Lt. Gen. Dan Shomron (1987-1991)

Dan Shomron was born in 1937 in Kibbutz Ashdot Yaakov. He drafted in 1955 and volunteered in the paratroopers unit. In 1956 he fought in the Sinai Campaign. After accomplishing the officers course he served as a commander in the Paratroopers Unit as well as the Nahal Brigade.

During the Six-Day War he commanded a unit on the Egyptian front and was the first paratrooper to reach the Suez Canal. He was decorated with the Medal of Distinguished Service for this action.

During the Yom Kippur War, he commanded the 401st Armored Brigade. Under his command the brigade participated in battles to stop the Egyptian army in Sinai, crossed the Suez Canal and fought in Egypt.

In 1974 Shomron became the commander of all the Infantry and the Paratroopers. Two years later in 1976, he was in charge of the planning and commanding of the famous Operation Entebbe.

He was also in charge of the dismantling of Israeli settlements and army bases in the Sinai Peninsula, within the framework of the Camp David Accords of 1978 with Egypt.

Dan Shomron established the ground forces command and was accordingly its first commander.

In 1987 he became the 13th Chief of Staff of the IDF and served in this position til 1991.

After his term, he worked in the Israeli Military Industry.

Dan Shomron passed away in 2008.