Army Master Sgt. Roddie Edmonds, a Christian (Methodist denomination), said these words. These words coupled with his extraordinary leadership and courage saved the lives of more than 1,200 American WW II soldiers, 200 of which were Jewish-American soldiers, and all prisoners of the Nazis.

Like Anne Frank, M. Sgt. Edmonds kept notes or a diary while he was a POW. His diary was discovered years after the war by his son, the Rev. Chris Edmonds, a Baptist minister in Tennessee. Thanks to Edmonds’s son and some extensive research, he was able to speak with some of the Jewish-American soldiers.

Rev. Chris Edmonds with Douglas Century wrote a book titled “No Surrender,” with a regular and youth edition, about the pastor’s son and numerous survivors. In 2020 the book was awarded the Christopher Award.

M.Sgt. Edmonds, while a POW at Stalag IX, as officers were held in different camps, was the ranking American soldier present. When Commandant Siegmann ordered Edmonds to separate the Jewish soldiers, as Jewish POWs were executed, Edmonds refused. The Commandant, in English, said: “You are to identify the Jews, immediately.” Edmonds with Siegmann’s Lugar pointed at his head, responded with, “We are all Jews here.”

M.Sgt. Edmonds actions resulted in his being one of five Americans, and the only American soldier, awarded the Righteous Among Nations award by Yad Vashem. It is an honor bestowed on non-Jews who risked their lives to save Jews during the Holocaust. Over 25,000 people have received this honor. M.Sgt. Edmonds’ action also saved the lives of 1,000 of the non-Jewish soldiers under his command.

On March 4, 2019, Sen. Lamar, R-Tennessee, sponsored S.642, 116th Congress, recommending M.Sgt. Edmonds for a Congressional Gold Medal.

DAVID YOUNG

Lewisburg

Submitted via email