American Valor Quarterly Issue 12 - Spring 2015 | Page 3

The American Veterans Center Spring 2015 | Issue 12 www.americanveteranscenter.org World War II Veterans Committee www.wwiivets.com National Vietnam Veterans Committee www.vietnamvetscommittee.org In This Issue... 5 NEWS from the american veter ans center & world war II committee Your update on the many programs, projects and events currently underway with the AVC & WWIIVC, and information on how you can get involved. 9 D-Day to the Eagle’s Nest From Colonel Edward Shames One of the original “Toccoa men” of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, Edward Shames served as a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne Division throughout the European Theater of World War II, earning the first battlefield commission of any man in the division. He would go on to lead a platoon with the famed “Band of Brothers.” 25 LEADING FROM THE FRONT From Lieutenant Colonel James “Maggie” Megellas A harrowing account from one of the legendary soldiers of the “AllAmerican” 82nd Airborne Division. “Maggie” Megellas served in Italy, France, and Germany, being awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, and was recommended for the Medal of Honor, making him the most decorated officer in 82nd Airborne history. SPRING 2015 31 AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE TO SERVE From Jim “Pee Wee” Martin On June 6, 1944, Private First Class Jim “Pee Wee” Martin jumped into Normandy with the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne, the unit in which he served throughout the rest of the war. Exactly 70 years later - June 6, 2014 - Martin made headlines around the world as he parachuted once more onto the legendary D-Day battlefield. 37 THEY DESERVE THEIR PLACE IN HISTORY From Donald R. Burgett After serving with the 101st Airborne Division throughout the entire European campaign from D-Day to Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest mountain retreat (where he readily helped himself to Hitler’s private wine cellar), Donald Burgett came home to author several classic accounts of World War II. Among them was “Currahee! A Screaming Eagle at Normandy,” which was personally endorsed by General Eisenhower in its portrayal of the paratrooper’s experience during the war. the year of the Airborne Normandy. Market Garden. The Battle of the Bulge. Germany. June, 1944 to May, 1945 can arguably be dubbed “The Year of the Airborne,” as the men of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions cemented their place in history with a series of defining actions in the iconic battles of the European Theater in World War II. In this issue of AVQ, we meet four men who served with the airborne throughout the war, from training in the States victory in Germany, 70 years ago, in May, 1945. 3