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James P. Dibble: Combat!

Title: James P. Dibble: Combat!
Description: James spent his combat time based out of North Africa and helped clear the way for the eventual invasion of Italy in 1943.

He was a member of the 94th Air Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, and flew the famous twin-engined P-38. Learn more about the P-38 at:
Aviation History online Museum

Britannica.com

Wikipedia

Don't miss the section titled Day of Armageddon recapping the events of August 30, 1943. This air battle over Italy ultimately earned James the Distinguished Flying Cross. He was lucky to survive - many pilots made the ultimate sacrifice.

See photos, letters, mission reports and more about James' time spent in combat over Africa and Italy in 1942 and 1943.

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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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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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

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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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.
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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.
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Declassified report of General Eisenhower's visit to Italy in August 1943

Declassified report of General Eisenhower's visit to Italy in August 1943.
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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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Notes from George Smith clarifying events of August 30, 1943

Notes from George Smith clarifying events of August 30, 1943.
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Letter from James in North Africa to his wife Maxine (Micky), 1943-03-22

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, June 3 , June 4 and June 5, 1943

Mission Report for the 94th Fighter Squadron, 1st Fighter Group, June 3 , June 4 and June 5, 1943.
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Assorted newspaper clippings about James Dibble shooting down a German Messerschmitt

Assorted newspaper clippings mounted on a scrapbook page about James Dibble shooting down a German Messerschmitt.
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Proposed Citation for the 1st Fighter Group including the 94th Air Squadron

Proposed Citation for the 1st Fighter Group including the 94th Air Squadron.
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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.

View all 179 items

Collection Tree

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

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