Medal of Distinguished Service
Encyclopedia
The Medal of Distinguished Service (עיטור המופת) is an Israeli military decoration
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and could also be awarded also for actions performed before 1970.
The medal is awarded for an act of exemplary bravery in the line of duty.
To date, 600 medals have been awarded, the last in 2007. Five recipients have been awarded the medal twice.
; its shape is circular.
On the front of the medal is a sword with an olive branch, symbolizing controlled strength. The reverse is plain.
The medal is attached to a blue ribbon, with two-time recipients of the medal wearing a small clasp in the form of the medal on its ribbon.
The medal is minted by the Israel Government Coins and Medals Corporation, it is made from 25 gram silver/935 and the clasp is chrome plated metal.
Israeli Military decorations
The Israeli Military decorations are the decorations awarded to soldiers in the Israel Defense Forces who exhibit extraordinary bravery and courage....
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Overview
The medal has instituted in 1970 by act of law in the KnessetKnesset
The Knesset is the unicameral legislature of Israel, located in Givat Ram, Jerusalem.-Role in Israeli Government :The legislative branch of the Israeli government, the Knesset passes all laws, elects the President and Prime Minister , approves the cabinet, and supervises the work of the government...
and could also be awarded also for actions performed before 1970.
The medal is awarded for an act of exemplary bravery in the line of duty.
To date, 600 medals have been awarded, the last in 2007. Five recipients have been awarded the medal twice.
Design
The medal was designed by Dan ReisingerDan Reisinger
Dan Reisinger is an Israeli designer of graphics, exhibitions, and stage sets.-Biography:He was born in Kanjiža, Serbia, into a family of painters and decorators active in Austria-Hungary and the Balkans. Most family members died in the Holocaust, including his father...
; its shape is circular.
On the front of the medal is a sword with an olive branch, symbolizing controlled strength. The reverse is plain.
The medal is attached to a blue ribbon, with two-time recipients of the medal wearing a small clasp in the form of the medal on its ribbon.
The medal is minted by the Israel Government Coins and Medals Corporation, it is made from 25 gram silver/935 and the clasp is chrome plated metal.
Notable recipients
- Esther Arditi, the only female recipient of the Medal
- Ehud BarakEhud BarakEhud Barak is an Israeli politician who served as Prime Minister from 1999 until 2001. He was leader of the Labor Party until January 2011 and holds the posts of Minister of Defense and Deputy Prime Minister in Binyamin Netanyahu's government....
, one of the most decorated soldiers in the IDFIsrael Defense ForcesThe Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel... - Michael BarkaiMichael BarkaiMichael Barkai was the Commander of the Israeli Navy, a recipient of the Medal of Distinguished Service for his command of the missile ships during the Yom Kippur War.-Childhood:...
, received the Medal for his actions in the Yom Kippur War as a commander of missile ships - Michael Burt, two-time recipient
- Nechemya CohenNechemya CohenNechemiah Cohen is the most decorated soldier in the history of the Israel Defense Forces [IDF).. He shares this honour with close friend and former Prime Minister Ehud Barak, and Major Amitai Hason. He received five decorations - one Medal of Distinguished Service and four Chief Of Staff Citations...
, one of the most decorated soldiers in the IDFIsrael Defense ForcesThe Israel Defense Forces , commonly known in Israel by the Hebrew acronym Tzahal , are the military forces of the State of Israel. They consist of the ground forces, air force and navy. It is the sole military wing of the Israeli security forces, and has no civilian jurisdiction within Israel... - Ephraim Eitam, received the Medal for his actions in the Yom Kippur WarYom Kippur WarThe Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War or October War , also known as the 1973 Arab-Israeli War and the Fourth Arab-Israeli War, was fought from October 6 to 25, 1973, between Israel and a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria...
- Shlomo Hagani, two-time recipient
- Amram MitznaAmram MitznaAmram Mitzna is an Israeli politician and former general. He is the acting mayor of Yeruham, the former mayor of Haifa and led the Labour Party from 2002 to 2003.-Youth, studies and military service:...
, received the Medal for his actions in the Six-Day WarSix-Day WarThe Six-Day War , also known as the June War, 1967 Arab-Israeli War, or Third Arab-Israeli War, was fought between June 5 and 10, 1967, by Israel and the neighboring states of Egypt , Jordan, and Syria... - Yonatan Netanyahu, received the Medal for his actions in the Yom Kippur WarYom Kippur WarThe Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War or October War , also known as the 1973 Arab-Israeli War and the Fourth Arab-Israeli War, was fought from October 6 to 25, 1973, between Israel and a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria...
- Zevulun OrlevZevulun OrlevZevulun Orlev is an Israeli politician and a former leader of the National Religious Party. He was Minister of Welfare & Social Services , and is currently a Member of the Knesset for the The Jewish Home party...
, received the Medal for his actions in the Yom Kippur WarYom Kippur WarThe Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War or October War , also known as the 1973 Arab-Israeli War and the Fourth Arab-Israeli War, was fought from October 6 to 25, 1973, between Israel and a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria... - Dan ShomronDan ShomronGen. Dan Shomron was the 13th Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, from 1987 to 1991....
, received the Medal for his actions in the 1956 Sinai WarSuez CrisisThe Suez Crisis, also referred to as the Tripartite Aggression, Suez War was an offensive war fought by France, the United Kingdom, and Israel against Egypt beginning on 29 October 1956. Less than a day after Israel invaded Egypt, Britain and France issued a joint ultimatum to Egypt and Israel,... - Amos YarkoniAmos YarkoniLieutenant Colonel Amos Yarkoni , born as Abd el-Majid Hidr was a legendary officer in the Israel Defense Forces and one of six Israeli Arabs to have received the IDF's third highest decoration, the Medal of Distinguished Service...
, received the Medal after his retirement for his years of courageous service in fighting terrorists on Israel's borders - Giora EpsteinGiora EpsteinColonel Giora "Hawkeye" Epstein , today Giora Even , is a retired colonel in the Israeli Air Force and a jet-to-jet fighter ace, credited with 17 kills, 16 of which were against Egyptian jets, making Epstein the Ace of Aces of modern, supersonic fighter jets...
, received the Medal for his actions as IAFIAFIAF may refer to the following air forces:* Indian Air Force* Indonesian Air Force* Iraqi Air Force* Israeli Air Force* Italian Air ForceIAF may also refer to:* International of Anarchist Federations* Indian Armed Forces...
pilot in the Six-Day WarSix-Day WarThe Six-Day War , also known as the June War, 1967 Arab-Israeli War, or Third Arab-Israeli War, was fought between June 5 and 10, 1967, by Israel and the neighboring states of Egypt , Jordan, and Syria...
and Yom Kippur WarYom Kippur WarThe Yom Kippur War, Ramadan War or October War , also known as the 1973 Arab-Israeli War and the Fourth Arab-Israeli War, was fought from October 6 to 25, 1973, between Israel and a coalition of Arab states led by Egypt and Syria...
- 17 confirmed kills (Dogfights)