Tennessee Soldier Awarded Medal of Honor for Saving Over 200 Jewish Americans from Nazis

Master Sergeant Roderick Edmonds will receive the prestigious award posthumously next month for his heroic actions during World War II.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Master Sergeant Roderick (Roddie) W. Edmonds, a Tennessee soldier, will posthumously receive the Medal of Honor next month for his actions in saving the lives of more than 200 Jewish-American prisoners of war during World War II. As a prisoner at Stalag IXA in Germany, Edmonds refused to identify the Jewish-American POWs when ordered to do so by the Nazi commandant, risking his own life to protect them from persecution and possible execution.

Why it matters

Edmonds' courageous stand against the Nazis' demands to segregate Jewish-American prisoners highlights the heroism of ordinary soldiers who took extraordinary measures to uphold human rights and the Geneva Conventions, even in the face of grave personal danger. His actions are a powerful testament to the importance of standing up against injustice and discrimination, even in the most challenging circumstances.

The details

In January 1945, the German commandant at Stalag IXA ordered that only Jewish-American prisoners were to report for roll call the next morning, threatening execution. Edmonds, as the senior non-commissioned officer, directed all 1,200 American prisoners to present themselves instead, defying the commandant's order. When the furious commandant pressed a pistol to Edmonds' forehead and demanded he identify the Jewish prisoners, Edmonds refused, warning that the commandant would be prosecuted for war crimes. Weeks later, as Allied forces approached, Edmonds again led the prisoners in an act of resistance, ordering them to break ranks and return to the barracks when the Germans tried to evacuate the camp, forcing the Germans to abandon the camp and leave the Americans behind.

  • On January 26, 1945, the Germans announced that only Jewish-American prisoners would fall out for roll call the following morning.
  • On January 27, 1945, Master Sgt. Edmonds directed all 1,200 American prisoners to present themselves for roll call, defying the German commandant's order.
  • In March 1945, as Allied forces were rapidly advancing, the Germans ordered all prisoners to assemble outside the barracks for evacuation.

The players

Master Sergeant Roderick (Roddie) W. Edmonds

A Tennessee soldier who was a prisoner of war in Germany during World War II and is credited with saving the lives of more than 200 Jewish-American prisoners by refusing to identify them when ordered to do so by the Nazi commandant.

Nazi Commandant

The German commandant at Stalag IXA who ordered that only Jewish-American prisoners were to report for roll call, threatening execution.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

Master Sgt. Edmonds will receive the Medal of Honor alongside Staff Sergeant Michael H. Ollis, U.S. Army (posthumous), and Command Sergeant Major Terry P. Richardson, U.S. Army (Retired) on March 2nd.

The takeaway

Edmonds' courageous actions to protect his fellow Jewish-American prisoners of war, even at great personal risk, serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up against injustice and discrimination, and upholding human rights and the principles of the Geneva Conventions, even in the most challenging circumstances.