Medals

Medal of Valor

This is the first and most significant decoration in the IDF, given by the Defense Minister on the Chief of Staff's recommendation for "a supreme act of heroism, carried out in times of war against the enemy in a spirit of treachery."

The decoration is made up of a yellow ribbon bearing a Star of David with a sword and a branch of an olive tree in its center, a shape reminiscent of the symbol of the IDF.

The Medal of Valor was established in 1970 and replaced the decoration “Hero of Israel”, which was only awarded in the War of Independence. Everyone who was decorated with “Hero of Israel” automatically received the Medal of Valor. Overall 40 medals have been awarded.  

Medal of Distinguished Service

Medal of Distinguished Service is the third most important medal given by the Chief of Staff following an act that is done with courage and worthy of exemplary service.

This medal is actually the only one of the three awarded for excellence even outside the battlefield. It consists of a blue ribbon bearing a metal circle with a sword in its center alongside wheat, two symbols that are common in 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.

So far, 601 soldiers have received this medal. Some notable recipient of the medal are:

• Ehud Barak- 10th Prime Minister, awarded the Medal of Distinguished Service in 1973 as a result of his actions in special missions under difficult conditions.
• Dan Shomron- 13th Chief of Staff, awarded the Medal of Distinguished Service in 1973 as a Maj. as a result of his actions during the Six Day War.
• Yonatan Netanyahu- was awarded the Medal of Distinguished Service in 1973 for rescuing Lt. Col. Yossi Ben Hanan who was lying wounded behind Syrian lines during the Yom Kippur War.
• Lt. Eitan- was awarded the Medal of Distinguished Service in 2015 for his actions in Operation Protective Edge. He entered the terror tunnel and followed the Kidnapped Lt. Hadar Goldin in attempt to bring him back. His actions resulted in evidence determining his death.

Medal of Courage

This is the second most important decoration given by the Chief of Staff for "an act of heroism during combat duty while being in mortal danger."

The decoration is composed of a red ribbon bearing six swords and wheat, which form the menorah, a Jewish national symbol that originated in biblical times and became a symbol of Zionism and the State of Israel.

To this day more than 200 Medals of Courage have been given.

Some notable recipients of the medal are:

• Amnon Lipkin-Shahak- the 15th chief of staff, awarded the Medal of Courage as a result of his actions during Operation Inferno (the Battle of Karameh) in 1968. He received a second Medal of Courage for his actions in Operation Spring of Youth in Beirut in 1973.
• Meir Dagan - was a Mag. Gen. in the IDF and later on the Director of the Mossad. He received the medal for charging at a terrorist holding an activated grande, saving everyone around him.
• Meir Har-Zion - served in Unit 101, was praised by the Chief of Staff (Dayan) who described him as "the finest of our commando soldiers, the best soldier ever to emerge in the IDF". Received the medal for his many actions in his short service.
• Oved Lidzhinsky -  was a Lt. in the IDF. He was awarded the medal twice, once when his forces for charging alone against enemy fire, killing a machine gun operator and two riflemen, enabling his unit to enter the outpost and complete the mission. His second medal was awarded after his death in the Sinai War. He shielded one of his soldiers from a grenade and saved his life. He received the medal for his action.
• Rafael Eitan - 11th Chief of the General Staff, an inspiration to many soldiers and citizens in Israel. He was a commander, role-model and educator, dedicated to the education, welfare and future of all his soldiers. He received the medal for charging against enemy fire, while climbing a steep cliff and eliminating the threat.
• Roi Klein - was a battalion deputy commander in the Golani Brigade. During the Second Lebanon War a grenade was thrown at his forces and endangered all the soldiers near him. Klein covered the grenade with his body, protecting them. He  was posthumously awarded the medal.
• Amir Drori -  He was awarded the Medal of Courage for his part in the Israeli raid on the Syrian village of Tawafiq in 1960.

Outstanding Presidential Award

Every year, 120 soldiers from various branches, divisions and IDF units receive the President's Award for Excellence, in the presence of the Prime Minister, the Chief of Staff, the Minister of Defense and various generals. They receive the citation from the president of Israel at a festive event at his residence on Independence Day.

The letter is awarded for exceptional performance in the IDF and is designed like a gilt and olive branch, similar to the officers' pin, against the background of the menorah.