Charles N. DeGlopper WWII Medal of Honor recipient at Elsenborn Ridge

Dec 20 , 2025

Charles N. DeGlopper WWII Medal of Honor recipient at Elsenborn Ridge

Fire shredded the air. Bullets buzzed like angry hornets. Somewhere ahead, the world was bleeding. Charles N. DeGlopper stood alone in a sodden field near Elsenborn Ridge, Belgium, Sept. 18, 1944. He had seconds to act or watch his brothers get slaughtered. There was no hesitation. Only purpose—raw and deadly.

The Backbone of a Soldier

Born in Mechanicville, New York, April 15, 1921, Charles grew up in quiet faith and hard labor. A machinist’s son with a blue-collar heart. His faith wasn’t loud—it was a steady anchor. Raised in the Roman Catholic tradition, he carried Scripture close, though battlefield hell would test every bit.

His sense of honor came from a straightforward code: protect your people. Sacrifice what’s needed. Do your duty until the bitter end. “Greater love hath no man than this,” John 15:13 echoed silently in his mind during the storm to come.

Enlisting in 1942, DeGlopper joined the 82nd Airborne Division, a unit forged in fire and grit. Here was a man sharpened by training, faith, and a fierce loyalty—ready to face the world’s worst.

The Battle That Defined Him

The date was pivotal: September 18, 1944. The 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment was retreating under savage German fire near Elsenborn Ridge in the dense Ardennes forest. Enemy artillery and machine guns tore through exposed lines. American forces faced annihilation if they faltered.

DeGlopper, a private first class, volunteered to cover his company’s escape. Alone. Armed only with a rifle and sheer guts. He crossed an open field—a death zone by any standard—into the mouth of enemy fire.

For ten minutes, he fired relentlessly. Every shot slowed the German advance. Every burst bought precious seconds for his comrades to withdraw. When his rifle jammed, he ran for another, never flinching. By the time his ammunition ran dry, the enemy was nearly on top of him.

He was last seen standing tall, shooting until a fatal bullet claimed him. He gave his life so others might live.

Recognition Carved in Valor

DeGlopper’s death was not in vain. His singular act saved many lives and allowed the 508th to regroup and continue fighting. The military awarded him the Medal of Honor posthumously—the nation’s highest tribute to valor.

His citation reads:

“For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty... Deliberately remaining in an open field exposed to enemy fire to protect the withdrawal of his platoon... His heroic act, under almost certain death, saved the lives of many of his comrades and materially assisted in the successful reorganization of the company.”

Leaders who knew him called him a "quiet warrior" whose courage spoke louder than words. Fellow paratroopers remembered his unwavering calm and fierce commitment. His sacrifice became a beacon amid the chaos of war.

A Legacy Written in Blood and Spirit

Charles N. DeGlopper’s story isn’t just one of battlefield heroism—it’s a testament to what duty demands and what brotherhood means under fire. His selfless act is a stark reminder that courage isn’t loud or boastful. It’s the silence in the storm before the last man falls, standing.

His legacy endures at Fort Bragg and the Orderville paratrooper memorials. It resounds in the hearts of all who serve. “We are called to lay down our lives for our friends,” and DeGlopper answered that call with every fiber of his being.

In the savage calculus of war, his life was a single spark—a flare that revealed the highest standard of sacrifice. Redemption isn’t just found in victory but in the willingness to stand alone, to cover retreating comrades with nothing but faith and rifle fire.

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” — 2 Timothy 4:7

DeGlopper’s blood was spilled on foreign soil, but his story bleeds into ours. In a world too often riddled with cowardice and self-interest, he reminds us what honor costs.

He fought and died full of purpose. Because that—above medals or glory—is what we owe the fallen. To remember, to honor, to carry the torch until it burns down and passes on.

Sources

1. U.S. Army Center of Military History, Medal of Honor Recipients: World War II (G–L) 2. Daniel E. Gawthrop, The Medal of Honor: A History of Service Above and Beyond (Workman Publishing, 2017) 3. 82nd Airborne Division Archives, The Screaming Eagles: The Story of the 82nd Airborne 4. Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Charles N. DeGlopper Citation