The Medal of Distinguished Service () 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 ( , ) is the Unicameralism, unicameral legislature of Israel. The Knesset passes all laws, elects the President of Israel, president and Prime Minister of Israel, prime minister, approves the Cabinet of Israel, cabinet, and supe ...

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 () is an Israel Defense Forces infantry brigade formed in 1947. During the 1948 war, it was involved in capturing Palestinian villages in operations ''Hametz'', ''Barak'', and ''Pleshet''. Before Israel's 2005 ...

was awarded the medal in 2005.

Design

The medal was designed by Dan Reisinger; 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

Ehud Barak Ehud Barak ( ; born Ehud Brog; 12 February 1942) is an Israeli former general and politician who served as the Prime Minister of Israel, prime minister from 1999 to 2001. He was leader of the Israeli Labor Party, Labor Party between 1997 and 20 ...

, one of the most decorated soldiers in the IDF
Israel Baharav
received the Medal for his leadership in the

Yom Kippur War The Yom Kippur War, also known as the Ramadan War, the October War, the 1973 Arab–Israeli War, or the Fourth Arab–Israeli War, was fought from 6 to 25 October 1973 between Israel and a coalition of Arab world, Arab states led by Egypt and S ...

Yonatan Netanyahu Yonatan Netanyahu (; March 13, 1946 – July 4, 1976) was an Israeli military officer who commanded Sayeret Matkal during the Entebbe raid. The raid was launched in response to the 1976 hijacking of an international civilian passenger flight ...

, received the Medal for his actions in the

* 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 The Six-Day War, also known as the June War, 1967 Arab–Israeli War or Third Arab–Israeli War, was fought between Israel and a coalition of Arab world, Arab states, primarily United Arab Republic, Egypt, Syria, and Jordan from 5 to 10June ...

* Dan Shomron, received the Medal for his actions in the 1956 Sinai War * Ephraim Eitam, received the Medal for his actions in the

* Esther Arditi, the only female recipient of the Medal *

Giora Epstein Brigadier General Giora "Hawkeye" Epstein (; born May 20, 1938), today Giora Even (), is a retired Israeli Air Force (IAF) officer and a fighter ace credited with 17 victories, 16 against Egyptian jets and one against an Egyptian Mi-8 helico ...

, received the Medal for his actions as IAF pilot in the

and

- 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 * Shlomo Hagani, two-time recipient * Zevulun Orlev, received the Medal for his actions in the

* Avigdor Kahalani, received the Medal for his actions in the

, also received the Medal of Valor for his actions in the

References

* John D. Clarke, ''Gallantry Medals & Awards of the World'', pp. 109–110

Notes

{{reflist Military awards and decorations of Israel