82nd Airborne BATTLEFIELD LEGEND | Personally Destroyed a German Tank

82nd Airborne BATTLEFIELD LEGEND | Personally Destroyed a German Tank | James "Maggie" Megellas

Рет қаралды 67,495

Күн бұрын

Пікірлер: 103

@americanveteranscenter 11 ай бұрын

We are proud to have American Military University (AMU) sponsor this video. Learn more about AMU and their programs here: AMUonline.com/AVC

@human_bot_ 11 ай бұрын

This is aw, but I thought Audie Murphy was the most decorated soldier of ww2?

@toddtauscher5293 4 ай бұрын

God Bless this fine brave gentlemen.. This is what real bravery ,courage and selfless devotion is all about... They really were "The Greatest Generation "

@rinzehartman4466 9 ай бұрын

I live in Nijmegen and this is special to me. Every night at dusk, there is a Dutch veteran walking along the new bridge across the Waal, following the speed of the street lights, which turn on one by one. The number of lights is related to the number of men lost at the crossing, and literally translated, this new bridge is also called 'The Crossing'

@ninotchka6200 4 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing your story. It was both lovely and heartbreaking. It piqued my interest. I did some reading about your city and what happened there in WWII. And learned how it found itself on the front lines for 5 months, bombed, and greatly damaged with enormous civilian losses. A Dutch veteran crossing a bridge over the Waal each night at dusk suddenly took on new meaning. If you ever read this, and are so inclined, would you be willing to share more about your town and its occupants? And the manner in which its history and sacrifices are remembered? Thank you so much.

@martymiller7318 11 ай бұрын

Thank you for your service!! My dad was Pfc Charles H. Miller, 82nd,505,Charlie Co. ( I think). He made all 4 jumps,received a bronze star & purple heart.

@ninotchka6200 4 ай бұрын

Wow, you must be so proud of him. What an courageous and remarkable man. Please pass along my thanks to him -- I'm hoping he's still with you.

@genghisgalahad8465 4 ай бұрын

Thank You, American Veterans Center, for so often, including the other rightly legendary Airborne Division, the 82nd All-American, and so many individual stories! 💛 💙 🇺🇸

@targafotograf 11 ай бұрын

My namesake Steven, my uncle fell by perhaps friendly fire, his life taken in Anzio...Captain Magellas witnessed my uncle Steve's death. After WW2, Captain Magellas sypathetically visited my grandmother in Wabeno, Wisconsin. Thank you, in memory to Captain Magellas. I wished i could have met you!

@oOneenOo 11 ай бұрын

I had the honor of meeting Maggie and some of his buddies when they were doing talks at different schools across the country on 2004. At the time I didn't know of his exploits or status, but I was in awe of him and the other 82nd vets with him. I'd give anything to revisit that day, eating lunch with them.

@americanveteranscenter 11 ай бұрын

Sounds like an amazing experience!

@thomasjefferson3481 11 ай бұрын

This guy was one tough son of a gun! He single handedly knocked out a German Panther tank. Panthers were categorized as a medium tank but they were really a very large tank. I've never even heard of anything like that before. My wife just told me he died in 2020 at 103 years old. You were very lucky to have met him as this guy really was a true American hero. He and many others gave us the life we have been allowed to live and we owe them EVERYTHING. Think of a WW2 vet you know or knew every day as they will all be gone soon and that's the only way they'll remain with us.

@CadianTrooper224 11 ай бұрын

@@americanveteranscenterI actually met a WWII soldier that personally raided Hitler's cane closet in Hitler's mountain retreat, before that he was captured, freed a couple weeks later by the Brits, he lost his knife but 60 years later he got a call from WWII British vet who had been trying to find the owner of the knife, found him, they met and talked before getting his old trusty knife back, he was hit by shrapnel multiple times mostly in his butt and shoulder, and a few bullets, he eventually had become frail but he used that cane up until his death, when I met him, I was in history class with his grand daughter, R.I.P. Corporal Chiks and all those who fought for our freedom from the Nazis

@carlosdew1351 11 ай бұрын

That's awesome bro

@CadianTrooper224 11 ай бұрын

@@thomasjefferson3481 so far every great war hero of past eras are long dead or have now passed on, many brave men, mortal men destined to fade away yet their actions and deeds will live on told others and taught in history classes

@Senorramon1 8 ай бұрын

Im in awe that this man chose to fight when he had other choices and also that he was frustrated that he couldnt experience fighting sooner for the sake of learning. This man was a warrior through and through.

@jayshockey5461 10 ай бұрын

Spent 2 weeks with Maggie in 2006 in Europe the most amazing experience ever. What a hero!

@lyndoncmp5751 11 ай бұрын

What a brave and fascinating man. Much respect from the UK 🇬🇧 🇺🇸.

@PhilAlumb 11 ай бұрын

Extraordinary memories of Honor and Courage. So much Sacrifice against evil. 💯

@crystalheart9 6 ай бұрын

Thank you for your stories and service Mr. Megellas. My dad was in the 82 Airborne in the Battle of the Bulge.

@donaldg.freeman2804 11 ай бұрын

Great interview, great man. His book is very riveting. Not many of these guys left. My father, born in 1910, knew American Civil War veterans. As we drove around the countryside on different errands he would point at a house and tell me about the veteran who had lived there.

@americanveteranscenter 11 ай бұрын

Amazing read for sure!

@Cognitoman 9 ай бұрын

Damn how old are you ?

@donaldg.freeman2804 9 ай бұрын

@Cognitoman born in 55. My father was.45 when I was born.

@andrewwright8507 9 ай бұрын

One of my PL's I had during OEF got to meet him and God rest his soul. Read his book at least 5 times over now and will continue!

@grayharker6271 11 ай бұрын

Maggie's taking all his commands from the great jump master in the sky! I was once a paratrooper of a different era 1-504/82ABN 80-84. We stood in the shadow of giants like him!

@daveaver 11 ай бұрын

Greatest Americans since Revolutionary War. Maggie is a warrior with the heart of a lion. Great short interview. Book is highly recommended.

@floydgail8816 11 ай бұрын

My Father in Law served with him in the 504th and also retired as a lieutenant colonel. He was in all the same battles and got the same silver star at Chenaux. Amazing

@carlinbrumback8931 11 ай бұрын

Devils in baggy pants.76 to 82

@Jpassione58 4 ай бұрын

@@carlinbrumback893177 to 81 for me🇺🇸🇺🇸👍 1st of the 325

@nicojongeneel9734 11 ай бұрын

I had the honour to meet Maggie several times in Holland with my son we spoke on many actions the 504th was in he was always interested to answer my questions and gave very detailed answers his picture with him me and my son is always hanging in my office so i still see him every day 😊

@oledahammer8393 11 ай бұрын

My Uncle was 82nd Airborne and parachuted into Normandy on D-Day and fought all the way through to the end of the war, he fought in the Battle of the Bulge. I wish I had been old enough and brave enough to ask him about the war, given he was the most important battles of the war. He told my aunt a few things, which she relayed to me. He told my mom a few things as well, but not alot. He said when they were coming down after jumping out of the plane the night of D-Day, there tracers flying up at them everywhere and he could hear men screaming in their chutes coming down. He said the next morning, there were body parts in some of the trees. The only two things mentioned about the Bulge were the loss of a close friend in the foxhole next to him during the shelling and his friends head was gone (One of the only other original platoon members that parachuted in Normandy with him that was still alive) and that they were freezing and a number of guys got frostbite. I suspect that stuff is the tip of the iceberg compared to everything he saw and endured. God bless Clarence William "Bill" Robinson.

@XHollisWood 11 ай бұрын

Thank you SO much for sharing your experience and thoughts!!! God Bless you for your service, courage and sacrifice for freedom 🇺🇸❤️

@liamt6425 11 ай бұрын

I'm volunteering for the 82nd Airborne a little after I graduate, and I'd be lying if I said that men like James aren't a big reason as to why I made my decision to aim for the 82nd. God bless all our veterans, especially men and women like this.

@Jbryan23 11 ай бұрын

Fantastic interview with a Patriot and courageous man! Thank you for sharing this with us!

@jlfalwell3 11 ай бұрын

I met Maggie at the Dallas Airport where he was selling his book "All the way to Berlin" back in the early 2000s. I cherish my autographed copy. It details all of these battles and the horror of occupying Berlin. If you can find a copy, get it. I won't spoil it for you, but it is told from a very personal level. He says he wanted to call the book something like "through the sights of my gun" and that is the way he tells the stories.

@brockmitchell3989 4 ай бұрын

Thank you for the info about the book. I just bought it a few moments ago. I found a good used hardcover for a little over $5 on eBay. I am looking forward to reading it when it gets here.

@hiheeledsneakers 11 ай бұрын

An amazing interview. God bless him. ❤

@realwealthproperties5671 11 ай бұрын

I loved Maggie‘s book. I’ve read it several times, and every time it is just amazing!

@americanveteranscenter 11 ай бұрын

It's so good!

@Cognitoman 9 ай бұрын

What’s it called

@richardthornhill4630 11 ай бұрын

Thanks to all our Veterans who served. War brings out the best and worst in humanity.

@bradr2142 8 ай бұрын

It terrible war. We have to use killing to stop killing. That's what war is to me.

@jeffreym.keilen1095 10 ай бұрын

I appreciate Maggie's cool and calm recall of his experiances . This man would have been a welcome tanker.👍🇺🇸

@francispeltonen3772 11 ай бұрын

This is what a patriot looks like .❤ Thank you and bless you sir.

@jgonzalez101 11 ай бұрын

I'm so very thankful to Almighty God for men like " Maggie" who's courage, bravery and unfailing determination helped to overcome the evil forces of the Axis Powers in the European Theatre of War!May God continue to bless our WWII men and women!

@Kris_kole 11 ай бұрын

Helluva story! A true American Patriot! Im on a bender watching all these videos now. 🇺🇲❤️

@albertatherepublic8907 11 ай бұрын

God bless you sir thank you for your service and all the men and women like yourself you all are truly the greatest generation ever.

@markpaul-ym5wg 11 ай бұрын

The bad part is the 82nd never got the recognition they deserved,especially during the battle of the bulge.This man is a true american hero.

@smctrout4423 11 ай бұрын

You can thank the 101st Airborne's publicity machine for that.

@markpaul-ym5wg 11 ай бұрын

@@smctrout4423 Yes sir

@lyndoncmp5751 11 ай бұрын

@smctrout4423 When it comes to the Battle of the Bulge, most people only think of Bastogne, Patton and the 101st Airborne. They know nothing about the more important battles in the north or even that Montgomery was commanding the US 1st Army.

@smctrout4423 11 ай бұрын

@@lyndoncmp5751 even fewer know about the outsized contributions of Lyle Bouck's I&R platoon and the Combat Engineer Battalion commanded by Col. David Pergrin.

@lyndoncmp5751 11 ай бұрын

@@smctrout4423 Im not even clued up about those units myself.

@mikeneidlinger8857 11 ай бұрын

I used to hang out with a guy who was a fighter pilot on a carrier in the Pacific WWII. Both my grandfathers were WWII Vets. My Father was a famous musician and I grew up in the Hollywood Hills in a party house.

@johneynon7018 11 ай бұрын

Celebrating their hard earned freedom. God bless our veterans.

@svengroot3909 11 ай бұрын

Hero! Beautiful interview ❤❤

@trekfortruth2841 11 ай бұрын

Amazing story and amazing man. I believe he misspoke regarding allied KIA's at Anzio. The 30,000 he mentions is closer to the total allied casualties(including wounded) according to multiple official sources. This is from the US Army Center of Military History: "Of the combat casualties, 16,200 were Americans (2,800 killed, 11,000 wounded, 2,400 prisoners or missing) as were 26,000 of the Allied noncombat casualties. German combat losses, suffered wholly by the Fourteenth Army, were estimated at 27,500 (5,500 killed, 17,500 wounded, and 4,500 prisoners or missing)-figures very similar to Allied losses"

@johngrogan7585 11 ай бұрын

Thank you Sir

@marklucca3044 11 ай бұрын

He's completely mission focused oriented. That's the real U.S. Army who won WWII. 2nd Lt. Megellas served completely above & beyond .

@bensears7499 11 ай бұрын

My Grandfather was in The Philippines theater as a captain. A humble pastor who loved everyone. He passed away before I married my wife from there.

@caninekathy7740 4 ай бұрын

My father was 17 when he enlisted in the army in 1941 he drove tanks at first but then Roosevelt enacted the paratroopers . in 1942 my father signed up he was 18 he served many campaigns in World War II he was in the 82nd airborne 508 PIR Company A Red Devils better known Fury from the sky the paratroopers were known as Stickmen …… his last campaign was June 6, 1944 Normandy that day his company was shot out of the sky my father was may be one of his entire company that perished German machine gun fire and as he was landing a German hand grenade nearly took his life he lost both of his kneecaps nearly all of them he was 20 years old a couple of young paratroopers were walking across this area and found him he was bleeding to death they took him to a transport plane which took him to Nottingham England a hospital that was there for many of these young soldiers went to recuperate my father died on the hospital table and young man from other companies gave blood so he could live my father ended up marrying had five beautiful daughters all strong just like him and the tender heart of our mother they were married near 40 years when my mother passed away and my father passed away five years later in 2001 at the age of 76 Christmas night ….. I cried when I saw this movie from my father shared with me his journey in World War II I was the only daughter who shared the story after my father‘s passing I shared it with my family especially my nieces and nephews as much information so they themselves can learn about their grandfather and his contribution to this country God bless you for sharing the story of a paratrooper 🕊 to my dad …. PFC Eulalio Morales U.S. Army 82nd airborne 508 PIR Co A Red Devils Fury from the Sky 🇺🇸

@ninotchka6200 4 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing your father's experiences and sacrifices with us. I'm glad you're handing them down in your family as well, there's so much to be proud of. And I'm so sorry for the loss of both your parents.

@caninekathy7740 4 ай бұрын

@@ninotchka6200 🕊

@jeroenwubbels7824 11 ай бұрын

I read about Col. Tucker, that man deserves a movie and then some What a character!

@marciofelipejustino2563 11 ай бұрын

Bravos heróis corajosos viram a morte de perto e não retrocederam.

@riverbender9898 11 ай бұрын

I salute you Sir.

@tonys1202 11 ай бұрын

What a strong person. Respect!!

@JoeXTheXJuggalo1 11 ай бұрын

One of my grandfathers was also in the 82nd airborne in WWII. My other grandfather was a sniper and was part of the Italy campaign and his brother was in the Pacific theater and was a Japanese POW and was part of one of their death matches. I also had 2 uncle's that was in the SS and fought on the eastern front against the Russians

@bradr2142 8 ай бұрын

Its really something to listen to these warriors. There no different these stories from Korean or or Vietnam veterans. The stories and story tellers are some very brave men. Can't say enough of them nut would love to be in there presence.

@Mag_Aoidh 11 ай бұрын

Really enjoyed watching “Maggie’s War.”

@bensears7499 11 ай бұрын

It’s good to see what real men are like so someday we can be like them again.

@michaeldavid2894 2 ай бұрын

The greatest generation of Americans fought in the big war world war II God bless you sir thank you for your service

@Mtlmshr 11 ай бұрын

You sure can tell the difference between an enlisted guy and officer when they talk about battle the officers appear to always talk in terms of tactics and the enlisted seam to talk of action of those tactics!

@haroldmclean3755 11 ай бұрын

Good Story and Good ending 👍

@CaseySimpsonJD 11 ай бұрын

That was one brave son of a bitch. And more than once. And he was not the only one. What a story. Canvas canoes, charging and destroying a tank crew.

@eymoose 11 ай бұрын

Hey my great uncle was in the 82. Robert Nieblas. Neato

@jacobpettes335 3 ай бұрын

How many people have ever singlehandedly disabled a tank and neutralized its crew on foot? I'd guess very few. That man is a real-life badass.

@sleepyjones9625 10 ай бұрын

They dont make men like this anymore

@bensonsspeedshop1191 11 ай бұрын

🇺🇸👍🇺🇸👍🇺🇸

@ronaldlucas5360 11 ай бұрын

Interesting

@ChrundleTGreat 11 ай бұрын

Devils in Baggy Pants!!

@jimmock1155 5 ай бұрын

Dear God in heaven, have mercy. We are so screwed up in our sin. Layers and layers deep.

@Jpassione58 4 ай бұрын

The same thing is starting to happen today we need to stop the monstrosity. That is the Democrat party before they in prison freedom, loving people everywhere

@susanbrown5004 11 ай бұрын

🇺🇲❤❤❤❤❤

@jessewrites17792 11 ай бұрын

God bless our great men. United. Vote trump, love from 🇬🇧. "We need you".

@alanlafromboise3156 10 ай бұрын

Yes we need trump or this country will fall!

@ninotchka6200 4 ай бұрын

Yeah, we're in dire need of the guy who said his "Vietnam" was avoiding getting a sexually transmitted disease. And repeatedly as our commander in chief called veterans and disabled veterans losers and chumps. Stop deluding yourself you know the truth -- more than people like Trump's former White House chief of staff and retired Marine Corps general John Kelly. Trump's own Secretary of State Tillerson (former CEO of Exxon) called him "an effing moron". It can't all be fake news!!

@avalanche9026 7 ай бұрын

How is it possible that during war time high ranking officers ? Allow to go home for holidays ?? Especially when front is active ?? That’s irresponsible. No way. It’s dangerous.