WWII Soldier Who Saved Jewish POWs to Receive Medal of Honor

Army Master Sgt. Roddie Edmonds refused to identify Jewish soldiers, telling a German commander: "We are all Jews."

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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Roddie Edmonds, a WWII prisoner of war, will posthumously receive the Medal of Honor for his heroic actions in protecting Jewish soldiers under his command. Ordered by a German camp commander to identify the Jewish POWs, Edmonds instead declared that all 1,200 American prisoners were Jews, refusing to single them out and risking his own life. His family only learned of his bravery after his death in 1985, when his son discovered Edmonds' diary from the camp.

Why it matters

Edmonds' actions highlight the courage and moral fortitude of American soldiers in the face of the Nazi regime's atrocities against Jewish people during the Holocaust. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up against injustice, even in the most dire of circumstances.

The details

As the ranking NCO in charge of over 1,200 American POWs at Stalag IX-A, Edmonds was ordered by the German camp commander to segregate the Jewish soldiers. Instead, Edmonds called a full formation of all the prisoners and declared, "We are all Jews." When the German major threatened to shoot Edmonds, he replied, "Major, you can shoot me, you can shoot all of us, but we know who you are. This war is almost over and you'll be a war criminal." The German officer backed down, and the camp authorities never again tried to separate the Jewish prisoners.

  • In January 1945, Edmonds and other NCOs arrived at Stalag IX-A.
  • In the initial POW camp, the Germans had already segregated Jewish GIs, sending about 350 to the Berga concentration camp where at least 70 died.
  • Three months later, in April 1945, Edmonds again stood his ground when the Nazis ordered the POWs to evacuate the camp, likely into a death march.

The players

Roddie Edmonds

A WWII Army Master Sergeant who was the ranking NCO in charge of over 1,200 American prisoners of war at Stalag IX-A. He refused to identify Jewish soldiers under his command, risking his own life to protect them.

Christopher Edmonds

Roddie Edmonds' son, who only learned of his father's heroic actions after Roddie's death in 1985 when he discovered his father's diary from the POW camp.

Sydney 'Skip' Friendman

One of four Jewish senior NCOs inside Stalag IX-A who shared their stories about Roddie Edmonds' bravery.

Lester Tannenbaum

Another Jewish senior NCO at Stalag IX-A who praised Edmonds' leadership in protecting the Jewish prisoners.

Donald Trump

The President who called Christopher Edmonds to confirm that his father would posthumously receive the Medal of Honor.

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What they’re saying

“Roddie was incredible. He never really got his recognition except among us.”

— Sydney 'Skip' Friendman, Jewish senior NCO at Stalag IX-A (2016 documentary)

“He grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee. He probably never met a Jew in Knoxville.”

— Lester Tannenbaum, Jewish senior NCO at Stalag IX-A (2016 documentary)

“We are all Jews.”

— Roddie Edmonds (Reported by eyewitness)

“Major, you can shoot me, you can shoot all of us, but we know who you are. This war is almost over and you'll be a war criminal.”

— Roddie Edmonds (Reported by eyewitness)

What’s next

An official ceremony to posthumously award the Medal of Honor to Roddie Edmonds is expected to take place in the coming months.

The takeaway

Roddie Edmonds' selfless actions in the face of Nazi brutality serve as a powerful testament to the moral courage and integrity of American soldiers during World War II. His story reminds us of the importance of standing up against injustice, even in the most perilous of circumstances.