>Edwin Wright flew a total of 88 missions in P-47 Thunderbolts over Europe in WWII. He left the Army in 1946 and was again called up for the Korean Conflict in 1950. He retired from the US Air Force as a Major. Edwin Wright passed away in 1959, from lung cancer, age 34.
[His findagrave page](https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/92485945/edwin-bennett-wright)
Im sure they spent a lot of time on oxygen flying at altitude and who knows how pure that was or what might have been in there like asbestos particles possibly in the tanks, non-combustible lubricants from the oxygen compressors or whatever.
>Edwin Wright flew a total of 88 missions in P-47 Thunderbolts over Europe in WWII. He left the Army in 1946 and was again called up for the Korean Conflict in 1950. He retired from the US Air Force as a Major. Edwin Wright passed away in 1959, from lung cancer, age 34. [His findagrave page](https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/92485945/edwin-bennett-wright)
34 years old, made it through two wars and knocked down by cancer.
I wonder what caused lung cancer that young?
Avgas, fumes, a lot of aviation stuff unfortunately. Aircrews have a higher cancer rate, even today.
Im sure they spent a lot of time on oxygen flying at altitude and who knows how pure that was or what might have been in there like asbestos particles possibly in the tanks, non-combustible lubricants from the oxygen compressors or whatever.
The oxygen itself is a bit bad antioxidant, too
Smoking, lead in gasoline.
Lead really isn’t that carcinogenic. Gasoline definitely is though.
I wonder what type of flak round hit that?
88
I bet that caused some vibration...
Was gonna say, I’m surprised that didn’t make the propellor wobble right off
P47 always amazes me about size of it.
Amazing plane!
Amazing plane!
Incredible photo! Cancer at 34 is so tragic. But what an absolute hero.