A humble World Struggle II veteran who died greater than 40 years in the past is about to be awarded the nation’s highest honor.
Grasp Sgt. Roddie Edmonds of Knoxville, Tennessee, whose defiance of German captors in a prisoner of battle camp saved the lives of just about 200 Jewish American troops throughout the battle, is posthumously receiving the Medal of Honor.
“We’re thrilled, we’re completely thrilled. We have been on this journey for 13 years; it has been an extended journey however a grateful journey,” Chris Edmonds, interim pastor of Oakwood Baptist Church in Knoxville and the son of Sgt. Edmonds, instructed Army.com.
The Medal of Honor is the best award for valor from the nation’s army. That’s what dad will obtain.
A Legendary Story
Born in 1919 in Knoxville, Tenn., Grasp Sgt. Roderick “Roddie” Edmonds was captured by Nazi forces in December 1944 throughout the Battle of the Bulge.
He was imprisoned in a battle camp that was utilized by the Nazis to determine and segregate Jewish troopers. Whereas being detained, Edmonds was ordered to determine which American troopers underneath his command had been Jewish. Edmonds defied the Nazis by ordering all his males to face exterior their jail barracks in order that none could possibly be singled out.
Because the story goes, a German officer pulled a gun on Edmonds and angrily shouted, “They can not all be Jews!” to which Edmonds replied, “We’re all Jews right here.”
Edmonds nonetheless refused to determine which of the troopers had been Jewish, as an alternative saying, “In keeping with the Geneva Conference, we solely have to provide our identify, rank, and serial quantity. If you happen to shoot me, you’ll have to shoot all of us and, after the battle, you can be tried for battle crimes.”
That act of bravery is being honored by President Donald Trump, together with a separate effort within the works by congressional lawmakers.
Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) has launched laws to posthumously honor Edmonds with the Congressional Gold Medal. U.S. Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) has filed a Home model of the identical invoice. Each items of laws are at present stalled on Capitol Hill.
Blackburn stays hopeful.
Roddie Edmonds’ bravery saved the lives of lots of of Jewish-American troopers throughout World Struggle II, and his valor deserves official commendation. We acknowledge the large braveness of my fellow Tennessean who risked his life to guard his fellow countrymen from Nazi atrocities. – Sen. Blackburn to Army.com.
Edmonds ‘Took It To His Grave’
Edmonds died in 1985 at age 65 with out telling his household or anybody else of his courageous actions.
“All we knew was that he fought in World Struggle II, within the Battle of the Bulge, and got here house,” Chris Edmonds stated. “He would not speak about it.
“It was God’s windfall that we discovered. He died in 1985 and took it to his grave. First time I heard of this was in 2013.”
In 2020, President Trump stated he was strongly contemplating honoring Edmonds with the Medal of Honor. Regionally, a historic marker recognizing Edmonds was positioned in 2021 in Downtown Knoxville. Final week, the pastor stated he obtained a name from Trump himself saying the honour.
“He simply shared with me the excellent news about dad,” Edmonds stated. “He stated he was calling whereas surrounded by the highest army leaders within the nation and so they had been all enthusiastic about it. It was a terrific name, and I am so grateful.”
There was one other honor bestowed upon Sgt. Edmonds after his demise. He was acknowledged by the World Holocaust Remembrance Middle in Jerusalem as “Righteous Among the many Nations”—certainly one of solely 5 Individuals to obtain such an honor.
“He most likely would not wish to be acknowledged; he would say it was the proper factor to do,” stated the youthful Edmonds. “We have been hoping and praying these honors would occur for a very long time.”
