Letter to the editor: Letter to the editor: Honoring an unsing American hero

OPINION:

On Monday, U.S. Army Master Sgt. Roddie Edmonds was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor, our nation’s highest award for courageous actions beyond the call of duty during battles.

Edmonds was honored for what he did after he was captured during World War II. When the Nazis at the prison camp to which he and nearly 1,300 other non-commissioned officers were sent ordered all Jewish prisoners to report, Edmonds, as senior non-commissioned officer, gave the order that all U.S. soldiers were to appear.

When a Nazi officer yelled in English, “These men cannot all be Jews!” and demanded to know which of the men was actually Jewish, Edmonds, knowing that the Jewish prisoners undoubtedly faced cruelty and death, responded, “We are all Jews here.” 

When the Nazi officer put a pistol to his head, Edmonds still refused to change his answer. The Nazi backed off; Edmonds had saved the Jewish POWs.

Two months later, Edmonds refused to allow his fellow soldiers to be evacuated by the Nazis from their POW camp, undoubtedly saving more American lives.

The U.S. rightfully celebrates its military heroes for their extraordinary courage in confronting enemy combatants. It’s refreshing to know that those who save American lives are equally honored.

PAUL L. NEWMAN

Merion Station, Pennsylvania 

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