The late Charles N. DeGlopper of Grand Island is slated to become a member of the inaugural induction class of the 82nd Airborne Hall of Fame.
The Fayetteville Observer of North Carolina reported that the 82nd Airborne Division plans to establish a new All American Hall of Fame to honor past soldiers, including DeGlopper, who received the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions during the D-Day invasion in 1944.
The Observer reported that officials have announced the first class of honorees will include all seven of the division's Medal of Honor recipients.
In addition to DeGlopper, the Observer reported other Medal of Honor recipients include: Lt. Col. Emory J. Pike and Cpl. Alvin C. York, who fought with the 82nd Infantry Division in World War I; Pvt. John R. Towle, 1st Sgt. Leonard A. Funk Jr. and Pvt. Joe Gandara, who fought with the division in World War II; and Staff Sgt. Felix M. Conde-Falcon, who fought with the division in Vietnam.
Two former division commanders, Lt. Gen. James "Jumpin' Jim" Gavin and Gen. Matthew Ridgeway, are also in the inaugural induction class.
The inaugural induction class will be announced April 17 and unveiled at a ceremony during the 82nd Airborne Division's annual All American Week in May. Enshrinement will take place at the division's Hall of Heroes on May 23.
DeGlopper was a member of the 82nd Airborne's glider troops who flew into Normandy behind enemy lines during the early stages of the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944. With his company under heavy German attack and cut off from the rest of the battalion, DeGlopper waged a one-man assault on the enemy position, allowing fellow soldiers to retreat to safety, at the cost of his own life.
DeGlopper posthumously received the Medal of Honor on Feb. 28, 1946. He is buried in Maple Grove Cemetery on Stony Point Road.
