{"title":"Simon Smith Prints","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"act-of-valor-by-simon-smith","title":"Act of Valor By Simon Smith","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eA TRIBUTE TO A GREAT AMERICAN HERO\u003cbr\u003eLt Col JAMES ‘MAGGIE’ MEGELLAS\u003cbr\u003eTHE MOST DECORATED OFFICER IN THE HISTORY OF THE US 82nd AIRBORNE DIVISION\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eSnow was falling and it was bitterly cold as First Lieutenant James ‘Maggie’ Megellas brought his weary platoon to an abrupt halt. Quietly he ordered his men down – something was wrong.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt was Sunday 28th January 1945 and, in the aftermath of the Battle of the Bulge, he and his small unit had been advancing all day along heavily wooded, snow-clad tracks towards their objective - the small town of Herresbach. Almost immediately he spotted movement. Advancing out of the town through the tree line ahead, and oblivious to the American’s presence, was a large force of German infantry.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMegellas realized they were heavily out- numbered and that surprise was their best weapon. Seizing the moment, the American paratroopers charged the unsuspecting enemy, firing from the hip. Caught off- guard the dazed Germans were routed and within minutes over a hundred enemy lay dead, the survivors threw down their weapons and surrendered. Incredibly not a single American had been killed or injured. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBut the day’s action wasn’t over: the unmistakable sound of heavy armor now carried across the snow-covered battleground as a German MkV Panther tank lumbered ominously towards them. With total disregard for his own safety, Megellas single-handedly charged the steel monster, placing a grenade into one of its tracks he disabled the tank, before throwing another grenade inside, eliminating the crew.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eFor this selfless and heroic act Megellas was immediately nominated for the Medal of Honor. The regimental account of his action, however, was somehow omitted from the official battle report and instead he was awarded the Silver Star.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSimon Smith’s dramatic new image Act of Valor, picks up the story as, with the Panther rendered harmless, Megellas readies his men for their final advance into Herresbach.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eOverall Print Size: 31” wide x 21½\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e‘Maggie’ Megellas – who gave his own unconditional approval to Simon’s stunning rendition – has personally signed each and every print in this new edition as a living reminder of one of the most inspirational stories of World War II.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eJoining artist Simon Smith every print has been personally signed by one of the great heroes of World War II:\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003eLieutenant Colonel JAMES ‘MAGGIE’ MEGELLAS\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eOfficially recognized as ‘the most-decorated officer in the history of the US 82nd Airborne Division’, James ‘Maggie’ Megellas commanded a platoon in ‘H’ Company, 3rd Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eServing with ‘H’ Company for the duration of his war he first saw combat fighting in the mountains surrounding the city of Naples in southern Italy in 1943, where he was wounded and hospitalized. In January 1944 he took part in the amphibious assault at Anzio with the rest of the 504th where he was once again wounded during the savage fighting. The 504th PIR then re-grouped in England and in September 1944 Megellas jumped into Holland near Nijmegen on Operation Market Garden.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eTaking part in the Waal River Crossing in flimsy assault boats under heavy fire, Megellas single-handedly attacked and destroyed a powerful German machine-gun and Observation post, an action for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross – America’s second-highest decoration.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eFrom December 1944 his unit was heavily involved in the bitter fighting during the Battle of the Bulge and while advancing through the Belgian forests just outside the village of Herresbach on 28 January 1945, they surprised a large force of German infantry. During a ferocious frontal attack Megellas and his men, though hugely outnumbered, overwhelmed the enemy within minutes, killing more than 100 and taking a large number of prisoners - without the loss of a single American.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eAs they prepared to assault the town his unit became pinned down by a German Panther tank and in one of the most gallant acts of the war, Megellas single-handedly charged the tank, disabling it and killing the crew with two grenades, eliminating the threat to his men. For this he was nominated for the Congressional Medal of Honor, however he was instead awarded the Silver Star.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eLater, as the 82nd Airborne advanced into Germany, Magellas was promoted to command ‘H’ Company with whom he had served with such distinction.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eAfter the war James Megellas served with USAID for 32 years, including two years spent in South Vietnam.\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p2\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eHis many awards include:\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eDistinguished Service Cross\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eSilver Star with two Oak Leaf Clusters\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eBronze Star with one Oak Leaf Cluster\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003ePurple Heart with one Oak Leaf Cluster\u003cspan class=\"Apple-converted-space\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"height: 257px; width: 401px;\" width=\"7\" align=\"center\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 67px;\" class=\"PRICE\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"height: 67px; width: 233.9px;\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"height: 67px; width: 151.8px;\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 67px;\" class=\"PRICE\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"height: 67px; width: 233.9px;\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"height: 67px; width: 151.8px;\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 6.71875px;\" class=\"PRICE\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"height: 6px; width: 233.9px;\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"height: 6px; width: 151.9px;\" valign=\"top\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Simon Smith","offers":[{"title":"Limited Edition Print \/ Brass Corner Frame – Triple Mat with V-Groove","offer_id":41526997319820,"sku":"","price":790.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Artist Proof \/ Brass Corner Frame – Triple Mat with V-Groove","offer_id":41526999810188,"sku":"","price":1260.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0375\/0844\/8396\/files\/Act_of_Valor_By_Simon_Smith_-_Vladimir_Arts_USA_Inc-5456430.jpg?v=1731538842"}],"url":"https:\/\/vladimirarts.com\/collections\/simon-smith-prints.oembed","provider":"Vladimir Arts USA Inc","version":"1.0","type":"link"}