A few months later on September 17, 1944, we parachuted into Holland, and fought in and around the city of Nijmegen.   On November 11, 1944 we marched out of Holland to the town of Oss; Holland (over 22 miles with all equipment) and rendezvoused with trucks that moved us to Sissonne, France.

Sissonne was good. Warm dry beds in a French Artillery Post, plenty of hot food, showers, and not much training. A few fortunate men got passes to Paris.

The good life ended December 17, 1944. The Germans had launched a furious attack through the Ardennes to capture the English Channel  ports.  We were alerted to get ready to move and confront them.

Early in the morning of December 18, we loaded into large open trucks, and rode for hours in the bitter cold to Werbomont, Belgium. Where we established a hasty defensive position for the night.

Without winter clothing, equipment or shelter - we fought the Germans to a standstill,

On January 7, 1945, we launched a massive counter-attack. Despite the bitter cold and deep snow, we attacked through the densely forested Ardennes and the heavily fortified Siegfried line.   

In March, our regiment was relieved and we returned to Sissonne. We held memorial services for our lost comrades, welcomed replacements, conducted field exercises, and made a practice parachute jump.  

On April 3, 1945, we moved to airports south of Paris. The 508^th PIR was prepared to jump near German prisoner-of-war camps to rescue allied prisoners. However, in May, the war in Europe ended and we returned to Sissonne to await orders. Our wait was short.

The 508^th PIR was selected by General Eisenhower to provide the security force and honor guard for his Frankfurt, Germany headquarters.  I completed my wartime service in Heddernheim, Germany, wearing the white scarf and gloves of the security force and honor guard.” 

Sergeant James McMahon was an exceptionally outstanding soldier and noncommissioned officer. He was a loyal, trustworthy, reliable comrade, and a cherished friend.