Megellas travels to war zone to sign copies of his book

Retired Lt. Col. James Megellas spent Christmas in Afghanistan with the 82nd Airborne Division.

It was the fourth Christmas he has spent in a war zone — but just the first since World War II.

This time, instead of fighting, Megellas spent two weeks in Afghanistan signing free copies of his World War II memoir “All the Way to Berlin.”

He traveled to Kandahar, Bagram and Kabul. He spent Christmas with troops in Forward Operating Base Salerno near Khost and at a base outside of Jalalabad.

Megellas, one of the most decorated soldiers in 82nd history, was a platoon leader in H Company, 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment during World War II. He was awarded more than 10 medals including the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts.

Megellas said he gave many speeches, including a Christmas speech where he urged the soldiers to remember that while they are away from home, they are with their second family.

“A bond is created between troops that is stronger than brotherhood,” Megellas said.

This was his second trip to Afghanistan. In February, Megellas plans to take thousands of copies of his book to the paratroopers in Iraq.

‘Mijn boek heeft me veel geholpen’

For my Dutch Friends a Dutch article about my trip to Afghanistan:

EINDHOVEN – Met in zijn reistas een paar duizend boeken vertrekt de Amerikaan James Megellas vandaag vanaf Eindhoven Airport naar Afghanistan, om Nederlandse en Amerikaanse troepen een hart onder de riem te gaan steken.

James Megellas. foto Kees Martens

Dat lijkt een hele onderneming voor een man die in maart volgend jaar 91 hoopt te worden, maar Megellas heeft er zin in. “Onze én jullie jongens hebben die steun nodig. Da’s beter dan thuis stilzitten.”Het boek dat de vroegere luitenant-kolonel Megellas gaat uitdelen, heeft hij zelf geschreven (‘All the Way to Berlin’) en handelt over zijn eigen ervaringen in WO II. Megellas heeft destijds als pelotonscommandant van de 82e Airbornedivisie zó veel actie gezien (de landing bij Anzio, de strijd om Monte Cassino, het Ardennenoffensief, Market Garden) dat het een wonder is dat hij dat allemaal overleefd heeft.”Vooral Market Garden was verschrikkelijk. In kleine canvas bootjes in de eerste aanvalsgolf de Waal over bij Nijmegen, onder zwaar Duits vuur. 57 dagen onafgebroken in actie geweest, en vreselijke dingen zien gebeuren.”

Zodanig zelfs dat hij, na terugkeer in Amerika, zestig jaar lang niet meer terug durfde te gaan naar de landen waar hij gevochten had. Maar tien jaar geleden besloot hij ineens om het allemaal op schrift te stellen. “En dat heeft me fantastisch geholpen. Hoe het kan weet ik niet, maar na dat boek kon ik ineens weer wél terug. Naar Duitsland, waar ik als een held werd ontvangen: heel vreemd én ontroerend, en Italië, België, Nederland. Eerst durfde ik zestig jaar niet; nu ben ik in de laatste drie jaar al vijf keer hier geweest. Onder andere hier in Eindhoven, dat vind ik een prettige stad.”

Megellas is zeer welkom in Afghanistan, waar de Amerikanen én de Nederlanders de zeer zwaar gedecoreerde oud-militair naar eigen zeggen goed kennen. “Veel van die jongens hebben het boek gelezen. Natuurlijk vind ik het niet prettig dat er, ruim zestig jaar na de oorlog, nóg steeds zoveel Amerikaanse jongens sterven op slagvelden ver van huis.”

“Aan de andere kant: wíj zijn de natie die de terroristen moeten hebben. Er zijn in Europa ook afschuwelijke aanslagen geweest, maar zoiets als nine eleven is hier niet voorgekomen. Daarom moeten wij als Amerikanen het voortouw nemen. Wij vochten destijds voor het herstel van de democratie; nu doen die jongens in Afghanistan en Irak hetzelfde. Waarom the Lord dat allemaal zo beschikt heeft weet ik niet, ik ken de antwoorden op zulke vragen niet. Maar het moet wél gebeuren. De democratie mag nooit bedreigd worden.”

WWII Author Impresses Troops

It was one of the most inspirational holiday gifts he could have given

—Lt. Col.(Ret.) James Megellas, the 82nd Airborne’s most decorated officer and author of the book All the Way to Berlin, told Tri-Border Soldiers and Airmen that they have “raised the bar” of military service.

“The caliber and quality of the men and women serving in America’s forces today is every bit as good as the Soldiers. I served with in WWII,” Megellas said proudly.
“You’ve taken the standards we set and raised the bar even higher!”

Megellas met Soldiers and Airmen from around the Tri-Border area during a visit to the Schinnen Bookmark, Dec.18. Megellas holds the Distinguished Service Cross,Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts, plus several other awards of valor for infantry action in WWII, including combat in Operation Market Garden.

While at Schinnen, Megellas gave away free copies of his WWII memoir to Soldiers and took time to autograph dozens more for fans who patiently stood in line just for the chance to shake his hand.

Staff Sgt. Brian Cottell, a former member of the 101st Airborne currently serving with Schinnen’s Military Police, was one of the first in line to meet Megellas. Instantly, Megellas recognized the distinctive “Screamin’ Eagle” patch of the 101st Airborne on Cottell’s shoulder.

It was as if the two had known each other for years. They exchanged stories for a few minutes,then Megellas inscribed a personal message to Cottell. “This is the bond Soldiers share, no matter where or when they serve,” Megellas smiled. Later, he shared stories with the audience about the experiences of WWII that solidified those relationships. “Soldiers in combat develop relationships that are stronger than brotherhood. What’s behind you or what’s ahead is not important. It’s who you’re with that’s important,” he explained.

14-year old ROTC Cadet Cody Whittenburg from AFNORTH International School found Megellas’ stories captivating. It caused him think about the sacrifices Soldiers make.

The story that stuck in his mind was one Megellas told about being so hungry on a cold Christmas night in the trenches that he and his Soldiers happily ate bread soggy from the sweat of a donkey. The bread was baked fresh in a nearby village but delivered via donkeys over treacherous terrain. By the time it arrived, the donkeys had worked so hard that the bread was totally soaked.

Stories like that one made Staff Sgt. Adam Rosenlund, Schinnen Military Police, think of his grandparents. Both his maternal grandparents served in WWII, then married after the war. “It was really nice to meet someone from their era,” he said. “Because we’re loosing more and more Soldiers from that time, it’s really important to get as much information from them now so we can always remember what they did,” Rosenlund said.

Rosenlund was most impressed that Megellas at age 90 was still dedicated to serving the needs of today’s military. At Schinnen, Megellas was only getting started. That afternoon, he boarded a flight headed east to spend the holidays with Soldiers downrange. —text by Sarah J. Schmidt

Beyond The Call Of Duty

War hero and Fond du Lac native son James Megellas is headed back to the war zone with a new mission: Signing copies of his book for troops stationed overseas.

Megellas, 90, recently returned to his home in Colleyville, Texas, after a two-week book signing tour in Afghanistan where he talked with troops and gave away free copies of his World War II memoir “All the Way to Berlin.”

Next month, he will head overseas to visit troops in Iraq.

When Megellas first visited Afghanistan in 2006, soldiers kept asking for copies of his book and he quickly ran out. When he returned, he worked with Random House to donate thousands of copies of the book to U.S. troops stationed overseas.

Working with the USO and others, he gave away and signed hundreds of copies of “All the Way to Berlin” during his tour of Afghanistan.

“He’s a living legend. It’s absolutely astonishing that at 90 years of age, he continues to provide leadership, his time and his talents to the next generation,” said U.S. Rep. Tom Petri, R-Fond du Lac.

Petri introduced legislation in 2007 to award Megellas with the Congressional Medal of Honor, the United States’ highest military distinction.

Megellas even spent Christmas with his old unit, the 82nd Airborne. It marked the fourth Christmas the retired lieutenant colonel has spent in a war zone and the first since World War II.

“Being with my old regiment in a combat situation 62 years later was really quite an experience,” he said. “It was rewarding.”

At dinner that night, Megellas said he spoke with members of the 82 Airborne Division about the things he went through in World War II, such as parachuting behind enemy lines in Holland during Operation Market Garden. Those events are recorded in Megellas’ book and in Hollywood movies such as “A Bridge Too Far.”

Megellas even gave a videoconference broadcast on the Web to troops in Iraq while in Afghanistan on Christmas.

Although military technology has changed and six decades have elapsed since he was in the 82 Airborne, Megellas found similarities.

“The way (the members of the unit) look to each other more than anything else — the bond between soldiers — that hasn’t changed,” Megellas said.

Among members of the 82nd Airborne, Megellas is a legend.

“They know who I am,” he said. “It’s their history.”

The Ripon College graduate joined the 82nd Airborne in 1942 shortly after the Pearl Harbor attack. Megellas and his unit landed in Italy before the Anzio invasion and parachuted into Holland to take part in Operation Market Garden.

He is the most decorated officer in the history of the 82nd Airborne Division. Megellas was awarded more than 10 medals including the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts.

Megellas plans to bring thousands of copies of his book to Iraq sometime in mid-February.

Petri praised Megellas’ continued efforts with the troops.

“It’s above and beyond the call of duty, but it is certainly not the first time for Megellas,” he said.

Megellas makes frequent visits to Fond du Lac, which he considers his hometown. He will turn 91 this year.

All The Way For The Troops

It was a long trip, but I finally was back in Afghanistan. I would like all the men and women who helped me doing this for the troops.

Later I will write a long article and will post it here on my website.

here’s a clip of Freedom Watch Afghanistan(go to 2:30)

Freedom Watch Afghanistan
27 December 2007

Click to watch the video

All The Way to FOB Salerno(again)

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SALERNO, Afghanistan – While Soldiers couldn’t spend time with their families over the holidays, past-generation paratroopers left the comfort of their homes to show their support to the men and women of the 4th Brigade Combat Team who wear the 82nd Airborne patch.
Retired Lt. Col. James Megellas and retired Command Sgt. Maj. Tadeusz Gaweda showed up at Forward Operating Base Salerno with stories from their years in the service and their Christmases deployed.
Megellas, the most decorated officer in the history of the 82nd Airborne Division, landed with Maj. Gen. David Rodriguez, 82nd Airborne Division commander, Christmas Day.
While Rodriguez presented several exemplary Soldiers with division coins to show his appreciation, Megellas talked about his war experiences, and touted the troops in the audience as “the greatest men and women in this generation.” Megellas during his also gave away hundreds of his books ‘All the way to Berlin’
Both Rodriguez and Megellas toured the base, passing out presents to the troops and spreading holiday cheer.
“This is my fourth Christmas with the troops overseas, but there was over 60 years between the second and third one,” Megellas said. “I’m just happy to be with such a fine group at Christmas time.”

World War II Veteran Visits Paratroopers in Afghanistan

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan – “If there is anything such as hell on earth, it was that moment,” said the grey-haired, 90-year-old man at the front of the room.

The hell on earth the old man, James Megellas, was talking about is a thing of legend, something one sees in movies. It can be seen in one movie in particular, “A Bridge Too Far.”

Megellas, who is a retired lieutenant colonel from the 82nd Airborne Division, came to Afghanistan to visit the troops and, during his stay, gave a class here to staff members from Combined Joint Task Force-82, Dec. 24.

The class focused on leadership in combat, a skill Megellas acquired during World War II. But, the class was more than a lecture, it was Megellas’ story, a part of his life.

His hell on earth took place as he acquired his skills as a combat leader.

The day was Sept. 20, 1944; the unit was the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Abn. Div.; the operation was Market Garden.

With the Red Devils, who were British paratroopers, trapped behind enemy lines in Arnhem, Holland, the 82nd was tasked with capturing a key bridge on the Waal River near Nijmegen, Holland.

Elements of the 504th crossed the Waal River in boats during the middle of the day to capture the bridge. As paratroopers, Megellas said “paddling across a river was never part of our repertoire.”

Under a barrage of small-arm, machine gun and indirect fire, the “Devils in Baggy Pants” made the crossing.

Megellas told this story to the gathered staff officers and non-commissioned officers. His point was the effectiveness of leaders.

As the paratroopers landed on the other side of the river, they were faced with 500-800 yards of open, flat land before their objective, which was a dike.

“There was only one option,” said Megellas, “Charge into the dike, charge into the gunfire.”

A plan was in place for the landing. The paratroopers would reorganize at the dike and follow-on with their mission. There was a problem though, the men, who belonged to different companies, became too intermixed and conditions did not allow for reorganization.

Megellas said to stay at the dam and reorganize would have been “idiotic.”

Men, considered to be at the bottom of the chain of command, took charge and made “decisive” decisions, the veteran said. Platoon leaders and squad leaders charged over the dike and accomplished their mission by securing the bridge.

Soldiers from the British army were to push forward to Arnhem but a lack of orders from their command brought them to a halt in Nijmegen. By the time they received their orders, Operation Market Garden was a failure. The British took too long to reach their airborne brethren. Almost 8,000 British paratroopers were lost at Arnhem.

The man, who served as a platoon leader throughout World War II in the 504, made his point.

Decisive leadership wins battles. The British leaders “were not decisive,” Megellas said.

“Leadership is required at every level,” he said. “Gen. (James) Gavin could never have accomplished anything without his troopers.”

“You don’t accomplish your objective without leaders,” Megellas said.

His lesson was simple: good leadership is needed at the very top, and, also the bottom.

“Paratroopers, if properly led would follow you to the gates of hell if asked,” Megellas said.

The retired lieutenant colonel had his time in hell. This is the second time he came to Afghanistan to visit paratroopers who are having their time in hell.

Retired Lt. Col. James Megellas giving away hundreds of his books following a leadership class for staff personnel at the Joint Operations Center on Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Dec. 24. Megellas, who chronicled his time in the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division during World War II in his book, “All the Way to Berlin,” came to Afghanistan to visit service members. He was a member of the division during Operation Market Garden where he participated in the Waal River crossing.