A Small-Town Beginning
Raymond Woltkamp was born in December 1921 in Seneca, Kansas, a quiet town in Nemaha County. The son of Anthony “Tony” and Mrs. Woltkamp, Raymond grew up in a strong Catholic household and attended Sts. Peter and Paul School, graduating in 1940. Known as a quiet and respectful young man, he was admired in his community and had dreams that stretched far beyond the Kansas plains.
After graduation, Raymond ventured west to Klamath Falls, Oregon, where he found employment. His time working in the West prepared him for a life of independence—skills that would soon serve him well in the military.
Answering the Call to Serve
As war loomed on the horizon, Raymond enlisted in the Army Air Corps on April 11, 1941, at Portland, Oregon. His journey from civilian to military aviator would span rigorous training schools and hundreds of flight hours.
In December 1942, he completed 60 hours of primary flight training and was transferred to Perrin Field in Sherman, Texas, for basic pilot instruction. By February 1943, he was undergoing advanced twin-engine training at Lubbock, Texas, where he trained on the powerful aircraft he would soon fly in combat.
Earning His Wings
April 1943 marked a milestone for Raymond. He graduated from flight school, earning his silver wings and a commission as Second Lieutenant. His assignment: to become a pilot of a B-24 Liberator, one of the heaviest and most dangerous bombers flown in World War II. He named his aircraft “The Guardian Angel,” a title that symbolized both hope and protection.
Before going overseas, he was stationed at Bruning Army Airfield in Nebraska and previously at Clovis, New Mexico, training intensely with his crew.
Deployment to the Mediterranean Theater
On November 28, 1943, Lt. Woltkamp left the United States for North Africa, assigned to the 15th Air Force, part of the Allies’ strategic bombing campaign in Europe. By mid-December, his parents received word that he had arrived safely in Africa. Shortly after, he was transferred to an air base in Italy where bombing operations targeted German supply lines, factories, and infrastructure.
Missing in Action Over Italy
On January 16, 1944, just seven weeks after arriving overseas, Raymond took part in a bombing mission over Northern Italy. His B-24 did not return.
A telegram arrived in Seneca soon after, notifying the Woltkamps that their son was missing in action following an air battle in Italy. The news came as a shock—Raymond had been overseas for less than two months.
Lt. Woltkamp’s parents, Tony and Mrs. Woltkamp, held on to hope. Letters from the families of other crew members indicated the plane may have experienced mechanical issues and was forced to leave formation. Some of the crew were believed to have been captured by German forces, and at least one was confirmed as a prisoner of war.
Confirmation of His Death
Despite months of uncertainty, on June 3, 1944, the War Department confirmed Raymond’s death. The report came via the International Red Cross, based on documents supplied by the German government. A Luftwaffe report stated that on January 16, 1944, a B-24 Liberator was shot down near San Stino di Livenza, close to Sant’Anastasio di Cessalto, in Treviso Province, Italy. Lt. Raymond Woltkamp was found dead at the crash site at 1:00 PM. His burial location was not recorded in the document.
The notification brought heartbreaking closure to his family, who had held out hope for his return.
A Community Pays Tribute
On June 20, 1944, a solemn Requiem High Mass was held at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Seneca to honor Lt. Woltkamp. The service included full military honors: a gold star was placed on the service flag, the Earle W. Taylor American Legion conducted a flag ceremony, and the Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus stood guard during the services.
The priest, Rev. Matthew Hall, celebrated the mass, while Rev. Michael Carroll delivered a moving sermon. The Seneca community came together to mourn and honor the young man who had left home to serve and never returned.
A Family of Service
Lt. Woltkamp was not the only member of his family in uniform. His older brother, First Sgt. Anthony Woltkamp, was serving in a tank destroyer unit in England, while his younger brother, Clarence, was a Seabee in the Pacific, stationed in Hawaii. Two sisters, Carolina and Mrs. Floyd Giles, and a younger brother, Gary, also survived him.
The Woltkamps embodied the service and sacrifice felt by many families during World War II.
Legacy of a Guardian Angel
Though he was only 22 years old at the time of his death, Lt. Raymond Woltkamp’s story is one of dedication, bravery, and sacrifice. His short life carried a legacy that extended far beyond the fields of Seneca and the skies of Italy.
A devoted son, a respected pilot, and a beloved member of his community, Raymond remains one of Nemaha County’s proudest heroes—a name and a life etched into the collective memory of those who benefited from his courage.
SOURCES
Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS)
24 Dec 1942
page 1
Av. S. Raymond Woltkamp has finished his 60 hours of primary flying and has been moved to Sherman, Texas, to take his basic training. His address now is Class 43 D, Cadet Detachment, Perrin Field, Sherman, Texas.
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Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS)
25 Feb 1943
page 1
Av/S Raymond Woltkamp has finished Basic training and is now taking twin engine in advanced Flying School at Lubbock, Tex. His address now is Av/S Raymond Woltkamp, Class 43-D Cadot Det. Advanced Flying School, Lubbock, Tex.
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Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS)
16 Sep 1943
page 1
Lt. Raymond Woltkamp has been visiting his parents, MR. and Mrs. Tony Woltkamp, this week. He is being sent to the Bruning airport near Fairbury, Neb., where he will have more training as a pilot of a Liberator bomber. Raymond was stationed at Clovis, New Mex., before coming to Seneca. He hopes to be home when his brother, Clarence S 2/c in the Seabees, arrives home from Camp Peary, Va., next week on leave.
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Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS)
20 Dec 1943
page 2
Mr. and Mrs. Tony Woltkamp received word their son, Flight officer, Lt. Raymond Woltkamp had arrived safely in Africa. Lt. Woltkamp is pilot of a Liberator Bomber which he has named Guardian Angel. Mr. and Mrs. Woltkamp also received Christmas greetings form their son, Clarence with the Seabees, somewhere in [illegible] and from another son, First Sgt. Anthony Woltkamp, on maneuvers in Tennessee.
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Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS)
14 Feb 1944
page 1
SENECA PILOT IS MISSING
WORD RECEIVED FRIDAY
Lt. Raymond Woltkamp Failed-to-Return-from Mission, January 16
Lt. Raymond Woltkamp, son of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Woltkamp, is-reported missing in action after an air battle in Italy, the middle of of January.
Friends and relatives of the army pilot were shocked to receive this news last week-end, since Raymond has been overseas only the past two months.
Flight Officer Woltkamp, pilot of a Liberator bomber left the United States, November 28, 1943.
Raymond enlisted in the Army Air Corps in the spring of 1941. He graduated in April last year. receiving his wings and the commission of Lieutenant. He was stationed at Bruning. Nebraska, before he went overseas. He attended Sts. Peter and Paul school, graduating in 1940 and was employed in the west before entering service.
Mr and Mrs. Tony Woltkamp have two other sons in service: 1st Sgt. Tony Woltkamp, stationed in Kentucky, and a younger son, Clarence, serving with the Sea Bees somewhere in the Pacific. Sgt. Woltkamp arrived yesterday from Breckenridge, Ky to visit his parents.
The telegram was sent to the parents of the missing flier from Adjutant General Ulio, who further stated that if any information or details were received, the family would be notified at once. Raymond’s relatives and friends are hoping to hear good news soon.
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The Sabetha Herald
16 Feb 1944
Page 1
Seneca Pilot Missing
Lt. Raymond Woltkamp, son of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Woltkamp of Seneca, is reported missing in action after an air battle in Italy, the middle of January.
Friends and relatives of the army pilot were shocked to receive the news last week-end, since Raymond has been overseas only the past two months.
Lieutenant Woltkamp, pilot of a Liberator bomber, left the United States November 28, 1943.
Raymond enlisted in the Army Air Corps in the spring of 1941. He graduated in April last year receiving his wings and the commission of lieutenant. He was stationed at Bruning, Nebraska, before he went overseas.
He attended Sts. Peter and Paul school, graduating in 1940 and was employed in the west before entering service.
Mr. and Mrs. Tony Woltkamp have two other sons in service: 1st Sgt. Tony Woltkamp, stationed in Kentucky, and a younger son, Clarence, serving with the Seabees somewhere in the Pacific. Sgt. Woltkamp arrived yesterday from Breckenridge, Ky to visit his parents.
The telegram was sent to the parents of the missing flier from Adjutant General Ulio, who further stated that if any information or details were received, the family would be notified at once.
Raymond’s relatives and friends are hoping to hear good news soon.
————-
Courier Tribune (Seneca KS)
20 March 1944
page 1
Believe Their Son May Be German Prisoner
Mr. and Mrs. Tony Woltkamp have had encouraging word regarding their son, Lt. Raymond Woltkamp, reported “missing” since January 16, in action over Italy. Mrs. Woltkamp has been corresponding with families of members of Raymond’s crew and heard last week that the plane on which her son was pilot was forced down over enemy controlled water. The crew broadcasted and it is thought members were rescued by Germans since the radio operator’s wife received word from the government that her husband is a prisoner of war.
This is the story as Mrs. Woltkamp heard it from the wife of one of the pilots who was in the same formation at the time Raymond’s ship began the January 16 mission. He said the plane the Seneca pilot was flying evidently had some mechanical difficulty and was forced to leave the group. Mrs. Woltkamp, has heard from relatives of three members of the crew on her son’s plane, and is hopeful of receiving news from the government soon of his safety.
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Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS)
5 Jun 1944
page 1
GAVE HIS LIFE FOR COUNTRY
FLIER DIED IN ITALY
Lt. Raymond Woltkamp Missing Since Jan. 16, Killed in Action
Mr. and Mrs. Tony Wolt-kamp received word from Adjutant General Dunlop, that their son, Raymond, first pilot of a B-24 Liberator- Bomber, died for his country January 16 of this year near Venice, Italy.
After nearly six months of silence from their son, Raymond, an army air force pilot, Mr. and Mrs. Tony Woltkamp were informed Saturday evening by telegram that he had died courageously in the performance of his duties about 25 miles from Venice, Italy, less than two months after arriving overseas. Mr and Mrs. Woltkamp had received many letters from the families of other air men in Raymond’s crew and held hope for their son’s safety. Information has come to families of four of the crew that they were interned in German prison camps. It was this information that gave Raymond’s family encouragement.
The word received in Seneca Saturday night, came from the German government through the International Red Cross.
Raymond was 22 years old in December. He attended Sts. Peter and Paul school, graduating in the spring of 1940. After graduation, he went to Klamath Falls, Oregon, where he had employment until enlistment in the army air corps, April 11, 1941, at Portland, Oregon. He received his wings and the commission of second lieutenant in April 1943. He went overseas Nov. 29, 1943. Besides his parents, Raymond has three brothers and two sisters who survive him. The brothers are First Sgt. Anthony Woltkamp with a tank destroyer group in England: Clarence seaman first class with the U. S. SeaBees in Hawaii; Gary of the home; the sisters, Mrs. Floyd Giles, Hamburg, Iowa, and Carolina of the home.
Lieut. Woltkamp was a quiet young man, well liked and admired by all who knew him. His parents and other relatives have the sympathy of all in their sorrow.
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Courier Tribune (Seneca, KS)
19 Jun 1944
page 1
Memorial for Lt. Woltkamp On Tuesday Morning
Requiem High Mass offered in memory of Lt. Raymond Woltkamp, son of Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Woltkamp, who died when his plane went down over Venice, Italy, January 16, will be held this Tuesday morning at 9:00 o’clock in Sts. Peter and Paul church. Rev. Matthew Hall will offer the mass and Rev. Michael Carroll will give the sermon. During the service a gold star will be placed on the service flag. Following the church service, Earle W. Taylor American Legion will hold a service in front of the church. Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus will stand guard during all the services.
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Find a Grave
image of German notification of Death
Image located in National Archives
NAID: 17352724
Amerikaner Vorgaenge AV 570 to AV 605
Record Group: 242: National Archives Collection of Foreign Records Seized >> Series: German Amerikaner Vorgaenge (AV) Reports
image 41
Translation (THANKS TO CHATGPT!)
Luftflottenkommando 2 Führungsabteilung Ic/Kriegsgefangene
5.2.44
Subject: Fallen enemy airmen, Air Force personnel.
Reference: OKW Az. f 24 63 e. Kriegsgef.Allg.(V)
To
O.Qu.O.B.SW.
Cc: Lfl.Kdo.2, Flg.Abt.Ic
Analysis Center West, Oberursel
On January 16, 1944, an American combat aircraft of the type Liberator was shot down over S. Stino. The following crew member was killed in the process:
Name: Woltkamp R.
Rank: F/O. (Flight Officer)
ID Number: 121614 T.A. 342 B.
Date of Birth: unknown
Address of Relatives: unknown
Date, Place and Time of the Shootdown: January 16, 1944, 1300 hrs, S. Stino near S. Annastasio di Cessalto, Province Treviso, found dead there.
Burial Place: unknown
For the Luftflottenkommando
The Chief of the General Staff
I.A. [Signature]
Major
[Stamp: External Office POW, Date Received: 10 FEB 1944]
Citation: (from ChatGPT)
German notification of death of R. Woltkamp, found in National Archives NAID: 17352724, Amerikaner Vorgaenge AV 570 to AV 605, Record Group: 242: National Archives Collection of Foreign Records Seized, Series: German Amerikaner Vorgaenge (AV) Reports, image 41.