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James P. Dibble: Killed in Action

Title: James P. Dibble: Killed in Action
Description: Typically pilots rotated home after their 50th mission. James took off for his 49th mission on Septemebr 9, 1943, and never returned.

He was shot down on a straffing run near the town of Padula, Italy. Initially there was much confusion amongst the other P-38 pilots, and it was thought James survivied and may have been taken prisoner.

Ultimately it was discovered that James had been shot down and then killed by German soldiers.

James was ultiamtely brought home and buried in Mt. Hope Cemetery in Middleville, Michigan. See information on his gravesite at FindAGrave.com.

See reports, documents and letters around James' missing in action status and then the determination that he was killed in action. Included are letters from the Army to his wife Maxine and parents, newspaper clippings and local memorials.

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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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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Missing in Action Report (MACR) for James Dibble

Missing in Action Report (MACR) for James Dibble.
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Copy of a statement from 2nd Lt. Raymond Schultz on what he saw when James Dibble 's group was attacked at Padula

Copy of a statement from 2nd Lt. Raymond Schultz on what he saw when James Dibble 's group was attacked at Padula. He mistakenly thought another plane had gone down and did not know it was James.
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James Dibble Crash Investigation Report

James Dibble Crash Investigation Report summarizing the known facts and corrections, ultimately declaring James Dibble as killed in action on September 9, 1943.
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Article written by Stan Wojcik and published in the 1st Fighter News recounting the day James Dibble was shot down and Stan's time as a POW

Article written by Stan Wojcik and published in the 1st Fighter News recounting the day James Dibble was shot down and Stan's time as a POW.
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List of Hastings, Michigan veterans who died in World War II

List of Hastings, Michigan veterans who died in World War II.
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Missing in action telegram for James Dibble received by his wife Maxine

Missing in action telegram for James Dibble received by his wife Maxine.
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Newspaper clipping listing James Dibble as missing in action

Newspaper clipping listing James Dibble as missing in action.
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Letter to Maxine Dibble declaring James Dibble presumptively dead

Letter to Maxine Dibble declaring James Dibble presumptively dead. This allowed final settlement of accounts and death gratuities.
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Newspaper clipping of James Dibble's burial in Mt. Hope cemetery

Newspaper clipping of James Dibble's burial in Mt. Hope cemetery
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Newspaper clipping announcing a tribute to war dead at Hastings High School

Newspaper clipping announcing a tribute to war dead at Hastings High School.
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Newspaper clipping announcing a tribute to war dead at Hastings High School

Newspaper clipping announcing a tribute to war dead at Hastings High School.
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Newspaper clipping mentioning James' mother Mrs. James Dibble being appointed to a war memorial committee

Newspaper clipping mentioning James' mother Mrs. James Dibble being appointed to a war memorial committee.
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Excerpts from The Reminder recapping articles from the Banner and discussing changes to the memorial fountain over the years

Excerpts from The Reminder recapping articles from the Banner and discussing changes to the memorial fountain over the years.
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Excerpt from The Reminder listing names of former Hastings High School students who died in World War II

Excerpt from The Reminder listing names of former Hastings High School students who died in World War II.
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Letter to James Dibble's parents about the High School memorial

Letter to James Dibble's parents about the High School memorial.
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Memorial Service Program for the ceremony honoring war dead at Hastings High School

Memorial Service Program held at Hastings High School in 1946 honoring 27 Hastings residents who died in World War II.
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The Reminder newspaper article on a ceremony at Hastings High School to honor James Dibble

The Reminder newspaper article on a ceremony at Hastings High School to honor James Dibble. Included was his widow Maxine, also a Hastings High School graduate.
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Letter to Maxine Dibble providing further details on James Dibble's crash and status, details later found to be in error

Letter to Maxine Dibble providing further details on James Dibble's crash and status, details later found to be in error.
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Letter to Maxine Dibble informing of her of where James Dibble is buried in Italy

Letter to Maxine Dibble informing of her of where James Dibble is buried in Italy.

View all 32 items

Collection Tree

James P. Dibble: World War II P-38 Fighter Pilot
- James P. Dibble: Combat!
  - James P. Dibble: Killed in Action

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