Feb 05 , 2026
Charles DeGlopper’s Sacrifice at Normandy That Saved Comrades
Charles DeGlopper stood alone. Around him, chaos reigned—cries, bullets, mortars tearing the earth. His men were retreating, pinned down by a German counterattack near Brecourt Manor. But he did not run. He did not falter. With a single Thompson submachine gun, he held the enemy at bay. One soldier against an entire enemy company. His sacrifice would carve a path for his comrades but cost him his life.
The Roots of a Fighter
Born in 1921, Charles N. DeGlopper Jr. grew up in the quiet soil of New York state, a farm boy raised on grit and integrity. The kind of man who learned early the weight of hard work and the burden of honor. He answered the call of duty in 1942, enlisting in the 82nd Airborne Division, the “All-American” troopers known for their toughness and tenacity.
His faith — unassuming but firm — anchored him in a world torn apart. Letters home indicate a man shaped by a deep moral compass and a soldier’s resolve, a rare combination that would steer him into hell and beyond without losing his humanity.
“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
June 9, 1944 — just three days after D-Day. The 82nd Airborne was locked in fierce fighting in the rolling fields near Carentan, Normandy. Their mission: hold a critical bridge crossing on the Petit-Cordon sector. German forces counterattacked with the ferocity of a cornered beast, pressing relentlessly forward.
DeGlopper's platoon began to pull back under withering fire. But as the squad fell back, Charles saw his wounded comrades trapped.
He volunteered for one last, desperate stand.
Armed with only his Thompson, he charged across an open field under a fusillade of bullets and mortar shells. His actions distracted the enemy long enough for his battalion to retreat and regroup safely behind cover.
The reports tell of a man who fought with a fury born of love and duty, firing until the cruel end, surrounded, fatally wounded, refusing to quit his post.
“Private Charles N. DeGlopper displayed conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty...” — Medal of Honor Citation, July 1944.
Recognition Etched in Valor
For his extraordinary bravery, Charles DeGlopper was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 1945. His was not the story of a single act but the embodiment of sacrifice that turns the tide of war.
Brigadier General Maxwell D. Taylor remarked on the courage DeGlopper displayed that day:
“He covered the withdrawal of his comrades and held off the enemy against overwhelming odds, sacrificing himself for the lives of others.”
His name was etched into the annals of the 82nd Airborne’s legend. Yet, those who knew him spoke quietly of a humble man who never sought glory — only to serve and protect.
Enduring Legacy
DeGlopper’s sacrifice haunts the history of Normandy — a stark reminder of what it means to choose others over oneself in the face of death.
His final act was a prophecy of the kind of courage veterans carry: a steadfast refusal to let the fight end in defeat, a price paid with blood for the hope that freedom endures.
His grave lies far from his New York home, but his story marches alongside every paratrooper who learns the meaning of sacrifice.
He proves via his scars and stories what the battlefield demands: not just skill or firepower, but a soul forged in service and love for his brothers-in-arms.
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” — 1 Corinthians 16:13
In remembering Charles DeGlopper, we do not simply honor a man who died in combat. We honor the eternal flame of sacrifice that burns within every soldier who steps into the gap.
No man stands alone. No sacrifice is forgotten. The blood spilled on Normandy’s fields whispers still — in the courage of those who serve, the healing of those who carry scars, and the hope of a peace bought with their lives.
Carry that torch. Never let it fade.
Sources
1. U.S. Army Center of Military History — Medal of Honor Recipients: World War II 2. Stephen Ambrose — Citizen Soldiers: The U.S. Army from the Normandy Beaches to the Bulge to the Surrender of Germany 3. 82nd Airborne Division Archives — After Action Reports, Normandy Campaign, June 1944 4. Official Citation, Medal of Honor: Charles N. DeGlopper, July 1944
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