Rudolph Anderson
Encyclopedia
Rudolf Anderson, Jr. 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.
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. 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.
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. 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.
. 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, in 1948. 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 Sabre
s and earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses for flying vital reconnaissance missions during the Korean conflict. 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." 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.
s in the Korean War
.
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.
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.
, with Chip Esten
playing the role of Major Anderson.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
, and the first recipient of the Air Force Cross
Air Force Cross (United States)
The Air Force Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Air Force. The Air Force Cross is the Air Force decoration equivalent to the Distinguished Service Cross and the Navy Cross .The Air Force Cross is awarded for extraordinary heroism...
. Anderson was killed when his U-2
Lockheed U-2
The Lockheed U-2, nicknamed "Dragon Lady", is a single-engine, very high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft operated by the United States Air Force and previously flown by the Central Intelligence Agency . It provides day and night, very high-altitude , all-weather intelligence gathering...
reconnaissance aircraft was shot down while overflying Cuban airspace during the Cuban Missile Crisis
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a confrontation among the Soviet Union, Cuba and the United States in October 1962, during the Cold War...
; he was the only casualty that occurred as a result of enemy fire during the confrontation.
Cuban Missile Crisis
Originally flown by the CIA, the USAF took over the Lockheed U-2Lockheed U-2
The Lockheed U-2, nicknamed "Dragon Lady", is a single-engine, very high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft operated by the United States Air Force and previously flown by the Central Intelligence Agency . It provides day and night, very high-altitude , all-weather intelligence gathering...
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
Laughlin Air Force Base
Laughlin Air Force Base is a facility of the United States Air Force located five miles east of the central business district of Del Rio, Texas.-Overview:...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. 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
Cuban Missile Crisis
The Cuban Missile Crisis was a confrontation among the Soviet Union, Cuba and the United States in October 1962, during the Cold War...
.
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
McCoy Air Force Base
With McCoy's closure as an active air force installation in 1975, the site was redeveloped and is known today as Orlando International Airport, which carries the airport code MCO .- History :...
in Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, and was shot down by a Soviet-supplied S-75 Dvina
S-75 Dvina
The S-75 Dvina is a Soviet-designed, high-altitude, command guided, surface-to-air missile system...
(NATO designation SA-2 Guideline) surface-to-air missile
Surface-to-air missile
A surface-to-air missile or ground-to-air missile is a missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy aircraft or other missiles...
near Banes, Cuba
Banes, Cuba
Banes is a municipality and city in the Holguín Province of Cuba.The name comes from the inhabitants Taino language word Bani, meaning "valley".-Demographics:In 2004, the municipality of Banes had a population of 81,274...
. "The loss of the U-2 over Banes was probably caused by intercept by an SA-2 from the Banes site, or pilot hypoxia
Hypoxia (medical)
Hypoxia, or hypoxiation, is a pathological condition in which the body as a whole or a region of the body is deprived of adequate oxygen supply. Variations in arterial oxygen concentrations can be part of the normal physiology, for example, during strenuous physical exercise...
, with the former appearing more likely on the basis of present information," stated a CIA document dated 0200 hrs, 28 October 1962. Anderson was killed when shrapnel from the exploding proximity warhead punctured his pressure suit
Pressure suit
A pressure suit is a protective suit worn by high-altitude pilots who may fly at altitudes where the air pressure is too low for an unprotected person to survive, even breathing pure oxygen at positive pressure. Such suits may be either full-pressure or partial-pressure...
, causing it to decompress at high altitude. On 31 October, Acting United Nations Secretary U Thant
U Thant
U Thant was a Burmese diplomat and the third Secretary-General of the United Nations, from 1961 to 1971. He was chosen for the post when his predecessor, Dag Hammarskjöld, died in September 1961....
, returning from a visit with Premier Fidel Castro, announced that Major Anderson was dead.
By order of President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
, Major Anderson was posthumously awarded the first Air Force Cross
Air Force Cross (United States)
The Air Force Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Air Force. The Air Force Cross is the Air Force decoration equivalent to the Distinguished Service Cross and the Navy Cross .The Air Force Cross is awarded for extraordinary heroism...
, as well as the Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal (Army)
The Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Army that is presented to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the United States military, has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a duty of great...
, the Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
, and the Cheney Award
Cheney Award
The Cheney Award is an aviation award presented by the United States Air Force in memory of 1st Lt. William Cheney, who was killed in an air collision over Italy in 1918...
. 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.
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
55th Wing
The 55th Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to Air Combat Command. The unit is stationed at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska....
were killed in crashes during the period between 27 September and 11 November 1962. Further, seven crew died when a Boeing C-135B Stratolifter delivering ammunition to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base
Guantanamo Bay Naval Base
Guantanamo Bay Naval Base is located on of land and water at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba which the United States leased for use as a coaling station following the Cuban-American Treaty of 1903. The base is located on the shore of Guantánamo Bay at the southeastern end of Cuba. It is the oldest overseas...
stalled and crashed on approach on October 23.
Air Force Cross citation
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.
Personal life
Anderson was born in Greenville, South CarolinaGreenville, South Carolina
-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout
Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)
Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America . A Scout who attains this rank is called an Eagle Scout or Eagle. Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than 2 million young men...
from Greenville's Boy Scout Troop 19, graduated from high school in Greenville, and graduated from Clemson University
Clemson University
Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....
as a member of Air Force ROTC Detachment 770, in 1948. 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 Sabre
F-86 Sabre
The North American F-86 Sabre was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War...
s and earned two Distinguished Flying Crosses for flying vital reconnaissance missions during the Korean conflict. 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." 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.
Memorial
A memorial to Anderson was erected in the 1960s at Cleveland Park in Greenville, and exists . 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 SabreF-86 Sabre
The North American F-86 Sabre was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War...
s in the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
.
Every year a memorial service is held in his honor in late October.
The auditorium for the 47th Operations Group
47th Operations Group
The 47th Operations Group is the flying component of the 47th Flying Training Wing, assigned to the United States Air Force Air Education and Training Command. The group is stationed at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas.-Overview:...
at Laughlin AFB, Texas, is named in his honor.
The Arnold Air Society
Arnold Air Society
The Arnold Air Society is a professional, honorary, service organization advocating the support of aerospace power. AAS is open to officer candidates in Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps and at the United States Air Force Academy , and is formally affiliated with the Air Force Association...
Squadron at Clemson University is named in his honor.
Wreckage
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 RevolutionMuseum of the Revolution
The Museum of the Revolution is a museum located in the Old Havana section of Havana, Cuba. The museum is housed in what was the Presidential Palace of all Cuban presidents from Mario García Menocal to Fulgencio Batista...
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
Museo del Aire (Cuba)
The Museo del Aire was a national aviation museum located in the south-western suburbs of Havana, Cuba. Until August 2010, the Museum address was: Museo del Aire, Avenida 212, entre la avenida 29 y 31, La Coronela, La Lisa...
, Havana. One of the engine intakes is at the Museo Girón at Girón
Giron
Giron is a commune in the Ain department in eastern France.-Population:...
village, in the province of Matanzas, at the entrance to Bahia de Cochinos or Bay of Pigs.
Popular culture
The shooting down of Anderson's reconnaissance flight over Cuba is featured in the film Thirteen DaysThirteen Days (film)
Thirteen Days is a 2000 docudrama directed by Roger Donaldson about the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962, seen from the perspective of the US political leadership. Kevin Costner stars, with Bruce Greenwood featured as John F. Kennedy....
, with Chip Esten
Chip Esten
Charles "Chip" Esten Puskar III is an American comedian, actor and singer known for his appearances on the improvisation show Whose Line Is It Anyway?....
playing the role of Major Anderson.
External links
- Air Force Link: Maj. Rudolf Anderson Jr. from the official USAFUnited States Air ForceThe United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
website - 'The Twelfth Day' by Liz Newell from the Clemson UniversityClemson UniversityClemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....
alumni magazine website - Major Rudolf Anderson, Jr. on ClemsonWiki by Mark Sublette from the Clemson Wiki website