James Megellas: All the Way to Berlin

We return to the men of the 82nd Airborne Division in late September 1944, after the capture of the bridge at Nijmegen, Holland - a battle whose story one CBS war correspondent declared "should be told to the blowing of bugles and the beating of drums for the men whose bravery made [it] possible." But in its wake would come even greater trials: the Battle of the Bulge, and finally, the march on Berlin.

The Pritzker Military Museum & Library welcomed back James "Maggie" Megellas for a special interview covering the second part of his celebrated World War II memoir All the Way to Berlin. The first half of the interview took place in March 2007. 

A native of Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Megellas fought in the Italian and Western European campaign of WWII, first as a platoon leader, and then as the Company Commander of H Company, 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. His most notable battle experiences include action in the Italian mountains near the Anzio beachhead, his combat jump into Holland as part of Operation Market Garden, crossing the Waal River under heavy German fire in broad daylight, and the Battle of the Bulge. He finished the war in the occupation of Berlin, and led H Company down Fifth Avenue in New York in the Victory Parade in January 1946.

His awards include the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts, a Presidential Citation, six Campaign Stars, and the Master Parachutist badge. He was also the first American ever to receive the Military Order of Wilhelm Orange Lanyard from the government of Holland. After the war, Megellas served for 18 years with the U.S. Agency for International Development, including work in Vietnam and Panama.

At 90 years old, Megellas recently returned from spending Christmas in Afghanistan with his old outfit, the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, along the Pakistani border. He continues to travel and lecture around the world.