Green Bay Packers honor highly decorated Wisconsin veteran

By Tech Sgt. Jon LaDue

Wisconsin National Guard

The Green Bay Packers kicked off their Veterans Day celebration by honoring the most decorated Soldier in the history of the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division before a Sunday night football game against the Dallas Cowboys at Lambeau Field Nov. 7.

Lt. Col. (Ret.) James "Maggie" Magellas, a Fond du Lac native, is the recipient of two Purple Hearts, the Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars, two Bronze Stars and many campaign medal - making him not only a legend of the 82nd Airborne Division, but the U.S. Army as well.

Magellas and his wife, Carole, were recognized on the field prior to the National Anthem and start of the game. Magellas considers himself a "hometown guy" and a life-long Packers fan. He said being at Lambeau Field was a real treat.

"I've been a true-blue Packers fan since I was 16," Magellas said. "Coming back here for this game, being honored and waving to 80,000 cheering fans ... it really is something that is so incredible to me."

Magellas attended his first Packers Game at Green Bay's City Stadium in 1933. He recalls purchasing a ticket, in the midst of the Great Depression, for only 25 cents and refers to himself as one of Green Bay's first fans.

"I'm one of the original cheeseheads," Magellas said. "Coming back here has special meaning and being part of this Veterans Day observance is also a great feeling."

To help honor his presence, the 82nd Airborne Division Honor Guard, from Fort Bragg, N.C., was also present on the field. Magellas, who is presently being considered for the Congressional Medal of Honor, served as an Army officer with the 82nd in Europe during World War II. He also served during the Vietnam War as a colonel commanding a civil affairs battalion.

To get a sense of his place in the lore of the 82nd Airborne, each year the division presents its most outstanding lieutenant with the Jim Magellas award. The World War II veteran recently wrote about his experiences in the European campaign in a book called "All the Way to Berlin: A Paratrooper at War in Europe."

Since his heroic actions with the 82nd, Magellas has been recognized many times. He admits that every recognition he has received is meaningful, but to be honored near his hometown is a oncein- a-lifetime moment.

"There is no truer test of what people feel and believe than in your own hometown ... the people that know you best," Magellas said. "That has to make you feel pretty darn proud."