Two and a half years ago, Lieutenant Colonel James “Maggie” Megellas, from the 3rd Battalion, 504th PIR, 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 82nd Airborne Division, passed, at the age of 103 years old. He was known as the most decorated officer in the history of his division. Considering the timing of his passing, he sadly wasn’t able, at the time, to be laid to rest with the proper honors. This has finally been made right, this past Friday, September 2nd, as a great military ceremony was held at the National Cemetery of Arlington, during which Megellas was laid in his resting place. His service records include Italy’s Operation Husky, where he and his comrades of the 504th distinguished themselves by earning the nickname “Devils in Baggy Pants” directly from the German soldiers, because of their special paratrooper uniforms, and their combat skills. Megellas went on to participate in Operation Market Garden, where he crossed the Waal river, as well as in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium. Finally, he fought in Germany, where he and his platoon took part in the liberation of the Wöbbelin concentration camp, near the city of Ludwigslust. During an interview in 2014, Megellas said that this was where he saw the terrifying reality of the Holocaust, and realized the full importance of the cause for which the Allies fought, and why it was so important to end this madness. We thank him for his service. May he rest in peace.
