International Holocaust Remembrance Day

Today marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day, a significant date linked to the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau by Allied forces in 1945, where nearly 1.1 million lives were tragically lost, 960,000 of whom were Jews. Within the overwhelming despair of the Holocaust, there are also compelling narratives of courage. One such story features Sergeant Roderick “Rody” Edmonds, an American GI who risked his life to save 200 Jewish American soldiers from almost certain death. What stands out most about Edmonds isn’t just his bravery, but his profound humility—rooted, perhaps, in his deep faith in God.

Interestingly, Edmonds never shared his experiences with anyone, not even with his son Chris, who is a pastor in Tennessee and co-author of a book on his father’s life titled No Surrender. Chris reminisced, “I asked him several times about his World War II experiences, but he would say, ‘Son, some things are too difficult to share.’” Tragically, after his father’s passing, Chris discovered the depth of his father’s story more than two decades later, when he stumbled upon his name in an article detailing a house purchased by President Richard Nixon. The piece noted that Leslie Tanner had been saved from near death in a POW camp by a soldier named Roddy Edmonds.

This revelation surprised Chris. Was it possible Tanner was referring to his father? Driven by curiosity, he tracked Tanner down and began uncovering the remarkable details of his father’s past.

“My father participated in the Battle of the Bulge,” Chris recounted. “He and his unit were overwhelmed by German forces on December 17, 1944, leading them to be taken to Stalag IX-A, a POW camp in western Germany.” Once there, Edmonds quickly became the senior commander among the American GIs. Soon, a pivotal moment arose. “One day, an announcement came over the loudspeaker instructing Jewish prisoners to report for morning roll call,” Chris reflected. Tanner noted that Edmonds immediately protested the order, declaring, “We’re not going to do that,” and resolved that everyone would stand together the following morning.

What happened next? Would they take on the risk to protect their Jewish comrades? Edmonds’ actions exemplified incredible bravery both inside and outside the battlefield.

“The next morning, all the soldiers and prisoners fell to the ground,” Chris explained. “About 1,275 soldiers stood in front of the barracks. When the commander confronted my father in a rage, he exclaimed, ‘You can’t all be Jews.’ Paul Stern, who was nearby, recalled, ‘Everyone here is Jewish.’”

The German commanders were less than pleased. “The commander was furious that the Americans had the audacity to defy his orders. He ordered, ‘Command the Jews to step forward.’ My father simply replied, ‘According to the Geneva Conventions, all you need is your name, rank, and serial number.’” This infuriated the German major, who drew his gun, pressing it against Edmonds’ forehead, threatening, “Send your Jewish men forward immediately, or I will shoot you.” Tanner shared that Edmonds responded, “Major, if you’re going to shoot me, you’ll have to shoot all of us.” He added, “We know who you are, and if we win this war, you’ll face war crimes.” According to Tanner, the major turned pale and, after a long moment of hesitation, holstered his weapon and walked away, leading to cheers from the Americans.

Years later, Paul Stern, who was also Jewish, reflected on that life-saving moment, recalling the five words that resonated with him: “We are all Jews here.”

Though Roddy Edmonds emerged as a heroic figure, the courage of the other American GIs in the camp should not be overlooked. “All 1,200 soldiers had a choice, and they all made the right one,” Chris emphasized. Two pressing inquiries linger: Why didn’t Edmonds share his story more widely? And why did he put his life on the line for others?

Chris explained, “He wasn’t one to boast about his deeds. He might say, ‘What’s the big deal? I acted as anyone else would have, and I’m glad it turned out okay.’”

Interestingly, Edmonds’ moral compass and sense of justice stemmed from his faith, which was cultivated in the Methodist church in South Knoxville. He dedicated his life to Jesus as a young man. “My dad was genuine,” Chris shared. “He lived according to his faith, which was reflected in his diary, where he expressed the horrors of war and his desire to serve God.”

It’s unclear if Edmonds had interacted with a Jewish person before joining the military. Chris noted his father’s perspective, stating, “To him, people were simply people, creations of God. Everyone held equal value.” This sentiment was echoed by the Jews who served under Edmonds. “He had no obligation to act on our behalf,” Paul Stern remarked. “That’s a true Christian who risks his life for others.”

Lester Tanner echoed this view, emphasizing, “Rody couldn’t hand over his men to the Nazis—they might not survive. He couldn’t do that. He was a just man.” Edmonds’ bravery earned him recognition as one of the Righteous Among the Nations by Yad Vashem, Israel’s official Holocaust museum, which honors non-Jews who saved Jewish lives during the Holocaust.

Roddy Edmonds passed away in 1985 due to congestive heart failure, but his legacy of compassion and faith remains impactful. It serves as a reminder that ordinary individuals, past and present, do remarkable things motivated by their beliefs. Their faith has the power to transform lives and even save them.

On this Day of Remembrance, it’s essential to share the story of this Christian man and the collective efforts of over 1,000 soldiers who risked it all to protect 200 Jewish American soldiers from the grip of Nazi death camps, just months before liberation by American and Allied forces.