A Knoxville WWII hero saved over 200 Jewish prisoners - and never spoke of it
Master Sgt. Roderick "Roddie" Edmonds was a World War II hero whose actions helped save the lives of around 200 Jewish servicemembers in 1944. The Knoxville native never spoke about what he did afterward − and was never honored for his bravery during his lifetime. But when his incredible story came to light years later, Edmonds' legacy and life-altering courage were recognized around the world. Born in 1919, Edmonds grew up in Knoxville, attending Flenniken Elementary, Boyd Junior High and Knoxville High School, according to Knox County Archives' research . After graduating, he worked as a stock clerk before joining the U.S. Army March 17, 1941. He arrived in Belgium in December 1944. It was only the following month that Edmonds made the valiant decision that gave so many persecuted people the opportunity to live. Master Sgt. Edmonds' remarkable act of courage Edmonds was captured at the Battle of the Bulge and sent to the Stalag IXB in Bad Orb, Germany, one of the worst camps in Germany for British and American prisoners, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum's Holocaust Encyclopedia states. He was then transferred to Ziegenhain's Stalag IXA, another prisoner of war camp. Once there, on the evening
