James ‘Maggie’ Megellas, son of Greek immigrant parents who settled in Wisconsin, began his World War II career as a platoon leader in H Company, 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He quickly rose to become H Company’s commander, distinguishing himself at the Anzio beachhead in Italy and the Waal River in Holland. In the waning days of the Battle of the Bulge, when media attention had long turned elsewhere, his company was ordered to attack a much larger force of German infantry dug in at the Belgian village of Herresbach. His company’s courageous surprise attack resulted in the killing of some one hundred enemy soldiers. Many more Germans were led away as prisoners. In the heavy fighting, Megellas himself took out a Panther tank single-handedly. By the end of the war, the Greek-American for his courage had received the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silvers Stars, two Bronze Stars, and the Belgian Fourragère, among several other medals. It made him one of the most decorated soldiers in the 82nd Airborne Division. Megellas is still alive and well and will celebrate his 100th birthday this March. Steps are currently underway in Congress to present him with the Medal of Honor for his daring action in the Bulge.
