James Megellas
James Megellas (March 11, 1917 – April 2, 2020)[1] was a United States Army officer. He commanded a platoon in Company "H" of the 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), 82nd Airborne Division during World War II.
| James Megellas | |
|---|---|
 James Megellas in 2009 | |
| Nickname | Maggie |
| Born | March 11, 1917 Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Died | April 2, 2020 (aged 103) Colleyville, Texas, U.S. |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/branch |  United States Army |
| Rank |  Lieutenant colonel |
| Unit | Company "H", 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division |
| Battles/wars | World War II • Operation Shingle • Operation Market Garden • Battle of the Bulge |
| Awards |  Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star (2) Bronze Star (2) Purple Heart (2) |
Megellas was "the most-decorated officer in the history of the 82nd Airborne Division," having received a Distinguished Service Cross, a Silver Star, and been nominated for the Medal of Honor.[2][3]
Megellas died on April 2, 2020 in Colleyville, Texas at the age of 103.[4]
James Megellas Media
The 82nd Airborne Division drops near Grave (National Archives)
James Megellas with John Ratzenberger, the actor who portrayed James in the film A Bridge Too Far.
US Army Airborne master parachutist badge
Combat Infantryman Badge
References
- ↑ TracesOfWar.com
- ↑ Connaher, Justin (May 24, 2009). "A MAN OF PRECIOUS METTLE". The Reporter (Fond du Lac, Wisconsin). http://www.fdlreporter.com/article/20090524/FON0101/905240587/1985. Retrieved 2009-05-26.[dead link]
- ↑ Young, Michael E. (December 12, 2007). "War hero offers words of encouragement to troops". The Dallas Morning News (Dallas, Texas). http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/121307dnmetmegellas.2ac4bf1.html. Retrieved 2009-05-26.
- ↑ Razner, Sarah; Roznik, Sharon (3 April 2020). "Farewell to Fond du Lac's finest: James "Maggie" Megellas dies at the age of 103". The Reporter (Fond du Lac, Wisconsin). https://www.fdlreporter.com/story/news/2020/04/03/james-maggie-megellas-fond-du-lac-war-hero-dies-age-103/2938815001/. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
Other websites
- James' Official website Archived 2018-08-05 at the Wayback Machine
- New 2013 House Bill H.R.2082 for Medal of Honor Archived 2016-01-20 at the Wayback Machine
- New 2013 Senate Bill S.993 for Medal of Honor Archived 2016-03-07 at the Wayback Machine
- 'All The Way To Berlin' - Random House
- Interview on All the Way to Berlin at the Pritzker Military Museum & Library
- Part 2 of Interview on All the Way to Berlin at the Pritzker Military Museum & Library
- Megellas Appearances on C-SPAN
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