MADISON, Wis. — Memorabilia from the life of one of the most decorated combat officers of the 82nd Airborne Division is now on display at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum in Madison.
James “Maggie” Megellas left behind quite the legacy.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, earning multiple military awards, including the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts for his service.
What You Need To Know
- Memorabilia from the life of one of the most decorated combat officers of the 82nd Airborne Division is now on display at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum in Madison
- James “Maggie” Megellas was a leader in the military and also served in the state department. In his 90s, he made trips to Afghanistan to speak with soldiers while they were deployed
- Megellas' collection that now sits at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum has over 100 items. It ranges from medals to combat gear, awards and much more
- The collection will permanently be housed with the Wisconsin Veterans Museum and the items will rotate on display in the museum
Megellas passed away in the spring of 2020. His two sons, James and Stephen Megellas, said they have been searching for a place to host all of their dad’s memorabilia from his time in the military.
“For us, he was just a great father, a great grandfather, a best friend,” his son, James Megellas, said. “He wasn’t a war hero. It wasn’t until later in life we realized, wow, he is the most decorated officer in the history of the 82nd Airborne and he is one of the most decorated officers in the state of Wisconsin.”
Megellas grew up in Fond Du Lac and had always called Wisconsin home. Out of high school, he joined the ROTC program and then became a paratrooper and was deployed overseas to serve during World War II.
He was a leader in the military and also served in the state department. In his 90s, he made trips to Afghanistan to speak with soldiers while they were deployed.
Megellas’ family said he was proud of his Wisconsin roots and it was something he instilled in his two sons, who still come back to cheer on Wisconsin sports teams to this day.
His son Stephen said donating his collection to a museum in Wisconsin was a must.
“My father was definitely a Wisconsin boy,” his son, Stephen Megellas, said. “He talked about how Wisconsin made him who he was. So, when the time came to donate his World War II collection, we knew this was the right place.”
The collection that now sits at the Wisconsin Veterans Museum has over 100 items. It ranges from medals to combat gear, awards and much more.
Kevin Hampton is the curator of history at the museum and had a close connection with Megellas while he was alive.
Hampton said many museums across the country were vying for these items in his collection, but to have them in Wisconsin is truly a treasure.
“Knowing that the family chose us over other institutions, over national institutions is a remarkable honor,” Hampton said. “In many ways for me, it’s like he’s coming home, too.”
Megellas’ sons both live out of state and said having a permanent fixture on display that will stand for generations to come is something they know their dad would appreciate.
“Keeping his name alive is very important,” his son, James Megellas, said. “It’s not so much about keeping his name alive solely, it’s so that the next generation really understands the sacrifices that were made so that we can all have the life that we have and the freedoms that we have in this country.”
The collection will permanently be housed with the Wisconsin Veterans Museum and the items will rotate on display in the museum.