On Feb. 19, a kosher luncheon was held in the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C., following the introduction by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) of S.262; the Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds Congressional Gold Medal Act. Edmonds’ bravery saved 200 Jewish American soldiers under his command at Stalag-IX, a German POW camp, on Jan. 27, 1945, the same day Auschwitz was liberated.

Richard Horowitz, the Gold Medal Committee co-chair, learned of Edmonds’ bravery while researching stories of Holocaust heroism by people who risked their lives saving Jews. He described the incredible response to his Time magazine piece on this amazing story. “Of Yad Vashem’s 27,000 Righteous Among the Nations, only five Americans are recognized,” Horowitz said. “Edmonds is the only U.S. soldier among them. Our country has not yet recognized him.”

Former U.S. Infantryman, Sen. Tom Cotton, (R-Ark.), became the first co-sponsor of this bill. He thanked Pastor Chris Edmonds for sharing his father’s story of “selfless heroism and bravery on a cold January morning of 1945.” Cotton expressed: “Just 27 years old, the senior man among nearly 1,300 Americans, Sergeant Edmonds was the source of stoic strength for his men. I therefore honor and support this effort to recognize Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds with a Congressional Gold Medal, a distinction, importantly earned. Pastor, if I have anything to do with it, this won’t be the last medal he receives.”

Chris Edmonds said: “We’re asking you to not only go out and share this story, but to help mobilize, not only Congress, but our nation and our world to do what’s right for my father because his story is very inspiring. I speak to fifth graders to presidents and prime ministers. Everyone hearing that story leaves a better person, to do what’s right for others. One person can make the difference.

Chris Edmonds continued; “My journey begins with an old diary of a young man from Tennessee fighting for his country. His Infantry Division was captured and spent 100 harsh days in German
prisoner-of-war camps. This story was familiar to us: the reality he never, ever talked about.

“One evening, I googled his name. His name appeared in a 1980 New York Times article of attorney Lester Tanner selling his New York City townhouse to President Nixon. Tanner names Dad for saving his life. I had no idea. I began asking questions. Finding Lester, still in New York, age 89, still practicing law, I learned the true story of my father’s service.

“Near the end of the war, even in POW camps, the Germans had strict anti-Jew policies segregating Jewish American men, sending them to certain death in concentration camps,” Chris Edmonds continued. “Jewish American soldiers were told to destroy dog tags and never mention Jewish identity. On January 26, the Germans sent orders to my father that the following morning, only the Jews were to fall out. It’s 80 years since Dad stood up for his men in that camp. The commander approached and was stunned. All 1,300 American GIs are standing in formation. Not one said, ‘I’m not going; that’s the Jews’ problem.’ When the threat appeared, not one of those men said, ‘That guy’s a Jew.’ They all stood together.”

“The major stated, they can’t all be Jews. Dad said, ‘We are all Jews; under the Geneva Convention, all that’s required is name, rank, serial number.’ The Major pressed his pistol into my father’s forehead, and screamed, ‘Sergeant, one last chance. You’ll order the Jews to step forward, or I’ll shoot you right now.’”

Chris Edmonds continued, “He spoke calmly, courageously. ‘Major, you can shoot me, but you’ll have to kill all of us, because we know who you are. You will stand for war crimes.’ There was no movement, no sounds, just smoke-like breath rising heavenward, along with lots of prayers. Then, the major put away his gun and walked away.

“Two months later, [my father] saved all 1,292 Americans by refusing Nazi orders to leave camp on a forced march. The commandant said, ‘OK Sergeant, you win. The camp is yours.’ The Germans marched out. Only Americans remained.”

Sonny Fox, who went on to host TV game shows and the famous Sunday morning kids’ show “Wonderama,” was one of the Jewish soldiers saved by Roddie Edmonds.

Blackburn closed: “A Congressional Gold Medal to Roddie Edmonds is the highest civilian honor we give. You were talking about his fortitude, will, and strength of character to not identify Jewish members that were in that prison camp.”

The Friedlander Group organized the Gold Medal event. Hasan Ali bin Ali chairs the International Gold Medal commission.