Yakkov Mizrahi

Son of Ben-Zion and Flora. Born on 8 Av 5697 (16.7.1937); a fifth generation in the Old City of Jerusalem.

He finished elementary school but could not continue his studies, because he went out to work to help his toiling parents. He was a member of Hapoel and excelled as a footballer, and although he was idolized by thousands of the capital's children, he remained modest and unassuming.

After his enlistment in the IDF in October 1954 he acquired combat experience and excelled in endurance and patience, as was attested by the smile on his lips when he returned from various operations.

On 12 Marheshvan 5716 (28.10.1955), in the Kuntilla raid, Private Yaakov Mizrahi was counted among a sub-force that charged the buildings with the aim of capturing prisoners. During the charge, a group of enemy soldiers continued to offer resistance. Private Yaakov Mizrahi himself pursued the enemy fighters, displaying courage. During his charge he was mortally wounded, and as the force returned to its base he died of his wounds.

Yaakov was brought to his eternal rest in the military cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem. Two days after his fall, his family members contributed to the Defense Fund in order to buy an “Uzi” submachine gun and two hand grenades, so that “another soldier will avenge Yaakov's blood, and in general the blood of all the brave boys by whose merit the nation exists.”

The Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Moshe Dayan, awarded Private Yaakov Mizrahi the Medal of Valor, which was delivered to his family in April 1973. His memory is raised in Uri Milstein's book “The Wars of the Paratroopers.”