HAPPY BIRTHDAY
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
-
Recent Comments
Wendell Williams on BIO James Megellas Charles Scaglia on FdL recognizes true man of hon… Adria Tarbell on EULOGY ALBERT TARBELL George F Cholewczyns… on EULOGY ALBERT TARBELL robert.ziegler on EULOGY ALBERT TARBELL
The Pritzker Military Library Presents: A Conversation with James Megellas, Lt. Col. US Army (retired)
March 5, 2007 — allthewayto
Join us on Friday, March 16th, 2007 at 11:30 a.m. for a special presentation of The Pritzker Military Library Presents: A Conversation with James Megellas, Lt. Col. US Army (retired), hosted by Ed Tracy. In this special interview, listen to the first-hand accounts of his World War II combat experiences, combat leadership challenges, as outlined in his 2003 book, “All the Way to Berlin.”
James Megellas, Lt. Col. US Army (retired)
James “Maggie” Megellas was born and raised in Fond Du Lac, Wisconsin and graduated from Ripon College in 1942, also accepting a commission as a 2nd. Lieutenant, Infantry, United States Army. Four years later, he was one of the most decorated officers in the 82nd Airborne Division and was discharged from the Army with the rank of Captain. He continued serving as a Citizen-Soldier and retired with the rank of Lt. Col. 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 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.
Megellas fought in the Italian and Western European campaign, first as a Platoon leader, then later as the Company Commander of H Company, 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR). 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.
Megellas served in the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for 18 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.
At 89 years “young”, Megellas recently visited his old outfit, the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment in Afghanistan along the Pakistani border. Returning from Afghanistan Jim stopped in Holland and spoke at an event for the release of the second edition of his book “All the Way to Berlin” in the Dutch language. He continues to travel and lecture both in the United States and abroad. He holds a Master of International Public Policy, Johns Hopkins University and was an instructor of International Affairs at Florida Tech.
