James P. Dibble: P-38 Fighter Pilot

Did you know one of Hastings Michigan's residents was a decorated World War II fighter pilot?

No? Well, explore this exhibit and learn about James P. Dibble.

Go through the Exhibit Pages on the left side of the screen for interesting details and highlights of his life, career and tragic death after being shot down in 1943.

Want to learn more?

Watch a video on YouTube about James and his family's search for the truth.

See items at the library that are not part of the digital collection, including:

• Parts of James' plane recovered from the crash site.
• Newspaper articles, including one published by Jim Dibble about his uncle and one from Colliers in 1943.
• A carved coat of arms given to the Dibble family by the citizens of Padula, Italy.

The online 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