Medal of Valor (Israel)

The Medal of Valor (Hebrew: עיטור הגבורה,Hebrew pronunciation: [(ʔ)iˈtuʁ (h)agvuˈʁa] Itur HaGvura) is the highest Israeli military decoration.

עיטור הגבורה
Medal of Valor
TypeMilitary decoration
Awarded for"Performing a supreme act of valor while facing the enemy and risking one's life"
Presented by Israel Defense Forces
EligibilitySoldiers of the Israel Defense Forces
StatusCurrently awarded
Established1970; 54 years ago (1970)
Last awarded1975
Total recipients40
Precedence
Next (lower)Medal of Courage

The medal was established in 1970 by the Knesset in an act of law as a replacement for the Hero of Israel military decoration that was awarded during the 1947-48 Civil War in Mandatory Palestine and the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. Awards of the medal were also made for actions prior to 1970, and all recipients of the Hero of Israel automatically received the Medal of Valor as well.

Recipients of the medal receive several privileges such as a tax reduction and invitations to official state ceremonies.

To this day, 40 medals have been awarded: 12 for actions in the War of Independence (Hero of Israel recipients automatically received the Medal of Valor), four for the Sinai War, 12 for the Six-Day War, one for the War of Attrition, eight for the Yom Kippur War, and three others for actions during specific operations.

Design

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The medal was designed by Dan Reisinger in the shape of a Star of David. A sword and olive branch decorate the left side, while the reverse is plain. The medal is attached to a yellow ribbon, a reference to the yellow star that Jews were forced to wear during the Holocaust. Two time recipients of the medal attach a small medal-shaped clasp to the ribbon.

The medal is minted by the Israel Government Coins and Medals Corporation. It is made of 25 gram silver/935 and the clasp is chrome plated.

Recipients

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Last Minute News Hundreds of Thousands Jam Tel Aviv to Witness Army Day Parade; Weizmann Decorates H..." Jewish Telegraphic Agency. July 18, 1949.
  2. ^ Ofer Aderet (February 6, 2016). "Israeli War Hero Ron Feller Dies, 84". Haaretz.
  3. ^ Uzi Dann (April 19, 2010). "Memorial Day The Fallen Striker". Haaretz.
  4. ^ Henkin, Yagil (October 22, 2015). The 1956 Suez War and the New World Order in the Middle East: Exodus in Reverse. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 162. ISBN 978-0-7391-8721-0. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  5. ^ Pressfield, Steven (May 6, 2014). The Lion's Gate: On the Front Lines of the Six Day War. Penguin Publishing Group. p. 227. ISBN 978-0-698-16397-3. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  6. ^ "IDF chief of staff lays flag on grave of fallen soldier". Jerusalem Post. April 10, 2013.
  7. ^ Henkin, Yagil (October 22, 2015). The 1956 Suez War and the New World Order in the Middle East: Exodus in Reverse. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 163. ISBN 978-0-7391-8721-0. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  8. ^ Amir Oren (15 January 2009). "Color Red, White House, Green Line". Haaretz.
  9. ^ Dunstan, Simon (2009). The Six Day War 1967: Jordan and Syria. Osprey Publishing. p. 83. ISBN 978-1-84603-364-3. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  10. ^ a b Dunstan, Simon; Dennis, Peter (February 20, 2013). The Six Day War 1967: Jordan and Syria. Osprey Publishing. p. 78. ISBN 978-1-4728-0197-5. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  11. ^ Dunstan, Simon; Dennis, Peter (February 20, 2013). The Six Day War 1967: Jordan and Syria. Osprey Publishing. p. 55. ISBN 978-1-4728-0197-5. Retrieved February 5, 2016.
  12. ^ Amir Oren (January 26, 2015). "Desperate journey, stupid act: Why Israelis voters should see right through Netanyahu". Haaretz.
  13. ^ Rashba, Gary L. (June 2011). Holy Wars: 3,000 Years of Battles in the Holy Land. Casemate Publishers. p. 215. ISBN 978-1-61200-019-0. Retrieved February 6, 2016.
  14. ^ "IDF War Hero: The Soldier Who Lost His Arm and Risked His Life to Strike the Enemy". Israel Defense Force official blog (idfblog.com). October 23, 2013.
  15. ^ Avihai Becker (November 13, 2002). "No End to This Bitter Battle". Haaretz.
  • John D. Clarke, Gallantry Medals & Awards of the World, p. 108