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James P. Dibble: The Search for Answers

Title: James P. Dibble: The Search for Answers
Description: Learn about the 30+ years James' nephews Jim and Ted spent investigating his death to unearth what actually happened.

Using private investigators, government contacts and tenacious research, see how they learned what really happened the day James died, how they found his crash site, including witnesses, and made new friends in Italy along the way.

Included are photos and documents about James' posthumous Distinguished Flying Cross, photos of the crash site and finding plane wreckage, plus documents and letters amassed during their search for answers.

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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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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Preparing James Dibble's Monument

Preparing James Dibble's Monument just prior to its dedication.
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The plaque is installed on James Dibble's Monument

The plaque is installed on James Dibble's Monument just prior to the dedication ceremony.
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James Dibble's posthumous Distinguished Flying Cross Ceremony

James Dibble's posthumous Distinguished Flying Cross Ceremony. His brother Bill (left) accepted on his behalf. Presenter and man on right are unknown.
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James Dibble's Monument in Padula, Italy

James Dibble's Monument in Padula, Italy.
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Jim Dibble holding uncle James' posthumous Distinguished Flying Cross

Jim Dibble holding uncle James' posthumous Distinguished Flying Cross at the Dayton Airforce Museum.
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Certificate describing James Dibble's character and receipt of the Distinguished Flying Cross

Certificate describing James Dibble's character and receipt of the Distinguished Flying Cross.
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The plaque on James Dibble's Monument

The plaque on James Dibble's Monument.
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Distinguished Flying Cross Certificate Awarded to James Dibble

Distinguished Flying Cross Certificate Awarded to James Dibble.
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Jim Dibble's tentmate Jack Hanton dedication presentation

James Dibble's tentmate Jack Hanton dedication presentation.
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Citation to James Dibble accompanying the Distinguished Flying Cross Certificate

Citation to James Dibble accompanying the Distinguished Flying Cross Certificate. This details his leadership and tactical achievements that led to the DFC award.
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Jack Hanton talking about flying through the Padula Valley back in 1943

Jack Hanton talking about flying through the Padula Valley back in 1943.
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Newspaper article about James Dibble and the Distinguished Flying Cross

Newspaper article about James Dibble and the Distinguished Flying Cross. This appeared in Skywrighter, the base newspaper for Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio on February 15, 1991. Read more recent editions of the paper at https://www.skywrighter.com/.
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James Dibble's tentmate Jack Hanton and Padula citizens

James Dibble's tentmate Jack Hanton (2nd from left) and Padula citizens. Jack flew with James on the mission when James was shot down and killed on September 9, 1943.
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The Dibble brothers with war widows in white and other Padula citizens

The Dibble brothers with war widows in white and other Padula citizens. War widows of Freedom Fighters wore white T-shirts to the monument dedication ceremony. Back row from left are Tom, Jim and Ted Dibble.
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Landscape view of the Padula Valley

Landscape view of the Padula Valley.
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Jim Dibble with Padula citizens at his uncle's monument dedication ceremony

Jim Dibble with Padula citizens at his uncle's monument dedication ceremony.
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Landscape view of the Padula Valley

Landscape view of the Padula Valley.
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U.S. Air Force Colonel Michael Dredla from Aviano Air base speaking at James Dibble's monument dedication ceremony

U.S. Air Force Colonel Michael Dredla from Aviano Air base speaking at James Dibble's monument dedication ceremony.
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James' crash site in the Padula Valley, Italy, now a farm field.

James' crash site in the Padula Valley, Italy, as identified by the Salerno Private Investigator.

View all 53 items

Collection Tree

James P. Dibble: World War II P-38 Fighter Pilot
- James P. Dibble: The Search for Answers
  - James P. Dibble: The Monument in Padula, Italy

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