Mr and Mrs Joseph E Risk of Pawtucket, Rhode Island had more reason for anxiety during WWII than many. Of their five sons, four were on active service with the Army Airforce. Crew Chief Charles G Risk was shot down in a B-26 and evaded capture to make it back through enemy lines. Cpl Linus L Risk was shot down in the Pacific and rescued after a few days in a raft. He was later badly injured in a crash. Capt Joseph I Risk flew bombers from England and was awarded the DFC and French Croix de Guerre. 2nd Lt Edward 'Ted' Risk graduated as a fighter pilot from Spence Field, Georgia and was quickly sent to England to join the 351st Squadron at Raydon. He was assigned to the Squadron on 15th February 1945 and after orientation and further training went on active duty. He flew his first mission escorting the bombers on the 11th March and quickly notched up a further 15 in his aircraft 'Merry Mac'.
His final mission was on the 16th April when the 351st were scheduled to make a strafing attack on Odenberg Aifield in Germany. Ted wasn't scheduled for the mission but another pilot had a head cold, so he agreed to take his place.The mission was an outstanding success with the 351st claiming 57-00-22 aircraft but Ted, flying 'Lady Margaret', was hit by flak and was seen to crash into a small clump of trees.
Sadly, Ted did not survive the crash close by to the airfield. Monks from a nearby monastery gave him a Christian burial and he was finally laid to rest in the American Cemetary at St Avold, France, after a GI found the wreckage and notified the authorities.
This contribution is made in memory of Ted, Charles, Linus and Joseph by their younger brother Mike who was inspired by their courage and carried on the tradition of flying in the airforce after the war.

Capt Daniel served with the 310th Ferrying Squadron flying new combat aircraft across the Atlantic to England . On 14th June 1944 he wrote to the 8th Air Force Commanding General requesting transfer to an operational fighter group. His request was granted and in August 1944 he joined the 351st where he flew mission in his aircraft 'Ticket Home' until October of the same year.
On October 3rd the Group flew the first all Mustang mission escorting B-17s to Nuremburg. Capt Daniel was offered the chance to fly one of four new 351st Mustangs taking part in the mission and decided to take it. The aircraft developed engine trouble and he was forced to bail out over Belgium. He was subsequently captured and spent the remainder of the war a prisoner of the Germans, mainly at Stalag Luft III at Sagan. Photos kindly contributed by his sons Harold and Doug.