Charles DeGlopper's WWII Valor at Les Coates in Normandy

Aug 04 , 2026

Charles DeGlopper's WWII Valor at Les Coates in Normandy

Charles N. DeGlopper stood alone on a wet ridge at dawn, heart pounding, bullets tearing past his ears like death’s own rain. His men were falling back, chaos swallowing the line, surrender tempting survival — but not this day. With a rifle cradled tight, Charles held his ground against a storm of machine guns. Every shot was a prayer. Every breath, a battle between fear and duty. He bought his brothers time — with his life.

The Boy Behind the Rifle

Born in 1921, Charles grew up scrapping in Mechanicville, New York. Hard work shaped him. Faith carried him. A quiet believer in Providence, he clung to Psalm 23:4 — "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.” That scripture wasn’t just words. It was armor for the fight ahead.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in September 1942, joining the 82nd Airborne Division. The paratroopers called him ‘Chuck’—a man of simple grit and unwavering loyalty. Not one for showmanship, he earned respect in silence. His code was clear: protect your brothers at all costs, live with honor, and face death like a man.

The Battle That Defined Him

June 9, 1944. Just days after D-Day, the 82nd Airborne pushed into the French countryside near Saint-Lô during Operation Overlord. The 325th Glider Infantry Regiment took heavy fire crossing a muddy wheat field toward a strategic hill known as Les Coates. The enemy’s gun emplacements rained lead, halting the advance.

DeGlopper’s squad was ordered to retreat. As the others pulled back, they needed cover — a rear guard. No hesitation. Charles volunteered.

He dashed forward into deadly zones, firing from an exposed position. Every burst pinned down German machine guns, drawing brutal attention. Bullets found flesh, breaks shattered, yet he stood firm. Reports say he emptied multiple magazines. His sacrifice sealed a fragile gap for his platoon to pull back alive.

Minutes felt like hours. When Charles finally collapsed, mortally wounded, he’d saved dozens of lives and the unit’s cohesion.

Honors Earned With Blood

For this act of valor, Charles N. DeGlopper received the Medal of Honor posthumously. His citation reads:

“Private First Class DeGlopper’s gallantry, determination, and spirit above and beyond the call of duty reflect the highest credit on himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.”

General Matthew Ridgway, commander of the 82nd Airborne, praised DeGlopper’s sacrifice as a beacon of courage.

Fellow paratroopers remembered him as the man who stood when every instinct screamed to run. “He died a hero,” said one [1].

His grave lies in the Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial, a silent testament beneath endless skies to the price of freedom.

Enduring Legacy: The Measure of Sacrifice

Charles’s story is more than a wartime footnote; it is a relentless reminder of what true courage tastes like — the bitter and the righteous. Sacrifice doesn’t ask for glory; it demands a heart willing to bear the burden.

In a world quick to forget, his stand echoes:

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

His scars were unseen but eternal. His battle was our inheritance. Veterans still draw strength from his example, civilians find humility in his sacrifice.

Standing beside that ridge with Charles, you understand:

True valor isn’t in the absence of fear. It’s daring to hold the line when all light retreats.

His life was brief, but his legacy endures — a charge to every soldier who dons the uniform, and a prayer for every heart that beats beneath it.

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] Brittany American Cemetery and Memorial Records, American Battle Monuments Commission