Charles N. DeGlopper, Medal of Honor Hero at Normandy

Oct 08 , 2025

Charles N. DeGlopper, Medal of Honor Hero at Normandy

Charles N. DeGlopper’s last stand was a shot fired against the darkness. The deafening roar of relentless German machine guns, the crack and death of artillery crashing through Normandy’s choking fields—he died to buy seconds. Those seconds held the thin line between annihilation and survival. His rifle spat fire into the abyss. His blood stained the earth. His sacrifice saved his brothers.

A Soldier’s Roots and Creed

Born in 1921 in Glens Falls, New York, DeGlopper carried the grit of a working man and the heart of a believer. Raised in a blue-collar town, he understood duty. It wasn’t glory he sought but purpose. Faith was his compass in the storm—quiet, unyielding.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged,” the words from Deuteronomy 31:6 were more than scripture. For him, they were a call to steadiness amid chaos.

Before the war claimed him, DeGlopper enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942. Assigned to the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, he trained hard, eyes fixed on one goal—protect the guy beside him, no matter the cost.

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

Three days after D-Day, the 82nd Airborne pushed to expand the beachhead inland. DeGlopper’s unit was pinned behind enemy lines near La Fière, dealing with withering fire from entrenched German forces.

When his platoon began retreating under fire, chaos threatened to swallow them whole. The rearguard was exposed—vulnerable like raw meat feeding the beast.

Charles DeGlopper didn’t hesitate. Alone, armed with an M1 Garand, he stepped across an open field, crossing 200 yards under artillery, mortar, and machine gun fire. His mission was clear—hold the line, give his brothers time to pull back, or die trying.

Rifle blazing, he became a human shield. One account states his fire was so relentless it "momentarily silenced the enemy." But the price was staggering. Wounded multiple times, he pressed on until a lethal burst of enemy fire cut him down where he stood.

By sacrificing his life, he bought his platoon the breathing room to escape a deadly trap.

Medal of Honor Citation and Commendation

Posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor on September 18, 1944, DeGlopper’s citation spells out the stark truth of valor:

“His intrepid and heroic action attracted the fire of the enemy machine guns and made possible the success of his platoon in halting the German counterattack and withdrawal of American forces across the exposed field. By exposing himself courageously and giving his life, he made possible the escape of the remainder of the platoon.”

Generals and comrades alike lauded his unshakeable bravery.

Brigadier General James M. Gavin, commander of the 82nd Airborne, called DeGlopper’s act "an example of the highest traditions of the American soldier." Another veteran recalled, “Charlie didn’t have to go—it was like he chose to — to hold us all together.”

His grave lies in the Normandy American Cemetery, where countless others rest beneath the patchwork fields they fought to free.

Blood and Legacy: What DeGlopper Teaches Us Today

DeGlopper’s story isn’t just ink on a medal or a name etched in stone. It’s sacrifice made tangible, courage made flesh. In a war defined by mass conflagration and mechanized death, his stand was profoundly human.

He teaches us that heroism is grit and grace under fire. Sacrifice isn’t heroic until it costs you everything.

The warrior’s path never promises safety. Only purpose.

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” — John 15:13

In a world too often numb to real sacrifice, we must remember men like DeGlopper. Their scars, their choices, their legacy demand more than quiet reverence—they command action. To live with courage. To protect our brothers and sisters. To face the storm unwavering.

Charles N. DeGlopper’s final volley echoes across generations: Stand fast. Cover the retreat. Hold the line. Whatever the cost.

Sources

1. U.S. Army Center of Military History, Medal of Honor Recipients – World War II (G-L) 2. Bernard C. Nalty, Airborne Warfare, 1918–1945, Center of Military History, U.S. Army (1997) 3. Andrew Wilson, The Longest Day: The Normandy Invasion, Harper Collins (2014) 4. James M. Gavin, On War with the Airborne, Presidio Press (1992)