Megellas, James, LTC

Deceased
 
 Photo In Uniform   Service Details
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Final Rank
Lieutenant Colonel
Last Service Branch
Infantry
Last MOS
1542-Infantry Unit Commander
Last MOS Group
Infantry
Primary Unit
1943-1946, 1542, H Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR)
Service Years
1942 - 1962
Infantry
Lieutenant Colonel
Four Overseas Service Bars

 Last Photo   Personal Details 

211 kb


Home State
Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Year of Birth
1917
 
This Military Service Page was created/owned by MAJ Mark E Cooper to remember Megellas, James (Maggie), LTC USA(Ret).

If you knew or served with this Soldier and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
 
Contact Info
Home Town
Fond du Lac
Last Address
Colleyville, TX
Date of Passing
Apr 03, 2020
 
Location of Interment
Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia

 Official Badges 

Belgian Fourragere Infantry Shoulder Cord Netherlands Orange Lanyard 82nd Airbone Division

US Army Retired (Pre-2007)


 Unofficial Badges 

Order of Saint Maurice


 Military Associations and Other Affiliations
Arlington National Cemetery (VLM)
  2020, National Cemetery Administration (NCA), Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) (Arlington, Virginia)


 Additional Information
Last Known Activity:

 LTC (Retired) James “Maggie” Megellas is a 96 year old World War II hero. Many feel he should have been awarded the Medal of Honor, and "our nation’s highest military combat award for valor", 68 years ago for his ‘above and beyond’ valor and leadership in the Battle of the Bulge.



http://medalformaggie.com/




   
Other Comments:

Soldier, most decorated soldier in the 82nd Airborne. His awards include the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, Presidential Citation w/cluster, the Belgium Fouragere, 6 Campaign Stars, and Master Parachutist badge. He has been nominated for the Medal of Honor several time. After his discharged from the Army with the rank of Captain, he continued serving as a Citizen- Soldier and retired with the rank of Lt. Col. He was selected by General James Gavin, the commanding general of the 82nd Airborne Division to receive the "Military Order of Willhelm Orange Lanyard" from the Dutch Minister of War in Berlin in 1945, the first American so honored by the Government of Holland. Magellas fought in the Italian and Western European campaign, first as a Platoon leader, then later as the Company Commander of H Company, 2nd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR).

He came ashore the European continent on D-Day in the Parachute Regiment. His most notable battle experiences include action in the Italian mountains near the Anzio beachhead, his combat jump into Holland as part of Operation Market Garden, crossing of the Waal River under heavy German fire in broad daylight, and the Battle of the Bulge.

He finished World War II in the occupation of Berlin and led his Company, the only Company he served with during the entire war, down 5th Avenue, New York City in the January 1946 Victory Parade. Magellas served in the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for 32 years with work in Yemen, Panama, South Vietnam and Columbia. During his work with USAID, he served two years in Vietnam, leading 4,000 soldiers and civilians from Vietnam and other nations in civil-military relations. For this work he received the National Chieu Hoi Medal, and the Psychological Warfare Medal from the South Vietnamese government.

He wrote a memoir of his wartime experiences entitled All the Way to Berlin: A Paratrooper at War in Europe.

   
 Photo Album   (More...



WWII - European Theater of Operations/Anzio Campaign (1944)
From Month/Year
January / 1944
To Month/Year
May / 1944

Description
On January 1944, in conjunction with a frontal assault, the Allies attempted to turn the Gustav Line by landing troops at Anzio. But the frontal attack failed, and the Allies were unable to break out of the beachhead at Anzio until the Gustav Line was breached in May 1944.
   
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
January / 1944
To Month/Year
May / 1944
 
Last Updated:
Mar 16, 2020
   
Personal Memories
   
Units Participated in Operation

1st Armored Division

3rd Military Police Company, 3rd Infantry Division

3rd Infantry Division

504th Military Police Battalion

100th Battalion, 442nd Infantry Regiment

1st Special Service Force (The Devil's Brigade)

 
My Photos From This Battle or Operation
No Available Photos

  300 Also There at This Battle:
  • Angileri, Joseph, T/SGT, (1942-1946)
  • Carratelli, Horace, 1ST SGT, (1941-1945)
  • Dallas, Frank J., LTC, (1942-1970)
  • DeVanie, John, PFC
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