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James P. Dibble: World War II P-38 Fighter Pilot

Title: James P. Dibble: World War II P-38 Fighter Pilot
Subject: James P. Dibble. World War II Pilot. KIA
Description: This collection recounts the early life, military training and combat career of WWII P-38 pilot James P. Dibble of Hastings, MI.

It includes information on:
His early life through time spent in Chicago just before the war,

The efforts of his nephews to unearth more information about him,

The story of finding his crash site in Italy,

His posthumous Distinguished Flying Cross medal,

Personal correspondence,

Military records and eye-witness information surrounding not only James' final flight but other WWII air battles,

Information on the memorial erected to him in Italy where he died.

Artifacts are on display at the Hastings Public Library, including parts of his crashed airplane. All of the original documents contained in this digital collection are also housed here, along with a few items that could not be included digitally.

We hope you enjoy learning more about James and help us honor his contribution and ultimate sacrifice to keep our country safe.

The collection is divided into the below sections:
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
Creator: Hastings Public Library
Date: early 1920's to the 2020's

Collection Items

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Recap of a mission where James Dibble participated in a flying escort for General Dwight Eisenhower in Italy

Recap of a mission where James Dibble participated in a flying escort for General Dwight Eisenhower in Italy.
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Jim Dibble's account of his uncle James Dibble's life and the search for answers into the details of his death

Jim Dibble's account of his uncle James Dibble's life and the search for answers into the details of his death.
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Account written by Jim Dibble of September 9, 1943 when his uncle James was shot down in Italy

Account written by Jim Dibble of September 9, 1943 when his uncle James was shot down in Italy.
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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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Mission Report for the 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, May 21 and May 22, 1943

Mission Report for the 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, May 21 and May 22, 1943.
Item Still Image

WWI Ace Eddie Rickenbacker addressing the 1st Fighter Group, 1943

WWI Ace Eddie Rickenbacker addressing the 1st Fighter Group. James Dibble is somewhere in this crowd. This picture started James' nephew Jim Dibble on his quest to learn more about his uncle and led to the collection you are now browsing.
Item Still Image

James in his high school football team photo, 1936

James (back row, 3rd from right, #1) in his high school football team photo.
Item Still Image

Young James Dibble at Barlow Lake, age 2 or so.

Young James Dibble at Barlow Lake, age 2 or so.
Item Still Image

James Dibble's Air Corps Training Graduation Photograph

James Dibble's Air Corps training graduation photograph.
Item Still Image

James Dibble with his 3rd P-38 Lightning

James Dibble with his 3rd P-38 Lightning. Note the two swastikas on the nose indicating confirmed enemy planes shot down. His wife's name is also painted on but misspelled. It should be "Micky".
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Letter from James in North Africa to his parents, 1943-03-19

Letter from James in North Africa to his parents.
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Letter from James at Luke Field, AZ during advanced training to his parents with news of his pending marriage, 1942-10-15

Letter from James at Luke Field, AZ during advanced training to his parents with news of his pending marriage.
Item Still Image

Preparing James Dibble's Monument

Preparing James Dibble's Monument just prior to its dedication.
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A short bio on James written by his nephew Jim.

A short bio on James written by his nephew Jim. It references an article from Collier's, June 26, 1943, recounting a combat incident attributed to James Dibble. Rights were not received to include the text or an image of the article, but the original can be seen at the Hastings Public Library.
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Letter from Lt. Col. Archie Jackson (Ret) to Jim Dibble describing a mission where he and James Dibble flew escort to General Dwight Eisenhower

Letter from Lt. Col. Archie Jackson (Ret) to Jim Dibble describing a mission where he and James Dibble flew escort to General Dwight Eisenhower.
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Missing in Action Report (MACR) for James Dibble

Missing in Action Report (MACR) for James Dibble.
Item Still Image

Pilot George Smith and his P-38

Pilot George Smith and a P-38.
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Letter from James in North Africa to his wife Maxine (Micky), 1943-03-21

Letter from James in North Africa to his wife Maxine (Micky).
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Mission Report for the 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, May 11 , June 1 and June 2, 1943

Mission Report for the 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, May 11 , June 1 and June 2, 1943.
Item Still Image

James in his high school football team photo, 1937

James (front row center, #26) in his high school football team photo.

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James P. Dibble: World War II P-38 Fighter Pilot

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