. On 15 October, when CIA analysts studied reconnaissance film from the first 4080th overflight, they found SS-4 medium-range ballistic missiles. These pictures triggered the Cuban Missile Crisis.
On 27 October, Major Anderson took off in a U-2F (AF Serial Number 56-6676, Article 343) from a forward operating location at McCoy Air Force Base in Orlando, Florida, and was shot down by a Soviet-supplied S-75 Dvina (NATO designation SA-2 Guideline) surface-to-air missile near Banes, Cuba. "The loss of the U-2 over Banes was probably caused by intercept by an SA-2 from the Banes site, or pilot hypoxia, with the former appearing more likely on the basis of present information," stated a CIA document dated 0200 hrs, 28 October 1962.[1] Anderson was killed when shrapnel from the exploding proximity warhead punctured his pressure suit, causing it to decompress at high altitude. On 31 October, Acting United Nations Secretary U Thant, returning from a visit with Premier Fidel Castro, announced that Major Anderson was dead.
By order of President John F. Kennedy, Major Anderson was posthumously awarded the first Air Force Cross, as well as the Distinguished Service Medal, the Purple Heart, and the Cheney Award. On 26 July 2011, Anderson was inducted into the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps Distinguished Alumni in a ceremony at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, officiated by Lt Gen Allen G. Peck, Commander, Air University. [2]
Although Major Anderson was the only combat fatality during the crisis, eleven crew of three reconnaissance variant Boeing RB-47 Stratojets of the 55th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing were killed in crashes during the period between 27 September and 11 November 1962.[3] Further, seven crew died when a Boeing C-135B Stratolifter delivering ammunition to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base stalled and crashed on approach on October 23. [4]
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pride in presenting the Air Force Cross (Posthumously) to Major Rudolf Anderson, Jr., United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Pilot of a U-2 airplane with the 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, Strategic Air Command (SAC), from 15 October 1962 to 27 October 1962. During this period of great national crisis, Major Anderson, flying an unescorted, unarmed aircraft, lost his life while participating in one of several aerial reconnaissance missions over Cuba. While executing these aerial missions, Major Anderson made photographs which provided the United States government with conclusive evidence of the introduction of long-range offensive missiles into Cuba and which materially assisted our leaders in charting the nation's military and diplomatic course. Through his extraordinary heroism, superb airmanship, and aggressiveness in the face of the enemy, Major Anderson reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.
Anderson was born in Greenville, South Carolina. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout from Greenville's Boy Scout Troop 19, graduated from high school in Greenville, and graduated from Clemson University as a member of Air Force ROTC Detachment 770[5], in 1948.[6] Following commissioning as a 2d Lieutenant, he completed primary and advanced pilot training and received his Air Force aeronautical rating as a pilot. He began his operational career flying F-86 Sabres and earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses for flying vital reconnaissance missions during the Korean War. First qualifying on the U-2 on September 3, 1957, "he became the 4080th Strategic Reconnaissance Wing's top U-2 pilot with over one thousand hours, making him a vital part of the United States' reconnaissance operations over Cuba in late October of 1962." [7] Following the conclusion of the Cuban Missile Crisis, his body was returned to the United States and interred in Greenville on 6 November 1962 at Woodlawn Memorial Park.[8]
A memorial to Anderson was erected in the 1960s at Cleveland Park in Greenville, and exists as of 2011[update]. No surplus U-2 aircraft were available at the time of its creation, so North American YF-86H-1-NA Sabre fighter jet, 52-1976 was mounted on a plinth instead; he flew F-86 Sabres in the Korean War.[9]
Every year a memorial service is held in his honor in late October.
The auditorium for the 47th Operations Group at Laughlin AFB, Texas, is named in his honor.
The Arnold Air Society Squadron at Clemson University is named in his honor. [10]
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Some of the wreckage of Major Anderson's aircraft can be found in three museums in Cuba. The engine and portion of the tail assembly from the U-2 is on display at the Museum of the Revolution in Havana. The right wing, a portion of the tail assembly, and front landing gear are currently on display at the Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabaña, or La Cabaña, Havana. These were previously on display at the Museo del Aire, Havana. One of the engine intakes is at the Museo Girón at Girón village, in the province of Matanzas, at the entrance to Bahia de Cochinos or Bay of Pigs. |
The shooting down of Anderson's reconnaissance flight over Cuba is featured in the film Thirteen Days, with Chip Esten playing the role of Major Anderson.
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