Badger Airborne news June 4 2007
The 82nd Airborne Division’s most decorated officer, James “Maggie” Megellas, is now a Life Member of the Badger State Chapter.
Megellas, the consummate Paratrooper, Wisconsin Warrior and Patriot, who led his 3rd BN, 504 PIR platoon from the front, has
been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts.
Gen Jim Gavin selected Megellas to receive the Dutch Orange Lanyard on behalf of the entire 82nd Airborne Division.
Maggie fought with the 82nd in the Italian mountains and the Anzio Beachhead. He was in the first wave of the 504’s WAAL River Crossing which
resulted in the capture of the Nijmegen bridge.
During the Battle of the Bulge he led his platoon into Herresbach where they killed and captured 100’s of enemy without losing a single
man in his platoon.. There, he singlehandedly destroyed a Panther Tank to save his men. We are still trying to get the MOH
for this action originally asked for Maggie.
His record and pictures will be displayed by PowerPoint at our Baraboo meeting June 30. Welcome Maggie!
