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First off allow me to say I am happy to finally see a forum that includes Israeli militaria. I branched into Israeli military collecting around August of 2013 and I have amassed a fairly decent collection of Israeli militaria. I have three uniforms, assorted berets, badges and insignia and military decorations. Here I will share a couple pictures of my Israeli military decorations. These are the three highest awards presented to Israeli military personnel: The Medal of Valor, The Medal of Courage and The Medal of Distinguished Service.
Medal of Valor
From Wikipedia:
"The Medal of Valor (Hebrew: עיטור הגבורה, Itur HaGvura) is the highest Israeli military decoration. 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 War of Independence. 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 tax reduction and invitations to official state ceremonies. Soldiers awarded the Medal of Valor may also be granted the right to be buried in the Helkat Gedolei Ha'Uma cemetery on Mount Herzl. To this day, 40 medals have been awarded: 12 for actions in the War of Independence (Hero of Israel recipients automatically awarded 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 awarded on other occasions.
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."
Medal of Courage
From Wikipedia:
"The Medal of Courage (Hebrew: עיטור העוז, Itur HaOz) is an Israeli military decoration. The medal is awarded for carrying out acts of gallantry at the risk of life, during combat duty. The medal was established in 1970 (though it has been given retroactively) by act of law in the Knesset. The medal was designed by Dan Reisinger, on the obverse there are six crossed swords and between them an olive branch. the reverse is plain. The medal is attached to a red ribbon symbolizing the fire and blood in battle. Officially, two time recipients of the medal wear a small clasp in the form of the medal on its ribbon. In practice, Rav Aluf Amnon Lipkin-Shahak (the only person to be awarded the medal twice whilst still alive) wore two ribbons. The medal is minted by the Israel Government Coins and Medals Corporation, is made of 25 gram silver/935 and the clasp is chrome plated metal. To this day 220 awards have been made, the latest were in 2005 after a period of 23 years in which the medal was not awarded. In 2007 it was announced that the medal would be awarded to six soldiers who fought during the Second Lebanon War. Two recipients have been awarded the medal twice."
Medal of Distinguished Service
From Wikipedia:
"The Medal of Distinguished Service (Hebrew: :עיטור המופת) is an Israeli military decoration. The medal has instituted in 1970 by act of law in the Knesset 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 2013. Five recipients have been awarded the medal twice. 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."
And here finally are the presentation packets they came in.
Medal of Valor
From Wikipedia:
"The Medal of Valor (Hebrew: עיטור הגבורה, Itur HaGvura) is the highest Israeli military decoration. 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 War of Independence. 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 tax reduction and invitations to official state ceremonies. Soldiers awarded the Medal of Valor may also be granted the right to be buried in the Helkat Gedolei Ha'Uma cemetery on Mount Herzl. To this day, 40 medals have been awarded: 12 for actions in the War of Independence (Hero of Israel recipients automatically awarded 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 awarded on other occasions.
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."
Medal of Courage
From Wikipedia:
"The Medal of Courage (Hebrew: עיטור העוז, Itur HaOz) is an Israeli military decoration. The medal is awarded for carrying out acts of gallantry at the risk of life, during combat duty. The medal was established in 1970 (though it has been given retroactively) by act of law in the Knesset. The medal was designed by Dan Reisinger, on the obverse there are six crossed swords and between them an olive branch. the reverse is plain. The medal is attached to a red ribbon symbolizing the fire and blood in battle. Officially, two time recipients of the medal wear a small clasp in the form of the medal on its ribbon. In practice, Rav Aluf Amnon Lipkin-Shahak (the only person to be awarded the medal twice whilst still alive) wore two ribbons. The medal is minted by the Israel Government Coins and Medals Corporation, is made of 25 gram silver/935 and the clasp is chrome plated metal. To this day 220 awards have been made, the latest were in 2005 after a period of 23 years in which the medal was not awarded. In 2007 it was announced that the medal would be awarded to six soldiers who fought during the Second Lebanon War. Two recipients have been awarded the medal twice."
Medal of Distinguished Service
From Wikipedia:
"The Medal of Distinguished Service (Hebrew: :עיטור המופת) is an Israeli military decoration. The medal has instituted in 1970 by act of law in the Knesset 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 2013. Five recipients have been awarded the medal twice. 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."
And here finally are the presentation packets they came in.
