Charles DeGlopper's Normandy Valor and Medal of Honor Sacrifice

Jan 12 , 2026

Charles DeGlopper's Normandy Valor and Medal of Honor Sacrifice

Bullets screamed like death’s own hymn. Smoke choked the air, men fell all around, and there he was—alone on that ridge, fighting not for glory, but for his brothers to live. Charles N. DeGlopper Jr. made his stand that day in Normandy, July 18, 1944, with an unyielding resolve only forged in the crucible of war.

The Man Behind the Medal

Born in Mechanicville, New York, DeGlopper was a farm boy raised on hard work and quiet faith. His roots ran deep in discipline and devotion—values that would become armor in the worst hell man can know. A devout Christian, he carried his Bible and a sense of righteousness into battle, believing each step forward was his calling.

He was no stranger to sacrifice, living by a code where honor meant more than life itself. His comrades described him as steady, reliable, the kind of soldier who held even when the world fell apart. Not just a private—he was a guardian.

The Battle That Defined Him

July 18, 1944. Near La Fière, Normandy. The 82nd Airborne Division was under brutal counterattack. The German forces struck hard, threatening to crush the advancing American line and sever the foothold gained days earlier.

DeGlopper’s platoon was ordered to fall back across an open field. Exposed, vulnerable—sure death. But retreat meant slaughter if the enemy pressed forward unchecked. Someone had to cover the withdrawal.

Charles volunteered.

Armed with only a rifle, he charged through enemy fire, across that hellish stretch of terrain. Over and over, he rose after every salvo and relentless barrage to fire back, pinning the Germans down. His body took the brunt of the incoming rounds, but he never faltered.

“With complete disregard for his own life, he exposed himself to the enemy’s fire to draw the fire away from his comrades,” his Medal of Honor citation reads.^1

His actions bought crucial time for the rest to cross safely. Every breath, every heartbeat was a testament to pure grit and sacrificial courage.

The Ultimate Sacrifice and Recognition

DeGlopper was mortally wounded during his stand. His final act was not a cry for glory but a shield for his brothers. His sacrifice sealed the gap that could have unraveled the entire position.

Posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on August 30, 1945, his citation immortalizes a simple truth:

“His gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty, at the cost of his life, reflect the highest credit upon himself and the airborne forces of the United States Army.”^1

Commanders and men who witnessed his stand spoke of his calm under fire—how a single man, armed with nothing but determination, could alter the tide of battle and save countless lives.

More Than a Medal: The Legacy of DeGlopper

Charles DeGlopper’s story is a solemn testimony to the essence of warrior sacrifice. He did not choose the easy road. He lived and died by a creed that transcends time and technology.

War’s scars don’t fade. His blood stained the fields of Normandy, but his courage became a beacon. In the crucible of combat, he embraced the bitter price so others could live. That sacrifice redefines what it means to serve.

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

DeGlopper’s stand forces us to confront our own commitment—whether on the battlefield or in everyday life—to stand firm in the face of fear, and to bear the burden of sacrifice for something greater.

In that small, blood-soaked patch of France, Charles DeGlopper etched a legacy of grit and grace. His rifle spoke louder than any speech. His courage was not born of impulse but of faith hard-won in the quiet moments away from battle.

He was a warrior who found redemption in sacrifice.

And so do we all, when we remember the cost, and live in the light of the price paid.

Sources

1. United States Army Center of Military History, "Medal of Honor Recipients: World War II (A–F)." 2. Ambrose, Stephen E., Band of Brothers: E Company, 506th Regiment, 101st Airborne from Normandy to Hitler’s Eagle’s Nest. 3. Official citation for Private First Class Charles N. DeGlopper, Medal of Honor, July 18, 1944.