What:

Dedication ceremony renaming the Fond du Lac Post Office to the Lieutenant Colonel James ‘Maggie’ Megellas Post Office. A reception will follow the dedication ceremony at the Fond du Lac American Legion Post 75. (Please see attached agenda for more details about this separate event.)

When:

Tuesday, June 14, 2016 – 11:00 a.m.

Where:

Fond du Lac Post Office
99 West 2nd Street
Fond du Lac WI 54935

Who:

James ‘Maggie’ Megellas, Lieutenant Colonel (retired), United States Army
Ron Johnson, United States Senator, State of Wisconsin
Tammy Baldwin, United States Senator, State of Wisconsin
Glenn Grothman, United States Congressman, State of Wisconsin, 6th District
Randy Stines, District Manager, U.S. Postal Service
Brian E. Winski, Brigadier General, Deputy Commanding General, 82nd Airborne Division
Joseph Moore, City Manager, Fond du Lac, WI
Gary L. Miller, Reverend, United Church of Christ, Fond du Lac, WI
John Townsend, Captain, United States Navy Reserve
1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division,
American Legion Post 75, Fond du Lac, WI
All-American Chorus, 82nd Airborne Division

Background:

Lieutenant Colonel James ‘Maggie’ Megellas was born and raised in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, attended Fond du Lac public schools and graduated from Ripon College in 1942.

Megellas accepted a commission as a second lieutenant, infantry, U.S. Army, upon graduation at Ripon College and began his service in World War II. Four years later, he was acknowledged as the most decorated officer in the acclaimed 82nd Airborne Division and was discharged with the rank of captain. He continued serving as a citizen-soldier and retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

His awards include the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, two Purple Hearts, Presidential Citation with Cluster, the Belgium Fouragere, six campaign stars and Master Parachutist Badge.

Megellas was selected by General James Gavin, the commanding general of the 82nd Airborne Division, to receive the Military Order of Wilhelm Orange Lanyard from the Dutch Minister of War in Berlin in 1945. He is the first American to be honored with the award by the government of Holland. He fought in the Italian and Western European Campaign, as a platoon leader, and while still a 1st Lieutenant, was named Company Commander of H Company, 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) in the waning days of the war.

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 of the Waal River under heavy German fire in broad daylight, and the Battle of the Bulge in January of 1945, when he singlehandedly destroyed a German Mark V Panther Tank and led his platoon to one of the most distinctive actions of the war, without a single American casualty. He finished World War II in the occupation of Berlin and led his company, the only company with which he served during all of his Word War II service, down Fifth Avenue in New York City in the January 1946 Victory Parade. Megellas served in the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) for 32 years, with assignments in Yemen, Panama, South Vietnam and Colombia.

At the age of 99, Megellas continues to be forceful, active and articulate. He is fond of saying his mission continues.