Efraim Itzhakian

Son of Avraham and Shoshana. He was born in 5708 (1948) in Malayer in Persia.

After immigrating to Israel in 1952 he attended the "Ariel" elementary school in Ma'oz Zion B and completed his studies there. Afterwards he studied for three years at the "ORT" vocational school in Jerusalem and specialized in mechanics.

Ephraim was a good and devoted son to his parents and helped them bear the burden of earning a living. He spent all his free hours reading books. By nature he was quiet and disciplined.

Immediately after completing his studies he was drafted for compulsory service. He carried out his duty willingly and with love, and never complained of hardships.

A year and eight months later the Six-Day War broke out, and on its fifth day of fighting, the 1st of Sivan 5727 (9.6.1967), in the battle for Tel el-Faher on the Golan Heights, Ephraim broke through to the objective with the first squad under enemy fire, which hit many of our soldiers. He nevertheless continued clearing the trenches and afterwards went out into the open, again under a rain of fire, to rescue the wounded - and then, while extricating a comrade, he fell.

One day before he fell he wrote his last letter home, which ended with these sentences: "Mother, I say again: I am healthy and whole and am with the guys. When I come back I will take a trip with the whole family in the Old City and all the holy places in liberated Jerusalem. It will be something great..."

But, as stated, Ephraim did not live to fulfill his wish.

After his death Ephraim was commended by the Secretariat of the High Command in the Office of the Chief of Staff for displaying courage and comradeship in arms while risking his life. In an inquiry conducted in 2017 it was emphasized that Private First Class Ephraim Yitzhakian, of blessed memory, was awarded the Medal of Courage.