Roddie Edmonds

Defying a pistol, he protected Jewish prisoners from murder.

Roderick Waring "Roddie" Edmonds was born in South Knoxville, Tennessee, on 20 August 1919. After graduating from Knoxville High School and working as a stock clerk, he enlisted in March 1941. He became a communications chief and master sergeant with the 422nd Infantry Regiment, 106th Infantry Division. German forces captured him during the Battle of the Bulge on 19 December 1944.

At Stalag IX-A on 27 January 1945, a German order demanded that Jewish Americans identify themselves. Edmonds instead assembled all 1,200 American prisoners. With a pistol pressed against his forehead, he refused to separate his comrades and warned that killing prisoners would bring prosecution. The commandant backed down. In March, Edmonds organized further resistance to evacuation until American troops liberated the camp.

He later served in Korea and returned to civilian work in Knoxville. He died on 8 August 1985. Survivor testimony eventually revealed his wartime leadership. Yad Vashem recognized him as Righteous Among the Nations, and his son accepted his posthumous Medal of Honor on 2 March 2026.