WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Beth Van Duyne (TX-24) joined Rep. Glenn Grothman (WI-06) in introducing legislation to award Lt. Col. James “Maggie” Megellas, a former resident of Colleyville, Texas, the Medal of Honor. The bill authorizes and requests President Joe Biden to posthumously award Megellas with the United States’ highest military honor for the courage he showed during the Battle of the Bulge. 

“Lt. Col. Megellas is a true American hero, putting his life on the line for our country during one of the bloodiest battles of World War II,” said Van Duyne. “The bravery and courage he displayed during the Battle of the Bulge saved countless lives, ensuring no man in his platoon was left behind. Lt. Col. Megellas is the type of soldier who makes me proud to be an American, and there’s no question that he is deserving of our nation’s highest military honor. I can’t think of a better way to honor his life and legacy than to award him with the Medal of Honor, which is why I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation today.

“More than 70 years ago, Lt. Col. Megellas proudly represented the United States with a display of heroism in the face of one of WWII’s bloodiest battles that is deserving of our nation’s highest military honor,” said Grothman. “He saved many lives and stopped the advance of enemy troops to protect his brothers in arms without regard to his own safety. Luckily, Maggie survived the ordeal and so did many American soldiers who would not have if Maggie was absent. I thank Senator Johnson for joining me in recognizing a local hero and hope that the rest of my colleagues in Congress can come together in a bipartisan manner to recognize that Maggie is a true American hero who deserves to be awarded the Medal of Honor.” 

On January 28, 1945, First Lieutenant Megellas led his platoon in a successful attack on an enemy battalion near Herresbach, Belgium, that outnumbered it ten-to-one. After the attack, he advanced his platoon towards the town when a German Mark V Panther tank pinned them down. Megellas weathered enemy fire to attack and destroy the tank himself with just two grenades and his submachine gun. He then led his platoon to secure Herresbach for advancing Allied forces. Under Megellas’ command, his platoon did not suffer a single casualty that day.

The most-decorated soldier from the 82nd Airborne Division, Megellas received the Distinguished Service Cross and the Silver Star for his actions during the Battle of the Bulge. 

Born and raised in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, Megellas graduated from Ripon College and eventually made his home in Colleyville, Texas until his passing on April 2, 2020 at age 103.

Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) has introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.

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