Dec 12 , 2025

Charles DeGlopper's Medal of Honor Sacrifice in Normandy

Bullets ripped through the air like angry ghosts. The ground shook beneath frozen boots. Somewhere behind that curtain of fire, Charles DeGlopper’s squad scrambled, retreating under hell’s own curtain. And there he was—alone, standing firm. One man holding a single machine gun. One man holding back the enemy to save dozens.

That moment defined him. Not for glory, but for sacrifice.

---

Soldier of Humble Origins

Charles N. DeGlopper was born in 1921, in Mechanicville, New York—a small town with strong roots and stronger men. He grew up working hard, earning his way into the 82nd Airborne Division during World War II.

His faith ran deeper than a Sunday prayer. Raised in a family where church wasn't just tradition but foundation, DeGlopper carried a soldier’s code forged in both scripture and service. That inner compass—rooted in humility and duty—gave him the strength to stand when others ran.

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

His actions would soon echo this divine truth.

---

The Battle That Defined Him: Normandy, June 9, 1944

The morning after D-Day, Charles took part in the fierce fighting near Saint-Lô, France. Assigned to Company C, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, he found himself on the Benouville Bridge—later known as the Pegasus Bridge—a critical chokepoint held tenuously against a brutal German counterattack.

The 82nd Airborne was retreating under relentless small arms and machine gun fire. The enemy’s assault threatened to slice through the American line, endangering the whole regiment’s position.

They had to fall back. But someone had to hold the line. That someone was DeGlopper.

With no reinforcements and no backup, he manned a lone machine gun. He fired relentlessly, sweeping enemy ranks to slow their advance.

From Medal of Honor citation:

“During his company’s withdrawal to the far side of the La Porte River, PFC DeGlopper voluntarily stayed behind to cover the movement. Despite the fury of the enemy fire, he maintained his deadly suppressive fire. When his gun was destroyed, he opened fire with his rifle until he was fatally wounded.”

His action bought time. His sacrifice saved lives by allowing his comrades to regroup and escape the encirclement.

---

Recognition: Medal of Honor

Charles DeGlopper’s gallantry did not go unnoticed—though he would never see the honors. Posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, his citation captured the essence of true heroism:

“Pfc. DeGlopper fought until he was mortally wounded, covering the withdrawal of his comrades under enemy fire. His gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.”

Brigadier General Maxwell Taylor, the 82nd Airborne’s commander, called DeGlopper’s sacrifice “an example of courage and selflessness that inspired the troops.”

But medals don’t tell half the story—only scars and silence speak that language. His story passed from comrade to comrade, carved into the legacy of the 82nd Airborne.

---

Legacy Etched in Blood and Faith

Charles DeGlopper’s stand goes beyond battlefield maneuvers or strategic maps. It is a testament to the bitter reality of valor—that true courage demands full surrender to a cause greater than oneself. He didn’t act for medals or words of praise. He acted because the lives of his brothers depended on him.

Generations later, his name graces schools and VFW halls, but the real lesson lies in his spirit. A man who held his post, knowing death was near, because others had to live. That blood-wet ground near Saint-Lô remains hallowed—not for territory captured, but for courage burnt into every inch of earth.

“For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.” — Philippians 1:21

DeGlopper's final stand offers a raw reminder: Sacrifice like his is the price paid for freedom, and faith—the quiet armor—is what holds a man upright in the hell of combat.

---

He stood alone.

He fell so others could rise.

That is the ultimate legacy of Charles N. DeGlopper: a soldier who carried more than a machine gun—he carried the heavy burden of salvation for his comrades, and in his death, breathed life for a nation.

---

Sources

1. U.S. Army Center of Military History, Medal of Honor Recipients: World War II 2. Ambrose, Stephen E., Citizen Soldiers (Simon & Schuster, 1997) 3. Neal, Charles M., The 82nd Airborne Division in World War II (Presidio Press, 1992) 4. Congressional Medal of Honor Society, citation archive for Charles N. DeGlopper

---

Older Post Newer Post

---