War Hero and author to visit Library
At 7:00 p.m., Thursday, August 6, Friends of the Allen Public Library Bach to Books features Lt. Col. James Megallas, author of All the Way To Berlin:The Memoir of an Airborne Platoon Leader.
On January 28, 1945, during the Battle of the Bulge, Lt. James Megellas led his platoon of the 82nd Airborne Division on a surprise and devastating attack on a much larger advancing German force, killing and capturing a large number of the enemy and causing others to flee. In an act of fearless courage, Megellas singlehandedly destroyed an attacking German Mark V tank with two hand-held grenades. He then led the charge of his men and seized Herresbach, Belgium, during this fierce action of the Battle of the Bulge. Due to his aggressive, fearless and superior leadership, Lt. James Megellas inspired his men to excel.
After serving 4 years as a rifle platoon leader during World War II, including many combat jumps into Italy and Holland, Megellas left the active Army and served for 16 years in the Army Reserve. He retired after 20 years of service as a lieutenant colonel. His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Star Medals, two Bronze Star Medals, two Purple Hearts, and he is credited with being the 82nd Airborne Division’s most decorated officer.
During World War II, Gen. James Gavin selected one 82nd officer—Lt. James Megellas—to receive the Military Order of Willhelm Orange Lanyard from the Dutch Minister of War on behalf of his division. To this day, James Megellas continues to inspire. In 2006, 61 years after that momentous battle, James ‘‘Maggie’’ Megellas set foot on a battlefield with fellow 82nd Airborne Division soldiers, this time in a current theatre of war—Afghanistan. Lt. Col. Megellas listened to their stories of their past year of deployment and shared with them his own experiences during World War II. On Memorial Day, at 92 years old, James Megellas was in the Netherlands to be decorated by Her Majesty Queen Beatrix in a ceremony to once again receive the Military Order of Willhelm Orange Lanyard for outstanding service.