The Medal of Honor citation describes DeGlopper’s platoon advancing to secure a bridgehead across the Merderet River at La Fière, France. At dawn, the forward platoon penetrated an outer line of enemy machine guns and riflemen, but became cut off from the rest of the company.
German forces began a flanking maneuver that threatened the American platoon in a shallow roadside ditch. DeGlopper volunteered to support the withdrawal of his comrades through a break in a hedgerow about 40 yards to the rear.
He walked from the ditch onto the road in full view of the enemy and fired his automatic rifle at the hostile positions. Even after being wounded, he continued firing. Struck again, he fired from a kneeling position until killed.
His action drew enemy fire away from his fellow soldiers and helped them continue the fight from a stronger position. The citation credits his sacrifice as a major factor in a significant tactical victory during the Normandy Campaign.
