The Medal of Distinguished Service ( he, עיטור המופת) is an
Israeli military decoration. The Medal of Distinguished Service is the third most important medal given by the IDF
Chief of General Staff following an act that is done with courage and worthy of exemplary service.
Overview
The medal was instituted in 1970 by act of law in the
Knesset
The Knesset ( he, הַכְּנֶסֶת ; "gathering" or "assembly") is the unicameral legislature of Israel. As the supreme state body, the Knesset is sovereign and thus has complete control of the entirety of the Israeli government (with ...
and could also be awarded for actions performed before 1970. This medal is the only one of the three medals awarded by the State of Israel for exemplary conduct that can be granted for actions outside the battlefield. It consists of a blue ribbon bearing a metal circle with a sword in its center alongside wheat, two symbols that were used by the fighting organizations of Jewish communities before the country was founded in 1948. They represent the work of the pioneers and their defense of the homeland.
To date, 601 medals have been awarded, the latest in 2015. Five recipients have been awarded the medal twice. One unit, the reconnaissance battalion of the
Givati Brigade
The 84th "Givati" Brigade ( he, חֲטִיבַת גִּבְעָתִי, , "Hill Brigade" or "Highland Brigade") is an Israel Defense Forces infantry brigade. Until 2005, the Brigade used to be stationed within the Gaza Strip and primarily perf ...
was awarded the medal in 2005.
Design
The medal was designed by
Dan Reisinger
Dan Reisinger ( he, דן ריזינגר; August 3, 1934 – November 26, 2019) was an Israeli graphic designer and artist.
Biography
Reisinger was born in Kanjiža, Serbia, into a family of painters and decorators active in Austria-Hungary and t ...
; 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
*
Yonatan Netanyahu, received the Medal for his actions in the
Yom Kippur War
*
Amos Yarkoni, received the Medal after his retirement for his years of courageous service in fighting terrorists on Israel's borders
*
Amram Mitzna, received the Medal for his actions in the
Six-Day War
*
Dan Shomron, received the Medal for his actions in the
1956 Sinai War
The Suez Crisis, or the Second Arab–Israeli war, also called the Tripartite Aggression ( ar, العدوان الثلاثي, Al-ʿUdwān aṯ-Ṯulāṯiyy) in the Arab world and the Sinai War in Israel,Also known as the Suez War or 1956 Wa ...
*
Ehud Barak
Ehud Barak ( he-a, אֵהוּד בָּרָק, Ehud_barak.ogg, link=yes, born Ehud Brog; 12 February 1942) is an Israeli general and politician who served as the tenth prime minister from 1999 to 2001. He was leader of the Labor Party until Jan ...
, one of the most decorated soldiers in the
IDF
IDF or idf may refer to:
Defence forces
* Irish Defence Forces
* Israel Defense Forces
*Iceland Defense Force, of the US Armed Forces, 1951-2006
* Indian Defence Force, a part-time force, 1917
Organizations
* Israeli Diving Federation
* Interac ...
*
Ephraim Eitam, received the Medal for his actions in the
Yom Kippur War
*
Esther Arditi, the only female recipient of the Medal
*
Giora Epstein, received the Medal for his actions as
IAF pilot in the
Six-Day War and
Yom Kippur War - 17 confirmed aerial victories)
*
Michael Barkai, received the Medal for his actions in the Yom Kippur War as a commander of missile ships
*
Michael Burt, two-time recipient
*
Nechemya Cohen, one of the most decorated soldiers in the
IDF
IDF or idf may refer to:
Defence forces
* Irish Defence Forces
* Israel Defense Forces
*Iceland Defense Force, of the US Armed Forces, 1951-2006
* Indian Defence Force, a part-time force, 1917
Organizations
* Israeli Diving Federation
* Interac ...
*
Shlomo Hagani, two-time recipient
*
Zevulun Orlev, received the Medal for his actions in the
Yom Kippur War
*
Avigdor Kahalani, received the Medal for his actions in the
Six-Day War, also received the
Medal of Valor for his actions in the
Yom Kippur War
References
* John D. Clarke, ''Gallantry Medals & Awards of the World'', pp. 109-110
Notes
{{reflist
Military awards and decorations of Israel