Raymond Alvin Nowotny served in the 8th Squadron of the 62nd Troop Carrier Group. He was born in 1915and was from Anaheim, California. On January 12, 1944, he was a crewmember aboard a Special Operation C-47 Skytrain ( 41-18681) with the mission of air dropping soldiers of the British 2nd Regiment of the Special Air Services (SAS) team to attack a German airfield (Sant Egidio Airfield outside Peruguia, Italy). After successfully dropping the six-person SAS team, the C-47 Sky Train crashed on Monte Tezio resulting in complete loss of life. The Crew consisted of: Nowotny, Raymond A ~ Lt. Col, Pilot, CA McNeil, J J, Jr ~ Maj, Co-Pilot, TX Piatak, John, Jr ~ Capt, Navigator, NY Nocentini, Joseph L ~ Capt, Surgeon, PA Holmes, Ross A ~ T/Sgt, Engineer, OK Singer, Saul ~ Sgt, Radio Operator, NY From Find a Grave: Lt Col Nowotny from the 8th Squadron, 62nd Troop Carrier Group died in a U.S. Douglas C-47 transport plane with five other crewmen that crashed over Monte Tezio. The American crew had just completed an air-drop of British troops near Lake Trasimeno, where they were sent to sabotage German war planes. After making the drop, the aircraft was heading back to an air base in southern Italy. Lt Col Nowotny had been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, and additional Army Awards Raymond was born in Anahiem, California to Alvin Frank Nowotny and Ella H. Riley. He graduated at the University of Arizona. Survived was his wife Helen, daughter Susan, mother Ella, and brother Wilbur. Article from 3 May 1944 – Tucson Daily Citizen "Lt. Col. Nowotny Killed In Action On Italian Front" The death of Lt. Col Raymond A. Nowotny of the troop carrier command has been reported by the war department to his wife, Helen Tophoy Nowotny, 424 East First street, Tuscon, AZ. Nowotny who had been serving in various war theaters was shot down and killed while making special mission in Italy. He was reported missing in action about three months ago. He played tackle for the University of Arizona football team in 1937 and acted as assistant freshman football coach the following year, working also for the Tucson Gas Electric Light & Power Co. Besides his wife, he leaves behind an 18 month old daughter that survives.