Summary
Master Sergeant Roderick "Roddie" Edmonds, an American soldier in World War II, bravely saved 200 Jewish-American soldiers from potential death in a German POW camp. He refused to identify the Jewish soldiers, risking his own life to protect them. His actions remained a secret for many years until his son, Chris, uncovered the story.
Key Facts
- January 27 is recognized as International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
- Roddie Edmonds was a Master Sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II.
- He was captured and sent to a POW camp called Stalag IX-A in Germany.
- Edmonds became the senior commander among the captured American soldiers.
- German officers demanded Jewish soldiers be identified, but Edmonds ordered all soldiers to stand together.
- He defied the command by claiming, "We are all Jews here," to protect his men.
- A German officer threatened him with a gun, but Edmonds stood firm.
- His heroic actions were uncovered by his son Chris over 20 years after Edmonds' death.
