Fond du Lac — U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) released a new episode of his podcast “Hey, Wisconsin” featuring a conversation with World War II veteran and Fond du Lac native Lt. Col. James “Maggie” Megellas. Recorded on the eve of Megellas’ 101st birthday, Sen. Johnson asks frank and revealing questions of the most decorated member in the history of the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division. 

In this podcast, Megellas talks about his philosophy of "leading from the front and men will follow.”  He is credited with single-handedly taking out a German tank during the Battle of Bulge and saving all of the men under his command that day.  Sen. Johnson also asks Megellas about the day he helped liberate a concentration camp and how he ordered all the townspeople to tour the camp to “let them see the seeds they had sown.” 

“Maggie is truly one of the finest among us,” Sen. Johnson said. “His heroic actions during World War II helped ensure the liberation of Europe and our nation’s continued freedom. It is always an honor to talk with him, especially to help him celebrate his 101st birthday.”   

Sen. Johnson has introduced legislation to make Megellas eligible to receive a Medal of Honor.  In 2016, the post office in Fond du Lac was named after Megellas thanks to legislation led by Sen. Johnson. 

You can listen to this episode of “Hey, Wisconsin” here.

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