Charles DeGlopper, the Medal of Honor hero at Normandy Ridge

Feb 05 , 2026

Charles DeGlopper, the Medal of Honor hero at Normandy Ridge

The last man standing on a shattered ridge—alone against a flood of German soldiers, with no cover but courage and conviction. Charles N. DeGlopper stood in the firestorm of June 9, 1944, in Normandy, clutching a rifle that would soon be the instrument of his sacrifice. His voice never faltered. His resolve never broke. The 82nd Airborne Division was pulling back toward safer ground, but DeGlopper held the line—covering the retreat with ruthless, reckless fire until death claimed him.

The Boy from Troy, New York

Born March 25, 1921, Charles N. DeGlopper grew up surrounded by the grit and grind of upstate New York. Raised in a working-class family, he learned early what it meant to fight for something real. Enlisted in the U.S. Army before America’s full plunge into World War II, he was assigned to the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division—earning the nickname "All American." He was the kind of soldier who carried duty like a second skin: uncompromising and absolute.

Faith ran deep in Charles’s life, though records of formal church affiliation are scarce. Still, his comrades whispered about his calm under fire—an unshakeable peace amid chaos. Maybe it was the quiet strength of Psalm 23:4 that steadied him: “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” In his battalion, he was a steady hand—a brother bound by honor, not just orders.

The Battle That Defined Him

Operation Overlord had begun. The Allies landed on June 6, 1944—D-Day—a massive assault to crush Nazi grip over Western Europe. Three days later, DeGlopper's 325th Glider Infantry was tasked with holding a key ridge near Graignes, Normandy.

During the fight, German counterattacks swarmed. The unit was ordered to withdraw under heavy enemy fire. DeGlopper did not retreat quietly. Instead, he singlehandedly covered his squad’s retreat, firing rifle and grenades from an exposed position. Twice wounded, twice knocked down, he kept rising. As bullets tore the earth around him, he became a one-man shield between death and his fellow soldiers.

Report after report recounts the brutal intensity of that stand. He held the enemy at bay, buying time for his unit to regroup safely. His last act was firing at the advancing enemy until he was overwhelmed. He died under the black smoke and screaming shells, a silent sentinel who paid the ultimate price.

Recognition Born of Blood and Valor

Charles DeGlopper’s sacrifice did not go unnoticed.

On September 10, 1944, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor—the United States' highest military honor. The citation describes him as “an inspiration to his comrades” and credits his actions with preventing what could have been a massacre.

“Private DeGlopper’s selfless devotion and fearless bravery saved many of his comrades’ lives. His stand exemplifies the highest ideals of soldiering.” — Medal of Honor Citation[¹]

His commanding officers called him “the epitome of courage and self-sacrifice.” Fellow veterans remembered him as the brother who would never leave you behind.

Legacy Etched in Valor

Charles N. DeGlopper’s story is not one of glory or triumph. It’s one of redemption through sacrifice. His life and death tell a hard truth: freedom is paid with the blood of those willing to stand alone.

His name is etched on the Tablets of the Missing at the Normandy American Cemetery. A bridge in Troy bears his name. The 325th Glider Infantry Regiment remembers him not as a casualty, but as a hero—a man who stood when others fled.

His stand teaches us about courage—not just in combat but in everyday battles. The grit to hold your ground when the world demands retreat. The grace to lay down your own life for others. This is the legacy Charles DeGlopper leaves behind.

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

The battlefield is a harsh judge. It demands every ounce of resolve and faith. Charles N. DeGlopper met that trial with open eyes and an unshakable heart. He did not seek death; he embraced duty. His story burns like a flare across history—reminding veterans and civilians alike that the price of peace is eternal vigilance and sacrifice.

His courage still echoes through fields that once ran red. His scars, though invisible, mark the path for those who follow. In the crucible of war, Charles became legend. In the legacy of sacrifice, he remains forever a brother.

Sources

1. U.S. Army Center of Military History, “Medal of Honor Recipients: World War II (G–L)” 2. 82nd Airborne Division Association, “History of the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment” 3. American Battle Monuments Commission, “Normandy American Cemetery Records”