82nd Airborne BATTLEFIELD LEGEND | Personally Destroyed a German Tank | James "Maggie" Megellas
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While attending college James "Maggie" Megellas participated in the school's ROTC program. Upon graduation in May 1942, received a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army.
Megellas was originally assigned to the Signal Corps, but grew tired of the required additional schooling and volunteered to become a paratrooper in order to see combat. He was assigned to H Company, 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.
Megellas would go on to see some of the war's most fierce fighting and serve with incredible distinction and bravery. He fought in Italy - at Naples, then in the invasion at Anzio, and was wounded both times. The 504th badly depleted at Anzio, they were held back from the D-Day jump into Normandy, re-joining the European war at Operation Market Garden. In Holland, he attacked a German observation post and machine gun nest - actions that would earn him the Distinguished Service Cross.
On December 20, 1944, in the early days of the Battle of the Bulge, Megellas led the defeat of an enemy position and the rescue of one of his men, earning the Silver Star, an award he would receive once more after leading his platoon in an attack on 200 German soldiers, then personally disabling a German Mark V tank. To this day, the effort remains to see Maggie's award for that action upgraded to the Medal of Honor.
In January, 1946, James Megellas led his rifle company down 5th Avenue in New York City's Victory Parade. He is considered to be one of the most decorated combat officers in the history of the 82nd Airborne Division.
James "Maggie" Megellas passed away on April 2, 2020, just 22 days after his 103rd birthday.
Interview recorded on November 7, 2014
We are proud to have American Military University (AMU) sponsor this video. Learn more about AMU and their programs here: AMUonline.com/AVC
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Video Credits:
Interviewer - Greg Corombos
We are proud to have American Military University (AMU) sponsor this video. Learn more about AMU and their programs here: AMUonline.com/AVC
This is aw, but I thought Audie Murphy was the most decorated soldier of ww2?
I had the honor of meeting Maggie and some of his buddies when they were doing talks at different schools across the country on 2004. At the time I didn't know of his exploits or status, but I was in awe of him and the other 82nd vets with him. I'd give anything to revisit that day, eating lunch with them.
Sounds like an amazing experience!
This guy was one tough son of a gun! He single handedly knocked out a German Panther tank. Panthers were categorized as a medium tank but they were really a very large tank. I've never even heard of anything like that before. My wife just told me he died in 2020 at 103 years old. You were very lucky to have met him as this guy really was a true American hero. He and many others gave us the life we have been allowed to live and we owe them EVERYTHING. Think of a WW2 vet you know or knew every day as they will all be gone soon and that's the only way they'll remain with us.
@@americanveteranscenterI actually met a WWII soldier that personally raided Hitler's cane closet in Hitler's mountain retreat, before that he was captured, freed a couple weeks later by the Brits, he lost his knife but 60 years later he got a call from WWII British vet who had been trying to find the owner of the knife, found him, they met and talked before getting his old trusty knife back, he was hit by shrapnel multiple times mostly in his butt and shoulder, and a few bullets, he eventually had become frail but he used that cane up until his death, when I met him, I was in history class with his grand daughter, R.I.P. Corporal Chiks and all those who fought for our freedom from the Nazis
That's awesome bro
@@thomasjefferson3481 so far every great war hero of past eras are long dead or have now passed on, many brave men, mortal men destined to fade away yet their actions and deeds will live on told others and taught in history classes
Great interview, great man. His book is very riveting. Not many of these guys left. My father, born in 1910, knew American Civil War veterans. As we drove around the countryside on different errands he would point at a house and tell me about the veteran who had lived there.
Amazing read for sure!
Damn how old are you ?
@Cognitoman born in 55. My father was.45 when I was born.
Extraordinary memories of Honor and Courage. So much Sacrifice against evil. 💯
My Father in Law served with him in the 504th and also retired as a lieutenant colonel. He was in all the same battles and got the same silver star at Chenaux. Amazing
Devils in baggy pants.76 to 82
Greatest Americans since Revolutionary War. Maggie is a warrior with the heart of a lion. Great short interview. Book is highly recommended.
Maggie's taking all his commands from the great jump master in the sky! I was once a paratrooper of a different era 1-504/82ABN 80-84. We stood in the shadow of giants like him!
Thank you SO much for sharing your experience and thoughts!!! God Bless you for your service, courage and sacrifice for freedom 🇺🇸❤️
Fantastic interview with a Patriot and courageous man! Thank you for sharing this with us!
My Uncle was 82nd Airborne and parachuted into Normandy on D-Day and fought all the way through to the end of the war, he fought in the Battle of the Bulge. I wish I had been old enough and brave enough to ask him about the war, given he was the most important battles of the war. He told my aunt a few things, which she relayed to me. He told my mom a few things as well, but not alot. He said when they were coming down after jumping out of the plane the night of D-Day, there tracers flying up at them everywhere and he could hear men screaming in their chutes coming down. He said the next morning, there were body parts in some of the trees. The only two things mentioned about the Bulge were the loss of a close friend in the foxhole next to him during the shelling and his friends head was gone (One of the only other original platoon members that parachuted in Normandy with him that was still alive) and that they were freezing and a number of guys got frostbite. I suspect that stuff is the tip of the iceberg compared to everything he saw and endured. God bless Clarence William "Bill" Robinson.
I had the honour to meet Maggie several times in Holland with my son we spoke on many actions the 504th was in he was always interested to answer my questions and gave very detailed answers his picture with him me and my son is always hanging in my office so i still see him every day 😊
I met Maggie at the Dallas Airport where he was selling his book "All the way to Berlin" back in the early 2000s. I cherish my autographed copy. It details all of these battles and the horror of occupying Berlin. If you can find a copy, get it. I won't spoil it for you, but it is told from a very personal level. He says he wanted to call the book something like "through the sights of my gun" and that is the way he tells the stories.
An amazing interview. God bless him. ❤
Thanks to all our Veterans who served. War brings out the best and worst in humanity.
It terrible war. We have to use killing to stop killing. That's what war is to me.
I loved Maggie‘s book. I’ve read it several times, and every time it is just amazing!
It's so good!
What’s it called
Amazing story and amazing man. I believe he misspoke regarding allied KIA's at Anzio. The 30,000 he mentions is closer to the total allied casualties(including wounded) according to multiple official sources. This is from the US Army Center of Military History: "Of the combat casualties, 16,200 were Americans (2,800 killed, 11,000 wounded, 2,400 prisoners or missing) as were 26,000 of the Allied noncombat casualties. German combat losses, suffered wholly by the Fourteenth Army, were estimated at 27,500 (5,500 killed, 17,500 wounded, and 4,500 prisoners or missing)-figures very similar to Allied losses"
I'm volunteering for the 82nd Airborne a little after I graduate, and I'd be lying if I said that men like James aren't a big reason as to why I made my decision to aim for the 82nd. God bless all our veterans, especially men and women like this.
I used to hang out with a guy who was a fighter pilot on a carrier in the Pacific WWII. Both my grandfathers were WWII Vets. My Father was a famous musician and I grew up in the Hollywood Hills in a party house.
Celebrating their hard earned freedom. God bless our veterans.
I'm so very thankful to Almighty God for men like " Maggie" who's courage, bravery and unfailing determination helped to overcome the evil forces of the Axis Powers in the European Theatre of War!May God continue to bless our WWII men and women!
The bad part is the 82nd never got the recognition they deserved,especially during the battle of the bulge.This man is a true american hero.
You can thank the 101st Airborne's publicity machine for that.
@@smctrout4423 Yes sir
@smctrout4423 When it comes to the Battle of the Bulge, most people only think of Bastogne, Patton and the 101st Airborne. They know nothing about the more important battles in the north or even that Montgomery was commanding the US 1st Army.
@@lyndoncmp5751 even fewer know about the outsized contributions of Lyle Bouck's I&R platoon and the Combat Engineer Battalion commanded by Col. David Pergrin.
@@smctrout4423 Im not even clued up about those units myself.
This is what a patriot looks like .❤ Thank you and bless you sir.
I appreciate Maggie's cool and calm recall of his experiances . This man would have been a welcome tanker.👍🇺🇸
What a brave and fascinating man. Much respect from the UK 🇬🇧 🇺🇸.
I live in Nijmegen and this is special to me. Every night at dusk, there is a Dutch veteran walking along the new bridge across the Waal, following the speed of the street lights, which turn on one by one. The number of lights is related to the number of men lost at the crossing, and literally translated, this new bridge is also called 'The Crossing'
Spent 2 weeks with Maggie in 2006 in Europe the most amazing experience ever. What a hero!
God bless you sir thank you for your service and all the men and women like yourself you all are truly the greatest generation ever.
Im in awe that this man chose to fight when he had other choices and also that he was frustrated that he couldnt experience fighting sooner for the sake of learning. This man was a warrior through and through.
Thank you for your service!! My dad was Pfc Charles H. Miller, 82nd,505,Charlie Co. ( I think). He made all 4 jumps,received a bronze star & purple heart.
Bravos heróis corajosos viram a morte de perto e não retrocederam.
Its really something to listen to these warriors. There no different these stories from Korean or or Vietnam veterans. The stories and story tellers are some very brave men. Can't say enough of them nut would love to be in there presence.
Thank you Sir
My Grandfather was in The Philippines theater as a captain. A humble pastor who loved everyone. He passed away before I married my wife from there.
Helluva story! A true American Patriot! Im on a bender watching all these videos now. 🇺🇲❤️
One of my grandfathers was also in the 82nd airborne in WWII. My other grandfather was a sniper and was part of the Italy campaign and his brother was in the Pacific theater and was a Japanese POW and was part of one of their death matches. I also had 2 uncle's that was in the SS and fought on the eastern front against the Russians
My namesake Steven, my uncle fell by perhaps friendly fire, his life taken in Anzio...Captain Magellas witnessed my uncle Steve's death. After WW2, Captain Magellas sypathetically visited my grandmother in Wabeno, Wisconsin. Thank you, in memory to Captain Magellas. I wished i could have met you!
One of my PL's I had during OEF got to meet him and God rest his soul. Read his book at least 5 times over now and will continue!
Hero! Beautiful interview ❤❤
I read about Col. Tucker, that man deserves a movie and then some What a character!
Really enjoyed watching “Maggie’s War.”
What a wonderful man.
I salute you Sir.
What a strong person. Respect!!
You sure can tell the difference between an enlisted guy and officer when they talk about battle the officers appear to always talk in terms of tactics and the enlisted seam to talk of action of those tactics!
It’s good to see what real men are like so someday we can be like them again.
Good Story and Good ending 👍
He's completely mission focused oriented. That's the real U.S. Army who won WWII. 2nd Lt. Megellas served completely above & beyond .
That was one brave son of a bitch. And more than once. And he was not the only one. What a story. Canvas canoes, charging and destroying a tank crew.
Hey my great uncle was in the 82. Robert Nieblas. Neato
🇺🇸👍🇺🇸👍🇺🇸
Interesting
Devils in Baggy Pants!!
🇺🇲❤❤❤❤❤
They dont make men like this anymore
God bless our great men. United. Vote trump, love from 🇬🇧. "We need you".
Yes we need trump or this country will fall!
A little skeptical
Beyond YOUR recognition. Come on. Where did you serve, motor pool or mess cook?
This guy? You want a real story come interview me. I’m a combat veteran and war hero.