Family of Soldier Awarded Congressional Medal for Protecting Jewish POWs from Nazis

Roddie Edmonds, a Christian sergeant, refused to identify Jewish prisoners for execution at a German POW camp during WWII.

Published on Mar. 8, 2026

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Nearly six years after a historical marker dedication honoring Roddie Edmonds' courage in Knoxville, Tennessee, the family of the late U.S. Army sergeant was presented the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Trump for his actions in protecting over 200 Jewish prisoners of war from the Nazis during World War II. Edmonds, the highest-ranking non-commissioned officer in a German POW camp, refused to identify the Jewish POWs when ordered to do so, famously telling the Nazi commandant "We are all Jews here."

Why it matters

Edmonds' heroic act of defiance in the face of the Nazis' genocidal policies saved the lives of hundreds of Jewish American soldiers and highlighted the shared humanity and patriotism of all U.S. service members, regardless of their faith. His story serves as a powerful reminder of the moral courage required to stand up to hatred and oppression, even at great personal risk.

The details

In January 1945, the Germans announced that all Jewish POWs in Edmonds' camp were to report the following morning. Recognizing this as a ploy to single out and execute the Jewish prisoners, Edmonds ordered all 1,200 American POWs to assemble together the next day. When the Nazi commandant pressed a pistol to Edmonds' forehead and demanded he identify the Jewish soldiers, Edmonds refused, stating "We are all Jews here." The commandant, stunned by Edmonds' bravery, ultimately backed down and did not carry out the order.

  • In January 1945, the Germans announced that all Jewish POWs in the camp were to report the following morning.
  • On March 2, 2026, President Trump presented the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously to Roddie Edmonds' son, Pastor Chris Edmonds, at a White House ceremony.

The players

Roddie Edmonds

A U.S. Army sergeant who was the highest-ranking non-commissioned officer in a German POW camp during World War II. He courageously refused to identify Jewish prisoners for execution, saving over 200 lives.

Chris Edmonds

The son of Roddie Edmonds, who accepted the Congressional Medal of Honor on his father's behalf at a White House ceremony in 2026.

President Trump

The U.S. President who presented the Congressional Medal of Honor to Roddie Edmonds' family in recognition of his heroism in protecting Jewish POWs from the Nazis.

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What they’re saying

“We are all Jews here”

— Roddie Edmonds, U.S. Army Sergeant

What’s next

The Congressional Medal of Honor, the U.S. military's highest decoration, will be permanently displayed at the Knoxville, Tennessee historical marker site honoring Roddie Edmonds' courageous actions.

The takeaway

Roddie Edmonds' selfless defense of his fellow Jewish American soldiers, even at the risk of his own life, stands as a powerful testament to the shared values of patriotism and humanity that unite all members of the U.S. armed forces. His story serves as an inspiration for standing up to hatred and oppression in the face of grave personal danger.