Israeli Military Recipients of the U.S. Legion of Merit

The Legion of Merit is a United States military decoration that has been awarded to a number of senior Israeli military officers in recognition of their service and contribution to military cooperation between Israel and the United States. This page documents Israeli recipients of the Legion of Merit, including IDF Chiefs of Staff and commanders of the Air Force, Navy and Ground Forces, with photographs and information about individual award ceremonies.

	Name and Function
	Rani Finkelstein IDF Cyber Defense 2026
	Herzi Halevi Chief of Staff of the IDF 2025
	Guy Barak Naval Attache to the United States 2024
	Aviv Kochavi Chief of Staff of the IDF 2022
	Amikam Norkin Commander of the Air Force 2019
	Kobi Barak Commander of the Ground Forces 2017
	Eli Sharvit Commander of the Navy 2017
	Amir Eshel Commander of the Air Force 2017
	Gadi Eisenkot Chief of Staff of the IDF 2016
	Benny Gantz Chief of Staff of the IDF 2013
	Ido Nehushtan Commander of the Air Force 2012
	Gabi Ashkenazi Chief of Staff of the IDF 2008
	Eliezer Shkedi Commander of the Air Force 2005
	Moshe Ya'alon Head of Military Intelligence / Chief of Staff of the IDF 1998, 2003 Ya'alon was awarded the Legion of Merit twice: first while serving as Head of Military Intelligence and again while serving as Chief of the General Staff, following Operation Iraqi Freedom.
	Yedidia Ya'ari Commander of the Navy 2003
	Ehud Barak Chief of Staff of the IDF 1992
	Ze'ev Almog Commander of the Navy 1981
	David Ivry Commander of the Air Force
	Amnon Lipkin-Shahak Chief of Staff of the IDF