83rd Infantry Division Documents

Sam Magill

DECORATED WWII HERO PASSES --- Samuel W. Magill, Sr., Lt. Col., (Army Retired) passed away peacefully in Munich, Germany, on October 30, 2013, at the age of 94.

As one of the “greatest generation”, a young 24 year old, Lt. Sam Magill was a member of the 83rd Infantry Division, (The Thunderbolts), 329th Intelligence & Reconnaissance Platoon during WWII. In September, 1944, he and his platoon went behind enemy lines and convinced German Major General. Erich Elster that his fate was sealed and any further fighting would be a useless waste of life. General Elster surrendered his 20,000 troops in the largest surrender of the war.

As he and the Thunderbolts continued their sweep across Europe, Sam and his platoon liberated several POW, labor, and concentration camps, and made the first radio contact with the Soviets near the Elbe River.

Sam was a very humble man who seemed a bit awkward with the attention and fame his WWII feats attracted. He always gave his platoon the credit stating that were it not for each man doing his part, it could have ended very differently. Lt. Magill and his platoon were honored on Ralph Edwards’ “This Is Your Life” TV program in 1955, as well as numerous articles in publications, such as Life Magazine, Reader’s Digest, Saturday Evening Post, many newspapers, and several books, including “Never A Shot In Anger”, by Col. Barney Oldfield. (Additional information on Lt. Magill’s heroics can be viewed at http://83rdinfdivdocs.org, http://indianamilitary.org/83RD/Surrender/Magill.htm, as well as other locations.

The platoon was also known as “Platoon International” due to the presence of men from various European countries. These men were translators and negotiators who, of their own accord and without pay, worked and fought along-side the GIs.

Lt. Magill was from Monroe Township, Ashtabula Co., OH and he and his family returned there after the war and settled in Ashtabula, Ohio. Sam’s National Guard unit was activated for duty in Korea, but the Korean War ended before they were sent. His decision to remain in the military lead to a career in Intelligence during the Cold War.

He retired in Germany in 1969 after which he worked in the film industry on several movies in the capacity of technical advisor and production assistant. Sam was very active in the Federation of German American Clubs and the German American Men’s Club of Munich. He served in many capacities, including several times as president of both.

Samuel W. Magill is survived by his wife of 51 years, Bea (Lefkowitz) of Munich, Germany; son Samuel W. Magill, Jr. & wife Daisie (Sykes) of Ft. Worth, TX; daughter Lyn Magill-Hoch and husband Bill Hoch of Albuquerque, NM; grandchildren Molly (Magill) Massey of Ft. Worth, TX and Liam and Maggie Hoch of Albuquerque, NM; great-grandson Pressley Massey of Fort Worth, TX; a sister Mrs. Lucia (Magill) Weidknecht of ME; a sister-in-law Mrs. Alberta (Howard) Magill of Painesville, OH; and numerous nieces and nephews. His first wife of 18 years, Merle (Stinson) preceded him in death; as well brothers William J. Magill, Frank A. Magill, and Frederick D. Magill preceded him in death.

There will be a memorial service for Samuel W. Magill, Sr. in the Ashtabula, OH area in the spring. The exact date and location will be announced at a later time.