Charles DeGlopper's Last Stand at Graignes Saved Comrades

Dec 21 , 2025

Charles DeGlopper's Last Stand at Graignes Saved Comrades

Charles N. DeGlopper’s last stand was not about glory. It was about breathing space for his brothers—pure, raw sacrifice beneath the hammering rain of bullets and bombs. In the crucible of World War II’s bloodiest days, he held the line alone, drowning death beneath his own will to save his unit’s retreat.

The Boy From Albany

Born in 1921, Charles DeGlopper grew up in Albany, New York. A farm boy shaped by hard work and simple faith, he forged a character out of honest toil, respect for others, and an unshakeable sense of duty. He wasn’t some privileged kid. He was the kind of man who saw the world in black and white—right and wrong—and lived by a code etched deep into his heart.

Faith was his backbone. Raised in a close-knit community, Charles understood sacrifice not as fallout but a calling. “Greater love hath no man than this,” became more than scripture. It was a doctrine he intended to fulfill.

Holding the Line on the Rhine

June 9, 1944. The Allies were pushing through France after D-Day. DeGlopper served as a Private First Class with Company C, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division. Their mission: to advance near the village of Graignes, close to the Merderet River, and secure a crossing point—critical for the push into Nazi-held territory.

Chaos defined the battlefield. Enemy machine guns tore into the lines with ruthless precision. As his unit began to withdraw under brutal fire, DeGlopper made a choice that would forever mark his legacy. He volunteered, or was ordered—the record varies—to cover the retreat of his fellow soldiers. Alone.

Under mounting enemy attacks, with vehicles and men pouring across the bridge, he stayed in the open field. Despite being wounded multiple times, he never faltered. He stood, firing his Browning Automatic Rifle, each shot a heartbeat buying precious time for his comrades to escape the kill zone.

The sky rolls thunder and bullets. No cover, no mercy. No backtalk. Just one man standing against an onslaught to save others.

When he finally fell, it was with the last bullet expended, and the retreat secured. DeGlopper’s sacrifice cost him his life, but his actions saved many more.

The Medal of Honor and Words That Echo

Posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 1945, DeGlopper’s citation lays bare the brutal truth and heroism of that day:

“While covering the withdrawal of the 3rd Battalion, DeGlopper maintained his position in full view of the enemy and single-handedly checked their advance... exposing himself to increasing fire... He fought until killed, enabling many wounded comrades to be evacuated and the withdrawal to be completed successfully.”¹

His commanding officers called him a “quiet, brave soldier” who embodied selflessness and grit. One survivor said, “He stayed back alone, and he died so we could live. That right there is what a hero looks like.”

Legacy Written in Blood

DeGlopper’s story is carved into the soil of Normandy and the hearts of those who understand true sacrifice. There is no pretense in his courage. No rhetoric. Just a plain fact: a man laid down his life so others might live and fight another day.

He reminds us that valor is never about grandstanding—it’s about sacrifice without applause. About standing when everyone else runs. About choosing the hard right over the easy wrong.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” – Matthew 5:9

Charles DeGlopper’s battlefield was hell. But through his sacrifice, he forged a path toward peace for those who came after. His scars run deep into history—reminders that some battles are won not by might, but by the mission of the heart.

As veterans, civilians, or brothers-in-arms, we carry that legacy. We remember that the cost of freedom is a man who faces death without flinching. And in that witness lies the salvation of all who follow.

Sources:

¹ U.S. Army Center of Military History, Medal of Honor Recipients, World War II ² “Medal of Honor: Charles N. DeGlopper,” Congressional Medal of Honor Society ³ Ambrose, Stephen E., Pegasus Bridge: June 6, 1944 (1985)