East Tennessee Veteran Posthumously Awarded Medal of Honor

Pastor Chris Edmonds accepts the nation's highest military honor on behalf of his late father, Roddie Edmonds, who saved nearly 200 American troops from Nazis in WWII.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Pastor Chris Edmonds traveled to Washington, D.C. to accept the Medal of Honor on behalf of his late father, Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds, who bravely defied Nazi orders during World War II and saved the lives of nearly 200 American troops held as prisoners of war.

Why it matters

Roddie Edmonds' heroic actions, which went unrecognized for decades, highlight the courage and sacrifice of American soldiers during WWII. His story has gained renewed attention and he has been posthumously honored by both the U.S. and Israel for his bravery in the face of the Nazis.

The details

In 1944, at age 25, Roddie Edmonds was a U.S. Army soldier captured during the Battle of the Bulge. When a Nazi officer ordered Edmonds, the senior American NCO, to have Jewish soldiers step forward, Edmonds refused and told the officer "We are all Jews here." With a gun to his head, Edmonds' defiance saved the lives of nearly 200 American troops.

  • In December 1944, Roddie Edmonds was captured during the Battle of the Bulge.
  • In February 2026, President Donald Trump called Chris Edmonds to inform him his father would posthumously receive the Medal of Honor.
  • On March 2, 2026, a ceremony was held in the White House East Room to award the Medal of Honor to Roddie Edmonds.

The players

Roddie Edmonds

A Master Sergeant in the U.S. Army during WWII who bravely defied Nazi orders and saved the lives of nearly 200 American troops held as prisoners of war.

Chris Edmonds

The son of Roddie Edmonds who traveled to Washington, D.C. to accept the Medal of Honor on behalf of his late father.

President Donald Trump

The U.S. President who called Chris Edmonds to inform him his father would posthumously receive the Medal of Honor.

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What they’re saying

“We are all Jews here.”

— Roddie Edmonds, Master Sergeant, U.S. Army

“I have some very big news for you, because your father, Master Sergeant Roderick Edmonds, will be, as you know, posthumously receiving the Medal of Honor for his incredible bravery.”

— President Donald Trump (wbir.com)

“Dad was a very humble guy when it came to bragging on him, or anybody really. He loved to brag on God... he was also fun, witty, a light-in-the-room kind of person. When he walked in the room, the room lit up, and when he left, everybody wished he was back; that's the kind of guy he was, he just loved people.”

— Chris Edmonds, Pastor (wbir.com)

What’s next

The White House ceremony on March 2, 2026 will officially award the Medal of Honor to Roddie Edmonds posthumously.

The takeaway

Roddie Edmonds' selfless actions in the face of Nazi brutality during WWII exemplify the courage and sacrifice of American soldiers. His story, which went unrecognized for decades, has now gained national attention and he has been posthumously honored by both the U.S. and Israel for his bravery in saving the lives of his fellow troops.