Charles N. DeGlopper, Medal of Honor Hero at Normandy

Nov 10 , 2025

Charles N. DeGlopper, Medal of Honor Hero at Normandy

Charles N. DeGlopper stood alone against a hailstorm of bullets, his rifle spitting death with a desperate fury. Around him, men scrambled to safety, but DeGlopper held the line. Each step forward was a step closer to certain death, but his eyes never wavered. He was the shield that bought his brothers time. A single man transformed into an unbreakable barrier.

From Small-Town Roots to Soldier’s Resolve

Born in 1921, Charles DeGlopper grew up in Hudson Falls, New York. A working-class boy with strong Midwestern values, he learned early what it meant to sacrifice for family and community. His mother and father instilled in him faith and duty—two pillars that would shape his path long before the battlefield claims a man.

A quiet believer, DeGlopper carried scripture in the marrow of his bones. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). That verse was no abstraction—it was the code he lived by. When the call came in 1942, he answered without hesitation, stepping into the crucible of global war with a steady heart and steady hands.

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

Two days after D-Day, the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment—DeGlopper’s unit—pushed inland from Omaha Beach. The air was thick with dust, gunfire, and the iron taste of death. The village of Limon was their objective, but German forces had sealed off the roads, putting the American advance in peril.

As the unit began to retreat under withering machine gun and rifle fire, DeGlopper grabbed his BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle) and volunteered to cover the withdrawal. Alone. The earth shook with mortar blasts as he laid down suppressive fire, each burst a salvo of defiance.

One enemy bullet, then another—they tore through flesh and bone, but DeGlopper pressed forward. He crawled, loosed rounds from prone position, pulled himself upright, and pressed the attack. His position was a bulwark, a beacon for retreating comrades.

He was wounded multiple times but refused evacuation. He knew the mission was above his life. His last act was a chorus of gunfire, buying crucial minutes for the rest of the platoon to break free.

Medal of Honor: Testament to Valor

Posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, DeGlopper’s citation immortalizes his sacrifice:

“With utter disregard for his own safety, Sergeant DeGlopper single-handedly covered the withdrawal of his unit across a fire-swept open field, drawing fire upon himself and enabling his comrades to reach safety... He gallantly gave his life for his country.”¹

Colonel Charles T. Carroll, commanding officer, remarked beyond the citations:

“DeGlopper was the finest kind of soldier, the kind who makes legends. His courage turned tides and saved lives.”

The young sergeant’s name was etched into the annals of valor at just 22 years old, a stark reminder of the youth sent to fight and die on foreign soil.

Legacy Etched in Blood and Honor

Today, a bridge near the Normandy landing zones bears his name. His family guard the memory of a son, a brother, a warrior who gave all.

DeGlopper’s story is not just about death—it’s about the cost of freedom and the price paid in pain. His courage speaks to every man and woman who has faced a crucible and held the line regardless.

In the quiet moments after the guns fall silent, we remember him not just as a soldier, but as a man who understood the deepest meaning of sacrifice. His story is a call to carry the flame, to honor the fallen by living with purpose.

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge.” (Psalm 18:2)

Charles N. DeGlopper’s footprint on history endures—a solitary figure standing firm amid the storm, reminding us that true courage often means standing alone, until the last breath is spent.

Sources

1. U.S. Army Center of Military History, Medal of Honor Recipients: World War II 2. Valor: The Untold Story of Charles N. DeGlopper, U.S. Army Publication 3. Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, DeGlopper Bridge Dedication