Dec 05 , 2025
Remembering Charles N. DeGlopper and his Normandy sacrifice
Charles N. DeGlopper stood alone on a cold ridge, bullets slicing the air like death’s own scythe. His squad was pulling back—slow, methodical, desperate—but the enemy was relentless, and the rear guard was bleeding. Without hesitation, DeGlopper stepped into the storm of fire, covering their retreat with every round he could muster. That last stand was no act of bravado but a choice made in the shadow of sacrifice—a choice that cost him his life but saved countless others.
A Soldier Forged in Small-Town America
Born July 27, 1921, in Mechanicville, New York, Charles N. DeGlopper grew under the quiet watch of a close-knit community. There, in the soil of everyday grit, he learned the hard truths of honor and responsibility. No fanfare, no grand gestures—just a steady, unshakable commitment to doing right by your brothers.
His faith was a silent anchor, never loudly proclaimed but visibly forged into his character. Raised in a family where Sunday service was as regular as sunrise, Charles carried with him the words from Isaiah 6:8—"Here am I. Send me." That was his personal battle cry long before the ferocity of war tested him.
The Battle That Defined Him
It was June 9, 1944. The Normandy invasion had overwhelmed the beaches three days earlier, but the fight had only just begun. Charles served in Company C, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division—the “Big Red One.”
His unit faced a desperate withdrawal near the village of Les Veys, France, pinned down by withering machine-gun fire and mortar shells. The enemy’s lines were tightening like a noose around the American soldiers.
DeGlopper volunteered to stay behind. Alone, he held off a German counterattack with a single BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle).
As its magazine emptied one round at a time, he reloaded under fire, firing bursts that tore into enemy ranks.
Every second he bought—every bullet fired—gave his men time to pull back and regroup.
Witnesses later wrote that he was last seen standing, firing, until he was mortally wounded.
This was not the reckless courage of a man eager for glory. It was the heavy burden of one who understood what sacrifice meant in its cruelest form.
Medal of Honor: The Ultimate Testament
On December 7, 1944, the Medal of Honor was posthumously awarded to Charles N. DeGlopper. The citation speaks plainly:
“His valiant efforts and heroic determination in the face of overwhelming odds enabled his company to withdraw without further casualties... Sergeant DeGlopper’s self-sacrifice exemplified the highest traditions of the military service.”[^1]
Generals and comrades alike strove to capture the magnitude of his stand.
Brigadier General Clarence H. Eggers said:
“His actions were beyond the call of duty—a beacon for everyone in the 1st Infantry Division.”
These words, however, carry no weight compared to the blood on the ground where DeGlopper stood his post.
A Legacy Carved in Sacrifice
Charles DeGlopper’s story is more than history. It’s a raw lesson in the cost of freedom—a reminder that behind every medal lies a man, his choices made under fire and the eternal silence of a grave far from home.
His grave rests in the Normandy American Cemetery. Letters from soldiers speak of how his resolve changed their fates, not through hero worship, but through the grim reality that he bought their tomorrow with his yesterday.
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” — John 15:13
Every veteran who understands that cross knows there is no greater measure of courage.
Enduring Purpose in Blood and Faith
Today, as we remember Charles N. DeGlopper, we honor a man who embraced his duty with unyielding faith and an iron will. His life was cut short, but his legacy is a fire that pushes back darkness. In a world quick to forget the sacrifice behind the flags, his story demands we look closer, listen harder.
What defines a hero is not the absence of fear, but the decision to stand when all else falls away.
DeGlopper’s stand wasn’t just for survival—it was for every brother-in-arms, every soul called to fight, and every life his sacrifice made possible. His is the legacy of redemption written in blood and courage.
[^1]: Department of Defense, Medal of Honor Citation — Charles N. DeGlopper, 1st Infantry Division, WWII
Related Posts
Daniel Joseph Daly, Medal of Honor Marine Who Stood Fast
Jacklyn Harold Lucas, Youngest Marine to Earn Medal of Honor in WWII
John Basilone's Guadalcanal Stand That Earned the Medal of Honor