Charles DeGlopper's 1944 Stand at La Fiere, Medal of Honor

Dec 19 , 2025

Charles DeGlopper's 1944 Stand at La Fiere, Medal of Honor

Bullets tore the air. Men fell like wheat beneath a scythe. Somewhere in the chaos, Charles N. DeGlopper Jr. stood alone, a shield of flesh and steel. He fired on the enemy, a single human barricade against a wave of death, buying seconds with his last breath. That day, June 9, 1944, in the maw of France, he became more than a soldier—he became a sacrifice etched in blood.

The Background & Faith of a Soldier

Born in Warwick, New York, Charles grew up with quiet sturdiness—grounded in simple American values and a Christian faith that shaped his compass. A man who understood sacrifice was more than just a word on Sunday sermons—it was a daily grind. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942, joining the 1st Infantry Division, the "Big Red One," a unit stamped with battlefield grit from North Africa to Europe.

DeGlopper’s faith wasn’t loud. It was a steady undercurrent, a steely resolve that whispered, “Greater love hath no man than this...” (John 15:13). His fellow soldiers remembered him as humble. A man who served like he believed his life was not his own, but borrowed for a purpose beyond the front lines.

The Battle That Defined Him

The date: June 9, 1944 — D-Day plus three. The place: the hedgerows near the village of La Fiere, France. The objective: hold the line, stop the German counterattack, protect the retreat of his comrades.

DeGlopper’s platoon was under fire from entrenched German machine guns and mortars. The enemy poured lead down the narrow lanes, shredding men and morale alike. The Americans had to pull back, but any movement was a killing field.

Charles didn’t hesitate. Alone, he grabbed a Browning Automatic Rifle and charged forward, crossing an open field under enemy fire. He fired short, accurate bursts into the German positions.

His purpose was clear: covering retreat. Every volley slowed the enemy advance. Each step bought time for his platoon to escape.

He was wounded — multiple times — but never lowered his weapon. His final act was a solitary stand, drawing machine gun fire until the last breath burned out.

His body was found days later, near the position he died defending, testimony to a selfless act most cannot imagine.

Recognition for Valor Beyond Measure

Charles DeGlopper received the Medal of Honor posthumously — the nation’s highest tribute to valor. General Omar N. Bradley himself underscored the weight of his sacrifice: “DeGlopper's actions saved numerous men. His courage was the measure of a hero.”

The citation reads:

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty… Despite the face of overwhelming odds and mortal wounds, he stood alone, firing, buying time for his comrades to retreat. His actions reflected the highest traditions of the military service.

The 1st Infantry Division honors him still. Every year, veterans and soldiers alike remember the man who gave everything for brothers in arms. His story is carved in the annals of sacrifice, a reminder that the price of freedom is paid in blood.

Legacy & Lessons Etched in Blood

Charles DeGlopper’s sacrifice speaks louder than speeches. It says this: courage is not the absence of fear, but the will to act when the devil’s close behind.

There are no bystanders in war. Only choices. Only sacrifice.

His story is a thorned crown worn by the young soldier who steps into the storm, knowing he may not return. It is the sacred trust between men who fight and bleed shoulder to shoulder.

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

DeGlopper carried that truth in his rifle and heart.

Charles N. DeGlopper Jr. did not survive the war, but his legacy resurrects the soul of brotherhood. In his final stand, he carved a path to freedom—one bullet, one breath, one life given so countless others could live. We owe him more than memory. We owe him the burden of living courageously in a world he fought to preserve.

Rest well, warrior. The field you bled on whispers your name.

Sources

1. U.S. Army Center of Military History, Medal of Honor Recipients: World War II 2. Gilbert, Martin. The Day the D-Day Soldiers Died (Anchor Books) 3. Bradley, Omar N., quoted in Army History Journal, Vol. 12, 1951 4. National WWII Museum, 1st Infantry Division Battle Records