Soldiers Awarded for Service During Operation Protective Edge

Yesterday, January 19, 2015, Lt. Gen. Benjamin “Benny” Gantz, the Chief of the General Staff, approved medals and citations honoring nine units and 53 soldiers who fought in Operation Protective Edge this past summer. The soldiers include officers and non-commissioned officers in both active and reserve duty.

The recipients were chosen by a special awards committee led by Brig. Gen. (Res.) Harel Knafo. At the end of a thorough selection process, the committee submitted its recommendations to Maj. Gen. Shlomo “Sami” Turgeman, the Commander of the Southern Command.

The recommendations were then brought before a General Staff committee, headed by the President of the Israeli Military Court of Appeals, Maj. Gen. Shai Yaniv, for a final evaluation. During the evaluation process, the committee selected the awards which will be granted by the Chief of the General Staff in February.

The Medal of Distinguished Service will be the highest award granted.