Ben-Zion Leitner ( 1927 – March 25, 2012) was an Israeli soldier, who received the nation's highest military decoration, the

Hero of Israel A hero (feminine: heroine) is a real person or a main fictional character who, in the face of danger, combats adversity through feats of ingenuity, courage, or strength. Like other formerly gender-specific terms (like ''actor''), ''hero ...

citation (now the

Medal of Valor This list of medals for bravery is an index to articles about notable medals awarded for bravery or valor. These medals, usually associated with military forces, police forces, or other public safety entities, are given to personnel who have serv ...

), for heroism during the

1948 Arab–Israeli War The 1948 (or First) Arab–Israeli War was the second and final stage of the 1948 Palestine war. It formally began following the end of the British Mandate for Palestine at midnight on 14 May 1948; the Israeli Declaration of Independence had ...

. He led an assault that blew up of a bunker at a police position in

Iraq Suwaydan Iraq Suwaydan ( ar, عراق سويدان, he, עיראק סווידאן) was a Palestinian Arab village located northeast of Gaza City. It was captured by Israeli forces in Operation Yoav against the defending Egyptian Army during the 1948 Ar ...

, in which half of his face became paralysed. He was a native of Odessa

References

1920s births 2012 deaths Israeli soldiers Military personnel from Odesa Odesa Jews Recipients of the Medal of Valor (Israel) Soviet emigrants to Mandatory Palestine {{Israel-mil-bio-stub