James “Maggie” Megellas

Born: 11 Mar 1917

Enlistment date: 08 June 1942 Ripon, Wisconsin

Deployments: Europe - 05 Sep 1943

Units: H Co 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment 82nd Airborne Division

Rank: Captain

Specializations:

Qualifications: Combat Infantryman Badge

Decorations: Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, World War II Victory Ribbon, EAME Theater Ribbon with 6 Bronze Stars and 2 Bronze Arrowheads, 2 Presidential Unit Citation, Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, Dutch Military Order of Wilhelms, Belgian Croix de Guerre, Belgian Fourragere.

Discharge Date: 13th January 1946

Other Information: Following his discharge in 1946 James opted to continue his service with a role in the Army Reserve, where he rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, until his retirement in 1979. During WWII he was part of the team that rowed across the Waal River during Operation Market Garden and his full story can be read in his book “All the Way to Berlin” published by Ballantine Books.