The Ardennes, The Battle of the Bulge… December 1944 – The 106th Infantry Division landed in France some ninety days after D-Day. The 106th Division reached the Schnee Eifel area in eastern Belgium by December 10, 1944, and took up their positions, with the 422nd Regiment taking up a forward position. The 422nd was attacked by the Germans as part of their counter offensive, which became known as the Battle of the Bulge. The Germans captured more than 20,000 GIs during the Battle of the Bulge. The non-commissioned officers (NCOs) were taken to Stalag IXA in Ziegenhain. There were 1,000 men in this group. The highest ranking NCO was Master Sgt. Roddie Edmonds from Knoxville, Tennessee. The commandant of Stalag IXA ordered all Jewish POWs to present themselves. Master Sgt. Edmonds ordered all 1,000 American POWs to stand in formation outside of their barracks. Siegmann drew his pistol and aimed it at Edmonds. Roddie Edmonds did not back down. There were 200 Jewish GIs among the 1,000 American POWs. This act by Master Sgt. Edmonds saved the lives of 200 Jewish GIs.

This documentary is the longer version of Master Sgt. Roddie Edmonds’s story. In 2016, the JFR made a shorter documentary on Master Sgt. Roddie Edmonds, Following the Footsteps of My Father. Click here to view the shorter version.

Click here to request a screening of Footsteps of My Father.

Click here to read the story of Master Sgt. Roddie Edmonds.

Click here to download the "Resource for Teachers" for Footsteps of My Father.