Charles DeGlopper's Last Stand at Saint-Lô, WWII Medal of Honor

Jan 25 , 2026

Charles DeGlopper's Last Stand at Saint-Lô, WWII Medal of Honor

Charles N. DeGlopper stood alone on a fractured ridge, bullets whizzing past like deadly whispers. His squad was falling back, chaos swallowing the line. No orders left, no backup near. He raised his BAR—Browning Automatic Rifle—and unleashed hell. One man against a storm, drawing fire until his brothers could breathe and bleed back to safety. That final act was not just bravery. It was sacrifice carved in fire and steel—and it cost him his life.

The Forming of a Soldier’s Soul

Born August 18, 1921, in Grand Island, New York, Charles DeGlopper was no stranger to hard work or quiet resolve. Raised in a small town, he learned early that honor wasn’t in words but in deeds. His faith was steady—quiet, unyielding. He carried the weight of Psalm 23 with him, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” That wasn’t just scripture—it was his shield.

DeGlopper enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942. He was a private in Company C, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division—The Big Red One—famed for grinding through North Africa and Sicily. Yet it was Normandy that tested the mettle of this young rifleman.

The Battle That Defined Him: The Breakout at Saint-Lô

July 18, 1944. The hedgerows of Normandy were a killing ground. The 16th Infantry advanced near the village of La Fière, facing brutal German resistance that pinned down several units. DeGlopper's platoon was ordered to hold a key ridge to cover the withdrawal of his company.

Enemy machine guns raked the field. Artillery exploded like hell’s thunder. Amidst the firefight, the order to retreat came—but the Germans pursued like wolves. DeGlopper didn’t hesitate.

Armed with his BAR, he stood his ground alone, firing round after round into enemy lines. Each burst was a message: No further. Fall back. Live. His fire drew enemy attention, giving his comrades precious seconds. His body took the punishment—he was eventually hit multiple times.

Witnesses reported DeGlopper’s actions delayed the enemy advance, allowing others to escape the encirclement. His final stand was not for glory, but brotherhood. His sacrifice bought life for many.

Medal of Honor: Valor Beyond Measure

For that act of gallantry, DeGlopper received the Medal of Honor posthumously, the nation’s highest tribute to valor. His citation speaks plainly of his grit:

"Private First Class Charles N. DeGlopper distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism... while covering the withdrawal of his comrades under fire... Although fully aware of his peril, he unhesitatingly remained behind, firing at the enemy to enable a successful disengagement of friendly forces."

General George S. Patton called the fight for Saint-Lô “one of the fiercest engagements of the war,” and men like DeGlopper were the backbone of victory. Fellow soldier Lieutenant William T. Warner remembered him as “fearless to the last breath.”

Legacy Etched in Blood and Honor

Charles DeGlopper’s grave in the Normandy American Cemetery is a sacred place—a reminder etched in stone and soil. His story is a beacon for warriors who carry scars unseen and burdens heavy. He embodies what it means to “lay down your life for your friends” (John 15:13).

His sacrifice teaches this: courage is not absence of fear, but action in its grasp. True leadership is sacrifice—standing when others flee. Redemption is found in service beyond self.

The battlefield does not sanitize the soul. It reveals the raw, gritty truth—some pay the ultimate price so others may live free.

DeGlopper’s spirit whispers still: Hold the line. Protect your own. Live with honor. They say heroes die young, but some never die at all.

Sources

1. U.S. Army Center of Military History, Medal of Honor Citations – World War II 2. Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial Archives 3. Beevor, Antony. D-Day: The Battle for Normandy. 4. Warner, William T. Eyewitness Account of 16th Infantry Regiment Combat Operations, July 1944.