Arie Baratz

Aryeh, son of Sarah and Isaac, was born on the 6th of Sivan 5712 (3.6.1952) in Hadera.

From childhood Aryeh proved to be mature for his age, discerning and thorough in every subject that interested him. He was a quiet boy, very devoted to his parents, who gave him abundant love and stood by him in every step he took in his life.

At school Aryeh was an outstanding student; he loved reading very much and engaged in research. After completing his studies at the "Ahad Ha'am" elementary school in Hadera, Aryeh was accepted to the general high school, and here too he excelled in his talents in the sciences. The subjects that attracted him were biology and chemistry, and he also helped his friend and teacher, Moshe Adar, in publishing a chemistry textbook for high schools, called "Chemistry in the Laboratory." Many of the experiments described in it were carried out by Aryeh. At school Aryeh was nicknamed "the Professor." The title expressed much admiration for his ability and knowledge, for he always loved to help his friends with their studies and never withheld from them knowledge he had acquired by his own efforts. Aryeh was a handsome young man, with a penetrating gaze, yet modest and humble, to whom boasting of his achievements was utterly foreign.

In the matriculation examinations he earned excellent grades and was accepted to the medical school in Haifa without having to take the usual entrance examinations. But he postponed the start of his studies until after the end of his service in the IDF.

Aryeh was drafted into the IDF at the beginning of November 1970 and was posted to the Armored Corps. After basic training and the basic course, he completed an armored drivers' course and a loader-radio operator course. On his visits home on leave he did not tend to tell much about his service, and in his modest way he did not boast of achievements or of withstanding hardships. He aspired only to finish his regular service and continue his studies, in order to realize the desire of his heart - to become a doctor.

Aryeh's friends loved him very much, for he was a good friend and a faithful companion. His commanders knew that they could rely on him in any mission assigned to him.

When the Yom Kippur War broke out, Aryeh was stationed with his unit on the southern front. He took part in the terrible battles for nine full days, fought with resourcefulness and courage, and rescued tank crews from the fire. On the 19th of Tishrei 5734 (15.10.1973), which was the night of the crossing of the canal, he was hit in battle and was killed.

He was laid to eternal rest in the cemetery in Hadera. He left behind parents and a sister. After his fall he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant.

For his extraordinary heroism in battle Aryeh was awarded the "Distinguished Service Medal" (Ot HaMofet), and this is the text of the citation: "As a sign and testimony that Sergeant Aryeh Bartz, of blessed memory, displayed courage worthy of serving as an example. Description of the deed: On 6 October 1973, in the battles of containment in the Firdan area, Sergeant Aryeh Bartz, of blessed memory, served as a tank driver. In this battle the tank was hit, and he evacuated his wounded crew members to the tank of the platoon sergeant. Sergeant Aryeh Bartz, of blessed memory, sat in the driver's seat and drove the tank and the casualties in it to Ta'oz, a distance of about 10 km, while the tank was burning. Afterward he returned to fight. On the night of the crossing, 15 October 1973, he fell in the area of the 'Chinese Farm.' By these deeds he displayed courage, resourcefulness and exemplary comradeship in arms. For this deed he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal."