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James P. Dibble: The Day of Armageddon - August 30, 1943

Title: James P. Dibble: The Day of Armageddon - August 30, 1943
Description: From Jim Dibble's account titled "The Day of Armegeddon" included in this collection:

"Following the invasion of Sicily in July 1943, the missions flown out of North Africa by the 1st Fighter Group pilots in their P-38 Lightnings had a common objective of preparing for the invasion at Salerno, Italy by the United States Fifth Army."

A mission on August 25th was highly successful, with a loss of only 8 P-38's. The 1st Fighter Group earned a Presidential Distinguished Unit Citation for their efforts, but the August 30 mission, for which they would earn a second citation, was not so easy.

See mission reports, photos, first hand accounts and more information about this infamous air battle known as The Day of Armageddon.

Jump to other sections of the collection:
James P. Dibble: World War II P-38 Fighter Pilot
His Early Life

High School into the Army Air Corps

Flight Training
We Got Married!

Combat!
Mission Reports

Letters Home

Flying with Eisenhower

The Day of Armageddon - August 30, 1943

Killed in Action

The Search for Answers
The Monument in Padula, Italy

Collection Items

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The story of August 30, 1943, titled "The Day of Armageddon" by Jim Dibble; an account of the air battle that earned his uncle James Dibble the Distinguished Flying Cross

The story of August 30, 1943, titled "The Day of Armageddon" by Jim Dibble; an account of the air battle that earned his uncle James Dibble the Distinguished Flying Cross.
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Pilot George Smith and his P-38

Pilot George Smith and a P-38.
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Notes from George Smith clarifying events of August 30, 1943

Notes from George Smith clarifying events of August 30, 1943.
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Notes from George Smith clarifying events of August 30, 1943

Notes from George Smith clarifying events of August 30, 1943. Some of these documents are from other pilots with George's edits.
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P-38 pilot Lt. Frank McIntosh and his P-38 "Little Mae"

P-38 pilot Lt. Frank McIntosh and his P-38 "Little Mae"
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Notes from Lt. Frank McIntosh clarifying events of August 30, 1943

Notes from Lt. Frank McIntosh clarifying events of August 30, 1943.
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Notes from Lt. Frank McIntosh clarifying events of August 30, 1943

Notes from Lt. Frank McIntosh clarifying events of August 30, 1943.
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Lt. Frank Mcintosh's account of August 30, 1943

Lt. Frank Mcintosh's account of August 30, 1943. Written in the 1970's or 1980's.
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Lt. Frank Mcintosh's account of August 30, 1943

Lt. Frank Mcintosh's account of August 30, 1943. Written in the 1990's.
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P-38 pilot Lt. Frank McIntosh and his P-38 "Little Mae"

P-38 pilot Lt. Frank McIntosh and his P-38 "Little Mae"
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P-38 pilot Capt. Charlie McCann

P-38 pilot Capt. Charlie McCann (left), Tech Sgt. Gene Pillar the crew chief, and "Lady Beverly", McCann's plane named for his sweetheart and eventual wife
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P-38 pilot Capt. Charlie McCann

P-38 pilot Capt. Charlie McCann (right), Tech Sgt. Gene Pillar the crew chief (left), and "Lady Beverly"
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Notes from Charles McCann clarifying events of August 30, 1943

Notes from Charles McCann clarifying events of August 30, 1943.
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Pilot Capt. Charlie McCann flying his P-38 "Lady Beverly"

Pilot Capt. Charlie McCann flying his P-38 "Lady Beverly"
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Notes from Pilot Capt. Charlie McCann on the photo of him flying his P-38 "Lady Beverly"

Notes from Pilot Capt. Charlie McCann on the photo of him flying his P-38 "Lady Beverly"
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Pilot Capt. McCann just landed his P-38 "Lady Beverly"

Pilot Capt. Charlie McCann just landed his P-38 "Lady Beverly". Crew chief Pillard is kneeling by the cockpit.
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Notes from Pilot Capt. Charlie McCann on the photo of him landing his P-38 "Lady Beverly"

Notes from Pilot Capt. Charlie McCann on the photo of him flying his P-38 "Lady Beverly"
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Six crew chiefs in front of Capt. Charlie McCann's P-38

Six crew chiefs in front of Capt. Charlie McCann's P-38. His chief Pillard is 4th from the left.
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Pilot Jack Pettus

Pilot Jack Pettus
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Email from Jack Pettus mentioning James Dibble on the morning of August 30, 1943

Email from Jack Pettus mentioning James Dibble on the morning of August 30, 1943

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Collection Tree

James P. Dibble: World War II P-38 Fighter Pilot
- James P. Dibble: Combat!
  - James P. Dibble: The Day of Armageddon - August 30, 1943

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