Saturday, October 27, 2012

Major Rudolph Anderson, Jr.

Today, October 27, 2012, in Cleveland Park, Greenville, South Carolina, a ceremony will be held to rededicate the Memorial to Major Rudolph Anderson, Jr., USAF.


File:Rudolf Anderson.jpgMajor Anderson was the only direct casualty of the Cuban Missile Crisis of October, 1962. Fifty years ago today the U-2 spy plane of which he was the pilot was shot down over Cuba.

The U-2 reconnaissance missions which had been conducted by the CIA were turned over to the USAF on October 14 and the planes were badged with Air Force insignia.

Major Anderson qualified as a U-2 pilot in 1957 and had over 1000 hours on mission assignments. The Major’s body was returned to his hometown, Greenville, where he was interred on November 6, 1962. Anderson was posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross by the President of the United States. Greenville conducts an annual memorial service for Major Anderson. This year they will unveil the redesign of the Anderson Memorial.               

Major Rudolph Anderson, Jr. USAF 15 September 1927 – 27 October 1962 RIP
Image:     Wikipedia



6 comments:

Shelly said...

I am glad he is receiving his just honor. I don't know much about this time period in history, and now I want to read more on it.

Vee said...

I had forgotten about this casualty. Great history reminders in your recent posts.

Secondary Roads said...

I read the title of this post and thought the name was somewhat familiar. Now, I remember, but not well. He is one of those heroes who seem to be forgotten. Like the poor man who saved his town through his wisdom, but was forgotten.

vanilla said...

Shelly, our history is a story of winning and keeping our freedoms.

Vee, strange, isn't it, how I find history much more interesting now that there are no marks or final exams?

Chuck, there have been literally thousands of heroes who have given everything to protect us. Possibly we don't think of them often enough.

Sharkbytes said...

Interesting. I've only ever heard about Gary Powers in connection with U-2 shootdowns.

vanilla said...

Sharkey, I remember the Francis Gary Powers incident as well. It occurred two years before the Anderson flight.

Differences: Powers was flying CIA, Anderson USAF. Powers survived, Anderson didn't.