1776Reporting
During World War II, countless American soldiers risked their lives for the greater good. Among them was Master Sgt. Roddie Edmonds, a man whose courage in the face of terror saved hundreds of Jewish-American soldiers from near-certain death. Trapped in a German POW camp, Edmonds took a stand that could have cost him his life—but instead, it saved many.
A Humble Beginning
Born on August 20, 1919, in South Knoxville, Tennessee, Roddie Edmonds grew up in a modest home with three brothers. While little is known about his early life, he graduated from Knoxville High School in 1938 and was an active member of his local Methodist church.
As war loomed, Edmonds answered the call of duty. At just 22 years old, he enlisted in the U.S. Army at Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia—nine months before the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. He had no idea then that his service would one day place him at the center of an extraordinary act of bravery.
Sent to the Front Lines
The world was engulfed in war, and Edmonds was sent to Europe as part of the 422nd Infantry Regiment in the 106th Infantry Division. As the highest-ranking noncommissioned officer (NCO) in his regiment, he led with quiet confidence rather than arrogance.
“He did not throw his rank around,” said fellow soldier Lester J. Tanner in an interview with Yad Vashem. “You knew he knew his stuff, and he got across to you without being arrogant or inconsiderate. I admired him for his command… We were in combat on the front lines for only a short period, but it was clear that Roddie Edmonds was a man of great courage.”
Just five days before the Germans launched the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944, Edmonds and his men arrived in Europe. They fought fiercely but were soon overwhelmed and surrounded by enemy forces.
Captured by the Germans
With no escape possible, Edmonds and his fellow troops were forced to surrender on December 21, 1944. The Germans marched them 50 kilometers to Gerolstein, Germany, before cramming them into overcrowded boxcars for a seven-day journey with barely any food or water. They arrived at Stalag IX-B, a grim prisoner-of-war camp near Bad Orb in Hesse.
Upon arrival, the Germans sorted the prisoners into groups: enlisted men, officers, and noncommissioned officers. Because of his rank, Edmonds was transferred to Stalag IX-A, another POW camp near Ziegenhain, Germany. It was here that he would make a life-saving decision.
A Moment of Defiance
By early 1945, Edmonds had assumed the role of senior-ranking NCO, responsible for overseeing 1,275 American prisoners of war. Then, on January 27, the camp commandant issued a chilling order: the Jewish-American soldiers were to step forward for roll call the next morning.
Knowing the Nazis’ grim record, Edmonds recognized the danger. Instead of complying, he ordered every single American prisoner to stand outside together. When the commandant saw them all assembled, he became enraged and pulled his pistol, demanding that Edmonds identify the Jewish soldiers.
Edmonds did not waver. “We are all Jews,” he declared. He then reminded the commandant that harming any of them would be a war crime under the Geneva Convention. Knowing he had been outmaneuvered, the German officer lowered his weapon, and the Jewish soldiers remained safely among their comrades. Edmonds’ bold stand saved the lives of 200 to 300 Jewish prisoners that day.
Returning Home in Silence
After 100 grueling days in captivity, Edmonds was finally freed and returned to the United States. But he never spoke about his wartime heroism—not to friends, not to family. Instead, he resumed life in Tennessee, later serving in the Korean War before working in mobile home and cable sales. He even spent time at The Knoxville Journal, a local newspaper.
Despite his remarkable actions, Edmonds lived a quiet life, marrying three times before passing away on August 8, 1985. He was buried in Berry Highland Memorial Cemetery, his incredible story still untold.
Uncovering the Truth
It wasn’t until his son, Rev. Chris Edmonds, inherited his wartime diary that the truth finally came to light. Determined to honor his father’s legacy, Chris tracked down surviving veterans who had witnessed his bravery. Their testimonies confirmed the story, leading to official recognition from Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust memorial.
In February 2015, Edmonds was honored as “Righteous Among the Nations,” the highest title given to non-Jews who risked their lives to save others during the Holocaust. Less than a year later, on January 27, 2016, a ceremony at the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., paid tribute to his heroism, with then-President Barack Obama in attendance. Edmonds remains one of only five Americans ever to receive this honor—and the only active-duty U.S. soldier to do so.
A Push for Greater Recognition
Despite international recognition, Edmonds’ home country has yet to fully honor him. His son initially sought the Medal of Honor for his father, but the request was denied since the act did not occur in combat. However, the fight continues.
In April 2023, lawmakers introduced the Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds Congressional Gold Medal Act to posthumously award him the nation’s highest civilian honor. While progress has been slow, support for the measure continues to grow.
The Legacy of a Hero
Roddie Edmonds could have stayed silent that day in the POW camp. He could have chosen self-preservation over defiance. Instead, he stood firm, stared down a Nazi officer, and saved hundreds of lives with just five words: “We are all Jews.”
Though he never sought recognition, his story serves as a reminder of what true courage looks like. And perhaps, one day, his country will finally give him the honor he so rightfully deserves.
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