At the picture left. Prime minister Golda Meir congratulates Captain Ayalon.
Click here to see the pictures of the 40 awardees and the date and place of the actions.
Hebrew name: Itur Hagvura
The Medal of Valor was instituted by the Law of Decorations in the Israel Defense Forces of 1970. This Law of Decorations relates to acts performed after June 4, 1967, but
also to those earlier acts for which the title "Hero of Israel"
or the Chief of Staff citation was given.
The Medal of Valor is awarded by the minister of Defense, upon recommendation by the Chief of Staff, for an act
of supreme heroism in combat in the face of the enemy, at the risk of
life.
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At a ceremony at the president's residence in Jerusalem, 26 April
1973, the first medals of Valor were presented. Thirty two Medals of
Valor were presented, among these, twelve to the holders of the
title "Hero of Israel".
In May 1975 another 8 medals were awarded, all of them for acts of heroism during the Yom Kippur War. According to
IDF publications, in total 40 Medals of Valor were awarded. At the picture left. Prime minister Golda Meir congratulates Captain Ayalon. Click here to see the pictures of the 40 awardees and the date and place of the actions. |
Most likely no register was kept of the serial numbers of medals awarded, so recipients can not be identified by the serial number. The total number of awarded medals up till now is 40, the last medal was awarded in 1975
Privileges connected to the decoration
Wearers of the Medal of Valor are honored and often invited to attend official ceremonies. Some types of tax reductions are given.
The design of the Medal of Valor was in remarkable contrast to that of the "Hero of Israel". The star of David and an olive branch, on a yellow ribbon is an obvious reminder of the yellow star of the Holocaust. The designer was Dan Reisinger. The medal was first minted in 1973 by Kretschmer of Jerusalem and issued by the Israel Government Coins and Medals Corporation. The original medal was made of 25 gr. silver and 45 mm diameter.
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The medal is accompanied by a yellow ribbon. |
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Multiple awards: If justified, more than once the same decoration may be awarded, however no additional medal can be presented. In this case a clasp of a miniature version of the medal should be mounted on the ribbon. |
Samples of used ribbons:
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The presence of the clasp mounted on the ribbon is probably only for the purpose of illustration. Never has this decoration been awarded twice to the same person. The few pictures available of people wearing the Decoration of Valor (see below) clearly show that just the yellow ribbon is worn, without clasp.
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| The medal as once presented in an olive wood box | The number on the back of the medal |
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Early version 1 - Minted by Kretschmer The medal was first minted in 1973 by Kretschmer of Jerusalem and issued by the Israel Government Coins and Medals Corporation. The original medal was made of 25 gr. silver and 45 mm diameter. The medal is without silver mark but with serial number (here covered). The reverse of the medal has a screw and nut holding the ribbon that is folded over a bar. Clasp: Pin back. Dimensions 40.7 x 13.4 mm. Silver mark 925 on lower right corner. Pin without safety lock. Ribbon width 38 mm. |
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Early version 2 - Minted by Kretschmer The medal was first minted in 1973 by Kretschmer of Jerusalem and issued by the Israel Government Coins and Medals Corporation. The original medal was made of 25 gr. silver and 45 mm diameter. The medal is without silver mark but with serial number (here covered). The reverse of the medal has a screw and nut holding the ribbon that is folded over a bar. Clasp: Pin back. Dimensions 40.7 x 13.4 mm. Silver mark 925 on lower right corner. Pin with safety lock Ribbon width 38 mm. |
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Modern version, pictures from 2004 Medal: nickel The reverse of the medal has a screw and nut holding the ribbon that is folded over a bar. No serial number. Clasp: Pin back. Dimensions 41.5 x 15 mm, chrome covered metal. Ribbon: width 41 mm. The ribbon is wider than the opening of the clasp The ribbon has a bright yellow color, instead of dark yellow |
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Modern version, pictures from 2012 Medal: nickel The reverse of the medal has a screw and nut holding the ribbon that is folded over a bar. No serial number. Clasp: Large clasp, clutch back. Ribbon: The ribbon is wider than the opening of the clasp The ribbon has a bright yellow color, instead of dark yellow |
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Modern version, since about 2012 Medal: nickel Clasp: Large clasp. Clutch back |
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Version found in 2022 Medal: nickel. The surface of the medal shows small pits. The reverse of the medal has a screw and large nut holding the ribbon. No serial number. Clasp: Clutch back. |
Admiral Ami Ayalon
Pinhas Noy with his wife and Ehud Barak
Pinhas Noy with an IDF delegation visiting Poland
Emil Brig,Hero of Israel and holocaust survivor during a memorial ceremony in Auschwitz
Brigadier General Avigdor Kahalani, awarded the Medal of Valor for his acts on the
Golan Heights during the Yom Kippur War (1973) and the Medal of
Distinguished Service for acts during the Six Day War.
The yellow ribbon is not clearly visible.
The document of this medal of Arieh Atzmoni
Source:www.atzmony.org.il/Legacy-Letters.htm