Rudolf Anderson Air Force Cross citation

THE UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

AIR FORCE CROSS

PRESENTED TO

MAJOR RUDOLF ANDERSON JR.
UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

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. (AFSN: 0-53065), 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.

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Born: Sept. 15, 1927 in Greenville, S.C…. Flew combat missions during the Korean War as an F-86 Sabre pilot… Also awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses… First-ever recipient of the awarded the Air Force Cross, which was created in 1960. Interred: Woodlawn Memorial Park in Greenville, S.C.