Charles N. DeGlopper's Last Stand at Les Bois, Normandy

Feb 05 , 2026

Charles N. DeGlopper's Last Stand at Les Bois, Normandy

He stood alone, a wall of steel against the storm of death. His platoon staggered back through open fields, German bullets tearing through the air. Charles N. DeGlopper made his stand on a muddy ridge near Les Bois, France, 1944 — a single soldier holding the enemy at bay long enough to save dozens of lives.

From Harrow to Honor

Charles N. DeGlopper was no stranger to grit or duty. Born in Fulton, New York, in 1921, he grew up grounded in Midwestern values—hard work, faith, and loyalty etched deep into his character. A farm boy shaped by quiet sacrifice and community, DeGlopper carried a steady heart to war alongside the 82nd Airborne Division's 325th Glider Infantry Regiment.

His faith was a silent armor. Raised in the church, he understood the gravity of commitment, the weight of calling. He lived by the creed that true courage demands stillness in the storm and selflessness in the chaos. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)

The Battle That Defined Him

June 9, 1944. Three days after the D-Day landings, the 82nd Airborne pushed deep into the hedgerow country of Normandy. The 325th swung toward a critical crossroads at Les Bois, tasked to seize and hold the ground for the advancing columns.

DeGlopper’s platoon came under heavy attack—a savage mix of artillery, mortars, and machine gun fire. Enemy forces fanned out, closing the pincer on the battered squad. Orders came to fall back. Retreat was the only option to save the remainder of the unit.

But one man stayed.

Charles DeGlopper stepped onto the ridge, rifle slung, and faced the withering fire alone. Over open ground, exposed to nearly certain death, he opened fire with deliberate, relentless purpose.

Every round he fired was a heartbeat, a pulse of defiance. His position marked a lone beacon in the hail of bullets.

His rifle cracked and roared, silencing at least one enemy machine gun nest. He lobbed grenades with precision, buying precious minutes for his comrades to pull back.

Bullets shredded his body. When the firing stopped, he lay motionless on that cursed ground, his sacrifice etched in blood.

A Medal for Sacrifice

Charles N. DeGlopper died a hero, but his legacy would not be lost.

The Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously for his gallantry. The citation reads in part:

“With complete disregard for his own safety and in the face of intense enemy fire, Private First Class DeGlopper single-handedly delayed the enemy’s advance, enabling the withdrawal of his platoon.”

His commander, Colonel James M. Gavin, later remarked in his memoirs:

“DeGlopper’s sacrifice was the very definition of selfless heroism. Not a man, but an iron wall.”

Fellow soldiers recalled how his action planted the seed for their survival, a painful yet powerful moment of courage that forged the unit’s spirit.

Legacy Burned into the Earth

No valor goes unmarked on the battlefield’s cold map. DeGlopper’s sacrifice became a timeless lesson in the brutal calculus of war—sometimes, one man must answer with his life so others may live.

His story is not just about heroism. It whispers of redemption, of purpose in pain, and of how faith can steel the soul when death stalks close.

In the crucible of hell, DeGlopper found grace. His sacrifice echoes like a faint, unwavering light calling all who follow to something higher than themselves.

When you stand face to face with fear, remember Charles N. DeGlopper. Remember the man who held a ridge alone so no one else would die.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

His last stand was not just a fight for ground—it was a testament to the enduring spirit of sacrifice, the price of freedom, and the hope that even in death, a man’s courage can shine eternal.

Sources

1. U.S. Army Center of Military History, "Medal of Honor Recipients: World War II" 2. Gavin, James M., Airborne Warfare 1918-1945: An Illustrated History of its Impact (David & Charles, 1978) 3. The National WWII Museum, "Charles N. DeGlopper Medal of Honor Citation" 4. Official 82nd Airborne Division unit records (National Archives)