Charles DeGlopper, Normandy hero who held the line at Les Forges

Dec 30 , 2025

Charles DeGlopper, Normandy hero who held the line at Les Forges

The rain fell hard, slicing down onto the shattered earth of the Normandy hedgerows. Through the choking smoke and machine-gun fire, one man stood alone on a ridge, bullets tearing dirt at his feet. Charles N. DeGlopper Jr. didn’t flinch. He fired that rifle until his last breath — holding the line, buying the lives of his brothers before he died.

Roots of a Warrior

Born in 1921, Charles grew up in the rolling hills of New York, a farm boy forged in quiet resolve. Family gospel hymns, Sunday prayers, and the hard honesty of sweat in the soil built his backbone. Not the loud kind of faith, but steady, rooted deep — something he carried into every step on foreign soil.

He enlisted in 1942, not out of glory, but duty. No illusions here: war was hell, but his code was clear — protect his brothers at all costs. The grit of a farmer, a son of the land, tempered by the Scriptures he held tight.

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” — John 15:13

The Battle That Defined Him

Early June, 1944. The push off Omaha Beach was raw, brutal, incomprehensible. As part of the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, DeGlopper faced one of the bloodiest engagements on French soil.

When his company began retreating under withering German fire near the village of Les Forges, chaos threatened to swallow them whole. But Charles stepped forward — alone — planting himself on an exposed ridge, rifle blazing.

Every shot was a prayer and a command: stay alive. To the enemy, he was a thorn; to his own men, a shield. His sacrifice stopped the German advance long enough for his platoon to fall back, regroup, and survive.

He was hit multiple times and found dead the next morning, still clutching his rifle. A lone sentinel who gave everything for the men beside him.

Honors Won in Blood

DeGlopper posthumously received the Medal of Honor on July 4, 1944 — a solemn gold star birthed in sacrifice. His citation reads:

“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty... Sergeant DeGlopper voluntarily remained in an exposed position... firing his weapon into the enemy to permit the withdrawal of the platoon.”

Generals and comrades alike echoed respect for his indomitable spirit. Colonel William E. Kendrick called him:

“A soldier whose courage and selflessness brought honor to his regiment and saved countless lives.”

His helmet and rifle were buried with him near Les Forges, a silent testament to a life given without hesitation.

Legacy Carved in Steel and Soil

Charles DeGlopper’s story isn’t just one of medals and campaigns. It’s in every act of sacrificial courage, every brother who covers a retreat, every soul who stands when all hope seems lost. His name graces the DeGlopper Memorial Park in New York, a place where veterans come to remember what true valor demands.

He reminds us that victory is often buried in the courage of one—the lone voice shouting through the storm. His legacy whispers beyond history, teaching that some sacrifices carve history not with guns, but with hearts willing to stand between death and their fallen brethren.

“The righteous perish, and no man takes it to heart.” — Isaiah 57:1

Yet, his life does speak. It shouts of loyalty, faith, and love beyond fear. For those who wear the scars of battle, Charles remains a north star — raw and relentless — teaching that heroism is not earned in comfort, but seized in the crucible of sacrifice.

When the dust settles and medals fade, only the souls who stood in the breach remain. Charles N. DeGlopper Jr. is one of those souls — a beacon reminding us all that true valor is measured not in glory, but in the cost paid so others may live.