The Terrible Story Of James “Maggie” Megellas: An Original Devil in Baggie Pants: Legendary Hero of the 82nd Airborne.

Known as the 82nd Airborne's most decorated officer, James “Maggie” Megellas became a legend after he single-handedly wiped out a German tank with grenades during the Battle of the Bulge.

Born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Maggie entered service in May of 1942 through a Reserve Officers Training Corps program at Ripon College in Wisconsin. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army. Originally assigned to the Signal Corps, James volunteered to become a paratrooper and was assigned to H Company, 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.

Megellas participated with distinction in the landing at Anzio, in Operation Market Garden, and in the Battle of the Bulge. Time after time Maggie displayed both leadership and courage as he confronted the enemy face on. Despite challenging situations, he never hesitated.

According to the Fond du Lac Reporter: "James “Maggie” Megellas and his fellow troops courageously crossed the Waal River near Nijmegen, Netherlands, in small boats under substantial machine gun fire....During a night patrol in the Netherlands, Megellas crawled forward alone and eliminated two outpost guards and the crew of a machine gun nest.

After the attack, he carried a wounded soldier to safety while firing a submachine gun with one hand....At the Battle of the Bulge, Megellas led an outnumbered platoon in a successful attack on enemy forces near Herresbach, Belgium. Soldiers testified Megellas single-handedly attacked and destroyed a German Mark V Panther tank with two grenades and a submachine gun.

His citation noted that his platoon did not suffer a casualty during the battle, a remarkable feat..... all incredible feats but nothing out of the ordinary for Megellas."

(Fond du Lac Reporter February 24, 2021)

James Megellas was discharged from active duty in 1946. He continued to serve in the Army Reserve for an additional 16 years retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Maggie is known as the most decorated officer in the history of the 82nd Airborne.

He was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars and two Purple Heart Medals. Megellas was recommended for the Medal of Honor in 1945 and again decades later through legislative efforts in 2017.

James “Maggie” Megellas was also the first American to be decorated by the Government of the Netherlands when he was awarded the Military Order of William Orange Lanyard. Selected by General James Gavin as the most outstanding officer of the 82nd Airborne Division, it was presented to him by the Dutch Minister of War in Berlin in 1945.

⭐First Lieutenant James Megellas Distinguished Service Cross Citation reads as follows:

First Lieutenant James Megellas, Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division, United States Army. For extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy as a Platoon Leader, Company H, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, on 30 September 1944, in Holland.

First Lieutenant Megellas led his platoon on a combat patrol to secure information and prisoners. Arriving at the enemy observation post, he crawled forward alone and eliminated two outpost guards and the crew of a machine gun nest.

He brought forward his patrol, attacked the main enemy defenses and singlehandedly secured three prisoners and stopped two more. Two blockhouses were then attacked and destroyed. The aggressiveness of this patrol action thoroughly demoralized the enemy in the sector. His mission completed, First Lieutenant Megellas withdrew his platoon through the enemy lines and under mortar fire.

He personally carried a wounded man while firing his Thompson Submachine gun with one hand. The extraordinary heroism and brilliant leadership displayed by First Lieutenant Megellas enabled his patrol to inflict disproportionate casualties on the enemy, secure vital information and force the Germans to abandon their planned offensive in the area. His conduct was an inspiration to his men and a credit to the United States Airborne Forces.

The Medal of Honor was recommended for Megellas in 1945, shortly after his actions during the Battle of Bulge, but documentation from the battle was not considered, leaving the honor in limbo. Megellas spoke in 2019 about the renewed efforts to receive the Medal of Honor. He said the most important recognition he received was the respect of his comrades.

James ‘Maggie’ Megellas passed away on April 2, 2020 at the age of 103 years old. His legacy lives on through the American Legion Trier-Puddy Post #75 which is named the James "Maggie" Megellas Fond du Lac County Veterans Memorial Building. In 2016, the city's post office was renamed the Lieutenant Colonel James ‘Maggie’ Megellas Post Office.

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