Charles N. DeGlopper's Normandy sacrifice earned the Medal of Honor

Nov 26 , 2025

Charles N. DeGlopper's Normandy sacrifice earned the Medal of Honor

A line of soldiers scrambled backward through a shattered French orchard.

Shells screamed overhead. Dead and dying lay scattered like broken branches beneath them.

Somewhere in the chaos, Private First Class Charles N. DeGlopper stood tall—alone, steady, a living shield against the storm of enemy fire.

The Roots of Honor

Charles Norman DeGlopper was born in Mechanicville, New York, in 1921. Blue-collar kid, forged in small-town grit and God’s grace. His family worked hard; faith was a quiet backbone.

He carried that faith like armor—never shouted it loud, but it ran through him.

Before the war called him, he worked at a hosiery mill, stepped up when his country needed him. Enlisted with the 82nd “All American” Airborne Division, trained as a rifleman.

The Bible was never far from his kit. Like David facing Goliath, he wore scripture in his heart:

“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

DeGlopper lived that verse.

The Battle That Defined Him

June 9, 1944. Normandy. Operation Overlord’s fury was still fresh in the earth. The 325th Glider Infantry Regiment had been tasked with securing the flank near La Fière Bridge.

Enemy Germans were dug in, shadows in the morning fog. The sounds of war were all-consuming: explosions, gunfire, screams.

The regiment was in retreat. A few men fell back, wounded and desperate. The bridge had to hold—a lifeline for the advancing American forces.

DeGlopper stayed behind to cover the withdrawal with his M1 rifle. Alone.

He fired from an exposed position, drawing relentless Nazi fire. Bullets shredded the air, brushed him down, but he held the line.

Every round he fired gave his brothers a second more to live, breathe, move. He became a bullet magnet, a wall of defiance amidst chaos.

His last moments were spent charging a machine-gun nest with empty rifle in hand—a final act of desperate courage before he was cut down.

His sacrifice saved dozens of lives and helped secure the bridge’s defense—turning a retreat into a foothold.

Recognition For Valor

Charles N. DeGlopper was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously—the nation’s highest tribute to valor.

The citation reads:

“With complete disregard for his own life, Pfc. DeGlopper remained in an exposed position to cover the withdrawal of his unit, enabling the men to reach safety. His gallantry and heroic self-sacrifice reflect the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.”

His commanding officer, Colonel Harry Lewis, said:

“DeGlopper’s courage was more than just gallantry. It was a testament to the man’s spirit, a brother who would give all for his unit.”

The 82nd Airborne remembers him as a fearless warrior who gave everything without hesitation.

Legacy of Blood and Salvation

DeGlopper’s story is carved in the blood-soaked soil of Normandy. His name etched on memorials and in the hearts of those who fight.

His legacy is not just a tale of death, but of the price of freedom paid by men who step into hell for their brothers.

To veterans, his sacrifice is a beacon: courage is forged in quiet moments of choice, far from the headlines. To civilians, it’s a sobering call to remember the cost of liberty.

In a world desperate for heroes, DeGlopper stands unshaken—even in death.

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

A fallen soldier’s last stand is not about glory. It’s about love, duty, faith—the soul’s final armor.

Charles N. DeGlopper’s blood was spilled so others might live. Let us honor that sacrifice by living worthy of it.

Not forgotten. Never ignored. Always remembered.

Sources

1. U.S. Army Center of Military History – Medal of Honor citation for Charles N. DeGlopper 2. Stephen Ambrose, Citizen Soldiers (Simon & Schuster, 1997) 3. 82nd Airborne Division Archives – After Action Reports, June 1944 4. Official Records – 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, Normandy Campaign