Heroic WWII Veteran to Receive Posthumous Medal of Honor
A World War II veteran from Knoxville, Tennessee, who bravely defied Nazi captors to save Jewish-American soldiers, is set to be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, the United States’ highest military decoration for valor.
Master Sgt. Roddie Edmonds, who passed away over 40 years ago, stood firm against German captors during the Battle of the Bulge in 1944. His courageous decision to protect his fellow soldiers has led to this prestigious recognition.
“We’re thrilled, we’re absolutely thrilled. We’ve been on this journey for 13 years; it’s been a long journey but a grateful journey,” expressed Chris Edmonds, the son of Sgt. Edmonds and interim pastor of Oakwood Baptist Church in Knoxville, in an interview with Military.com.
The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor from the nation’s military. That is what dad will receive.
A Tale of Valor
During his capture by Nazi forces, Master Sgt. Roderick “Roddie” Edmonds faced a dire situation when he was ordered to identify Jewish soldiers among his men. Instead of complying, he commanded all his soldiers to stand together, stating, “We are all Jews here.”
When threatened by a German officer, Edmonds stood firm, citing the Geneva Convention and warning of war crime trials. His actions safeguarded nearly 200 Jewish soldiers from being singled out, a heroic act now set to be honored by a presidential award.
In addition to the Medal of Honor, Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) are pushing for Edmonds to receive the Congressional Gold Medal, with legislation currently stalled in Congress.
Despite the delay, Blackburn remains optimistic. She stated to Military.com, “Roddie Edmonds’ bravery saved the lives of hundreds of Jewish-American soldiers during World War II, and his valor deserves official commendation. We recognize the tremendous courage of my fellow Tennessean who risked his life to protect his fellow countrymen from Nazi atrocities.”
Unspoken Heroism
Edmonds passed away in 1985 at the age of 65, never having shared his wartime heroics with his family. “All we knew was that he fought in World War II, in the Battle of the Bulge, and came home,” Chris Edmonds recalled. “He wouldn’t talk about it.”
The family only learned of his bravery in 2013, and in 2020, President Trump expressed his intent to award Edmonds the Medal of Honor. A historical marker was also placed in Downtown Knoxville in 2021, commemorating his legacy.
Chris Edmonds shared a memorable call from President Trump, who informed him of the honor while surrounded by top military leaders. This recognition adds to another posthumous accolade: Edmonds was named “Righteous Among the Nations” by the World Holocaust Remembrance Center in Jerusalem, one of only five Americans to receive this distinction.
Reflecting on his father’s legacy, Chris Edmonds noted, “He probably wouldn’t want to be recognized; he would say it was the right thing to do. We’ve been hoping and praying these honors would happen for a long time.”
