On March 11, 2016 "Maggie" reached the respectable age of 99 years. Still in good health and still going strong.
On February 2, one visit
in particular brought a special sense of pride to the speaker when he came
face-to-face with
a true American hero—Lieutenant Colonel James “Maggie” Megellas,
originally of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. And boy does he have a story worth sharing.In
mid-1943, then-26-year-old James Megellas joined the 82nd Airborne division
of the United States Army to defend the nation’s freedom during World
War II,
and his actions thereafter were nothing short of legendary. That’s why
a grateful nation honored him with a February ceremony
in the Cannon House Office Building—a place steps from the U.S. Capitol
that houses congressional offices like the Veterans Affairs Committee.
In attendance at this ceremony
was a fellow Wisconsinite: Speaker Paul Ryan.
They exchanged stories and laughs of being Wisconsin-bred, with plenty of
Packers talk thrown in.
As always, Lt. Col. Megellas was the definition of modesty. “You make
me proud to be from Wisconsin,” the Lt. Col. said to Speaker Ryan.
“Are you kidding?” responded Speaker Ryan. “I’m the
one who’s proud.”There was no doubt about it: Everyone there was
in the presence of an American hero.
Lt. Col. Megellas is the 82nd Airborne’s most decorated officer, having
received both the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star.
Two stories of his heroism stand out in particular.
Then-First Lieutenant Megellas
was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross—the U.S. military’s
second-highest
decoration—for his heroic actions on September 30, 1944, in Holland,
when he single-handedly dismantled an enemy observation outpost and machine-gun
nest.
He was also awarded a Silver Star
for his heroic actions on January 28, 1945, when he single-handedly attacked—and
destroyed—a 50-ton Nazi tank
during the Battle of the Bulge in Herresbach, Belgium.
Oct. 8, 1945 Gen. Gavin was presented the Dutch highest Military Award the Military Willemsorde (like the US M.O.H.) Maggie was chosen by Gen. Gavin to take the award on behalf of the 82nd Airborne Division. The 82nd is since allowed to wear the Dutch Orange Lanyard.
Below Maggie's awards.
On March 15, 2016 the
Dutch Militaire Willemsorde was awarded to the Dutch Special Forces.
Because of this James and his wife were invited to attend the ceremony.
On March 13, he arrived at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol were he was welcomed
in a very special way.
After there arrival the were brought to the lounge of the Dutch King and Queen (below) were they could recover from a long flight before they were interviewed by the Dutch press.
These photos were taken by Peter van
de Wal. I assert the moral right to be recognized as the photographer
and the owner of these images in any form. If you wish to use these
photos for noncommercial purposes I consent to such use as long as
the source of the photos is clearly acknowledged in the same publication
as the photos you wish to reproduce.
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TM & © 2001 Dreamworks Television & HBO. This site is
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Peter van de Wal ©
