Act of Valor by Simon Smith signed by 'Maggie' Megellas, 82nd Airborne legend for Sale

Act of Valor by Simon Smith signed by 'Maggie' Megellas, 82nd Airborne legend For Sale

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Act of Valor by Simon Smith signed by 'Maggie' Megellas, 82nd Airborne legend:
$225.00

A TRIBUTE TO A GREAT AMERICAN HERO – JAMES ‘MAGGIE’ MEGELLAS. THE MOST DECORATED OFFICER IN THE HISTORY OF THE US 82nd AIRBORNE DIVISION

ACT OF VALOR
by Simon Smith

Snow was falling and it was bitterly cold as 1st Lt James‘Maggie’ Megellas brought his weary platoon to an abrupt halt. Quietly heordered his men down – something was wrong.

It was Sunday 28th January 1945 and, in the aftermath of theBattle of the Bulge, he and his small unit had been advancing all day alongheavily wooded, snow-clad tracks towards their objective - the small town ofHerresbach. Almost immediately he spotted movement. Advancing out of the townthrough the tree line ahead, and oblivious to the American’s presence, was alarge force of German infantry.

Megellas realized they were heavily out- numbered and thatsurprise was their best weapon. Seizing the moment, the American paratrooperscharged the unsuspecting enemy, firing from the hip. Caught off- guard thedazed Germans were routed and within minutes over a hundred enemy lay dead, thesurvivors threw down their weapons and surrendered. Incredibly not a singleAmerican had been killed or injured.

But the day’s action wasn’t over: the unmistakable sound ofheavy armor now carried across the snow-covered battleground as a German MkVPanther tank lumbered ominously towards them. With total disregard for his ownsafety, Megellas single-handedly charged the steel monster; placing a grenadeinto one of its tracks he disabled the tank, before throwing another grenadeinside, eliminating the crew.

For this selfless and heroic act Megellas was immediatelynominated for the Medal of Honor. The regimental account of his action,however, was somehow omitted from the official battle report and instead he wasawarded the Silver Star.

Simon Smith’s dramatic image picks up the story as, with thePanther rendered harmless, Megellas readies his men for their final advanceinto Herresbach.

THE SIGNATURE
Joining artist Simon Smith every print has been personally signed by one of thegreat heroes of World War II:

Lieutenant Colonel JAMES ‘MAGGIE’ MEGELLAS
Officially recognized as ‘the most-decorated officer in the history of the US82nd Airborne Division’, James ‘Maggie’ Megellas commanded a platoon in ‘H’Company, 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd AirborneDivision.He first saw combat in the mountains of southern Italy in1943, where he was wounded. In January 1944 he took part in the amphibiousassault at Anzio where he was once again wounded during the savage fighting,before re-grouping in England to jump into Holland on Operation Market Gardenin September 1944.Taking part in the Waal River Crossing in flimsy assaultboats under heavy fire, Megellas single-handedly destroyed a powerful Germanmachine-gun and Observation post, an action for which he was awarded theDistinguished Service Cross – America’s second-highest decoration.From December 1944 his unit took part in the bitter fightingduring the Battle of the Bulge and on 28 January 1945 Megellas single-handedlydisabled a German Panther tank, eliminating the threat to his men. Althoughnominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor, he was instead awarded the SilverStar. Later, as the 82nd Airborne advanced into Germany, Megellas was promotedto command ‘H’ Company with whom he had served with such distinction.His many awards include: Distinguished Service Cross, SilverStar with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, PurpleHeart with Oak Leaf Cluster

‘Maggie’ Megellas gave his personal approval toSimon’s stunning rendition and personally signed this powerful print as aliving reminder of one of the most inspirational stories of World War II,making this is the perfect piece for military art enthusiasts and autographcollectors alike.

THIS PIECE CAN ALSO BE SUPPLIED FRAMED & SHIPPED – please contact usfor details.

Please note: The signatures on all of our pieces are original, hand-signed autographs by the veterans involved.

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SHIPPING: Our prints are rolled in acid free tissue and shipped in large, thick shipping tubes and matted and framed pieces are 'flat packed' in substantial packaging. Our shipping isinsured andguaranteed.

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