Post by 2nd Bat on Apr 9, 2020 22:57:40 GMT -5
James "Maggie Magelles the most highly decorated officer of WW2 just passed away at 103 years old. I rode on a plane with him in August of 2005. He spotted my airborne wings on my lapel and initially told Vietnam then Korean war stories finally starting in on his experiences in WW2. The man did not look or act anywhere near old enough to have entered the Army in 1942 and frankly his stories were just too incredible to believe. His units and dates were right but when he described his river crossing over the Waal on Market Garden and stated that Robert Redford played him in the movie I had to throw the BS flag. As a challenge I said "Golly you should write book!". He proudly said "Well, in fact I have. ". He showed me his book, introduced himself and gave me an autographed copy. I just dug it out and re-read it. On the flight He
mentioned he was going to Belgium on a speaking tour so I mailed him some copies of my Bulge Tactical battle maps of Vielsalm , St Vith and the areas he fought at. I also sent him a section of a WW2 camo parachute which he proudly wore As a scarf on his tour. He wrote me back with a thoughtful and touching letter of appreciation. To have spent 2 1/2 hours with this man was a great honor. 103 years old at his passing. A long, amazing life from a real hero. He got out of the Army as a Lt. Col but was only promoted once during WW2. He proudly shared that he was never very popular with his commanders. What a character. He carried a Thompson throughout the war. To say he led from the front is an understatement. It was not the job of a platoon leader of company commander to walk point of lead assaults but that is where he was most comfortable doing. His commanders constantly marked him down for that behavior. He proudly said he made a better PFC than lt. Or Capt.
mentioned he was going to Belgium on a speaking tour so I mailed him some copies of my Bulge Tactical battle maps of Vielsalm , St Vith and the areas he fought at. I also sent him a section of a WW2 camo parachute which he proudly wore As a scarf on his tour. He wrote me back with a thoughtful and touching letter of appreciation. To have spent 2 1/2 hours with this man was a great honor. 103 years old at his passing. A long, amazing life from a real hero. He got out of the Army as a Lt. Col but was only promoted once during WW2. He proudly shared that he was never very popular with his commanders. What a character. He carried a Thompson throughout the war. To say he led from the front is an understatement. It was not the job of a platoon leader of company commander to walk point of lead assaults but that is where he was most comfortable doing. His commanders constantly marked him down for that behavior. He proudly said he made a better PFC than lt. Or Capt.